Gallbladder schistosomiasis as an uncommon cause of recurrent cholecystitis

Abstract

Gallbladder schistosomiasis is an extremely rare manifestation of Schistosoma mansoni infection, typically overshadowed by hepatic, intestinal, or urogenital involvement. We report a case of a 28-year-old woman from Ethiopia with a two-year history of recurrent right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Ultrasound suggested acalculous cholecystitis with a possible gallbladder polyp, and she underwent elective open cholecystectomy. Histopathology confirmed the presence of granulomatous inflammation and calcified Schistosoma mansoni ova embedded in the gallbladder wall. The patient recovered fully following praziquantel therapy.