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Background: Decreasing antiparasitic efficacy of triclabendazole for controlling Fasciola hepatica in dairy cows in the Cajamarca Valley (Peru) has been reported. Objective: To determine the efficacy of four anthelmintic agents across a broader area of Cajamarca province. Methods: Four livestock farms were selected from three provinces in the Cajamarca region. Within each farm, 60 female cattle naturally infected with F. hepatica were chosen. Each farm was divided into four homogeneous groups based on individual animals and parasite burden. The groups were: triclabendazole (12 mg/kg of BW, VO), clorsulon/ivermectin (2 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg of BW, SC, respectively), closantel (10 mg/kg of BW, VO), and nitroxynil (10 mg/kg of BW, SC). Efficacy was determined following WAAVP guidelines by measuring the reduction in trematode egg shedding on day 30 post-dosing. Results: Triclabendazole demonstrated insufficient activity through FERCT and CPCR assessments across all four farms. The clorsulon/ivermectin and closantel groups exhibited high efficacy in all farms, while nitroxynil showed varying efficacy results in both types of analysis. Conclusions: Triclabendazole exhibited insufficient activity against F. hepatica. Clorsulon/ivermectin, closantel, and nitroxynil are viable alternatives with promising outcomes for controlling this trematode in the evaluated provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Human fascioliasis is considered an endemic and hyper-endemic disease in the Peruvian Andean valleys. Our objective was to determine variations in the composition of the gut microbiota among children with Fasciola hepatica and children who do not have this parasitosis. (2) Method: A secondary analysis was performed using fecal samples stored in our biobank. The samples were collected as part of an epidemiological Fasciola hepatica cross-sectional study in children from 4 through 14 years old from a community in Cajamarca, Peru. (3) Results: In a comparison of the bacterial genera that make up the intestinal microbiota between the F. hepatica positive and negative groups, it was found that there are significant differences in the determination of Lactobacillus (p = 0.010, CI: 8.5–61.4), Bacteroides (p = 0.020, CI: 18.5–61.4), Clostridium (p < 0.001, CI: 3.5–36.0), and Bifidobacterium (p = 0.018, CI: 1.1–28.3), with each of these genera being less frequent in children parasitized with F. hepatica. (4) Conclusions: These results show that F. hepatica may be associated with direct or indirect changes in the bacterial population of the intestinal microbiota, particularly affecting three bacterial genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chuquiraga weberbaueri “amaro” (Asteraceae) is a plant species popularly used for the treatment of animal fasciolosis in Peru. However, biological and chemical studies of this species remain scarce. Hence, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the anthelmintic effect of the hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of C. weberbaueri leaves on Fasciola hepatica, through a controlled and a therapeutic efficacy test in artificially infected sheep. In addition, the chemical composition of the extracts was evaluated using phytochemical screening and analysis by UHPLC-MS/MS. Among the evaluated extracts, the aqueous extract proved to be the most efficient and of low toxicity against F. hepatica, inhibiting about 70% of its oviposition, using a 100 mg/kg dose. The chemical study showed that the major constituents were phenolic derivatives, such as chlorogenic acid and ethyl caffeate, with the notable presence of flavonoids, saponins, and lactones. Therefore, it was possible to observe the antihelmintic effect of the C. weberbaueri on the F. hepatica, which suggests the use of this plant extract as a potential alternative in the sheep fasciolosis treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human fasciolosis is an important parasitic disease with some degree of incidence as an important zoonotic disease in Peru and other Latin American countries. Based on this problem, the purpose of the present investigation is to determine the effectiveness of educational sessions as a preventive measure on fasciolosis/cysticercosis/hydatidosis in families from the town of Yamos, district of Huacrachuco, Peru, during the year 2021. Results were collected of the 122 interviewee's knowledge on these diseases, both before and after they passed the educational sessions. The results were processed with the support of the t-Student test for paired samples for determining if there was a significant improvement in the level of knowledge. Additionally, we compared the level of knowledge with other factors, like genre and educational level. The main results obtained were the level of knowledge of the families after the educational sessions as a preventive measure, where 65 (53.28%) had a medium level and 57 (46.72%) had