Schistosoma mekongi is a species of Schistosoma that resembles Schistosoma japonicum. The adult worms live in mesenteric veins.
Distribution: Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia along the Mekong river
Clinical findings during the acute phase:
(1) fever
(2) abdominal pain
(3) weight loss
(4) diarrhea
Clinical findings during the chronic phase:
(1) chronic abdominal pain
(2) chronic diarrhea
(3) hepatomegaly
(4) variable splenomegaly
(5) ascites
(6) invasion of the central nervous system
Laboratory findings:
(1) eosinophilia
(2) eggs in the stool or identified in intestinal biopsies
(3) positive serologic tests
(4) positive PCR
The eggs are relatively small and round with a small lateral spine. They do not appear in the stool until 4 to 6 weeks after infection. Multiple specimens may need to be examined.
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