BILHARZIOSIS

This article appears in Volume V03, Page 932 of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Encyclopedia Britannica - Main :: BER-BLA

BILHARZIOSIS . In various parts of Africa the inhabitants are liable to suffer from a form of endemic haematuria caused by the presence of a parasite in the mucous membrane of the urinary passages. This parasite was discovered in 1852 by Bilharz, and hence is generally known as Bilharzia, though it has been more scientifically named Schistosoma haematobium. The

condition

CONDITION (Lat. condicio, from condicere, to agree upon, arrange; not connected with conditio, from condere, conditum, to put together)

to which it gives rise is that of bilharziosis. (For description and

life

LIFE

history of the parasite see

TREMATODES

TREMATODES

.) In man the parasites and ova have been found in the minute veins of the bladder, ureter and pelvis of the kidney (more rarely in other

organs

ORGANS

), where they infest the mucous and submucous tissues. In an affected bladder the mucous membrane presents swollen vascular patches of taxying size, or warty prominences on which the urinary salts may be deposited. The ova often serve as a nucleus for urinary calculi. Similar changes may take

place

PLACE (through Fr. from Lat. platea, street; Gr. IrAar6s, wide)

in the ureter, and the consequent swelling lead to obstruction to the passage of urine, and if left untreated to pyelitis and pyonephrosis. If the rectum be affected the mucous membrane becomes thickened, polypoid growths form and large submucous haemorrhages may take

place

PLACE (through Fr. from Lat. platea, street; Gr. IrAar6s, wide)

.
As to the mode of entrance of this parasite

opinion

OPINION (Lat. opinio, from opinari, to think)

is divided. Some authorities favour the view that the entrance is through the skin, urethra or rectum, the result of bathing in infected water; others that it is taken by the mouth in water or uncooked fish. The symptoms to which it gives rise are haematuria, pain in the perineal region and a greater or less degree of anaemia through loss of blood. If the disease continue, cystitis and its consequent

train

TRAIN (M. Eng. trayn or trayne, derived through Fr. from Late Lat. trahinare, to drag, draw, Lat. trahere, cf. trail, trace, ultimately from the same source)

of symptoms ensue (see BLADDER AND PRO-STATE DISEASES). If the rectum be affected there is considerable discharge of mucus, and later prolapsus ani may be the result. But the symptoms vary to a remarkable extent, from the slightest producing but little discomfort, to the most severe resulting in death. The liquid extract of male fern is the only

drug

used with much success. The symptoms caused by the parasite must be treated as they arise. Polypoid growths of the rectum must be surgically treated.

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