High Rate of Failure in Treatment of Imported Schistosomiasis

Abstract

In traveler with a low parasite burden, assessment of treatment results can be difficult because of the low sensitivity of microscopy and persistence of antibodies for several years after treatment. We found a high rate of treatment failure among traveler, indicating that nonimmune patients may need more than the recommended single day of treatment for eradication of parasites. Until more sensitive and specific methods for detection of persistent, active infection are available, repeated treatment should be considered in patients with continuous symptoms or other indications of treatment failure even when viable ova cannot be detected by microscopy.