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Review
. 2020 Nov 26:11:149-158.
doi: 10.2147/RRTM.S237461. eCollection 2020.

Human Fascioliasis: Current Epidemiological Status and Strategies for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Control

Maria Alejandra Caravedo  1 , Miguel Mauricio Cabada  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Human Fascioliasis: Current Epidemiological Status and Strategies for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Control

Maria Alejandra Caravedo et al. Res Rep Trop Med. .

Abstract

Purpose of the review: This review aims to critically assess current knowledge about the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of Fasciola infection in humans.

Recent findings: Fascioliasis is an emerging neglected zoonotic infection affecting the health and wellbeing of human populations. The burden of infection is unclear, and studies have shown the geographic expansion of fascioliasis in human and livestock likely related to climate change. The infection can be asymptomatic or present in acute or chronic forms. Regardless of the presentation, fascioliasis can be associated with long-term complications such as anemia and malnutrition. Early in the infection, antibody testing is the only tool available for diagnosis confirmation. In the chronic forms serology and stool microscopy are helpful. Other tests such as antigen detection and PCR-based methods including isothermal tests have shown promising results. Triclabendazole is the only drug available to treat Fasciola infection. However, reports of resistant infections in livestock and human threaten the clinical care and control of the infection in endemic areas.

Summary: Fascioliasis is an emerging infection around the world with an uncertain burden. Lack of standardization of diagnostic testing and treatment alternatives hinder treatment and control of the infection.

Keywords: Fasciola gigantica; Fasciola hepatica; diagnosis; epidemiology; treatment; triclabendazole.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest for this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Fasciola hepatica clinical presentations in human. Panel (A) Abdominal computed tomography scan with contrast showing hypodense and track-like lesions (white arrow heads) in a patient with acute fascioliasis. Panel (B) Five adult Fasciola parasites (black arrow heads) extracted from the common bile duct of a patient having surgery for acute cholecystitis. Image courtesy of Dr. Miguel M. Cabada.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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