Causes of pseudotuberculous nodule formation

  Pseudotuberculous nodules are lesions caused by eggs in schistosomiasis. The eggs are deposited in the rectum, sigmoid colon, ascending colon, appendix, terminal ileum, and liver, as well as in the mesenteric and retroperitoneal lymph nodes, lungs, and brain. The pathological changes caused by the eggs deposited in various places are basically similar, the latter being acute and chronic.  The intestinal lesions caused by schistosomiasis are generally within the distribution of the inferior mesenteric vein, with the colon, especially the rectum, descending colon and sigmoid colon, being the most significant, while lesions in the small intestine are rare and only seen in severe cases. In the acute phase, the intestinal mucosa is erythematous, with acute cicatricial inflammation, scattered punctate bleeding and small superficial ulcers. Microscopically, granulomas of mucosal and submucosal worm eggs are seen (acute stage).  The mucosa is necrotic and detached, forming superficial ulcers from which the eggs fall into the intestinal lumen. Clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in the stool are seen, and eggs can be detected in the stool. In the chronic stage, in mildly infected patients, the connective tissue of the intestinal wall is mildly hyperplastic and usually asymptomatic. In more severe infections, the lesions are more extensive, with marked thickening of the affected colon, granular hyperplasia of the intestinal mucosa, or even the formation of polyps or mucosal atrophy and loss of mucosal folds. Between the hyperplastic and atrophic intestinal mucosa, there are small, dirty gray shallow ulcers interspersed. In addition, small amounts of grayish-yellow acute egg nodules can be seen. In severe chronic schistosomiasis, the colon wall is extensively thickened by diffuse fibrosis, and the mesentery is also thickened by fibers, which together form a mass.  Due to repeated infections, female worms continuously lay eggs, which are deposited in batches in the intestinal wall, and the lesions vary from old to new. There is a possibility of cancer on the basis of fibrous thickening, chronic ulceration, and polyp formation.