Pulmonary schistosomiasis

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a very important infectious disease, and pulmonary involvement is not very rare. There may be two forms of pulmonary involvement, acute and chronic. The acute form usually occurs about 6 weeks after the infection (Katayama syndrome) and seems to be due to an allergic manifestation to the presence of Schistosoma spp. worm or eggs. The chronic form is more commonly seen in endemic areas and may cause pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale, pulmonary granulomatous schistosomiasis, and pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas. Recurrence of pulmonary infiltrations may appear after treatment. The globalization of the world with international travel makes it necessary for clinicians around the world to be aware of some "old" diseases from endemic areas of the globe.