Fascioliasos

• Fasciolosis, caused by the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, is a parasitic disease impacting ruminants.
• These flatworms primarily target the liver, leading to various health issues in infected animals.
• Both species share similarities in their life cycles and pathogenic effects.
• Fasciola hepatica, known for thriving in temperate climates, has adapted to a wide range of hosts, including cattle, sheep, and other mammals.
• The lifecycle of Fasciola hepatica commences within the liver ducts of the definitive host, where adult flukes produce eggs that are subsequently released into the environment through feces.
• In comparison, Fasciola gigantica, flourishing in tropical climates, targets similar hosts as F hepatica, emphasizing water buffaloes and cattle.
• Treatment and Prevention of Fasciolosis include Triclabendazole, Albendazole, Nitroxynil, Closantel, Rafoxanide, Netobimin, Clorsulon (cattle and sheep only), and Ivermectin.
• Chronic Signs of Fasciolosis include Chronic Weight Loss, Bottle Jaw, Jaundice, and Liver Fibrosis.
• Monitoring and addressing resistance concerns are integral to sustainable parasite control.
• Peracute Signs of Fasciolosis include Sudden Death and Severe Anemia, especially in sheep and goats, which can lead to rapid mortality.
• Diagnosis of Fasciolosis includes Fecal examination, Fecal Egg count (FEC) technique, Serological tests like ELISA, and Ultrasonography.
• Prevention of Fasciolosis includes Pasture management to limit access to contaminated water and Strategic anthelmintic use /deworming program.
• The parallel life cycle of Fasciola gigantica involves egg production, release, and subsequent development in suitable freshwater environments.
• The life cycle of Fasciola gigantica begins with the release of eggs in the feces of infected animals.
• In freshwater environments, these eggs hatch into miracidia.
• The intermediate host, particularly the snail species Lymnaea acuminata endemic to the Philippines, plays a crucial role in the life cycle of Fasciola gigantica.
• The miracidia undergo further development within the snail, ultimately leading to infectious cercariae.
• As cercariae are released from the snail host, they encyst on aquatic vegetation or transform into free-swimming metacercariae, awaiting ingestion by the definitive host.
• Upon ingestion by the definitive host, typically ruminants, cercariae encyst on aquatic vegetation or become free-swimming metacercariae.
• Upon ingestion by the host, the metacercariae excyst in the duodenum, initiating the migration of juvenile flukes through the peritoneal cavity to the liver.
• The migration of juvenile flukes through the peritoneal cavity causes tissue damage and sets the stage for the subsequent development of mature flukes in the bile ducts.
• Infected animals may experience rapid and drastic weight loss during the acute phase of Fasciolosis.
• Dairy cattle may exhibit a sudden decline in milk production during the acute phase of Fasciolosis.
• Animals may display signs of discomfort and restlessness during the acute phase of Fasciolosis.
• Elevated body temperature is common during the acute phase of Fasciolosis.