Arq Bras Cardiol: Imagem cardiovasc. 2023; 36(2): e20230037

The Use of Echocardiography in Schistosomiasis

Daniela do Carmo

Rassi

DOI: 10.36660/abcimg.20230037i

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, affects 240 million people worldwide, with more than 90% of cases reported in Africa, according to the World Health Organization. The disease is endemic to South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Africa, in areas with little infrastructure, especially lack of drinking water and basic sanitation. The infection is caused by helminths of the genus Schistosoma. Contamination occurs through contact with water where host snails are present. After penetrating human skin, the worms can migrate and produce eggs in the liver, lungs, and intestines.

During the acute phase, patients may be asymptomatic or develop myocarditis and pericarditis related to an allergic reaction to the schistosomes, in which eosinophils play an important role. Myocardial ischemia may rarely occur, and the exact mechanism remains unknown.

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