Insights into Fasciola hepatica Juveniles: Crossing the Fasciolosis Rubicon.

13 páginas, 1 tabla, 2 cajas, 2 figurasUnraveling the molecular interactions governing the first contact between parasite and host tissues is of paramount importance to the development of effective control strategies against parasites. In fasciolosis, a foodborne trematodiasis caused mainly by Fasciola hepatica, these early interactions occur between the juvenile worm and the host intestinal wall a few hours after ingestion of metacercariae, the infectious stage of the parasite. However, research on these early events is still scarce and the majority of studies have focused on the adult worm. Here, we review current knowledge on the biology and biochemistry of F. hepatica juveniles and their molecular relationships with the host tissues and identify the research needs and gaps to be covered in the future.J.G.M. is supported by the 'Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación' program (IJC2018-036660-I) of the Ministerio de Ciencia,Innovación y Universidades (MCIU) and by the JIN project 'ULYSSES' (RTI2018-093463-J-100) funded by MCIU, AgenciaEstatal de Investigación (AEI) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER, UE). D.B.R. is supported by a predoctoralfellowship from Junta de Castilla y León and the European Social Fund. Authors acknowledgefinancial support from MCIU(Projects AGL2015-67023-C2-2-R and PID2019-108782RB-C22),Peer reviewe