A two year old infected with Dicrocoelium dendriticum: a case report

Abstract

Dicrocoelium dendriticum infection is rare in human and generally non-fatal unless infection of liver is severe. The disease could lead to biliary colic, digestive disturbances that include bloating and diarrhea. In heavy infections, bile ducts and the biliary epithelium may become enlarged with the generation of fibrous tissues around the ducts leading to hepatomegaly or inflammation of the liver (cirrhosis). This is a case presentation of a two-year old male child who is infected with Human Immune deficiency virus (HIV). BMI was 10.3kg/m², which is below the fifth percentile. Child lost 1.5kg on retrospective review of case file and another 0.5kg after presentation with loss of appetite, cough and fever. Patient was reportedly fed with liver on several occasion. Stool examination revealed many Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Ascaris lumbricoides ova. Albendazole treatment was instituted and after three months, body weight improved to 10.5kg. It becomes important to screen underweight children for helminthiasis, particularly HIV/AIDS patients whose HIV treatment plan might be of priority to the physician.

Keywords: Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Child, Ascaris lumbricoides, HIV/AIDS, Albendazole.