How is Fasciola hepatica treated?

Triclabendazole. 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 do you treat liver fluke in sheep?

For clinical outbreaks of acute and sub-acute fluke the only effective treatment is triclabendazole. Drenched sheep should be moved to clean pasture – repeating treatment every three weeks is not sustainable.

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 Fascioliasis in sheep?

Fasciolosis is a parasitic worm infection caused by the common liver fluke Fasciola hepatica as well as by Fasciola gigantica. The disease is a plant-borne trematode zoonosis, and is classified as a neglected tropical disease (NTD). It affects humans, but its main host is ruminants such as cattle and sheep.

How is Fasciola hepatica prevented?

Individual people can protect themselves by not eating raw watercress and other water plants, especially from Fasciola-endemic grazing areas. As always, travelers to areas with poor sanitation should avoid food and water that might be contaminated (tainted).

What is the food of Fasciola hepatica?

Fasciola hepatica is acquired by eating aquatic vegetation on which metacercariae are attached. Upon ingestion the metacercariae are released, penetrate the gut wall, traverse the peritoneal cavity, pass through the liver capsule into the liver parenchyma and enter the bile duct.

When do you treat fluke in sheep?

For treatment in late summer and autumn, a fasciolicide that is active against immature fluke is recommended. Treatment may need to be repeated in winter (January).

How do you know if you have liver flukes?

Symptoms of Fluke Liver Infections At first, liver flukes may cause no symptoms, or depending on the type and severity of the infection, they may cause fever, chills, abdominal pain, liver enlargement, nausea, vomiting, and hives. Fasciola flukes are more likely to cause these symptoms.

What are the symptoms of liver flukes?

Untreated, infections may persist for up to 25–30 years, the lifespan of the parasite. Typical symptoms include indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. In severe cases, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea can occur.

Which organ is the habitat of Fasciola hepatica?

Fasciola hepatica has two stages of growing in its life cycle: the sexual stage in its adult form and the asexual in the larval or intermediate stages (Figure 3). The normal habitat of the parasite is biliary ducts and gall bladder of the definite host.

What are the symptoms of Fascioliasis?

For example, symptoms can result from inflammation and blockage of bile ducts. During both phases of the infection, clinical features can include fever, malaise, abdominal pain, eosinophilia, hepatomegaly (an enlarged liver), and abnormal liver tests.

How is Fasciola hepatica 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.

How is Fasciola hepatica treated in sheep?

Sheep stool was examined for fluke eggs to ensure no prior infection to the Fasciola hepatica. The sheep were then artificially infected by oral gavage with metacercarial cysts, which have previously shown to be susceptible to the Triclabendazole drug.

How does Fasciola hepatica cause liver fluke?

Liver fluke (fascioliasis) is caused by the parasite Fasciola Hepatica. Disease can result from the migration of large numbers of immature flukes through the liver, or from the presence of adult flukes in the bile ducts. The hatching of fluke eggs and the multiplication of snails depend on adequate moisture and temperatures greater than 10ºC.

When to use triclabendazole for Fasciola hepatica?

Dividing the sheep into two groups, two sheep were used as a control received no treatment, while six were treated with Triclabendazole four weeks after artificial infection. (Brennan et al, 2008).

How long does it take for Fasciola hepatica to develop?

Courtesy of Dr. Raffaele Roncalli. Courtesy of Dr. Lora Ballweber. Eggs are passed in the feces, and miracidia develop within as little as 9–10 days (at 22°–26°C [71.6°–78.8°F]; little development occurs below 10°C [50°F]).