Protocolo diagnóstico y terapéutico de las parasitosis y afectación genitourinaria

Abstract

Unlike other organ systems, the genitourinary system is affected by a limited number of parasitic infections. The main conditions include protozoan infections, such as malaria, visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), Chagas disease, and trichomoniasis; and helminth infections such as schistosomiasis and filariasis, in addition to isolated cases of other conditions. Diffuse lesions are predominant, although focal forms have been described, such as in hydatid disease or infection by Dioctophyma renale. With the exception of cases such as urinary schistosomiasis or trichomoniasis, the abnormalities are usually nonspecific and do not form part of the typical clinical picture. A single parasitic infection can cause genitourinary damage through various pathogenic mechanisms. The clinical and biological manifestations are highly variable and may coexist or occur sequentially over time. These range from asymptomatic forms with isolated urinary abnormalities to more complex presentations such as nephrotic syndrome, nephritic syndrome, gross hematuria, chyluria, urinary syndrome, and the two forms of renal failure: acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.