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Parasitology research2020; 119(11); 3699-3703; doi: 10.1007/s00436-020-06910-1

The prevalence and risk factors of liver fluke infection in Mexican horses, donkeys and mules in tropical and temperate regions.

Abstract: The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of Fasciola hepatica infection in horses, donkeys and mules from different climate regions in two states of Mexico. A total of 594 serum samples were analysed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with excretory-secretory (E/S) products as the antigen. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of serum IgG ELISA were 100% and 97.2%, respectively. We collected data using a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of the parasite in equids between May 2018 and April 2019 was 13.1% (78 out of 594). The highest prevalence was found in mules (17.9%), followed by that in donkeys (13.9%) and horses (10.4%). In addition, the highest percentage of positive equines was detected in samples from the tropical climate (17.5%). The identification of risk factors was assessed by bivariate logistic regression analysis. Mules had 8.608 times higher risk for F. hepatica infections as compared with horses (odds ratio (OR) 8.608; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.809-26.377), while the OR for 6-10-year-old equines was 93.375 compared with that of young equines (≤ 5 years old) (OR 93.375; 95% CI: 11.075-787.239). Likewise, tropical climate equines had 83.7% increased odds for fasciolosis (OR 1.83).
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Publication Date: 2020-10-02 PubMed ID: 33006039PubMed Central: 5053257DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06910-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study aimed to understand the occurrence and factors that increase the likelihood of liver fluke infections in Mexican horses, donkeys, and mules across different climates. The researchers found overall infection rates at 13.1%, with mules being the most susceptible. Notably, a tropical climate and age (6-10 years old) significantly increased the risk of infection.

Objective of the Study

  • The purpose of this research was to identify the prevalence (rate of occurrence) of Fasciola hepatica (a parasitic worm causing liver fluke infections) in horses, donkeys, and mules in Mexico.
  • To additionally identify factors that escalate the risk of such infections, if any.
  • The researchers studied animals in both tropical and temperate climates across two states in Mexico, observing whether or not climate plays a role in such infections.

Methodology Employed

  • The research team sourced 594 serum samples from the animals, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (a common laboratory test) to check for the presence of Immunoglobulin G antibodies.
  • Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to harmful pathogens, and their presence indicates an ongoing or past infection.
  • The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay used in this study had a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 97.2% respectively, verifying its reliability.
  • If an animal tested positive, details about it were collected through a questionnaire to capture potential risk factors.

Analysis and Results

  • The study found an overall occurrence rate of 13.1%, indicating that liver fluke infections were present in 78 out of the 594 animals tested.
  • A closer look at the data revealed that mules were the most susceptible to these infections (with a prevalence rate of 17.9%), followed by donkeys (13.9%) and horses (10.4%).
  • The research found that a majority of positive cases were native to the tropical region, accounting for a prevalence rate of 17.5%.
  • Shortly after, the collected data was run through bivariate logistic regression analysis to assess the risk factors identified by the questionnaire.
  • The regression analysis found that the risk of infection was significantly higher (8.608 times) in mules than in horses. Furthermore, equines aged between 6 and 10 years were found to have 93.375 times more likelihood of infection than their younger counterparts.
  • The data ultimately found that equines living in tropical climates had an 83.7% increased probability of coming down with the liver fluke.

Cite This Article

APA
Villa-Mancera A, Reynoso-Palomar A. (2020). The prevalence and risk factors of liver fluke infection in Mexican horses, donkeys and mules in tropical and temperate regions. Parasitol Res, 119(11), 3699-3703. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06910-1

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 119
Issue: 11
Pages: 3699-3703

Researcher Affiliations

Villa-Mancera, Abel
  • Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 4 Sur 304 Col. Centro, CP 75482, Tecamachalco Puebla, Mexico. abel.villa@gmail.com.
Reynoso-Palomar, Alejandro
  • Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 4 Sur 304 Col. Centro, CP 75482, Tecamachalco Puebla, Mexico.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Equidae / parasitology
  • Fasciola hepatica / isolation & purification
  • Fascioliasis / epidemiology
  • Fascioliasis / parasitology
  • Fascioliasis / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

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