FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAISThe important contribution of Piraja da Silva, the Brazilian medical doctor, who found schistosomiasis in Brazil is highlighted. In fact, in 1908 schistosomiasis was detected for the first time in this country, and by careful examination of worms collected from necropsies and stool examination, an exact description of worm and egg morphology was reported. Although not recognized in the scientific literature by the English authors, the discovery and description of the new species of Schistosoma in Brazil, was fundamental in favour of the dualist theory, or better, for the identification of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni, as two different species. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved