A five-year study of the epidemiology of fascioliasis in the North, East and West of Scotland

Human fascioliasis infection sources, their diversity, incidence factors, analytical methods and prevention measures

Human fascioliasis infection sources are analysed for the first time in front of the new worldwide scenario of this disease. These infection sources include foods, water and combinations of both. Ingestion of freshwater wild plants is the main source, with watercress and secondarily other vegetables involved. The problem of vegetables sold in uncontrolled urban markets is discussed. Distinction between infection sources by freshwater cultivated plants, terrestrial wild plants, and terrestrial cultivated plants is made. The risks by traditional local dishes made from sylvatic plants and raw liver ingestion are considered. Drinking of contaminated water, beverages and juices, ingestion of dishes and soups and washing of vegetables, fruits, tubercles and kitchen utensils with contaminated water are increasingly involved. Three methods to assess infection sources are noted: detection of metacercariae attached to plants or floating in freshwater, anamnesis in individual patients, and questionnaire surveys in endemic areas. The infectivity of metacercariae is reviewed both under field conditions and experimentally under the effects of physicochemical agents. Individual and general preventive measures appear to be more complicated than those considered in the past. The high diversity of infection sources and their heterogeneity in different countries underlie the large epidemiological heterogeneity of human fascioliasis throughout.

Ecology of free-living metacercariae (Trematoda)

The presence of trematodes with a free-living metacercarial stage is a common feature of most habitats and includes important species such as Fasciola hepatica, Parorchis acanthus and Zygocotyle lunata. These trematodes encyst on the surface of an animal or plant that can act as a transport host, which form the diet of the target definitive host. Although these species are often considered individually, they display common characteristics in their free-living biology indicating a shared transmission strategy, yet in comparison to species with penetrative cercariae this aspect of their life cycles remains much overlooked. This review integrates the diverse data and presents a novel synthesis of free-living metacercariae using epibiosis as the basis of a new framework to describe the relationship between transport hosts and parasites. All aspects of their biology during the period that they are metabolically independent of a host are considered, from cercarial emergence to metacercarial excystment.

Transmission patterns of Fasciola hepatica to ruminants in Sweden

Transmission patterns of Fasciola hepatica were investigated on beef cattle (n=3) and sheep (n=3) farms in Sweden between 2011 and 2012. The dynamics of fluke infection, particularly estimated time of infection, were screened each grazing season by ELISA detection of antibodies in lambs (n=94) and first grazing season calves (n=61). Colostral transfer of F. hepatica antibodies from seropositive ewes was detected in sheep up to 11 weeks of age. In sheep, the estimated time of infection differed significantly between herds and years. Typical 'winter infection' was observed on two sheep farms in 2012, but the most prevalent transmission pattern was found to be 'summer infection', characterised by infection of animals in late summer by F. hepatica originating from overwintered and/or spring-excreted eggs. In contrast, beef calves were infected mainly in September-October ('summer infection'). Furthermore, lymnaeid and succineid snails were collected on the pastures used by these animals both in spring and in the autumn each year. In total, 1726, 588, 138, 130, 93 and 42 specimens of Galba truncatula, Lymnaea palustris, Lymnaea glabra, Lymnaea fuscus, Radix peregra and Succinea putris, respectively, were collected and identified. These were subsequently examined for the presence of F. hepatica DNA by species-specific PCR and the findings compared against mean monthly rainfall and temperature data for each farm. The main intermediate host of the liver fluke was G. truncatula, with a prevalence range of F. hepatica infection from 0% to 82%. Only 1 out of 42 terrestrial S. putris tested positive for F. hepatica, casting doubt on the role of this species in transmission of F. hepatica in Sweden. In conclusion, two main peak periods of infection were observed: May-June (from overwintered infected snails='winter infection') and August-September (from metacercariae developed and produced by snails during summer='summer infection'). The occurrence and frequency of 'winter infection' were dependent on local environmental factors such as snail habitat availability or grazing behaviour of animals, rather than on climatic factors.

Update on trematode infections in sheep

Trematode parasites live in the liver, fore stomachs or blood vessels of a wide range of animals and humans. Most of them have a special economic and veterinary significance. Liver fluke disease of sheep and other animal species is caused by the common liver fluke Fasciola hepatica. Hepatic fasciolosis occurs throughout the world, where climatic conditions are suitable for the survival of aquatic intermediate host snails. Also of importance for ruminants, in some parts of the world, are Fasciola gigantica and Fascioloides magna. Other trematodes infecting ruminants include Dicrocoelium dendriticum; Eurytrema pancreaticum and Eurytrema coelomaticum. Among the Paramphistomidae, some species can infect sheep and other ruminants. Finally, Schistosoma spp. are found in the blood vessels of ruminants and are of minor importance in temperate regions. The manuscript concentrates on trematode species of veterinary importance for domestic sheep.

