Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesComplicationsPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Complications
Prognosis
Liver flukes are parasitic worms that cause liver, gallbladder, and bile duct infections in humans. Whether you’re likely to get a liver fluke infection depends on where you live, what you eat, and if you travel to areas where these parasites are present.
People get liver flukes after eating certain raw or uncooked foods from areas throughout all continents except Antarctica.They are not common in the United States. Long-term liver fluke infections are associated with health complications, including bile duct disease.
This article will describe the types of liver flukes along with liver fluke complications and overall prognosis for liver fluke.
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Different Types of Parasites You Should Be Aware Of
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three types of liver flukes that can cause infection in humans.These types are based on geographical location. Traveling to parts of the world where these types of liver flukes are widespread will increase your likelihood of infection.
Liver fluke types:
FasciolaSpecies
Fasciolasare known as common liver flukes or sheep liver fluke. TheFasciolaspecies has two subtypes,Fasciola hepaticaandFasciola gigantica, both of which are found in over 70 countries throughout the world, except for Antarctica.
Lack of SymptomsLiver fluke infections are often asymptomatic, meaning there are no obvious signs and symptoms. When there are symptoms, they are typically nonspecific and can be attributed to many illnesses. They include fever, abdominal pain, and appetite loss.
Lack of Symptoms
Liver fluke infections are often asymptomatic, meaning there are no obvious signs and symptoms. When there are symptoms, they are typically nonspecific and can be attributed to many illnesses. They include fever, abdominal pain, and appetite loss.
OpisthorchiasisSpecies
This type of liver fluke is found across Asia and Europe, and particularly in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Germany, Italy, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.Opisthorchiasisliver fluke species cause anopisthorchisinfection. If symptoms do occur with this type of liver fluke, they will be nonspecific and include digestive upset or indigestion, and in more severe cases, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation.
ClonorchiasisSpecies
Parasite Testing
These types of infections require diagnosis and treatment to remedy infection.
Together, these tests can help your healthcare provider determine diagnosis and treatment. For best results, be sure to share your travel history so the tests ordered are as specific to your situation as possible.
Complications are rare, and liver fluke infections are not fatal on their own.
There are, however, rare cases in which infection can cause severe and serious health complications. For example, long-lasting or persistent liver flukes can cause chronic inflammation of the bile ducts (canals that pass through organs in your digestive system, including the pancreas and small intestine), which can lead to bile duct enlargement, tissue thickening, and bile duct dilation.
If you suspect you have been exposed to a liver fluke while traveling or after consuming water vegetables or undercooked animal products like fish, beef, or sheep, follow up with a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Persistent Liver FlukesBear in mind that health complications from liver flukes can be prevented with treatment. As with all health-related matters, the earlier you seek treatment, the lower your risk of developing complications.But without treatment, the CDC warns, liver fluke infections can persist throughout the life span of the parasite, which is roughly 25 to 30 years.During that time, risk of serious illness and severe symptoms increases.
Persistent Liver Flukes
Bear in mind that health complications from liver flukes can be prevented with treatment. As with all health-related matters, the earlier you seek treatment, the lower your risk of developing complications.But without treatment, the CDC warns, liver fluke infections can persist throughout the life span of the parasite, which is roughly 25 to 30 years.During that time, risk of serious illness and severe symptoms increases.
Bear in mind that health complications from liver flukes can be prevented with treatment. As with all health-related matters, the earlier you seek treatment, the lower your risk of developing complications.
But without treatment, the CDC warns, liver fluke infections can persist throughout the life span of the parasite, which is roughly 25 to 30 years.During that time, risk of serious illness and severe symptoms increases.
Rare complications associated with liver flukes include:
Liver Flukes and Bile Duct Cancer
Bile Duct Cancer Causes and Treatment
Liver flukes are preventable and treatable. If you suspect liver fluke infection, consult with a healthcare provider. They may consult about diagnosis and treatment with the CDC.
Prognosis or overall health outcome after Fasciola infection is good, according to the CDC.
Clinical studies show triclabendazole to be effective in the treatment of chronic and acute or sudden forms of fascioliasis and in bothF. hepaticaandF. giganticainfections.
Summary
Symptoms are not likely, but if they do occur they will include digestive system upset. The good news is liver flukes are both preventable and treatable. With two oral doses of medication, the common liver fluke can be stopped before causing bile duct irritation and scarring associated with health conditions like bile duct cancer. Complications are rare.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About liver flukes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis of parasitic diseases.Lim JH.Liver flukes: the malady neglected.Korean J Radiol. 2011;12(3):269-279. doi:10.3348/kjr.2011.12.3.269U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.Bile duct cancer and liver fluke infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of fasciola.Gandhi P, Schmitt EK, Chen CW, Samantray S, Venishetty VK, Hughes D.Triclabendazole in the treatment of human fascioliasis: a review.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2019;113(12):797–804. doi:10.1093/trstmh/trz093
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About liver flukes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis of parasitic diseases.Lim JH.Liver flukes: the malady neglected.Korean J Radiol. 2011;12(3):269-279. doi:10.3348/kjr.2011.12.3.269U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.Bile duct cancer and liver fluke infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of fasciola.Gandhi P, Schmitt EK, Chen CW, Samantray S, Venishetty VK, Hughes D.Triclabendazole in the treatment of human fascioliasis: a review.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2019;113(12):797–804. doi:10.1093/trstmh/trz093
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About liver flukes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis of parasitic diseases.Lim JH.Liver flukes: the malady neglected.Korean J Radiol. 2011;12(3):269-279. doi:10.3348/kjr.2011.12.3.269U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.Bile duct cancer and liver fluke infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of fasciola.Gandhi P, Schmitt EK, Chen CW, Samantray S, Venishetty VK, Hughes D.Triclabendazole in the treatment of human fascioliasis: a review.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2019;113(12):797–804. doi:10.1093/trstmh/trz093
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About liver flukes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosis of parasitic diseases.
Lim JH.Liver flukes: the malady neglected.Korean J Radiol. 2011;12(3):269-279. doi:10.3348/kjr.2011.12.3.269
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.Bile duct cancer and liver fluke infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of fasciola.
Gandhi P, Schmitt EK, Chen CW, Samantray S, Venishetty VK, Hughes D.Triclabendazole in the treatment of human fascioliasis: a review.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2019;113(12):797–804. doi:10.1093/trstmh/trz093
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