Abstract Fasciola hepatica is a parasite with a worldwide distribution that affects several mammals, including humans, and is considered a public health problem. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in humans, cattle and sheep, as well as to evaluate factors associated with the prevalence. A total of 185 serum samples from sheep, 290 from cattle, and 114 from humans were collected and processed using an in-house developed ELISA to detect IgG antibodies against F. hepatica. Additionally, 185 stool samples from sheep and 290 from cattle were examined using a Dennis sedimentation technique. Risk factors were analyzed using epidemiological surveys. The overall seroprevalence was 46.5% (86/185) in sheep, 32.5% (94/289) in cattle, and no humans tested positive for the infection. The coprological prevalence was 47.7% (86/180) in sheep and 33.7% (98/290) in cattle. Female gender and cattle living with alternate grazing management showed 2.5 and 6.5 times higher probability of infection, respectively. Bovines coexisting with sheep exhibited a higher risk of infection (odds ratio [OR]=4.3) compared to those without sheep. We concluded that F. hepatica in cattle and sheep has an endemic behavior, and therefore represents a problem of public health for rural communities.

Resumo Fasciola hepatica é um parasita com distribuição mundial que afeta diversos mamíferos, inclusive humanos, sendo considerado um problema de saúde pública. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de Fasciola hepatica em humanos, bovinos e ovinos, bem como avaliar fatores associados à prevalência de infecção em bovinos. Um total de 185 amostras de soro de ovinos, 290 de bovinos e 114 de humanos foram coletadas e processadas, usando-se ELISA desenvolvido internamente para detectar anticorpos IgG contra F. hepatica. Além disso, 185 amostras de fezes de ovinos e 290 de bovinos foram examinadas, usando-se uma técnica de sedimentação modificada de Dennis. Os fatores de risco foram analisados por meio de inquéritos epidemiológicos. A soroprevalência de F. hepatica foi de 46,5% (86/185) em ovinos, 32,5% (94/289) em bovinos, e nenhum humano apresentou resultado positivo para a infecção. A prevalência coprológica foi de 47,7% (86/180) em ovinos e 33,7% (98/290) em bovinos. Fêmeas e gado vivendo com pastejo alternado, apresentaram probabilidade 2,5 e 6,5 vezes maior de infecção, respectivamente. Bovinos coexistindo com ovelhas apresentaram maior probabilidade de infecção (odds ratio [OR]=4,3) em comparação com aqueles sem ovelhas. Concluí-se que a F. hepatica em bovinos e ovinos tem comportamento endêmico e, portanto, representa um problema de saúde pública para as comunidades rurais.

Resumo Suínos criados em fundo de quintal têm sido associados às más condições sanitárias e ao desenvolvimento de doenças parasitárias, frequentemente causando problemas de saúde pública e segurança alimentar. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência e os fatores de risco para parasitos gastrointestinais em suínos criados em fundo de quintal. Foram amostrados 279 animais de 32 fazendas de suínos localizadas nos municípios de Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Giron e Piedecuesta, da Área Metropolitana de Bucaramanga, Colômbia. As amostras fecais foram coletadas diretamente do reto e processadas por quatro técnicas coprológicas. A prevalência geral de parasitos gastrintestinais foi de 91%, sendo os maiores valores para Balantidium coli e Eimeria sp. Em relação à prevalência por municípios, não houve associação estatística (p≥ 0,05), indicando que a prevalência foi semelhante na região estudada. O município de Floridablanca, porcos caipiras, acesso a latrinas e consumo de água da nascente mostraram ser um fator de risco para os nematoides enquanto no município de Giron, porcos com mais de 7 meses de idade e acesso a latrinas, aumentou o risco de infecção por coccídios. Concluiu-se que há uma alta prevalência de parasitos gastrointestinais em suínos criados em fundo de quintal da Área Metropolitana de Bucaramanga, e que isso poderia ser controlado melhorando as práticas de manejo e as instalações agrícolas.

