Fasciola hepatica: lithogenic capacity in experimentally infested rats and chemical determination of the main stone components

Abstract

A study was done of the possible association between the development of common bile-duct stones and the presence of worms in rats experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica. A total of 157 rats were individually infected with 20 metacercariae, and another 40 animals served as controls. The rats were dissected at 100, 200, 300, and 400 days postinfection (p.i.). A significant association was observed between the observation of stones and the presence of F. hepatica adults. The global frequency of bile-duct lithiasis in the parasitized rats was 22%, with a significantly lower incidence being observed in the younger group (100 days p.i.). Different analytical techniques were used to determine the main stone components. Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis showed calcium to be the main component in all cases (82–94%). Scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance ([¹H]- and [¹³C]-NMR), and mass spectrometry revealed the predominance of palmitic (C-16) and stearic (C-18) acid.