Dr. Nguyen Le Phuong Hong, from the General Internal Medicine Department at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, reported that Ms. Tien's parasite test results were positive for Fasciola, also known as large liver fluke. Her eosinophil count ranged from 9.4% to 16.5%. A lesion measuring approximately 57x35x67 mm was found in segments VI-VII of her right liver lobe. Doctors diagnosed Ms. Tien with a liver abscess.
Ms. Tien also had several chronic conditions, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, chronic adrenal insufficiency, sequelae from a past cerebral infarction, and arrhythmia. Doctors initiated treatment with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs to control the infection and stabilize her underlying health issues.
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Dr. Hong examining Ms. Tien. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*
After four days of treatment, Ms. Tien responded well to the regimen. Her fever and shortness of breath resolved, pain decreased, and the liver lesion gradually reduced in size. She was discharged with a prescription for maintenance medication and antiparasitic drugs to be taken for six months.
According to Dr. Hong, parasitic liver abscesses are common in South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. The disease can have a subtle onset with non-specific symptoms such as prolonged fever, vague abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and chest pain. If not detected and treated correctly, the condition can progress to a large infection, complicated by bacterial superinfection.
Consuming raw vegetables that have not been thoroughly washed or properly disinfected is a common way for fluke and worm larvae to enter the body. Habits like eating raw or undercooked food, or drinking unboiled water, also increase the risk of amoebic and other parasitic infections. Ms. Tien confirmed that she often ate raw vegetables and raw fish salad.
Individuals experiencing prolonged unexplained fever, dull pain in the right upper quadrant, fatigue, or shortness of breath should seek medical attention promptly.
By Nhat Thanh
*Patient's name has been changed.
