Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Capillaria hepatica in man—an overview of hepatic capillariosis and spurious infections

  • Review
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Capillaria hepatica (syn. for Calodium hepaticum) is a zoonotic nematode parasitizing in the livers of rodents as main hosts and in numerous other mammals including humans. It is the causative agent of the rare conditions of hepatic capillariosis and spurious C. hepatica infections in humans. In this review, 163 reported cases of infestations with this parasite (72 reports of hepatic capillariosis, 13 serologically confirmed infestations and 78 observations of spurious infections) are summarized with an overview on the distribution, symptoms, pathology, diagnosis, serology and therapy of this rare human pathogen.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anonymous (1993) Mexico: Capillaria hepatica in Rats and Acapulcan Children, 1993. http://www.ciet.org/en/project/mexico-capillaria-hepatica-in-rats-and-acapulcan-children-1993/. Accessed: 27 Feb. 2011

  • Assis BC, Cunha LM, Baptista AP, Andrade ZA (2004) A contribution to the diagnosis of Capillaria hepatica infection by indirect immunofluorescence test. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 99(2):173–177

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Attah EB, Nagarajan S, Obineche EN, Gera SC (1983) Hepatic capillariasis. Am J Clin Pathol 79:127–130

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berger T, Degrémont A, Gebbers JO, Tönz O (1990) Hepatic capillariasis in a 1-year-old child. Eur J Pediatr 149(5):333–336

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brosius OT, Thomas EE, Brosius B (1948) Capillaria hepatica; a case report. Trans Roy Soc Trop Med and Hyg 42:95–97, In Lubinsky (1956)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bustamente-Sarabia J, Suswillo R, Contreras-Moreno E (1996) Capillaria hepatica in a 19-month old boy, third case in Mexico. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex 53:395–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Calle S (1961) Parasitism by Capillaria hepatica. Pediatrics 27:648–655

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Camain R, Dor X, Ranavo F (1965) Infestation hépatique à Capillaria hepatica chez un enfant de 11 mois. Ann Pediatr (Paris) 12:559–562

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Camargo LM, de Souza Almeida Aranha Camargo J, Vera LJ, di Tarique Crispim Barreto P, Tourinho EK, de Souza MM (2010) Capillariaisis (Trichurida, Trichinellidae, Capillaria hepatica) in the Brazilian Amazon: low pathogenicity, low infectivity and a novel mode of transmission. Parasit Vectors 3:11

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Choe G, Lee HS, Seo JK, Chai JY, Lee SH, Eom KS, Chi JG (1993) Hepatic capillariasis: first case report in the Republic of Korea. Am J Trop Med Hyg 48(5):610–625, Review

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cislaghi F, Radice C (1970) Infection by Capillaria hepatica. First case report in Italy. Helv Paediatr Acta 25(6):647–654

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cislaghi F, Radice C (1971) [Infestations by capillaria hepatica. 1st in vivo observation in Italy]. Minerva Pediatr 23(14):605, In Italian

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cochrane JC, Skinstad EE (1960) Capillaria hepatica in man-follow-up of a case. S Afr Med J 34:21–22

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cochrane JC, Sagorin L, Wilcocks MG (1957) Capillaria hepatica infection in man; a syndrome of extreme eosinophilia, hepatomegaly and hyperglobulinaemia. S Afr Med J 31(30):751–755

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coimbra CE Jr, Mello DA (1981) [Enteroparasites and Capillaria sp. among the Suruí tribe, Parque Indígena Aripuanã, Rondônia]. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 76(3):299–302, In Portuguese

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dive GH, LaFrenais HM, MacArthur WP (1924) A case of deposition of the eggs of Hepaticola hepatica in the human liver. J R Army Med Corps 43:1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaton RDP (1972) Current problems in parasitology in Canadian native peoples. Acta Sociomed Scand Suppl 6:249–253, Review; in Juncker-Voss et al. (2000)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Engler G, Sanchez G (1950) Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893); a case report. Trans Roy Soc Trop Med Hyg 43:443–444, In Lubinsky (1956)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ewing GM, Tilden IL (1956) Capillaria hepatica; report of fourth case of true human infestation. J Pediatr 48(3):341–348

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fan PC, Chung WC, Chen ER (2000) Capillaria hepatica: a spurious case with a brief review. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 16(7):360–367, Review

