Imported Schistosoma intercalatum/guineensis infection: a retrospective study from a referral Tropical Medicine Unit in Barcelona, Spain

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis due to the species Schistosoma intercalatum/guineensis, which had been traditionally classified as a single species, is one of the least studied. This work describes epidemiological, clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with S. intercalatum/guineensis infection. Methods A retrospective study was performed. The aim was to showcase a clinical overview of this rarely described disease All cases diagnosed of schistosomiasis by S. intercalatum/guineensis at the International Health Unit Vall d’Hebron-Drassanes (Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain) from January 2014 to April 2020 were included. The diagnosis was defined by the observation of S. intercalatum/guineensis eggs. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological data were analyzed. Results Seventy-four patients were included. Forty-seven (63.5%) of them were women, with a mean age of 24 (SD 12.8) years, and a mean time of residence in Spain of 9 (SD 20.7) months. All of them were migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, 71 (95.9%) from Equatorial Guinea. Sixty-three (85.1%) patients had concomitant infections at the time of diagnosis and 50% of patients were symptomatic; abdominal pain and diarrhea being the more frequent. Anemia was detected in 25 (33.8%) patients, eosinophilia in 45 (60.8%), and hyperIgE in 48 (64.5%). Overall, 70 (94.6%) patients received treatment with praziquantel at 40 mg/kg/day in different scheme dosage. Post-treatment microscopic examination of the stools was negative in all the cases performed. Conclusions Patients affected by S. intercalatum/guineensis infection come from a specific area of Central Africa. Co-infection with other parasites is very frequent, and symptoms are present in roughly 50% of patients. No cases of hepatic complications were detected but intestinal symptoms and anemia are frequent in these patients.