Liver ultrasound findings in a low prevalence area of S. japonicum in China: Comparison with history, physical examination, parasitological and serological results

• Published in: Acta tropica Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 65 - 84
• Main Authors: Mott, K.E., Ming-Gang, Chen, Abdel-Wahab, F., Burki, A., Dixon, H., Fu-niu, Xu, Sen-hai, Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.05.1992
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; China - epidemiology; Female; Hepatitis B Antigens - blood; Humans; Liver disease; Liver Diseases, Parasitic - diagnostic imaging; Liver Diseases, Parasitic - epidemiology; Liver Diseases, Parasitic - pathology; Male; Medical Records; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Rural Population; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica - diagnostic imaging; Schistosomiasis japonica - epidemiology; Schistosomiasis japonica - pathology; Ultrasonography; Ultrasound; Schistosoma japonicum; Ultrasound; Liver disease
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/0001-706X(92)90021-O

The paper describes a study carried out in a community in Dongdian township, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China. Medical history and the results of a physical examination, ultrasound investigation, parasitological and serological tests for Schistosoma japonicum infection were compared in 661 persons of 169 households. A lack of correlation between parasitological and serological indicators of infection and morbidity was observed in this area of low (6.4%) prevalence and intensity of infection. The prevalence of abnormal ultrasound findings in the liver in this population was high (56%), and was significantly higher than the prevalence of S. japonicum infection. The abnormal ultrasound findings correlated with a history of schistosomiasis, and the correlation increased significantly according to the number of times treated and the time since the last treatment, which suggested that past parenteral treatment has a role in the high rate of abnormal liver ultrasound findings. The significant correlation between the qualitative and quantitative serological results and abnormal ultrasound parenchymal patterns suggests that cross-reactivity between the etiology of the parenchymal disease and these tests is occurring. The presence of HBsAg correlated with the composite presence of ultrasound abnormalities of the liver parenchyma: increased echogenicity, periportal fibrosis and/or nodules and irregular fibrosis, whereas a normal ultrasound pattern was associated with the absence of HBV antigenemia.