Fascioliasis presenting as non-resolving liver abscess: Case series from eastern India

Abstract

Fascioliasis is a foodborne trematode infection caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. It is caused by ingestion of undercooked aquatic vegetation containing infective stage metacercariae. Symptoms in the acute stage include fever, abdominal pain and eosinophilia and in the chronic stage symptoms of biliary obstruction or cholangitis. Very few fascioliasis cases have been reported from India. In the last 1 year, we diagnosed six cases of fascioliasis who presented with acute stage symptoms. They were diagnosed by characteristic dietary history, liver abscess on imaging and eggs of Fasciola in stool. They were successfully treated with Triclabendazole or Nitazoxanide.