a high level of knowledge. No family with a low level of knowledge was found. From which it is possible to conclude the effectiveness of educational sessions as a preventive measure in the level of knowledge about fasciolosis/cysticercosis/hydatidosis in families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the frequency of fascioliasis in animals slaughtered in slaughterhouses in the province of Andahuaylas and the financial loss due to the seizure of livers. The research was quantitative at a basic level, analytical design, observational type, and cross-sectional. It was carried out between October and December 2016 in the slaughterhouses of the districts of Andahuaylas, San Jerónimo, and Talavera. At the same time, a retrospective study corresponding to the years 2011-2016 was conducted. Fascioliasis was diagnosed through post-mortem sanitary inspection of the viscera. The statistical examination was carried out with the software Epidat 4.2, using Pearson's Chisquare test to verify differences between proportions; and the t-test to estimate equality of means, assuming a confidence level of 95% and confidence intervals of < = 0,05. Most of the infected animals came from Pampachiri (p < 0,01); the most affected species was bovine (51,9%; 95% CI = 49,9 - 53,9). In the 2011-2016 period, the frequency of fascioliasis was 46% (95% CI = 45,8 - 46,2) with a total financial loss for the seizure of livers of USD 238.551.1. The spring season registered the lowest frequency of fascioliasis and the lowest financial loss (p < 0,01). The most significant losses occurred in 2014, in March and August, in the Talavera slaughterhouse (p < 0,01). The study concludes that Andahuaylas is mesoendemic for fascioliasis but hyperendemic in cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trematode Fasciola hepatica generates the zoonotic parasitosis known as fascioliasis, which especially afflicts school-age children from rural populations where agriculture is practiced. The objective of the review was to show the reality of fascioliasis in Peru compared to the rest of the world and its associated factors. A bibliometric, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out, compiling publications up to the year 2021; such as original articles, short communications and case reports, using the combination of keywords and Boolean operators used in the Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, Proquest and Scielo databases as an internet research strategy, as well as thesis of university repositories. It was found that the countries with the highest prevalence are Peru, Bolivia, Cambodia and Venezuela. The prevalence of fascioliasis in school-age children in Peru is greater than 15% and increases with altitude in endemic areas. The average prevalence in sheep is hyperendemic and in cattle and goats mesoendemic. In addition, possible factors associated with fascioliasis are the age and gender of the children, as well as the characteristics of your home; ingestion of raw vegetables and drinks; coexistence with pets, coinfection with intestinal parasites, some clinical signs and nutritional status. In conclusion, fascioliasis is a worldwide distribution parasitosis that still presents diagnostic problems, because the symptoms are due to the phase that the infection goes through and similar conditions presented by other conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Veterinaria is the property of Universidad Nacional del Nordeste and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fasciola hepatica is a neglected parasitic infection with significant human health and livestock industry impact. The Andean Altiplano harbors an estimated 50% of the Fasciola's world infection burden. There is scarce data regarding the spatial associations between different Fasciola hosts. In this project, we aimed to determine the geospatial relationships between Fasciola eggs passed in feces of different livestock species and the risk of infection among each household as a unit. We used data from a cross-sectional study evaluating children and livestock feces for Fasciola infection around households in three districts of Anta province, in the Cusco region of Peru. Each sample was geographically tagged and evaluated for fascioliasis using microscopy methods. A total of 2070 households were included, the median age was 9.1 years (6.7–11.8), 49.5% were female, and 7.2% of the households had at least one infected child. A total of 2420 livestock feces samples were evaluated. The infection rate in livestock samples was 30.9%. The highest infection rate was found in sheep with 40.8%, followed by cattle (33.8%), and swine (26.4%). The median distance between a household with an infected child to a positive animal sample was 44.6 meters (IQR 14.7–112.8) and the distance between a household with no infected children to a positive animal sample was 62.2 meters (IQR 18.3–158.6) (p = 0.025). The multivariable logistic regression adjusted by presence of poor sanitation, unsafe