[Bilharziasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni in a traveler returning from Guinea: failure of serodiagnostic testing].

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to describe a case of febrile hypereosinophilic syndrome in a traveler three weeks after returning from a sightseeing trip to Guinea. Laboratory testing demonstrated an inflammatory response syndrome and hepatic cytolysis. Parasite serology led to suspicion of toxocariasis that was treated using albendazole. Follow-up tests at two months showed the presence of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in stools despite negative standard serodiagnostic testing (hemagglutination). Secondarily Western blot testing of serum samples at one, two and 14 months after returning from Guinea continued to show only protein bands specific to toxocariasis with no bands specific to bilhariziasis. These findings provide further evidence of the limitations of serological testing for detection of bilharziasis in travelers and the difficulty of diagnosis. Guinea is a high-risk tourist destination. Intestinal and urinary bilharziasis are endemic over three-fourths of country. Travelers planning even short stays in areas where bilharziasis is endemic should be advised on preventive measures.

• Authors: C P Raccurt, Y El Samad, T Chouaki, A Borel, P Agnamey, A Totet, J L Schmit
• Journal: Medecine tropicale : revue du Corps de sante colonial (Med Trop (Mars)) Vol. 67 Issue 2 Pg. 175-8 (Apr 2007) ISSN: 0025-682X [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Bilharziose à Schistosoma mansoniau retour de Guinée: défaillance du sérodiagnostic.
• PMID: 17691438 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Animals
• Blotting, Western
• Diagnostic Errors
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Feces (parasitology)
• Guinea
• Hemagglutination Tests
• Humans
• Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (parasitology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Schistosoma mansoni (isolation & purification)
• Schistosomiasis mansoni (blood, diagnosis)
• Travel