Fasciola hepatica in bovines from the inter-Andean valley of Aymaraes (Peru): Identification of associated factors

Abstract

<strong>Introduction:</strong> Fascioliasis is an infectious parasitic disease caused by the worldwide hermaphroditic trematode <em>Fasciola hepatica</em>, which affects herbivorous animals, omnivores, and occasionally humans. <strong>Objective:</strong> To determine the presence of <em>Fasciola hepatica</em> and its associated factors in bovines slaughtered in the municipal slaughterhouse of Chalhuanca during 2011 and 2012. <strong>Methods:</strong> The infection was determined by (post-mortem) sanitary viscera inspection. For the statistical analysis, SPSS 11.5 package was used through Pearson’s χ², odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals, Student’s t-test, and p ≤ 0.05. <strong>Results:</strong> The frequency of fascioliasis was 24.6% (564/2293). In 2012, the infection was higher than in 2011 (OR = 3.4 CI 95% = 2.7-4.1 p < 0.01). In months without rainfall, there was a higher infection rate (OR = 1.7 CI 95% = 1.4-2.1 p < 0.01). The majority of bovines slaughtered in 2011 weighed < 100 kg (OR = 407.9 CI 95% = 191.9-867.4 p = 0.000). In rainfall seasons, most of the carcasses weighed ≥100 kg (OR = 0.2 CI 95% = 0.2-0.3 p = 0.000). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> The fascioliasis infection in the province of Aymaraes is moderate, thus it must be considered as a mesoendemic zone. The infection increased from 2011 to 2012 in all districts. Fascioliasis is associated with rainfall and the place of origin of the cattle. Sex and rainfall season are associated with carcass weight. Carcass weight increased in rainfall seasons.