Fasciola hepatica

This article is about the organism. For the infection, see Fasciolosis.

Fasciola hepatica
Adult Fasciola hepatica specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Trematoda
Order: Plagiorchiida
Family: Fasciolidae
Genus: Fasciola
Species:
F. hepatica
Binomial name
Fasciola hepatica

Fasciola hepatica, also known as the common liver fluke or sheep liver fluke, is a parasitic trematode (fluke or flatworm, a type of helminth) of the class Trematoda, phylum Platyhelminthes. It infects the livers of various mammals, including humans, and is transmitted by sheep and cattle to humans all over the world. The disease caused by the fluke is called fasciolosis or fascioliasis, which is a type of helminthiasis and has been classified as a neglected tropical disease.[2] Fasciolosis is currently classified as a plant/food-borne trematode infection, often acquired through eating the parasite's metacercariae encysted on plants.[3] F. hepatica, which is distributed worldwide, has been known as an important parasite of sheep and cattle for decades and causes significant economic losses in these livestock species, up to £23 million in the UK alone.[4] Because of its relatively large size and economic importance, it has been the subject of many scientific investigations and may be the best-known of any trematode species. F. hepatica's closest relative is Fasciola gigantica. These two flukes are sister species; they share many morphological features and can mate with each other.[5]

  1. ^ Linnæi, C. (1758–1759). Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturæ, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Haracteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Holmiæ: Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.542
  2. ^ "Neglected Tropical Diseases". cdc.gov. June 6, 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  3. ^ Mas-Coma, S; Bargues, MD; Valero, MA (2005). "Fascioliasis and other plant-borne trematode zoonoses". International Journal for Parasitology. 35 (11): 1255–1278. doi:10.1016/j.ijpara.2005.07.010. PMID 16150452.
  4. ^ "NADIS - National Animal Disease Information Service -". www.nadis.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
  5. ^ Mas-Coma, Santiago; Valero, María Adela; Bargues, María Dolores (2009). "Fasciola, Lymnaeids and Human Fascioliasis, with a Global Overview on Disease Transmission, Epidemiology, Evolutionary Genetics, Molecular Epidemiology and Control". Advances in Parasitology. Vol. 69. pp. 41–146. doi:10.1016/S0065-308X(09)69002-3. ISBN 978-0-12-374795-2. PMID 19622408.