Clinical features: Schistosomiasis is caused by the fluke schistosome. The common species found in Tanzania are S. haematobium and S. mansoni. The main clinical feature for S. haematobium infection is a painless, terminal hematuria. For S. mansoni there may be abdominal pain and frequent blood stained stool.
Treatment guidelines
Drug of choice |
Praziquantel (O) Effective against all human schistosomiasis. 40 mg/kg body weight in two divided doses at an interval of 4 to 6 hours, same day. |
For S. japonicum |
60 mg/kg body weight 8 hourly for one day. |
Second choice |
Metriphonate (Metrifonate) (O) Effective against S. haematobium infection only. 7.5 mg/kg body weight once every 14 days for three courses. |