Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Imported Schistosomiasis in a Tertiary Teaching Spanish Hospital, 2015- 2022

Abstract

Background: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease greatly present in tropical and subtropical areas, and frequently diagnosed in travelers and migrants. Methods: This report summarizes epidemiological and clinical data from retrospective cases of imported schistosomiasis diagnosed from January 2015 to May 2022 in a national referral center for tropical diseases in Madrid, Spain. Results: From a total of 9,929 patients attended in our clinic in the study period there were 477 schistosomiasis diagnosis (4,4%). Time elapsed from travel to diagnosis was 120 days (IQR 26-680). Most cases (28.1%) were diagnosed in immigrants from endemic areas, followed by 24.5% of travelers. In up to 34.5% of cases the diagnosis was a result of screening in asymptomatic subjects, 17% presented fever and 15% diarrhea. Almost all cases were diagnosed by serology and eggs in urine or feces were identified in only 11 patients (2.2%). Conclusions: Imported schistosomiasis is a chronic and asymptomatic disease that can be diagnosed in most patients by serology. It is important to advice travelers to avoid freshwater baths in endemic areas and get screened if they have been exposed to the parasite.