Fasciola Liver Flukes

Question 1

What are the species of fasciola liver flukes and where are they found?

Answer 1

Fasciola hepatica and fasciola gigantica

Worldwide in all farming areas but especially Bolivia/S America

Question 2

How do you get infected with fasciola?

Answer 2

Metacercariae ingested on watercress

Question 3

What are the animal reservoirs in fasciola?

Answer 3

Sheeps!

Question 4

Where do adult fasciola live and how do they get there?

Answer 4

In liver and bile ducts

Penetrates small intestine and liver

Question 5

How do you diagnose fasciola?

Answer 5

Eggs in stool/bile aspirate
Eosinophilia
CT Liver
ELISA

Question 6

What do fasciola eggs look like?

Answer 6

Thin walled
Operculum sometimes broken off
Big, 140microm tall

Question 7

How do you treat fasciola?

Answer 7

Triclabendazole

Question 8

What are the vectors involved in fasciola life cycles?

Answer 8

Snail

Watercress

Question 9

What are the acute symptoms of fasciola infections?

Answer 9

Asymptomatic
Non specific fever
Abdo pain
Urticaria

Question 10

What are the symptoms of chronic fasciola infection?

Answer 10

Biliary obstruction
Pancreatitis
Liver abscess

Can get ectopic to skin, lungs and brain

Question 11

How do you prevent fasciola?

Answer 11

Treat all suspected cases in endemic countries
In communities with high prevalence treat all SAC or residents annually with single dose triclabendazole
WASH
Food safety inspections