TDK conference 2018

Fasciola heptica, also known as the common liver fluke, is one of the parasites of grazing sheep and cattle worldwide that causes significant economic losses. This species has been known in Europe as well in Hungary for a long time. During the last few decades the importance of fasciolosis became marginal in the country due to the methodical control based on the results of former research. Since 1990s the parasitosis has been diagnosed rarely in Hungary because of some other reasons too. The climate change is not suitable for the intermediate host, the snail, the number of grazing ruminants has decreased considerably in the country, and more effective anthelmintics are used. On the other hand, the frequent parasitological examinations carried out in the counties stopped. Nowadays it is not known whether fasciolosis can occur in ruminants, especially in sheep which present in the greatest number on the Hungarian pastures. The aim of our study was to reply to this question.

Blood samples were taken from 358 sheep (10-97 animals per place) in 13 flocks kept in 10 counties of the country. The specific antibodies against F. hepatica were examined first time in Hungary with serological method using BIOX FASCIOLA HEPATICA ELISA KITl (BIO-X DIAGNOSTICS, Belgium).

Altogether 41.6% of sheep (149) was seropositive of which 21 (5.9%), 18 (5.0%) and 110 (30.7%) animals were strongly, mildly and weakly infected, respectively. There was one or more infected sheep in each flock. The seroprevalence of fasciolosis based on the examined animals ranged between 10% és 90% in the farms. In a flock kept in Baranya county almost half the examined sheep (45) was seropositive out of 98 ones. The occurrence of fasciolosis was also confirmed with detecting flukes in the bile ducts of dead or slaughtered animals. Based on the data obtained these sheep became infected with F. hepatica on the local pasture. In spite of the former knowledge the endemic occurrence of fasciolosis must be taken into account.

In summary, further studies are needed to survey the parasitosis in the country that should be carried out with serological method.