Schistosomiasis (schistosoma)

· Children are infected through contact with water contaminated with cercariae.

· Cercaria emerge from the infected snails and are capable to penetrate intact human skin.

· Cercaria they migrate to the lungs and finally to the liver.

· The adult worms migrate to specific anatomic sites characteristic of each species.

· Schistosoma haematobium adults are found in the perivesical and periureteral venous   plexus, while Schistosoma mansoni adults are found in the inferior mesenteric veins.

Treatment

The drug of choice is praziquantel (40 mg/kg/day divided into two doses for one day).

Prevention

· Transmission of infection may be decreased by reducing the parasite load in the population. This goal may be achieved by the availability of oral, single- dose, effective chemotherapeutic agents.

· Improved sanitation and focal application of molluscicides, may be useful.

· Control of schistosomiasis is closely linked to economic and social development.