How Do You Spell NEUROSCHISTOSOMIASIS?

1. Neuroschistosomiasis is a medical condition caused by the parasitic infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by the Schistosoma species, particularly the Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, and Schistosoma japonicum. Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and South America, where certain snail species act as intermediate hosts for the parasite.

   The infection occurs when Schistosoma larvae, released from freshwater snails, penetrate the human skin during contact with contaminated water. Initially, the larvae migrate through blood vessels to the lungs, then to the liver, where they mature into adult worms. However, in neuroschistosomiasis, the adult worms invade the CNS, which includes the brain and spinal cord, causing inflammation and damage to the neurological tissues.

   Symptoms of neuroschistosomiasis can vary widely and depend on the affected part of the CNS. Common neurological manifestations include headache, seizures, altered mental state, motor deficits, sensory abnormalities, visual disturbances, urinary and bowel dysfunctions, and paralysis. The severity of the symptoms depends on the extent of the infection and damage to the neurological tissues.

   Diagnosis of neuroschistosomiasis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, history of exposure, serological tests, imaging studies (such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord), and lumbar puncture to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid.

   Treatment primarily involves antiparasitic medications, such as praziquantel, which can kill the adult parasites. Corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation in severe cases. Neurological symptoms and complications are managed based on the

Common Misspellings for NEUROSCHISTOSOMIASIS

The word "neuroschistosomiasis" is derived from two components: "neuro" and "schistosomiasis".

1. "Neuro" comes from the Greek word "neuron", meaning "nerve". It is often used as a prefix in medical terms to indicate relevance to the nervous system.

2. "Schistosomiasis" refers to a parasitic infection caused by different species of schistosomes, which are trematode worms. The term "schistosomiasis" itself originates from Greek and Latin roots:

- "Schistos" comes from the Greek word "skhistos", meaning "split" or "cleft". It refers to the splitting and shedding of cercariae (parasitic larvae) from the intermediate host.

- "Oma" is a Latin suffix that denotes "disease" or "morbid condition".