serum gastrin level in patients with schistosomiasis and fascioliasis

The study assessed changes in fasting serum gastrin level in early schistosomiasis and chronic fascioliasis in 52 patients. Forty patients had either schistosomiasis or fascioliasis alone. Twelve patients had combined infection with both parasitosis. Also, ten healthy parasite free individuals were selected as a control. All were clinically examined and subjected to stool analysis, liver function tests and sero-diagnosis for H. pylori. Serum gastrin was measured by radioimmunoassay and showed significant elevation in all patients [with schistosomiasis, fascioliasis or both parasites] compared to controls. A significantly higher serum gastrin level was detected among patients with combined infection relative to either with schistosomiasis or fascioliasis. Alkaline phosphatase activity increased significantly in all patients as compared to control. The activity of the enzyme had significant positive correlation with egg counts in patients with either parasite and with serum gastrin level in those with combined infection. The results were discussed

Ultrasonographic findings in the gall bladder in human fascioliasis

This study included forty patients with incubating or open fascioliasis. All were subjected to repeated stool examination, serological and hematological study, using IHAT in the former. Ultrasonography was done for upper abdomen stressing on gallbladder and assessing its function. Eighteen patients were diagnosed as incubating fascioliasis by positive IHAT, high eosinophilic count and negative stool examination for Fasciola eggs. No gallbladder changes could be detected by U.S. among those patients. Twenty two patients with eggs in their stool were diagnosed as open Fasciola. Their gallbladder through U.S. revealed flukes in twelve of them. A weak gallbladder contractility was observed in 64% with open fascioliasis