Schistosomiasis in Leicester

Twenty-two cases of schistosomiasis were diagnosed in the Infectious Diseases Unit in Leicester during a 5-year period. There were 11 cases of Schistosoma haematobium infection and three of S. mansoni infection. The schistosoma type in the remaining eight cases was uncertain. Fourteen asymptomatic family members of patients with proven schistosomiasis were screened and 6 (43%) had evidence of schistosomal infection. Seventeen (77%) of the patients were thought to have been infected in Malawi and all but one of these had swum in Lake Malawi. The study highlights the large proportion of cases who acquired infection in Malawi and emphasises the importance of family screening.