Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron spp. in extensively reared cattle in the Florida district (Amazonas), Peru

Abstract

The present study determines the prevalence of eggs of Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron spp. and of mixed infection in grazing cattle from six cattle ranches in the district of Florida, Department of Amazonas (Peru). Using the natural sedimentation technique, 358 fecal samples were examined. The prevalence of F. hepatica was 69.83 % (95% CI 65.08 - 74.59), followed by Calicophoron spp. 60.34 % (95% CI 55.27 - 65.40) and a prevalence of mixed infection 41.62 % (95% CI 36.51 - 46.73). The presence of F. hepatica eggs did not differ among farms, breeds, and age groups (P>0.05). The presence of Calicophoron spp. and mixed infection with F. hepatica showed differences between towns and breeds (P<0.05), unlike the age groups, which were statistically similar (P>0.05). A high prevalence of fecal eggs of F. hepatica and spp. was found, a situation that could be due to the environmental conditions that allow the optimal development of the intermediate host and the cattle grazing system.