1. Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis presenting as spontaneous hemoperitoneum in a Filipino immigrant.
- Author
-
Okamoto K and Brown JD
- Subjects
- Adult, Animals, Female, Hawaii, Hemoperitoneum drug therapy, Hemoperitoneum parasitology, Humans, Liver Diseases, Parasitic complications, Liver Diseases, Parasitic drug therapy, Liver Diseases, Parasitic parasitology, Philippines ethnology, Praziquantel therapeutic use, Schistosomiasis japonica complications, Schistosomiasis japonica drug therapy, Schistosomiasis japonica parasitology, Schistosomicides therapeutic use, Splenic Diseases complications, Splenic Diseases drug therapy, Splenic Diseases parasitology, Treatment Outcome, Hemoperitoneum diagnosis, Liver Diseases, Parasitic diagnosis, Schistosoma japonicum isolation & purification, Schistosomiasis japonica diagnosis, Splenic Diseases diagnosis
- Abstract
Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis is due to chronic parasitic trematode infections with various Schistosoma sp. The Schistosoma life cycle requires contamination of surface water by infected human or animal excreta, specific freshwater snail intermediate hosts and human skin contact with water. The disease is prevalent in many developing tropical areas, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa as well as in Southeast Asia. Deposition of Schistosoma eggs in the hepatic portal system leads to periportal fibrosis, cirrhosis and portal hypertension but little hepatocellular damage. Portal hypertension of any etiology may cause gastrointestinal varices. Rarely, ectopic varices may rupture into the peritoneal cavity and result in a hemoperitoneum. The authors describe a case of a Filipino immigrant who presented with a hemoperitoneum associated with previously unrecognized hepatosplenic schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma japonicum.
- Published
- 2013
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