Dicrocoeliasis
Disease Details
Family Health Simplified
- Description
- Dicrocoeliasis is a parasitic infection caused by the lancet liver fluke, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, affecting the liver and bile ducts of various mammals, including humans.
- Type
- Dicrocoeliasis is a parasitic infection caused by liver flukes, specifically Dicrocoelium dendriticum. It is not a genetically transmitted disease; rather, it is acquired through ingestion of contaminated food or water containing the parasite's larvae.
- Signs And Symptoms
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Dicrocoeliasis is a parasitic infection caused by the liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum. It primarily affects herbivorous animals but can also infect humans. Here are the signs and symptoms:
1. **Human Infections**:
- Often asymptomatic, especially in mild cases.
- Mild gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Abdominal pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Eosinophilia (increase in a type of white blood cell).
2. **Animal Infections**:
- Chronic weight loss.
- Reduced appetite.
- Decreased milk production in dairy animals.
- General lethargy and weakness.
- In severe cases, liver damage and fibrosis.
Diagnosis typically involves identifying the eggs in stool samples or via serological tests. Treatment often includes antiparasitic medications such as praziquantel or albendazole. - Prognosis
- The prognosis for dicrocoeliasis, an infection caused by the liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum, is generally good, especially when diagnosed and treated promptly. Most cases can be managed effectively with antiparasitic medications such as praziquantel or albendazole. However, if left untreated, chronic infections can lead to liver damage and biliary obstruction. Early intervention and proper medical care are key to a favorable outcome.
- Onset
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Onset: Dicrocoeliasis, caused by the liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum, typically starts after ingestion of ants that contain the infective metacercariae. Symptoms can appear within weeks to months after ingestion, depending on the parasite load and host reaction.
Nan: Abbreviation "nan" is not recognized in connection with dicrocoeliasis. If it is intended to mean something specific, please provide additional context or clarification. - Prevalence
- The prevalence of dicrocoeliasis, a parasitic infection caused by the liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum, can vary significantly depending on the region. It is commonly found in areas where the intermediate hosts, such as land snails and ants, thrive. The disease is more prevalent in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas where livestock such as sheep, cattle, and goats graze on pastures contaminated with the parasite.
- Epidemiology
- Dicrocoeliasis is believed to be endemic or potentially endemic in 30 countries. Dicrocoelium dendriticum is found throughout Europe (former U.S.S.R., Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Turkey), the Middle East (Iran), Asia (China, Japan, Vietnam), Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone) and in North and South America and Australia. The parasite tends to be found in areas that favor the intermediate hosts, such as fields with dry, chalky and alkaline soils.
- Intractability
- Dicrocoeliasis, caused by the parasitic liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum, is generally not considered intractable. The disease can typically be treated effectively with antiparasitic medications such as triclabendazole or praziquantel. However, timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications.
- Disease Severity
- Dicrocoeliasis is a parasitic infection caused by the liver flukes of the genus Dicrocoelium, primarily Dicrocoelium dendriticum. The severity of the disease is generally mild, especially in humans, and symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver). In severe cases, it may lead to more pronounced liver and biliary tract dysfunction.
- Healthcare Professionals
- Disease Ontology ID - DOID:1219
- Pathophysiology
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Dicrocoeliasis is a parasitic infection caused by the liver fluke *Dicrocoelium dendriticum*. The pathophysiology involves the following steps:
1. **Ingestion of Metacercariae**: Humans or animals become infected by ingesting vegetation contaminated with the larvae (metacercariae) of the parasite.
2. **Excystation and Migration**: Ingested metacercariae excyst in the duodenum and migrate through the intestinal wall to reach the liver via the bile ducts.
3. **Development in Bile Ducts**: The larvae mature into adult flukes within the bile ducts. Their presence leads to mechanical irritation and inflammation of the bile ducts.
4. **Bile Duct Obstruction**: The flukes cause hyperplasia and fibrosis of the biliary epithelium, potentially leading to cholangitis, cholecystitis, and bile duct obstruction.
5. **Chronic Infection**: Chronic infection can cause ongoing inflammation, leading to biliary cirrhosis and impaired liver function over time.
6. **Egg Release**: Adult flukes produce eggs that are excreted via the bile into the intestines and passed out in feces, continuing the lifecycle.
Key symptoms and complications include abdominal pain, jaundice, cholangitis, and potential liver fibrosis in chronic cases. - Carrier Status
- Dicrocoeliasis is primarily a parasitic disease caused by the liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum. It mainly affects herbivorous animals such as sheep, cattle, and goats, but can occasionally infect humans. The disease is transmitted through ingestion of ants that carry the metacercariae stage of the parasite, which has developed in snails as the first intermediate host. There is no "carrier status" in the conventional sense used for bacterial or viral infections because the disease cycle involves specific intermediate hosts rather than asymptomatic human carriers.
- Mechanism
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Dicrocoeliasis is a parasitic disease caused by the liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum. Here's an overview of its mechanism and molecular mechanisms:
### Mechanism
1. **Lifecycle:**
- **Eggs:** The lifecycle begins when eggs are excreted in the feces of infected definitive hosts (typically herbivorous mammals).
