Liver fluke (fascioliasis)

Abstract

Liver fluke (fascioliasis) is a parasitic disease caused by a trematode parasite of the genus Fasciola. The fluke occur mainly in animals (cattle, sheep, goats and occasionally equine) but human can be infected. Human fascioliasis has recently been recognised as an emerging and re-emerging zoonotic disease in several countries. Approximately 17 million people have been infected and 180 million people at risk all over the world. Fascioliasis is a major problem in the field of veterinary public health as well as a great impact on economic losses. The disease can be diagnosed by faecal examination of excreted eggs however; it is not reliable in horses. In addition, molecular techniques, ELISA and Western Blot tests can be applied to confirm the diagnosis. Triclabendazole, Rafoxanide and Closantel are used for the treatment of fascioliasis but resistance has been recorded in some countries. No commercial vaccine is yet available in spite of many trials. In this review, we aim to shed light on the life cycle, diagnosis, treatment, resistance and control of Fasciola in details.