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Clinical and Preclinical Imaging of Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis. Trends Parasitol 2019; 36:206-226. [PMID: 31864895 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, is a major cause of chronic morbidity and disability, and premature death. The hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis is characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and esophageal varices, whose rupture may cause bleeding and death. We review currently available abdominal imaging modalities and describe their basic principles, strengths, weaknesses, and usefulness in the assessment of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS). Advanced imaging methods are presented that could be of interest for hepatosplenic schistosomiasis evaluation by yielding morphological, functional, and molecular parameters of disease progression. We also provide a comprehensive view of preclinical imaging studies and current research objectives such as parasite visualization in hosts, follow-up of the host's immune response, and development of noninvasive quantitative methods for liver fibrosis assessment.
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Abstract
Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms (blood flukes) of the genus Schistosoma, with considerable morbidity in parts of the Middle East, South America, Southeast Asia and, particularly, in sub-Saharan Africa. Infective larvae grow in an intermediate host (fresh-water snails) before penetrating the skin of the definitive human host. Mature adult worms reside in the mesenteric (Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum) or pelvic (Schistosoma haematobium) veins, where female worms lay eggs, which are secreted in stool or urine. Eggs trapped in the surrounding tissues and organs, such as the liver and bladder, cause inflammatory immune responses (including granulomas) that result in intestinal, hepato-splenic or urogenital disease. Diagnosis requires the detection of eggs in excreta or worm antigens in the serum, and sensitive, rapid, point-of-care tests for populations living in endemic areas are needed. The anti-schistosomal drug praziquantel is safe and efficacious against adult worms of all the six Schistosoma spp. infecting humans; however, it does not prevent reinfection and the emergence of drug resistance is a concern. Schistosomiasis elimination will require a multifaceted approach, including: treatment; snail control; information, education and communication; improved water, sanitation and hygiene; accurate diagnostics; and surveillance-response systems that are readily tailored to social-ecological settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald P McManus
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - David W Dunne
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Moussa Sacko
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Research, Institut National de Recherche en Santé Publique, Bamako, Mali
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Birgitte J Vennervald
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Skelly PJ. The use of imaging to detect schistosomes and diagnose schistosomiasis. Parasite Immunol 2014; 35:295-301. [PMID: 23647173 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Several imaging modalities have been employed to examine schistosomes and monitor schistosome-induced pathology. Ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging method that has long been used in the laboratory and in the field to evaluate pathological changes, notably fibrosis, that arise as a consequence of the host response to schistosome eggs lodging in a variety of tissues. Ultrasonography has been widely used to monitor changes in the extent of fibrosis and in spleen/liver enlargement following chemotherapeutic treatment for schistosomiasis. Imaging methods to monitor schistosomes themselves in vivo (as opposed to detecting schistosome-induced pathology) include positron emission tomography and fluorescence molecular tomography. Both approaches rely on schistosome uptake of tracers that are introduced into infected animals and that can be detected externally. These methods have been used to successfully detect schistosomes in vivo and to monitor their elimination following chemotherapeutic treatment. Direct monitoring of live schistosomes in vivo has been achieved using intravital microscopy, when the infected tissues of anaesthetized animals are exposed. Finally, schistosome eggs have been visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy in infected mice as well as in a human patient with schistosomiasis hematobium. Further advances in imaging technologies seem likely to provide greater insight into disease progression and into the biology of schistosomes in the most relevant setting-within a live animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Skelly
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Molecular Helminthology Laboratory, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
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Cytokine Pattern of T Lymphocytes in Acute Schistosomiasis mansoni Patients following Treated Praziquantel Therapy. J Parasitol Res 2013; 2013:909134. [PMID: 23401741 PMCID: PMC3563181 DOI: 10.1155/2013/909134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute schistosomiasis is associated with a primary exposure and is more commonly seen in nonimmune individuals traveling through endemic regions. In this study, we have focused on the cytokine profile of T lymphocytes evaluated in circulating leukocytes of acute Schistosomiasis mansoni-infected patients (ACT group) before and after praziquantel treatment (ACT-TR group). Our data demonstrated increased values of total leukocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes in both groups. Interestingly, we have observed that patients treated with praziquantel showed increased values of lymphocytes as compared with noninfected group (NI) or ACT groups. Furthermore, a decrease of neutrophils in ACT-TR was observed when compared to ACT group. Analyses of short-term in vitro whole blood stimulation demonstrated that, regardless of the presence of soluble Schistosoma mansoni eggs antigen (SEA), increased synthesis of IFN-γ and IL-4 by T-cells was observed in the ACT group. Analyses of cytokine profile in CD8 T cells demonstrated higher percentage of IFN-γ and IL-4 cells in both ACT and ACT-TR groups apart from increased percentage of IL-10 cells only in the ACT group. This study is the first one to point out the relevance of CD8 T lymphocytes in the immune response induced during the acute phase of schistosomiasis.
