Cutaneous schistosomiasis.

Abstract

Cutaneous manifestations of schistosomiasis can be produced by human and nonhuman species. They can occur in the invasive stage or oviposition stage. Manifestations in the invasive stage are non-specific and include: 1. severe itching 2. Generalized anaphylactiod reaction with urticarial or erythema multiforme-like eruption. Manifestations in the stage of oviposition are specific and include: 1. Genital and perigenital granulomata; 2. Extragenital cutaneous schistosomal granulomata occurring in sites away from the portocaval anastomoses. The clinical and the histopathologic picture are described. The possible mechanisms of ectopic localisation of schistosomal granulomata are discussed.