Calicophoron daubneyi (Paramphistomidae) in deer of the Sumava National Park, Czech Republic - Consequence of prevalent rumen fluke infection in cattle.

A substantial parallel increase in prevalence and geographical spread of the rumen fluke, Calicophoron daubneyi, in livestock in western and central Europe has been recognized in the recent past. In the course of the examination of rectum feces of 471 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and one sika deer (Cervus nippon) from the Fascioloides magna endemic Sumava National Park in the years 2021 and 2022, rumen fluke eggs were detected in four red deer (0.8%) and the sika deer and identified as eggs of C. daubneyi by molecular analysis. Subsequent examination of rectal fecal samples of 247 beef cattle from 22 herds of 14 farms located in or nearby the national park revealed rumen fluke eggs in 53 samples (21.5%) originating from 16 herds of 11 farms, molecularly identified as C. daubneyi eggs as well. One C. daubneyi egg positive red deer and three C. daubneyi egg positive cattle samples also contained fasciolid eggs, respectively, which were detected in 9.5% or 3.6% of the total samples from red deer or cattle, respectively. Results of this investigation reveal the first finding of C. daubneyi in sika deer worldwide and in red deer in mainland Europe and add to the growing number of reports on C. daubneyi in livestock in Europe. Considering that the ratio of cattle excreting rumen fluke eggs exceeded that of deer substantially, it can reasonably be assumed that the C. daubneyi infections in deer are a consequence of the prevalent infection in cattle, illustrating a pathogen spillover event from livestock into wildlife.

Intraductal magnetic resonance imaging of cholangiocarcinoma - a practical possibility.

Intraductal T2 mapping based on a catheter receiver is proposed as a method of visualizing the extent of intraductal and periductal cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Compared to external receivers, internal receivers provide locally enhanced signal-to-noise ratios by virtue of their lower field-of-view for body noise, allowing smaller voxels and higher resolution. However, inherent radial sensitivity variation and segmentation for patient safety both distort image brightness. We discuss simulated T2 weighted images and T2 maps, and in vitro images obtained using a thin film catheter receiver of a freshly resected liver specimen containing a polypoid intraductal tumor from a patient with CCA. T2 mapping provides a simple method of compensating non-uniform signal reception patterns of catheter receivers, allowing the visualization of tumor extent without contrast enhancement and potentially quantitative tissue characterization. Potential advantages and disadvantages of in vivo intraductal imaging are considered.

Occurrence and Risk Factors Associated with Platynosomum illiciens Infection in Cats with Elevated Liver Enzymes.

Platynosomum spp., a hepatic trematode, causes fatal hepatobiliary disease in cats. Feline platynosomiasis is often underestimated due to a lack of awareness and diagnostic challenges. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, factors, and clinicopathological abnormalities associated with Platynosomum spp. infection in cats with elevated serum ALT levels. Platynosomum infection was determined using zinc sulfate flotation and formalin-ether sedimentation. DNA sequence analysis of PCR products from the Platynosomum internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region and cox1 gene was used to identify Platynosomum species. Of a total of 43 cat fecal samples, the proportion of Platynosomum spp. infection by microscopic examination was 11.63% (5/43). All PCR-positive samples were molecularly identified as Platynosomum illiciens. From the logistic regression analysis, the odds of Platynosomum infection in cats without a deworming program were 16 times higher than those of regularly dewormed cats. Demographic data, housing conditions, and predatory behavior were not significantly associated with the infection. Regarding blood profiles, infected cats had higher eosinophil counts (p = 0.014), with no significant differences in ALT (p = 0.791) or ALP (p = 0.970) levels compared to non-infected cats. Our findings demonstrate that eosinophilia in cats with increased serum ALT may suggest P. illiciens infection in endemic areas. We strongly recommend a regular deworming program to mitigate the risk of P. illiciens infection.

Natural variables separate the endemic areas of Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini along a continuous, straight zone in Southeast Asia.

