Fasciolopsis buski and frequency therapy

Definition:

Fasciolopsis buski is a parasitic flatworm that belongs to the class of trematodes. It is the largest known intestinal fluke that can infest the human intestine and is mainly found in South and Southeast Asia. Infection with this parasite is known as fasciolopsiasis.

Life cycle:

Eggs:
The eggs are excreted in the faeces of infected hosts and enter the water.
Larvae (miracidia):
Hatch from the eggs and infect aquatic snails, which serve as intermediate hosts.
Cercariae:
Develop in the snails and are released into the water.
Metacercariae:
Settle on aquatic plants and are ingested by final hosts (humans or pigs) when they consume contaminated plants.

Transmission:

Infection occurs through the consumption of raw or undercooked aquatic plants, such as water chestnuts, water spinach or lotus, which are contaminated with metacercariae.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of an infection with *Fasciolopsis buski* can vary and depend on the number of parasites ingested:

Abdominal pain and cramps
Diarrhoea or constipation
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite and weight loss
In case of severe infections: Intestinal obstruction, malabsorption and anaemia

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is made by detecting eggs of the parasite in stool samples using microscopic examination.

Treatment:

Anthelmintics:
Praziquantel is the drug of choice for the treatment of fasciolopsiasis. It kills the adult worms in the intestine.

Prevention:

Avoid consumption of raw or undercooked aquatic plants in endemic areas.
Improve sanitation and control snail populations to prevent the spread of the parasite.

worth knowing:

Fasciolopsis buski is closely related to other trematodes that infect animals and humans, such as the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica.
Infection is more common in rural areas where aquatic plants are a staple food.

Research:

Research on Fasciolopsis buski is focused on improving diagnostic methods, developing more effective treatments and implementing strategies to control and prevent the infection in affected regions.