Disease in extreme southern US, Mexico, Central and south America. Reservoir is wild animals, rodents and armadillos. Feces rubbed into bite, etc. Lesion first at site of inoculation, then dissemination in blood to many organs of the body. Parasites may damage nerves that control the GI tract and result in megacolon and megaesophagus.
Treatment is very difficult.
Chills fever, headache, vomiting occurs in cycles. Organism grows in RBC, and causes synchronous lysis. Highest mortality in young children. Treated with derivatives of quinine such as primaquine and chloroquine, but resistance is common. Helminthic Diseases A. Schistosomiasis - fluke.