Imported fascioliasis in Spain: Report of 12 cases from the plus REDIVI collaborative network (2009-2019)

Background: There are few reports of imported fascioliasis in Spain. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of cases registered in +REDIVI network. Methods: Observational, retrospective, descriptive study of imported fascioliasis cases registered in the +REDIVI, a multicenter collaborative network collecting information on imported infectious diseases in Spain, from October 2009 to May 2019. Results: Of 25,203 cases of imported disease registered over the study period, 16 (0.063%) were fascioliasis, acquired mainly in Pakistan, Morocco, Bolivia, and Peru. Clinical, analytical, and therapeutic data were available for 12 cases (6 immigrants, 4 people visiting friends and relatives, 2 travelers). Eleven (91.6%) had eosinophilia. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (n = 5) and cough (n = 5). Two cases (16.66%) were acute and 10 (83.33%) chronic. Two patients presented lung involvement, and four had other parasitic co-infections. Twelve cases (100%) were seropositive for Fasciola hepatica. Ten patients underwent a coproparasitological study, none of which detected Fasciola spp. eggs. The probable food origin (watercress) was confirmed in 3 cases (25%). Nine of the 10 patients treated with triclabendazole (90%) and one patient treated with praziquantel were considered to meet the criteria for cure. One patient was lost to follow-up. Conclusions: Fascioliasis is a rare imported parasitosis in Spain. Eosinophilia, along with geographical origin, is the main clue for diagnosis.

Automated summary

This study investigated the characteristics of imported fascioliasis cases in Spain and found that fascioliasis is a rare imported parasitic disease in the country. Eosinophilia and geographical origin are the main clues for diagnosis.