n. a genus of *flukes. F. hepatica, the liver fluke, normally lives as a parasite of sheep and other herbivorous animals but sometimes infects humans (see fascioliasis).
The common liver fluke. In tropical regions this species is replaced by F. gigantica. Like all trematodes, their intermediate hosts are aquatic snails. Infection occurs when the infective metacercariae are ingested on vegetation in swampy areas. Normal final (definitive) hosts are sheep, cattle and various wild animal species. Humans can acquire fascioliasis if they eat contamiated water cress etc.... fasciola hepatica
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