What Is Microbiology - Swimmer's Itch

​Swimmer’s itch 

Generally swimmer’s itch may present with dermatitis and  patient may also present with fever in acute case.

There are three different species of schistosoma consists of three different species such as schistosoma mansoni, schistosoma  japonicum and schistosoma haematobium.

Schistosoma is a trematode ( blood flukes / non segmented flatworm).

Snail and human are the intermediate and definite host of schistosoma species.

Schistosoma mansoni and schistosoma japonicum specifically may present with enlargement of the spleen and liver ( hepatosplenomegaly), abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. 

Dysuria and hematuria are associated with schistosoma haematobium. The common complication may include the development of bladder carcinoma. 

Cercariae is a larva which penetrate the skin and enter the circulation and portal veins where the adult flatworm develop. The adult flat worm will migrate to the bladder and pelvic organ veins in case of schistosoma haematobium. In case of schistosoma japonicum, the adult worm may migrate to the mesenteric veins of the colon and small bowel.

Schistosoma mansoni may migrate into the mesenteric  veins of the colon. The adult flat worms may produce eggs.  The eggs may produce hydrolytic enzyme which destroy tissue . 

Schistosoma species can be detected via the present of the eggs in the stools and the urines.

The treatment may include avoiding swimming in the freshwater in the endemic region such as africa and south america and medication such as praziquantel in used as a form of treatment.