Abstract
Sixty-two fecal samples of capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) living in eight conservation units (CUs) across the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, were assessed for the presence of eggs of liver flukes via sedimentation. Fasciola hepatica eggs were found in 37.1% (23/62) of the samples. Positive samples were found in six CUs (75%), three CUs located in the southern region of the state and three others in the metropolitan region of the capital city of Vitória. Identification of Fasciola hepatica eggs collected from capybara fecal samples were based on morphology, and confirmed using molecular methods. Our results suggest that capybaras may serve as a wild reservoir host for F. hepatica, possibly contributing to the epidemiology and geographic range expansion of this zoonotic parasite across its vast range of distribution in South America.
Highlights
Sessenta e duas amostras fecais de capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), coletadas em oito unidades de conservação (UCs) no estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil, foram avaliadas quanto à presença de ovos de Fasciola hepatica por método de sedimentação
Reports of natural infection by F. hepatica in capybaras are common in the southern states of Brazil, where fascioliasis is endemic (El-Kouba et al, 2008; Bellato et al, 2009)
Considering the susceptibility of capybaras to this fluke, the objective of the present study was to assess the presence of F. hepatica in capybaras at conservation units located (CUs) in the State of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, by means of classical and molecular techniques
Summary
Molecular confirmation of Fasciola hepatica infection in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Confirmação molecular de infecção por Fasciola hepatica em capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) do Estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. Isabella Vilhena Freire Martins1* ; Giuliano Failla; Marcela Santos Sena Martins; Gabriel José Silva Uzai; Marcus Vinicius Gonçalves Viana; Moara Cuzzuol Gomes; Guilherme Gomes Verocai. How to cite: Martins IVF, Failla G, Martins MSS, Uzai GJS, Viana MVG, Gomes MC, et al Molecular confirmation of Fasciola hepatica infection in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Braz J Vet Parasitol 2021; 30(2): e000221.
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Schedule a callMore From: Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria
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