BACKGROUND: Clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis, caused by the liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini respectively, represent significant neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Asia. The co-existence of these pathogens in overlapping regions complicates effective disease control strategies. This study aimed to clarify the distribution and interaction of these diseases within Southeast Asia. METHODS: We systematically collated occurrence records of human clonorchiasis (n = 1809) and opisthorchiasis (n = 731) across the Southeast Asia countries. Utilizing species distribution models incorporating environmental and climatic data, coupled machine learning algorithms with boosted regression trees, we predicted and distinguished endemic areas for each fluke species. Machine learning techniques, including geospatial analysis, were employed to delineate the boundaries between these flukes. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed that the endemic range of C. sinensis and O. viverrini in Southeast Asia primarily spans across part of China, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. During the period from 2000 to 2018, we identified C. sinensis infections in 84 distinct locations, predominantly in southern China (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) and northern Vietnam. In a stark contrast, O. viverrini was more widely distributed, with infections documented in 721 locations across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Critical environmental determinants were quantitatively analyzed, revealing annual mean temperatures ranging between 14 and 20 °C in clonorchiasis-endemic areas and 24-30 °C in opisthorchiasis regions (P < 0.05). The machine learning model effectively mapped a distinct demarcation zone, demonstrating a clear separation between the endemic areas of these two liver flukes with AUC from 0.9 to1. The study in Vietnam delineates the coexistence and geographical boundaries of C. sinensis and O. viverrini, revealing distinct endemic zones and a transitional area where both liver fluke species overlap. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the critical role of specific climatic and environmental factors in influencing the geographical distribution of C. sinensis and O. viverrini. This spatial delineation offers valuable insights for integrated surveillance and control strategies, particularly in regions with sympatric transmission. The results underscore the need for tailored interventions, considering regional epidemiological variations. Future collaborations integrating eco-epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, and parasitology are essential to further elucidate the complex interplay of liver fluke distributions in Asia.

Environmental influence on abundance and infection patterns of snail intermediate hosts of liver and intestinal flukes in North and Central Vietnam.

Liver and intestinal flukes (LIF) are important groups of foodborne zoonotic trematodes (FZTs) in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. Their complex life cycles require specific freshwater snail species as the obligatory first intermediate hosts. In 2019, we conducted a longitudinal study in Yen Bai and Thanh Hoa provinces in North and Central Vietnam, respectively, to investigate the diversity of LIF and their infection prevalence in relation to snail host abundance and environmental factors. Using a combination of morphological and molecular identification techniques, we identified 10 LIF species infecting 11 snail host species. We observed significant seasonal variation in the mean abundance of several snail host species, with the majority of snails collected during the spring. We also detected seasonal changes in LIF species composition, with the highest species richness reported in the spring. Clonorchis sinensis and Fasciola gigantica, two medically important human liver flukes in Asia, were found only in the spring in Yen Bai. Our study revealed that not all snail host species have the same probability of becoming infected, and we recorded seasonal variations in the prevalence of LIF infection in different snail species in relation to water parameters.

Plastoquinone-Derivative SkQ1 Improved the Biliary Intraepithelial Neoplasia during Liver Fluke Infection.

Carcinogenic food-borne liver fluke infections are a serious epidemiological threat worldwide. The major complications of Opisthorchis felineus infection are chronic inflammation and biliary intraepithelial neoplasia. Although evidence has accumulated that increased reactive oxygen species production is observed in liver fluke infection, a direct relationship between the oxidative stress and biliary intraepithelial neoplasia has not been shown. Quinones and SkQ1, a derivative of plastoquinone, have been demonstrated to be cytoprotective in numerous liver injuries due to their potent antioxidant properties. This study is aimed to assess the level of biliary intraepithelial neoplasia in O. felineus-infected hamsters after treatment with mitochondria-targeted SkQ1. SkQ1 significantly reduced the biliary intraepithelial neoplasia, which was accompanied by a decrease in lipid and DNA oxidation byproducts, mRNA expression and level of proteins associated with inflammation (TNF-α, CD68) and fibrogenesis (CK7, αSMA), and was also associated with an activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. Thus, a direct relationship was found between oxidative stress and the severity of biliary intraepithelial neoplasia in O. felineus-infected hamsters. The hepatoprotective effect of plastoquinone-derivative SkQ1 was established; therefore, this compound is a promising agent in complex therapy in the treatment of opisthorchiasis.

Platynosomum illiciens infection in domestic cats: insights from a sanctuary.

