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Updated: May 22, 2026
12:05
Mass Isolation and In Vitro Cultivation of Intramolluscan Stages of the Human Blood Fluke Schistosoma Mansoni
Published on: January 14, 2018
Trematode infections: liver and lung flukes
Thomas Fürst1, Urs Duthaler, Banchop Sripa
1University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
Infectious Disease Clinics of North America
|May 29, 2012
Summary
Food-borne trematodiases, caused by parasitic flukes, are a growing public health concern in Southeast Asia and Latin America. This review details the epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of major liver and lung fluke infections.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Public Health
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Food-borne trematodiases are emerging infectious diseases caused by liver, lung, and intestinal flukes.
- These infections pose a significant public health challenge in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
- Their importance is increasing for travel medicine globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of major food-borne liver and lung fluke infections in humans.
- To summarize current knowledge on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and control of these parasitic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on prevalent fluke infections.
- Description of parasite life cycles, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic methods.
- Analysis of current prevention, treatment, and control strategies.
Main Results:
- Key liver flukes discussed include Clonorchis sinensis, Fasciola spp., and Opisthorchis spp.
- Paragonimus spp. are highlighted as significant lung fluke infections.
- The article covers distribution, disease burden, and clinical aspects of these infections.
Conclusions:
- Effective control requires integrated strategies addressing transmission, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Understanding the epidemiology is crucial for targeted public health interventions.
- Continued surveillance and research are necessary to combat the growing threat of food-borne trematodiases.
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