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The below mentioned article provides a short note on Fasciolopsis Buski (Giant Intestinal Fluke).
Morphology of Fasciolopsis Buski (Giant Intestinal Fluke):
It is an elongated and ovoidal (Fig. 108.1, 2) trematode. The eggs of F. buski and F. hepatica are large like a hen’s egg and are identical (Fig. 108.6).
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Life cycle:
When immature eggs are discharged in the faeces, they mature in water and hatch out the miracidium (Fig. 108.3) which swims in the water, penetrates into the snail (Fig. 108.4) and develops into sporocysts, first and second generation rediae and cercariae.
These cercariae encyst on the seed pods of water caltrop into metacercariae. Man gets infected by swallowing the metacercariae which excyst in the duodenum and ultimately develop into adult worm, which lays eggs in human faeces.
Clinical features:
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Toxic diarrhoea and hunger pains are the first signs. Heavy infections have symptoms similar to gastric ulcer. Generalized toxic and allergic symptoms appear as oedema of the face, abdominal wall and lower limbs. Specific diagnosis depends upon the recovery of the egg of F. buski which is similar to that of Fasciola hepatica.
Treatment:
Hexylresorcinol crystalloids and tetrachlorethylene are very effective.
Prophylaxis:
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Destruction of snails by 1 : 50,000 copper sulphate solution, sterilisation of night soil, before it is used as fertiliser and cooking of raw vegetables properly or immersing them in boiling water for few seconds before eating are all effective measures.
