Schistosomiasis

(Schisto)
or snail fever is a parasitic
disease common among
farmers, fishermen and
their families.

Schistosomiasis
is caused by a
worm,
Schistosoma
japonicum. The
male and
female worms
always go in
pair and live in
the blood
vessels of the
intestine and
liver.

Schistosomes in
portal vein

 1906

First Schistosomiasis case in the

Philippines was reported by Dr. Paul
Wooley
1932 Dr. Marcus Tubangui discovered
the snail intermediate host Oncomelania
quadrasi at Gacao, Palo Leyte

1949 - The Schistosomiasis Control

Research Project was instituted
1953 World Health Organization
Advisory sponsored the Project

Malaybaly

City
Valencia City
Sumilao
Impasug-ong
Lantapan
Cabanglasan
San Fernando
Quezon
Maramag
Kitaotao
Kalilanagn

SKIN

PENETRATION

The

adult worm pairs, then

migrates to the veins
surrounding the small &
large intestines.

The

average life span of an

adult worm inside the human
body is 5 years, but can be
up to 20 years.

Throughout

this period, single

female worm will release
approximately 500-3,500 eggs
per day into the blood stream.

The Life Cycle of

Schistosoma Japonicum

The

eggs released from worms

located at the intestinal blood
supply penetrate intestinal
walls & exit in the faeces.

However,

about 50% of the eggs

become trapped in the body and
are responsible for the damage
done to the liver, intestines,
the bladder and other organs.

Eggs

that are eliminated from the

body have the potential to develop
into mature blood flukes &
continue the cycle of infection.

Those

eggs that reach suitable

freshwater conditions hatch to
release an intermediate cycle stage,
miracidia which actively search for a
suitable snail host to infect.

is the newly hatched

ova upon contact with
fresh water.

The

miracidium enters the

snail through the head & or
foot & undergoes a process
of multiplication and
development in the digestive
gland of the snail.

This

stage of the lifecycle inside

the snail host takes between 4-8
weeks. One snail can release up
to 3,000 mature cercariae per
day. Each of these is capable of
infecting a single person.

LIFE CYCLE

CERCARIA

- Life cycle inside the snail host

takes between 4 - 8 weeks

 - the infective
stage of the
disease which
infects its
definite host man
and animals
They are free
swimming

One snail can

release up to
3,000
mature
cercariae
per day.

most abundant in
the field during
the early part of
the night
- remain viable for
up to 48 hours in
fresh water.
-

person can be infected by

exposing oneself to water where
cercariae maybe present .

Activities

following:

for exposure are the

1. Inland Fishing

Transmission of the disease by inland fishing

3.

Creek as animals wading pools

Farming

Transmission of schisto by farming

Duck watchers

4. By laundering and or bathing in

streams, rivers, and springs where the
cercariae is present

Transmission of the disease by

laundering or bathing in streams or rivers
and springs

 the parasites migrates in the

blood system from the skin to

the lungs, the heart eventually
the liver.

Once

in the liver, they mature

into adult worms & form male/
female pairs. This process
takes about 45 days.

Schistosoma eggs
pass out with feces
and hatch in fresh
water

Adult worms
live in portal and
mesenteric veins

LIFE CYCLE

Mode of infection:
SKIN
PENETRATION
OF CERCARIAE
second larval stage
infective to humans

Miracidium
first larval stage
infective to snail
host

Intermediate host:
Oncomelania hupensis
quadrasi

EARLY STAGE

Itchiness of the skin

Bloody, mucoid stool
Fever & cough
Diarhhea, abdominal pain, dysenteric attacks

LATE STAGE

Enlarge liver and spleen

Weight loss, severe liver disease
Anemia, jaundice, ascites

COMPLICATIONS

Heart Failure
Epilepsy
Hematemesis
Hypertension