Detection of Schistosoma mansoni in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid - A case report

BACKGROUND: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a useful tool in the diagnosis of bacterial , viral, fungal and parasitic pulmonary infections, There have been rare reports of parasitic infestations in bronchoalveolar lavage flui d. This is the first case report on defecting ct Schistosoma ova in BAL flu id, CASE: A 40-year-old, Egyptian male presented with a fever and productive co ugh. He had a right pleural effusion and segmental collapse of the right lo wer lobe. BAL fluid showed several ovn of Schistosoma mansoni and establish ed the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Abdominal ultrasound revealed mild hep atic cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: Schistosomiasis should be considered in the differential diagno sis of pulmonary problems in patients with disseminated disease in endemic areas.