Schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mekongi
ICD-10 B66.5 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of schistosomiasis due to schistosoma mekongi.
Schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mekongi is a parasitic infection caused by the trematode worm Schistosoma mekongi, primarily found in Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia and Laos. This helminthic infection is transmitted through contact with freshwater contaminated with the larvae of the parasite, which penetrate the skin of individuals who come into contact with the water. The disease can lead to a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in the urine, as well as more severe complications such as liver fibrosis and portal hypertension if left untreated. Diagnosis is typically made through serological tests or stool/urine examination for eggs. Treatment involves the use of antiparasitic medications, primarily praziquantel, which is effective in killing the adult worms. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications associated with chronic infection. Public health measures, including improved sanitation and education about avoiding contaminated water, are essential in controlling the spread of this disease.
Detailed travel history, symptomatology, and laboratory results.
Patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms after travel to endemic regions.
Ensure that all relevant diagnostic tests are documented to support the diagnosis.
Comprehensive patient history and symptom documentation.
Patients with unexplained abdominal pain or hematuria who have traveled to endemic areas.
Awareness of local epidemiology and potential exposure risks.
Used when serological testing is performed to confirm schistosomiasis.
Document the reason for testing and any relevant clinical findings.
Infectious disease specialists should ensure comprehensive documentation of the patient's travel history.
Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, hematuria, and in chronic cases, liver fibrosis and portal hypertension.
Diagnosis is typically made through serological tests or by identifying eggs in stool or urine samples.
The primary treatment is praziquantel, which is effective in killing the adult worms.