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fauna Europaea (2011) Taxonomy of Calodium hepaticum. http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=392583. Accessed 27 Feb 2011

  • Faust EC (1931) Investigations in Panama during the summer of 1930. Science 73:43–45, In Lubinsky (1956)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Faust EC, Martinez WH (1935) Notes on helminths from Panama. II. Rare human nematode eggs in the feces of individuals from the Chagres River, Panama. J Parasit 21:332–336, In Lubinsky (1956)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foster AO, Johnson CM (1939) An explanation for the occurrence of Capillaria hepatica ova in human faeces suggested by the finding of three new hosts used as food. Trans Roy Soc Trop Med Hyg 32:639–644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fugassa MH, Taglioretti V, Gonçalves ML, Araújo A, Sardella NH, Denegri GM (2008) Capillaria spp. eggs in Patagonian archaeological sites: statistical analysis of morphometric data. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 103(1):104–105

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Führer HP, Schneider R, Walochnik J, Auer H (2010) Extraintestinal helminths of the common vole (Microtus arvalis) and the water vole (Arvicola terrestris) in Western Austria (Vorarlberg). Parasitol Res 106(4):1001–1004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Galvão VA (1981) [Capillaria hepatica: an evaluation of its pathogenic role in man]. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 76(4):415–433, In Portuguese

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • González Barranco D, Peláez D, Jaramillo Rodríguez Y, Rodríguez-Martínez HA (1996) Third case of human hepatic capillariasis in Mexico. Rev Invest Clin 48(4):301–305, In Spanish

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Govil H, Desai M (1996) Capillaria hepatica parasitism. Indian J Pediatr 63(5):698–700

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang JN, Lin JX (2004) The pathological diagnosis of the first case of Capillaria hepatica in Fujian province. Zhongguo Renshou Gonghuanbing Zazhi 20:556, In Li et al. (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Juncker-Voss M, Prosl H, Lussy H, Enzenberg U, Auer H, Nowotny N (2000) Serological detection of Capillaria hepatica by indirect immunofluorescence assay. J Clin Microbiol 38(1):431–433, Review

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Juncker-Voss M, Prosl H, Lussy H, Enzenberg U, Auer H, Lassnig H, Müller M, Nowotny N (2004) Screening for antibodies against zoonotic agents among employees of the Zoological Garden of Vienna, Schönbrunn, Austria. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr 117(9–10):404–409, In German

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kallichurum S, Elsdon-Dew R (1961) Capillaria in man. A case report. S Afr Med J 35:860–861

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Jameson JL (2005) Harrison's principles of internal medicine, 16th edn. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Keven K, Bengisun JS, Altuntaş F, Akar H, Nergizoğlu G, Kutlay S, Duman N, Erbay B (2001) Cystic infection of the liver in a maintenance haemodialysis patient. Nephrol Dial Transplant 16(4):859–860

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim MK, Kim CH, Yeom BW, Park SH, Choi SY, Choi JS (2002) The first human case of hepatic dirofilariasis. J Korean Med Sci 17(5):686–690

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klenzak J, Mattia A, Valenti A, Goldberg J (2005) Hepatic capillariasis in Maine presenting as a hepatic mass. Am J Trop Med Hyg 72(5):651–653

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koea J, Smith D (2008) Solitary necrotic nodule revisited. ANZ J Surg 78(1–2):109–111

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kohatsu H, Zaha O, Shimada K, Chibana T, Yara I, Shimada A, Hasegawa H, Sato Y (1995) A space-occupying lesion in the liver due to Capillaria infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg 52(5):414–418

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kokai GK, Misic S, Perisic VN, Grujovska S (1990) Capillaria hepatica infestation in a 2-year-old girl. Histopathology 17(3):275–277

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li CD, Yang HL, Wang Y (2010) Capillaria hepatica in China. World J Gastroenterol 16(6):698–702

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lim JH (2008) Toxocariasis of the liver: visceral larva migrans. Abdom Imaging 33(2):151–156, Review

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lin XM, Li H, Zhao XD, Lin XD, Li H, Zhao XD, Deng Y (2004) 1 case of Capillaria hepatica infection. Zhongguo Jishengchongbing Fanghzhi Zahi: 17:230, In Li et al. (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubinsky G (1956) On the probable presence of parasitic liver cirrhoses in Canada. Can J Comp Med 20:457–465

