Parasite
Fasciola hepatica
Sheep liver fluke from watercress
fah-SEE-oh-luh heh-PAT-ih-kuh
High-yield clue
Metacercariae on watercress (not fish) migrate to the bile ducts - the key distinction from Clonorchis.
Overview
The sheep liver fluke, a large trematode acquired by eating aquatic plants such as watercress bearing metacercariae, used to contrast plant-borne with fish-borne liver flukes.
Classification
- Trematode (fluke)
- Large leaf-shaped adult
- Snail intermediate host, aquatic-plant metacercariae
- Adults in bile ducts / liver
Lab & identification clues
- Large operculated eggs on stool examination
- Eggs hard to distinguish from Fasciolopsis vocabulary
- Serology in early (migratory) phase concept
Associations
- Ingestion of watercress/aquatic plants with metacercariae
- Liver and biliary phase vocabulary
- Sheep and cattle reservoir (zoonosis)
- Sheep-raising region epidemiology
Commonly confused with
- Clonorchis sinensis
- Paragonimus westermani
Frequently asked questions
What is Fasciola hepatica?
The sheep liver fluke, a large trematode acquired by eating aquatic plants such as watercress bearing metacercariae, used to contrast plant-borne with fish-borne liver flukes.
What are the lab clues for Fasciola hepatica?
Lab clues for Fasciola hepatica include Large operculated eggs on stool examination, Eggs hard to distinguish from Fasciolopsis vocabulary, and Serology in early (migratory) phase concept.
What is Fasciola hepatica commonly confused with?
Fasciola hepatica is commonly confused with Clonorchis sinensis and Paragonimus westermani.
Original student-study summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment, dosing, or specimen-handling guidance.