Fasciola hepatica
Adult
The adult Fasciola hepatica worm is flattened, leaf like shape, equipped with shoulders, somewhat oblong. Adult Fasciola hepatica measuring 3cm by 1cm in size, grayish in color. There are two suckers, oral sucker and ventral sucker, they located in cephalic zone. The intestine is branched, there are many branched testis, vitellaria situated in body laterals and the posterior end. The uterus is short and coiled filled with grayish eggs. Fig ( ) .
Eggs
The Fasciola hepatica egg measures 128 to 150 ?m by 60 to 90 ?m. The eggs are identical in all other respects. The egg consists of an oblong undeveloped miracidium equipped with a distinct operculum. Fig ( ) .
Life cycle
The self – fertilization of adult worm resulting eggs exit the host via the feces. upon contact with fresh water , the miracidium emerges from each egg . Specific species of snails serve as the first intermediate host. The miracidium penterates into the snail , where the development of a sporocyst occurs . Numerous rediae result and ultimately produce many cercariae. The cercariae emerge from the snail and encyst on water plants. Human consumption of such contaminated plants initiates a new cycle.
Clinical symptoms
Fascioliasis, an infection with a liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica), it is marked by stomach and bowel pain, fever, a liver disease (jaundice), hives, and diarrhea. One gets it by swallowing forms of the fluke found on water plants, as raw watercress.
Laboratory diagnosis
The specimen choice for recovery of the eggs of F. hepatica is stool. Because the eggs are indistinguishable, information regarding patient symptoms and travel history is necessary to diagnose the causative species. Other method available for the detection of F. hepatica is ELISA test.