[1] These diseases can cause a range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening conditions, with them being prevalent in many parts of the world, particularly in developing regions.

[3] They are a significant public health concern in developing countries and are caused by various nematode and trematode species that use gastropods as their intermediate hosts.

[6] The most well-known and predominate gastropod-borne parasitic disease is schistosomiasis, while other less known GPDs include Amphistomiasis, Brachylaimiasis, Clinostomiasis, Clonorchiasis, Dicrocoeliasis, Echinostomiasis, Eurytrematosis, Fasciolopsiasis, Fascioliasis, Haplorchiasis, Heterophyiasis, Metagonimiasis, Metorchiasis, Nanophyetiasis, Neodiplostomiasis, Opisthorchiasis, Paragonimiasis and Philophthalmiasis (commonly grouped as foodborne trematodiasis).

[3] Amphistomiasis (also known as paramphistomiasis) is a parasitic infection caused by several genera of intestinal flukes that belong to the superfamily Paramphistomoidea (Calicophoron, Carmyerius, Cotylophoron, Explanatum, Gastrodiscoides, Gigantocotyle, Paramphistomum and Watsonius).

[8] These parasites commonly infect the digestive tract of ruminants (such as cattle, sheep, and goats), with species like Gastrodiscoides hominis and.

Amphistomiasis is primarily found in Asia, Guyana, Zambia, Nigeria and Russia in areas where people have close contact with infected livestock.

Amphistomiasis is typically diagnosed through the identification of eggs or adult trematodes in fecal samples or through endoscopic examination of the intestines.

Treatment usually involves anthelmintic medications such as praziquantel, to kill the adult worms and prevent further damage to the intestinal wall.

After ingestion, it takes one to three months for an asexual sporocyst to be created and start to produce cercariae within the first intermediate gastropod host.

The prevention of brachylaimiasis involves avoiding the consumption of undercooked (or raw) snails and slugs or unwashed vegetables (such as lettuce or spinach) contaminated with the slime/faeces/corpses of a second intermediate gastropod host.

After ingestion, the eggs hatch and after several months, asexual sporocyst are created and start to produce cercariae, that are expelled into the environment by the first intermediate gastropod host.

The prevention of Eurytrematosis involves proper hygiene and sanitation measures, as well as the control of snail and ant populations in areas where ruminants graze.

While Eurytrematosis is not a major public health concern in humans, it can have significant economic impacts on the livestock industry due to reduced productivity and increased mortality in infected animals.

The diagnosis of fascioliasis is made through a combination of medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests such as ultrasound can detect the presence of the adult flukes in the liver.

The transmission of fasciolopsiasis occurs through the ingestion of freshwater plants contaminated with metacercariae, the infective form of Fasciolopsis buski.

Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bloating and weight loss.

Diagnosis of fasciolopsiasis is made through a combination of medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests such as ultrasound can be used to detect the presence of the adult flukes in the intestines.

[20] The disease affects both humans (and animals) and is primarily found in regions where people consume raw or undercooked freshwater fish such as in East Asia, Siberia, Manchuria, the Balkan states, Israel and Spain.

Metagonimiasis is typically diagnosed through the identification of eggs or adult trematodes in fecal samples or through endoscopic examination of the intestines.

Treatment usually involves anthelmintic medications such as praziquantel, to kill the adult worms and prevent further damage to the intestinal wall.

The transmission of opisthorchiasis occurs through the ingestion of metacercariae, the infective form of the parasite, which are present in freshwater fish, such as cyprinids and catfish.

It primarily affects humans (and other mammals) that consume raw or undercooked freshwater crabs, crayfish or snails infected with the parasite.

The prevention of paragonimiasis involves avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater crustaceans or snails, especially in endemic areas.

Once inside the human body, the cercariae migrate to the blood vessels and develop into adult worms, which live in the veins surrounding the bladder and intestines.

The chronic phase of the disease may lead to organ damage, such as liver fibrosis, bladder wall thickening and impaired cognitive function.

The prevention of schistosomiasis involves avoiding contact with contaminated freshwater sources, such as swimming, wading, or bathing in stagnant water, especially in endemic areas.

Human angiostrongyliasis is transmitted to people who consume raw or undercooked freshwater snails (or slugs), crustacea, amphibians, planarians, reptiles or unwashed vegetables (such as lettuce or spinach) contaminated with the slime/faeces/corpses of infected invertebrates.

Once inside the human body, the third stage larvae migrates to the central nervous system, where they can cause inflammation, damage to the brain tissue and various neurological symptoms.

The treatment of angiostrongyliasis involves the use of supportive care and anthelmintic medications, such as albendazole or mebendazole, to kill the adult worms.

Angiostrongyliasis is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease that is endemic in many countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean.