[Schistosomiasis at Marselisborg hospital 1981-1990]

Schistosomiasis cases diagnosed and treated at Marselisborg Hospital, Denmark from 1.1.1981 to 31.12.1990 were reviewed. In all cases the infection was acquired in Africa. Among 41 patients 15 were Danes and 26 were immigrants, and a total of 57 episodes of schistosomiasis was recorded. Schistosoma mansoni was found in 27 patients, Schistosoma haematobium in 11 patients and in three cases the diagnosis was based on serology. Forty-eight percent of patients with S. mansoni had symptoms, compared to 82% of the patients with S. haematobium. The immigrants more often had symptoms than the Danes, possibly due to the occurrence of other infections. The treatment was in all cases praziquantel. Residual infection was observed in 24%. We recommend that subjects from endemic areas who may have been exposed to infection should be tested for schistosomiasis by examination of urine, stool, or snips of the rectal mucosa. Re-examination after treatment is recommended especially in cases of S. mansoni infection due to risk of residual infection.