Question

Fascioliasis is
A) Liver rot of sheep
B) Cirrhosis of humans
C) Liver rot of cattle
D) Cirrhosis of pig

Answer 1

Fascioliasis is an infection of Fasciola hepatica liver fluke acquired by the ingestion of infected cress or other water plants.

Complete Answer:
- Fasciolosis is an infection of parasitic worms caused by both Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, a common liver fluke. The disease is a trematode zoonosis transmitted by plants and is classified as a neglected tropical disease (NTD).
- It affects humans but ruminants such as cattle and sheep are their primary host. The disease progresses through four distinct phases; an initial incubation period with little to no symptoms from a few days up to three months; an intrusive to the acute period that can manifest with: fever, malaise, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, hives, anaemia, jaundice, and respiratory symptoms.
- Later, the condition progresses into a latent phase with fewer signs and, eventually, months to years later, into a chronic or obstructive phase.
- The disorder induces inflammation of the bile ducts, gall bladder in the chronic state and may cause gallstones as well as fibrosis. Although there is a correlation between chronic inflammation and increased cancer rates, it is not clear if fasciolosis is associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Note: Two species of parasitic flatworms or trematodes that primarily affect the liver cause fascioliasis. It is a zoonosis, meaning an animal infection that can be spread to humans, and belongs to the group of foodborne trematode infections.