An Outbreak of Human Fascioliasis gigantica in Southwest China

Abstract

Fascioliasis is a common parasitic disease in livestock in China. However, human fascioliasis is rarely reported in the country. Here we describe an outbreak of human fascioliasis in Yunnan province. We reviewed the complete clinical records of 29 patients and performed an epidemiological investigation on the general human population and animals in the outbreak locality. Our findings support an outbreak due to Fasciola gigantica with a peak in late November, 2011. The most common symptoms were remittent fever, epigastric tenderness, and hepatalgia. Eosinophilia and tunnel-like lesions in ultrasound imaging in the liver were also commonly seen. Significant improvement of patients’ condition was achieved by administration of triclabendazole®. Fasciola spp. were discovered in local cattle (28.6%) and goats (26.0%). Molecular evidence showed a coexistence of F. gigantica and F. hepatica. However, all eggs seen in humans were confirmed to be F. gigantica. Herb (Houttuynia cordata) was most likely the source of infections. Our findings indicate that human fascioliasis is a neglected disease in China. The distribution of triclabendazole®, the only efficacious drug against human fascioliasis, should be promoted.

Human liver flukes

“…Recently, an outbreak was reported in China (22) , where infection had not previously been documented.…”

Human Cases of Fascioliasis in Fujian Province, China

“…The first outbreak of human fascioliasis in China was in Binchuan (southwest China), in January 2012. After morphological, immunological, and molecular characterizations, F. gigantica was considered as a pathogen attracting attention from the Chinese government in finding ways to prevent and control this ailment [17]. Another important human fascioliasis case was a young man, 24 years old.…”

Long Noncoding RNA Profiling from Fasciola Gigantica Excretory/Secretory Product-Induced M2 to M1 Macrophage Polarization

“…Fascioliasis, which is caused by F. hepatica or F. gigantica afflicts at least 2.6 million people around the world [8,9], causes hepatic pathologies such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even cancer [10]. Moreover, fascioliasis outbreaks caused by F. gigantica in Yunnan, China further suggested that this pathogen might be zoonotic [11]. Therefore, decoding the biological and immunological feature of F. gigantica is imperative for public health.…”