Conventional and Advanced Methods Used for the Diagnosis of Fascioliosis, a Food-Borne Zoonotic Disease.

Abstract

Fascioliosis is a food-borne zoonotic helminth infection caused by flatworms belonging to the family Fasciolidae, primarily affecting ruminants. The chronic form of fascioliosis is the most prevalent and is characterized by anemia, weight loss, cirrhosis, and liver dysfunction, along with atrophy, jaundice, and bottle jaw. In humans, infection results in fever, nausea, skin rashes, and severe abdominal pain. Climate changes and human-driven environmental alterations have contributed to an increasing incidence of fascioliosis in various regions. Fasciola species are widely distributed and have a high occurrence in tropical countries. Approximately 2.4-17 million humans are afflicted by fascioliosis in tropical and subtropical areas, with an additional 180 million facing the risk of infection. Fascioliosis poses a notable threat to ruminants; over 700 million production animals are at risk, and global annual financial losses surpass $3.2 billion. Conventional coprological methods and advanced molecular techniques are employed to diagnose fascioliosis in animals and humans. Within endemic areas, timely and accurate diagnosis is critical for successful prevention and treatment. Molecular approaches such as various PCR techniques and serological methods are extensively utilized to diagnose fascioliosis. In this review, we describe various conventional coprological and advanced DNA-based PCR techniques along with serological methods used for the screening, monitoring, and specific diagnosis of clinical and subclinical fascioliosis in humans and animals. The information accumulated in this review will be helpful for the diagnosis of fascioliosis in the field and research laboratories.