Molecular confirmation of Fasciola hepatica infection in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from the state of Esprito Santo, Brazil. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Sixty-two fecal samples of capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) living in eight conservation units (CUs) across the state of Esprito Santo, southeastern Brazil, were assessed for the presence of eggs of liver flukes via sedimentation. Fasciola hepatica eggs were found in 37.1% (23/62) of the samples. Positive samples were found in six CUs (75%), three CUs located in the southern region of the state and three others in the metropolitan region of the capital city of Vitria. Identification of Fasciola hepatica eggs collected from capybara fecal samples were based on morphology, and confirmed using molecular methods. Our results suggest that capybaras may serve as a wild reservoir host for F. hepatica, possibly contributing to the epidemiology and geographic range expansion of this zoonotic parasite across its vast range of distribution in South America.

published proceedings

  • Rev Bras Parasitol Vet

altmetric score

  • 0.25

author list (cited authors)

  • Martins, I., Failla, G., Martins, M., Uzai, G., Viana, M., Gomes, M. C., & Verocai, G. G.

citation count

  • 1

complete list of authors

  • Martins, Isabella Vilhena Freire||Failla, Giuliano||Martins, Marcela Santos Sena||Uzai, Gabriel José Silva||Viana, Marcus Vinicius Gonçalves||Gomes, Moara Cuzzuol||Verocai, Guilherme Gomes

publication date

  • January 2021