F. hepatica & F. gigantica

• Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dentriticum are a common parasites of herbivores
• Fasciola spp. means of infection is via consumption of vegetations with metacercaria
• Fasciola spp. infective stage is Metacercaria
• Fasciola spp. intermediate hosts

  • 1st IH: Snail (Lymnea philippinensis)
  • 2nd IH: Watercress, kangkong
• Fasciola spp. final hosts are Sheep, Cattle, Herbivores
• Fasciola spp. accidental host is man
• Habitat of Fasciola spp is in the biliary passage of the liver
• • Cephalic cone at its anterior end with prominent “shoulders”
  • Highly branched intestinal cecum
  • Highly branches testes and dendritic ovary

  Fasciola hepatica
• PATHOGENESIS AND CLINICAL FEATURES caused by Fasciola spp.

  ● Local irritation during the worm’s migration

  ● Patient presents with symptoms of biliary obstruction and cholangitis due to its large size

  ● Can lead to liver rot

  ● Liver cirrhosis - final outcome in severe infections

  ● May cause Halzoun syndrome
• Halzoun syndrome - Young worms attach to the pharyngeal mucosa causing bleeding, pain, edema, and dysphagia
• Fasciola spp diagnosis via Direct fecal smear
• Bithionol - drug of choice for Fasciola spp
• Biggest of all trematodes and more attenuated shape compared to Fasciola hepatica

  F. gigantica
• F. gigantica is also called Giant Liver Fluke or Tropical Liver Fluke
• • Longer but narrower; less developed shoulder
  • Has a shorter cephalic cone
  • Branches of testes and ovary are longer
  • Has a larger ventral sucker

  F. gigantica