Fasciolopsis buski infection in a Vietnamese pregnant woman with systemic lupus erythematosus

J Infect Dev Ctries. 2015 Jul 4;9(6):670-3. doi: 10.3855/jidc.7017.

Abstract

A clinical case of infection caused by Fasciolopsis buski in a 24 weeks pregnant woman from Vietnam affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is reported here. On 22 February 2012 the patient was admitted to Hue Hospital in Hue, Vietnam, with a diagnosis of general illness and suspected acute anaemia. Laboratory analysis indicated possible SLE syndrome and coprological tests demonstrated the presence of F. buski eggs. During hospitalization the patient naturally eliminated the adult form in faeces suggesting the infection had already progressed at least for three months. One month after hospitalization due to the high severity of both SLE and fasciolopsiasis, a medical abortion was carried out and the following day the patient died. Even though infection due to Fasciolopsis buski is rare, this case highlights the importance of an accurate and prompt diagnosis of this infectious agent, which may have saved the foetus and mother's lives.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Asian People
  • Fasciolidae / classification
  • Fasciolidae / isolation & purification*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / parasitology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / pathology*
  • Trematode Infections / diagnosis*
  • Trematode Infections / parasitology
  • Trematode Infections / pathology*
  • Vietnam