Manifestations include fever, cough, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hepatospenomegaly, and eosinophilia. Occasionally central nervous system lesions occur. Stool examination should be performed when infection with S. mansoni or S. japonicum is suspected, and urine examination should be performed if S. haematobium is suspected.
Eggs can be present in the stool in infections with all Schistosoma species.
Detection will be enhanced by centrifugation and examination of the sediment. Quantification is possible by using filtration through a Nucleopore membrane of a standard volume of urine followed by egg counts on the membrane. The drug of choice is praziquantel for infections caused by all Schistosoma species. Oxamniquine has been effective in treating infections caused by S. mansoni in some areas in which praziquantel is less effective. See recommendations in The Medical Letter for complete information.