Platynosomum illiciens, a trematode parasite known for its intricate life cycle, predominantly infests the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts of domestic cats. In this study, we examined feline fecal samples from a cat sanctuary in Metropolitan Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, aiming to determine whether, even in such environments, cats retain their atavistic hunting habits, as evidenced by the presence of P. illiciens in fecal samples. The infection diagnosis utilized centrifugal sedimentation in the formalin-ethyl acetate test. Out of 72 fecal samples collected from various cats, four tested positive for P. illiciens eggs. This study serves as a reminder that even in environments where they are well-fed, cats exhibit predatory behavior, engaging in hunting and consuming prey, thus exposing themselves to parasites. It emphasizes the importance of veterinarians and cat caretakers being cognizant of the widespread presence of P. illiciens in Brazil and considering it in the differential diagnosis for cats presenting with liver or gallbladder issues. In conclusion, our findings underscore that the ancestral instinct for hunting and predation, preserved in domestic cats, persists despite fulfilling their nutritional needs.

Platynosomum illiciens, um parasito trematódeo conhecido por seu ciclo de vida complexo, infesta predominantemente o fígado, a vesícula biliar e os ductos biliares de gatos domésticos. Neste estudo, examinamos amostras fecais de felinos de um santuário de gatos na região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, com o objetivo de determinar se, mesmo nesses ambientes, os gatos mantêm seus hábitos de caça, evidenciado pela presença de P. illiciens em amostras fecais. O diagnóstico da infecção foi realizado por sedimentação centrífuga no teste de formalina-acetato de etila. Foram obtidas 72 amostras fecais de diferentes gatos e quatro testaram positivo para ovos de P. illiciens. Este estudo é um lembrete de que os gatos terão comportamento predatório, caçando e consumindo presas mesmo quando bem alimentados, ficando expostos ao parasito. Veterinários e cuidadores de gatos devem estar atentos à ampla presença de P. illiciens no Brasil e considerá-la no diagnóstico diferencial de gatos com problemas de fígado ou vesícula biliar. Concluindo, nossos resultados mostram que o instinto atávico dos gatos que se mantiveram conservados durante a domesticação não pode ser anulado quando as necessidades nutricionais dos gatos são satisfeitas.

Associations of Liver Fluke Infection and Cholangiocarcinoma: A Scoping Review.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCa) is a highly lethal malignancy of biliary tract epithelial cells. Liver fluke infection is one of the well-known causes of CCa in endemic areas of Southeast Asian and Western Pacific regions. Multistep processes underlie carcinogenesis induced by chronic infection with the fish-borne liver fluke. Mechanical injury from fluke feeding and migrating in the bile duct causes damage to the bile duct epithelial cells. The excretory or secretory product of a parasite called OvGRN-1 is internalized by human cholangiocytes and induces changes in gene and protein expression associated with wound healing and cancer pathways. Inflammatory cytokines and their gene polymorphisms may also be linked to biliary pathologies. High plasma levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) increase the risk of developing advanced periductal fibrosis (APF) and CCa by promoting CCa cell line proliferation. Anti-helminthic drugs can help decrease the risk of CCa caused by flukes. Surgical resection of the tumor and liver transplantation might be helpful too. Chemotherapy is considered for patients with advanced CCa when they cannot undergo surgery or when other treatment options fail to show improvement. Improvements in hygiene, health education, screening for fluke infection, and anti-helminthic therapy can help prevent liver fluke infection and thus the occurrence of CCa.

Expression of trematode-induced zombie-ant behavior is strongly associated with temperature.

Parasite-induced modification of host behavior increasing transmission to a next host is a common phenomenon. However, field-based studies are rare, and the role of environmental factors in eliciting host behavioral modification is often not considered. We examined the effects of temperature, relative humidity (RH), time of day, date, and an irradiation proxy on behavioral modification of the ant Formica polyctena (Förster, 1850) by the brain-encysting lancet liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum (Rudolphi, 1819). This fluke induces ants to climb and bite to vegetation by the mandibles in a state of temporary tetany. A total of 1264 individual ants expressing the modified behavior were observed over 13 non-consecutive days during one year in the Bidstrup Forests, Denmark. A sub-set of those ants (N = 172) was individually marked to track the attachment and release of infected ants in relation to variation in temperature. Infected ants primarily attached to vegetation early and late in the day, corresponding to low temperature and high RH, presumably coinciding with the grazing activity of potential herbivorous definitive hosts. Temperature was the single most important determinant for the induced phenotypic change. On warm days, infected ants altered between the manipulated and non-manipulated state multiple times, while on cool days, many infected ants remained attached to the vegetation all day. Our results suggest that the temperature sensitivity of the infected ants serves the dual purpose of exposing infected ants to the next host at an opportune time, while protecting them from exposure to high temperatures, which might increase host (and parasite) mortality.

