Changes

''Fasciola Hepatica'' is an hepatic parasite found in mainly in ruminants, namely cows, sheep and goats, but also known to affect horses and pigs.  It is found Worldwide, and within the UK, with its prevalence ever increasing.  It is responsible for a 10-15% production loss in each infected animal, as it affects meat, milk and wool production, so is of huge economic consequence.

''Fasciola Hepatica'' is an hepatic parasite found in mainly in ruminants, namely cows, sheep and goats, but also known to affect horses and pigs.  It is found Worldwide, and within the UK, with its prevalence ever increasing.  It is responsible for a 10-15% production loss in each infected animal, as it affects meat, milk and wool production, so is of huge economic consequence.

''Fasiola Hepatica'' has a definitive ruminant mammalian host and an intermediate molluscan host. Within Europe the intermediate host is almost exclusively the snail 'Lymnaea truncatulata'. The snail habitat is crucial to the survival of the parasite, so wet conditions are favourable to the development and spread of Fasciola hepatica

''Fasciola Hepatica'' has a definitive ruminant mammalian host and an intermediate molluscan host. Within Europe the intermediate host is almost exclusively the snail 'Lymnaea truncatulata'. The snail habitat is crucial to the survival of the parasite, so wet conditions are favourable to the development and spread of Fasciola hepatica.

[[Image:Fasciola hepatica.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''Fasciola hepatica (Copyright Adam Cuerden, Wikimedia Commons) ''']]

[[Image:Fasciola hepatica.jpg|400px|thumb|right|'''Fasciola hepatica (Image sourced from Adam Cuerden, Wikimedia Commons) ''']]

|}

|}

===Hosts===

===Hosts===

Fasciola hepatica has an indirect life cycle, meaning it has both intermediate and final hosts.

''Fasciola hepatica'' has an indirect life cycle, meaning it has both intermediate and final hosts.

Fasciola hepatica is seen most commonly in sheep, cattle, and goats, but may also be seen in horse, deer, and man.

''Fasciola hepatica'' is seen most commonly in sheep, cattle, and goats, but may also be seen in horse, deer, and man.

The most important intermediate host within Europe is the snail of the genus '''Lymnaea'''. The most common, '''Lymnaea truncatula''', which is an amphibious snail found worldwide.

The most important intermediate host within Europe is the snail of the genus '''Lymnaea'''. The most common, '''Lymnaea truncatula''', which is an amphibious snail found worldwide.

===Life Cycle===

===Life Cycle===

Adult flukes in the bile ducts shed eggs directly into the bile, which then subsequently enter the intestine. Eggs are then passes out in the faeces of the mammalian host, where they develop and hatch releasing motile ciliated miracidia.  These require 9-10 days at optimal temperatures, of around 22-26 degrees. The miracidium have a short life and must locate a suitable snail, the intermediate host, within approximately 3 hours if they are to be effective and continue the life cycle.

Adult flukes in the bile ducts shed '''eggs''' directly into the bile, which then subsequently enter the intestine. Eggs are then passed out in the faeces of the mammalian host, where they develop and hatch releasing motile ciliated '''miracidia'''.  These require 9-10 days at optimal temperatures, of around 22-26 degrees. The miracidium have a short life and must locate a suitable snail, the intermediate host, within approximately 3 hours if they are to be effective and continue the life cycle.

If successful, the miracidium will then develop into sporocysts, then enter the redial stages to the final stages within the intermediate host, which is development into cercaria.  These cercaria are then released from the snail, and attach to surfaces such as the tips of grass.  Here they encyst and form metacercaria. This represents the infective stage of the lifecycle.   

If successful, the miracidium will then develop into '''sporocysts''', then enter the '''redial stages''' to the final stages within the intermediate host, which is development into '''cercaria'''.  These cercaria are then released from the snail, and attach to surfaces such as the tips of grass.  Here they encyst and form '''metacercaria'''. This represents the infective stage of the lifecycle.   

Development from miracidium into metacercariae takes around 6-7 weeks under favourable conditions, however, this period can be much longer in unfavourable conditions.

Development from miracidium into metacercariae takes around 6-7 weeks under favourable conditions, however, this period can be much longer in unfavourable conditions.

→ disease from '''August'''

→ disease from '''August'''

====References====

====References====