Histopathological findings of Fasciola hepatica infection in non-native European hare (Lepus europaeus) in Southern Chile / Achados histopatológicos da infecção por Fasciola hepatica em lebre europeia não-nativa (Lepus europaeus) no Sul do Chile

Abstract Fasciola hepatica is a parasite introduced in America from Europe, being considered of concern for public health and animal production, especially in countries with endemic areas as occur in Chile. In this country, the research has been focused mainly in domestic ruminants, with native and introduced wildlife being largely ignored. Thus, the aim of this study was to report the infection by Fasciola hepatica in an introduced mammal, the European hare, which is distributed along a vast area of the country. One in 42 hares hunted showed histological lesions compatible with F. hepatica, and harbored a parasitic load of 6 liver flukes. This is the first report of this lagomorph acting as host of this helminth in the country and the third in South America. Yet, we found no previous reports regard the pathology of this fluke in the species. Thus, we emphasize the importance of more studies regarding introduced mammals which could be acting as reservoirs for this important fluke.

Resumo Fasciola hepatica é um parasita de origem europeia introduzido na América, de importância em saúde pública e animais de produção, especialmente em países com áreas endêmicas, como ocorre no Chile. Neste país, a pesquisa foi focada principalmente em ruminantes domésticos, com a fauna nativa e introduzida sendo amplamente ignorada. O objetivo desse trabalho é relatar a infecção por Fasciola hepatica em lebre europeia, espécie distribuída em vasta extensão do país. Uma em 42 lebres caçadas, mostrou lesões histológicas compatíveis com infestação por F. hepatica, alojando 6 vermes hepáticos. Este é o primeiro relato deste lagomorfo apresentando este tipo de parasitismo no Chile, o terceiro na América do Sul. No entanto, não encontramos relatos anteriores sobre a patologia deste acaso na espécie. Este relato salienta a importância de mais estudos considerando espécies introduzidas, as quais podem ser reservatórios desse importante parasita.

Epidemiological and clinical-pathological aspects of fasciolosis in livers of cattle slaughtered in southern Brazil / Aspectos epidemiológicos e clínico-patológicos de fasciolose em fígados de bovinos abatidos no sul do Brasil

Infection by Fasciola hepatica is an important cause of economic loss in cattle raised in Brazil and others countries. In slaughterhouses, the losses are mainly associated with condemnation of livers; however, it is believed that these losses can extend to diminished carcass yield and productivity throughout the life of the animals. Three slaughterhouses with a daily routine of approximately 15-20 cattle slaughters were monitored from July 2016 to November 2017. After sample collection, weighing, and liver assessment, statistical studies were conducted to determine disease prevalence and measurement of economic losses caused by fasciolosis through condemnation of the organ of choice of the parasite. Of the 210 livers assessed, 79 (37.6%) were condemned because of presence of F. hepatica, 87 (41.4%) were considered appropriate for human consumption, and 44 (20.9%) were considered inappropriate because of some other macroscopic lesions. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of fasciolosis, correlate epidemiological and clinical-pathological aspects, and estimate the economic losses caused by the disease. It is estimated that the losses in southwestern Rio Grande do Sul state could reach R$ 36,943,532.60 (37.6%; 95% CI = 30,753,525.80 - 43,526,55.65) or US$ 11,437,626.20 (37.6%; 95% CI = 9,521,215.40 - 13,475,713.80) only because of condemnation of livers.(AU)