Accuracy of a new rapid diagnostic test for urinary antigen detection and assessment of drug treatment in opisthorchiasis.

BACKGROUND: Screening for opisthorchiasis, a parasitic worm infection affecting many millions of people in Southeast Asia, has traditionally relied on faecal egg examination such as the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT) and Kato-Katz method. Although the urinary enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been used more recently, we developed a urinary antigen-based rapid diagnostic test (RDT) to simplify diagnosis and as a point-of-care testing (POCT) and field applications for surveillance and control of opisthorchiasis. METHODS: A urinary Opisthorchis viverrini (OV)-RDT was developed using immunochromatographic methodology with a specific monoclonal antibody against OV. The diagnostic performance of the urinary OV-RDT was compared to that of quantitative faecal FECT and urinary antigen ELISA (n = 493). Cross-reactivities of urinary OV-RDT with other helminthiases coexisted with O. viverrini were determined (n = 96). A field trial in the application of urinary OV-RDT was compared with urinary antigen ELISA at baseline screening and assessment of drug treatment outcomes in opisthorchiasis (n = 1629). The McNemar chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ-value) tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Urinary OV-RDT had sensitivity of 94.2% and specificity of 93.2%, compared to faecal FECT. Urinary OV-RDT had high diagnostic agreement (Kappa = 0.842-0.874, P < 0.001) and quantitative correlation with urinary antigen ELISA (Kruskal-Wallis tests = 316.2, P < 0.0001) and faecal FECT (Kruskal-Wallis tests = 362.3, P < 0.0001). The positive rates by OV-RDT, ELISA and FECT were 48.9%, 52.5% and 49.3%, respectively. Cross-reactions of urinary OV-RDT with other helminthiases were few (2%). Field trials of urinary OV-RDT yielded comparable prevalence of O. viverrini between urinary OV-RDT (53.2%) and urinary antigen ELISA (54.0%). OV screening showed high diagnostic agreement (kappa > 0.8, P < 0.0001) between urinary OV-RDT and urinary antigen ELISA. The cure rates of opisthorchiasis at 1 month post-praziquantel treatment determined by urinary OV-RDT (86.6%) and urinary antigen ELISA (80.5%) were similar (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary OV-RDT test has high potential as a new tool for screening and evaluating treatment outcomes in opisthorchiasis. The ease of sample collection and simplicity of urinary OV-RDT may facilitate mass screening, control and elimination of opisthorchiasis, thereby contributing to a reduction in the disease burden in Southeast Asia.

Intron Regions as Genetic Markers for Population Genetic Investigations of Opisthorchis viverrini sensu lato and Clonorchis sinensis.

Opisthorchiasis and clonorchiasis are prevalent in Southeast and Far-East Asia, which are caused by the group 1 carcinogenic liver flukes Opisthorchis viverrini sensu lato and Clonorchis sinensis infection. There have been comprehensive investigations of systematics and genetic variation of these liver flukes. Previous studies have shown that O. viverrini is a species complex, called "O. viverrini sensu lato". More comprehensive investigations of molecular systematics and population genetics of each of the species that make up the species complex are required. Thus, other polymorphic genetic markers need to be developed. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the intron regions of taurocyamine kinase gene (TK) to examine the genetic variation and population genetics of O. viverrini and C. sinensis collected from different geographical isolates and from a range of animal hosts. We screened seven intron regions embedded in TK. Of these, we selected an intron 5 of domain 1 (TkD1Int5) region to investigate the genetic variation and population genetics of theses liver flukes. The high nucleotide and haplotype diversity of TkD1Int5 was detected in O. viverrine. Heterozygosity with several insertion/deletion (indel) regions were detected in TkD1Int5 of the O. viverrine samples, whereas only an indel nucleotide was detected in one C. sinensis sample. Several O. viverrine samples contained three different haplotypes within a particular heterozygous sample. There were no genetic differences between C. sinensis isolated from various animal host. Heterozygous patterns specifically detected in humans was observed in C. sinensis. Thus, TkD1Int5 is a high polymorphic genetic marker, which could be an alternative marker for further population genetic investigations of these carcinogenic liver flukes and other related species from a wide geographical distribution and variety of animal hosts.

