Fasciola hepatica: epidemiology, perspectives in the diagnostic and the use of geoprocessing systems for prevalence studies

Abstract

Fasciola hepatica is a parasite that is located in the liver of ruminants with the possibility to infect horses, pigs and humans. The parasite belongs to the Trematoda class, and it is the agent causing the disease called fasciolosis. This disease occurs mainly in temperate regions where climate favors the development of the organism. These conditions must facilitate the development of the intermediate host, the snail of the genus Lymnaea. The infection in domestic animals can lead to decrease in production and control is made by using triclabendazole. Triclabendazole resistance in F. hepatica has been reported worldwide including in Brazil. Another concern is the increase number of human cases with the consumption of contaminated vegetables in regions where sanitation is inadequate together with the presence of infected animals and the absence of efficient control methods. The knowledge of the epidemiology of animal fasciolosis, including their occurrence, distribution and monitoring with techniques such as PCR and ELISA is reaching a new level with the usage of the Geographic Information System. The objective is to use new technologies for early fasciolosis diagnostic, as well as, to develop geoprocessing technics that could allow the determination of its prevalence and the evolution of clinical cases in animals before hand. This review paper provides an overview of F. hepatica, covering the aspects listed above, including original data. Key words: Fasciola hepatica, epidemiology, geographic information system, zoonosis ResumoFasciola hepatica é um parasita que se localiza no fígado de ruminantes, podendo infectar equinos, suínos e humanos. O parasito pertence à classe Trematoda, sendo o agente responsável pela doença denominada fasciolose, que ocorre principalmente em regiões temperadas, com clima favorável para o desenvolvimento do organismo. Tais condições devem auxiliar no desenvolvimento do hospedeiro intermediário, o molusco do gênero Lymnaea. Existe uma crescente preocupação quanto ao número de casos humanos diagnosticados em certas regiões cujo saneamento básico é inadequado, há presença de animais infectados e cultura em consumir hortaliças de áreas contaminadas cruas ou pouco cozidas. O parasitismo em animais domésticos pode levar a uma queda no desempenho animal e seu controle é realizado, principalmente, com o uso do triclabendazole. Entretanto, relatos quanto à resistência do patógeno à este produto vêm sendo descritos, inclusive no Brasil. O conhecimento da epidemiologia da fasciolose animal, incluindo sua ocorrência, distribuição e monitoramento com técnicas laboratoriais como o ELISA e a PCR, estão tendo um novo progresso com a utilização do Sistema de Informação Geográfica. O objetivo de utilizar essas novas tecnologias é diagnosticar a fasciolose mais precocemente, assim como, desenvolver técnicas de geoprocessamento que possam determinar a prevalência e a evolução dos casos em animais. Este artigo aborda recentes avanços no monitoramento da F. hepatica, cobrindo alguns aspectos lista...

Fascioliasis in buffaloes: A 5-year forecast analysis of the disease based on a 15-year survey in Brazil

“…Kernel density estimation (6-km scale) (ALEIXO et al, 2015) and point cluster analyses were used to calculate the density and space distribution of infected livers, respectively, using QGIS 3.2.2 software. Linear regression models, using Software R 3.5.1, were used to determine the possible influence of the mean values of abiotic factors (temperature and accumulated precipitation) for each of the four calendar seasons on the number of liver condemnations due to fascioliasis in each respective period.…”

“…While epidemiological studies in livestock and humans have been overlooked in many countries, the present work seeks to raise awareness of this important disease, particularly to the large population of buffaloes in Brazil. In cattle, previous studies have also shown that the prevalence of fascioliasis was mainly in the southern states (ALEIXO et al, 2015;DUTRA et al, 2010;SILVA et al, 2016), with an economic loss of approximately US$ 210 million/year (MOLENTO et al, 2018). Bennema et al (2017) have also determined that the best suitability area for F. hepatica development, based on a range of isothermality data was the south region of the country.…”

“…Based on these tools, Bennema et al (2017), using a range of isothermality, showed that a large part of Brazil is suitable for F. hepatica. Aleixo et al (2015), using a kernel analysis, determined the density of livers infected with F. hepatica in Brazil from 2003 to 2008, identifying the localities with higher prevalence of fascioliasis in cattle. Geo-environmental analysis system, considering precipitation, temperature, elevation, slope, soil type and land use was used in Espírito Santo, Brazil for mapping the risk of fascioliasis indicating that over 50% of the southern of the state is either at high or very high risk for fascioliasis (MARTINS et al, 2012).…”

First reported case of clinical fascioliasis in Santa Catarina, Brazil

“…Thus, the availability of case reports is of importance for local healthcare providers, particularly when it comes to such a neglected disease. This work is the first human fascioliasis case to be reported in the state of Santa Catarina in the South of Brazil, an area where the occurrence of bovine fascioliasis is well established 7 .…”

Fasciola hepatica: ecologia e trajetória histórico-geográfica pelo Brasil.

“…Embora este Estado não seja uma área endêmica para a doença, nos últimos anos com disseminação do hospedeiro intermediário e por consequência de seu parasita, com registro de Lymnaea em Belém (MEDEIROS, 2014). Bennema et al (2014) Fonte: Aleixo et al (2015) De acordo com a figura anterior, para a época descrita, os casos de fasciolose bovina já estão presentes em todas as regiões do Brasil, exceto o Nordeste, com maior incidência para as regiões Sul e Sudeste, onde as condições climáticas são mais favoráveis para o ciclo de vida do parasita.…”