Changing pattern of fascioliasis prevalence early in the 3[rd] millennium in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt: an update

ABSTRACT

Fascioliasis is an important food- and water-borne parasitic zoonosis caused by liver flukes of genus Fasciola [Digenea Fasciolidae] of worldwide distribution. In Egypt, fascioliasis was encountered in nearly all Egyptian Governorates, particularly in the Nile Delta and specifically in Dakahlia. All enrolled cases were subjected to complete history taking, clinical examination, routine investigations and abdominal ultrasonography. Stool analysis, IHA and ELISA were used for fascioliasis diagnosis. Rural areas showed highest prevalence of fascioliasis than urban areas, however, but without significance [x[2]= 0.042 and P= 0.837]. Regarding human fascioliasis in examined the centers, no statistically significant difference [x[2] =2.824 and P=0.243] was detected. Regarding gender variation, the difference was statistically insignificant [x[2]= 0.166 and P= 0.683]. The difference between the age groups was statistically insignificant [x[2]= 3.882 and P=0.274]. Clinically, 7 cases [35%] were asymptomatic and another 13 cases [65%] had different clinical pictures. Abdominal pain, anemia, eosinophilia, and tender hepatomegaly were seen in 70%, 80%, 70%, and 10%; respectively. Of them, 11 cases showed positive abdominal ultrasonographic findings suggestive of fascioliasis