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Silva LCDS, Andrade LM, Paula IBD, Queiroz LCD, Antunes CMF, Lambertucci JR. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings in Schistosomiasis mansoni: expanded gallbladder fossa and fatty hilum signs. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2012; 45:500-4. [DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86822012005000008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: There is no study relating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to ultrasound (US) findings in patients with Schistosomiasis mansoni. Our aim was to describe MRI findings inpatients with schistosomal liver disease identified by US. METHODS: Fifty-four patients (mean age 41.6±13.5years) from an area endemic for Schistosomiasis mansoni were selected for this study.All had US indicating liver schistosomal fibrosis and were evaluated with MRI performed witha 1.5-T superconducting magnet unit (Sigma). RESULTS: Forty-seven (87%) of the 54 patientsshowing signs of periportal fibrosis identified through US investigation had confirmed diagnosesby MRI. In the seven discordant cases (13%), MRI revealed fat tissue filling in the hilar periportalspace where US indicated isolated thickening around the main portal vein at its point of entryto the liver. We named this the fatty hilum sign. One of the 47 patients with MRI evidence ofperiportal fibrosis had had his gallbladder removed previously. Thirty-five (76.1%) of the other46 patients had an expanded gallbladder fossa filled with fat tissue, whereas MRI of the remainingeleven showed pericholecystic signs of fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Echogenic thickening of thegallbladder wall and of the main portal vein wall heretofore attributed to fibrosis were frequentlyidentified as fat tissue in MRI. However, the gallbladder wall thickening shown in US (expandedgallbladder fossa in MRI) is probably secondary to combined hepatic morphologic changes inschistosomiasis, representing severe liver involvement.
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Pinto-Silva RA, Queiroz LCD, Azeredo LM, Silva LCDS, Lambertucci JR. Ultrasound in schistosomiasis mansoni. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2011; 105:479-84. [PMID: 20721494 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762010000400021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2009] [Accepted: 10/15/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We reviewed ultrasound features in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni. The alterations that we observed in acute and hepatosplenic schistosomiasis are described. The advantages and disadvantages of using ultrasound patterns in the evaluation of liver fibrosis are discussed. Other diseases that are important in the differential diagnosis of schistosomal liver fibrosis are presented. Ultrasound is an effective and flexible diagnostic tool in the evaluation of a variety of diseases. It presents no harmful effects to patients, allowing non-invasive studies in hospitalized patients and in other facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogério Augusto Pinto-Silva
- Serviço de Radiologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
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Lambertucci JR. Acute schistosomiasis mansoni: revisited and reconsidered. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2011; 105:422-35. [PMID: 20721485 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762010000400012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Accepted: 10/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute schistosomiasis is a systemic hypersensitivity reaction against the migrating schistosomula and eggs. A variety of clinical manifestations appear during the migration of schistosomes in humans: cercarial dermatitis, fever, pneumonia, diarrhoea, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, skin lesions, liver abscesses, brain tumours and myeloradiculopathy. Hypereosinophilia is common and aids diagnosis. The disease has been overlooked, misdiagnosed, underestimated and underreported in endemic areas, but risk groups are well known, including military recruits, some religious congregations, rural tourists and people practicing recreational water sports. Serology may help in diagnosis, but the finding of necrotic-exudative granulomata in a liver biopsy specimen is pathognomonic. Differentials include malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, kala-azar, prolonged Salmonella bacteraemia, lymphoma, toxocariasis, liver abscesses and fever of undetermined origin. For symptomatic hospitalised patients, treatment with steroids and schistosomicides is recommended. Treatment is curative in those timely diagnosed.
