Fascioliasis Control Program
Fascioliasis Control Program in Bolivian Altiplano Communities of South America
HOME FASCIOLIASIS TRANSMISSION SYMPTOMS TREATMENT PREVENTION
PHASES AND SYMPTOMS OF FASCIOLIASIS INFECTION
Fascioliasis infection is composed of four main phases: incubation phase, invasive or acute phase, latent phase, and chronic phase.
The incubation phase of infection, which consists of the time from ingestion of the parasite to the appearance of symptoms, may last a few days to a few months.
During the invasive/acute phase of infection, the juvenile fluke migrate up to the bile ducts where mechanical damage occurs to the hepatic tissue and peritoneum, causing toxic and allergic reactions. Symptoms during the acute phase include fever, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, anemia, and jaundice.
The latent phase of infection can last from months to years, and most cases are asymptomatic.
The chronic phase may occur months or years after the initial infection. Adult flukes in the bile ducts cause inflammation and hyperplasia of the epithelial tissue. Chronic conditions include, but are not limited to, biliary colic, epigastric pain, fatty food intolerance, nausea, and jaundice.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascioliasis)
Hypertrophy of bile ducts in a goat liver caused by an infection with F. hepatica.