Diagnosis and economic consequences of triclabendazole resistance in Fasciola hepatica in a sheep flock in south-east Scotland

Over the past decade, definite changes have been recorded in the regional prevalence, seasonality and severity of fasciolosis in the UK, related to increased rainfall, or localised flooding, prompting debate about the deleterious effects of climate change. As a consequence, effective management of fasciolosis has become problematic in areas where fluke traditionally exists, leading to serious loss of production in sheep and cattle. Meanwhile, in eastern districts, there have been unexpected outbreaks of disease, resulting in production losses and concerns about welfare. This case report describes the economic consequences of fasciolosis in a commercial sheep flock in south-east Scotland. The diagnosis and consequences of triclabendazole resistance are discussed, in the context of developing economically sustainable control strategies.

Effects of pastures' re-wetting on endoparasites in cattle in northern Germany

The influence of re-wetting of pastures on the occurrence of important endoparasites in cattle was monitored over the course of three years. The study was conducted on a peninsula at the German North-Sea Coast. The cattle were stabled from November to April. During summer season, they were kept on pastures included in a nature protection program differentiating between three states of re-wetting. Faecal samples from randomly selected animals were analysed with routine diagnostic methods for the occurrence of Eimeria spp., nematode and trematode eggs and lungworm larvae. Samples were taken three times per year: before turning out, in the middle of the grazing season and at the end. After a diagnostic and plausibility check, a total of 692 samples could be used for statistical analysis. The overall prevalence was 29.5% for Eimeria spp. and 42.2% for nematodes. Eggs of the liver fluke and lungworm larvae were only detected at very low levels. Statistical analyses were performed with a generalized linear model including the fixed effects wetting status, farm, year, and if it was the first summer on pasture for the animal. Significant influences on nematodes were detected for the stage of re-wetting, while Eimeria spp. were significantly affected by the grazing period. These findings indicate that the important parasites liver fluke and lungworm have not hitherto been affected at all by re-wetting measures. Furthermore, the prevalence of nematodes and Eimeria spp. did not increase. In conclusion, no clinical signs for parasitic diseases and no significantly elevated infection levels were shown after the third year of re-wetting, but even longer observations are essential to evaluate long-term consequences.

An interactive map to assess the potential spread of Lymnaea truncatula and the free-living stages of Fasciola hepatica in Switzerland

The intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica is Lymnaea truncatula in Switzerland. The snail and the free-living stages of the parasite require a moderate climate and moisture for survival, reproduction, and transmission. In Switzerland, these conditions are present in many regions, resulting in a mean prevalence of bovine fasciolosis from 8.4 to 21.4%. An interactive map was created in order to demonstrate the relative risk of transmission by modelling the environmental conditions that promote the survival and reproduction of the larval stages of the parasite and the parasite's intermediate host. The map is based on temperature and rainfall data, soil conditions including ground water and forest cover in Switzerland. Extensive information on the free-living stages of F. hepatica and the intermediate host L. truncatula and how the development of these are affected by these environmental factors was used to create the interactive risk map.

Seasonal transmission of Fasciola hepatica in cattle and Lymnaea (Fossaria) humilis snails in central Mexico

A 19-month study on the prevalence of fasciolosis in 30 naturally infected cows, the presence of infected and non-infected Lymnaea (Fossaria) humilis snails, and variation in soil temperature and humidity is reported. The prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle declined from around 50% in March to 30% in July, then, it increased from August, reaching a plateau of 100% in November-January, before gradually declining thereafter. A rise in soil humidity and temperature in June and July, respectively, which peaked between August and November was observed. In July, L. (F.) humilis snails appeared, but the infection could only be found in these in August and November. The number of infected snails did not reflect the infestation rate in cows, even though the infestation kinetics in both hosts behaved as predicted from the life cycle of the parasite.

A strategic dosing scheme for the control of fasciolosis in cattle and sheep in Ireland

This study examined the effectiveness of a strategic dosing scheme in lowering the incidence of fasciolosis on a mixed dry-stock farm and in maintaining the reduced incidence following a reduction in dosing intensity. Two neighbouring farms with a history of chronic fluke disease were selected, the strategic dosing scheme being implemented on one (the trial farm) while the other (the control farm) continued to treat according to its normal practice. The strategic dosing scheme was designed to suppress the faecal egg output of Fasciola hepatica at critical times of the year in order to limit infection of the intermediate host snail population and thus reduce the subsequent contamination of the pasture with metacercariae. On the trial farm cattle and sheep were treated three times per year for the first 2 years at approximately 8 week intervals, starting in March of each year. A fourth treatment was given when the cattle were housed and out-wintered sheep received an additional treatment in January. In Years 3 and 4 the dosing intensity was reduced. By the end of Year 2, data from faecal egg counts, tracer-sheep fluke burdens and snail infection levels indicated that the treatment strategy had succeeded in suppressing the fluke population and eliminating the occurrence of clinical fasciolosis. The decrease in dosing intensity in Years 3 and 4 maintained both stock and snail infections at low levels and there was no re-emergence of the disease.

