Schistosomiasis and ruptured ectopic pregnancy: A case report

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease mainly prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in poor settings without adequate sanitation and access to clean water. It is caused by trematode parasites living within the veins of their human host, where they mate and produce fertilized eggs. The eggs are either shed into the environment through feces or urine, or are retained in host tissues where they induce inflammation and then die. The genital form is caused by Schistosoma haematobium and affects both the urinary and genital tracts in up to 75% of infected individuals, both male and female. Female genital schistosomiasis is a challenging and potentially lethal condition and may affect the whole genital tract leading to a wide range of urinary, sexual, and reproductive health problems. The main reasons leading women to health services are infertility and genital nonspecific symptoms including vaginal discharge, pruritus, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and haematuria. Other severe complications caused by schistosomiasis include increased risk of HIV and HPV infection, genital ulcers, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy. We report in the present case study a 23-year-old female with schistosomiasis and ruptured ectopic tubal pregnancy successfully managed in a low-income setting.