Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) is a form of schistosomiasis that is not linked with a high worm burden
but rather is found in patients who have been sporadically exposed to
Schistosoma mansoni
. This paper aims to
determine the occurrence of SMR in a low-endemic area with urban transmission in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. A
retrospective study was performed, identifying confirmed cases in the two largest public hospitals on the region.
Patients were diagnosed with SMR using standardised criteria, common clinical parameters, evidence of schistosomal
infection and exclusion of other causes of myelopathy. A total of 27 patients were identified; 19 (85.2%) were men
and four (14.8%) were women, ranging from 13-57 years of age (mean = 31.2; standard deviation = 12.8). Patients
were classified as autochthonous (n = 14; 51.9%) or allochthonous (n = 11; 40.7%) and epidemiological data could
not be obtained for two patients (7.4%). The clinical parameters of these patients were not different from previous
studies. The sensitivity of serum immune reactions, cerebrospinal fluid immune reactions and parasitological stool
examinations in identifying infected individuals was 87.5%, 93.8% and 40%, respectively. The epidemiological
importance of these findings and their relationship with the control policies of schistosomiasis are discussed.