Clinical analysis on 171 cases of clonorchiasis

Objective To investigate the features of 171 of cases of clonorchiasis.Methods Descriptive analysis was performed on 171 cases of confirmed clonorchiasis from October 2005-December 2006 based on clinical data,laboratory tests,and a B ultrasound examination.The prevalence of reinfection was also analyzed.Results Most patients in the 171 cases were asymptomatic or only had mild fatigue and liver discomfort.Of the patients,58.33%(99/171) had no discomfort 58.33% while 42.11%(72/171) had fatigue and a loss of appetite.Abnormal liver function was noted in 57.31%(98/171) of patients.Of the 171 patients,122 underwent a B ultrasound;this examination revealed accompanying cholecystitis in 8 patients,gallbladder stones in 3,a hypoechoic intrahepatic bile duct in 35,a hypoechoic intrahepatic bile duct and slightly dilated intrahepatic bile duct in 42,and a fatty liver in 10.There was a high incidence of re-infection.After 24 patients were treated with praziquantel,22 tested positive for Clonorchis eggs or antibodies.Mild dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts of the liver occurred at a rate of 68.18%(15/22) while the rate it occurred in untreated patients was 27.55%(27/98).The difference was statistically significant(X2 = 10.43,P 0.01).Conclusion Most patients with clonorchiasis have no obvious symptoms or only mild fatigue,liver discomfort,or other symptoms.Clonorchiasis is slightly prevalent,it has a high incidence of re-infection,and it has a high incidence of dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts.