Two emerging infectious diseases in a foreign-born child

Key words: Tuberculosis, Schistosoma, Screening, Foreign countries

Emerging infectious diseases may be present in foreign-born children. The case of a 5-year-old female, born in Ethiopia, who arrived in Italy one month before is reported. Screening investigations performed at our Centre documented a positive QuantiFERON-TB test and microscopic hematuria: further studies revealed diagnosis of pulmonary TB, in asymptomatic patient, and schistosoma infection. An efficacious antitubercular treatment, including moxifloxacin due to the isolation of isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, was administered for 7 ½ months and stopped early because of fluoroquinolone-induced tendinopathy. Afterwards, the child was treated with praziquantel. No signs of treatment failure or relapse were observed at the 3-month follow-up for both diseases. In conclusion, diseases such as tuberculosis and schistosoma infection must always be considered in foreign-born children.