Sheep Liver Fluke (Fasciola hepatica)

Sheep Liver Fluke (Fasciola hepatica)
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Fasciola hepatica (sheep liver fluke) is a parasite that is spread out in the world over. Together with the parasite Fasciola gigantica they belong to the class trematodes. Fasciola hepatica causes the condition commonly known as the fascioliasis, which is one of the major causes of huge economic losses in animal husbandry. The parasite is known to infect two levels of hosts, that is, the definitive hosts and the intermediate hosts.
Definitive hosts are mainly the broad classification of herbivores such the sheep, cattle and goats. Humans that live in areas that have either of these animals reared, are also prone to the infection. The intermediate hosts are the snails that live in the fresh waters, specifically the species from the Lymnaedae family. As part of its life cycle, the parasite’s eggs are discharged with the stool after they leave the biliary ducts. The eggs embryonate releasing ...