Copro-prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in Chilean breed horses in the province of Concepción, Chile / Copro-prevalência de Fasciola hepatica em equinos de raça chilena na província de Concepción, Chile

Abstract The aim of this research was to assess the copro-prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in owned Chilean breed horses (Equus caballus) residing in the province of Concepción, Chile. The study was carried out throughout October 2017. Samples were taken from all (100%) Chilean breed horse (124 specimens; 45 females and 79 males, aged between 7 months and 24 years old) from the Concepción province. A rectal stool sample was obtained from each animal. This was analyzed using the Army Medical School method (AMS III) technique to detect F. hepatica eggs. Information about the horse's age, sex, previous fasciolicide application, and an assessment of body condition was also obtained. Fisher tests were carried out to analyze the results. Ten horses (8.06%) were positive for the presence of F. hepatica eggs. No significant difference of copro-prevalence was found between age (young 8.47%, old 7.69%), sex (female 11.1%, male 6.33%), the previous application of fasciolicide (dewormed 10%, not dewormed 7.89%), or body condition (low condition 11.1%, high condition 0.7%) categories (Fisher tests: P>0.05 in all cases). The results of this study suggest that Chilean breed horses constitute part of the reservoir of F. hepatica for both ruminant populations and humans in the Concepción province.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a coproprevalência de Fasciola hepatica em equinos chilenos (Equus caballus), residentes na província de Concepción, região de Bío-Bío, Chile. O estudo foi realizado durante o mês de outubro de 2017. Foram coletadas amostras de todos os equinos estabulados (124 espécimes; 45 fêmeas e 79 machos, com idades entre 7 meses e 24 anos) da província de Concepción. Uma amostra de fezes transretal foi obtida de cada animal, analisada no Laboratório "Dr. Luis Rubilar", da Universidad de Concepción, usando-se a técnica AMS III, para detectar a presença de ovos de F. hepatica. O diagnóstico fecal foi complementado com informações sobre a idade do animal, sexo, aplicação prévia de fasciolicida e uma avaliação da condição corporal. Testes de Fisher foram realizados para analisar os resultados. Dos 124 equinos, 10 (8,06%) foram positivos para ovos de F. hepatica. Não foi encontrada associação significativa entre idade, sexo, aplicação prévia de fasciolicida ou condição corporal com a presença de ovos. Um cavalo tratado com triclabendazol foi positivo para ovos de F. hepatica.

Estudio de la presencia de huevos de Toxocara sp. en suelos de áreas públicas de la ciudad de Chillán, Chile / Study of Toxocara sp. eggs in soils of public areas of the city of Chillán, Chile

Introduction: Squares and public areas are mentioned frequently as source of infections by Toxocara sp. for people. There is no study of the presence of Toxocara sp. eggs in soils of the city of Chillán, Chile. Aims: To assess the presence of toxocara eggs in the soils of public areas of Chillán. Material and Methods: 43 public areas were studied in January of 2014. Samples were processed by sedimentation-flotation method. In addition, two positive control assays were performed: one with feces contaminated with Toxocara eggs mixed with soil; and the other leaving the feces on the soil and then analyzing this soil. Results: No Toxocara eggs were detected in public areas, but they were found in both positive control assays. Discussion: Several factors, including seasonality (summer) and the frequency of the cleaning of the areas, may explain this result, which cannot be interpreted necessarily as a lack of risk, but instead as a low risk, if it exists, given the possibility that the load may be low enough as to be undetectable.

Introducción: Las áreas públicas se mencionan frecuentemente como fuente de infección por Toxocara sp. para la población. En la ciudad de Chillán no se han realizado estudios de la presencia de huevos de Toxocara sp. en suelos de áreas públicas. Objetivos: Evaluar la presencia de huevos de Toxocara en suelos de áreas públicas de la ciudad de Chillán. Material y Método: Se evaluaron 43 áreas públicas en enero de 2014, analizándose sus suelos mediante el método de sedimentación-flotación. Además se realizaron dos ensayos como controles positivos, uno con una mezcla de heces positivas a huevos de Toxocara y suelo, luego se analizó la mezcla, y el otro dejando heces positivas sobre el suelo, y luego analizando sólo el suelo. Resultados: No se detectaron huevos de Toxocara en las muestras de áreas públicas, pero sí se encontraron en ambos controles positivos. Discusión: Diversos factores, incluyendo la estacionalidad (verano) y la frecuencia de la limpieza en las áreas, pueden explicar este resultado, el que no debe ser interpretado necesariamente como una carencia de riesgo, sino más bien como un riesgo que de existir es escaso, dada la posibilidad que la carga sea lo suficientemente baja para no ser detectada.