A patient with schistosomiasis may develop acute or chronic appendicitis as a consequence. This may be due to either intramuscular ovipositioning by the adult worm or lodging by schistosome egg masses.
Features:
(1) infection with Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma japonicum or Schistosoma mansoni
(2) some patients may develop acute appendicitis while others may have right lower quadrant pain for years
(3) eosinophilia in the peripheral blood
(4) granulomatous and eosinophilic inflammation in the appendix with fibrosis
Diagnosis may entail:
(1) identification of schistosome eggs within the wall of the appendix or an adult worm within a vein
(2) schistosome eggs identified in stool
(3) positive serology in a person who is not native to an endemic area
Complications:
(1) appendiceal rupture
(2) periappendiceal adhesions
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