Schistosomiasis: a review of cases in Wellington 1993-4

To review those cases of Schistosoma haematobium presenting in Wellington during 1993 and 1994.

All patients receiving praziquantel during 1993 and 1994 were traced through local pharmacy records. Their clinical records were reviewed and they were contacted by phone to ensure a complete set of information was obtained. This included timing of possible exposure to the parasite, symptoms, investigations and response to treatment.

Nine patients were identified who had been treated with praziquantel during this period. The records of six patients were available for review, all of whom had recently travelled to Africa and had swum in water contaminated with the parasite. Four had presented to medical practitioners with irritative voiding symptoms and scant intermittent haematuria. One presented with haematospermia and one after becoming aware that a friend had contracted schistosomiasis. All were treated with a single dose of praziquantel.

This paper has demonstrated an increased number of cases of Schistosoma haematobium being identified in Wellington. The prevalence of this condition is low, but has been seen to increase recently and relates to the increasing numbers of New Zealanders touring Africa. Patients present with relatively mild, nonspecific symptoms which require a high index of suspicion to ensure that appropriate investigations are ordered. The currently available treatment is efficacious and relatively well tolerated.