water consumption, altitude, and presence of multiple infected children per household demonstrated an association between household infection and any cattle feces at a 50 meters radius (Uninfected: OR 1.42 (95%CI 1.07–1.89), p = 0.017. Infected: OR 1.89 (95%CI 1.31–2.73), p = 0.001), positive cattle feces at a 100 meters radius (OR 1.35 (95% CI 1.08–1.69), p = 0.008), and negative cattle feces at a 200 meters radius (OR 1.08 (95% CI 1.01–1.15), p = 0.022). We identified potential hot and cold spots for fascioliasis in the Anta province. An association between environmental contamination with feces from different livestock species and infected children in rural households was found in our study. Local health authorities may apply this strategy to estimate the risk of infection in human populations and apply targeted interventions. Author summary: Fasciola hepatica is the parasite that causes fascioliasis in the Andes region. The factors associated with transmission of the disease among humans have not been well described in the area studied. In this study, we evaluate the spatial relationships between infected households and the environmental burden of Fasciola eggs passed by different livestock in the Cusco region of Peru. We geographically marked and tested for fascioliasis feces provided by children and livestock. Infected and uninfected cattle as well as sheep feces were more likely to be in proximity to human households with infected children than to households without infected children. We were able to identify and map the areas of higher and lower infections rates. This information and strategy may be used in the control of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triclabendazole (TCBZ) resistance is an emerging problem in fascioliasis that is not well understood. Studies including small numbers of parasites fail to capture the complexity of susceptibility variations between and within Fasciolahepatica populations. As the first step to studying the complex resistant phenotype–genotype associations, we characterized a large sample of adult F. hepatica with diverging TCBZ susceptibility. We collected parasites from naturally infected livestock slaughtered in the Cusco and Cajamarca regions of Peru. These parasites were exposed to TCBZ sulfoxide (TCBZ.SO) in vitro to determine their susceptibility. We used a motility score to determine the parasite's viability. We titrated drug concentrations and times to detect 20% non-viable (susceptible conditions) or 80% non-viable (resistant conditions) parasites. We exposed 3348 fully motile parasites to susceptible (n = 1565) or resistant (n = 1783) conditions. Three hundred and forty-one (21.8%) were classified as susceptible and 462 (25.9%) were classified as resistant. More resistant parasites were found in Cusco than in Cajamarca (p < 0.001). Resistant parasites varied by slaughterhouse (p < 0.001), month of the year (p = 0.008), fluke length (p = 0.016), and year of collection (p < 0.001). The in vitro susceptibility to TCBZ.SO in wildtype F. hepatica was associated with geography, season, and morphometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic infection linked to significant economic losses in the livestock industry. Infection prevalence and estimated financial burden vary across locations owing to different diagnostic tests used. The accuracy of liver condemnation to estimate the prevalence and costs of fascioliasis has seldom been evaluated. We performed a pilot study to determine the prevalence and burden of Fasciola hepatica infection among cattle slaughtered at the municipal abattoir in the Anta province of the Cusco highlands in Peru. We compared liver condemnation with bile microscopy for the diagnosis of infection and prediction of carcass weight. Data were collected from 2009 slaughtered cattle for 1 year. The overall prevalence of Fasciola infection by bile microscopy was 62.5% (1247/2009). A higher prevalence was observed after the rainy season from March to August than from September to February (p < 0.01). Fascioliasis prevalence during the first 6 months was 77.4% (714/923), combining the results of condemnation and microscopy. Bile microscopy diagnosed more infections than liver condemnation (62.7% (579/923) versus 55.4% (511/923), McNemar test p < 0.01). The agreement of the bile microscopy testing with liver condemnation was fair (κ = 0.247). Animal age, gender, breed, and liver condemnation predicted carcass weight [F (df 4, 704) = 61.1, p < 0.001]. Liver condemnation and bile microscopy are complementary tools for evaluation of the prevalence and burden of fascioliasis in livestock. Large scale studies are warranted to confirm our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children who had chronic fascioliasis in the highlands of Peru to determine triclabendazole treatment efficacy. Children passing Fasciola eggs in stool were offered directly observed triclabendazole treatment (>1 doses of 10 mg/kg). Parasitologic cure was evaluated by using