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacArthur WP (1924) A case of infestation of human liver with Hepaticola hepatica (Bancroft, 1893), Hall, 1916; with sections from the liver. Proc R Soc Med 17:83–84, Sect Trop Dis Parasitol

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Machado ER, Santos DS, Costa-Cruz JM (2008) Enteroparasites and commensals among children in four peripheral districts of Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 41(6):581–585

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McQuown AL (1950) Capillaria hepatica; report of genuine and spurious cases. Am J Trop Med Hyg 30(5):761–767

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McQuown AL (1954) Capillaria hepatica. Am J Clin Pathol 24(4):448–452

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moravec F (1982) Proposal of a new systematic arrangement of nematodes of the family Capillariidae. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 29:119–132

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moravec F, Garibaldi F (2000) Huffmanela paronai sp. n. (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae), a new parasite from the skin of swordfish Xiphias gladius in the Ligurian sea (Western Mediterranean). Folia Parasitol (Praha) 47(4):309–313

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Müller JG, Kirchner T, Pannenbecker J, Müller-Hermelink HK (1990) [Hepatic capillariasis. Morphology and differential diagnosis]. Pathologe 11(5):300–303, In German

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nabi F, Palaha HK, Sekhsaria D, Chiatale A (2007) Capillaria hepatica infestation. Indian Pediatr 44(10):781–782

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Odunjo EO (1970) Helminthic anaphylactic syndrome (HAS) in children. Pathol Microbiol (Basel) 35(1):220–223, In Schmidt (2001)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orihuela-Chávez OE, Reyna-Figueroa J, Wakida-Kusunoki G, Limón-Rojas AE, Pasquel P, Nava-Jácome R (2006) Capilariasis hepática en niños: reporte del cuarto caso en México. Enf Infec Microbiol 26(3):86–88, In Spanish

    Google Scholar 

  • Otto GF, Berthrong M, Appleby RE, Rawlins JC, Wilbur O (1954) Eosinophilia and hepatomegaly due to Capillaria hepatica infection. Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp 94(6):319–336

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palhano-Silva CS, Araújo AJG, Lourenço AEP, Bastos OMP, Santos RV, Coimbra CEA Jr (2009) Intestinal parasitic infection in the Surui Indians, Brazilian Amazon. Interciencia 34(4):259–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Pampiglione S, Conconi G (1970) Primo caso Capillariosi epatica osservata nell'uomo in Italia. Parassitologia 12:125–134, In Schmidt (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pampiglione S, Gustinelli A (2008) Human hepatic capillariasis: a second case occurred in Korea. J Korean Med Sci 23(3):560–561, Author reply 561

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pannenbecker J, Miller TC, Müller J, Jeschke R (1990) [Severe liver involvement by Capillaria hepatica]. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 138(11):767–771, In German

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira VG, França LC (1981) [Human Capillaria hepatica infection. Report of a case treated successfully]. Rev Hosp Clin Fac Med Sao Paulo 36(1):31–34, In Portuguese

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira VG, Mattosinho Franca LC (1983) Successful treatment of Capillaria hepatica infection in an acutely ill adult. Am J Trop Med Hyg 32(6):1272–1274

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Piazza R, Correa MO, Fleury RN (1963) [On a case of human infestation with Capillaria hepatica]. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 5:37–41, In Portuguese; in Choe et al. (1993)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Romero Garcia F, Mendiola J, Biaji F (1962) [Elevated eosinophilia with visceral manifestation. IV. 1st case of Capillaria hepatica infection reported in Mexico]. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex 19(19):473–479, In Spanish; in Schmidt (2001)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sandground JH (1933) Parasitic nematodes from East Africa and Southern Rhodesia. Bull Mus Comp Zool (Harvard) 15:263–293, In Lubinsky (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawamura R, Fernandes MI, Peres LC, Galvão LC, Goldani HA, Jorge SM, de Melo RG, de Souza NM (1999) Hepatic capillariasis in children: report of 3 cases in Brazil. Am J Trop Med Hyg 61(4):642–647

