TY - JOUR
T1 - Schistosomiasis in the Military-A Narrative Review
AU - Strachinaru, DIC
AU - Nyaboke Nyandwaro, Jemima
AU - Stoefs, A
AU - Dooms, E
AU - Vanbrabant, P
AU - François, PM
AU - Strachinaru, M
AU - Van Esbroeck, M
AU - Bottieau, E
AU - Soentjens, P
N1 - FTX; DOAJ; CC BY
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Schistosomiasis is a parasitosis caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. Humans are infected when coming into contact with freshwater containing the parasites' infective stages, which are amplified through freshwater-dwelling snails acting as intermediate hosts. Schistosomiasis has posed significant problems for troops exposed to freshwater in endemic regions ever since the Napoleonic wars. Schistosomiasis has substantial differences in clinical presentation, depending on the type of parasite, intensity of infection and reinfection, clinical form, and disease stage. It can remain undiagnosed for long periods of time, with well-known long-term morbidity and mortality risks. The diagnosis of schistosomiasis depends on its stage and relays on several tests, all with limitations in sensitivity and specificity. The diagnostic gold standard is the detection of eggs in urine, feces, or tissue biopsies, but this can raise problems in patients such as military personnel, in which the worm burden is usually low. Praziquantel is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis. Currently, there is no available commercial vaccine against any Schistosoma parasite. Avoiding freshwater exposure is the best prevention. Herein, we review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of schistosomiasis in the military. This information may decrease the impact of schistosomiasis on this particular professional group.
AB - Schistosomiasis is a parasitosis caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. Humans are infected when coming into contact with freshwater containing the parasites' infective stages, which are amplified through freshwater-dwelling snails acting as intermediate hosts. Schistosomiasis has posed significant problems for troops exposed to freshwater in endemic regions ever since the Napoleonic wars. Schistosomiasis has substantial differences in clinical presentation, depending on the type of parasite, intensity of infection and reinfection, clinical form, and disease stage. It can remain undiagnosed for long periods of time, with well-known long-term morbidity and mortality risks. The diagnosis of schistosomiasis depends on its stage and relays on several tests, all with limitations in sensitivity and specificity. The diagnostic gold standard is the detection of eggs in urine, feces, or tissue biopsies, but this can raise problems in patients such as military personnel, in which the worm burden is usually low. Praziquantel is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis. Currently, there is no available commercial vaccine against any Schistosoma parasite. Avoiding freshwater exposure is the best prevention. Herein, we review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of schistosomiasis in the military. This information may decrease the impact of schistosomiasis on this particular professional group.
KW - Schistosoma spp.
KW - Imported disease
KW - Military
KW - Neglected tropical disease
KW - Schistosomiasis
KW - Travel medicine
KW - Tropical deployment
KW - Tropical medicine
KW - Veterans
UR - https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=itm_wosliteitg&SrcAuth=WosAPI&KeyUT=WOS:001326152400001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL
U2 - 10.3390/tropicalmed9090221
DO - 10.3390/tropicalmed9090221
M3 - Review
C2 - 39330910
SN - 2414-6366
VL - 9
JO - Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
JF - Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
IS - 9
M1 - 221
ER -