Overview
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. Schistosoma japonicum is one of the species that causes human schistosomiasis, primarily affecting East Asia 1. Pulmonary involvement can occur during the acute or chronic stages of infection 1.Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically based on clinical suspicion in endemic areas, supported by serological tests and identification of eggs in stool or tissue 1.
Imaging may reveal pulmonary infiltrates, nodules, or pleural effusions 1.Management
Praziquantel is the drug of choice for treating schistosomiasis 1.
Dosage for praziquantel is typically 60 mg/kg divided into 2 or 3 doses 1.
Corticosteroids may be considered for severe pulmonary inflammation 1.Special Populations
Guidelines for the management of respiratory infectious diseases in children are available 1.Key Recommendations
Praziquantel is the recommended treatment for schistosomiasis 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
A dosage of 60 mg/kg divided into 2 or 3 doses is recommended for praziquantel 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Corticosteroids may be considered for managing severe pulmonary inflammation associated with schistosomiasis 1. (Evidence: Expert opinion)References
1 Ishiwada N, Shinjoh M, Kusama Y, Arakawa H, Ohishi T, Saitoh A et al.. Guidelines for the Management of Respiratory Infectious Diseases in Children in Japan 2022. The Pediatric infectious disease journal 2023. link