Female genital schistosomiasis: facts and hypotheses

In this paper we summarise the parasitological, clinical and epidemiologica l characteristics of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), a frequent manif estation of the infection with Schistosoma haematobium. Means to diagnose a nd treat lesions in the lower and upper genital tract are discussed. Based on clinical findings and available pathophysiological as well as immunologi cal data it is conceivable that FGS of the cervix and Vagina not only facil itates the infection with agents of sexually transmitted diseases, but pres umably also alters the natural history of such infections. Two infectious a gents are of particular concern: the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and the o ncogenic Human Papilloma Viruses. Possible interactions and their consequen ces are discussed and research areas which should be addressed are outlined . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.