ORGANISM 8--Fasciola hepatica
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
COMMON NAME: Sheep liver fluke.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Worldwide; sheep-raising countries.
PATHOGENESIS: Mechanical and toxic irritation to liver, destruction of hepatic
parenchyma, biliary obstruction, adenomatous and fibrotic
changes, anemia (0.2 ccblood loss per worm per day),
eosinophilia, cirrhosis (periportal).
HABITAT: Bile passages.
INTERMEDIATE HOST
FIRST: Snail.
SECOND: Fresh water vegetation (watercress).
RESERVOIR HOST: Herbivores and carnivores.
INFECTIVE FORM: Metacercaria.
MODE OF INFECTION: Ingestion
SPECIMEN OF CHOICE: Feces.
Figure 3-24. Life cycle of Fasciola hepatica.
MD0842
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