Evaluation of Patients Diagnosed with Fascioliasis: How Can We Diagnose Without Serology?

Introduction: Fascioliasis is a trematode infestation caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. In this study, we aimed to investigate the etiological factors, clinical findings and diagnostic methods in patients with fascioliasis.Materials and Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with fascioliasis between 01.06.2022 and 31.09.2022 at Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine Infectious Diseases Clinic and Dr. Ersin Arslan Training and Research Hospital Infection Clinic were selected and analyzed retrospectively. Analyses were performed with the SPSS 22.0 software, p< 0.05 was considered significant.Results: In our study, 23 cases of fascioliasis were identified. Of the 23 cases, 10 (43.5%) were male and 13 (56.5%) were female. The mean age was 44.35 & PLUSMN; 13.59 (19-68) years. When the symptoms at admission were evaluated, there were constitutional symptoms such as abdominal pain in 15 (65.2%) cases, fever in eight (34.8%) cases, nausea and vomiting in three (13%) cases, weakness and fatigue in seven (30.4%) cases. ROC analysis was performed to assess the availability of eosinophil levels. The diagnostic value of eosinophil levels of >790/mm3 for fascioliasis, was calculated as 93.75% sensitivity and 85.71% specificity at 95% confidence interval. Patients from Yavuzeli were compared with other patients. Patients had significantly higher levels of eosinophils, WBC, and ALPConclusion: The diagnosis of fascioliasis should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with abdominal pain, fever, leukocytosis and eosinophilia and living in an endemic region for Fasciola hepatica.

Automated summary

This study investigated the etiological factors, clinical findings, and diagnostic methods in patients with fascioliasis. The study identified a high incidence of the disease among patients, with main symptoms including abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, and weakness and fatigue. Measurement of eosinophil levels can assist in the diagnosis of fascioliasis.