[Schistosomiasis cases at the Teaching Hospital Královské Vinohrady in Prague]

In our paper we present the diagnosis of schistosomiasis at the Teaching Hospital Královské Vinohrady in Prague. This helminthiasis is imported to the Czech Republic by tourists and foreigners from subtropical and tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Central and South America. An unrecognized and thus untreated infection may have serious, even fatal consequences for the patient. In the period 2003 to 2005 in our parasitological investigations we have seen two cases infested with two fluke species imported from Africa. We submit the case histories of these patients.

[Schistosomiasis of the female genital tract]

OBJECTIVE

Female genital tract disorders as a possible complication of schistosomiasis.

DESIGN

Literature review focused on pathogenesis and clinical symptoms of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) including diagnosis and therapy of the disease.

SETTING

National Reference Laboratory for Tissue Helminthoses, Prague.

METHODS

An analysis of literature data dealing with the health hazards due to bathing in natural freshwater bodies in tropics and subtropics.

RESULTS

Intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis are occasionally detected in the Czech Republic, therefore, genital form of the disease in females cannot be excluded in gynecological practice.

CONCLUSION

Until the present time the disease represents an uncommon finding in the routine gynecological practice in Europe and, due to a variety of symptoms which accompany FGS, the diagnosis of the disease can be delayed. As the number of immigrants from endemic countries as well as the number of travellers to these regions arises in the Czech Republic at present, the paper, therefore, summarises recent parasitological, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of female genital schistosomiasis.