Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the frequency of fasciolosis in cows in southern Espírito Santo, Brazil and its association with risk factors, mastitis and liver enzymes. Samples of faeces and blood of 928 dairy cattle from 72 properties of the municipalities of Caparaó region were collected. A questionnaire on risk factors was applied to property managers. Samples were processed by fecal technique of spontaneous fecal sedimentation for Fasciola hepatica eggs and biochemical analyzes for the detection of liver enzymes. Mastitis tests and clinical evaluations were performed to verify the presence of mastitis. Data were stored in spreadsheets and analyzed by descriptive statistics and chi-square test, with a significance level of 5%. From the total of 928 samples collected, 51 presented positive for eggs of F. hepatica, resulting in a frequency of 5.49%. The only variable related to the questionnaire to present a significant association (p = 0.00104) was the permanence of the animals with flooded areas. Regarding the association with other diseases, no relation (p = 0.1667) was found between the presence of F. hepatica and positive animals for mastitis. When hepatic enzyme alterations were studied, a significant association (p = 0.0125) was observed between animals infected with F. hepatica and animals with increased concentration of GGT hepatic enzyme in the serum. It was concluded that the fasciolosis is present in the studied region, and that the contact of the animals with flooded areas was the most relevant variable as a factor associated with fasciolosis. In addition, it was also possible to verify hepatic enzyme alterations in the animals infected with F. hepatica.

Keywords: Cattle; Fasciola hepatica; Frequency

References

1. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Censo Agropecuário (2018).
2. Dutra LH., et al. “Mapping risk of bovine fasciolosis in the south of Brazil using Geographic Information Systems”. Veterinary Parasitology1-2 (2010): 76-81.
3. Hodzic A., et al. “Influence of Fasciola hepatica on Serum Biochemical Parameters and Vascular and Biliary System of Sheep Liver”. Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1 (2013): 92 98.
4. Mehmood K., et al. “A review on epidemiology, global prevalence and economical losses of fasciolosis in ruminants”. Microbial Pathogenesis 109 (2017): 253-262.
5. Lima W Dos S., et al. “Occurrence of Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) infection in Brazilian cattle of Minas Gerais, Brazil”. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária2 (2009): 27-30.
6. Bennema SC., et al. “Fasciola hepatica in Bovines in Brazil: Data Availability and Spatial Distribution”. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo1 (2014): 35-41.
7. Bernardo CC., et al. “Prevalence of liver condemnation due to bovine fasciolosis in Southern Espírito Santo: temporal distribution and economic losses”. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária1 (2011): 49-53.
8. Martins IV., et al. “Application of a geographical information system approach for risk analysis of fascioliasis in southern Espírito Santo state, Brazil”. Geospatial Health3 (2012): 87-93.
9. Martins Ivf., et al. “Distribution of bovine fasciolosis and associated factors in south Espírito Santo, Brazil: an update”. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária1 (2014): 23-29.
10. Martins IVF., et al. “Sensibilidade e reprodutibilidade da técnica de sedimentação (FOREYT, 2005) para o diagnóstico de Fasciola hepatica”. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária1 (2008): 110-112.
11. Alves DP., et al. “Distribution and factors associated with Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle in the south of Espírito Santo State, Brazil”. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases3 (2011): 271-276.
12. Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa, Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural (INCAPER). Precipitação acumulada do ano (2016).
13. Takeuchi-Storm., et al. “Farm-level risk factors for Fasciola hepatica infection in Danish dairy cattle as evaluated by two diagnostic methods”. Parasite and Vectors1 (2017): 555.
14. Mavrogianni S., et al. “Trematode infections in pregnant ewes can predispose to mastitis during the subsequent lactation period”. Research in Veterinary Science 96 (2014): 171-179.
15. Lotfollahzadeh S., et al. “The relationship between normocytic, hypochromic anaemia and iron concentration together with hepatic enzyme activities in cattle infected with Fasciola hepatica”. Journal of Helminthology 82 (2008): 85-88.
16. Denizhan SKV. “Glucose, Lipid, and Lipoprotein Levels in Sheep Naturally Infected with Fasciola hepatica”. Journal of Parasitology3 (2010): 657-659.
17. Dorchies PH. “Comparison of methods for the veterinary diagnosis of liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica) in cattle”. Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicin Cluj-Napoca1-2 (2007): 14-19.
18. Freitas D., et al. “Bioclimatic distribution and prevalence maps for Fasciola hepatica in Espírito Santo State, Brazil”. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases (2014)
19. Howell A., et al. “Epidemiology and impact of Fasciola hepatica exposure in high yielding dairy herds”. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 121 (2015): 41-48.