Biochemical parameters in chronic fascioliasis

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Clinical Biochemistry
• Hepatology

Background:

• Fascioliasis is a parasitic disease caused by liver flukes.
• The infection can lead to cholestasis, affecting liver function and lipid metabolism.
• Understanding biochemical changes is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serum lipid, liver enzyme, and bile acid profiles in patients with chronic Fasciola infection.
• To differentiate biochemical variations between cholestatic and non-cholestatic Fasciola patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Biochemical analysis of serum samples.
• Measurement of serum lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol, lipoproteins).
• Assay of liver enzymes (ALP, AST, ALT, GGT) and total bile acids.

Main Results:

• Infected patients showed significantly higher serum triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, and total bile acids compared to controls.
• Cholestatic Fasciola patients had higher TG, VLDL, AST, ALT, GGT, and ALP, but lower TC, LDL, and HDL than non-cholestatic patients.
• Non-cholestatic patients did not differ significantly from healthy controls in most tested parameters.

Conclusions:

• Chronic Fasciola infection significantly impacts host lipid and liver enzyme metabolism.
• Cholestasis in Fascioliasis is associated with specific, detectable biochemical alterations.
• Biochemical profiling aids in distinguishing disease severity and stages in Fasciola infections.