Abstract
Fasciolosis is a disease that affects the liver parenchyma and bile ducts of numerous animals, including humans, which causes economic losses and threatens public health. The present work aimed at reporting the distribution and factors connected with Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle in ten municipalities in southern Espírito Santo, Brazil, between 2008 and 2009. During this period, 50 rural properties in ten cities were analyzed and fecal samples from 10% of the cattle on each farm were collected. Of the 717 samples analyzed, 154 (21.33%) presented Fasciola hepatica eggs. As for the 50 rural properties studied, 32 (64%) had animals positive for fasciolosis. Throughout the evaluation, it was observed that 42 (84%) rural properties had flooded areas, 33 (66%) were located at altitudes less than 226 meters, in 36 (72%) mollusks were found, 47 (94%) had other definitive hosts (horses, sheep, goats) and 25 (50%) had previous cases of bovine fasciolosis. The present results showed a high rate of bovine fasciolosis in the analyzed region whereas infected animals are present in all the municipalities. Based on statistical analysis, it was concluded that there was an association between the presence of flooded areas and other definitive hosts in rural properties where bovine fasciolosis was detected.
Highlights
Fasciola hepatica is one of the most important helminths that parasitize domestic and wild animals in Brazil due to high mortality and morbidity rates of affected animals
The present study is the first report of bovine fasciolosis in these municipalities in Espírito Santo
The Itabapoana River – which flows through the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro – and Itapemirim River – which runs through Minas Gerais and the south region of Espírito Santo – belong to these basins, allowing the disease to spread in Espírito Santo and in other states
Summary
Fasciola hepatica is one of the most important helminths that parasitize domestic and wild animals in Brazil due to high mortality and morbidity rates of affected animals. Fasciolosis, the disease provoked by F. hepatica, comprises a relevant zoonosis in animal production, mainly in bovines and ovines, and affects public health (1). According to Serra-Freire (3), cases of chronic disease were reported in all southern and southeastern states of Brazil except for Espírito Santo. At present, fasciolosis has become a severe economic issue for producers of the south region, to those from Espírito Santo, regarding the possible contamination of bovine, ovine, caprine and bubaline flocks, the transportation of infected animals and the presence of the intermediate host in the hydrographic basins (4). The present paper, aimed at reporting the distribution and factors related to Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle in ten municipalities in the south of Espírito Santo state between 2008 and 2009
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
