[Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord: analysis of 80 cases]

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2002 Sep;60(3-A):603-8.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

To outline through clinical-laboratorial analysis a profile of schistosomiasis of the spinal cord (SSC) that contributes to the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. 80 patients were studied (59 prospectively), and epidemiological, clinical,laboratorial, treatment and outcome data extracted. In 79 patients the diagnosis was presumptive and obeyed rigorous criteria. There was a predominance of male sex (68.7%), age group from 21 to 40 years (63.7%), Northeasterners (85%), building construction workers (31.2%), previous abdominal effort (57.5%), subacute beginning (61.2%), myeloradiculitis form and lesion in conus and cauda equina (72.5%). Cerebral spinal fluid showed lymphomononuclear pleocytosis and protein increase in 100% of the cases as well as gamma globulin in 76.5%, positiveness of immunofluorescence reaction and/or ELISA for schistosomiasis in 100% of the cases with average titles of 1/16 and 61 u/dl, respectively. Corticosteroids and antischistosomal drugs were given to all patients with a satisfactory outcome in 80% of the cases. We emphasize the importance of a precocious treatment to avoid irreversible deficits such as paraplegia or sexual impotence.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxamniquine / therapeutic use
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / diagnosis*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / drug therapy
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / epidemiology
  • Schistosomicides / therapeutic use
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / drug therapy
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Schistosomicides
  • Oxamniquine
  • Praziquantel
  • Dexamethasone
  • Prednisone