[Developmental aspects of a bilharziasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni].

The diagnosis of meningo-radiculitis of unknown etiology was posed on a adult Caucasian male patient, based on clinical and biological symptoms offered since 1991, February (CSF: lymphocytic with hyperproteinosis). The patient had stayed in different bilharzia endemic zones. Confronted with a lack of improvement, even an aggravation and facing an appearance of a pyramidal symptom of the limbs, mostly at left, with ataxia preventing walking, one admitted the patient several times to do biological and radiological tests. They confirmed the troubles at the level of the CSF, already above mentioned; the MRI showed a hypersignal at the low dorso-lumbar level and at the terminal cone without any sign of tumoral processus, associated to an abnormal contrast at the level of meninges. All of that revealed a significant aspect of a meningo-myelo-radiculitis. In front of the various negative sero-bacteriological, viral, parasitic test, of the unresults of the research of any systemic symptom, one decided to perform a neurosurgical intervention to get a biopsy. So was revealed the presence of ovoid elements PAS+with a lateral spur and parasitic aspect. Consequently the diagnosis of bilharziosis was established. A cure of Praziquantel has been prescribed: 3 tablets/day for 10 days, and four more cures at an interval of one month, all of them associated to a long term corticotherapy. Any diminution of the dosis entailed an increase of the painful symptomatology. Because of the perennial posterior cordal painful symptom, the patient has shown a depressive reaction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)