Human Fascioliasis in Northern Iran: Clinical Features and Treatment
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Abstract
Background: Fascioliasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease, caused by the liver fluke Fasciola spp.. We aimed to investigate the clinical signs of human fasciolosis before and after treatment with triclabendazole. The drug efficacy and its side effects were also assessed.
Methods: Fifty confirmed fasciolosis patients, 15 males and 35 females, were chosen for parasitological and serological examinations pre-therapy as well as 1- and 6-months post-therapy. For stool examination formalin-ether and modified Telemann methods and for Fasciola antibody detection Elisa technique was applied.
Results: Overall, 100% and 18% of patients had positive ELISA and stool exams before treatment, respectively. The most frequent sign was abdominal pain (96%). The cure rate of the patient based only on stool examination was 100% after consumption of single dose of triclabendazole (10 mg/kg of body weight). Transient abdominal pain (mild and moderate) was the most frequent adverse sign following treatment with triclabendazole.
Conclusion: A single dose of triclabendazole (10 mg/kg) proved to be a successful therapeutic intervention, effectively eliminating the infection with manageable side effects.
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