microscopy of stool 1-4 months after each treatment. A total of 146 children who had chronic fascioliasis participated in the study; 53% were female, and the mean ± SD age was 10.4 ± 3.1 years. After the first treatment, 55% of the children achieved parasitologic cure. Cure rates decreased after the second (38%), third (30%), and fourth (23%) treatments; 17 children (11.6%) did not achieve cure after 4 treatments. Higher baseline egg counts and lower socioeconomic status were associated with triclabendazole treatment failure. Decreased triclabendazole efficacy in disease-endemic communities threatens control efforts. Further research on triclabendazole resistance and new drugs to overcome it are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children who had chronic fascioliasis in the highlands of Peru to determine triclabendazole treatment efficacy. Children passing Fasciola eggs in stool were offered directly observed triclabendazole treatment (>1 doses of 10 mg/kg). Parasitologic cure was evaluated by using microscopy of stool 1-4 months after each treatment. A total of 146 children who had chronic fascioliasis participated in the study; 53% were female, and the mean ± SD age was 10.4 ± 3.1 years. After the first treatment, 55% of the children achieved parasitologic cure. Cure rates decreased after the second (38%), third (30%), and fourth (23%) treatments; 17 children (11.6%) did not achieve cure after 4 treatments. Higher baseline egg counts and lower socioeconomic status were associated with triclabendazole treatment failure. Decreased triclabendazole efficacy in disease-endemic communities threatens control efforts. Further research on triclabendazole resistance and new drugs to overcome it are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic trematode infection that is endemic in the highlands of Peru. Chronic fascioliasis can be asymptomatic and remain undiagnosed for years. Chronic malnutrition in children, as manifested by stunting, leads to delayed cognitive development and lost productivity. We hypothesized that fascioliasis is among the factors associated with stunting in children from endemic areas. We conducted a cross-sectional study among children attending pre-school and school in 26 communities in the Anta province in the Cusco region of Peru. We conducted interviews to collect information on demographic, socioeconomic, and medical history. Blood was collected and tested for complete cell count and FAS2 ELISA for Fasciola antibodies. Three stool samples per participant were tested for parasites by Kato-Katz and Lumbreras rapid sedimentation methods. Chronic fascioliasis was determined by the presence of ova in stool. Children's height, weight, and age were recorded and used to calculate height for age (HAZ) Z scores. Three thousand children participated in the study. Nine percent (264) of children had at least one positive test for Fasciola infection, 6% (164) had chronic fascioliasis, and 3% (102) had only positive antibody tests. The median HAZ was -1.41 (IQR: -2.03 to -0.81) and was similar in males and females. Twenty six percent (776) of children had stunting with HAZ < -2. Children with chronic fascioliasis had a lower median HAZ than children with without Fasciola (-1.54 vs. -1.4, p = 0.014). History of treatment for malnutrition, history of treatment for anemia, having other helminths in stool, lower socioeconomic score, living at a higher elevation, and fewer years of schooling of both parents were associated with a lower HAZ score. In a multiple regression analysis, older age and a lower socioeconomic score were associated with a lower HAZ score. While fascioliasis and other helminths were associated with lower HAZ, they were not independent of the socioeconomic score. Author summary: Fasciola infection is endemic in the highlands of Peru. Children in the highlands are particularly affected. The effect of chronic fascioliasis on children's long-term health and development, particularly the impact on nutrition, is not well defined. In this large epidemiologic study, we evaluated the association of chronic Fasciola infection with chronic malnutrition. Children with chronic Fasciola, defined as finding Fasciola eggs in stool, had a lower height for age Z score than those without Fasciola. A lower poverty score, fewer years of education of parents, and higher house elevation were also associated with stunted growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fascioliasis is a freshwater snail-borne zoonotic trematodiasis of high pathogenicity and wide veterinary repercussions. In South America, moreover, it causes serious public health problems, with high human infection rates in Andean countries. Ecuador offers a worrying risky scenario due to its physiography, including many human infection reports and animal endemicity throughout its Andean highlands. Methods: Endemic areas with increasing animal fascioliasis were surveyed for lymnaeid snails in the province of Loja, southern Ecuador, close to the border of