Affiliations 

  • 1 School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: chuahcandy@usm.my
  • 2 School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
  • 3 Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 4 Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute of Pathology, Laboratory & Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Level 4, Academic Building, Faculty of Medicine, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 5 Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
Acta Trop, 2019 Feb;190:137-143.
PMID: 30448471 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.11.012

Abstract

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by the trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, affects approximately 207 million people worldwide. Among the five main species infecting humans, Schistosoma mansoni and S. japonicum are responsible for the majority of hepatointestinal schistosomiasis. Human settlements near fresh water sites that lack proper sanitary systems often contribute to the transmission of disease. This risk particularly impacts on travellers or immigrants who come into contact with larvae-contaminated water. This review discusses the central features of schistosomiasis; including clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatments, and the preventive measures available for the control of this disease. The description of the Malaysian schistosome species Schistosoma malayensis and the current status of schistosomiasis in Malaysia including the compilation of cases diagnosed from 1904 to 2015 are also discussed in this paper.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.