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Systemic vasculitis associated with Fasciola hepatica [liver fluke] infection
Identifier
012756
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Vasculitis (plural: vasculitides) is a group of disorders that destroy blood vessels by inflammation. Both arteries and veins are affected.
A description of the experience
Scand J Rheumatol. 2006 Mar-Apr;35(2):143-6.
Systemic vasculitis associated with Fasciola hepatica infection.
Llanos C1, Soto L, Sabugo F, Gallegos I, Valenzuela O, Verdaguer J, Cuchacovich M. 1Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, Clinical Hospital University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
We report the case of a 50-year-old man who presented with systemic vasculitis associated with Fasciola hepatica infection. The patient presented with severe skin, kidney, spleen, ophthalmic, and neurological compromise. An immunological examination for primary vasculitis was negative and other infections were discounted by microbiological and serological analyses. The patient was treated with steroids without clinical response. The Fasciola hepatica infection was confirmed by the presence of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum antibodies detected by a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with an optical density (OD) of 0.483 OD units (normal value<0.170 OD units) and a high-titre complement fixation (1/80 dilution). The patient received treatment with triclabendazole and all symptoms and systemic manifestations resolved within weeks. Hence, this previously unreported vasculitis-associated infection, if identified opportunely, can be treated and cured.
PMID: 16641050
The source of the experience
PubMedConcepts, symbols and science items
Concepts
Symbols
Science Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Overloads
Blood circulatory system diseaseKidney disease
Liver disease
Liver fluke
Parasites
Skin diseases
Spleen disease
Suppressions
Blindness, macular degeneration and other sight impairmentBrain damage