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- $Unique_ID{BRK03734}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Fascioliasis}
- $Subject{Fascioliasis Disorder Subdivisions Halzoun Syndrome}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- 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.
-
-