Abstract: Objective To explore the risk factors of cerebral schistosomiasis japonica. Methods A total of 37 confirmed cases，diagnosed during 1999-2004 in Anhui Province，were involved in the study as case group. Three controls for each case were selected from the general population either without schistosomiasis，with chronic schistosomiasis or with acute schistosomiasis. The relevant risk factors on the disease were analyzed. Results Four factors with labour intensity, physical, economical and nutritional conditions before illness between case group and normal control group, 7 factors including epilepsy history, hypersensitivity，intensity and times of infection between case group and acute schistosomiasis control group，10 factors including intensity of infection，times of infection and treatment between case group and chronic schistosomiasis control group, all showed statistical significance (p<0.05). Five factors showed statistical significance (p<0.05) between case group and the 3 control groups. Conclusion The intensity of schistosome infection and treatment history are the main risk factors for cerebral schistosomiasis，and the physcial and psychosocial conditions of the patients show some effect on the disease.

Key words: Cerebral schistosomiasis, Schistosoma japonicum, Risk factor, Case-control study