Pulmonary Hypertension as a Primary Presentation for Schistosomiasis, a Case Report of Unusual Presentation.

Mogahed Ismail Hassan Hussein

doi:10.1093/omcr/omz073

Abstract

The combination of schistosomiasis and pulmonary hypertension (PH) was always recognized as a very rare one; in medical literature, PH is considered as a manifestation of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis but not a manifestation of schistosomal infection until recently. Only 18.5% of patients that have a documented hepatosplenic schistosomiasis were found with PH. Schistosomiasis rarely causes PH without evident hepatosplenic manifestations. Here, we are reporting a case of a patient whose first clinical presentation was features of PH. We use this case as an opportunity to outline pathological mechanisms, causes and classification of PH. A structured and thorough workup for PH is emphasized. It is important to exclude all other secondary causes to be able to diagnose primary PH especially in the absence of a positive family history and advanced diagnostic technology.

Highlights

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is considered when the mean pulmonary artery pressure at rest is equal or more than 25 mm Hg [1]
The combination of schistosomiasis and pulmonary hypertension (PH) was always recognized as a very rare one; in medical literature, PH is considered as a manifestation of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis but not a manifestation of schistosomal infection until recently
We describe the rare case of a patient who was presented with PH secondary to schistosomal infection without any identifiable symptoms or signs of hepatosplenic disease

Summary

Introduction

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is considered when the mean pulmonary artery pressure at rest is equal or more than 25 mm Hg [1]. The combination of schistosomiasis and pulmonary hypertension (PH) was always recognized as a very rare one; in medical literature, PH is considered as a manifestation of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis but not a manifestation of schistosomal infection until recently. Schistosomiasis rarely causes PH without evident hepatosplenic manifestations.

Results

Conclusion