Histopathological findings of Fasciola hepatica infection in non-native European hare (Lepus europaeus) in Southern 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.

An Update on the Pathogenesis of Fascioliasis: What Do We Know?

“…65 A description of histopathologic changes caused by F. hepatica natural infection in the European hare (Lepus europaeus) reported hyperplasia of bile ducts with inflammatory cells and chronic fibroblastic response and portal fibrosis. 66 Similar findings were described in a different study including Sika deer from Hokkaido Japan. In this study, a higher burden of infection (45% prevalence) was documented in deer slaughtered for human consumption.…”

Fasciola hepaticainfection in cattle and the use of simulation models for endemic areas

“…Supporting the current study, Hussain & Zghair (2017) and Trivilin et al (2014) reported haemorrhage points on the parietal surface in chronically infected livers, representing the points of entrance of the immature parasites into the liver structure, and enlarged/distended ducts, caused by immunological reaction of macrophages and lymphocytes infiltration during the later stage of fasciolosis. Oyarzún-Ruiz et al (2019) reported that biliary ducts hyperplasia and hypertrophy with fibroblastic formation, as also observed in infected wild rabbits in Chile. Some of the external lesions were observed in the livers from Experiment 2.…”

“…Oyarzún-Ruiz et al . (2019) reported that biliary ducts hyperplasia and hypertrophy with fibroblastic formation, as also observed in infected wild rabbits in Chile. Some of the external lesions were observed in the livers from Experiment 2.…”

Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Syndecan-1 Expression in the Liver of Small Ruminants with Natural Liver Fluke Infection

“…They determined in the same study that thrombosis occurred in the blood veins of the parasite migration routes. The study by Oyarzún-Ruiz et al (2014) identified hyperplasia and hypertrophy in the bile ducts and inflammation in some bile ducts. In the same study, they detected fibrosis and granulomatous response in the liver parenchyma.. Al-Khafaji et al ( 2020) detected hemorrhage cholangitis, and pericholangitis associated with fibrosis caused by adult parasite migration in the liver parenchyma.…”