Research development of the pathogenesis pathways for neuroschistosomiasis

Abstract

The infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by schistosome may or may not have clinical manifestations. When symptomatic, neuroschistosomiasis (NS) is one of the most severe presentations of schistosome infection. Among the NS symptoms, cerebral invasion is mostly caused by Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum), and the spinal cord symptoms are mainly caused by S. mansoni or S. haematobium. There are 2 main pathways by which schistosomes cause NS: egg embolism and worm migration, via either artery or vein system, especially the valveless perivertebral Batson's plexus. The adult worm migrates anomalously through the above pathways to the CNS where they lay eggs. Due to the differences in species of schistosomes and stages of infection, mechanisms vary greatly. The portal hypertension with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis also plays an important role in the pathogenesis. Here the pathways through which NS occurs in the CNS were reviewed.