A pseudoinfection with Capillaria hepatica can be a challenge to diagnose.
A key finding is the presence of eggs of Capillaria hepatica in the stool. In a true infection eggs are not present in the stool. A repeat stool exam a few days later should be negative for eggs (unless the person has eaten infected tissue again).
The eggs of Capillaria hepatica are 50 to 70 microns long and 30 to 35 microns wide.
Features of a pseudoinfection:
(1) The patient has a history of recently eating the liver of an animal infected with Capillaria hepatica. The eggs in the animal host are unembryonated and not infectious.
(2) The patient is clinically asymptomatic.
(3) There is no evidence of hepatomegaly.
(4) There is no evidence of eosinophilia and liver function tests are normal.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) infection with Capillaria philippinensis (which is associated with release of eggs)
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