Hepatic capillariasis: first case report in the Republic of Korea.

ABSTRACT

We report a case of massive hepatic infection by Capillaria hepatica in a 14-month-old girl who presented with the symptom triad of persistent fever, hepatomegaly, and leukocytosis with eosinophilia. Twenty-five cases of human infection with this parasite, mostly in children, have been reported in the literature. This is the first case of hepatic capillariasis reported in the Republic of Korea. The diagnosis was made by needle biopsy of the liver. Scanning electron microscopic examination of the biopsy specimen was also performed. Thiabendazole therapy was initiated and the patient developed liver disease-related IgA nephropathy during the therapy. The literature dealing with proven cases of infection with C. hepatica is briefly reviewed.