Cat fluke is a fairly common parasite, which is the causative agent of opisthorchiasis. This disease is characterized by damage to the gallbladder, its ducts and pancreas.
Cat fluke: methods of infection and life cycle
This parasite has a rather complex development cycle. The main source is a sick animal or person. Hepatica eggs are excreted along with feces and enter the water. Here they are swallowed by snails, which are the first intermediate hosts. Here, their reproduction goes up to the development of ceracaria, which leave the digestive system of the cochlea and then enter the body of cyprinids - crucian carp, roach, tench, carp, etc.
Larvae can penetrate into a healthy body along with improperly prepared fish meat. Cat fluke affects not only humans, but also dogs, cats, and other animals. Larvae enter the digestive system of the final host. In the duodenum, their membrane dissolves, after which it migrates to the gallbladder and pancreatic ducts. After a month, the body reaches puberty, after which the laying and hatching of eggs begins. Cat fluke can live in the body for up to 25 years. Symptoms increase dramatically with repeated invasions.
Feline fluke: symptoms and course of the disease
The signs of the disease can be different - it all depends on the duration of the infection, the number of repeated infestations, and the characteristics of the host organism. It is customary to distinguish between two forms - acute and chronic.
Acute opisthorchiasis is a rather serious disease, the first signs of which can appear only a few weeks after the penetration of the parasite. A person has an increase in temperature, aches and pain in the joints, weakness and dizziness. Next, pain begins in the right hypochondrium and stomach. Since the digestive system is affected , the symptoms are appropriate - loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive gas formation. Subsequently, small ulcers appear on the inner walls of the stomach and intestines. With a strong immune reaction to the parasite, allergic manifestations also develop - rash, urticaria and asthmatic bronchitis.
Chronic damage to the body can last for years, and in some cases throughout life. It is manifested by regular attacks of pain on the right side, slow pathological disorders in the digestive system - chronic hepatitis, cholecystitis and pancreatitis.
Cat fluke: treatment and diagnosis
The final diagnosis can be made based on the results of feces and blood tests. The most accurate method is a laboratory blood test for the presence of specific antibodies to parasite metabolism products.
Treatment of opisthorchiasis should be comprehensive. First you need to eliminate all the symptoms, alleviate the human condition and normalize the body. For this purpose apply:
- antihistamines - for stopping allergic reactions;
- painkillers;
- choleretic drugs to facilitate the passage of bile and eliminate its stagnation;
- digestive enzymes;
- probiotics;
- antibiotics in the presence of concomitant infectious diseases (short course - only 5 days);
- a special diet with a limited amount of fat is also required;
Next, the doctor prescribes a special anthelmintic drug, which affects the permeability of membranes for calcium. This leads to muscle spasm, as a result of which the parasites detach from the walls and are eliminated from the body. Unfortunately, such drugs can cause a number of rather dangerous side effects, so they should be taken only in stationary conditions.
The final stage of therapy is a complete restoration of body functions, including the normal functioning of the liver and pancreas.