title: Fasciolopsiasis: Endemic focus of a neglected parasitic disease in Bihar.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a newly discovered, previously unreported endemic focus of fasciolopsiasis in the Phulwaria village, under tehsil Sugauli, East Champaran, Bihar.
  
  
  METHODS
  A study was conducted at village Phulwaria, following diagnosis of fasciolopsiasis in three children from the village. A total of 120 individuals, including all the children and adults who gave history of recent passage of red fleshy masses in their stool, were included in the study. The cases of fasciolopsiasis were treated with Praziquantel 25 mg/kg, three doses a day. Risk factors for the transmission of the parasite in the village were also studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Questionnaire revealed majority of the population suffering from abdominal discomfort and passage of red fleshy masses in stool. These fleshy masses were identified as Fasciolopsis buski. One hundred and eighteen individuals were presumably considered as cases of the parasitic infection. After treatment with Praziquantel, all of them passed the parasite in their stool for the next 2-3 days. On investigating, it was observed that all the conditions required for effective continuation of the life cycle of the parasite were present in this village.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study draws attention to a new endemic focus of fasciolopsiasis in Bihar, with a very high prevalence due to poverty, the lack of awareness about the parasite in villagers as well as ignorance among local medical practitioners. There is an urgent need for mass campaign around the region for its effective control.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Achra
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shankar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005212:Fasciolidae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel