Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. Radiological, biochemical and immunological changes were investigated during the parenchymal and ductal phases of chronic Fasciola hepatica infection.
METHODS. Activities of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), plasma levels of IgG anti F.hepatica and serial ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) findings were studied in sheep infected with 150 Fasciola hepatica metacercariae.
RESULTS: Experimental fluke infection provoked an increase in plasma level of IgG directed against F. hepatica and in plasma LDH and AST activities from 4 weeks after infection. Enzyme activities did not significantly differ from the baseline after 15 and 12 weeks, for LDH and AST, respectively. GGT activity increased from 9 weeks postinfection and still remained significantly elevated at 18 weeks. In the parenchymal phase ultrasound demonstrated a progression of hyperechoic areas irregularly distributed in liver parenchyma. Both CT and MR showed nodular lesions and MR could also detect early tracts in the subcapsular area. Ductal dilatation was shown by ultrasound, CT and MR. Moving echogenic forms in the dilated bile ducts were observed by ultrasound from 9 weeks postinfection.
CONCLUSIONS. This study shows that radiologic findings may be useful in studies of fluke-induced liver damage.
KEY WORDS.  Liver; diseases, parasites; Fasciola hepatica; ultrasound, liver; computer tomography, liver; magnetic resonance, liver; gammaglutamyl transpeptidase; aspartate aminotransferase
 

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