Re-infection with Fasciola gigantica 6-month post-treatment with triclabendazole in cattle from mobile pastoralist husbandry systems at Lake Chad

Abstract

At Lake Chad in central Africa, livestock fascioliasis caused by Fasciola gigantica represents a major veterinary health problem, particularly in cattle reared in mobile pastoralist husbandry systems. We assessed re-infection after a single dose of triclabendazole with fascioliasis in cattle in a mobile pastoralist setting towards the end of the dry season. Within the cattle herds of 14 groups of mobile pastoralists, 375 cattle were randomly selected. A faecal sample was obtained from each animal to determine the prevalence of F. gigantica. Animals were administered a single oral dose of triclabendazole (12mg/kg). A second faecal sample was obtained 6-month post-treatment after cattle had returned from the annual migration cycle. Faecal samples were fixed in sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF), and examined for F. gigantica using the sedimentation technique. From the 375 cattle enrolled at baseline, 198 animals (53%) in 12 groups of mobile pastoralists were re-sampled at the 6-month follow-up. Baseline prevalence did not differ noteworthy between animals lost to follow-up and those re-examined. At baseline, bovine fascioliasis prevalence in cattle with follow-up data was 41.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 35.2-48.9%). At the 6-month post-treatment follow-up, the prevalence was 46.0% (95% CI 39.2-52.9%), ranging between 0% and 75% at the herd level. The mean faecal egg counts at the unit of the herd were higher at follow-up compared to baseline. The observed persistent high prevalence of F. gigantica infection in cattle shows that a single pre-rainy season treatment does not prevent rapid re-infection despite the partial migration away from the high-risk areas at Lake Chad into drier areas. A locally adapted strategic control package for fascioliasis in cattle in the Lake Chad area ought to integrate targeted triclabendazole treatment and seasonal transhumance practices.

Hepatic biomarkers and coprology as indicators of clinical bovine fasciolosis in Chad

“…Fasciolosis is caused by two species, F. gigantica and F. hepatica. By contrast, other studies [18] found F. gigantica as the only cause of fasciolosis in Chadian cattle pastured along Lake Chad. Thus, fasciolosis is a major veterinary health problem.…”

Survey of bovine fasciolosis burdens in trade cattle slaughtered at abattoirs in North-central Nigeria: The associated predisposing factors and economic implication

“…The complex nature of the epidemiology of this snail-borne disease presents challenges for disease management and animal husbandry ( Mas-Coma et al, 2009 ). Gretera et al (2016) reported a baseline bovine fascioliasis prevalence of 41.9% and higher prevalence of 46.0% at 6-month post-treatment follow-up at the Lake Chad, with increment associated with re-infection due to mobile animal husbandry system. Fasciola hepatica is mainly distributed in temperate regions such as Europe, the Americas, and Australia, with limited distribution of its intermediate host Lymnaea ( Galba ) truncatula , while F. gigantic is more prevalent in tropical countries being adapted to warmer conditions likely due to the wide distribution of its intermediate host Lymnaea ( Radix ) natalensis , and both species have been found in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia ( Walker et al, 2008 , Mas-Coma et al, 2009 , Kanyari et al, 2010 ).…”

Towards the comprehension of fasciolosis (re-)emergence: an integrative overview

“…Thus, knowledge gaps between the scientific and farming communities could challenge the efficiency of this practice. Also, even when it can be relatively easy to accomplish and should reduce parasite load within the herds, the application of flukicides by itself does not prevent reinfections and other interventions are needed to lower the level of pasture infestation with parasite metacercariae (Knubben-Schweizer et al ., 2010; Greter et al ., 2016). Furthermore, the high selective pressure caused by the traditional overreliance on the use of triclabendazole in livestock has resulted in the appearance and spreading of resistant F. hepatica genotypes.…”

“…Even if treatment-based interventions are applied and are proved effective (e.g. Curtale et al ., 2005; Zhang et al ., 2019 a ), reinfection of animals and/or human communities is likely to occur if not coupled with education on the aspects of parasite transmission, risky practices and infection sources, and on the importance of separating animals from crops (Robinson and Dalton, 2009; Greter et al ., 2016). Therefore, it has become increasingly clear that options for effective management and sustainable control need to be developed locally with an understanding of the science underlying control mechanisms (Gray et al ., 2008).…”