An Update on the Pathogenesis of Fascioliasis: What Do We Know?

Abstract

Melinda B Tanabe,1 Maria A Caravedo,1 A Clinton White Jr,1,2 Miguel M Cabada1,2 1Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; 2Cusco Branch – Alexander von Humboldt Tropical Medicine Institute, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco, PeruCorrespondence: Miguel M Cabada, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd RT 0435, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [email protected]: Fasciola hepatica is a trematode parasite distributed worldwide. It is known to cause disease in mammals, producing significant economic loses to livestock industry and burden to human health. After ingestion, the parasites migrate through the liver and mature in the bile ducts. A better understanding of the parasite’s immunopathogenesis would help to develop efficacious therapeutics and vaccines. Currently, much of our knowledge comes from in vitro and in vivo studies in animal models. Relatively little is known about the host-parasite interactions in humans. Here, we provide a narrative review of what is currently know about the pathogenesis and host immune responses to F. hepatica summarizing the evidence available from the multiple hosts that this parasite infects.Keywords: Fasciola spp, pathogenesis, infection, immunological response

Keywords

• fasciola spp.
• pathogenesis
• infection
• immunological response