Fasciola hepatica association with gallbladder malignancy: A rare case report

Fasciolopsis is one of the rarest parasitic infestations in our locality. The usual definitive host is the sheep; humans are accidental hosts in the life cycle of a liver fluke – Fasciola. In the chronic phage of Fasciolopsis, the patient presents with cholestasis and cholangitis. Yet, there is no proof of association of this parasite with carcinoma of the gallbladder. We here present such a case of Fasciolopsis in association with Stage IV gallbladder malignancy. Fasciola worms were extracted on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography done as a palliative measure for associated obstructive jaundice. The chronic phase of this zoonotic infection can be easily misdiagnosed as any other cause of obstructive jaundice if not properly investigated. The importance of repeated stool examination for parasitic ova and cysts should never be understated as it may help in early diagnosis of such treatable conditions as well as preventing the complications.