ABSTRACT
Echinostomatidiasis is caused by a number of fluke species, belonging to the family Echinostomatidae Looss, 1902, which share certain morphological features, among which are the presence of a head collar surrounding the oral sucker, provided with a single or double crown of large spines which are larger than those covering the body surface. Several birds, during their migration, carry the infection with several echinostome species along their migratory routes. Certain echinostome species have been reported from humans. The numerous, large, and unembryonated echinostome eggs are discharged from the worms into the intestinal lumen and then excreted with the feces. The large echinostome egg has a thin shell and is ovoid and operculate; it is immature when passed in the feces and so requires a developmental period outside the host in the water. Among the first drugs used against echinostomatidiasis in ducks, geese, partridges, and other fowl were carbon tetrachloride and tetrachloroethylene.
