engleski

The first appearance of large American fluke (Fascioloides magna, Bassi) in livers of fallow deer (Dama dama) in Croatia – a case report

Large American fluke (Fascioloides magna, Bassi) was detected in red deer (Cervus elaphus) for the first time on Croatian territory in January 2000. Over the period of seven years (2001-2007) medication treatments were undertaken on free-ranging and captive population of reed deer, aimed to control the spread of the large American fluke. Despite the fact that fallow deer (Dama dama) was evidenced as natural definitive host for F. magna in few European countries, in Croatia there was no evidence of fascioloidosis in fallow deer so far. Initial suspicions with regard to the presence of large American fluke in fallow deer were raised in area around Đakovo, in hunting ground ’ Mačkovac’ on the early spring of 2006. During the years 2005 and 2006 population numerousness of fallow deer showed significantly negative trend and at the same time observed individuals displayed lethargy, depression and weight loss. To confirmed suspicions sanitary shooting was recommended. In livers of two sanitary shot animals’ strong invasion of flukes was found. From the liver of young fallow deer (♂ ) 38 adult parasites were collected from 23 cysts, while from the liver of young female 43 adult parasites were collected from 27 cysts. Coprological examination revealed matured eggs in faeces of fallow deer, while pathological examination confirmed presence of mature eggs in isolated flukes and liver tissue. The parasites, as well as mature eggs, were determined to be Fascioloides magna and this finding became first evidenced case of large American fluke invasion in fallow deer on Croatian territory.

fallow deer; large American fluke; epizootiology; Croatia

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