n, pl  -a*ses   :  infestation with or disease caused by schistosomes : specif  :  a severe endemic disease of humans in much of Asia, Africa, and So. America that is caused by any of three trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma (S. haematobium, S. mansoni, and S. japonicum) which multiply in snail intermediate hosts and are disseminated into freshwaters as furcocercous cercariae that bore into the body when it is in contact with infested water, migrate through the tissues to the visceral venous plexuses (as of the bladder or intestine) where they attain maturity, and cause much of their injury through hemorrhage and damage to tissues resulting from the passage of the usu. spined eggs to the intestine and bladder whence they pass out to start a new cycle of infection in snail hosts - called also bilharzia , ilharziasis , nail fever  - compare SWIMMER'S ITCH  .
 
   
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2004.