Lack of correlation between jejunal mucosal morphology and intestinal absorption in the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis mansoni.

Eleven patients with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis mansoni were studied. Intestinal absorption of fat and xylose was normal in all patients. Despite these normal absorption parameters, the mucosa showed variable degrees of villus atrophy and an increase of the number of inflammatory cells in the lamina propria. Through morphometric analysis it was seen that the villi were shorter and the ratio villus height/crypt depth was increased in schistosomiasis patients as compared to normal control children. Five of the 11 biopsies contained granulomata with ova in the mucosa or submucosa.