ABSTRACT
This chapter provides state-of-the-art overviews on foodborne diseases caused by Echinostoma in relation to their etiology, biology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Many species of Echinostoma genus had their life cycles described over the years: E. rodriguesi, E. liei, E. ivaniosi, E. caproni, E. bolschewense, E. trivolvis, E. friedi, E. barbosai, and E. paraensei. The trematodes of greatest public health significance are Opisthorchis, Clonorchis, Paragonimus, Fasciola, and the intestinal flukes, that include the Echinostomatidae family. Human echinostomiasis is attributed to at least 20 species belonging to nine genera of the Echinostomatidae family. Beyond microscopy and colonoscopy, Tantrawatpana et al. developed a molecular tool to detect eggs of Paragonimus heterotremus, Echinostoma malayanum, and Fasciola gigantica in stool samples. Many groups have proposed Echinostoma spp. rodent models to study anthelmintic drugs. The rodent life cycle in the laboratory is relatively simple, and this model produces rapid results.
