Bilharz is a term used to refer to a family of parasitic worms belonging to the Platyhelminthes phylum, specifically the trematodes or flukes. These worms are also known as Schistosomes, derived from the genus name Schistosoma. The term "Bilharz" is commonly used in German-speaking countries as a tribute to the German physician, Theodor Bilharz, who initially discovered and studied these worms in the 19th century.
Bilharz are significant human pathogens and the primary cause of schistosomiasis, a devastating parasitic disease affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. These worms have a complicated life cycle, alternating between human hosts and freshwater snails. The adult Schistosomes reside in the blood vessels surrounding the intestines or bladder, depending on the species, where they lay eggs that are excreted through urine or feces.
When these eggs are released into fresh water, they hatch and infect snails, continuing their life cycle. The larvae produced by the snails can penetrate the skin of humans who come into contact with contaminated water, leading to symptoms such as fever, rash, and abdominal pain. Prolonged infection can result in chronic disease, affecting organs such as the liver, spleen, and urinary tract.
Prevention and control of bilharziasis involve efforts to provide clean water sources, improve sanitation, and raise awareness about the disease's transmission. Treatment typically involves anthelmintic medications to eliminate the parasitic worms from the human body.
