Fasciola hepatica
Fasciola hepatica (pronunciation: /fəˈsiːələ hɛˈpætɪkə/), also known as the common liver fluke or sheep liver fluke, is a parasitic trematode of the class Trematoda, phylum Platyhelminthes. It infects the livers of various mammals, including humans. The name of the parasite is derived from the Latin fascis (bundle) and hepar (liver).
Life Cycle
The life cycle of Fasciola hepatica goes through several stages: eggs, miracidia, sporocysts, rediae, cercariae, metacercariae, juvenile flukes, and adult flukes. The adult flukes reside in the bile ducts of the host's liver.
Pathology
Infection with Fasciola hepatica can lead to a disease known as fascioliasis. This disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild or asymptomatic to severe, depending on the number of flukes present and the stage of infection.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica infection is typically made by identifying eggs in stool samples. Treatment usually involves the use of anthelmintic drugs, such as triclabendazole.
Epidemiology
Fasciola hepatica is found worldwide, but it is most prevalent in areas where sheep and cattle are raised. Humans typically become infected by eating raw or undercooked freshwater plants, such as watercress, contaminated with the metacercariae.
Prevention
Prevention of Fasciola hepatica infection involves avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater plants from areas where the parasite is endemic.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fasciola hepatica
- Wikipedia's article - Fasciola hepatica
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