PREVALENCE OF COMMON PARASITIC INFECTIONS AMONG HEPATIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Many parasites affect the liver through pnmary or multi-system involvement. Of those parasites, S. mansoni is the most common in Egypt. It can lead to periportal fibrosis (PPF) with marked sequelae and complications. Fascioliasis is another important parasitic infection affecting the liver giving different clinical presentations such as hepatomegaly and obstructive jaundice. Entameba histolytica, an endemic protozoal infection is capable of invading tissues, causing amoebic hepatitis and abscess formation. Moreover, many space occupying lesions were caused by hydatid cyst of the liver.

It is worth mentioning that the prevalence of the infectious agent varies according to many factors one of which is the test used.

I. Schistosoma mansoni:

• The prevalence of bilharzia! periportal fibrosis using abdominal ultrasonography was 32%.

• Using stool analysis by the formol-ether concentration and modified Kato-Katz techniques, the prevalence rate was 6% compared to 0.0% for the control group.