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[Clonorchis sinensis]

Embryonated eggs are discharged in the biliary ducts and in the stool .  Eggs are ingested by a suitable snail intermediate host ; there are more than 100 species of snails that can serve as intermediate hosts.  Each egg releases a miracidia , which go through several developmental stages (sporocysts , rediae , and cercariae ).  The cercariae are released from the snail and after a short period of free-swimming time in water, they come in contact and penetrate the flesh of freshwater fish, where they encyst as metacercariae .  Infection of humans occurs by ingestion of undercooked, salted, pickled, or smoked freshwater fish .  After ingestion, the metacercariae excyst in the duodenum and ascend the biliary tract through the ampulla of Vater .  Maturation takes approximately 1 month.  The adult flukes (measuring 10 to 25 mm by 3 to 5 mm) reside in small and medium sized biliary ducts.  In addition to humans, carnivorous animals can serve as reservoir hosts.