Question

During the life-cycle, Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) infects its intermediate host and primary host at which of the following larval stages?

• A. Redia and Miracidium
• B. Cercaria and Redia
• C. Metacercaria and Cercariae
• D. Miracidium and Metacercaria

Answer 1

The correct option is D Miracidium and Metacercaria

Platyhelminthes contains worms which cause parasitic and non-parasitic infection in humans and other mammals. Liver fluke is known as Fasciola hepatica. It is an endoparasite. The fluke completes its life cycle with the help of two hosts. The primary host is sheep and it secondary or intermediary host is freshwater snail. Liver fluke infects the snail at the miracidium stage and sheep at metacercaria stage.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.