Intestinal Schistosomiasis Caused by Schistosoma japonicum: A Literature Review

Abstract

Intestinal schistosomiasis caused by the Schistosoma japonicum is located mainly in the East Asian region. Schistosomiasis is part of the neglected tropical diseases that affects mostly the poor population; although its incidence has dropped in these years, schistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum still is a prevalent disease. Adult worms reside in the mesenteric veins and excrete eggs that migrate through the intestinal wall and pass out with the stool. The clinical manifestations depend on the stage of the disease, the intestinal schistosomiasis mostly affects the colon, but it can also affect the small intestine. This review’s purpose is to highlight the background and importance of the intestinal manifestations caused by Schistosoma japonicum.