The global burden of fasciolosis in domestic animals with an outlook on the contribution of new approaches for diagnosis and control

Abstract

Fasciolosis is an economically important disease for livestock, as well as being zoonotic. Recent figures on the prevalence of this disease have caused alarm concerning its potential for an increased prevalence in the future. The prevalence of fascioliosis has been documented from different regions of the world, helping us identify areas where future research needs to be focused. This manuscript is a review of the current status of the disease, the pathogenic species involved, diagnostic techniques (with new modifications and comparative specificity, sensitivity, and rapidity of these tests), chemotherapy, and vaccination. This also encompasses inaccurate reports on vaccination and drug development as well as the latest technologies to find promising candidates for drugs and vaccines. Drugs with lower efficacy have been used on some farms which lead to exacerbation of the clinical disease, presumably due to the development of drug resistance. Future studies should be focused on (1) the use of the most reliable diagnostic tests for periodic monitoring of the disease, (2) insights of the ecobiology and transmission dynamics of the snail intermediate host and the best possible methods of their control, (3) in vitro and in vivo testing of chemotherapeutic compounds using sensitive methods, and (4) the identification of novel drug and vaccine candidates using modern molecular markers. This approach may help increase the reliability of chemotherapeutic agents and control nuisance, ultimately reducing the economic losses attributable to the livestock industry around the world.

Fascioliasis risk factors and space-time clusters in domestic ruminants in Bangladesh

“…Farmers, especially in high-risk areas, should be regularly educated by divisional or district veterinary offices about the transmission dynamics of fascioliasis. Educating farmers will build awareness about the impact of the disease and motivate them to apply control measures in a sustainable manner [59]. …”

“…Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chittagong districts have the largest areas of artificial surfaces, where a lot of large dairy farms are also situated [60]. Large dairy farms contain more crossbred animals which are more prone to fascioliasis than indigenous animals [59]. Thus, areas surrounding concentrated human populations should also be targeted in fascioliasis control programs.…”

Anthelmintic Activity of Curcuma Aeruginosa Roxb Extract on Fasciola gigantica in Vitro

“…Furthermore, chemical drugs may be toxic to animals, and there is also a chemical residue problem that needs to be resolved [1]. The search for safe, effective, and affordable anthelmintic is compulsory, and plant-based anthelmintic is a preference to cope with these problems [2].…”

Reviewing Fasciola hepatica transmission in the West Indies and novel perceptions from experimental infections of sympatric vs. allopatric snail/fluke combinations

“…Fasciolosis affects nearly 17 million people worldwide, with up to 180 million at risk of infection (Mas-Coma et al, 2018). The public health risk keeps increasing, linked to the growing problem of fasciolosis in livestock farming and an increase in the frequency of infected animals that are mainly used for meat and milk production (Khan et al, 2013). Worldwide, estimated economic losses of animal fasciolosis reach nearly US $3 billion annually with over 600 million animals infected (Toet et al 2014).…”