Pulmonary Findings in Patients with Fascioliasis

Aim: Fasciola hepatica (FH) is sporadically found in the humans and causes disease by involving the bile ducts. However, it is rarely localized ectopically in the lungs; typical and atypical involvement of lung have been shown. The aim of this study is to investigate pulmonary findings for clinical, radiologic and laboratory in patients with fascioliasis. Materials and methods: All patients included in this study were diagnosed with fascioliasis. Diagnosis of fascioliasis was made by IgG antibody detection with ELISA, detection of parasite eggs with stool examination, radiologic images and clinical findings and laboratory parameters. Diseases involving in the differential diagnosis of lung involvement were individually evaluated when an abnormality was detected on chest radiography. Additional biochemical and microbiologic tests were performed. Thoracic computed tomography (CT), fiberoptic bronchoscopy and thoracentesis were performed. When other diseases were eliminated, the patient was diagnosed with fascioliasis. Results: Lung involvement was detected in 3 out of 56 patients (5.35%). The most prominent symptoms were right hypochondrial pain, chest pain, cough and dyspnea. Hepatomegaly and pulmonary rales were the most common physical examination findings. On radiologic imaging of the lung, ground-glass densities were detected in one patient, infiltration in one and pleural effusion was detected in the other. Conclusion: Although Fasciola hepatica may only affect the lungs rarely, the presence of respiratory symptoms and physical examination findings in the acute period of diagnosis should suggest lung abnormality.