Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are acute phase reactants indicating
inflammation, particularly in bacterial infections. High PCT or CRP levels were proposed in malaria,
invasive amoebiasis, babesiosis and schistosomiasis. Since liver is the sole habitat, it was hypothesized
that PCT and CRP may have a role in the diagnosis of fascioliasis.
Objective: The study aimed to investigate whether PCT and CRP have a role in the diagnosis of fascioliasis.
Subjects and Methods: Fifty fascioliasis patients and 50 healthy blood donors in the same age range, as
the control group, were included in the study. Fascioliasis was diagnosed by anti-Fasciola IgG ELISA, in
addition, direct stool examinations (fresh smear and after sedimentation) were performed in both groups.
Serum PCT and CRP levels were determined by I-chroma kits on I- CHROMA™ II device, and NFL BN-II
immunonephelometry system, respectively.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference of PCT and CRP values between the fascioliasis
patient group and the control group (P> 0.05).
Conclusion: It was concluded that PCT and CRP were not relevant parameters for diagnosis of fascioliasis