[Symptoms and development of Schistosoma mansoni infestation]

Schistosoma mansoni schistosomiasis is widespread in Latin America and Black Africa. Infestation is through the skin where it produces erythema with pruritus. Invasion is manifested by mild or sometimes fairly marked systemic disorders. The gastrointestinal disorders observed in the established phase have no characteristic features. The major complication is portal hypertension due to the portal vein fibrosis provoked by schistosomatic granules with an egg at their centre. The diagnosis rests on the finding of eggs in the faeces and on biopsy of the rectal mucosa. The present treatments are effective and well tolerated, but a portocaval anastomosis may be necessary.