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Human fascioliasis in Shropshire
British Medical Journal
|August 29, 1970
Summary
Fascioliasis patients experienced malaise and pain. Oral bithionol effectively treated four patients, and the double diffusion precipitin test aided diagnosis. Wild watercress was identified as the infection source.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Fascioliasis is a parasitic liver disease caused by Fasciola species.
- Clinical presentation can include gastrointestinal symptoms, fever, and eosinophilia.
- Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the clinical presentation of fascioliasis in five patients.
- To evaluate the efficacy of oral bithionol as a treatment for fascioliasis.
- To assess the utility of the double diffusion precipitin test in diagnosing fascioliasis.
Main Methods:
- Clinical case series of five patients with fascioliasis.
- Treatment administered: oral bithionol.
- Diagnostic tool: double diffusion precipitin test.
- Epidemiological investigation to identify the source of infection.
Main Results:
- Patients presented with malaise, pruritus, right hypochondrium pain, eosinophilia, elevated serum gamma globulin, and pyrexia.
- Four out of five patients treated with oral bithionol achieved complete recovery.
- The double diffusion precipitin test proved to be a rapid and simple diagnostic method.
- Infection was traced to consumption of wild watercress from a farm ditch.
Conclusions:
- Oral bithionol demonstrates significant efficacy in treating human fascioliasis.
- The double diffusion precipitin test is a valuable tool for rapid fascioliasis screening.
- Wild watercress contaminated by Fasciola eggs is a potential source of human infection.
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