FASCIOLIASIS

infection of humans and grass-grazing animals, caused by the small, leaf-shaped parasitic fluke worm Fasciola hepatica, which lives in the bile ducts and causes liver inflammation. Although fascioliasis most commonly affects sheep, producing liver rot, humans can acquire the infection by ingesting the encysted form of the fluke attached to such aquatic plants as watercress. Early clinical manifestations of the disease in humans characteristically include upper abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, jaundice, and urticaria. The most effective chemotherapeutic agent is bithionol, although praziquantel is more commonly used.