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Luiz Eduardo Betting, MD; Clodoaldo Pirani, Jr, MD; Luciano de Souza Queiroz, MD, PhD; Benito Pereira Damasceno, MD, PhD; Fernando Cendes, MD, PhD

Arch Neurol. 2005;62:1008-1010.

Background  Schistosoma mansoni is a parasitic trematoid worm that infects humans. Schistosomiasis is endemic in parts of South America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and some Caribbean islands. Disorders of the liver and gastrointestinal tract are the most common clinical manifestations. The central nervous system is not usually affected. The most common neurologic manifestation is transverse myelitis. In some circumstances, the eggs of S mansoni are found in the brain, causing inflammatory reaction.

Objective  To describe a young Brazilian patient with partial epileptic seizures caused by a granulomatous lesion due to S mansoni.

Conclusion  In endemic areas or in patients with a positive epidemiological history, schistosomiasis must be considered as a possible diagnosis of seizures, particularly when they are associated with granulomatous lesions on magnetic resonance imaging.

Author Affiliations: Departments of Neurology (Drs Betting, Pirani, Damasceno, and Cendes) and Pathology (Dr de Souza Queiroz), University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.