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$Title{Fascioliasis}
$Subject{Fascioliasis Disorder Subdivisions Halzoun Syndrome}
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Copyright (C) 1987, 1990 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

368:
Fascioliasis

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Fascioliasis) is not the
name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate
names, disorder subdivisions, and related disorders covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Disorder Subdivisions
     Halzoun Syndrome

Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:

     Halzoun Syndrome

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.


Fascioliasis is a rare infectious disorder caused by parasites.  These
parasites are liver flukes that live in plant-eating animals.  Liver flukes
can be found on water plants in certain parts of the world.  When the
parasite invades the liver, bile passages may be blocked.  A subdivision of
Fascioliasis called Halzoun Syndrome affects the throat (pharynx).  This
infection can usually be controlled and/or cured with timely treatment.

Symptoms

Initial symptoms of Fascioliasis may include fever and stomach or joint pain.
Diarrhea, itching, general ill health, malnutrition, jaundice, spleen
enlargement, swelling of the face, breathing disturbances and dry skin can
also occur.  Prompt treatment is necessary to prevent damage to the liver in
people affected by this disorder.  When the parasites invade the liver they
can block bile passages.  This may cause jaundice and eventually death.

Causes

Fascioliasis is caused by eating encapsulated parasitic liver flukes known as
"Fasciola Hepatica" and "Fasciola Gigantica".  These parasites live on water
plants that are eaten by man, or eaten by animals that are subsequently eaten
by man.  Generally the parasite can be killed by adequate cooking.

Affected Population

Fascioliasis is rare in the United States, but sometimes occurs in southern
and western areas of the nation where goats and sheep are raised.  The
parasites can be passed to man through goat or sheep meat that is
inadequately cooked.  This disorder tends to be more prevalent in the Orient
and the tropics.

Related Disorders

Other infectious disorders caused by parasites may be due to round worms,
tape worms, protozoan organisms, flukes and other bacteria.

Halzoun Syndrome is a variant of Fascioliasis.  This disorder affects the
throat.  It is caused by eating "Fasciola Hepatica", "Fasciola Gigantica" or
other parasites known as "Linguatulid" larvae.

Therapies:  Standard

Prompt treatment of Fascioliasis is necessary to prevent liver complications
caused by this disorder.  Treatment with emetine and chloroquine may be of
benefit.  Inspection programs of animals in high risk areas can do much to
control the spread of this infection.  Most importantly, all meats should be
well cooked before they are eaten by man.

Therapies:  Investigational

Treatment of Fascioliasis with the experimental drug Bithionol has been
initiated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Although this drug is
available for experimental use through the CDC, long-term effectiveness and
possible side effects have not yet been determined.

Clinical testing of the drug Niclofolan, a biphenyl anthelmintic
compound, is being conducted in West Germany as a treatment for Fascioliasis.
Further testing is needed to determine effectiveness and possible side
effects of this drug.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
January 1990.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Fascioliasis, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     American Liver Foundation
     998 Pompton Avenue
     Cedar Grove, NJ  07009
     (201) 857-2626
     (800) 223-0179

     The United Liver Foundation
     11646 West Pico Blvd.
     Los Angeles, CA  90064
     (213) 445-4204 or 445-4200

     Children's Liver Foundation
     14245 Ventura Blvd.
     Sherman Oaks, CA  91423
     (818) 906-3021

     NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 496-5717

     Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
     1600 Clifton Road, NE
     Atlanta, GA  30333
     (404) 639-3534

References

TREATMENT OF HUMAN FASCIOLIASIS WITH NICLOFOLAN:  T. Eckhardt, et. al.;
Gastroenterology (Oct. 1981, issue 81(4)).  Pp. 795-798.