Peru, the country known to present the widest human fascioliasis endemic zone. The altitude of the sampling sites ranged between 150 and 1770 m a.s.l., and their location was close to human villages. Biotopes surveyed were characterized according to fascioliasis transmission needs. Results: The species Lymnaea schirazensis and L. neotropica were identified by rDNA ITS-2 and ITS-1 sequencing. The non-transmitting L. schirazensis combined haplotype agreed with populations of this species previously reported from northern Ecuador. The finding of the efficient vector L. neotropica is reported for the first time in Ecuador and suggests a passive introduction from neighbouring Peru by uncontrolled livestock transport. Conclusions: Rice irrigation system implementation, lymnaeid finding on Taraxacum (dandelion) plants which are consumed fresh in salads by people, and Saccharum (sugarcane), whose bark is peeled off with the teeth, represent potential infection sources for humans. The closeness to the Cajamarca human hyperendemic area in northern Peru, where the same two lymnaeids have been also found and triclabendazole resistance reported, is an additional risk to be considered regarding the livestock transborder exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the investigation was to determine the risk factors for human fascioliasis in school-children in five localities of the Baños del Inca district in Cajamarca, Peru. Secondarily, the prevalence of infection among this population was also studied. Methods: A questionnaire was applied to 270 schoolchildren from 6-12 years of age and to their parents with the aim of collecting information related to risk factors predisposing the children to Fasciola hepatica infection. Faecal samples from all the children were tested for F. hepatica using the modified rapid sedimentation method of Lumbreras and the technique of Kato-Katz for egg counts. Results: Risk factors were identified as follows--raising cattle, consumption of radishes and chewing grass. The prevalence of F. hepatica in Baños del Inca was 6.30%; there was no significant difference by sex or age. Conclusion: Risk factors associated with this parasitosis in children in this area of Cajamarca were the raising of cattle, the consumption of radish and the habit of chewing grass. The prevalence results in this district suggest a mesoendemic level of infection, with local variations between meso- and hyper-endemic levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The causative agent of fasciolosis in South America is thought to be Fasciola hepatica . In this study, Fasciola flukes from Peru were analyzed to investigate their genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships with those from other countries. Fasciola flukes were collected from the three definitive host species: cattle, sheep, and pigs. They were identified as F. hepatica because mature sperms were observed in their seminal vesicles, and also they displayed Fh type, which has an identical fragment pattern to F. hepatica in the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 1. Eight haplotypes were obtained from the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 ( nad1 ) sequences of Peruvian F. hepatica ; however, no special difference in genetic structure was observed between the three host species. Its extremely low genetic diversity suggests that the Peruvian population was introduced from other regions. Nad1 haplotypes identical to those of Peruvian F. hepatica were detected in China, Uruguay, Italy, Iran, and Australia. Our results indicate that F. hepatica rapidly expanded its range due to human migration. Future studies are required to elucidate dispersal route of F. hepatica from Europe, its probable origin, to other areas, including Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del Peru is the property of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Emergence of human fascioliasis prompted a worldwide control initiative including a pilot study in a few countries. Two hyperendemic areas were chosen: Huacullani, Northern Altiplano, Bolivia, representing the Altiplanic transmission pattern with high prevalences and intensities; Cajamarca valley, Peru, representing the valley pattern with high prevalences but low intensities. Coprological sample collection, transport and study procedures were analyzed to improve individual diagnosis and subsequent treatments and surveillance activities. Therefore, a coproantigen-detection technique (MM3-COPRO ELISA) was evaluated, using classical techniques for egg detection for comparison. Methodology and Findings: A total of 436 and 362 stool samples from schoolchildren of Huacullani and Cajamarca, respectively, were used. Positive samples from Huacullani were 24.77% using the MM3-COPRO technique, and 21.56% using Kato-Katz. Positive samples from Cajamarca were 11.05% using MM3-COPRO, and 5.24% using rapid sedimentation and Kato-Katz. In Huacullani, using Kato-Katz as gold standard, sensitivity and specificity