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Background and Aim: Extensive cattle rearing is a major source of economy for the inhabitants of the Amazon region of Peru. Milk and meat production is generally affected by the prevalence of various parasites, including hepatic and gastrointestinal parasites, as these products provide ideal conditions for parasitic growth. This poses a serious public health threat. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, coinfection, and risk factors associated with the liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) and other gastrointestinal parasites in cattle from the Amazon region of Peru. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples obtained from 1450 bovine specimens were analyzed using flotation and sedimentation methods to identify parasites, including Eimeria spp., strongyle-type eggs (STEs), and F. hepatica. We collected information about the specimens, including age, sex, origin, breed, category, frequency of deworming, farm size, herd size, water sources, and rearing system by conducting simple inspections and interviewing owners. The data obtained were statistically evaluated using the Chi-square test (p < 0.05) to determine the association between the qualitative variables. We also calculated the odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval to identify the risk factors. Results: We observed that F. hepatica, Eimeria spp., and STEs were 45.6%, 39.8%, and 35.3% prevalent, respectively. We found risk factors related to distomatosis in the animals from Huambo, where the drinking water sources are mainly streams, ditches, and rivers, while the specimens from Valle Chico were predisposed to coccidiosis. Further, the risk factors related to the presence of STEs in feces were age (61-90 months), origin (Valle Chico), herd size (<50 animals), and type of extensive rearing. Furthermore, significant coinfection was observed between Eimeria spp. and STEs. Conclusion: The high percentages of parasites in cattle observed were related to epidemiological factors, such as the origin of the sample, water sources, age, herd size, and extensive breeding. Similarly, the presence of STEs was a risk factor for contracting coccidiosis. Our future goals include investigating these parasites using a larger sample size and identifying more risk factors using more sensitive and specific diagnostic tests.
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RESUMEN Objetivo. Determinar los parámetros hematológicos según el estado reproductivo en caballos peruanos de Paso en la provincia de Lambayeque. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó la investigación con 60 caballos adultos (>4 años), clínicamente sanos y sin tratamiento farmacológico previo; según su estado reproductivo se formaron cuatro grupos de 15 ejemplares cada uno: macho castrado, macho entero, yegua vacía y yegua gestante. Primero se realizó el examen clínico general para confirmar su buen estado de salud, luego se extrajo sangre de la vena yugular a todos los caballos. Las muestras se procesaron por análisis hematológicos y se determinaron las variables de la serie roja (hemoglobina, hematocrito, glóbulos rojos, volumen corpuscular medio [VCM], hemoglobina corpuscular media [HCM] y concentración de hemoglobina corpuscular media [CHCM]). Igualmente, la serie blanca (leucocitos, neutrófilos segmentados y abastonados, basófilos, monocitos, linfocitos, eosinófilos) y serie trombocítica fueron procesados y determinados. Se utilizaron métodos manuales, fórmulas matemáticas y método Drabkin en el laboratorio de patología clínica. Se aplicó la prueba estadística de Kruskal Wallis y se obtuvo la media, desviación estándar y rangos de las variables. Resultados. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la serie blanca, roja y trombocítica de acuerdo con el sexo o estado reproductivo, a excepción del número de los basófilos que fue mayor en machos enteros. Conclusiones. Los parámetros hematológicos según el estado reproductivo del caballo peruano de paso se encuentran dentro de los rangos establecidos por la literatura especializada. Sin embargo, el número los linfocitos que fue mucho menor.
ABSTRACT Objective. To determine the haematological parameters according to the reproductive status of Peruvian Paso horses in the Province of Lambayeque. Materials and methods. The research was conducted on 60 clinically healthy adult horses (> 4 years), without previous drug treatment. Four groups of 15 horses were formed: gelding, entire male, empty mare and pregnant mare. First, a general clinical examination was performed to confirm their good health. Blood was drawn from the jugular vein of all the horses. The samples were processed by haematological analysis and the parameters of the red series (haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cells, mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular haemoglobin [MCH] and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration [MCHC] were determined. Likewise, the white series (leukocytes, neutrophils segmented and stacked, basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils) and the thrombocytic series were processed and the unit range determined. Manual methods, mathematical formulas and the Drabkin method were used in the clinical pathology laboratory. The Kruskal Wallis Statistical test was applied and consequently the mean, standard deviation and ranges of variables were obtained. Results. No significant statistical differences were found in the white, red and thrombocytic series according to sex or reproductive status, except the number of basophils was higher in the entire males. Conclusions. The haematological parameters according to the reproductive status of the Peruvian Step horse are within the normal ranges (as per the literature pertaining to this area). However, the number of lymphocytes was much lower.
