Which organ is primarily affected by infection with Fasciola hepatica?

Fasciola hepatica, commonly known as the liver fluke, primarily affects the liver because it is a parasitic flatworm that resides in the bile ducts of the liver. When humans or other animals ingest the metacercariae from contaminated water or food sources, the parasite migrates through the intestinal wall and then into the liver, where it establishes itself and causes various symptoms associated with liver disease.

Infection can lead to conditions such as fascioliasis, leading to inflammation, bile duct obstruction, and hepatomegaly. The liver is essential for processing nutrients and detoxifying harmful substances, and when it is compromised by the presence of these parasites, significant health issues can arise. This is why the liver is the primary organ affected by Fasciola hepatica infection, distinguishing it from other organs that are not directly implicated in this particular parasitic infection.