Ultrasonpgraphic liver images and evaluation of liver fibrosis in Schistosoma japonicum infections

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We performed this research among the enrolled patients of Schistosomiasis Research & Control Hospital, Leyte, the Philippines. Liver fibrosis was evaluated by ultrasonographic(US) findings and serum markers such as procollagen-III-peptide(P-III-P) and type IV collagen. Intensity of the infection was detected by number of eggs per 1 gram of feces. Among young patients with high intensity, we found typical network pattern by US. Among elder patients, however, we found no relationship between network pattern and intensity of the infection. Out of 177 patients diagnosed by stool examination, about 70% patients showed elevation of P-III-P and/or Type IV collagen. Especially, more than 90% of young patients less than 20 years old showed elevation of these serum markers. In young patients from S.japonicum endemic area, we found close relationship between the progress of liver fibrosis detected by US and serum markers and intensity of the infection. Based on these results, we standardized criteria of US diagnosis on schistosomiasis japonica through activities of a joint program for control of Asian Schistosomiasis, Regional Network on Asian Schistosomiasis.