Cytologic diagnosis of schistosomiasis in routine urinary specimens. A case report

A voided urine specimen from a 29-year-old male living in New York was sent for cytologic study, which revealed five schistosome ova, two with terminal spines, and one free miracidium in a cytocentrifuge specimen. The patient, who had been in West Africa three years earlier, underwent cystoscopy, with the finding of bladder mucosal ulcerations. Subsequent cytologic specimens, bladder biopsy and wet-mount preparations established a diagnosis of Schistosoma haematobium infection, which was treated, apparently successfully, with Metrifonate. The case is presented to focus attention on the cytologic diagnosis of S. haematobium in routine urinary specimens since the opportunity to make such a diagnosis is increasing in the continental United States as more Americans visit areas of endemic infestation and more residents of those areas immigrate to this country.