Epidemiological and clinical-pathological aspects of fasciolosis in livers of cattle slaughtered in southern Brazil

Abstract

Infection by Fasciola hepatica is an important cause of economic loss in cattle raised in Brazil and others countries. In slaughterhouses, the losses are mainly associated with condemnation of livers; however, it is believed that these losses can extend to diminished carcass yield and productivity throughout the life of the animals. Three slaughterhouses with a daily routine of approximately 15-20 cattle slaughters were monitored from July 2016 to November 2017. After sample collection, weighing, and liver assessment, statistical studies were conducted to determine disease prevalence and measurement of economic losses caused by fasciolosis through condemnation of the organ of choice of the parasite. Of the 210 livers assessed, 79 (37.6%) were condemned because of presence of F. hepatica, 87 (41.4%) were considered appropriate for human consumption, and 44 (20.9%) were considered inappropriate because of some other macroscopic lesions. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of fasciolosis, correlate epidemiological and clinical-pathological aspects, and estimate the economic losses caused by the disease. It is estimated that the losses in southwestern Rio Grande do Sul state could reach R$ 36,943,532.60 (37.6%; 95% CI = 30,753,525.80 - 43,526,55.65) or US$ 11,437,626.20 (37.6%; 95% CI = 9,521,215.40 - 13,475,713.80) only because of condemnation of livers.

Prevalence and seasonal variation of Fasciola hepatica in slaughtered cattle: the role of climate and environmental factors in Mexico

“…The present study is the first to determine the seasonal prevalence of bovine fasciolosis with different climate regions, elevations and risk factors in Mexico through the inspection of livers, as well as the first study to link the presence of this disease to climate and environmental factors. The percentages of prevalence of condemned livers in Zacatlán and Teziutlán districts with temperate climate ranged from 13.2% to 17.5%, similar to the range in prevalence reported in Brazil (10.14–18.66%) (Dutra et al ., 2010) but higher than those observed in Portugal (2.2%) (Barbosa et al ., 2019) and lower than those reported in Brazil (37.6%), Algeria (26.7%), Portugal and Spain (28%), Uruguay (33.9%) and Peru (55.72%) (Arias et al ., 2011; Ouchene-Khelifi et al ., 2018; Quevedo et al ., 2018; da Costa et al ., 2019; Arias-Pacheco et al ., 2020). This study shows that the prevalence of F .…”