engleski

Return of Fasciola hepatica into parasitic fauna of wild red deer from Baranja region

Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) is autochthonous large game species in Croatia. Since 2001 and first report on occurrence of large American liver fluke (Fascioloides magna) in Croatia, management of wild red deer eastern part of the country including Baranja region (hunting ground ''Podunavlje-Podravlje'') have been compromised. Firstly localized, disease spread rapidly to the majority of eastern Croatia causing severe symptoms and even death in infested animals. In order to control fascioloidosis, a joint program on Monitoring and control of fascioloidosis have been launched several years ago, including monitoring and treatment in several hunting grounds managed by Croatian Forests d.o.o. Under this program, , gross and microscopic analysis of livers and faeces from all shot animals (according to the management plans) become obligatory in order to evaluate efficacy of applied therapy. Within that, livers from 258 red deer (during 4 yrs period) were thorougly examined and the only found trematode was F. magna. Each liver was accompanied with faecal sample from the same animal. Similarly, the only trematode eggs in deer faeces were those of F. magna. In previously published papers on red and roe deer parasitoses in Baranja region (prior to the occurrence of F. magna), slight infestations of red deer with Fasciola hepatica and Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorphae were recorded. During the winter 2010 a red deer liver with severe F. hepatica infestation was observed for the first time since the control program was launched. On the gross examination enlarged bile ducts and numerous small flukes were a dominant finding. The flukes were identified as Fasciola hepatica. In this study we discuss possible relations between F. magna and F. hepatica, as well as possible relation to initial spread and lately to observed reduction of fascioloidosis.

Red deer; Baranja; Fasciola hepatica; Fascioloides magna; Infestation

nije evidentirano