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt S (2001) Untersuchungen zum Vorkommen von Capillaria hepatica und Metazestoden der Cyclophyllida bei Wildmäusen in Deutschland. PhD Thesis, Universität., Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät, Leipzig: 145 pp

  • Schouten H, Suriel-Smeets RM, Kibbelaar MA (1968) The simultaneous occurrence of ova resembling Dicrocoelium dentriticum or Capillaria hepatica in the stools of inhabitants of Curaço. Trop Geogr Med 20(3):271–275

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sekikawa H, Hasegawa H, Otsuru M, Igarashi T, Kaneko H, Wada K, Sato O, Wakakuwa R, Tajima K, Homma K (1991) First human case of Capillaria hepatica infection in Japan. Jpn J Parasitol 40:528–532

    Google Scholar 

  • Sianto L, Chame M, Silva CS, Gonçalves ML, Reinhard K, Fugassa M, Araújo A (2009) Animal helminths in human archaeological remains: a review of zoonoses in the past. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 51(3):119–130

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman NH, Katz JS, Levin SE (1973) Capillaria hepatica infestation in a child. S Afr Med J 47(6):219–221

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skrjabin KL, Podiapolskala VP, Shikhobalova NP (1929) Neue Faelle der Hepaticolosis beim Menschen. Russk Zhurnal Trop Med 7:449–450, In Lubinsky (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Šlais J (1973) The finding and identification of solitary Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) in man from Europe. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 20(2):149–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Šlais J (1974) Notes on the differentiation of Capillaria hepatica and visceral larva migrans. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 21:95

    Google Scholar 

  • Šlais J, Stĕrba J (1972) Solitary liver granulomas in man caused by Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) in Czechoslovakia. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 19(4):373–374

    Google Scholar 

  • Sumner D, Tinsley EG (1967) Encephalopathy due to visceral larva migrans. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 30(6):580–584

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Terrier P, Hack I, Hatz C, Theintz G, Roulet M (1999) Hepatic capillariasis in a 2-year-old boy. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 28(3):338–340

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tesana S, Puapairoj A, Saeseow O (2007) Granulomatous, hepatolithiasis and hepatomegaly caused by Capillaria hepatica infection: first case report of Thailand. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 38(4):636–640

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Turhan B, Unat EK, Yenermen M, Simmer C (1954) Insan Karacigerinde Capillaria hepatica (BANCROFT, 1893) TRAVASSOS 1915. Mikrobiologie Dergisi 7: 149–159. In Ward and Dent (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vargas Carreto G, López Martínez H, Victoria Victoria R, Hernández Muñoz G (1979) [Capillaria hepatica. Report of the 2nd cased found in the Mexican Republic]. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex 36(5):909–917, In Spanish

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vogel H (1932) Beitraege zur Epidemiologie der Schistosomiasis in Liberia and Franzossich-Guinea. Arch. Schiffs- u. Tropen-Hyg. 36 108,135. In Lubinsky (1956)

  • Ward RL, Dent JH (1959) Capillaria hepatica infection in a child. Bull Tulane Univ Med Fac 19:27–33

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wright HE (1938) Further observations on the incidence of Hepaticola (Capillaria) hepatica ova in human feces. Amer J Trop Med 18:329–330, In Lubinsky (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu BK, Li DN (1979) General condition on the rare human parasites in China. Zhonghua Yixue Zazhi 59:286–290, In Li et al. (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yfanti G, Andreadis E, Spiliadou C, Diamantopoulos EJ (1996) A woman with fever and jejunal stricture. Lancet 347:802

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zlatkovic M, Stankovic I, Sarjanovic L (1998) Capillaria hepatica in a twenty month old child. In Schmidt (2001)

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Scott Northrup and Paul Swoboda for proofreading.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Hans-Peter Fuehrer & Herbert Auer

  2. MARIB, Malaria Research Initiative Bandarban, Bandarban, Bangladesh

    Hans-Peter Fuehrer & Petra Igel

  3. Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Petra Igel

Authors
  1. Hans-Peter Fuehrer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Petra Igel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Herbert Auer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Herbert Auer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fuehrer, HP., Igel, P. & Auer, H. Capillaria hepatica in man—an overview of hepatic capillariosis and spurious infections. Parasitol Res 109, 969–979 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2494-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2494-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation