Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
computertranslation
Toulouse. This tropical parasite that "sows terror"
A scientist CHU Toulouse, Professor Anthony Berry, has revealed the presence of a tropical disease, schistosomiasis, hitherto unknown in France. Eight vacationers Toulouse were infected after stays in Corsica.
It is a discovery both surprising and worrisome's recently made Professor Anthony Berry, Manager Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory at the University Hospital of Toulouse . This eminent professor, in fact, revealed in Corsica, by the merest chance, the "parasite that spreads terror" as the title of a local newspaper.
How bilharzia this endemic disease in tropical countries, she could migrate on the island of beauty?
The story is unique. "A child was followed in pediatrics at Toulouse for a problem of blood in the urine. The diagnosis was slow in coming and the pediatrician had even mentioned a tumor problem because of a polyp in the bladder. Examination of the biopsy allowed to discuss the possibility of schistosomiasis. We then analyzed the urine and discovered that there were plenty of eggs of Schistosoma haematobium, "says the professor.
By what chance this girl, who has never stayed in an endemic area where the parasite proliferates, she has been contracting bilharzia? Intrigued, the researchers launch an epidemiological survey of the family. "We asked. The father told us that he sometimes had blood in the urine. Tests showed he was infected. He then explained that he had spent holidays in Corsica in 2011 and 2013 with members of his family and friends. It turned out that of the twelve travelers Toulouse, eight were infected with bilharzia "adds Antoine Berry.
All have in common that they stayed close to the river Cavu camping near Porto Vecchio.
Other indicators support the hypothesis of the presence of infection transmission in this stream. A global disease specialist, who works at the CNRS in Perpignan, warns Antoine Berry effect a German family Dusseldorf, vacationing in the same region, is also infected.
The little snail by which the disease is transmitted
Worm urogenital schistosomiasis (Schistosoma haematobium or infection) is issued with the urine, but it needs intermediate hosts, namely freshwater molluscs as Bulin, found also in France, to be transmitted to humans. "The most likely scenario is that someone who was infected urinated in the watercourse and seeded" explains Antoine Berry.
An alert is then launched on 24 April at the National Institute for Public Health Surveillance, which takes the matter very seriously, especially as contamination occurring on the French territory (excluding overseas territories) are quite exceptional . "Schistosomiasis, which is not an immediately serious illness, but may eventually become, did not exist in France so far," he confirms.
The fear of spread
Without being alarmist, the risk of spread of this infection, the second parasitic pandemic largest in the world after malaria, is not ruled out, particularly in the south of France. "It is likely that many people in France and Europe, who have stayed in this endemic area are infected without knowing it, the disease is often asymptomatic. If these people to bathe and urinate in fresh water containing Bulinus, they can spread the disease, "said Professor Berry believes it" should detect and treat as many people infected before the summer. " According to him, recommendations will be provided to healthcare professionals to stop, if necessary, the development of this disease.
After dengue or chikungunya, transmitted by mosquitoes, schistosomiasis is added to the table of these diseases once confined to warm countries and which we fear the arrival in France.
La Dépêche
Toulouse. This tropical parasite that "sows terror"
A scientist CHU Toulouse, Professor Anthony Berry, has revealed the presence of a tropical disease, schistosomiasis, hitherto unknown in France. Eight vacationers Toulouse were infected after stays in Corsica.
It is a discovery both surprising and worrisome's recently made Professor Anthony Berry, Manager Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory at the University Hospital of Toulouse . This eminent professor, in fact, revealed in Corsica, by the merest chance, the "parasite that spreads terror" as the title of a local newspaper.
How bilharzia this endemic disease in tropical countries, she could migrate on the island of beauty?
The story is unique. "A child was followed in pediatrics at Toulouse for a problem of blood in the urine. The diagnosis was slow in coming and the pediatrician had even mentioned a tumor problem because of a polyp in the bladder. Examination of the biopsy allowed to discuss the possibility of schistosomiasis. We then analyzed the urine and discovered that there were plenty of eggs of Schistosoma haematobium, "says the professor.
By what chance this girl, who has never stayed in an endemic area where the parasite proliferates, she has been contracting bilharzia? Intrigued, the researchers launch an epidemiological survey of the family. "We asked. The father told us that he sometimes had blood in the urine. Tests showed he was infected. He then explained that he had spent holidays in Corsica in 2011 and 2013 with members of his family and friends. It turned out that of the twelve travelers Toulouse, eight were infected with bilharzia "adds Antoine Berry.
All have in common that they stayed close to the river Cavu camping near Porto Vecchio.
Other indicators support the hypothesis of the presence of infection transmission in this stream. A global disease specialist, who works at the CNRS in Perpignan, warns Antoine Berry effect a German family Dusseldorf, vacationing in the same region, is also infected.
The little snail by which the disease is transmitted
Worm urogenital schistosomiasis (Schistosoma haematobium or infection) is issued with the urine, but it needs intermediate hosts, namely freshwater molluscs as Bulin, found also in France, to be transmitted to humans. "The most likely scenario is that someone who was infected urinated in the watercourse and seeded" explains Antoine Berry.
An alert is then launched on 24 April at the National Institute for Public Health Surveillance, which takes the matter very seriously, especially as contamination occurring on the French territory (excluding overseas territories) are quite exceptional . "Schistosomiasis, which is not an immediately serious illness, but may eventually become, did not exist in France so far," he confirms.
The fear of spread
Without being alarmist, the risk of spread of this infection, the second parasitic pandemic largest in the world after malaria, is not ruled out, particularly in the south of France. "It is likely that many people in France and Europe, who have stayed in this endemic area are infected without knowing it, the disease is often asymptomatic. If these people to bathe and urinate in fresh water containing Bulinus, they can spread the disease, "said Professor Berry believes it" should detect and treat as many people infected before the summer. " According to him, recommendations will be provided to healthcare professionals to stop, if necessary, the development of this disease.
After dengue or chikungunya, transmitted by mosquitoes, schistosomiasis is added to the table of these diseases once confined to warm countries and which we fear the arrival in France.
La Dépêche