Human fascioliasis due to Fasciola hepatica in Kurdistan, Iran: A case report

Human fascioliasis is a water and food-borne parasitic disease and has become endemic in the coastal provinces of the Caspian Sea. Limited reports of the disease and its diagnosis have resulted in ignoring the disease and a significant rise in the number of neglected patients in other parts of the country.

In this study, a 50-year-old man living in a village of Kamyaran, in Kurdistan Province in Iran was referred to a hospital with complaints of weight loss, epigastric pain, and anorexia from two months ago. The patient-reported history of consuming raw vegetables and plant foods. Laboratory studies revealed anemia, leukocytosis, eosinophilia, high ESR, low serum iron, and elevated liver enzymes. A Spiral CT scan of the liver showed hypodense areas without enhancement in the arterial phase and with relatively homogeneous enhancement in the delayed phase. Ultrasound studies showed multiple hetero and hyper-echoic areas without walls in different parts of the liver. Finally, Fasciola hepatica was diagnosed after stool examination by formalin ether concentration method and also positive ELISA test. The patient was treated with triclabendazole 500 mg/day for two days. In the follow-up, the clinical status of the patient was better and we found improved laboratory test results.

The present report highlights the need for paying more attention to the occurrence of this disease in Kurdistan Province by health care systems.
Human fascioliasis, Fasciola hepatica, Kurdistan, Iran