A infecção por Fasciola hepatica é uma importante causa de prejuízos econômicos para o setor pecuário no Brasil e em outros países. Em frigoríficos, as perdas estão relacionadas principalmente a condenação dos fígados, porém acredita-se que esses prejuízos possam se estender a perdas no rendimento de carcaça e durante a vida produtiva do animal. Durante o período de julho de 2016 a novembro de 2017 foram realizados acompanhamentos periódicos mensais em três frigoríficos, os quais, possuem uma rotina diária de aproximadamente 15-20 abates. Após a coleta de dados, pesagem e avaliação dos fígados foram realizados estudos estatísticos para determinação da prevalência e mensuração dos prejuízos econômicos causados por fasciolose pela condenação do órgão de eleição do parasito. Dos 210 fígados avaliados, 79 (37,6%) foram condenados devido a presença de F. hepatica, 87 (41,4%) foram considerados próprios para consumo humano e 44 (20,9%) impróprios por alguma outra alteração macroscópica. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a prevalência da fasciolose, e associar os aspectos epidemiológicos e clinico patológicos, além de estimar os prejuízos econômicos causados pela doença. Estima-se que as perdas na mesorregião Sudeste Rio-grandense possam chegar à R$ 36.943.532,60 (37,6%; IC.95% = 30.753.525,80-43.526.55,65) ou US$ 11.437.626,20 (37,6%; IC.95% = 9.521.215,40-13.475.713,80) somente devido a condenação de fígados.(AU)

Histopathology of Fasciola hepatica infection in Meriones unguiculatus

Três grupos de 60 Meriones unguiculatus foram inoculados, respectivamente, com 3, 5 e 8metacercárias de Fasciola hepatica e dez animais permaneceram como controle. Com intervalo de dez dias, seis animais do grupo infectado e um animal do grupo controle foram eutanasiados,sendo coletadas amostras para a histopatologia dos órgãos internos. Foram observadas áreas hemorrágicas, focos de necrose e fibrose no fígado, no rim direito e em órgãos internos contidosnas cavidades torácica e abdominal em 20,6por cento dos animais infectados, independentemente do número de metacercáreas. O fígado foi o órgão mais lesado, indicando o tropismo que o parasito apresenta durante seu desenvolvimento. Foram observadas alterações no espaço porta-hepático,dilatação do ducto biliar e de ramos da artéria hepática, rompimento de ramos da veia hepática e hemorragia periportal. Foram recuperados parasitos e ovos de F. hepatica aderidos à parede interna do ducto biliar. A análise histopatológica do fígado e do linfonodo mesentérico mostrou a presençade hemossiderose e de reação inflamatória macrofagocitária. No fígado, pulmões, diafragma, baço,linfonodos mesentéricos, rins, pâncreas e intestino delgado, havia infiltrado inflamatório misto formado por polimorfonucleares e mononucleares, áreas hemorrágicas, e focos de necrose e fibrose. Os resultados indicam que M. unguiculatus mantém a infecção por longos períodos, permitindo também o desenvolvimento do parasito em diferentes órgãos.

Obtención de metacercarias de Fasciola hepatica en Lymnaea cubensis y relación parásito-hospedero en ratas Wistar y ratones Balb/c / Fasciola hepatica metacercarie collection in Lymnaea cubensis, and parasite-host-relation in Winstar rats an Balb/c mice

Fueron realizados dos experimentos, en experimento I con dos métodos (necropsia y bolsa de polietileno) para colectar y comparar las metacercarias obtenidas, el experimento II que fue desarrollado para determinar la potencia invasiva de las metacercarias obtenidas en un biotipo artificial, usando ratas Wistard y ratones Balb/c inoculados con 20 y 5-10 metacercarias, respectivamente. Se encontró que el número de metacercarias obtenidas con el uso de las bolsas de polietileno es considerablemente superior (P< 0.01) a las obtenidas por disección con un total de 1 442 metacercarias y una media de 12.87 por hospederos, mientras que en el método de las bolsas de polietileno la media fue de 29.31 y el total de 3 313. La potencia invasiva (PI) y la extensión de la invasión (EI) en las ratas fue más alta en la tercera semana (PI, 23 por ciento; EI, 80 por ciento), similar a los ratones inoculados con 10 metacercarias (PI, 23 por ciento; EI, 80 por ciento). Hubo 100 por ciento de hígados afectados por ambas dosis en la tercera semana. Se concluye que el método de las bolsas de polietileno es más efectivo que la disección facilitando la obtención de gran número de formas invasivas con alta calidad, limpieza y fácil desprendimiento de las metacercarias desde la superficie de enquistamiento: así como el hecho de que la potencia invasiva y la extensión de la invasión obtenida valida su uso en las investigaciones con modelos de Fasciola hepatica en ratas y ratones con dosis apropiadas de 20 y 10 metacercarias por ratas y ratones, respectivamente