were 94.68% and 98.48%, respectively, and using Kato-Katz and COPRO-ELISA test together, they were 95.68% and 100%. In Cajamarca, using rapid sedimentation and Kato-Katz together, results were 94.73% and 93.58%, and using rapid sedimentation, Kato-Katz and copro-ELISA together, they were 97.56% and 100%, respectively. There was no correlation between coproantigen detection by optical density (OD) and infection intensity by eggs per gram of feces (epg) in Cajamarca low burden cases (<400 epg), nor in Huacullani high burden cases (≥400 epg), although there was in Huacullani low burden cases (<400 epg). Six cases of egg emission appeared negative by MM3-COPRO, including one with a high egg count (1248 epg). Conclusions: The coproantigen-detection test allows for high sensitivity and specificity, fast large mass screening capacity, detection in the chronic phase, early detection of treatment failure or reinfection in post-treated subjects, and usefulness in surveillance programs. However, this technique falls short when evaluating the fluke burden on its own. Author Summary: A coproantigen-detection technique (MM3-COPRO ELISA) was evaluated in 436 and 362 schoolchildren of Huacullani, Bolivia, and Cajamarca valley, Peru, respectively. Classical techniques for egg detection were used for comparison. In Huacullani, using Kato-Katz as gold standard, sensitivity and specificity were 94.68% and 98.48%, respectively, and using Kato-Katz and COPRO-ELISA test together, they were 95.68% and 100%, respectively. In Cajamarca, using rapid sedimentation and Kato-Katz together, these results were 94.73% and 93.58%, respectively, and using rapid sedimentation, Kato-Katz and copro-ELISA together, results were 97.56% and 100%, respectively. There was no correlation between coproantigen detection by optical density (OD) and infection intensity by eggs per gram of feces (epg) in Cajamarca low burden cases (<400 epg), nor in Huacullani high burden cases (≥400 epg), although there was in Huacullani low burden cases (<400 epg). Six cases of egg emission appeared negative by MM3-COPRO, including one with a high egg count (1248 epg). The coproantigen-detection test allows for high sensitivity and specificity, fast large mass screening capacity, detection in the chronic phase, early detection of treatment failure or reinfection in post-treated subjects, and usefulness for surveillance programs. However, this technique falls short when evaluating the fluke burden on its own. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a case of a 38 year-old male patient coming from an area where hepatic fascioliasis is endemic in Peru. He was hospitalized because he showed 4 weeks of symptoms like fever, intense myalgias, erythematous and painful injuries on limb extensions. The electromyography and nerve conduction velocity showed a global inlammatory myopathy. A skin biopsy showed polyarteritis nodosa-type vasculitis. During the evaluation process prior to the immunosuppressive therapy, hepatic Fasciola eggs were found in the parasitological examination of stools. The fascioliasis diagnosis was conirmed by fas2-ELISA: 0.46 (VN <0.20). Clinical symptoms started to subside after treatment with ticlabendazol. Contact with the patient was maintained for a year and there was no evidence of disease recurrence, and he was asymptomatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fascioliasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. Of both species, F. hepatica is the only one described in the Americas, mainly transmitted by lymnaeid snail vectors of the Galba/Fossaria group. Human fascioliasis endemic areas are mainly located in high altitude areas of Andean countries. Given the necessity to characterize F. hepatica populations involved, the phenotypic features of fasciolid adults infecting sheep present in human fascioliasis endemic areas were analysed in the Cajamarca Valley and Mantaro Valley (valley transmission patterns) and the northern Bolivian Altiplano (altiplanic transmission pattern). A computer image analysis system (CIAS) was applied on the basis of standardized measurements. The aforementioned highland populations were compared to standard lowland natural and experimental populations of European origin. Liver fluke size was studied by multivariate analyses. Two phenotypic patterns could be distinguished in F. hepatica adult size: the valley pattern (Cajamarca and Mantaro, Peru) and the altiplanic pattern (northern Altiplano, Bolivia). Results showed that the Andean valley population and European standard populations presented a phenotypic homogeneity. The Altiplano population showed a large size range with a pronouncedly lower minimum size indicating that uterus gravidity is reached at a smaller size than in valley populations. The results of this study demonstrate that there is no apparent relationship between the shape of fasciolid adults with regard to altitudinal difference or geographical origin and that allometry-free shape appears as a more stable trait