Maksaloiset

Maksaloiset, also known as liver flukes, are parasitic flatworms that belong to the class Trematoda. These parasites are found worldwide and can infect a wide range of host animals, including humans, livestock such as cattle and sheep, and various wild mammals. The life cycle of most liver flukes is complex, involving at least one intermediate host, typically a freshwater snail.

Infection in definitive hosts, such as mammals, usually occurs through ingestion of metacercariae, which are encysted larval forms of the fluke, often found on aquatic vegetation or in contaminated water. Once ingested, the metacercariae excyst in the digestive tract and migrate to the liver. They then mature into adult flukes within the bile ducts.

The adult liver flukes feed on blood and tissue in the bile ducts, causing inflammation and damage. Symptoms of infection, known as fascioliasis or liver fluke disease, can vary depending on the host species and the severity of the infestation. In humans and livestock, symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, nausea, and fatigue. Chronic infections can lead to liver damage, anemia, and impaired growth or production.

Diagnosis is typically made through microscopic examination of feces for fluke eggs or by serological tests. Treatment usually involves antiparasitic drugs. Prevention strategies focus on controlling intermediate snail populations, avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked aquatic vegetation from potentially contaminated areas, and managing livestock grazing to reduce exposure.