Histopathological findings of Fasciola hepatica infection in non-native European hare (Lepus europaeus) in Southern Chile

Abstract Fasciola hepatica is a parasite introduced in America from Europe, being considered of concern for public health and animal production, especially in countries with endemic areas as occur in Chile. In this country, the research has been focused mainly in domestic ruminants, with native and introduced wildlife being largely ignored. Thus, the aim of this study was to report the infection by Fasciola hepatica in an introduced mammal, the European hare, which is distributed along a vast area of the country. One in 42 hares hunted showed histological lesions compatible with F. hepatica, and harbored a parasitic load of 6 liver flukes. This is the first report of this lagomorph acting as host of this helminth in the country and the third in South America. Yet, we found no previous reports regard the pathology of this fluke in the species. Thus, we emphasize the importance of more studies regarding introduced mammals which could be acting as reservoirs for this important fluke.

摘要：肝片形吸虫（Fasciola hepatica）是一种从欧洲传入美洲的寄生虫，被视为公共卫生与动物生产领域的重点关注对象，在智利这类存在流行区的国家尤为受重视。智利国内相关研究多聚焦于家养反刍动物，本土与外来野生动物的相关研究则长期被忽视。有鉴于此，本研究旨在报道一种外来哺乳动物——欧洲野兔（该物种在智利境内分布广泛）的肝片形吸虫感染情况。本次采样的狩猎野兔中，每42只便有1只出现与肝片形吸虫感染相符的组织病理学病变，且体内寄生有6片肝吸虫。本研究为智利境内首次报道该兔形目动物作为该蠕虫宿主的案例，同时也是南美洲范围内的第三例相关报道。目前尚未检索到该物种感染该吸虫后的病理学相关研究记录。因此，本研究强调需针对可能成为该重要吸虫保虫宿主的外来哺乳动物开展更多相关研究。