Hofstetter M, Nash T E, Cheever A W, dos Santos J G, Ottesen E A
J Infect Dis. 1981 Nov;144(5):420-6. doi: 10.1093/infdis/144.5.420.
Schistosoma mekongi is a newly recognized species of Schistosoma that is closely related to Schistosoma japonicum and is pathogenic to humans. Like the other forms of schistosomiasis in which the parasites reside in the mesenteric vasculature, S. mekongi infection has hepatosplenomegaly and portal venous hypertension as its most common serious sequelae. Schistosomiasis, although endemic in certain areas of Southeast Asia, has not been recognized as a health problem in Asian refugees who are currently entering the United States. In the present study 12 Laotian immigrants with S. mekongi infection were examined. The clinical, laboratory, and parasitologic findings in these patients are discussed. The diagnosis was made by examination of stool specimens in 11 patients and rectal biopsy specimens in one patient. All patients were asymptomatic, although the six youngest children had hepatomegaly. It is suggested that specific serologic tests may be useful in screening Asian refugees for infection with Schistosoma.
湄公血吸虫是一种新发现的血吸虫物种，与日本血吸虫关系密切，可致人发病。与其他寄生虫寄生于肠系膜血管的血吸虫病形式一样，湄公血吸虫感染最常见的严重后遗症是肝脾肿大和门静脉高压。血吸虫病尽管在东南亚某些地区呈地方性流行，但在目前进入美国的亚洲难民中尚未被视为一个健康问题。在本研究中，对12名感染湄公血吸虫的老挝移民进行了检查。讨论了这些患者的临床、实验室和寄生虫学检查结果。11名患者通过粪便标本检查确诊，1名患者通过直肠活检标本确诊。所有患者均无症状，不过6名年龄最小的儿童有肝肿大。建议采用特定的血清学检测方法筛查亚洲难民是否感染血吸虫。
