GENITAL MANIFESTATIONS OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS-MANSONI IN WOMEN - IMPORTANT BUT NEGLECTED

Egg-induced lesions in the upper and the lower female reproductive tra ct are important complications of the infection with Schistosoma manso ni. The understanding of the pathophysiology and pathology of genital lesions is only rudimentary, simple and reliable diagnostic tools are not at hand epidemiological data do not exist and how to treat best th e women affected, is riot known. III view of recent advances in the un derstanding of genital lesions induced by S. haematobium rite existing literature is critically, analysized and possible consequences of fem ale genital schistosomiasis are outlined. We estimate that 6 to 27 % g irls and women with intestinal schistosomiasis, at least temporarily s uffer from pathology induced by eggs sequestered somewhere in their-ge nital organs. This is a mattern of concern and warrants more research into the epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis and therapy of this diseas e entity.