Prevalence, treatment and use of cystoscopy as a diagnostic test in patients with urinary Schistosomiasis

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is the most prevalent parasitic diseases caused by helmints worldwide. Diagnosis is achieved by detecting parasite eggs in the patient´s urine, however, sometimes a cystoscopy is requered due to low sensitivity of direct examination technique. Treatment of choice is praziquantel. Aim of this work was to determine and evaluate the prevalence of bladder Schistosomiasis, its treatment and the performance of diagnostic tests in patients with genitourinary Schistosomiasis. A retrospective study of 4 years in a local hospital was carried out. Collected variables: demographic, concomitant parasitization, associated pathologies, other symptoms (hematuria, eosinophilia), diagnostic confirmation, bladder biopsy, complementary explorations (ultrasound, radiology, flexible cystoscopy), treatment and need for re-treatment. We treated 247 patients with genitourinary Schistosomiasis. Cystoscopy was performed on 44 patients, 28 of them presenting significant findings compatible with Schistosomiasis. All patients received treatment with praziquantel. 22 patients had to receive the treatment again. High prevalence of Schistosomiasis among the immigrant population requires a high level of clinical suspicion in these patients, especially when they present hematuria. Cystoscopy allows obtaining diagnostic confirmation of the disease. Treatment with praziquantel has good tolerance and a high cure rate.