Mediastinal Schistosomiasis in a Patient with HIV and Leprosy: A Case Report

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease commonly affecting the urinary and gastrointestinal systems, caused by trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. Mediastinal involvement is an exceedingly rare presentation, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as those with Human Immunodeficiency...

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Main Authors: Diksha Sabharwal, Asmita Samal, Kalyan Kumar Reddy, Sonali Agarwal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
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Online Access:https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20874/76072_CE[Ra1]_F(SHU)_QC(PS_IS)_PF1(VD_IS_OM)_redo_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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author Diksha Sabharwal
Asmita Samal
Kalyan Kumar Reddy
Sonali Agarwal
author_facet Diksha Sabharwal
Asmita Samal
Kalyan Kumar Reddy
Sonali Agarwal
author_sort Diksha Sabharwal
collection DOAJ
description Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease commonly affecting the urinary and gastrointestinal systems, caused by trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. Mediastinal involvement is an exceedingly rare presentation, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as those with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Hereby, the authors present a case report of 51-year-old male, known to have HIV and on antiretroviral therapy, with a history of Borderline Tuberculoid (BT) leprosy, presented with sudden-onset breathlessness, chest pain, and dysphagia. Diagnostic imaging and bronchoscopy revealed the presence of Schistosoma haematobium in the mediastinum. The patient was treated with praziquantel and broad-spectrum antibiotics to manage the parasitic infection and prevent secondary bacterial complications. His condition required a multidisciplinary approach due to the complexity of his co-existing conditions. The patient responded well to a combination of praziquantel and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Praziquantel remains the treatment of choice for schistosomiasis, while antibiotics were necessary to prevent secondary infections in this immunocompromised patient. Close monitoring and follow-up were essential to ensure treatment success and to manage potential complications. This case illustrates the complexities of diagnosing and managing rare parasitic infections in patients with multiple chronic conditions. Early recognition, appropriate diagnostic work-up, and targeted therapy are critical to improving outcomes in such challenging cases. This report adds to the limited literature on mediastinal schistosomiasis and highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing such patients.
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spelling doaj-art-f06fd1e2ed3a419dbdbe0e211a6fecbf2025-08-20T02:27:13ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-04-01194OD08OD1110.7860/JCDR/2025/76072.20874Mediastinal Schistosomiasis in a Patient with HIV and Leprosy: A Case ReportDiksha Sabharwal0Asmita Samal1Kalyan Kumar Reddy2Sonali Agarwal3Resident, Department of Medicine, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.Senior Resident, Department of Medicine, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.Resident, Department of Medicine, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.Resident, Department of Medicine, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease commonly affecting the urinary and gastrointestinal systems, caused by trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. Mediastinal involvement is an exceedingly rare presentation, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as those with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Hereby, the authors present a case report of 51-year-old male, known to have HIV and on antiretroviral therapy, with a history of Borderline Tuberculoid (BT) leprosy, presented with sudden-onset breathlessness, chest pain, and dysphagia. Diagnostic imaging and bronchoscopy revealed the presence of Schistosoma haematobium in the mediastinum. The patient was treated with praziquantel and broad-spectrum antibiotics to manage the parasitic infection and prevent secondary bacterial complications. His condition required a multidisciplinary approach due to the complexity of his co-existing conditions. The patient responded well to a combination of praziquantel and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Praziquantel remains the treatment of choice for schistosomiasis, while antibiotics were necessary to prevent secondary infections in this immunocompromised patient. Close monitoring and follow-up were essential to ensure treatment success and to manage potential complications. This case illustrates the complexities of diagnosing and managing rare parasitic infections in patients with multiple chronic conditions. Early recognition, appropriate diagnostic work-up, and targeted therapy are critical to improving outcomes in such challenging cases. This report adds to the limited literature on mediastinal schistosomiasis and highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing such patients.https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20874/76072_CE[Ra1]_F(SHU)_QC(PS_IS)_PF1(VD_IS_OM)_redo_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdfantiparasitic agentshuman immunodeficiency virusmediastinal diseasespraziquantelschistosomiasis haematobia
spellingShingle Diksha Sabharwal
Asmita Samal
Kalyan Kumar Reddy
Sonali Agarwal
Mediastinal Schistosomiasis in a Patient with HIV and Leprosy: A Case Report
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
antiparasitic agents
human immunodeficiency virus
mediastinal diseases
praziquantel
schistosomiasis haematobia
title Mediastinal Schistosomiasis in a Patient with HIV and Leprosy: A Case Report
title_full Mediastinal Schistosomiasis in a Patient with HIV and Leprosy: A Case Report
title_fullStr Mediastinal Schistosomiasis in a Patient with HIV and Leprosy: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Mediastinal Schistosomiasis in a Patient with HIV and Leprosy: A Case Report
title_short Mediastinal Schistosomiasis in a Patient with HIV and Leprosy: A Case Report
title_sort mediastinal schistosomiasis in a patient with hiv and leprosy a case report
topic antiparasitic agents
human immunodeficiency virus
mediastinal diseases
praziquantel
schistosomiasis haematobia
url https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20874/76072_CE[Ra1]_F(SHU)_QC(PS_IS)_PF1(VD_IS_OM)_redo_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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AT asmitasamal mediastinalschistosomiasisinapatientwithhivandleprosyacasereport
AT kalyankumarreddy mediastinalschistosomiasisinapatientwithhivandleprosyacasereport
AT sonaliagarwal mediastinalschistosomiasisinapatientwithhivandleprosyacasereport