Eurytrema coelomaticum infection: correlation between parasite burden and impairment of pancreatic exocrine enzyme secretion

Cesar Rodrigo De Souza Surian,Daniele Elisa Bonassi,Vanessa Peripolli,Soraya Regina Sacco Surian,Nei Fronza,Ricardo Evandro Mendes,Teane Milagres Augusto Gomes,Vitor Waldir Horn,Christofe Carneiro,Bianca Paola Santarosa,Fernanda Felicetti Perosa

doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20210041

Cesar Rodrigo De Souza Surian, Daniele Elisa Bonassi + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20210041

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Abstract

ABSTRACT: Eurytrema coelomaticum is a trematode reported in the pancreatic ducts of ruminants. It is conjectured that may cause disorders in the pancreas, as well as digestive and metabolic processes dependent on them. This study, determined if there is an impairment of exocrine pancreatic function, and correlated it with parasite burden. Pancreas, blood, and fecal samples were collected from 119 bovines at a abattoir. Stool samples were subjected to the gelatin and x-ray film digestion tests (to detect the presence of trypsin in feces). Using blood samples, the following biochemical tests were performed: amylase, lipase, glucose, fructosamine, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, and globulins. Analyses were correlated with pancreatic parasite burden. Cattle with a high parasitic load presented higher incidence of negative tests in both gelatin digestion and x-ray film digestion tests (P < 0.001) when compared to non-parasitized animals and those with a low parasitic load. Changes in those tests only occurred if the parasitemia was moderate or severe. The activity of the amylase and lipase enzymes was significantly higher in animals with low parasitemia (P < 0.05), compared to non-parasitized animals and with a high parasitic burden. In this study, in cases of high parasitemia, negative results were observed in both gelatin and x-ray film in the feces digestion tests. However, the low infection of E. coelomaticum, higher levels of serum amylase and lipase that also indicated loss of pancreatic exocrine functions were reported.

Highlights

In Brazil, bovine eurytrematosis is caused by Eurytrema coelomaticum, a trematode reported mainly in the pancreatic ducts and, occasionally, in bile ducts of ruminants and other mammals
The present study evaluated the possible correlation between biochemical profile and pancreatic functions and the parasitic burden of cattle naturally infected with Eurytrema coelomaticum
A study carried out in the centralwestern region of the state of Paraná observed a prevalence of almost 50% of the animals parasitized by E. coelomaticum, with variations between 26.9% and 72.9% in different locations (BASSANI et al, 2006)

Summary

Introduction

In Brazil, bovine eurytrematosis is caused by Eurytrema coelomaticum, a trematode reported mainly in the pancreatic ducts and, occasionally, in bile ducts of ruminants and other mammals. It is endemic in some Brazilian states, predominantly in the south of the country (Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul States) (BASSANI et al, 2007; SCHWERTZ et al, 2016). Despite some authors pointing out the disease as a cause of death (BASSANI et al, 2007; RACHID et al, 2011; QUEVEDO et al, 2013), it is almost a consensus that the disease does not produce clinical signs, but a silent disease which causes losses in milk and meat production (SILVA JÚNIOR et al., 2018; SU et al, 2018).

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