The Urine for Schistosoma (Bilharzia) test is a laboratory urine test that looks for the eggs (ova) of the parasite Schistosoma haematobium. This parasite causes urinary schistosomiasis (also called Bilharzia), a parasitic infection acquired through contact with contaminated freshwater in certain tropical and subtropical regions.

In most laboratories, the urine sample is processed and then examined under a microscope (microscopic examination) to detect parasite eggs. Finding S. haematobium eggs in urine is considered strong evidence of active infection. If eggs are not seen, it does not always rule out schistosomiasis—egg output can be low or intermittent, especially in early or light infections—so your clinician may repeat testing or add other tests depending on your symptoms and exposure history.

What results may mean:

Positive (eggs seen): You likely have urinary schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma haematobium. Treatment is usually straightforward (often with praziquantel), and early treatment helps prevent long-term complications affecting the bladder, urinary tract, and kidneys.

Negative (no eggs seen): No eggs were detected in the sample provided. If you have typical symptoms (like blood in urine) or a strong history of exposure (such as swimming in freshwater in an endemic area), your healthcare provider may request a repeat urine test (sometimes collected on multiple days), urine concentration techniques, or complementary testing (e.g., antigen/antibody tests) to improve detection.

This test is usually ordered when a person has symptoms or risk factors that raise suspicion for schistosomiasis, particularly the urinary form caused by Schistosoma haematobium. It is commonly used in travel medicine, migrant/refugee health screening, and evaluation of unexplained urinary symptoms.

Your clinician may recommend a Urine for Schistosoma (Bilharzia) test if you:

Have urinary symptoms such as:

• Blood in urine (visible red/brown urine or microscopic blood found on urinalysis)
• Pain or burning with urination
• Frequent urination or urgency
• Lower abdominal or pelvic discomfort
• Recurrent urinary tract symptoms with negative routine urine cultures

Have relevant exposure risks such as:

• Recent or past swimming, wading, bathing, or washing in lakes, rivers, dams, or streams in endemic regions
• Living in, traveling to, or spending time in areas where tropical diseases like Bilharzia are common (parts of Africa, the Middle East, and other endemic locations)
• Childhood exposure in endemic areas (symptoms and complications can appear later)

Need assessment for complications when schistosomiasis is suspected, such as persistent hematuria, bladder inflammation, or urinary tract obstruction. Detecting and treating the infection early helps reduce the risk of chronic urinary tract disease and kidney damage.

• Urinary schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) caused by Schistosoma haematobium
• Schistosomiasis (general term for infection with Schistosoma species)
• Hematuria (blood in urine) related to parasitic infection
• Schistosomal cystitis (inflammation of the bladder due to schistosomiasis)
• Chronic urinary tract inflammation and scarring related to schistosomiasis
• Urinary tract obstruction (e.g., ureteral narrowing/hydronephrosis) as a complication of chronic infection

• Diagnosing the cause of blood in urine and other unexplained urinary symptoms
• Identifying a treatable parasitic infection after freshwater exposure in endemic areas
• Travel and tropical disease evaluation for people returning from or living in high-risk regions
• Preventing long-term urinary tract and kidney complications by detecting infection early
• Supporting targeted treatment decisions and follow-up planning when schistosomiasis is suspected