Katayama fever

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Classification according to ICD-10
B65 Schistosomiasis (schistosomiasis)
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

The Katayama fever is an immune response to an acute schistosomiasis infection and typically occurs two to ten weeks after exposure to. This is not to be confused with an allergic reaction with itchy wheals up to 1–3 cm in size at the entry points of the cercaria at the time of infection.

In addition to a rash with multiple small papules, preferably on the trunk, there are usually eosinophilia , dry cough , fever , fatigue , muscle and abdominal pain with enlarged liver and spleen, and elevated liver values, as well as temporary nodular lung infiltrates.

The immune reaction is probably triggered by antigens that are expressed during the maturation and migration of the pair of leeches (Schistosoma). Correspondingly, skin biopsies also show eosinophilic infiltrates without schistosomiasis eggs and serologically antibodies against the pair of leeches are found, but not antibodies against eggs.

In most cases, the Katayama fever goes away on its own, but the Schistosoma infection remains. Medical therapy is symptomatic. A single dose of the anthelmintic praziquantel is often sufficient as a therapy for schistosomiasis , which is better given after the acute phase has subsided.

Individual evidence