How is the diagnosis of flukes made?

The diagnosis of flukes, which are flatworms belonging to the class Trematoda, is primarily made through the examination of their eggs either in feces or during necropsy. Flukes produce eggs that are typically excreted in the stools of infected animals. When a fecal sample is analyzed under a microscope, the presence of fluke eggs can be detected, confirming an infection.

In cases where fecal examination is not possible or if further confirmation is needed, necropsy allows for direct observation of the flukes' presence in the organs, particularly in tissues such as the liver or lungs, where some species tend to reside. The specificity of identifying these eggs or the adult flukes during necropsy is crucial for an accurate diagnosis, making this method the most reliable approach for confirming fluke infections.

Other methods, like blood tests, skin scraping, and imaging studies are less effective for diagnosing fluke infections. Blood tests may provide information on systemic health or indicate a parasitic infection in general, but they do not directly identify fluke species. Skin scraping is typically used for diagnosing ectoparasites (like mites and ticks) rather than internal parasites such as flukes. Lastly, imaging studies may