HEPATIC FASCIOLOSIS
Giulia Ribeiro Meireles- Tamires Silva dos Santos
- Julia Somavilla Lignon
- Felipe Geraldo Pappen
- Diego Moscarelli Pinto
Published 2026-02-18
Keywords
- parasite,
- life cycle,
- zoonosis,
- public health,
- control
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2026 Giulia Ribeiro Meireles, Tamires Silva dos Santos, Julia Somavilla Lignon, Felipe Geraldo Pappen, Diego Moscarelli Pinto
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Fasciolosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease of significant relevance to human and animal health, classified as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization (WHO). The infection is caused by trematodes belonging to the genus Fasciola, with the species F. hepatica and F. gigantica being the most prevalent and widespread. The parasites are located in the liver and bile ducts, causing economic losses by reducing meat and milk production and by leading to liver condemnation in slaughterhouses. The occurrence of fasciolosis is associated with climates of high temperature and high precipitation, mainly in the regions of Africa, Asia, and South America. Disease transmission occurs through consumption of contaminated water and vegetables. In animals, fasciolosis affects primarily cattle and sheep, resulting in physical damage to the liver, anemia, weight loss, and death. Therefore, it is fundamental to understand the general aspects and persistence of the disease on a global scale. This review emphasizes the relevance of fascioliasis in animal and public health, providing a comprehensive overview of the parasite and its worldwide distribution.
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References
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