Fascioliasis as an aetiologie case of fever of unknown origin [FUO] among children [4-12 years] old

ABSTRACT

Idiopathic fever represents a diagnostic dilemma in small age group. Little attention was given as regard parasitic infections and fever of unknown origin [FUO]. The objective of this study was to throw some light upon the role of fascioliasis as a cause of fever of unknown origin. The study revealed fascioliasis by stool analysis in 14 cases out of children [4.3%] presenting by undiagnosed and prolonged fever and their ages [4-12 years]. Dot- ELISA enabled us to discover 20 cases out of those 320 patients [6.25%], the difference between the results obtained by stool analysis and dot-ELlSA is not significant. Fever [38 drgree] was prolonged and was complained by all the Fasciola seropositive cases by dot-ELISA i.e. 20 cases [100%], eosinophilia in high counts was reported in most of the cases, it is a characteristic of fascioliasis. Hepatobiliary disorders and weight loss were recorded in 60% of the seropositive cases. The scleral tinge of jaundice was noticed in 40% of cases, while diarrhoea, liver enlargement and abdominal pains were reported in 20% of feverish children. Vomiting was complained only by 10% of cases. So Fasciola infection should be considered as one of the aetiological causes of fever of unknown origin [FUO] [6.25%] in children [4-12 years]. Fascioliasis in children usually presented by fever and eosinophilia. Dot- ELISA is an important tool for Fasciola diagnosis, besides the stool examination techniques. Young- aged male children suffered from fascioliasis as a cause of fever of unknown origin more than female children