[Fasciola hepatica infestation. Biopathology and new diagnostic and therapeutic aspects]

Abstract

We present here 6 patients with Fasciola hepatica infection, all from rural origin, and with the risk factors of eating wild watercress. The more common symptoms were: fever (83%), abdominal pain (100%), weight loss (83%) and generalized myalgia and joint pain (67%). All patients presented with an absolute eosinophil count above 1,000 cell/mm3. The diagnosis was established in five cases by means of serologic techniques (haemagglutination) and with direct visualization of adult worms while surgery in one case. A CT abdominal scan was performed in five patients, revealing specific lesions of tissue infiltration in four of them. Praziquantel was used in four patients, achieving clinical cure in three cases. In two patients, bithionol was used, with clinical cure in both cases. We review also some newer diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to this parasitic disease.