[Parasitic cirrhosis of the liver]

The shistosomiasis (caused by S. japonicum) has markedly decreased in Japan, as the most of other parasitic diseases. S. japonicum inhabits the portal venous system and its egg attacks the host's immunologic defences, resulting in inflammation and fibrosis of the liver. Laparoscopy reveals the characteristic, tortoise-shell-like liver, and liver biopsy is able to make a correct diagnosis. Portal-hypaertention is one of the most popular clinical features. Multilocular echinococcosis is a less frequent disease. However, this disease has gradually increased these several years in Hokkaido. This disease progresses to cirrhotic stage after long terms of latent and asymptomatic stages. This slowly enlarging lesion gradually occupies a large part of the liver and metastases to another intrahepatic parts or organs as well, just like a malignant tumor. Laparoscopically, the most of lesions appear ash-colored tumor with granular surface. Biopsy reveals the characteristic alveolar cysts with thick chitin membrane. Clinical features looks like liver cirrhosis or hepatoma.