Schistosomal peritonitis: a rare cause of acute abdomen

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Oct;103(10):1068-70. doi: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.11.008. Epub 2009 Jan 8.

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a major parasitic infection of tropical areas. We present a 26-year-old male immigrant from Egypt with acute abdomen due to schistosomial infection, mimicking symptoms of acute appendicitis, with histopathological detection and representation of schistosomial eggs in the unusual area of the greater omentum. This is a rare case with findings of intra-peritoneal schistosoma ova. We review the pertinent literature and indicate the need for a new approach to infectious diseases with unusual clinical presentation, due to pathogens coming from distal geographical regions, in which surgeons must keep a high index of suspicion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen, Acute / parasitology*
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peritonitis / diagnosis
  • Peritonitis / parasitology*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / complications*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / diagnosis