Biliary Parasitic Diseases Associated with Hepatobiliary Carcinoma.

Background: Despite long-term preventative efforts by local public health authorities, the prevalence of fluke infection remains high in specific areas in eastern and southeastern Asia. Recently increasing travel or migration activities have led to the transfer and spread of such infections from endemic areas to other regions. Summary: The epidemiology, clinical signs, and symptoms for three common blood and liver flukes, namely Schistosoma japonicum, Clonorchis sinensis, and Opisthorchis viverrini, are described in this review, and their current diagnosis and management strategy are reviewed. These flukes are considered clinically important because of the increased risk of liver or biliary cancer. Key Messages: Early treatment and prevention of disease spread can reduce the incidence of related hepatobiliary cancer. Recognition of these fluke infection is essential for a correct diagnosis and early treatment to prevent the development of deadly cancers.

Single Amino Acid Polymorphisms in the Fasciola hepatica Carboxylesterase Type B Gene and Their Potential Role in Anthelmintic Resistance.

The expression of the Fasciola hepatica carboxylesterase type B (CestB) gene is known to be induced upon exposure to the anthelmintic triclabendazole (TCBZ), leading to a substantial rise in enzyme-specific activity. Furthermore, the nucleotide sequence of the CestB gene displays variations that can potentially result in radical amino acid substitutions at the ligand binding site. These substitutions hold the potential to impact both the ligand-protein interaction and the catalytic properties of the enzyme. Thus, the objective of our study was to identify novel CestB polymorphisms in TCBZ-resistant parasites and field isolates obtained from a highly endemic region in Central Mexico. Additionally, we aimed to assess these amino acid polymorphisms using 3D modeling against the metabolically oxidized form of the anthelmintic TCBZSOX. Our goal was to observe the formation of TCBZSOX-specific binding pockets that might provide insights into the role of CestB in the mechanism of anthelmintic resistance. We identified polymorphisms in TCBZ-resistant parasites that exhibited three radical amino acid substitutions at positions 147, 215, and 263. These substitutions resulted in the formation of a TCBZSOX-affinity pocket with the potential to bind the anthelmintic drug. Furthermore, our 3D modeling analysis revealed that these amino acid substitutions also influenced the configuration of the CestB catalytic site, leading to alterations in the enzyme's interaction with chromogenic carboxylic ester substrates and potentially affecting its catalytic properties. However, it is important to note that the TCBZSOX-binding pocket, while significant for drug binding, was located separate from the enzyme's catalytic site, rendering enzymatic hydrolysis of TCBZSOX impossible. Nonetheless, the observed increased affinity for the anthelmintic may provide an explanation for a drug sequestration type of anthelmintic resistance. These findings lay the groundwork for the future development of a molecular diagnostic tool to identify anthelmintic resistance in F. hepatica.

Development of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Promotion Model in a High-Risk Population for Cholangiocarcinoma in Thailand: An Action Research.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a model for promoting fruit and vegetable consumption  in Thailand's high-risk population for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). METHODS: Action research was used as a guiding framework for model development. Participants were divided into groups for process development and evaluation. Group discussions and practice notes were utilized as tools for process development. Data were collected through questionnaires. Qualitative data were categorized and analyzed using content analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyze quantitative data. RESULTS: The model development process, following the PAOR framework (Planning, Action, Observation, Reflection), involved fruit and vegetable consumption promotion.  The model, named the "NONGBO NO-CCA Model" included various components: active involvement of villagers in planning, objective sharing of experiences and brainstorming to identify CCA prevention strategies, establishment of networks to support community healthcare, enhancement of community self-reliance through utilization of local resources, and encouragement of chemical-free and environmentally friendly fruit and vegetable cultivation. Following model development, at-risk individuals demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in knowledge, attitude, and practice (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that at-risk individuals exhibited improvements in knowledge, attitude, and practice. Knowledge gains may be attributed to educational training activities, improved attitudes may result from networking processes, and modifications in practice behaviors may be influenced by community participation. Therefore, active involvement in community development can serve as a guiding principle for effective proactive CCA prevention.

