Microbiology
The giant intestinal fluke.
Epidemiologic Risks
Eating infected plants from the far east and southeast Asia and India. Pigs poo is the main source: pig to water snail to plants to people.
In Belgium, there were cases from "consumption of vegetables from a garden that was flooded by pasture runoff (Pubmed)."
Syndromes
Asymptomatic in most, it resides in the small bowel and sends its eggs (25,000 a day) hence into the world.
With a heavy infestation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia, ascites, and allergic responses to parasite antigens.
Treatment
Praziquantel 25 mg/kg body weight po q 8 x 3 doses.
Notes
Last update: 12/31/19