engleski

New data on roe deer as aberrant host of Fascioloides magna

In Europe, three types of final hosts of Fascioloides magna are recognized. Among wildlife they include red and fallow deer as definitive hosts, wild boar as dead-end host and roe deer, mouflon and chamois as potential aberrant hosts. The course and outcome of infection are highly influenced by the type of the host. In aberrant hosts the fluke does not reach the sexual maturity and continues to migrate through the liver parenchyma without pseudocyst formation, causing an excessive tissue damage and haemorrhages. Such line of events results in the death of the respective animal. In this study we have analysed 45 roe deer livers originating from the area with established fascioloidosis in red deer. Among positive livers with typical gross lesions already described in aberrant hosts, four of livers had completely developed pseudocysts. Each pseudocyst contained two flukes. We did not find any eggs in the pseudocyst content nor in the accompanied faeces. However, grinding of the flukes revealed the presence of the eggs inside the fluke’s reproductive system. This study shows potential change in the host-parasite relationship, and potential adaptation of the fluke on roe deer and vice versa. The ability to form pseudocyst would reduce mortality in roe deer caused by F. magna infection, but could also modify the role of roe deer in the epidemiology of fascioloidosis.

roe deer, Fascioloides magna, type of host, pseudocyst

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