The occurrence of  (Bassi, 1875) in the wild cervid population in the Lower Silesian Wilderness – epidemiological and pathological aspects

Fascioloides magna is a parasite of high veterinary importance due to its pathogenicity for wild and domestic ruminants. The aim of our study was to describe the presence of trematode infection in the red deer population in the Lower Silesian Wilderness, one of the established fascioloidosis foci in Central Europe, and to assess the overall prevalence of F. magna in the studied area. In order to achieve this, a coprological study of different cervid species was performed.

Material and Methods

The livers of 99 red deer were collected over three years and examined for the presence of trematodes. Prevalence and infection intensity was estimated and a histopathological analysis was performed. In addition, 172 faecal samples from red deer, fallow deer and roe deer were examined.

Results

By year, Fascioloides magna was isolated from the livers of 2/30 (6.7%), 9/34 (26.5%) and 10/35 (28.6%) red deer. Severe hepatic lesions, including massive tissue damage, extensive fibrosis, and cirrhotic changes in the liver parenchyma were observed. Faecal examination revealed the presence of F. magna eggs, with a prevalence of approximately 40%, 50% and 53% in roe deer, fallow deer and red deer, respectively.

Conclusion

The eggs of F. magna may be commonly excreted in the faeces of roe deer, as well as those of red deer and fallow deer. The presence of F. magna throughout the cervid population in the Lower Silesian Wilderness favours the risk of the trematode’s transmission to livestock or farmed deer.

eISSN:: 2450-8608
Language:: English

Publication timeframe:: 4 times per year
Journal Subjects:: Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Virology, other, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine

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The occurrence of Fascioloides magna (Bassi, 1875) in the wild cervid population in the Lower Silesian Wilderness – epidemiological and pathological aspects

Published Online: Aug 12, 2022

Page range: 381 - 387

Received: Apr 14, 2022

Accepted: Jul 26, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2022-0042

Keywordscervids, faecal examination, giant liver fluke, histopathology, liver

© 2022 K. Filip-Hutsch et al. published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Introduction

Material and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keywords
cervids, faecal examination, giant liver fluke, histopathology, liver