ABSTRACT
The study of the prevalence of fascioliasis in Egypt is critical for the effective prevention of this disease. The study was carried out in Seiger, a district of Tanta City. Gharbia Governorate. A random sample of 943 [39.44%] of 2391 total population of school children aged 6-15 years was examined for parasitic infection, out of them 332 [35.2%] were suffering from parasitic infection. Of the 943 school children 26 [2.75%] cases were positive for Fasciola gigantica. It was diagnosed by repeated stool analysis in 15 cases, but 26 cases were diagnosed by serologic immunodiffusion test, denoting the importance of serodiagnosis in survey studies for fascioliasis and early detection of infection before excretion of Fasciola ova in patients' stools. The cases of fascioliasis were significantly related to environmental conditions and human dietary habits of using stagnant water canal in washing raw vegetables, the presence of Lymnaea cailliaudi snails, rearing Fasciola infected sheep and cows in houses and the presence of animal shelters nearby the source of water. The clinical findings among cases of fascioliasis were; gastrointestinal symptoms [dyspepsia. anorexia, diarrhea and vomiting] in all cases, right upper quadrant abdominal pain in 92.30% of cases, headache and dizziness in 46.15%, fever in 53.85% and enlarged liver was found in 26.92% of cases. The significant laboratory findings among cases of fascioliasis were low mean blood Hb [7 19 +/- 2.01 mg/dl], high mean W.B.C. count [18.418 +/- 5.529/c.mm]. high mean blood Hb [7.19 +/- 2.01 mg/dl], high mean W.B.C. count [18.418 +/- 5.529/c.mm], high mean blood eosinophilic count [38.33%+24.64] and highly positive immunodiffusion test. These data reflect the role of clinical examination and laboratory investigation of routine school health care in early detection of fascioliasis and orienting the responsible health personnel regarding this. Also, the role of health education to prevent filthy habits under certain risky environmental conditions for fascioliasis. Regarding the treatment of Fasciola gigantica, results showed that, praziquantel in a dose of 75 mg/kg/day for 10 days was effective in 86.71% of treated cases, but praziquantel in the same dose plus metronidazole 50 mg/kg/day for 21 days was effective in the treatment of all studied cases of fascioliasis