Fasciolosis

Fasciolosis is a parasitic worm infection caused by the common liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and by Fasciola gigantica. It is a plant-borne trematode zoonosis classed as a neglected tropical disease, and while it can affect humans its main hosts are ruminants such as cattle and sheep. The disease moves through four phases: an incubation phase of a few days to three months with little or no symptoms, an invasive or acute phase that can bring fever, malaise, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal upset, hives, anemia, jaundice and respiratory symptoms, a latent phase with fewer symptoms, and a chronic or obstructive phase developing months to years later. In its chronic form the disease inflames the bile ducts and gall bladder, can produce gallstones and fibrosis, and while chronic inflammation is linked to higher cancer rates it remains unclear whether fasciolosis itself raises cancer risk.