Abstract Backyard pigs have been associated with poor sanitary conditions and the development of parasitic diseases, often causing public health and food safety problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal parasites in backyard pigs. 279 animals were sampled from thirty-two backyard pig farms located in the Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Giron and Piedecuesta municipalities, from Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, Colombia. Fecal samples were taken directly from the rectum and processed by four coprological techniques. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 91%, being the highest values for Balantidium coli and Eimeria sp. Regarding the prevalence by municipalities, there was no statistical association (p ≥ 0.05) indicating that the prevalence was similar in the region under study. Floridablanca municipality, free-ranging pigs, access to latrines, and consumption of spring water showed to be a risk factor for nematodes, while Giron municipality, pigs > 7 months of age and access to latrines, increased infection risk for coccidian. We concluded that there is a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in backyard pigs from the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, and that it could be controlled by improving management practices and farm facilities.

The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and other gastrointestinal parasites in dual-purpose cattle from the municipality Sabana de Torres, department of Santander, Colombia. Faecal and blood samples (n=196) were collected in 18 dual-purpose farms. The animals were stratified into three age groups: 0- 12, 12-24 and >24 months. Faecal samples were processed by the McMaster and Dennis coprological techniques, and the presence of antibodies anti-F. hepatica was determined by an indirect ELISA test. The genera of the parasites were identified according to the size and morphology of their eggs or infective larvae. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 36.7%, with the highest values for Eimeria sp (19.4%) and Paramphistomum sp (9.2%). The coprological and serological prevalence of F. hepatica was 4.1 and 6.1%, respectively, which reflects that the municipality Sabana de Torres is a hypoendemic zone for F. hepatica. A statistical association (p<0.05) was found between Eimeria sp parasitism and the age group.

El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar la prevalencia de Fasciola hepatica y otras parasitosis gastrointestinales en bovinos doble propósito del municipio Sabana de Torres, departamento de Santander, Colombia. Se colectaron 196 muestras fecales y de sangre en 18 fincas de doble propósito. Los animales fueron estratificados en tres grupos etarios: 0-12, 12-24 y >24 meses. Las muestras fecales se procesaron mediante las técnicas coprológicas de McMaster y Dennis, y la presencia de anticuerpos anti-F. hepatica se determinó mediante una prueba de ELISA indirecto. Se identificaron los géneros de los parásitos según tamaño y morfología de sus huevos o de las larvas infectivas. La prevalencia global de parásitos gastrointestinales fue de 36.7%, siendo los valores más altos para Eimeria sp (19.4%) y Paramphistomum sp (9.2%). La prevalencia coprológica y serológica de F. hepatica fue de 4.1 y 6.1%, respectivamente, lo que refleja que el municipio Sabana de Torres es una zona hipoendémica para F. hepatica. Se encontró asociación estadística (p<0.05) entre el parasitismo por Eimeria sp y el grupo etario.

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in bovines from the department of Cesar, Colombia. Faecal samples were collected (n=862) from 27 dual-purpose cattle farms in two municipalities. The animals were stratified into three age groups: 0-12, 12-24 and >24 months. The samples were processed using the coprological techniques of McMaster, Dennis and Baermann. The genera of the parasites were identified according to the morphology of their eggs or infective larvae. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 83.2%, with the highest values for Eimeria sp (77.9%), Strongyloides sp (10.8%) and Haemonchus sp (8.5%). No statistical association was found due to effect of the municipalities, but it was observed due to the effect of the age group on the prevalence of Eimeria sp, Strongyloides, Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus (p<0.05)

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de parásitos gastrointestinales en bovinos del departamento del Cesar, Colombia. Se colectaron 862 muestras fecales en 27 fincas de doble propósito de dos municipios. Los animales fueron estratificados en tres grupos etarios: 0-12, 12-24 y >24 meses. Las muestras se procesaron mediante las técnicas coprológicas de McMaster, Dennis y Baermann. Se identificaron los géneros de los parásitos según morfología de sus huevos o larvas infectivas. La prevalencia global de parásitos gastrointestinales fue de 83.2%, siendo los valores más altos para Eimeria sp (77.9%), Strongyloides sp (10.8%) y Haemonchus sp (8.5%). No se encontró asociación estadística por efecto de los municipios, pero se observó por efecto del grupo etario en la prevalencia de Eimeria sp, Strongyloides, Haemonchus y Trichostrongylus (p<0.05)