Distribution of bovine fasciolosis and associated factors in south Espírito Santo, Brazil: an update

Abstract

The geographical distribution and factors associated with bovine fasciolosis in the south of Espírito Santo were updated and the prevalences of this disease and of snails of the genus Lymnaea in the municipality of Jerônimo Monteiro were calculated. In the first stage, fecal samples were collected from 10% of the herds of 115 farms in 23 municipalities and interviews were conducted with owners. Generalized linear mixed models were used. In the second stage, in Jerônimo Monteiro municipality, feces and mollusks were collected from all farms registered in the milk cooperatives in the region. The mollusks were identified and examined for infection by Fasciola hepatica. Fasciolosis was diagnosed in 18 (78%) of the 23 municipalities. Of the 1157 fecal samples examined, 19.01% were positive for eggs of F. hepatica. The final model shows statistical evidence of associations between positive farms and previous cases of fasciolosis and concomitant grazing of cattle with other definitive hosts. In the evaluated farms from the studied municipality the prevalence of fasciolosis and Lymnaea was of 66.7% and 23.8%, respectively. Mollusks were found in flooded areas and the animals' drinking water troughs. The wide geographical distribution of bovine fasciolosis in the south of Espírito Santo requires control measures to prevent its expansion towards the north of this state and other places characterized as F. hepatica free-infection.Keywords: Fasciola hepatica, Lymnaea, epidemiology. ResumoRealizou-se um estudo atualizado da distribuição geográfica e dos fatores associados à fasciolose bovina, no Sul do Estado do Espírito Santo, e calculadas a prevalência de moluscos do gênero Lymnaea no município de Jerônimo Monteiro. Na primeira etapa, coletaram-se amostras fecais de 10% dos rebanhos de 115 propriedades, em 23 municípios, e realizaram-se entrevistas com os proprietários. Modelos lineares generalizados mistos foram utilizados. Na segunda etapa, em Jerônimo Monteiro, coletaram-se fezes e moluscos em todas as propriedades cadastradas nas cooperativas de leite da região. Os moluscos foram identificados e examinados quanto à infecção por Fasciola hepatica. A fasciolose foi diagnosticada em 18 (78%) dos 23 municípios. Das 1157 amostras fecais examinadas, 19,01% foram positivas para ovos de F. hepatica. O modelo final mostra, concomitantemente, evidências estatísticas de associação entre propriedades positivas e casos anteriores de fasciolose e de pastoreio de bovinos com outros hospedeiros definitivos. Em Jerônimo Monteiro, a prevalência de fasciolose foi 66,7% e de Lymnaea 23,8%. Moluscos foram encontrados em áreas alagadas e em bebedouros dos animais. A ampla distribuição geográfica da fasciolose bovina, no Sul do Espírito Santo, requer medidas de controle que evitem sua expansão em direção ao Norte do Estado.Palavras-chave: Fasciola hepática, Lymnaea, epidemiologia.

Validity of a commercial kit for detection of antibodies in bovine serum in an endemic area for fasciolosis

“…Prevalences of 15.4% through the coproparasitological test and 51.7% through the ELISA test were observed. In a previous study, Martins et al (2014) found prevalence of fasciolosis of 66.7% in the municipality of Jerônimo Monteiro through the fecal sedimentation test. This difference in prevalence can be explained through a real reduction in the prevalence of fasciolosis in this area due to raised awareness among producers.…”

Impact of Human Activities on Fasciolosis Transmission

“…For instance, in Tanzania, infection rates of F. gigantica and paramphistomes were higher in villages where herds grazed freely in irrigated crops [14]. All of these factors play a role in the small scale of one farm, but the trade of animals between farms may also contribute to spreading fasciolosis [66,67]. Moreover, the expansion of fasciolosis around the world has been shaped by the continuous export of livestock [30].…”

Developing a climate-based risk map of fascioliasis outbreaks in Iran

“…ET 0 is the reference evapotranspiration (mm/day), R n is the net radiation at the crop surface 1 The reference surface is a theoretical grass reference crop with a height of 0.12 m, an albedo of 0.23, and a constant surface resistance of 70 s/m.…”

“…It is a major disease in cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo and other ruminants, such as horses and rabbits. The disease has resulted in considerable economic loss due to mortality, liver condemnation, weight loss, anemia, lethargy and reduced quality and quantity of milk production [1]. In contrast, human fascioliasis has always been viewed as a secondary disease [2,3].…”