Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) (Trematoda, Digenea) en liebres europeas (Lepus europaeus, Pallas 1778) (Lagomorpha, Leporidae) en la región Cordillerana Patagónica, Chubut, Argentina

Abstract

The European hare Lepus europaeus was found naturally infected with Fasciola hepatica, but in Argentina no studies have ever been performed on this issue. In this work we evaluated the occurrence of infection in hares from the Andean Patagonian Region of Chubut Province. During 1999, 162328 hares from the northwest of the province were examined for F. hepatica juveniles and adults. In January and March 2001 faecal pellets were collected from waterbodies within a farm in northwestern Chubut province, where cattle and snail infection was already confirmed. Infection prevalence of the examined hares was 0.08% and six out of ten pellets from a temporary pond were positive for F. hepatica (epg median = 2). Despite the low prevalence of infection found, L. europaeus may play a significant role in the parasite transmission cycle, regarding that it shares the same habitats with livestock and snails, its abundance is high, and the density of eggs shed into the environment is higher than that of cattle.

Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) naturally infecting introduced European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in northern Patagonia: phenotype, prevalence and potential risk

“…Although F. hepatica infection in wild L. europaeus has been detected before in its original European range, to the best of our knowledge only one report deals with that aspect in South America (Kleinman et al 2004). Unfortunately, the information provided is only restricted to the local prevalence found.…”

Rodent-borne diseases and their risks for public health

“…In another study in France, liver fluke prevalence in nutrias varied from 8.7% in regions where no F. hepatica was reported, to 40.1% in fasciolosis areas (Ménard et al 2001). In Argentina (Kleiman et al 2004), the European hare (Lepus europaeus) demonstrates low prevalence (0.08%). Nevertheless, according to these authors, the European hare is still able to play a significant role in the parasite transmission cycle due to the high number of eggs shed into the environment, whenever it shares its habitat with livestock and snails, and if it has a high abundance.…”

The exotic mammals of Argentina

“…General impacts are mainly grassland decrease and negative impact over agriculture and regeneration of the native forest (Amaya 1978;Ramilo 2000), competition with domestic livestock, damages to fruit, seeds and forest crops, etc. Considering the high abundance, great dispersion ability and occupation of the same habitats as the middle host of Fasciola hepatica, Lepus is considered a threat to cattle in the Patagonian area (Kleiman et al 2004). Commercial hunting of European hares for meat exports is important in Argentina Approximately 6 million hares are shot in the wild annually (Jackson 1988 (Mares and Ojeda 1984).…”