Intestinal Flukes

INTESTINAL FLUKES

Echinostoma ilocanum

Echinostome

Disease  Echinostosomiasis

Morphology  Horseshoe-shaped collar of 1-2 rows of

straight spines that surround the dorsal and lateral sides of the oral sucker.  E ilocanum are small, elongated flukes that measure 5-15 mm in length and 12 mm in width.

Epidemiology  Echinostosomiasis have been reported

from Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Sumatra and other localities of Asia.

Life cycle  The worm is

acquired through ingestion of the second intermediate host such as large edible freshwater snails or other mollusk where metacercariea encyst.

 The adult worm

live attach to the wall of the small intestine.

Symptoms  Mild infections do not cause symptoms,

but heavy infections produce diarrhea, flatulence, and intestinal colic.

Diagnosis  Diagnosis

can be done through patient’s history or clinical findings. Eggs in the stool help in positive identification of the parasite.

Treatment and Control  Praziquantel is

the drug of choice.