Early Postnatal and Preschool-Age Infection by Fasciola spp.: Report of Five Cases from Vietnam and Worldwide Review.

Early Postnatal and Preschool-Age Infection by Fasciola spp.: Report of Five Cases from Vietnam and Worldwide Review. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Jul 06;: Authors: De NV, Le TH, Agramunt VH, Mas-Coma S Abstract Fascioliasis is reported in five Vietnamese children aged 4 years or younger. A 10-month-old girl child and a 12-month-old boy child are the youngest patients ever diagnosed. Eggs in stools suggested an infection occurred at 5-6 months and 7-8 months of age, respectively. DNA sequencing and egg size indicated this to be the first report of a verified Fasciola gigantica infection in so small children. No specific diagnosis could be obtained in two 3-year-old children detected in the acute phase. A big and gravid ectopic F. gigantica-like worm was surgically found in a 4-year-old boy presenting with peritonitis. A worldwide review showed only 38 past cases in preschool children. They included 3, 7, 12, and 16 cases of 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively, with a faster infection increase in males from 2 years onward. Reports were from all continents, except Oceania, including severe complications and death. The causal agent, when specifically diagnosed, was always Fasciola hepatica. Analyses include detection in hospital, surveys, and family outbreaks; infection sources; disease phases; parasite burden; ectopic cases; symptom onset; eosinophilia; biochemical markers; and clinical complications. C-reactive protein, creatinine, and γ-g...
Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Tags: Am J Trop Med Hyg Source Type: research