A case of pericardial schistosomiasis and non-Hodgkin high grade B-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Chronic schistosomiasis affects either the genitourinary or gastrointestinal tract. Rarely, schistosomes cause ectopic disease, such as in the case of a South African woman from a non-endemic province, who presented with suspected pericardial tamponade because of tuberculosis. However, histology and polymerase chain reaction from pericardial biopsy confirmed Schistosoma haematobium. A finding of mediastinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma came to light when our patient’s clinical condition unexpectedly deteriorated. Contribution: This case highlights an unusual manifestation of schistosomiasis.

Keywords

• schistosomiasis
• pericardial schistosomiasis
• schistosoma haematobium
• non-hodgkin lymphoma
• pericardial effusion