Fascioloides magna
Channel: the aleatoric learning channel
Date: 03/09/2021

The life cycle of F. magna is relatively complex and is similar to the development of the related fluke, F. hepatica. Adult F. magna can survive in the liver of the host up to 7 years. Erhardová-Kotrlá confirmed red deer, fallow deer and roe deer as main definitive hosts of F. magna in Europe. In North America, the giant liver fluke is commonly found in cattle, sheep and goats in areas where F. magna is enzootic in deer. The only indigenous primary definitive host of F. magna is white-tailed deer. Snails originated from Australia infected with United States isolate of F. magna Snails originated from France infected with Czech isolate of F. magna According to several American authors, three types of definitive host exist: definitive hosts dead-end hosts aberrant hostsPathology of F. magna infection varies according to host type but some features are shared by all three types. While the eggs of F. magna resemble those of F. hepatica, this similarity is of limited use; eggs usually are not passed in cattle and sheep. Recovery of the parasites at necropsy, as well as proper identification of F. hepatica or F. gigantica is necessary for definite diagnosis. In the same way as for F. hepatica, triclabendazole seems to be the most effective against F. magna. In some cases, it may be difficult to determine if F. magna or a different fluke such as Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica is causing pathology since all these flukes will have the same clinical signs.