distomatosis

Trematodiasis is a group of parasitic infections caused by different species of flukes, in humans mainly by digenean trematodes. Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the species, number and location of trematodes in the infected organism. Symptoms depend on the type of trematode present, and include chest and abdominal pain, high temperature, digestion issues, cough and shortness of breath, diarrhoea and change in appetite.

Trematodiases can be transmitted through food or water that contains larval forms of the parasite. Infections can be transmitted through aquatic organisms which act as a host for the maturity of the parasite. Foodborne trematodiasis is transmitted when organisms ingest contaminated undercooked food including aquatic plants and organisms. Other trematodiases caused by the blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma are transmitted by contact with water contaminated by swimming larvae of a different stage of development or infective stage than in foodborne trematodes. This article focuses on foodborne trematodiases.