Dicroceliosis
The content of the article:
- Causes and risk factors
- Forms of the disease
- Symptoms
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Possible complications and consequences
- Forecast
- Prevention
Dicroceliosis is an invasive disease that occurs when infected with a lanceolate fluke, a parasite in the body of both wild and domestic animals, and humans. This biohelminthiasis is accompanied by damage to the gallbladder and liver. Human dicroceliosis is a relatively rare pathology that occurs sporadically almost everywhere; the highest incidence rates are observed in the southern regions.
Lanceolate fluke - causative agent of dicroceliosis
Causes and risk factors
The eggs of the lanceolate fluke, a parasitic flatworm (trematode) of the genus Dicrocoelium, are highly resistant to environmental factors. They can withstand temperatures down to -23 ºС (in some cases - up to -50 ºС) and can be dried at room temperature for a week.
The transfer of eggs is carried out in the faeces of the final host. The intermediate hosts of the lanceolate fluke are land snails and ants, the final hosts are domestic and wild animals, as well as humans. The prevalence of the disease correlates with the presence of intermediate hosts under conditions favorable for the development of the parasite.
Dicroceliosis Infection Cycle
Human infection can occur when an infectious agent is unintentionally swallowed along with food (vegetables, fruits), as well as when an ant is accidentally swallowed. Children become infected more often than adults.
Forms of the disease
Human dicroceliosis occurs in acute and chronic forms. The acute form usually lasts only a few days and then becomes chronic, which can last for years, provoking the occurrence of concomitant diseases.
Symptoms
Dicroceliosis can be asymptomatic for a relatively long time.
The incubation period has not been determined. At the onset of the disease, signs of intoxication prevail, to which, in proportion to the development of the disease, symptoms provoked by liver damage are added. In addition, the patient may have symptoms caused by a secondary bacterial infection and other pathologies that have joined helminthiasis.
The lanceolate fluke parasitizes in the liver and gallbladder of a person, and this is the reason for the symptoms of the disease.
The acute stage is characterized by:
- skin rashes (urticaria);
- increased body temperature;
- headaches;
- heartburn, nausea, vomiting;
- stool evacuation disorders.
Heartburn, nausea with vomiting are characteristic of the acute stage of dicroceliosis
With the transition of pathology to a chronic form, the following are noted:
- slight enlargement of the liver;
- decreased appetite;
- unpleasant sensations in the right hypochondrium or paroxysmal pain;
- weight loss;
- yellowness of the skin.
Diagnostics
Standard scheme for the diagnosis of human dicroceliosis:
- collection of anamnesis;
- general clinical and biochemical blood test;
- laboratory tests of feces and duodenal contents for the presence of helminth eggs;
- instrumental examination (ultrasound, fibrogastroduodenoscopy).
Differential diagnosis of the disease with other helminthic invasions is carried out.
Analysis of feces and duodenal contents helps to identify dicroceliosis
When eating the liver of cattle or small ruminants infected with lanceolate fluke, transit helminth eggs can be found in the feces. Therefore, in order to avoid false positive results, a few days before stool testing, it is necessary to exclude the liver and its products from the diet.
Treatment
Drug treatment of dicroceliosis. The drugs of choice are anthelmintics with an oral or parenteral route of administration.
If necessary, analgesic and (or) antispasmodic drugs, hepatoprotectors, vitamins and iron preparations are added to the scheme. In the case of a secondary bacterial infection, antibacterial agents are used.
Drug treatment of dicroceliosis
During treatment, the patient is prescribed a diet rich in protein, fatty and fried foods, and alcohol are excluded from the diet.
Possible complications and consequences
If left untreated, dicroceliosis can lead to liver damage (chronic hepatitis). In rare cases, dicroceliosis can be complicated by biliary cirrhosis of the liver.
Forecast
With timely adequate treatment, the prognosis is favorable.
Prevention
Measures to prevent infection with fluke lanceolate include:
- careful processing of fruits, vegetables, herbs before eating;
- carrying out sanitary and educational work among the population, especially informing people from risk groups (livestock, etc.);
- preventing ants from entering food;
- treatment of infected pets.
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Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author
Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
