fasciolopsiasis /fas′ē·ōlopsī″əsis/ [L, fasciola, little band; Gk, opsis, appearance, osis, condition] , an intestinal infection of humans and pigs, prevalent in Asia. It is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, eosinophilia, ascites, and sometimes edema. It is caused by the fluke Fasciolopsis buski, the largest intestinal fluke affecting humans. The disease is usually acquired by eating contaminated water plants such as raw water chestnuts but is also possibly acquired by drinking untreated water. Most infections are light and asymptomatic. Symptomatic infection is easily treated with anthelmintics, such as praziquantel.
