Presence of Schistosomiasis in Genital Biopsies from patients at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

Background: Ectopic localizations of the adult Schistosomes and ova in the genital tract of individuals living in schistosoma endemic areas are common. The infection can affect both male and female reproductive organs, and although it is predominant in adult women, case reports in girls younger than 15 years of age have been documented. Objective: The objective of this review was to determine and document the presence of genital schistosomiasis from biopsy specimens. Methods: Patients’ laboratory records at the University Teaching Hospital histopathology laboratory for the period 2001 to 2007 were retrieved and reviewed for reports on the presence of schistosomiasis. Data were analysed by age, sex and biopsy site. Results: Thirty eight (65.5%) of the 58 specimens with schistosomiasis were from the genital organs. Female genital tract schistosomiasis was more prevalent (84.2%) than male genital schistosomiasis (15.8%), p<0.001. Schistosomiasis was high in biopsy specimens collected from the cervix(34.2%), followed by those from the vulva (13.2%). In male patients, the distribution of the infection was 2 (5.3 %) each in the prostate, spermatic cord and testicular tissues. Malignancy was clinically suspected in 74% of genital schistosomiasis patients but histologically only 3 cases of malignancy were detected alongside the schistosoma infections. Conclusion: Our results indicate that genital schistosomiasis is common in Zambia. Uterine cervical schistosomiasis was the most prevalent form of female genital schistosomiasis and mostly affected middle aged women.