Schistosomiasis of the Bladder

Synonyms

Bilharziasis; Schistosomal disease of the urinary bladder

Definition

Chronic disease due to Schistosoma haematobium

Clinical Features

• Incidence

  In Africa and Eastern Mediterranean, the infection with Schistosoma haematobium affects large percentage of the people.

• Age

  Young people in endemic areas

• Sex

  Male/female ratio is 4:1.

• Site

  The involvement of different urogenital organs may occur; the urinary bladder is more frequently affected (Zahran et al. 1976), but can be seen in the prostate and seminal vesicles also.

• Treatment

  Anti-helminth drugs. Ulcerations may require partial cystectomy.

• Outcome

  It is a chronic disease. It causes non-specific symptoms with dysuria, pain, and eventually voiding alterations. It may cause, if untreated, pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis and a high incidence of squamous cell carcinoma but also urothelial carcinoma and more rarely adenocarcinoma. Complications, such as ulceration, may occur during inactive phase of disease.

Macroscopy

Chronic...