A schistosome is a parasitic flatworm belonging to the phylum Platyhelminthes, specifically known as trematodes. They are commonly referred to as blood flukes and are responsible for causing schistosomiasis, a severe and chronic tropical disease in humans. Schistosomes exhibit a complex life cycle, involving both aquatic snail hosts and vertebrate hosts, including humans.
The adult schistosomes reside within the blood vessels of their definitive host, where they feed on blood and reproduce. They possess separate genders, with the male being smaller in size than the female. The females produce large quantities of eggs that are subsequently expelled from the host's body through urine or feces. These eggs can infect snails present in freshwater bodies, where the parasite undergoes further development, including asexual reproduction.
Once mature, the schistosome larvae, commonly known as cercariae, are released from the snail and freely swim in water. If they come into contact with a human, they can actively penetrate the skin, primarily in the vicinity of water. After penetrating the skin, the cercariae migrate through various tissues and organs before reaching their final destination in the blood vessels, where they become adults causing schistosomiasis disease.
Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharziasis, is a neglected tropical disease that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. It can cause various symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, and organ damage. If left untreated, schistosomiasis can lead to long-term complications and, in severe cases, death. Public health interventions, such as improving sanitation, providing access to clean water, and mass drug administration programs, are critical for controlling and eliminating schistosom