Bovine fasciolosis in Tabasco, Mexico

To establish seasonal trends in infection and maturity of Fasciola hepatica in cattle in relation to macroclimatic factors, 2730 condemned livers were examined from March 1989 to February 1992. Livestock came from Jalapa, Tacotalpa and Teapa, all municipalities in Tabasco State. Flukes were collected monthly and separated into three different maturation stages. Mean numbers of flukes collected were determined. The analysis of the maturation stages detected in cattle showed: (a) F. hepatica matured throughout the year at all three sites; (b) the greatest mean fluke's burdens were found in Jalapa and the lowest in Teapa; large parasite populations were significantly higher from February to September than in July and/or August; (c) persistence of mature, gravid F. hepatica indicated that parasite eggs are shed throughout the year; (d) recruitment of F. hepatica occurred throughout the year with two major periods of infection, the first and main period during the dry season (from February to June), and a second minor infection period, during the rainy season (from August to October); (e) a close relationship was observed between the seasonal infection pattern in cattle and the seasonal infection pattern in snails, as well as fluctuations in the snail population according to rainfall and temperature variation.

The prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in its snail intermediate host determined by DNA probe assay

Accurate snail intermediate host infection prevalence data have the potential to be extremely useful in determining seasonal transmission dynamics of Fasciola hepatica. Because the microscopic techniques currently used lack the sensitivity and specificity necessary to obtain meaningful infection prevalence data, we developed a highly accurate and efficient DNA probe assay. The assay has a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of > 99%, easily detects a single miracidia and does not cross-hybridize with DNA of Fascioloides magna, Paramphistomum liorchis or Heterobilharzia americana, trematodes that share the same intermediate host and enzootic range as Fasciola hepatica. Using this assay, we determined the prevalence of F. hepatica in its snail intermediate host, Fossaria cubensis, during the second year of a 2-year study on the epizootiology of Fasciola hepatica in Florida. The overall infection prevalence of snails assayed in this study (n = 5246) was 1.5% and ranged from 0.1% to 3.1% for individual cattle ranches. Additionally, infection prevalence differed significantly for successive size groupings of snails, varying from 0% for 1-mm snails to 18.5% for 9- and 10-mm snails. The accuracy and efficiency of the DNA probe assay reported here for determining snail infection prevalence offers an inexpensive alternative to tracer animal studies for determining the epizootiology of F. hepatica.

The overwintering of eggs, intramolluscal stages and metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica under the temperatures of a Mediterranean area (Madrid, Spain)

The survival of embryonated and unembryonated eggs, of snails with mature or immature infection and of metacercariae over the winter of a Mediterranean area was analyzed. Embryonated eggs were more resistant than unembryonated eggs to cold weather, leaving a residual contamination which was responsible for earlier spring infection of the snail. Overwintering was similar in snail populations with both mature and immature infections although the lifespan was shorter in the former. Both snail populations survived in the mildest winter but not in the coldest. Only metacercariae from mid autumn were able to overwinter in an significant proportion (45%) but they were non-viable by mid spring. Our results suggest that in very cold winters no risk for grazing animals should be expected in spring.

An epidemiological study of Fasciola hepatica in The Netherlands

Transmission of F. hepatica under natural conditions was analysed in a three year programme. The variables used were the indirect haemagglutination (IHA) technique, worm establishment in tracer lambs and the population dynamics, infection rate and shedding pattern of Lymnaea truncatula. It is concluded that fluke eggs, infected snails and metacercariae on herbage can survive the winter in the Netherlands. Metacercarial availability was positively correlated to the amount of rainfall in the grazing period. The role developed eggs that survive the winter is important, because this results in earlier infections in the herd. The use of the serological diagnosis method IHA is important to detect F. hepatica infection in an early stage. Use of cellophane paper on floats is a useful method for determining the shedding pattern of cercariae from L. truncatula. It is concluded that collection of metacercariae on cellophane floats, inventarization of L. truncatula and its infection level are useful tools for the prediction of liverfluke infections.

Density-dependent mechanisms in the regulation of Fasciola hepatica populations in sheep

Populations of Fasciola hepatica infecting sheep are regulated by at least 3 density-dependent processes. Parasite deaths due to parasite-induced primary host mortality, fluke fecundity and asexual multiplication in the intermediate snail host, Lymnaea truncatula, vary according to the intensity of infection. Empirical and theoretical evidence is used to assess the extent to which each of these processes in turn affects parasite population numbers.