Presencia de fasciola hepática en bovinos de las riberas del río Yanuncay en la parroquia San Joaquín

Abstract

Fasciola hepatica, or Liver Fluke, is a trematode parasite that affects public health as it is a zoonotic disease resulting in economic losses in livestock farming and health risks in the population. This study aimed to analyze the presence of Fasciola hepatica in bovine feces from animals grazing on the banks of the Yanuncay River in the San Joaquín parish, Cuenca-Azuay. For this purpose, 128 fecal samples were evaluated from animals from 23 farms, which were collected directly from the animals' rectum. Ninety-three females and 35 males were recorded. The analysis was performed using the simple sedimentation method, resulting in the absence of Fasciola, however, additional findings were reported, such as the presence of Coccidia (0.80%), Amoebas (0.63%), and Balantidium (0.01%), predominating in calves and adults, with mild severity. In addition, a comparison of the results was made with other previous regional studies, where none reported a prevalence greater than 37%. It is proposed that the absence of Fasciola hepatica is related to environmental conditions such as the drought that affected the region in the previous months, whereby the lack of humidity decreased the population of intermediate snails. Therefore, it is essential to carry out more exhaustive epidemiological investigations in the livestock sector to understand the dynamics of infection in greater depth and develop effective control strategies, as well as continuing to monitor sanitary and environmental conditions for future epidemics, guaranteeing public and food health.

Keywords Fasciola hepatica, Presence, Simple Sedimentation, Post-drought