What are the symptoms of Fasciola hepatica?
More usually the invasive phase lasts many weeks, with the most common symptoms being intermittent fever, hepatomegaly, and abdominal pain, although up to 50% of infections may be subclinical. Abdominal pain is usually in the epigastrium or right hypochondrium. Other symptoms include malaise and wasting.
What disease is caused by Fasciola hepatica?
Fascioliasis is a parasitic infection typically caused by Fasciola hepatica, which is also known as “the common liver fluke” or “the sheep liver fluke.” A related parasite, Fasciola gigantica, also can infect people.
What is the treatment of fascioliasis?
Triclabendazole, a benzimidazole compound active against immature and adult Fasciola parasites, is the drug of choice for treatment of fascioliasis. In February 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved triclabendazole for treatment of fascioliasis in patients at least 6 years of age .
How does liver fluke affect humans?
Liver flukes infect the liver, gallbladder, and bile duct in humans. While most infected persons do not show any symptoms, infections that last a long time can result in severe symptoms and serious illness. Untreated, infections may persist for up to 25–30 years, the lifespan of the parasite.
What disease does clonorchis cause?
Clonorchiasis is an infectious disease caused by the Chinese liver fluke (Clonorchis sinensis) and two related species. Clonorchiasis is a known risk factor for the development of cholangiocarcinoma, a neoplasm of the biliary system.
How is Fascioliasis diagnosed?
The infection typically is diagnosed by examining stool (fecal) specimens under a microscope. The diagnosis is confirmed if Fasciola eggs are seen. More than one specimen may need to be examined to find the parasite. Certain types of blood tests also may be helpful for diagnosing Fasciola infection.
What are the clinical features of Fascioliasis?
The main clinical manifestation of human fascioliasis are the abdominal pain mainly in right upper quadrant, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, itching, obstructive jaundice, cholangitis, and hypereosinophilia.
What kind of infection can you get from Fasciola hepatica?
CDC – Fasciola Fascioliasis is a parasitic infection typically caused by Fasciola hepatica, which is also known as “the common liver fluke” or “the sheep liver fluke.” A related parasite, Fasciola gigantica, also can infect people.
How long does Fasciola hepatica live in sheep?
The minimal period for the completion of one entire life cycle is ~17 wk. Adult flukes may live in the bile ducts of sheep for years; most are shed from cattle within 5–6 mo. Fasciolosis ranges in severity from a devastating disease in sheep, alpacas, and llamas to an asymptomatic infection in cattle.
What are the clinical features of a Fasciola infection?
During both phases of the infection, clinical features can include fever, malaise, abdominal pain, eosinophilia, hepatomegaly (an enlarged liver), and abnormal liver tests. See their health care provider.
What kind of imaging is used for Fasciola hepatica?
F. hepatica adults observed in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Adults of Fasciola hepatica observed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) imaging. Figure A: Adult of F. hepatica observed with ERCP imaging in the common bile duct of a human patient.