Fasciola Hepatica

University of Zakho
Colleague basic
Education
Department of general science
2nd stage

Invertebrate

Fasciola Hepatica

Prepared by:
• Shaker Mahmood Supervised by: Dr. Bassim
• Aisha Bahzad
• Sozan Hussein
• Mzgen Fahmi
• Maria Sadiq

1
 Fasciola Hepatica

Contents

1) Introduction…………………………….3, 4
2) F-Hepatica…………………………….4
3) Morphology of F-Hepatica…………………………….5
4) Life Cycle of Fsciola Hepatica…………………………….6, 7
5) Life Of Events In Fasciola Hepatica……………………8
6) Pathology And Liver Damage……………………….9
7) Symptoms…………………………….9, 10
8) Diagnosis…………………………….11
9) Fascioliasis…………………………….12
10)Reference…………………………….13

2
 Fasciola Hepatica

Introduction

FASCIOLA HEPATICA

• Fasciola hepatica, also known as the common liver fluke or

sheep liver fluke, is a parasitic flatworm of the class Trematoda,
phylum Platyhelminthes that infects the livers of various mammals,
including humans. The disease caused by the fluke is called
fascioliasis (also known as fasciolosis). F. hepatica is distributed
worldwide, and causes great economic losses in sheep and cattle.
It has been known as an important parasite of sheep and cattle for
hundreds of years.

INTRODUCTION
• Phylum: Platyhelminthes
• Flat worm
• Liver fluke
• Effects sheep, cattle

3
 Fasciola Hepatica

FASCIOLA HEPATICA
• Fasciola hepatica is a
liver fluke common in
humans and livestock that
can cause major economic
losses (Diwilde et al, 2008).
Infected animals become
anaemic and lose
significant amounts of
weight.

F. HEPATICA
• Definitive host:
• Sheep
• Cattle
• Humans (Accidental)
• Other Mammals
• Intermediate host
• Fresh Water Snail
• Geographic Range
• Cosmopolitan; anywhere

4
Fasciola Hepatica

MORPHOLOGY OF
F.HEPATICA

5
Fasciola Hepatica

The lifecycle of Fasciola hepatica

6
 Fasciola Hepatica

Fasciola hepatica occurs in the liver of a definitive host and

its lifecycle is indirect. Definitive hosts of the fluke

are cattle, sheep, and buffaloes. Wild ruminants and other

mammals, including humans, can act as definitive hosts as

well.[6] The life cycle of F. hepatica goes through

the intermediate host and several environmental larval

stages.[7] Intermediate hosts of F. hepatica are air-breathing

freshwater snails from the family Lymnaeidae. Although

several lymnaeid species susceptible to F. hepatica have been

described, the parasite develops only in one or two major

species on each continent. Galba truncatula is the main snail

host in Europe, partly in Asia, Africa, and South

America. Lymnaea viator, L. neotropica, Pseudosuccinea

columella, and L. cubensis are most common intermediate

hosts in Central and South America.[5][6] Several other

lymnaeid snails may be naturally or experimentally infected
with F. hepatica, but their role in transmission of the fluke is
low.[5] The list of lymnaeid snails that may serve as natural
or experimental intermediate hosts of F. hepatica include:[8]
7
 Fasciola Hepatica

CYCLE OF EVENTS IN FASCIOLA HEPATICA

• The life cycle of Fasciola hepatica starts when a female lays
eggs in the liver of an infected human. Immature eggs are
discharged in the biliary ducts and taken out in the feces. If
landed in water, the eggs become embryonated and develop
larvae called miracidia. A miracidium invades an aquatic snail
and develops into cercaria, a larva that is capable of swimming
with its large.

INFECTION OF PROGRESS

• Ingestion Metacercariae
• Ex-cyst in Duodenum
• Burrows through Intestinal Wall
• Enters Peritoneal

8
 Fasciola Hepatica

PATHOLOGY AND LIVER DAMAGE

• Little damage is done by juveniles penetrating the
intestinal wall and the capsule surrounding the liver but much
necrosis results from migration of flukes through the liver
parenchyma Worms in bile ducts cause inflammation and
edema, which in turn stimulate production of fibrous tissue in
the walls of these ducts.

SYMPTOMS

• Abdominal Pain
• Anemia
• Hepatic Tenderness
• Hepatomegaly resulting from Edema
• Intermittent Fever
• Jaundice
• Lethargy
• Nausea
• Prolonged High Fever
• Secondary Infections

9
 Fasciola Hepatica

SYMPTOMS
• Acute
• More common in sheep
• +10,000Metacercariae consumed at one time
• Dramatic Liver Inflammation, Frequently Resulting in Death
• Chronic
• More Common and Rarely Fatal
• Nonspecific Symptoms
• Halzoun
• Eating raw, infected liver
• Infects pharynx

10
 Fasciola Hepatica

Diagnosis
A diagnosis may be made by finding yellow-brown eggs in
the stool. They are indistinguishable from the eggs
of Fascioloides magna, although the eggs of F. magna are
very rarely passed in sheep, goats, or cattle. If a patient has
eaten infected liver, and the eggs pass through the body and
out via the faeces, a false positive result to the test can occur.
Daily examination during a liver-free diet will unmask this
false diagnosis.[44]
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test is the
diagnostic test of choice. ELISA is available commercially
and can detect antihepatica antibodies in serum and milk;
new tests intended for use on faecal samples are being
developed.[45] Using ELISA is more specific than using
a Western blot or
Arc2 immunodiffusion.[33] Proteases secreted by F.
hepatica have been used experimentally in immunizing

11
 Fasciola Hepatica

Fasciolosis

Both F. hepatica and F. gigantica can cause fasciolosis. Human

symptoms vary depending on whether the disease is chronic or
acute. During the acute phase, the immature worms begin
penetrating the gut, causing symptoms of fever, nausea, swollen
liver, skin rashes, and extreme abdominal pain.[37] The chronic
phase occurs when the worms mature in the bile duct, and can
cause symptoms of intermittent pain, jaundice, and anemia.[37] In
cattle and sheep, classic signs of fasciolosis include persistent
diarrhea, chronic weight loss, anemia, and reduced milk
production.[38] Some remain asymptomatic. F. hepatica can cause
sudden death in both sheep and cattle, due to internal
hemorrhaging and liver damage.[4]

12
 Fasciola Hepatica

Reference

1. ^ Linnæi, C. (1758–1759). Systema Naturae per Regna Tria

Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum
Haracteribus, Differentiis, Synonymous, Locis. Tomus I.
Holmiæ: Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii.
Doi:10.5962/bhl.title.542

2. ^ "Neglected Tropical Diseases". Cdc.gov. June 6, 2011.

Retrieved 28 November 2014.

3. ^ Mas-Coma, S; Bargues, MD; Valero, MA (2005).

"Fascioliasis and other plant-borne trematode zoonoses".
International Journal for Parasitology. 35 (11): 1255–

1278. doi:10.1016/j.ijpara.2005.07.010. PMID 16150452.

4. ^ a b "NADIS – National Animal Disease Information

Service – ". www.nadis.org.uk.

13