European journal of pediatrics
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Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of the tropics which is estimated to affect up to 300 million people worldwide. In endemic areas the childhood age group has the highest prevalence and intensity of infection. There are several distinct species of schistosomes. ⋯ Imported cases of schistosomiasis to Europe show an increasing tendency due to expanding international travel. Furthermore imported cases are usually not diagnosed until years after the patients have left an endemic area. The treatment of choice is a single dose of praziquantel 40 m/kg bodyweight resulting in cure rates of around 90% and considerable reversibility of pathological abnormalities due to schistosome infections.