The adult worms are relatively large, with well-developed suckers that have strong adhesive force, causing more pronounced mechanical intestinal injuries compared to other intestinal flukes. When present in large numbers, they can cover the intestinal wall, obstructing absorption and digestion. Their metabolic products, when absorbed, can trigger allergic reactions. The adhered mucous membrane may develop inflammation, hemorrhage, edema, necrosis, sloughing, and even ulcers. The affected areas show infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils, along with increased secretion of intestinal mucus. A high worm burden often leads to abdominal pain and diarrhea, malnutrition, digestive dysfunction, reduced albumin levels, and various vitamin deficiencies. Alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation may occur, and in severe cases, intestinal obstruction can develop. Children with heavy infections may experience emaciation, anemia, edema, ascites, cognitive decline, and growth retardation. In cases of repeated infections, a few individuals may succumb to exhaustion or collapse.

bubble_chart Epidemiology

This disease is primarily distributed in some countries in the temperate and subtropical regions of Asia. Within China, it has been reported in 18 provinces and regions, excluding the northeastern provinces, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai, and Ningxia. In recent years, due to agricultural reforms, the development of the market economy, and changes in pig feed and rearing conditions, the prevalence of human and porcine teniasis in various parts of China has undergone significant changes. In many economically developed areas, infection rates have rapidly declined, while new epidemic hotspots have emerged in some regions. The prevalence of the disease depends on the presence of sources of pestilence, intermediate hosts, and vectors in endemic areas, particularly among populations with the habit of consuming raw aquatic plants.

Fasciolopsis buski

bubble_chart Pathological Changes

It can cause allergic reactions; the adsorbed mucous membrane may develop inflammation, bleeding, edema, necrosis, shedding, and even ulcers; the affected areas show infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils, with increased secretion of intestinal mucus; in cases of high worm burden, intestinal obstruction may even occur.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

Inflammation, bleeding, edema, necrosis, shedding, and even ulcers may occur; the affected area shows granulocyte infiltration, and intestinal mucus secretion increases. When the number of parasites is high, abdominal pain and diarrhea often appear, along with malnutrition, digestive dysfunction, reduced albumin levels, and various vitamin deficiencies. Alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation may also occur, and even intestinal obstruction. Severely infected children may experience emaciation, anemia, edema, ascites, cognitive decline, and developmental delays. In cases of repeated infections, a few may die from exhaustion or collapse.

bubble_chart Auxiliary Examination

Various egg concentration methods can improve the detection rate. However, diagnosing tenasis disease also requires considering the number of Chinese Taxillus Herb worms and clinical manifestations, with the former providing a rough estimate through egg counting. The eggs should be differentiated from other trematode eggs in feces, such as those of Fasciola hepatica and Echinostoma species.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

The detection of eggs is the basis for diagnosing Fasciolopsis buski infection.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

The prevention and control principles include strengthening fecal management to prevent contamination of water bodies by human and pig feces through various means; vigorously promoting health education to avoid consuming raw, unwashed, or unboiled aquatic plants such as water caltrop and wild rice stems; refraining from drinking untreated water and avoiding feeding pigs with green fodder contaminated by cysticerci; conducting comprehensive screening and treatment of teniasis in both humans and pigs in endemic areas, with praziquantel being the drug of choice; and selecting appropriate measures to eliminate planorbid snails.

After thorough treatment, the absence of clinical symptoms within 2 to 4 months and no detection of eggs in stool examinations indicate a cure.

bubble_chart Prognosis

No sequelae, but reinfection should be prevented.

bubble_chart Prevention

Strengthen fecal management to prevent human and pig feces from contaminating water bodies through various means; vigorously conduct health education, avoid consuming raw aquatic plants that have not been scrubbed or scalded with boiling water, such as water caltrop and wild rice stem. Do not drink untreated water or feed pigs with green fodder contaminated by metacercariae.

bubble_chart Complications

allergic reaction, intestinal obstruction, granulocyte infiltration