Analysis index

Intestinal bilharziasis: Stool, (if necessary, biopsy of the rectal mucosa)

Urogenital bilharziasis: Quickest possible submission of 3 consecutive collection urine samples, samples collected between 10:00 and 14:00 each. In case of negative findings, several repeat tests are recommended (pathogen detection).

Antibody demonstration: 1 ml serum, external service

Indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) (S. mansoni): < 1:80 titer

EIT-IgG (S. mansoni): < 6 MONA

EIT-IgG (S. haematobium): < 6 MONA

Suspicion of bilharziasis

Schistosomiasis is the second most common tropical disease, after malaria. Infection is by contact with waters from tropical and subtropical lakes, via the infestation of larvae (cercaria) in the skin.  As a primary effect of contact, there is so-called cercarial dermatitis with severely itching urticarial efflorescences. As an allergic systemic reaction to the developing parasites (especially S. japonicum and S. mansoni), Katayama disease with fever, eosinophilia and possible urticaria will develop after 2 – 12 weeks after initial infection. Chronic infection (months to years) is seen in urogenital bilharziasis (S. haematobium) or intestinal bilharziasis (S. mansoni, S. japonicum, S. intercalatum, S. mekongi).

Important endemic areas are Africa, Eastern Brazil, Venezuela, Yemen, Oman, Iraq, Syria, China, Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines.  

Microscopic demonstration of eggs in stool or urine only has minor sensitivity in early infection or low parasite load.

Serology is positive 6 – 12 weeks after infection, even before eggs are detectable (prepatent period). Serological findings are not indicative of the actual state (active, treatment controlled…) or intensity of infection.

Further information can be found at www.rki.de/EN

MVZ Diamedis Diagnostische Medizin Sennestadt