Fasciolosis: Causes, Challenges and Controls

This book provides an up-to-date review of fasciolosis, a disease caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, including its biology, transmission, epidemiology, host distribution, economic impact, and novel approaches for its diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

It first offers a brief overview of the history of the disease, the genetic diversity of the parasite and its distribution, and the ecology of the vector snail, which belongs to the Lymnaeidae/Planorbidae family. It also examines the current strategies and novel approaches for controlling the parasite, diagnosing infections and vaccine development.

Importantly, it highlights issues relating to the control of fasciolosis, including drug resistance, lack of effective diagnostics, and the parasite’s long-term survival strategies based on regulation and modulation of the host immune system. 

Lastly, it discusses the novel control snail vectors using bait formulations, and synergeticand phototherapy treatment with chlorophyllin, which does not kill the vector.

Prof. Dinesh Kumar Singh, is the former Head of the Department of Zoology at DDU Gorakhpur University, India, and has been actively engaged in the study of molluscan physiology, biochemistry and snail control for four decades. He has successfully isolated and identified pure molluscicidal compounds from more than three dozen medicinal plants and observed their mode of action on snails at the cellular level. He is an internationally recognized expert on the formulation and use of synthetic and bio-pesticides for integrated vector management. Prof. D. K. Singh serves as a referee for the Third World Academy Award sponsored by TWA, Italy. His expertise in snail control has been sought by scientific bodies in the Philippines and Africa. He has published 209 research papers (17 review articles) in over 105 reputed international journals as well as two reference books and three book chapters. He is a fellow of the Zoological Society of India and Academy of Environmental Biology, a life member of various national & international academic societies and an editor and reviewer of various international journals.

Prof. Vinay Kumar Singh, Department of Zoology, DDU Gorakhpur University, India, has 27 years of research experience. With extensive expertise in toxicology, pharmacology and snail control, he has published over 100 research papers, 16 review articles in international journals, six books and six book chapters. He also serves as an editor or reviewer for various international journals.

Dr. Raghubir Narayan Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, MPPG College, Jangal Dhusan, India, has specialized in toxicology and biochemistry. He has published five research papers, eight review articles and one book.

Dr. Pradeep Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, S.G.N. Govt. P.G. College, Gohna, India, is chiefly active in the fields of toxicology and parasitology. He has 10 years of research experience and has published 65 research papers, six review articles and five books.