Facioliasis is a tropical infection caused by liver flukes or Fasciola. The sheep liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is one of the most studied herbivore parasite with wide distribution. Human infections are reported in many parts of the world incuding the United States. The disease has serious economic consequences for farmers that lose their cattle due to the severe liver damaged caused by the parasite. AGENT: Fasciola hepatica (sheep liver fluke) and Fasciola gigantica (giant liver fluke)

History

Discovery of Fasciola gigantica: In the 1875 issue of the Lancet J.F.P McConnell, a physician and pathologist in Calcutta, described the morphology, anatomy, and pathogenesis of a new live fluke which he was able to isolate from an infected Chinese man.