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Fascioliasis

Disease Details

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Description: Fascioliasis is a parasitic infection caused by the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica, affecting the liver and bile ducts of humans and animals.
Type: Fascioliasis is a parasitic disease caused by liver flukes, specifically Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. It is not a genetic disease and therefore does not involve any type of genetic transmission. The disease is typically acquired through ingestion of contaminated water or plants.
Signs And Symptoms: Fascioliasis is a parasitic infection caused by the liver flukes *Fasciola hepatica* and *Fasciola gigantica*. Here are the signs and symptoms:

**Acute Phase:**
- Fever
- Right upper quadrant pain
- Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Possible allergic reactions such as urticaria (hives)

**Chronic Phase:**
- Biliary colic (intermittent abdominal pain)
- Cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts)
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Gallbladder inflammation
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Hepatic fibrosis (scarring of the liver)

Diagnosis involves stool examination for eggs, serological tests, and imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scan to identify liver and bile duct involvement. Treatment typically includes antiparasitic medications such as triclabendazole.
Prognosis: The prognosis for fascioliasis, a parasitic infection caused by liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica), is generally good with proper treatment. Antiparasitic medications, such as triclabendazole, are effective in eliminating the infection. However, if left untreated, fascioliasis can lead to chronic liver disease, biliary obstruction, and other complications. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to a favorable outcome.
Onset: Fascioliasis is an infection caused by the liver fluke parasites Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. Onset of the infection can be divided into two phases:

1. **Acute Phase (Invasive or Hepatic Phase):** This phase occurs within days to a few weeks after ingestion of contaminated water or vegetation containing the infective metacercariae. Symptoms can include fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

2. **Chronic Phase (Biliary Phase):** This phase can occur weeks to months after the initial infection, when the parasites reach the bile ducts. Symptoms may include intermittent pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, jaundice, and signs of biliary obstruction.

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Prevalence: Fascioliasis is a parasitic infection caused by liver flukes, primarily *Fasciola hepatica* and *Fasciola gigantica*. It is most common in areas with high livestock activities and is found worldwide, particularly in regions of South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The prevalence varies significantly by region, ranging from low to over 50% in some high-risk areas.
Epidemiology: Human and animal fasciolosis occurs worldwide. While animal fasciolosis is distributed in countries with high cattle and sheep production, human fasciolosis occurs, excepting Western Europe, in developing countries. Fasciolosis occurs only in areas where suitable conditions for intermediate hosts exist.Studies carried out in recent years have shown human fasciolosis to be an important public health problem. Human fasciolosis has been reported from countries in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. The incidence of human cases has been increasing in 51 countries of the five continents. A global analysis shows that the expected correlation between animal and human fasciolosis only appears at a basic level. High prevalences in humans are not necessarily found in areas where fasciolosis is a great veterinary problem. For instance, in South America, hyperendemics and mesoendemics are found in Bolivia and Peru where the veterinary problem is less important, while in countries such as Uruguay, Argentina and Chile, human fasciolosis is only sporadic or hypoendemic.
Intractability: Fascioliasis is not generally considered intractable. It is a parasitic infection caused by liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica). The disease can be effectively treated with antiparasitic medications such as triclabendazole. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are key to managing the infection and preventing complications.
Disease Severity: Fascioliasis is a parasitic infection caused by the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. Here's the information you requested:

- **Disease Severity:** Fascioliasis can vary in severity. The acute phase may involve symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and eosinophilia, while the chronic phase can lead to biliary obstruction, jaundice, and liver damage. If untreated, chronic infections can sometimes lead to serious complications such as bile duct stenosis, secondary bacterial infections, and abscesses.
- **Nan:** Not applicable.

If you need more information or clarification, feel free to ask.
Healthcare Professionals: Disease Ontology ID - DOID:885
Pathophysiology: Fascioliasis pathophysiology:

1. Ingestion: Humans become infected by ingesting contaminated water or aquatic vegetation containing metacercariae, the encysted larval stage of the parasite Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica.

2. Excystation: The metacercariae excyst in the duodenum, releasing young flukes.

3. Migration: The young flukes penetrate the intestinal wall, migrate through the peritoneal cavity, and then penetrate the liver capsule.

4. Hepatic phase: The flukes tunnel through the liver parenchyma, causing tissue damage and inflammation. This phase can last several weeks to months and is associated with acute symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, and hepatomegaly.

5. Biliary phase: The flukes enter the bile ducts, where they mature into adult worms. This chronic phase can cause biliary obstruction, cholangitis, and biliary cirrhosis.

6. Egg production: Adult flukes produce eggs that are excreted in the bile and feces, continuing the lifecycle when they reach freshwater environments.

