Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. Schistosomiasis is one of the most devastating tropical diseases in the world, and WHO estimates 600 million people at risk of infection with 200 million infected. Among nonimmune patients, host's immune response to schistosome eggs leads to acute schistosomiasis that is characterized by cercarial dermatitis and Katayama fever. Life-threatening cardiac and neurological complications may occur. Schistosome eggs can also lead to chronic fibrotic response in host tissues, causing gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
