Capillaria hepatica infestation in a child
Silverman, N.H.; Katz, J.S.; Levin, S.E.
South African Medical Journal 47(6): 219-221
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 4689003 Document Number: 60376
Capillaria hepatica infection in a 17-month-old white girl which presented as visceral larva migrans was diagnosed by liver biopsy. Histological examination of the biopsy specimens showed granulomata composed of cellular necrosis surrounded by heavy infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils and plasma cells. Palisading of epithelioid cells was also observed and numerous multinucleate cells of the foreign body type were present. Numerous ova, characteristic of C. hepatica, were distributed throughout the specimens. The child lived on a farm where there were numerous rats and was a sand eater. Initial treatment with diethylcarbamazine citrate brought about no improvement and this was followed with sodium antimonyl gluconate which did cause improvement in both the clinical and histological picture. One year after admission the child was in good health and had thrived. The life-cycle, pathology, treatment and prognosis of this infection, often regarded as fatal, are discussed.