Triclabendazole in the treatment of established human fascioliasis

The tolerance and efficacy of triclabendazole CGP 23030, specially prepared for human use, were assessed in 50 patients in the chronic phase of fascioliasis. After clinical examination, investigation and ultrasonography of the liver and biliary system, triclabendazole 10 mg/kg, either as a single or split dose, was administered. The clinical picture was studied daily for six days and the investigations were repeated 6, 30 and 60 days after treatment. The drug was tolerated. Its side-effects, which included upper abdominal pain, mild fever and limited derangement of liver function, were considered negligible. The cure rate at 2 months was 94% when assessed by the disappearance of eggs in stools and 88% when assessed by both the absence of eggs in stools and of worms in the biliary system. The use of triclabendazole for the treatment of human fascioliasis was found to be justified

Triclabendazole and fascioliasis: a new drug to combat an age-old disease

The tolerance and efficacy of triclabendazole CGP 23030, specially prepared for human use, were assessed in 50 patients in the chronic phase of fascioliasis. After clinical examination, investigation and ultrasonography of the liver and biliary system, triclabendazole 10 mg/kg, either as a single or split dose, was administered. The clinical picture was studied daily for six days and the investigations were repeated 6, 30 and 60 days after treatment. The drug was tolerated. Its side-effects, which included upper abdominal pain, mild fever and limited derangement of liver function, were considered negligible. The cure rate at 2 months was 94% when assessed by the disappearance of eggs in stools and 88% when assessed by both the absence of eggs in stools and of worms in the biliary system. The use of triclabendazole for the treatment of human fascioliasis was found to be justified

Ultrastructural characteristics of liver fluke associated human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines.

The ultrastructure of a cholangiocarcinoma cell line (HuCCA-l) originally established from an intrahepatic bile duct tumor of a patient seropositive for a liver fluke infection was studied by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron miscroscopy. With the SEM, the surface of HuCCA-1 cells were found to be covered with microvilli. The size of these microvilli varied from cell to cell and they were irregularly distributed. The TEM clearly revealed the presence of cytokeratin filaments, an intracytoplasmic lumen, tight junctions at the apices and desmosomes at the lateral surfaces of neighboring cells, all of which are characteristics of adenocarcinoma cell origin. However, the tumor mass that developed in a nude mouse following subcutaneous injection of these cells was found to exhibit some morphological changes. Specifically, about 20-30% of the tumor cells, particularly those lining the base of the tumor tubules, exhibited electron dense tonofilaments typical of squamous cells. However, this alteration was reversible as the cell line (HuCCA-1Nu) derived from this nude mouse-passage did not exhibit any characteristics reminiscent of squamous cells. These observations are consistent with those occasionally found in human cases reported previously by other investigators. Altogether, the data showed that squamous transformation of adenocarcinoma cells can occur under appropriate conditions. It further showed that reversion to adenocarcinoma cells can occur when the microenvironment is changed.

Human fascioliasis: a field study in Tamya center Fayoum governorate

Seven hundred individuals were examined for fasciola eggs in the stools, 20 [3 percent] of them were found positive, these 20 patients were subjected to clinical examination. Seventeen of them completed the study for whom hematologic, ultrasonographic and serological tests were done. Praziquantel was used for their treatment. Abdominal pain, distension anemia and fever were the main symptoms. Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and jaundice were observed in 40 percent, 25 percent and 10 percent respectively. Anemia and eosinophilia were the main hematological findings. Ultrasonography demonstrated fasciola worms in the gall bladder and C.B.D., and bile duct thickening and dilatation were observed. ELISA and CCIEP were positive in 82.4 percent and 76.5 percent respectively and when both tests were used, positive results were found in 94 percent. Praziquantel was found ineffective [95 percent failure]

Biliary tract disease due to fasciola hepatica: report of a case

We report a case of a 23 year old woman who presented with symptoms of biliary tract disease to our University Hospital in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. A diagnosis of chronic cholelithiasis was made and the patient was taken at surgery. An adult Fasciola hepática was recovered from the common bile duct. We review the pathobiology of this uncommon zoonosis