Fasciolosis: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

CSV import
 
CSV import
 
Line 1: Line 1:
[[File:Fasciola_hepatica.JPG|thumb|Fasciola_hepatica.JPG]] '''Fasciolosis''' is a parasitic disease caused by the liver flukes of the genus ''[[Fasciola]]''. The two primary species responsible for this condition are ''[[Fasciola hepatica]]'' and ''[[Fasciola gigantica]]''. This disease affects a wide range of mammalian hosts, including humans, and is of significant veterinary and medical importance.
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Fasciolosis
| image          = [[File:Fasciola_hepatica.JPG|250px]]
| caption        = Adult ''[[Fasciola hepatica]]''
| field          = [[Infectious disease]]
| synonyms        = Fascioliasis, liver fluke infection
| symptoms        = [[Fever]], [[abdominal pain]], [[hepatomegaly]], [[jaundice]]
| complications  = [[Cholangitis]], [[liver abscess]]
| onset          = 4 to 7 weeks after infection
| duration        = Chronic if untreated
| causes          = Infection by ''[[Fasciola hepatica]]'' or ''[[Fasciola gigantica]]''
| risks          = Consuming contaminated watercress or other aquatic plants
| diagnosis      = [[Serology]], [[stool examination]]
| differential    = [[Hepatitis]], [[cholecystitis]], [[gallstones]]
| prevention      = Avoiding consumption of raw aquatic plants in endemic areas
| treatment      = [[Triclabendazole]]
| medication      = Triclabendazole
| frequency      = 2.4 million people infected worldwide
| deaths          = Rare
}}
'''Fasciolosis''' is a parasitic disease caused by the liver flukes of the genus ''[[Fasciola]]''. The two primary species responsible for this condition are ''[[Fasciola hepatica]]'' and ''[[Fasciola gigantica]]''. This disease affects a wide range of mammalian hosts, including humans, and is of significant veterinary and medical importance.
==Life Cycle==
==Life Cycle==
The life cycle of ''Fasciola'' species involves several stages and requires an intermediate host, typically a freshwater snail. The adult flukes reside in the bile ducts of the definitive host, where they lay eggs that are excreted in the feces. Upon reaching a suitable aquatic environment, the eggs hatch into miracidia, which then infect the intermediate snail host. Inside the snail, the miracidia develop into sporocysts, rediae, and finally cercariae. The cercariae are released from the snail and encyst as metacercariae on aquatic vegetation. When the definitive host ingests the contaminated vegetation, the metacercariae excyst in the duodenum, migrate through the intestinal wall, and eventually reach the liver to mature into adult flukes.
The life cycle of ''Fasciola'' species involves several stages and requires an intermediate host, typically a freshwater snail. The adult flukes reside in the bile ducts of the definitive host, where they lay eggs that are excreted in the feces. Upon reaching a suitable aquatic environment, the eggs hatch into miracidia, which then infect the intermediate snail host. Inside the snail, the miracidia develop into sporocysts, rediae, and finally cercariae. The cercariae are released from the snail and encyst as metacercariae on aquatic vegetation. When the definitive host ingests the contaminated vegetation, the metacercariae excyst in the duodenum, migrate through the intestinal wall, and eventually reach the liver to mature into adult flukes.
==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==
In humans, fasciolosis can present in two phases: the acute (or invasive) phase and the chronic phase. The acute phase is characterized by symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and eosinophilia, resulting from the migration of the immature flukes through the liver. The chronic phase occurs when the flukes reside in the bile ducts, leading to symptoms like biliary colic, jaundice, and hepatomegaly. In livestock, fasciolosis can cause significant economic losses due to reduced productivity, weight loss, and liver condemnation.
In humans, fasciolosis can present in two phases: the acute (or invasive) phase and the chronic phase. The acute phase is characterized by symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and eosinophilia, resulting from the migration of the immature flukes through the liver. The chronic phase occurs when the flukes reside in the bile ducts, leading to symptoms like biliary colic, jaundice, and hepatomegaly. In livestock, fasciolosis can cause significant economic losses due to reduced productivity, weight loss, and liver condemnation.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Diagnosis of fasciolosis can be challenging and typically involves a combination of clinical signs, serological tests, and imaging techniques. The detection of eggs in stool samples is a common diagnostic method, although it is more effective in the chronic phase. Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), can detect antibodies against ''Fasciola'' antigens and are useful in the early stages of infection. Imaging techniques like ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scans can help visualize liver damage and fluke presence.
Diagnosis of fasciolosis can be challenging and typically involves a combination of clinical signs, serological tests, and imaging techniques. The detection of eggs in stool samples is a common diagnostic method, although it is more effective in the chronic phase. Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), can detect antibodies against ''Fasciola'' antigens and are useful in the early stages of infection. Imaging techniques like ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scans can help visualize liver damage and fluke presence.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
The primary treatment for fasciolosis is the administration of anthelmintic drugs. ''[[Triclabendazole]]'' is the drug of choice due to its high efficacy against both immature and adult flukes. Other drugs, such as ''[[Nitazoxanide]]'' and ''[[Bithionol]]'', may also be used, although they are generally less effective. In addition to pharmacological treatment, control measures include the management of snail populations and the avoidance of consuming contaminated water and vegetation.
The primary treatment for fasciolosis is the administration of anthelmintic drugs. ''[[Triclabendazole]]'' is the drug of choice due to its high efficacy against both immature and adult flukes. Other drugs, such as ''[[Nitazoxanide]]'' and ''[[Bithionol]]'', may also be used, although they are generally less effective. In addition to pharmacological treatment, control measures include the management of snail populations and the avoidance of consuming contaminated water and vegetation.
==Prevention==
==Prevention==
Preventive measures for fasciolosis focus on reducing the risk of infection in both humans and livestock. These measures include:
Preventive measures for fasciolosis focus on reducing the risk of infection in both humans and livestock. These measures include:
Line 19: Line 35:
* Educating at-risk populations about the dangers of consuming raw or undercooked aquatic vegetation.
* Educating at-risk populations about the dangers of consuming raw or undercooked aquatic vegetation.
* Regular deworming of livestock to reduce the prevalence of infection.
* Regular deworming of livestock to reduce the prevalence of infection.
==Epidemiology==
==Epidemiology==
Fasciolosis is a global disease, with higher prevalence in regions where livestock farming is common and where there are suitable habitats for the intermediate snail hosts. It is particularly prevalent in parts of South America, Africa, and Asia. Human cases are often associated with the consumption of contaminated watercress and other aquatic plants.
Fasciolosis is a global disease, with higher prevalence in regions where livestock farming is common and where there are suitable habitats for the intermediate snail hosts. It is particularly prevalent in parts of South America, Africa, and Asia. Human cases are often associated with the consumption of contaminated watercress and other aquatic plants.
==See Also==
==See Also==
* [[Helminthiasis]]
* [[Helminthiasis]]
Line 28: Line 42:
* [[Parasitic disease]]
* [[Parasitic disease]]
* [[Veterinary medicine]]
* [[Veterinary medicine]]
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
==External Links==
==External Links==
{{Commons category|Fasciolosis}}
{{Commons category|Fasciolosis}}
[[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
[[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
[[Category:Helminthiases]]
[[Category:Helminthiases]]
Line 40: Line 51:
[[Category:Zoonoses]]
[[Category:Zoonoses]]
[[Category:Veterinary diseases]]
[[Category:Veterinary diseases]]
{{Infectious disease}}
{{Infectious disease}}
{{medicine-stub}}
{{medicine-stub}}

