Loiasis

DIAGNOSTICS

The form of filariasis found in West and Central Africa, caused by Loa loa and transmitted by the bite of mosquito of the Chrysops type. The disease is characterized by localized transient swellings caused by migration of adult worms in the subcutaneous tissues. The worms may also migrate across the eye lower the conjunctiva. Microfilaria are found in peripheral blood; eosinophilia is common.

TREATMENT

Diethylcarbamazine in 2 mg/kg body weight orally for 14 days kills both the microfilaria and adult worms. Since allegric reactions are common during the first part of the treatment, Prednisolone from 10 to 30 mg /day orally should be given for the first 4 days of the treatment.

Trematodoses

Trematodoses are long living parasites having similar morphology and life cycle (except shistosomiases), flat and foliaceous form and two suckers. They are hermaphrodites from several millimeters up to several centimeters. The eggs are secreted in faeces and phlegm of the patient into environment. In fresh water the larva - miracidium are formed of them which get in the tissue of intermediate host mollusk, where continue to develop up to the form of cercaria. Then cercaria leave the mollusk, penetrate into aqueous plants or animals (second intermediate host), where they form metacercaria. The final host is infected by swallow the intermediate host. Except opistorhosis and fascioliasis, trematodoses are spread only in TROPICAL and SUBTROPICAL zones.

Clonorchiasis

The invasion occurs in China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam, but is more prevalent in South China. Clonorchiasis results from the invasion to bile ducts by the trematode — Clonorchis sinensis. This is a flat elongated worm about 4 cm. which produces numerous ova 19X19 microns in size. Dogs, cats and pigs may be infected in addition to man. To complete the life cycle the eggs must be ingested by a freshwater snail and then cercaria, which leave it and enter a freshwater fish. If this fish is eaten raw or insufficiently cooked, the man becomes infected.

DIAGNOSTICS

1. epigastric pain of gradual onset.

2. recurrent attacks of fever.

3. hepatomegalia, pain and jaundice.

4. Leucositosis, eosinophilia note 80%.

5. acute or chronic hepatitis by biochemical methods.

6. The finding of ova in the stool or fluid aspirated from duodenum shows the presence of the worms.

7. Hepatic calcification by X-ray examination.

TREATMENT

PRASICVANTELUM is prescribed in a single dose 25 mg/kg body weight.

Prevention. Fish should be properly cooked before being eaten by men or fed to dogs, cats or pigs.

FASCIOSPIDOSIS

Fasciolospidosis results from the invasion of intestinal trematode Fasciolopsis buski.

It affected the top part of a pig intestine (final host). The invasion is frequently recorded in China, India, Thailand and Far East. The man is infected while drinking raw water.

DIAGNOSTICS

Usually the desease proceeds without signs. Nevertheless, diarrhea, abdominal pains, abdominal bleeding and intestinal obstruction in case of severe damage or immunodeficiancy syndrome. Later the ascites develops..

Diagnostics is based on detection of ova in feces. The eggs have the great similarity to the eggs of Fasciola Hepatica.

TREATMENT

PRASICVANTELUM is prescribed in a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight per day 3 times within one day.