The parasite that infects the liver of its host is which species?

The parasite that infects the liver of its host is which species?

• A. Fasciola species
• B. Diphyllobothrium species
• C. Hymenolepis species
• D. Paragonimus species

Answer: (A)

Liver infection by a parasite is characteristic of liver flukes, a group of trematodes whose adults live in the biliary ducts after migrating through the liver tissue. Fasciola hepatica is the classic example of this pattern; it is ingested as metacercariae on aquatic vegetation, juveniles migrate through the liver parenchyma, and the adults reside in the bile ducts, causing fascioliasis. In contrast, Diphyllobothrium species inhabit the small intestine, Hymenolepis species also reside in the intestinal tract, and Paragonimus species become established in the lungs. So the parasite that infects the liver of its host is Fasciola species.

Liver infection by a parasite is characteristic of liver flukes, a group of trematodes whose adults live in the biliary ducts after migrating through the liver tissue. Fasciola hepatica is the classic example of this pattern; it is ingested as metacercariae on aquatic vegetation, juveniles migrate through the liver parenchyma, and the adults reside in the bile ducts, causing fascioliasis. In contrast, Diphyllobothrium species inhabit the small intestine, Hymenolepis species also reside in the intestinal tract, and Paragonimus species become established in the lungs. So the parasite that infects the liver of its host is Fasciola species.