Insights on the Presence and Economic Impact of Water Related Trematodes in Natural Environments from Patagonia, Southern Argentina

Abstract

In this cross-sectional epidemiological survey, we assessed the diversity and frequency of water related trematodes in Futaleufú Department, a region of southern Argentina with ecological importance due its value as natural fresh water resource and flora and fauna sanctuary. Snails, aquatic vegetables and faecal samples from domestic and wild animals were collected between February 2012 and March 2014. In addition, the official records of authorized slaughterhouses located in the area were analysed in order to estimate the specific rate of liver condemnation due to fascioliasis in livestock and its derived direct costs. The collected snails were identified as Lymnaea spp., Chilina spp. and Physa spp., 20% of the snails proved to be infected at the larval stages of the Fasciola hepatica and Notocotylidae-like family. V. anagallis-aquatica was positive for the presence of the metacercarial stage of both species. The 23.3% of samples of deposition from domestic and wild animals were positive to F. hepatica eggs. The prevalence of fascioliasis in slaughtered animals was 31.4% (CI95%: 31.1%, 31.8%) in bovines and 6.0% (CI95%: 5.9%, 6.2%) in ovines, representing an economic loss of 210,807.5 USD. In consequence, Futaleufú Department should be regarded as an endemic region for animal fascioliasis. Our findings contribute to expand knowledge about the parasitological fauna of freshwater natural environments in the southern Andean Patagonia. Additionally, they would be useful for the application of more effective control strategies against fascioliasis and other water related trematodiasis in the studied region.