ABSTRACT
Human schistosomiasis is mainly due to three species, Schistosoma mansoni, S. haemotobium and S. japonicum. The life cycle involves snails and human contact with fresh water. A larval stage called the schistosomulum matures into adults which live in blood vessels either related to the intestine or the bladder. Eggs laid by female adults are responsible for pathology through granulomatous inflammation followed by fibrosis in the tissues in which they deposit. Diagnosis may be made by seeing excreted eggs in urine or feces or by serology. Praziquantel kills adult worms and can be used in mass drug administration as one of various public health control measures.
