Fasciola spp. extracellular vesicles: an ace up liver flukes' sleeve to win the game against their host's molecular defense

Fasciola hepatica ( F. hepatica ) and Fasciola gigantica ( F. gigantica ) are trematodes that cause fasciolosis, a zoonosis included in the neglected tropical diseases with great impact on economic losses in the production of meat and milk derived from sheep, goats and cattle. The increasing global prevalence of anthelmintic resistance poses a major challenge in the control of this disease and there is growing interest in the development of vaccines that can offer long-term protection. Therefore, analysis and understanding of communication with their hosts at the molecular interface using omics technologies can shed light on the use of pharmacological active ingredients. Extracellular vesicles are part of the excretory/secretory liver fluke products with crucial involvement in the development, migration and establishment of infection, functioning as messenger capsules that strategically intercept with host cells during molecular interaction to manipulate the immune response and benefit their survival. This comprehensive review brings together pivotal research on extracellular vesicles in Fasciola species, from their initial discovery to the present day. By focusing on the specific aims of each study, this work provides an integrated synthesis intended to inform ad guide in the advancement of future research initiatives for effective fasciolosis control.