Katayama Fever in a child returning from Malawi

Katayama syndrome is an allergic reaction of anti gens of schistosomes, kno wn as the acute phase of schistosomiasis. We report on an eleven year-old b oy, who was seen at our outpatient department because of cough and oedema o f the face after travelling to Malawi. Remarkable findings were an eosinoph ilia and antibodies against schistosoma-antigens. Six weeks later the diagn osis was confirmed by detecting eggs of Schistosoma haematobium in the urin e. Praziquantel treatment was started. Parasitological examinations of urin e and faeces four months later were negative. Discussion: We present this case to draw attention to this potential life-t hreatening disease as a differential diagnosis in febrile children returnin g from tropical countries.