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Clerinx J, Van Gompel A. Schistosomiasis in travellers and migrants. Travel Med Infect Dis 2011; 9:6-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2010.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2010] [Revised: 11/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/18/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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PASSOS MCF, SILVA LC, FERRARI TCA, FARIA LC. Ultrasound and CT findings in hepatic and pancreatic parenchyma in acute schistosomiasis. Br J Radiol 2009; 82:e145-7. [DOI: 10.1259/bjr/90266783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Lambertucci JR, dos Santos Silva LC, Andrade LM, de Queiroz LC, Carvalho VT, Voieta I, Antunes CM. Imaging techniques in the evaluation of morbidity in schistosomiasis mansoni. Acta Trop 2008; 108:209-17. [PMID: 18760990 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2008.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2007] [Revised: 07/11/2008] [Accepted: 07/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the last 20 years a great advance has been observed in many aspects of medicine, and the advent of novel imaging techniques is certainly amongst the most important. In schistosomiasis these new methods caused a revolution in the definition of the clinical forms of the disease and in the evaluation of its complications, such as, liver fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and neuroschistosomiasis, as never before. Herein we present an overview of the image methods used to diagnose schistosomiasis mansoni nowadays.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Roberto Lambertucci
- Serviço de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Alfredo Balena 190, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Hachem RY, Boktour MR, Hanna HA, Husni R, Hanna EY, Keutgen X, Shukrallah B, Raad II. Sinus Surgery Combined with Antifungal Therapy is Effective in the Treatment of Invasive Aspergillus Sinusitis in Neutropenic Patients with Cancer. Infection 2008; 36:539-42. [DOI: 10.1007/s15010-008-7388-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2007] [Accepted: 03/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Silva LCS, Pereira ACF, Queiroz LC, Andrade LM, Antunes CMF, Lambertucci JR. Disagreement between ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in the identification of schistosomal periportal fibrosis. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2006; 101 Suppl 1:279-82. [PMID: 17308782 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762006000900043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2006] [Accepted: 06/26/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal ultrasound (US) has been widely used in the evaluation of patients with schistosomiasis mansoni. It represents an important indirect method of diagnosis and classification of the disease, and it has also been used as a tool in the evaluation of therapeutic response and regression of fibrosis. We describe the case of a man in whom US showed solid evidence of schistosomal periportal fibrosis and magnetic resonance imaging revealed that periportal signal alteration corresponded to adipose tissue which entered the liver together with the portal vein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana C S Silva
- Serviço de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Alfredo Balena 190, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Lambertucci JR, Silva LCDS, Andrade LM, de Queiroz LC, Pinto-Silva RA. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2004; 37:333-7. [PMID: 15334268 DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86822004000400009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the findings of abdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging observed in a patient with advanced schistosomiasis mansoni. A 25-year-old man with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and variceal bleeding confirmed by upper endoscopy was submitted to abdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. During surgery for portal hypertension, a liver biopsy was taken and the diagnosis of Symmers' fibrosis was confirmed. magnetic resonance imaging scans gave more precise information about the gallbladder, periportal thickening and abdominal venous system than did the ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Roberto Lambertucci
- Serviço de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Richter J, Domingues AL, Barata CH, Prata AR, Lambertucci JR. Report of the second satellite symposium on ultrasound in schistosomiasis. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2002; 96 Suppl:151-6. [PMID: 11586442 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762001000900023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A group of experts on schistosomiasis and ultrasonography discussed the experiences and results obtained with the Niamey-Belo Horizonte Protocol on Ultrasonography in Schistosomiasis. A series of recommendations about qualitative and quantitative data obtained by ultrasound in studies performed in Africa and Brazil are presented. Immunological, genetic and epidemiological studies must rely on ultrasound for the identification of patients with periportal thickening/fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Richter
- Heinrich-Heine-Universitaet Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.
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