Fasciola gigantica

This page is about microbiologic aspects of the organism(s). For clinical aspects of the disease, see Fasciolosis.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Fasciola gigantica is a parasitic flatworm of the class Trematoda, which causes tropical fascioliasis. It is regarded as one of the most important single platyhelminth infections of ruminants in Asia and Africa. Estimates of infection rates are as high as 80-100% in some countries.

The parasite infects cattle and buffalo and can also be seen regionally in goats, sheep, and donkeys.

Life cycle