Fasciolopsis buski (named for Dr Busk) is the giant intestinal fluke. It attaches to the proximal small intestine where it causes an infection that may range from asymptomatic to fatal.
Usual clinical findings:
(1) diarrhea
(2) flatulence
(3) anorexia
(4) abdominal colic or pain
(5) vomiting
(6) fever
(7) blood in stool (occult or gross)
Severe infections may show:
(1) ascites
(2) generalized edema
(3) anemia
(4) malabsorption and/or protein losing enteropathy
(5) severe malnutrition and emaciation
(6) intestinal obstruction
(7) sepsis
Laboratory findings:
(1) eosinophilia
(2) anemia
(3) leukocytosis
(4) low serum vitamin B12
(5) hypoalbuminemia in severe cases
(6) eggs in the stool
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