Case Report: Highlighting Male Genital Schistosomiasis (MGS) in Fishermen from the Southwestern Shoreline of Lake Malawi, Mangochi District

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2019 Dec;101(6):1331-1335. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0562.

Abstract

Urogenital schistosomiasis causes morbidity within the genitalia but is underreported and infrequently examined in men. To draw attention to male genital schistosomiasis (MGS), a longitudinal cohort study was conducted among fishermen along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Malawi. A case series of five participants is presented inclusive of questionnaire interviews, parasitological examinations, ultrasonography, and provision of a standard dose (40 mg/kg) of praziquantel (PZQ) treatment at baseline, 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up time points. Eggs of Schistosoma haematobium were observed in urine or semen across all time points; parasitological diagnostics were bolstered by real-time PCR for Schistosoma DNA in semen and by portable ultrasonography to document putative MGS-associated morbidity. We highlight the importance of developing standard diagnostic tests for MGS and increasing the accessibility of PZQ treatment to men, especially those in at-risk endemic areas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Fisheries
  • Genitalia, Male / parasitology*
  • Humans
  • Lakes
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Malawi
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use
  • Schistosoma haematobium / drug effects
  • Schistosoma haematobium / genetics
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / diagnosis*
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / drug therapy
  • Semen / parasitology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Ultrasonography
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Praziquantel