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Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Human fascioliasis: Current epidemiological status and strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and control

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Caravedo MA, Cabada MM
2020
Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine. 11: 149-158

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: This review aims to critically assess current knowledge about the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of Fasciola infection in humans. RECENT FINDINGS: Fascioliasis is an emerging neglected zoonotic infection affecting the health and wellbeing of human populations. The burden of infection is unclear, and studies have shown the geographic expansion of fascioliasis in human and livestock likely related to climate change. The infection can be asymptomatic or present in acute or chronic forms. Regardless of the presentation, fascioliasis can be associated with long-term complications such as anemia and malnutrition. Early in the infection, antibody testing is the only tool available for diagnosis confirmation. In the chronic forms serology and stool microscopy are helpful. Other tests such as antigen detection and PCR-based methods including isothermal tests have shown promising results. Triclabendazole is the only drug available to treat Fasciola infection. However, reports of resistant infections in livestock and human threaten the clinical care and control of the infection in endemic areas. SUMMARY: Fascioliasis is an emerging infection around the world with an uncertain burden. Lack of standardization of diagnostic testing and treatment alternatives hinder treatment and control of the infection.

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Resource Description

    Ecosystem Change, Food Quality
    • Ecosystem Change, Food Quality: Crop/Plant Pathogen
    Global or Unspecified Location
    Infectious Disease
    • Infectious Disease: Foodborne Disease
      • Foodborne Disease: Fascioliasis
      Foodborne Disease
    Review Article
    Adaptation, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population
    • Adaptation, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Intervention
    • Adaptation, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Children, Low Socioeconomic Status
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