Background Ultrasonography is limited for differentiating portal hypertension due to liver cirrhosis from that secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS). We aimed to investigate the role of transient elastography (TE) in differentiating HSS mansoni from cirrhosis and the factors associated with liver and spleen stiffness (LS and SS) in HSS. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted including patients with HSS mansoni (n=29) and liver cirrhosis due to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (n=23). All patients underwent TE and those with HSS were assessed by the Niamey protocol. Results HSS subjects presented lower median LS (9.6 vs 21.3 Kpa, p<0.001) and liver controlled attenuation parameter (229 vs 274 dB/m, p=0.010) than cirrhosis subjects, in addition to higher SS (73.5 vs 42.2 Kpa, p=0.002). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting cirrhosis by LS was 0.947 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.00, p<0.001), with an optimal cut-off of 11.75 Kpa. In HSS subjects, higher SS was associated with the presence of the following: diabetes mellitus (p=0.036), metabolic syndrome (p=0.043), esophageal varices (p=0.001), portal vein thrombosis (p=0.047) and previous variceal bleeding (p=0.011). In HSS patients without portal vein thrombosis, variceal bleeding was associated with higher SS (p=0.018). Niamey categories were not associated with LS (p=0.676) or SS (p=0.504). Conclusion TE can play a role in differentiating HSS from cirrhosis, especially by LS. SS may be further investigated for predicting complications in HSS.

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Background Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has been described in nearly 50% of patients who underwent oesophagogastric devascularization combined with splenectomy (EGDS), but no previous study has compared its occurrence in surgical and non-surgical groups. This study aimed to investigate PVT in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) and its association with EGDS and upper variceal bleeding (UVB). Methods Retrospectively, 104 HSS individuals were enrolled. Following EGDS, the occurrence of PVT, mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT), hospital admissions and UVB were recorded. Results EGDS was performed in 27 (26%) patients. PVT and MVT were detected in 30 (33%) and 8 (9.8%) patients, respectively. Patients who underwent EGDS were at greater risk of PVT (63% vs 19.7%; odds ratio [OR] 6.12 [95% confidence interval {CI} 2.3 to 16.1], p<0.001) when compared with a non-surgical approach. There was no significant difference in UVB occurrence and β-blocker usage. PVT was associated with more hospital admissions (p=0.030) and higher alkaline phosphatase levels (p=0.008). UVB occurrence in patients with and without thrombosis was similar. In multivariate analysis, after adjustment, PVT was associated with the surgical approach (OR 4.56 [95% CI 1.55 to 13.38], p=0.006) and age at HSS diagnosis (OR 0.94 [95% CI 0.90 to 0.99], p=0.021). Conclusions EGDS was not associated with a decreased frequency of UVB when compared with the non-surgical approach but was an independent risk factor for PVT.

Background Sarcopenia is a common complication of cirrhosis and an important predictor of morbimortality. We aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and its associated factors in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) as well as to evaluate whether muscle mass and function are associated with variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (VUGIB) and previous splenectomy in subjects without other liver diseases. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study including adults with HSS who underwent clinical, biochemical, anthropometric, muscle strength and physical performance evaluations and were submitted to bioelectrical impedance analysis and abdominal ultrasound. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the 2019 European consensus criteria. Results A total of 66 patients with HSS (62.1% male; mean age 48.8±8.6 y) were included. Overall, six subjects (9.1%) were diagnosed with probable sarcopenia and none had confirmed sarcopenia. Fat-free body mass index (BMI) was independently associated with VUGIB (odds ratio 0.701 [95% confidence interval 0.51 to 0.96]; p=0.025). Compared with patients who did not undergo surgery, individuals who underwent esophagogastric devascularization combined with splenectomy (EGDS) had higher serum lipid levels, fat percentage and frequency of metabolic syndrome, with lower skeletal muscle mass index and hand grip strength. Conclusions HSS mansoni seems not to cause sarcopenia. However, a lower fat-free BMI was associated with previous VUGIB and the subgroup of patients who underwent EGDS presented higher lipid levels, fat percentage and frequency of metabolic syndrome and lower muscle mass and function.

Background Deposition of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in the brain of patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HS-SM) is frequent and usually asymptomatic. However, it is questioned whether it could cause seizures. Thus, we investigated the occurrence of seizures in these patients and also searched for parameters associated with this disorder. Methods In a cross-sectional survey, we compared 128 patients with HS-SM with 102 patients with portal hypertension due to compensated chronic hepatic disease of other etiologies. A standardized questionnaire, emphasizing epilepsy-related parameters, was applied to all participants. Results Eight (6.3%) patients with HS-SM had a history of seizures, whereas this condition was reported by three (2.9%) individuals from the comparison group (p=0.354). None of the variables were associated with the occurrence of seizures, either in univariate or in multivariate analysis. Conclusions The frequency of seizures was similar in both study groups. However, it was higher than that described in population-based studies. Thus, we hypothesize that HS-SM individuals may have a higher frequency of seizure. The lack of difference between the two study groups may be explained by the inclusion of cases of HS-MS overlapping other chronic liver diseases in the comparison group, because this finding is relatively common in schistosome-endemic areas.