Prevalence and gross pathology of liver fluke in macropods cohabiting livestock farms in north eastern NSW, Australia, and diagnosis using cELISA

Title
Prevalence and gross pathology of liver fluke in macropods cohabiting livestock farms in north eastern NSW, Australia, and diagnosis using cELISA
Publication Date
2021-12
Author(s)
Lamb, Jane
Doyle, Emma
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5255-2187
Email: edoyle3@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:edoyle3
Barwick, Jamie
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0905-8527
Email: jbarwic2@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:jbarwic2
Chambers, Michael
Kahn, Lewis
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3679-4530
Email: lkahn3@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:lkahn3
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.10.006
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/60695
Abstract

Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) is a parasite of herbivores including wildlife. Macropods, such as Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and Common wallaroo (Osphranter robustus), are frequently observed sharing grazing sites with domestic livestock. The impact of Macropods, as reservoirs of infection, on livestock production and risks to cross-species transmission are largely unknown. In Phase 1 of this study, liver and faecal samples were collected from 245 Macropods (181 Eastern grey kangaroos, 64 Common wallaroos) cohabiting livestock farms (n = 7) in the Northern Tablelands regions of New South Wales. Total fluke (TFC) and fluke eggs (FEC) were counted in the liver and faeces, respectively, to assess prevalence. Faecal antigens were also measured using the commercial Bio-X Diagnostic Monoscreen AgELISA Fasciola hepatica kit (cELISA) to assess suitability as a diagnostic tool. In Phase 2, Macropod faecal samples were collected from 60 livestock farms to conduct FEC and assess prevalence by region. Liver fluke was prevalent in 22% of Eastern grey kangaroo and 20% of Common wallaroos with prevalence as high as 45% in the Eastern grey kangaroo. Fluke burdens ranged from 1 to 122 flukes (mean = 9 flukes) with a FEC range of 0–195 eggs per gram (epg) of faeces (mean = 18 epg). Evidence of dead and live flukes trapped within fibrotic capsules confirms the ability of Macropods to resolve infections. cELISA proved highly specific (100%) and sensitive (98%) in liver fluke detection however fibrotic capsules observed in the liver may reduce the correlation of coproantigens with fluke burden. Phase 2 revealed that 27% of livestock farms had Macropods infected with liver fluke. Overall, this study confirmed Eastern grey kangaroo and Common wallaroo are susceptible hosts and potential reservoirs for liver fluke and, monitoring infections in Macropods would assist in livestock disease management.

Link
Citation
International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, v.16, p. 199-207
ISSN
2213-2244
Start page
199
End page
207
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

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