a chronic, usually tropical, disease, caused by schistosomes and characterized in humans by disorders of the liver, urinary bladder, lungs, or central nervous system
Origin:
ModL: see schistosome & -iasis
See schistosomiasis in American Heritage Dictionary 4
nounpl.schis·to·so·mi·a·ses(-sēzˌ)
Any of various generally tropical diseases caused by infestation with schistosomes, widespread in rural areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America through use of contaminated water, and characterized by infection and gradual destruction of the tissues of the kidneys, liver, and other organs. Also called bilharziasis, snail fever.