Liver fluke in a young Nepalese girl: A rare diagnostic puzzle.

Key Clinical message: Fascioliasis poses diagnostic challenges to clinicians for its broad spectrum of hepatobiliary symptoms and lower detection rates. Timely and precise identification avoids long-standing hepatic complications. Abstract: Fasciola hepatica, a trematode parasite, inhabits snails and sheep. Human hepatic fascioliasis is a neglected tropical disease with no specific tests. In this instance, the significance of clinical awareness, appropriate imaging, and serological investigations is demonstrated. A young Nepalese girl was diagnosed and managed successfully.

A socio-ecological framework for examining foodborne parasitic infection risk.

Human liver fluke infection through the consumption of raw freshwater fish is one of the foodborne parasitic infections of global concern. Despite decades of health campaign efforts, high prevalence of infection remains in different areas of the Lower Mekong Basin. This necessitates the consideration of the infection differences between places and the human-environment complexities of disease transmission. This paper used the socio-ecological model as a framework to unraveled the social science dimensions of liver fluke infection. We conducted questionnaire surveys in Northeast Thailand to gather participants' knowledge on liver fluke infection and reasons for raw fish consumption. We synthesized our findings with prior work to identify factors influencing liver fluke infection at four socio-ecological levels. At the individual level, gender and age differences in food consumption habits and personal hygiene of open defection presented the behavioral risks. At the interpersonal level, family tradition and social gathering affected the disease risk. At the community level, physical-social-economic environments of land use and modernization, community health infrastructure and health volunteer support accounted for the varying degree of infection. At the policy level, impacts of regional and national regulations on disease control, health system organization structure, and government development projects were of concerned. The findings provide insights into how infection risks are shaped by people's behavior, social connectedness, interactions with places, and the interplay of these multi-level socio-ecological influences. The framework therefore allows a more comprehensive understanding of liver fluke infection risks to inform a culturally sensitive and sustainable disease control program.

A survey for antibodies against Fasciola hepatica in cattle and sheep in finland indicates a low level of exposure.

BACKGROUND: Fasciolosis is a parasitic infection caused by the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica that can have a major economic impact on livestock industry. The prevalence of the disease has recently been increasing in many North European countries. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibody against F. hepatica in Finnish cattle herds and sheep flocks during 2019 by using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Randomly selected bulk tank milk samples were obtained from 660 dairy herds. Blood samples were collected at slaughterhouses from 1944 suckler cows from 309 herds and from 1120 sheep from 95 flocks. RESULTS: Antibodies against F. hepatica were found in 0.45% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15-1.33) of the dairy herds and 0.97% (95% CI: 0.33-2.82) of the suckler cow herds. The seropositive herds were located in eastern and central Finland. None of the sampled sheep flocks tested had antibodies against F. hepatica (95% CI: 0-3.89). The results of the assays were compared with meat inspection data received from the slaughterhouses. All positive herds also had liver condemnations due to F. hepatica based on the meat inspection reports. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other North European countries, the prevalence of fasciolosis in Finland can be considered low, and according to meat inspection reports, there are no indications of the prevalence increasing in Finland.

Distinct antibody response in susceptible and non-susceptible hosts of the carcinogenic liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini infection.

