Definition

Noun: * A parasitic disease caused by infection with liver flukes of the genus Fasciola, most commonly Fasciola hepatica. The infection primarily affects the liver and bile ducts, and in some cases leads to significant liver damage. It is closely related to the condition known as liver rot in livestock.

Usage

• Fascioliasis is considered a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
• The primary treatment for fascioliasis is the administration of specific antiparasitic drugs.
• Diagnosis of fascioliasis often involves identifying the parasite's eggs in a stool sample.

Examples

• The veterinarian diagnosed the sheep with fascioliasis after observing symptoms of weight loss and anemia.
• Public health campaigns in endemic areas focus on preventing fascioliasis by educating people about avoiding contaminated water plants.
• Chronic fascioliasis can lead to inflammation and blockage of the bile ducts.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used in medical, veterinary, and parasitological contexts. It is often specified as human fascioliasis or bovine fascioliasis to indicate the host species.
• Fascioliasis is sometimes discussed in contrast to other trematode (fluke) infections, such as schistosomiasis or clonorchiasis.

Variants and Related Words

• Fasciolosis: An alternative term for the same disease, more commonly used in veterinary medicine.
• Liver fluke disease: A descriptive, non-technical synonym.
• Distomatosis: A broader, older term for diseases caused by flukes (trematodes), which can include fascioliasis.

Synonyms

• Liver rot (specifically in animals)
• Sheep liver fluke disease
• Infection by

Related Phrases and Terms

• Hepatic fascioliasis: Refers specifically to the phase of the disease where the young flukes migrate through the liver tissue.
• Biliary fascioliasis: Refers to the chronic phase where adult flukes reside in the bile ducts.

Noun

1. infestation with the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica; liver damage sometimes occurs; related to liver rot