Abstract
Background: Schistosoma japonicum is endemic in the Philippines, China, and Indonesia, and is the third-most common schistosoma species. The infection can be asymptomatic for years but, if left untreated, can lead to irreversible complications. Method: We report the results of a systematic review of the literature on imported S. japonicum infection and describe two previously unpublished cases diagnosed in Filipino migrants in Italy. Results: Twenty-five imported cases of S. japonicum schistosomiasis were retrieved. All patients but one were migrants. Most subjects acquired the infection in Philippines (n = 18, 72%). Median age at diagnosis was 46 years. Median period of residence in non-endemic countries before diagnosis was 14.5 years. Cases of prevalent hepatosplenic involvement were 10 (40%), those with prevalent intestinal involvement were 10 (40%), whereas five (20%) had overlapping manifestations. Ten patients suffered from cirrhosis; two underwent liver transplantation. Three patients presented with acute abdomen due to intestinal complications, leading to explorative laparotomy. In all cases, but one, the diagnosis was based on a histological examination of biopsy specimen, revealing S. japonicum ova. Seventeen patients were treated with praziquantel, and in three of them, possible treatment failures occurred. Conclusions: S. japonicum infection is uncommonly reported in non-endemic areas, but is probably underestimated because of a low threshold awareness of clinicians and unavailability of specific diagnostic tools. Viable S. japonicum adults may persist for decades, indicating that migrants or travellers previously exposed in areas with high-risk areas can harbour viable worms and deserve treatment.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 101496 |
| Journal | Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Europe
- Migrant
- Non endemic
- Schistosoma japonicum
- Schistosomiasis
- Travellers
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases
Cite this
Imported human Schistosoma japonicum : A report on two cases in Filipino migrants present in Italy and a systematic review of literature. / Vellere, Iacopo; Mangano, Valentina Dianora; Cagno, Maria Cristina; Gobbi, Federico; Ragusa, Andrea; Bartoloni, Alessandro; Biancofiore, Giandomenico; De Simone, Paolo; Campani, Daniela; Bruschi, Fabrizio; Zammarchi, Lorenzo.
In: Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Imported human Schistosoma japonicum
T2 - A report on two cases in Filipino migrants present in Italy and a systematic review of literature
AU - Vellere, Iacopo
AU - Mangano, Valentina Dianora
AU - Cagno, Maria Cristina
AU - Gobbi, Federico
AU - Ragusa, Andrea
AU - Bartoloni, Alessandro
AU - Biancofiore, Giandomenico
AU - De Simone, Paolo
AU - Campani, Daniela
AU - Bruschi, Fabrizio
AU - Zammarchi, Lorenzo
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Background: Schistosoma japonicum is endemic in the Philippines, China, and Indonesia, and is the third-most common schistosoma species. The infection can be asymptomatic for years but, if left untreated, can lead to irreversible complications. Method: We report the results of a systematic review of the literature on imported S. japonicum infection and describe two previously unpublished cases diagnosed in Filipino migrants in Italy. Results: Twenty-five imported cases of S. japonicum schistosomiasis were retrieved. All patients but one were migrants. Most subjects acquired the infection in Philippines (n = 18, 72%). Median age at diagnosis was 46 years. Median period of residence in non-endemic countries before diagnosis was 14.5 years. Cases of prevalent hepatosplenic involvement were 10 (40%), those with prevalent intestinal involvement were 10 (40%), whereas five (20%) had overlapping manifestations. Ten patients suffered from cirrhosis; two underwent liver transplantation. Three patients presented with acute abdomen due to intestinal complications, leading to explorative laparotomy. In all cases, but one, the diagnosis was based on a histological examination of biopsy specimen, revealing S. japonicum ova. Seventeen patients were treated with praziquantel, and in three of them, possible treatment failures occurred. Conclusions: S. japonicum infection is uncommonly reported in non-endemic areas, but is probably underestimated because of a low threshold awareness of clinicians and unavailability of specific diagnostic tools. Viable S. japonicum adults may persist for decades, indicating that migrants or travellers previously exposed in areas with high-risk areas can harbour viable worms and deserve treatment.
AB - Background: Schistosoma japonicum is endemic in the Philippines, China, and Indonesia, and is the third-most common schistosoma species. The infection can be asymptomatic for years but, if left untreated, can lead to irreversible complications. Method: We report the results of a systematic review of the literature on imported S. japonicum infection and describe two previously unpublished cases diagnosed in Filipino migrants in Italy. Results: Twenty-five imported cases of S. japonicum schistosomiasis were retrieved. All patients but one were migrants. Most subjects acquired the infection in Philippines (n = 18, 72%). Median age at diagnosis was 46 years. Median period of residence in non-endemic countries before diagnosis was 14.5 years. Cases of prevalent hepatosplenic involvement were 10 (40%), those with prevalent intestinal involvement were 10 (40%), whereas five (20%) had overlapping manifestations. Ten patients suffered from cirrhosis; two underwent liver transplantation. Three patients presented with acute abdomen due to intestinal complications, leading to explorative laparotomy. In all cases, but one, the diagnosis was based on a histological examination of biopsy specimen, revealing S. japonicum ova. Seventeen patients were treated with praziquantel, and in three of them, possible treatment failures occurred. Conclusions: S. japonicum infection is uncommonly reported in non-endemic areas, but is probably underestimated because of a low threshold awareness of clinicians and unavailability of specific diagnostic tools. Viable S. japonicum adults may persist for decades, indicating that migrants or travellers previously exposed in areas with high-risk areas can harbour viable worms and deserve treatment.
KW - Europe
KW - Migrant
KW - Non endemic
KW - Schistosoma japonicum
KW - Schistosomiasis
KW - Travellers
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85072672080&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85072672080&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.tmaid.2019.101496
DO - 10.1016/j.tmaid.2019.101496
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85072672080
JO - Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
JF - Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
SN - 1477-8939
M1 - 101496
ER -