Colon polyps in Schistosoma haematobium schistosomiasis.

Abstract

(McCully et al. 1976 loc. cit.). In Egypt there are distinct areas where either S. mansoni or S. haematobium is predominant (HF el Sayed et al. 1995 Am J Trop Med Hyg 52: 194-198). In Angola, in the northern part of the country where the patient comes from, S. haematobium predominates. In Brazil, schistosomiasis is due to S. mansoni with no autoctones cases of S. haematobium described. The intermediate host for S. mansoni is the Biomphalaria sp. and for S. haematobium the Bulinus sp. In Brazil bulinid snails have not been found. A patient from Angola living in Brazil for three months presented diarrhea, severe enterorrhagy, with negative proctoparasitological search for worm or ova. When submitted to colonoscopy eight bleeding rectal polyps were detected (Fig. 1). The biopsy showed high infestation with viable eggs compatible to S. haematobium. Adult worms were detected into the lumen of a vein in the lamina propria of the mucosa and were well preserved (Fig. 2). The eggs showed aspect compatible with S. haematobium with terminal spine identified when fairly preserved (Fig. 3). The inflammatory reaction was mainly due to the intense lymphocytes and plasma cell’s infiltration together with eosinophils, multiple eggs, no granuloma formation but few epitheliod cells were seen (Fig. 4). Bleeding areas were also detected. There was no urinary symptom detected. Patient cured after treatment with three colonoscopies showing no lesion. Patient did not show any further symptoms. S. haematobium infections usually cause urinary involvement with haematuria due to eggs deposited in the urinary bladder and ureters. The eggs, either in digestive or urinary tract, cause focal granulomatous lesions. In severe cases abundant inflammatory infiltration and no granuloma formation are the most striking histopathological feature. In Angola intestinal granulomatous inflammation and polyps state as unusual feature of S. haematobium infection. In Brazil S. mansoni is endemic and there are no reports on shistosomiasis haematobia. However, it is important to have in mind that individuals coming from countries where other species of schistosoma are endemic the differential diagnosis have to be done. Schistosomiasis haematobia, even with no urinary clinical signs must be considered as possible diagnosis mainly in students and military personnel returning from areas where other species of schistosoma are endemic. Another point to be considered is that shistosomiasis haematobia should be considered as possible cause of polyps in colon and rectum. Combined infection has been described causing colon polyps. RESEARCH NOTE