Spatial analysis and risk mapping of Fasciola hepatica infection in dairy cattle at the Peruvian central highlands.

This study aimed to develop maps for Fasciola hepatica infection occurrence in dairy cattle in the districts of Matahuasi and Baños in the Peruvian central highlands. For this, a model based on the correlation between environmental variables and the prevalence of infection was constructed. Flukefinder® coprological test were performed in samples from dairy cattle from 8 herds, during both the rainy and wet season. Grazing plots were geo-referenced to obtain information on environmental variables. Monthly temperature, monthly rainfall, elevation, slope, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), distance to rivers, urban areas and roads were obtained by using remote sensor images and ArcGIS®. Multilayer perceptron Artificial Neural Networks modeling were applied to construct a predictive model for the occurrence of fasciolosis, based on the relationship between environmental variables and level of infection. Kappa coefficient (k > 0.6) was used to evaluate concordance between observed and forecasted risk by the model. Coprological results demonstrated an average prevalence from 20% to 100%, in Matahuasi, and between 0 and 87.5%, in Baños. A model with a high level of concordance between predicted and observed infection risk (k = 0.77) was obtained, having as major predicting variables: slope, NDWI, NDVI and EVI. Fasciolosis risk was categorized as low (p < 20%), medium (20% < p < 50%) and high (p ≥ 50%) level. Using ArcGIS 10.4.1, risk maps were developed for each risk level of fasciolosis. Maps of fasciolosis occurrence showed that 87.2% of Matahuasi area presented a high risk for bovine fasciolosis during the dry season, and 76.6% in the wet season. In contrast, 21.9% of Baños area had a high risk of infection during the dry season and 12.1% during the wet season. In conclusion, our model showed areas with high risk for fasciolosis occurrence in both districts during both dry and rainy periods. Slope, NDWI, NDVI and EVI were the major predictors for fasciolosis occurrence.

Seroprevalencia de Toxoplasma gondii en alpacas (Lama pacos) en una unidad de producción de la sierra central del Perú / Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in alpacas (Lama pacos) in a commercial production unit of the central highlands of Peru

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la seroprevalencia de Toxoplasma gondii en alpacas de la Unidad de Producción Cochas de la SAIS Túpac Amaru, ubicada en el departamento de Junín. En diciembre del 2000 se recolectaron 200 muestras de sangre de alpacas de ambos sexos para la detección de anticuerpos contra T. gondii mediante la técnica de Hemaglutinación Indirecta (HAI). Los resultados indicaron que el 21 ± 5.6 por ciento (42/200) de las muestras presentaron anticuerpos con títulos que variaron desde 1/16 hasta 1/1024. Mediante la prueba de regresión logística no se encontró asociación estadística significativa entre la presencia de anticuerpos contra T. gondii y el sexo de las alpacas; sin embargo, hubo diferencia con la edad del animal, siendo las alpacas jóvenes (8 a 12 meses) 2.9 veces más susceptibles que los dos grupos >12-36 y >36 meses de edad. La prevalencia encontrada en el presente estudio fue moderada.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in alpacas from a commercial unit of SAIS Tupac Amaru, located at Junín Department. A total of 200 blood samples were collected in alpacas of both sexes for the detection of antibodies against T. gondii by the Indirect Hemaglutination Test (IHA). The results indicated that 21 ± 5.6 percent (42/200) of the samples had antibodies and the titres varied from 1/16 till 1/1024. The Logistic Regression Test failed to obtain statistical relationship between the presence of T. gondii antibodies and the sex of the animal, but there was a significant relationship with age. Young alpacas (8 to 12 months of age) were 2.9 times more susceptible than the groups of >12-36 and >36 months of age. These results could be due to the presence of maternal antibodies, animal management, environmental factors, and the presence of the definitive host. The prevalence found in the present study was considered as moderate.

Prevalencia de Giardia sp. en canes de los distritos del cono sur de Lima Metropolitana / Prevalence of Giardia sp. in dogs in the districts of the southern cone of metropolitan Lima

The object of this study was to assess the prevalence of Giardia sp. in domestic canines from the Southern part of Lima, Peru. A total of 204 fecal samples from canines of districts of Surco, Barranco, Chorrillos, San Juan de Miraflores, Villa María del Triunfo and Villa El Salvador were recollected. The animals were stratified according to the socioeconomic level of the owner. Samples were analyzed by the direct examination test and by the spontaneous sedimentation test for detection of Giardia sp. The direct examination test shower 8.8 more less 3.9% (18/204) of positive samples whereas the spontaneous sedimentation test gave a prevalence of 15.7 more less 5.0 (32/204). The latter test showed to be more sensitive than the direct examination test when results were compared by the McNemar test. The Logistic Regression test failed to show a significative relationship between presence of Giardia sp. and socioeconomic level of the owner or sex of animal. Puppies (1 year). Likewise, parasitic forms were more frequently detected in soft than in normal feces. The results indicated the existence of a moderate prevalence of Giardia sp. infection in canine population of the Southern of Lima city, suggesting than canine giardiasis in Lima would be a serious problem of Public Health.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de Giardia sp. en caninos doméstico en el cono sur de la ciudad de Lima. Se recolectaron 204 muestras de heces de caninos doméstico procedentes de hogares en los distritos de Surco, barranco, Chorrillos, San Juan de Miraflores, Villa María del Triunfo y Villa El Salvador. Los hogares se estratificaron de acuerdo al nivel socioeconómico de los propietarios. Las muestras se analizaron mediante las técnicas de examen directo y sedimentación espontánea para la detección de Giardia sp. La prueba de examen directo dio el 8.8 más menos 3.9% (18/204) de muestras positivas mientras que la prueba de sedimentación espontánea demostró ser más sensible que el examen directo hallándose diferencias estadísticas significativas mediante la prueba de McNemar. La prueba de Regresión Logística no mostró relaciones significativas entre la presencia de Giardia sp. con el nivel socioeconómico de procedencia o el sexo de los canes. Los cachorros (<1 año) fueron más susceptibles que los adultos (mayor o igual a 1 año). Así mismo, las formas parasitarias del organismo se detectaron con mayor frecuencia en heces sueltas que en heces normales. Se comprueba la existencia de una prevalencia moderada de infección por Giardia sp. en la población canina del Cono Sur de Lima, sugiriendo que la giardiasis canina en Lima constituiría un serio problema de Salud Pública.