- **Intermediate Hosts:** The first intermediate host, a land snail, ingests these eggs, which hatch into miracidia. Inside the snail, miracidia develop into sporocysts and then into cercariae.
- **Second Intermediate Host:** Cercariae are expelled in snail slime balls, which are ingested by ants. Inside ants, cercariae encyst to form metacercariae.
- **Definitive Hosts:** Herbivores consume the infected ants. Metacercariae excyst in the digestive tract, migrate to the liver's bile ducts, and mature into adult flukes.
2. **Pathogenesis:**
- The adult flukes reside in the bile ducts, causing mechanical irritation and inflammation. This can lead to biliary fibrosis, obstruction, and secondary bacterial infections.
### Molecular Mechanisms
1. **Immune Evasion:**
- **Excretory/Secretory Products (ESPs):** Dicrocoelium dendriticum releases ESPs that modulate the host's immune response, reducing recognition and destruction by the host's immune system.
- **Antioxidant Proteins:** The parasite secretes antioxidant proteins to neutralize host reactive oxygen species (ROS), aiding its survival within the host.
2. **Neurochemical Manipulation:**
- **Behavioral Changes in Ants:** Certain neurochemicals produced by the parasites, such as serotonin, can influence the behavior of infected ants, making them climb vegetation and increasing the likelihood of being ingested by the definitive host.
3. **Tissue Tropism:**
- **Surface Glycoproteins:** Specific glycoproteins on the parasite's surface facilitate adhesion to the epithelium of bile ducts, ensuring the adult flukes remain in the preferred niche within the host.
4. **Proteolytic Enzymes:**
- The parasite may produce proteolytic enzymes to penetrate tissues and evade host immune barriers, aiding in their migration and establishment in the liver.
Understanding these mechanisms can assist in developing targeted treatments and control strategies for dicrocoeliasis. - Treatment
- Dicrocoeliasis is treated using antiparasitic medications. Triclabendazole is typically the drug of choice, as it has shown effectiveness against Dicrocoelium dendriticum. Other potential treatments include albendazole and praziquantel. It's crucial to follow a healthcare provider's dosing and administration guidelines for these medications.
- Compassionate Use Treatment
- Dicrocoeliasis is a parasitic infection caused by the liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum. As of now, there are limited treatments specifically approved for dicrocoeliasis, and no established compassionate use treatments or widely recognized off-label or experimental therapies dedicated to this infection. However, some antiparasitic drugs that may be considered include praziquantel and albendazole, which have been used in practice to treat various fluke infections, although their use for dicrocoeliasis specifically might be considered off-label. Always consult a healthcare professional for the most appropriate treatment plan.
- Lifestyle Recommendations
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For dicrocoeliasis, which is an infection caused by the lancet liver fluke (Dicrocoelium dendriticum), lifestyle recommendations include:
1. **Avoiding Consumption of Contaminated Food**: Ensure that food, particularly vegetables and watercress, is properly washed and cooked, as they can be contaminated with the parasites.
2. **Practicing Good Hygiene**: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after handling soil or livestock and before eating or preparing food.
3. **Controlling Intermediate Hosts**: Limit exposure to ants and snails, which are intermediate hosts for the fluke. This can help reduce the risk of transmission.
4. **Proper Animal Management**: Implementing measures to manage livestock and pets effectively to minimize contamination of grazing areas.
5. **Avoid Eating Raw or Undercooked Liver**: Consumption of raw or undercooked liver from infected animals can lead to infection.
6. **Environmental Control Measures**: Implementing strategies to reduce snail populations in grazing areas and keeping livestock away from areas known to be infested with fluke larvae. - Medication
- Dicrocoeliasis, caused by the liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum, can be treated with medications such as triclabendazole or praziquantel. These antiparasitic drugs are effective in eliminating the fluke from the patient's system. Always consult a healthcare provider for appropriate diagnosis and treatment options.
- Repurposable Drugs
- At present, there are no well-established repurposable drugs specifically for dicrocoeliasis. Treatment typically involves antiparasitic medications like praziquantel or triclabendazole. More research may be necessary to identify any potential repurposable drugs.
- Metabolites
- Dicrocoeliasis, also known as lancet fluke infection, is caused by the parasitic trematode Dicrocoelium dendriticum. Metabolites specific to Dicrocoelium dendriticum are not well-documented. However, in general, trematode infections can lead to altered levels of host metabolites such as bilirubin, hepatic enzymes, and various inflammatory markers due to liver and bile duct damage. Detection often involves stool examination for eggs rather than direct metabolite analysis.
- Nutraceuticals
- There are no established nutraceutical treatments for dicrocoeliasis. Treatment typically involves antiparasitic medications such as praziquantel or albendazole. If you have specific concerns about managing this condition, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
- Peptides
- Dicrocoeliasis is a parasitic infection caused by the liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum. There is no direct, widely-recognized peptide treatment for dicrocoeliasis. Treatment typically involves antiparasitic medications such as praziquantel or albendazole. In the realm of research, peptides and nanotechnology are being explored for various parasitic infections, but their application for dicrocoeliasis specifically is not well-established.