Complete Information on Fascioliasis

Fascioliasis is exceptionally rare in the United States, especially among children.

Fascioliasis is a foodborne trematode infection that affects patients worldwide causing both liver inflammation and biliary obstruction. Human fascioliasis can be distinguished by an acute and a chronic phase. The acute phase is characterized by the migration of immature worms through the liver; symptoms are related to haemorrhage and inflammation and are usually severe, including fever, abdominal pain, respiratory disturbances and skin rashes. The chronic phase starts when the worms reach the bile ducts; symptoms are nonspecific and usually mild. Fascioliasis is caused by the trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica.

Fascioliasis typically occurs worldwide in temperate regions, except Oceania. Fg causes outbreaks in tropical areas of Southern Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Infection is most prevalent in regions with intensive sheep and cattle production. Fascioliasis infection has no apparent racial predilection. Fascioliasis appears to equally affect people of all ages. Some geographic difference is observed in the age-related incidence of the disease. The most common symptoms are fever, hepatomegaly, and abdominal pain.

Fascioliasis complicated by ascending cholangitis requires treatment with appropriate antibacterial antibiotics.Medications also recommended include emetine, dehydroemetine, chloroquine, albendazole, and mebendazole. Triclabendazole is considered as the most common drug due to its high efficacy against adult as well as juvenile flukes. Triclabendazole is used in control of fasciolosis of livestock in many countries. Fasciolicide new drug is called compound Alpha and is chemically very much closed to triclabendazole.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR