[Two unexpected cases of hepatobiliary fascioliasis in Dakar (Senegal)]

Dakar Med. 2002;47(2):202-5.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The authors report two hepatobiliary distomatosis cases on patients living in Senegal and Cape Verde islands. No similar case has been reported in Senegal so far. The first case was a 41 years old woman who presented enlarged, painful liver with hypereosinophilia. There was no fever. Ultrasound and CT Scan demonstrated the presence of three poorly limited and heterogeneous masses, located on the liver right lobe. The percutaneous biopsy was not suggestive. Because of the fear ofhepatocellular carcinoma, a hepatectomy was performed and eosinophilic abcesses were found in the piece of resected liver with Fasciola eggs. The second case was a 32 years old man who presented a febrile enlarged liver with hypereosinophilia. Ultrasound revealed an heterogenous process of the liver fourth segment Serology study using Fasciola hepatica antigen was positive. The treatment with Praziquantel was successful. The clinical and epidemiological inquiry in both cases has found stays in Cape Verde islands before the disease. This was consistent with a contamination in that region. In both cases either F hepatica or F gigantica could be responsible since the serological tests are not able to differentiate these two species. Parasitic hepatopathies should be recognised particularly when a painful liver process is associated to hypereosinophilia. The serological tests will help to establish the diagnosis

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Fascioliasis / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Gallbladder Diseases / diagnosis
  • Gallbladder Diseases / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Senegal