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Fascioliasis in Vietnam
Summary
Human fascioliasis cases increased significantly in Vietnam since 1997, with most diagnoses in central provinces. This rise may indicate an endemic pattern or increased Fasciola parasite frequency due to environmental changes.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Human fascioliasis, a parasitic liver fluke infection, was historically rare in Vietnam.
- The first reported human cases in Vietnam were in 1978.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the increasing incidence of human fascioliasis in Vietnam since 1997.
- To identify geographical patterns and diagnostic characteristics of human fascioliasis in Vietnam.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of confirmed human fascioliasis cases treated in Ho Chi Minh City hospitals.
- Review of patient data including peripheral blood eosinophil counts and serological test results for Fasciola gigantica.
Main Results:
- Over 500 cases of human fascioliasis confirmed since 1997, a significant increase from previous reports.
- The majority of cases originated from central Vietnamese provinces: Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and Khanh Hoa.
- Patients exhibited high peripheral blood eosinophilia (16-70%) and positive serology with high Fasciola gigantica antibody titers (1/1,600 to 1/12,800).
Conclusions:
- The observed increase in human fascioliasis in Vietnam warrants further investigation into potential endemic patterns.
- Improved diagnostic tools may contribute to the higher detection rates.
- Environmental changes and increased domestic herbivore populations could be factors in the rising frequency of Fasciola infections.