A brazilian immigrant: With spinal schistosomiasis

Spinal schistosomiasis is a potentially devastating complication of infection with the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We describe a case of spinal schistosomiasis in a 22-year-old Brazilian immigrant to the United States, who presented with back pain, inability to walk, leg numbness, urinary retention, and eosinophilic meningitis. He experienced rapid improvement on a regimen of praziquantel and prednisone. The management of spinal schistosomiasis is reviewed, emphasizing the role of corticosteroids and the importance of early therapy.