Fasciola hepatica infection in echinococcosis suspected cases.

OBJECTIVE: Fasciola hepatica, a liver fluke of sheep and cattle, may accidentally infect humans. The main signs and symptoms of the fasciolosis are eosinophilia, abdominal pain and hepatomegaly and may also be attributed to Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus, which is a prevalent infection in Turkey.

METHODS: Sera samples of 226 CE suspected cases were tested for anti-F. hepatica antibodies by an excretory secretory ELISA (ES-ELISA) and for anti-E. granulosus antibodies by ELISA and indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests. Cases which were seropositive for fasciolosis were further evaluated radiologically and examined for F. hepatica eggs.

RESULTS: Five (2.2%) and 96 (42.4%) of the 226 CE suspected cases were found seropositive for fasciolosis and CE, respectively. Although the radiological findings strongly suggested that there was fasciolosis in three cases, F. hepatica eggs were detected in two patients only.

CONCLUSION: These data suggest that human fasciolosis is not as rare as previously reported in Turkey. F. hepatica infection should be suspected especially in the presence of eosinophilia, abdominal pain and liver lesions.