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Hepatic capillariasis in a 1-year-old child
T Berger1, A Degrémont, J O Gebbers
1Children's Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland.
European Journal of Pediatrics
|February 1, 1990
Insights
The second European case of hepatic capillariasis, a liver infection caused by Capillaria hepatica, was diagnosed in a child. Successful treatment with thiabendazole led to a complete recovery.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Parasitology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatic capillariasis is a rare parasitic infection of the liver caused by the nematode Capillaria hepatica.
- Cases are infrequent, particularly in Europe, making each documented instance valuable for understanding disease epidemiology.
Observation:
- A 1-year-old girl presented with persistent fever, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), and hypereosinophilia (elevated eosinophils).
- These clinical signs formed a diagnostic triad suggestive of visceral parasitic infestation.
Findings:
- Diagnosis was confirmed through a liver needle biopsy, identifying Capillaria hepatica.
- The patient exhibited classic symptoms of hepatic capillariasis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare parasitic infections in pediatric patients with unexplained fever and hepatomegaly.
- Effective treatment with thiabendazole offers a viable therapeutic option for hepatic capillariasis.
- Further surveillance and reporting of European cases are crucial for public health awareness.
Abstract:
We described the 2nd European case of hepatic capillariasis. The diagnosis of this parasitosis caused by Capillaria hepatica was made by needle biopsy of the liver in a 1-year-old girl who presented with a triad of persistent fever, hepatomegaly and hypereosinophilia. The child recovered completely after treatment with thiabendazole (Mintezol, Merck, Sharp and Dohme, Hoddeston, UK).