A CASE OF HUMAN FASCIOLIASIS

We experienced a case of human fascioliasis diagnosed by a resected specimen and postoperative immunoserological tests. A 71-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of transient upper abdominal pain and a hepatic abnormal shadow on abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography. The laboratory data revealed eosinophilia and elevations in biliary emzymes and carcinoembryonic antigen. Imaging procedures showed multiple nodular masses localized in left lobe of the liver. On suspicion of malignant tumor, a left lobectomy of the liver was performed. The lesion was found by microscopic examination to be multiple abscesses with remarkable infiltration of eosinophils. Though parasitic disease was suspected, no parasitic body nor egg was detected in the resected specimen and feces. The diagnosis of fascioliasis was established by immunoselorogical methods (Ouchterlony test and immunoelectrophoresis). After the operation and subsequent medication with prasziquantel, the laboratory data were normalized.