than size in fasciolid species. Results are analysed in terms of intensity/crowding effect aspects and permanent/seasonal transmission characteristics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A coprological survey including 476 2–18 year old school children from six rural localities between 2627 and 3061m altitude was performed in Cajamarca province, Peru. Prevalences of fascioliasis ranging from 6.7 to 47.7% (mean 24.4%) proved to be the highest so far recorded in that human hyperendemic area. Higher prevalences in females and in the 2–5 year old group were not significant. Intensities ranged from 24 to 864 eggs per gram (arithmetic mean: 113; geometric mean: 68), the majority shedding less than 100, and without significant differences according to gender or age group. Fasciola hepatica was the most common helminth within a spectrum of 11–12 protozoan and 9–11 helminth species, 97.3% of the children showing infection with at least one parasite. The highest levels corresponded to coinfection with seven different species in females and subjects older than 5 years. Fascioliasis prevalence correlation with altitude appeared significant. An epidemiological characterisation of the valley transmission pattern of fascioliasis in Cajamarca is made by comparison with other better known hyperendemic areas. Results suggest that human fascioliasis may be widespread throughout different parts of Cajamarca province, even far away from the city, and that long-term fascioliasis chronicity and superimposed repetitive infections may be probably frequent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In Argentina, human fascioliasis has never been adequately analysed, although having a physiography, climate, animal prevalences and lymnaeids similar to those of countries where the disease is endemic such as Bolivia, Peru and Chile. We performed a literature search identifying 58 reports accounting for 619 cases, involving 13 provinces, their majority (97.7%) from high altitudes, in central mountainous areas and Andean valleys, concentrated in Cordoba (430 cases), Catamarca (73), San Luis (29) and Mendoza (28), the remaining provinces being rarely affected. This distribution does not fit that of animal fascioliasis. Certain aspects (higher prevalence in females in a local survey, although a trend non-significant throughout Argentina) but not others (patient's age 3-95 years, mean 37.1 years) resemble human endemics in Andean countries, although the lack of intensity studies and surveys in rural areas does not allow for an adequate evaluation. Human infection occurs mainly in January-April, when higher precipitation and temperatures interact with field activities during summer holidays. A second June peak may be related to Easter holidays. The main risk factor appears to be wild watercress ingestion (214) during recreational, weekend outings or holiday activities, explaining numerous family outbreaks involving 63 people and infection far away from their homes. Diagnosis mainly relied on egg finding (288), followed by serology (82), intradermal reaction (63), surgery (43), and erratic fluke observation (6). The number of fascioliasis-hydatidosis co-infected patients (14) is outstanding. Emetine appears as the drug most used (186), replaced by triclabendazole in recent years (21). Surgery reports are numerous (27.0%). A long delay in diagnosis (average almost 3.5 years) and high lithiasis proportion suggest that many patients are frequently overlooked and pose a question mark about fascioliasis detection in the country. High seroprevalences found in recent random surveys suggest human endemic situations. This analysis highlights that human fascioliasis may have been overlooked in the past and its real epidemiological situation in high risk rural, mainly altitudinal areas, may currently be underestimated. Results provide a valuable baseline on which to design appropriate multidisciplinary studies on humans, animals and lymnaeids to assess up to which level and in which areas, human fascioliasis may represent a health problem in Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fasciola hepatica is the causative agent of fasciolosis in Peru; the disease is an important public health problem by the high prevalence of the human infection affecting mainly children and a major veterinary problem by the high rates of infected livestock. The human disease is endemic in the Sierra and the Coast but sporadic in the Amazonia, and reported in 18 Departments, while the animal infection in 21 of 24 Departments of Peru. Transmission occurs in Andean rural populations engaged in agriculture, but recently an increasing number of people became infected in the cities. The epidemiological situation in Peru includes i) Departments with non-autochtonous cases, where infection occurs by consumption of contaminated vegetables brought from endemic areas or infection is acquired by visit to endemic areas; ii) Departments with hypoendemic and mesoendemic villages, where transmission