Latest revision as of 16:10, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Fasciolosis
Synonyms Fascioliasis, liver fluke infection
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Fever, abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, jaundice
Complications Cholangitis, liver abscess
Onset 4 to 7 weeks after infection
Duration Chronic if untreated
Types N/A
Causes Infection by Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica
Risks Consuming contaminated watercress or other aquatic plants
Diagnosis Serology, stool examination
Differential diagnosis Hepatitis, cholecystitis, gallstones
Prevention Avoiding consumption of raw aquatic plants in endemic areas
Treatment Triclabendazole
Medication Triclabendazole
Prognosis N/A
Frequency 2.4 million people infected worldwide
Deaths Rare


Fasciolosis is a parasitic disease caused by the liver flukes of the genus Fasciola. The two primary species responsible for this condition are Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. This disease affects a wide range of mammalian hosts, including humans, and is of significant veterinary and medical importance.

Life Cycle[edit]

The life cycle of Fasciola species involves several stages and requires an intermediate host, typically a freshwater snail. The adult flukes reside in the bile ducts of the definitive host, where they lay eggs that are excreted in the feces. Upon reaching a suitable aquatic environment, the eggs hatch into miracidia, which then infect the intermediate snail host. Inside the snail, the miracidia develop into sporocysts, rediae, and finally cercariae. The cercariae are released from the snail and encyst as metacercariae on aquatic vegetation. When the definitive host ingests the contaminated vegetation, the metacercariae excyst in the duodenum, migrate through the intestinal wall, and eventually reach the liver to mature into adult flukes.

Symptoms[edit]

In humans, fasciolosis can present in two phases: the acute (or invasive) phase and the chronic phase. The acute phase is characterized by symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and eosinophilia, resulting from the migration of the immature flukes through the liver. The chronic phase occurs when the flukes reside in the bile ducts, leading to symptoms like biliary colic, jaundice, and hepatomegaly. In livestock, fasciolosis can cause significant economic losses due to reduced productivity, weight loss, and liver condemnation.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of fasciolosis can be challenging and typically involves a combination of clinical signs, serological tests, and imaging techniques. The detection of eggs in stool samples is a common diagnostic method, although it is more effective in the chronic phase. Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), can detect antibodies against Fasciola antigens and are useful in the early stages of infection. Imaging techniques like ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scans can help visualize liver damage and fluke presence.

Treatment[edit]

The primary treatment for fasciolosis is the administration of anthelmintic drugs. Triclabendazole is the drug of choice due to its high efficacy against both immature and adult flukes. Other drugs, such as Nitazoxanide and Bithionol, may also be used, although they are generally less effective. In addition to pharmacological treatment, control measures include the management of snail populations and the avoidance of consuming contaminated water and vegetation.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures for fasciolosis focus on reducing the risk of infection in both humans and livestock. These measures include:

  • Proper management of water sources to prevent contamination with fluke eggs.
  • Control of intermediate snail hosts through environmental modifications and molluscicides.
  • Educating at-risk populations about the dangers of consuming raw or undercooked aquatic vegetation.
  • Regular deworming of livestock to reduce the prevalence of infection.

Epidemiology[edit]

Fasciolosis is a global disease, with higher prevalence in regions where livestock farming is common and where there are suitable habitats for the intermediate snail hosts. It is particularly prevalent in parts of South America, Africa, and Asia. Human cases are often associated with the consumption of contaminated watercress and other aquatic plants.

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

<references group="" responsive="1"></references>


External Links[edit]



Stub icon
   This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!