Complications can include liver fibrosis, secondary bacterial infections, and bile duct obstruction. Diagnosis is typically confirmed by identifying eggs in stool samples or through serological tests.
Carrier Status: Fascioliasis is not typically associated with a carrier status in humans. It is an infection caused by the parasitic liver flukes, primarily Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. Humans acquire the infection by ingesting contaminated water or plants. There is no asymptomatic carrier state; individuals either have the infection or they do not.
Mechanism: The development of infection in definitive host is divided into two phases: the parenchymal (migratory) phase and the biliary phase. The parenchymal phase begins when excysted juvenile flukes penetrate the intestinal wall. After the penetration of the intestine, flukes migrate within the abdominal cavity and penetrate the liver or other organs. F. hepatica has a strong predilection for the tissues of the liver. Occasionally, ectopic locations of flukes such as the lungs, diaphragm, intestinal wall, kidneys, and subcutaneous tissue can occur. During the migration of flukes, tissues are mechanically destroyed and inflammation appears around migratory tracks of flukes. The second phase (the biliary phase) begins when parasites enter the biliary ducts of the liver. In biliary ducts, flukes mature, feed on blood, and produce eggs. Hypertrophy of biliar ducts associated with obstruction of the lumen occurs as a result of tissue damage.
Treatment: Fascioliasis is treated primarily with the antiparasitic drug triclabendazole. It is effective against both the larval and adult stages of the Fasciola parasites. The typical dosage is 10-12 mg/kg of body weight, administered as a single dose. In cases where resistance to triclabendazole is suspected or when the infection is severe, additional doses may be required. Alternative treatment options include nitazoxanide, although it may be less effective. Supportive care and symptomatic treatment may also be necessary, particularly in severe infections involving significant liver damage or biliary complications.
Compassionate Use Treatment: Compassionate use and experimental treatments for fascioliasis typically come into play when standard treatments, such as triclabendazole, are not available or ineffective. Below are some options:

1. **Nitazoxanide**: Though not the first line of treatment, this antiparasitic medication has shown some effectiveness against fascioliasis and may be used off-label.

2. **Praziquantel**: While primarily used for other parasitic infections, it has been explored as a potential treatment for fascioliasis in specific cases, though it is generally less effective than triclabendazole.

3. **Experimental Drugs**: Various compounds are under research for their efficacy against Fasciola hepatica, the causative agent of fascioliasis. These experimental drugs may be used in compassionate use scenarios where no other options are viable, though they are typically part of clinical trials.

4. **Combination Therapy**: In some experimental protocols, a combination of antiparasitic drugs may be used to enhance efficacy, especially in drug-resistant cases.

Whenever considering these options, it is critical to consult with healthcare professionals experienced in treating parasitic infections.
Lifestyle Recommendations: For fascioliasis, here are some lifestyle recommendations to help prevent and manage the infection:

1. **Avoid Raw Water Plants**: Do not consume raw water plants like watercress or other aquatic vegetables that may be contaminated with Fasciola larvae.

2. **Source Safe Water**: Ensure that water sources, especially those used for drinking, bathing, and food preparation, are safe and free from contamination.

3. **Boil Water**: Boil drinking water if you suspect it may be contaminated with Fasciola or other parasites.

4. **Wash Vegetables**: Thoroughly wash and cook vegetables that may have come into contact with contaminated water.

5. **Hygiene Practices**: Maintain good personal hygiene, including regular hand washing with soap, particularly before eating and after handling soil or water that might be contaminated.

6. **Education and Awareness**: Educate yourself and the community about the risks of fascioliasis and the importance of consuming safe food and water.

These steps can help reduce the risk of contracting fascioliasis and aid in managing the infection if it occurs. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options.
Medication: The primary medication for treating fascioliasis is triclabendazole. It is typically administered in a single oral dose and is effective against both immature and adult liver flukes, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica.
Repurposable Drugs: Currently, there aren't widely recognized or extensively studied repurposable drugs specifically for fascioliasis. The primary treatment for fascioliasis is triclabendazole, which is highly effective against both adult and juvenile stages of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, the parasites responsible for the disease. For patients who do not respond to triclabendazole or in regions where it is not available, other drugs such as nitazoxanide and bithionol have been used, although they are less effective and not first-line treatments. Further research may identify more repurposable drugs in the future.
Metabolites: For fascioliasis, which is caused by the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, metabolic studies have identified several key metabolites. These include various organic acids like succinic acid and lactic acid, as well as specific amino acids. In host organisms, infection can also lead to alterations in lipid metabolism, with changes in levels of phospholipids and fatty acids observed. These metabolic changes are often a result of the parasite's interference with the host’s normal liver function.
Nutraceuticals: Fascioliasis is a parasitic infection caused by liver flukes, primarily *Fasciola hepatica* and *Fasciola gigantica*. Nutraceuticals, being products derived from food sources with extra health benefits, aren't widely studied or recommended specifically for fascioliasis. Standard treatment usually involves antiparasitic medications such as triclabendazole. However, research into novel treatments, including the use of nanoparticles (nanotechnology), is ongoing, aiming to improve drug delivery and efficacy. For now, conventional pharmaceuticals remain the cornerstone of treatment.
Peptides: Fascioliasis is caused primarily by infection with the liver fluke parasites Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica. The disease primarily affects the liver and bile ducts.

- Peptides: Studies on Fasciola spp. have identified various peptides and proteins that could be potentially useful for diagnostic, therapeutic, or vaccine development. Some of these peptides have immunomodulatory properties, helping the parasite evade the host immune system.
- Nan (Nanotechnology): Nanotechnology has potential applications in diagnosing and treating fascioliasis. For example, nanoparticles could be used to deliver drugs more effectively to the site of infection, or nanosensors could help in the early and more accurate detection of the parasites.

For detailed and specific applications, additional research and clinical trials are ongoing.