occurs by ingest of contaminated vegetables and prevalence =10%; and iii) Departments with hyper-endemic villages with human prevalence >10 %, with an intense transmission by consumption of contaminated vegetables. The disease affects bovine, sheep, goat, swine, equine, South American camelids, rabbits and guinea pigs. The negative impact of fasciolosis in the livestock economy is not lesser than US$ 50 million per year, estimation based on the prevalence and the number of condemned livers in the abattoirs. It is dificult to estimate the economic impact of this infection in the human health due to its status of neglected disease, but fasciolosis is hyper-endemic in the poorest Andean areas of Peru where the situation has to be recognized as a public health emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic (excretion/secretion) antigen was obtained from sheep infected with Fasciola hepatica, with a 1005 µg/µL of protein concentration, composed principally by proteins of molecular weight between 1.2 and 170 KDa. Bands of 170, 150, 31, 24, 18-14 and 10 kDa were detected. With this antigen an ELISA test was developed and the cut off was determined in 0.140. We evaluated 33 serums of patient with fascioliasis conirmed by visualization of eggs in feces, 177 serums of persons without fascioliasis from endemic rural areas of Cajamarca and 88 serums of patients with others parasitic and bacterial infections. We found a 97.0% of sensitivity, 96.6 speciicity, 78.1% predictive positive value, 99.6 % predictive negative value. In 9/88 serums was found cross reactions. We recommended the implementation and use of this test for the fascioliasis diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic disease caused by parasites of the genus Fasciola spp. which cause an important loss to the livestock industry. The objectives of this study were: to estimate the prevalence of fascioliasis in three provinces of Amazonas, to evaluate possible risk factors of infection in cattle and to genetically characterize the Fasciola haplotypes circulating in this area. According to the results the prevalence of fascioliasis in cattle was 90.13% (712/790). Odds ratio results showed a significant association between fascioliasis and the Brown Swiss breed (OR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.57–4.35; p < 0.001), and with female cattle older than 30 months (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.05–2.79; p < 0.031). According to the molecular genetic studies using the gene marker NAD1 , six haplotypes of Fasciola hepatica were found in the 35 infected livers collected. The results obtained in this study are concerning due to the high prevalence presented and it reveals the necessity of a continuing monitoring because of the high risk of transmission to humans. • Molecular characterization of fascioliasis in bovines from Amazon region, Peru. • The Fasciola hepatica haplotypes HAP4, HAP5 and HAP6 were found in the study area. • Very high prevalence of fascioliasis (90,13%) in cattle from Amazonas, Peru. • Fascioliasis should be monitored in bovines and humans continuously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children who had chronic fascioliasis in the highlands of Peru to determine triclabendazole treatment efficacy. Children passing Fasciola eggs in stool were offered directly observed triclabendazole treatment (>1 doses of 10 mg/kg). Parasitologic cure was evaluated by using microscopy of stool 1-4 months after each treatment. A total of 146 children who had chronic fascioliasis participated in the study; 53% were female, and the mean ± SD age was 10.4 ± 3.1 years. After the first treatment, 55% of the children achieved parasitologic cure. Cure rates decreased after the second (38%), third (30%), and fourth (23%) treatments; 17 children (11.6%) did not achieve cure after 4 treatments. Higher baseline egg counts and lower socioeconomic status were associated with triclabendazole treatment failure. Decreased triclabendazole efficacy in disease-endemic communities threatens control efforts. Further research on triclabendazole resistance and new drugs to overcome it are urgently needed.

A survey to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices about fascioliasis was administered to 62 mothers from a rural endemic zone of Cajamarca's Andean Region, Peru. Only 37.0% recognized the alicuya (local name for Fasciola hepatica) as the parasite responsible for the disease; 56.5% knows that the disease affects the liver in the humans and 85.5% knows affects also animals; 98.4% have a positive predisposition to attend informative talks about the disease and 75.8% to support their authorities actively to solve of the problem. 38.7% referred drinking emollients in the street, 75.6% have domestic animals considered host for the parasite. In conclusion, attitudes of mothers are mostly favourable for prevention and control activities, despite their mistaken knowledge risky practices for fasciolasis among members of their families.