cat liver fluke

The cat liver fluke, Opisthorchis felineus, is a type of parasitic flatworm belonging to the class Trematoda. These flatworms, also known as flukes, are invertebrates that likely evolved from free-living organisms millions of years ago.1

Flukes can parasitize a wide range of animals, including vertebrates like fish, frogs, turtles, and humans, as well as invertebrates such as mollusks and crustaceans. They can be external parasites or internal parasites, attaching to organs or living within them.1

The cat liver fluke specifically requires two intermediate hosts before reaching its final host, which can be a cat or a human. The first intermediate host is a freshwater snail, and the second is a carp. This parasitic life cycle highlights the complex relationships within ecosystems and the potential for disease transmission.12