An Outbreak of Human Fascioliasis gigantica in Southwest China.
Fascioliasis is a common parasitic disease in livestock in China. However, human fascioliasis is rarely reported in the country. Here we describe an outbreak of human fascioliasis in Yunnan province. We reviewed the complete clinical records of 29 patients and performed an epidemiological investigation on the general human population and animals in the outbreak locality. Our findings support an outbreak due to Fasciola gigantica with a peak in late November, 2011. The most common symptoms were remittent fever, epigastric tenderness, and hepatalgia. Eosinophilia and tunnel-like lesions in ultrasound imaging in the liver were also commonly seen. Significant improvement of patients' condition was achieved by administration of triclabendazole®. Fasciola spp. were discovered in local cattle (28.6%) and goats (26.0%). Molecular evidence showed a coexistence of F. gigantica and F. hepatica. However, all eggs seen in humans were confirmed to be F. gigantica. Herb (Houttuynia cordata) was most likely the source of infections. Our findings indicate that human fascioliasis is a neglected disease in China. The distribution of triclabendazole®, the only efficacious drug against human fascioliasis, should be promoted.
The National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.
Jia-Xu
JX
Chen
Mu-Xin
MX
Chen
Lin
L
Ai
Xue-Nian
XN
Xu
Jian-Ming
JM
Jiao
Ting-Jun
TJ
Zhu
Hui-Yong
HY
Su
Wei
W
Zang
Jia-Jun
JJ
Luo
Yun-Hai
YH
Guo
Shan
S
Lv
Xiao-Nong
XN
Zhou
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005209:Fasciola / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D000077682:Triclabendazole
D000871:Anthelmintics; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D000077682:Triclabendazole