Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is a disease (water belly) very common in Brazil, caused by infestation of worms trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, parasitizing the veins of the liver and intestine in humans.

The life cycle of this invertebrate hosts by two passes: one intermediate and one final.

Initially the egg contained in the stools of a person contaminates deposited in aquatic environments, becomes a ciliated aquatic larvae called miracidia. That settles temporarily in a specific type of planorbid snail (Biomphalaria), changing into a larva called a cercaria.

The cercariae actively penetrate through the epidermis, when people (especially riparian) enjoy waterways contaminated. After penetration, the larvae reach the bloodstream where they are transported to the liver and intestine, standing there by suction cups, and reproducing sexually.

Treatment
The treatment is done with medicines that fight the parasite. There are three substances capable of eliminating S. mansoni, but the drug of choice is praziquantel.
Prevention
Good health education, sanitation, control of intermediate hosts (snails) and information about the mode of transmission of this disease, are necessary measures to prevent and control this disease.