The below mentioned article provides a short note on Fasciola Hepatica (Sheep Liver Fluke).
Morphology of Fasciola Hepatica (Sheep Liver Fluke):
It is a fleshy brown fluke (Fig. 108.5). Its eggs (Fig. 108.6) are large, ovoidal, operculated, light yellowish brown in colour.
Life cycle is similar to that of F. buski, Cercaria (Fig. 108.7) is also developed but the excysted metacercariae (Fig. 108.8) of F. hepatica migrate through the intestinal wall into the peritoneal cavity. From here, they traverse the liver parenchyma to the biliary passages, where they settle down and grow to maturity. Adult worms liberate eggs in the faeces.
Clinical Features of Fasciola Hepatica:
The clinical manifestations are hepatic and obstructive jaundice with coughing and vomiting, generalized abdominal rigidity, abdominal pain on pressure, urticaria, irregular fever, persistent diarrhoea, later marked anaemia. Cholelithiasis is a frequent complication. Laboratory diagnosis is based on the recovery of typical egg of F. hepatica in the stool.
Treatment of Fasciola Hepatica:
Emetine hydrochloride, bithionol hexachloroparaxylene, albendazole are effective.
Prophylaxis:
(1) Eradication of adult worms in reservoir hosts by adequate chemotherapy,
(2) Destruction of snails by the use of 1: 50,000 copper sulphate;
(3) Education of the local population about the danger in eating raw vegetables.
