Spinal infestation due to hydatid is caused by the cestode worm, Echinococcus granulosus. Only two species, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis, are known to affect man. E. granulosus is benign and characterized by cyst formation, while E. multilocularis, which manifests as the rare alveolar form is not encapsulated. The prognosis for the alveolar form is poor with a very high mortality. Echinococcosis rarely involves the skeleton but mainly affects the liver and the lungs. Hydatid disease of bones and joints is difficult to eradicate, especially in patients with neurological deficit due to spinal involvement. Schistosomiasis is one of the major health concerns in tropical and subtropical countries. The infection is endemic to Africa, South America and parts of Asia. In 1995, it was estimated that more than 4 million South Africans were infected with Schistosoma resulting in high morbidity and mortality. It has also been suggested that schistosomiasis may play a role as a risk factor for HIV infection and that helminth infections in general negatively affect the immune system of HIV-infected persons. The schistosomiasis endemic area in South Africa is situated in the Northeast and covers approximately one quarter of the country, with Schistosoma haematobium being the most common species.Possible consequences of S. haematobium infection include hematuria, dysuria, nutritional deficiencies, lesions of the bladder, liver and kidney failure, an elevated risk of bladder cancer and neurological deficit. Schistosomiasis transmission occurs mainly during the hot and humid summer. Praziquantel treatment is highly efficacious in reducing the proportion of moderate and heavy infections, and one treatment per year after the end of summer is sufficient to keep infection intensities at low levels.