What is the estimated prepatent period for *Dicrocoelium dendriticum* until eggs appear in feces?
Answer
7 to 16 weeks
The prepatent period marks the duration from the initial infection of the definitive host until the parasite matures sufficiently to begin shedding detectable products. For *Dicrocoelium dendriticum*, the time required for the ingested metacercariae to excyst, migrate to the liver via the portal system, mature into reproductive adults within the bile ducts, and start producing eggs that are excreted in the feces is specified as ranging between 7 to 16 weeks. This timeframe is important for clinical monitoring following suspected exposure.
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