Fasciolosis (also known as
fascioliasis,
fasciolasis,
distomatosis and
liver rot) is a
parasitic worm infection caused by the common liver fluke
Fasciola hepatica as well as by
Fasciola gigantica. The disease is a plant-borne
trematode zoonosis, and is classified as a
Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). It affects humans, but its main host is ruminants such as
cattle and
sheep. The disease progresses through four distinct phases; an initial incubation phase of between a few days up to three months with little or no symptoms; an invasive or acute phase which may manifest with: fever, malaise, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, urticaria,
anemia,
jaundice, and
respiratory symptoms. The disease later progresses to a latent phase with less symptoms and ultimately into a chronic or obstructive phase months to years later. In the chronic state the disease causes inflammation of the
bile ducts,
gall bladder and may cause
gall stones as well as
fibrosis. While chronic inflammation is connected to increased cancer rates it is unclear whether fasciolosis is associated with increased cancer risk.