Liver fluke

/lˈɪvə flˈuːk/

/lˈɪvɚ flˈuːk/

[noun]

Liver fluke

[NOUN]

any parasitic worm of the trematode family that invades the liver of a mammal

synonyms : Fasciola hepatica

What is a "liver fluke"?

A liver fluke is a type of parasitic flatworm that primarily infects the liver and bile ducts of various animals, including humans. It has a flat, leaf-shaped body and is usually found in areas with freshwater sources. The life cycle of a liver fluke involves multiple stages, including eggs being released into the environment through the feces of infected animals and then being ingested by intermediate hosts such as snails. The larvae develop inside the snail before being released and infecting the final host, which can be a mammal, including humans. Liver fluke infections can cause liver damage, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, and fatigue

Examples

1. As their name implies, adult liver flukes live in the livers of grazing animals like cows.

2. Which is exactly what the Lancet liver fluke does to the ants it parasitizes.

3. Another high-CB category of jaundice is called obstructive jaundice, and this is basically where something blocks the flow of bile, these blockages could be anything from gallstones, pancreatic carcinomas and cholangiocarcinomas, to parasites like the liver fluke.

4. Throughout much of history, everything from roundworms, such as hook-worms, to flatworms, like tapeworms and liver flukes, were relatively common.

Nearby words