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Fascioliasis: 3 cases with three different clinical presentations
Ferhat Arslan1, Ayşe Batirel, Mustafa Samasti
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Education and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey. ferhatarslandr@hotmail.com.
Summary
Fascioliasis, a liver fluke infection, can be challenging to diagnose due to vague symptoms. This case series highlights the importance of considering fascioliasis even with delayed diagnosis, aided by new serological tests.
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Parasitology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Fascioliasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica, primarily affecting livestock but also humans who ingest contaminated aquatic plants.
- The disease presents a broad clinical spectrum, often leading to delayed diagnosis due to non-specific symptoms, particularly in the acute phase.
Observation:
- This report details three human cases of fascioliasis with varying diagnostic timelines: one week, three months, and 1.5 years after symptom onset.
- The cases illustrate the diverse clinical presentations and diagnostic challenges associated with Fasciola hepatica infection.
Findings:
- Despite initial vague symptoms, serological assays enabled definitive diagnosis in all three cases, underscoring their diagnostic utility.
- The study emphasizes the potential for fascioliasis to be overlooked, especially in early stages, necessitating a high index of suspicion.
Implications:
- Increased awareness and utilization of advanced diagnostic tools like serological assays are crucial for timely fascioliasis diagnosis and management.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment of fascioliasis can prevent complications such as biliary obstruction and extrahepatic manifestations.
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