Blood fluke

Blood Fluke

The blood fluke is a common name for the parasitic flatworms belonging to the genus Schistosoma. These parasites are part of the larger group of trematodes, which are characterized by their leaf-like bodies. Blood flukes are unique among trematodes as they are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female individuals.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of the blood fluke involves two hosts: a definitive host, which is usually a mammal such as a human, and an intermediate host, which is a species of freshwater snail. The adult flukes reside in the blood vessels of the definitive host, where they produce eggs. These eggs are excreted in the host's feces or urine, and if they reach freshwater, they hatch into free-swimming larvae called miracidia. The miracidia infect snails, where they develop into another larval stage, the cercariae. The cercariae are released from the snail and can penetrate the skin of a mammal, thus completing the life cycle.

Disease

Blood flukes are responsible for a disease known as schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or snail fever. This disease is a major public health problem in many tropical and subtropical regions. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in the stool or urine. Chronic infection can lead to liver damage, kidney failure, infertility, or bladder cancer.

Treatment and Control

Treatment for schistosomiasis is primarily with the drug praziquantel. Control of the disease involves reducing exposure to infested water, improving sanitation to prevent eggs from reaching freshwater, and controlling snail populations.

See Also

• Trematoda
• Parasitic worm
• Schistosomiasis