Opisthorchis viverrini is a carcinogenic parasite that can cause bile duct cancer called cholangiocarcinoma. A study of the immune response of this parasite in susceptible and non-susceptible hosts may provide a clue to develop vaccines and immunodiagnostic markers, which are currently not available. Here, we compared the antibody response in susceptible Golden Syrian hamsters and non-susceptible BALB/c mice infected by the liver fluke. In mice, the antibody was detected between 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, whereas it was positive between 2 and 4 weeks post-infection in hamsters. Immunolocalization revealed that the antibody from mice reacts strongly with the tegumental surface and gut epithelium of the worm, while hamster antibody showed a weak signal in the tegument and a comparable signal in the gut of the worm. Immunoblot of the tegumental proteins demonstrated that while hamster antibody showed a broad specificity, mice strongly reacted with a single protein band. Mass spectrometry revealed these immunogenic targets. Recombinant proteins of the reactive targets were produced in the bacterial expression system. The immunoblot of these recombinant proteins confirm the reactivity of their native form. In summary, there is a different antibody response against O. viverrini infection in susceptible and non-susceptible hosts. The non-susceptible host reacts quicker and stronger than the susceptible host.

Coproscopical diagnosis of patent Fasciola hepatica infections in sheep - A comparison between standard sedimentation, FLUKEFINDER® and a combination of both.

The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is a highly pathogenic and zoonotic trematode with a cosmopolitan distribution. In livestock, infections may lead to significant economic losses if not diagnosed promptly and treated effectively. Particularly for small ruminants, the standard method for the detection of fluke infection is based on coproscopical methods such as the sedimentation method, which detects F. hepatica eggs in faecal samples. In this respect a recent innovative coproscopical approach to diagnose patent infections is the FLUKEFINDER® method, which relies on differential sieving before sedimentation. These two methods and a combination of both methods that allows larger amounts of faeces to be processed with the FLUKEFINDER® apparatus were compared, to assess which method is most appropriate to determine the prevalence and intensity of F. hepatica egg shedding. The methods were compared for their ability to recover eggs from ovine faecal samples containing different numbers of fluke eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces and diluting the samples further by mixing with faeces from uninfected sheep. To compare the specificity of the test procedures, positive and negative samples with a low EPG were analysed in parallel by an investigator blinded to the nature of the samples. Significant differences concerning the EPG outcome were found: The FLUKEFINDER® method demonstrated the highest EPG values (p < 0.001) in the undiluted samples as well as in all mixing levels, followed by the modified FLUKEFINDER® method. The standard sedimentation showed the lowest EPG values and the highest variability between technical replicates. The precision of the FLUKEFINDER® method and the modified FLUKEFINDER® method were significantly higher than the precision of the standard sedimentation as determined by comparison of variability between technical replicates. The highest raw egg counts were detected using the modified FLUKEFINDER® method. The FLUKEFINDER® method and the combined method showed a sensitivity of 100 % even at the lowest egg concentrations, whereas the sensitivity of the standard sedimentation was 98.1 % for the same set of samples (i.e. one false negative sample). In a separate investigation aiming to estimate the specificity no differences were found between the three methods: all protocols showed 100 % specificity and were able to correctly distinguish between truly positive and truly negative samples without any evidence of cross-contamination between positive and negative samples processed in parallel.

Prevalence of Human and Animal Fasciolosis in Butajira and Gilgel Gibe Health Demographic Surveillance System Sites in Ethiopia.

Fasciolosis is regarded as a major challenge to livestock productivity worldwide, but the burden of disease in humans has only started to receive some attention in the past three decades. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of human and animal fasciolosis and its determinant factors in the Gilgel Gibe and Butajira Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) sites in Ethiopia. A study was undertaken among 389 households across the two sites. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of households with regard to fasciolosis. Stools from 377 children aged 7-15 years, and 775 animals (cattle, goats and sheep) were analyzed using a proprietary Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) coproantigen ELISA kit. The prevalence of fasciolosis in children was 0.5% and 1% in Butajira and Gilgel Gibe HDSS sites, respectively. The overall prevalence of animal fasciolosis was 29%, 29.2%, and 6% among cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. More than half of the respondents from Gilgel Gibe (59%, n = 115) did not know that humans can be infected with F. hepatica. The majority of respondents in Gilgel Gibe (n = 124, 64%) and Butajira (n = 95, 50%) did not know the transmission route for fasciolosis. Grazing animals were 7 times more likely to be infected with fasciolosis than animals in cut-and-carry production systems (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.91-13.17). The findings indicated a lack of knowledge amongst local populations about fasciolosis. Thus, there is a need for public health awareness campaigns about fasciolosis in the study areas.