Dirocoelium dendriticum Flashcards
1
Q
What are the main hosts?
A
Sheep, cattle, horses, rabbits.
2
Q
What are the intermediate hosts?
A
Land snails and ants.
3
Q
Describe the lifecycle of Dicrocoelidae
A
- Egg is released by adult in bile ductand is excreted in faeces
- Egg is already fully embryonated and is ingested by a snail
- Egg hatches, larvae develop and cercaria are produced
- Cercaria ejected from snail in slime ball
- Slime balls stick to surface of leaves and ants ingest these
- Cercaria develop into metacercaria which persist in abdomen of ants or in brain. In brain may cause alteration in behaviour
- Sheep ingest ants while grazing
- Metacercaria enters SI, burrows through gut wall, bile duct and then enters the liver
4
Q
Describe the pathogenesis
A
- Fibrosis of liver and distended bile ducts
- Progressive cirrhosis
- Anaemia
- Emaciation
- Weakness
- Photosensitisation
- Productivity losses
5
Q
Treatment?
A
Netobimim (aka Albendazole)
