Helminthic Diseases: Foodborne Trematode Infections

This article emphasizes the most common foodborne trematodiasis (FBT) in humans associated with liver flukes in the genera Clonorchis , Opisthorchis , and Fasciola , lung flukes in the genus Paragonimus , and intestinal flukes in the genera Heterophyes , Metagonimus, and Echinostoma . Emphasis is also placed on the most important animal and plant second intermediate hosts that are contaminated with encysted metacercariae (cysts) transmitted to humans by the ingestion of raw or improperly cooked food. The use of praziquantel and triclabendazole as anthelmintics to treat FBT is discussed.