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

我们在菲律宾莱特血吸虫病研究与控制医院的入组患者中进行了这项研究。通过超声（US）检查结果和血清标志物如前胶原- iii -肽（P-III-P）和IV型胶原来评估肝纤维化。以每1克粪便中卵数检测感染强度。在年轻的高强度患者中，我们发现典型的网络模式。然而，在老年患者中，我们发现网络模式与感染强度之间没有关系。在177例通过粪便检查诊断的患者中，约70%的患者显示P-III-P和/或IV型胶原蛋白升高。特别是，超过90%的20岁以下的年轻患者显示这些血清标志物升高。在日本血吸虫流行地区的年轻患者中，我们发现美国肝纤维化检测进展和血清标志物与感染强度密切相关。基于这些结果，我们通过亚洲血吸虫病控制联合项目（亚洲血吸虫病区域网络）的活动，对美国日本血吸虫病的诊断标准进行了标准化。

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.