Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis) ova: An incidental finding in testicular tissue of an obstructive azoospermic man

Andrologia. 2018 Dec;50(10):e13131. doi: 10.1111/and.13131. Epub 2018 Aug 22.

Abstract

Congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) results in obstructive azoospermia in which testicular function, such as spermatogenesis, is preserved. Bilateral testicular biopsy is not only diagnostic but also therapeutic as retrieved spermatozoa are usually cryopreserved for assisted reproduction. In this case report, CBAVD was confirmed in a 24-year-old azoospermic man on the basis of persistent azoospermia associated with low semen volume, absent fructose and normal hormonal levels, ultrasonographically (absent seminal vesicles) and histologically (intact spermatogenesis). Interestingly and incidentally, only the right testicular biopsy showed ova of two parasitic species of Schistosoma, namely Schistosoma haematobium which infests the genitourinary tract and Schistosoma mansoni which infests the gastrointestinal tract. Both species are rare causes of azoospermia, and the case should be further managed as CBAVD in which the left testicle is considered the preferred site of sperm retrieval for assisted reproduction.

Keywords: Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma mansoni; congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens; male infertility.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Azoospermia / etiology*
  • Azoospermia / pathology
  • Fertility Preservation
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / diagnosis*
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / parasitology
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / pathology
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Male
  • Male Urogenital Diseases / complications
  • Male Urogenital Diseases / pathology
  • Ovum*
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use
  • Schistosoma haematobium / isolation & purification
  • Schistosoma mansoni / isolation & purification
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / complications*
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / drug therapy
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / parasitology
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / pathology
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / complications*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / drug therapy
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / parasitology
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / pathology
  • Sperm Retrieval
  • Testis / parasitology*
  • Testis / pathology
  • Vas Deferens / abnormalities
  • Vas Deferens / pathology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Praziquantel

Supplementary concepts

  • Congenital bilateral aplasia of vas deferens