schistosomiasis

noun

schis·​to·​so·​mi·​a·​sis ˌshi-stə-sō-ˈmī-ə-səs 

plural schistosomiases ˌshi-stə-sō-ˈmī-ə-ˌsēz 

: infestation with or disease caused by schistosomes

specifically : a severe endemic disease of humans in Africa and parts of Asia and South America that is contracted when cercariae released into fresh water (such as a river) by a snail intermediate host penetrate the skin and that is marked especially by blood loss and tissue damage

called also snail fever

Examples of schistosomiasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The parasite that causes schistosomiasis completes its life cycle in two hosts – first in snails and then in mammals such as people, dogs, and mice. —Trirupa Chakraborty, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024

Ultimately, however, the campaign failed to live up to Mao’s expectations: schistosomiasis remains endemic in China. —Robert Peckham, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2020

She's reached out to officials to see about integrating a pediatric schistosomiasis treatment into routine vaccination days. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 20 May 2024

Addressing schistosomiasis can help fight a whole range of other health concerns. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 20 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

schistosome or its source, New Latin Schistosoma + -iasis

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

schistosomiasis

noun

schis·​to·​so·​mi·​a·​sis ˌshis-tə-sō-ˈmī-ə-səs  ˌskis- 

plural schistosomiases -ˌsēz 

: infestation with or disease caused by schistosomes

specifically : a severe endemic disease of humans in much of Africa and parts of Asia and South America that is caused by any of three trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma (S. haematobium, S. mansoni, and S. japonicum) which multiply in snail intermediate hosts and are disseminated into freshwaters as furcocercous cercariae that bore into the body when it is in contact with infested water, migrate through the tissues to the visceral venous plexuses (as of the bladder or intestine) where they attain maturity, and cause much of their injury through hemorrhage and damage to tissues resulting from the passage of the usually spiny eggs to the intestine and bladder whence they pass out to start a new cycle of infection in snail hosts

called also bilharzia, bilharziasis, snail fever

compare swimmer's itch