Copro-ELISA prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in cattle in Van, Turkey

Bostanci, Aysegul; Oğuz, Bekir

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Copro-ELISA prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in cattle in Van, Turkey

Bostanci, AysegulOğuz, Bekir

Background: Fasciolosis is an important food borne zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola trematode parasites. There are two types of Fasciola spp. namely F. hepatica and F. gigantica, widely distributed across the globe, affecting both human and animal hosts. In endemic regions, it is possible to base the diagnosis of fasciolosis on clinical signs and the season, however, it could be more useful to support these data with fecal examination and various hematologic and serological tests. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle in Van province by copro-ELISA technique. Materials, Methods & Results: Fecal samples from 140 cattle were technically collected and examined by sedimentationzinc sulphate flotation technique. Modified McMaster sedimentation technique was applied to the egg positive samples to determine the EPG values. Fasciola hepatica coproantigens in samples were investigated by ELISA. The coprological and antigen ELISA prevalence of fasciolosis were determined as 5.07% and 30.7%, respectively, which shows the significant difference between these methods in examining the rate of infection. The highest prevalence of fasciolosis infection was observed in 1-2 age groups (41.9%), and this prevalence was followed by 3-5 (31.2%) and ≤6 age group (5%). The differences between age groups were found significant (P < 0.05). The prevalence in female and male cattle was found as 30.1% and 35.3% This difference was not found statistically significant (P > 0.05). The highest prevalence was observed in Brown Swiss with the ratio of 40% and this was followed by 31% in Crossbreed and 22.6% in Rubia Gallega. The differences among breeds were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Discussion: Fasciola hepatica is the most common species of liver flukes, and its pathogenicity leads to significant impact on the economy of the livestock industry. The economic losses consist of costs of anthelmintics [](AU)