Molecular diagnosis of suspected intestinal schistosomiasis in a non-endemic area of Yunnan Province, China.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While Schistosoma japonicum is endemic in the Yangtze River Basin and parts of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in China, Mangshi City in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province, is not recognized as an endemic area. Between 1996 and 2018, more than 20 suspected schistosomiasis cases were reported in this region. Despite clinical symptoms consistent with S. japonicum infection, no eggs were detected in feces, and the intermediate host Oncomelania hupensis was absent locally. Most patients had no travel history to known endemic areas, leaving the infections unconfirmed.

Findings

Rectal biopsy specimens from four suspected cases, preserved as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues, were re-examined. Microscopy revealed egg-like structures resembling Schistosoma spp.

SUBMITTER: Wu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12512248 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature