Fasciola and fasciolosis in ruminants in Europe – identifying research needs

18 páginas, 1 figura, 2 tablas.

Fasciola hepatica is a trematode parasite with a global distribution, which is responsible for considerable disease and production losses in a range of food producing species. It is also identified by WHO as a re-emerging neglected tropical disease associated with endemic and epidemic outbreaks of disease in human populations. In Europe, F. hepatica is mostly associated with disease in sheep, cattle and goats. This study reviews the most recent advances in our understanding of the transmission, diagnosis, epidemiology and the economic impact of fasciolosis. We also focus on the impact of the spread of resistance to anthelmintics used to control F. hepatica and consider how vaccines might be developed and applied in the context of the immune-modulation driven by the parasite. Several major research gaps are identified which, when addressed, will contribute to providing focussed and where possible, bespoke, advice for farmers on how to integrate stock management and diagnosis with vaccination and/or targeted treatment to more effectively control the parasite in the face of increasing the prevalence of infection and spread of anthelmintic resistance that are likely to be exacerbated by climate change.

All authors are members of the Livestock Helminth Research Alliance (LiHRA), whose vision is to improve the health, wealth and productivity of European livestock by providing sustainable helminth control options. This review was commissioned by DISCONTOOLS (www.discontools.eu) as part of the process of identifying research gaps which impinge on effective and sustainable control of fasciolosis in food producing animals in Europe. DJLW, JC, LR, CC, JPA, AMM all received funding from the European Union through the following awards: FPVI‐FOOD‐CT‐200X‐023025‐DELIVER; FPVII‐KBBE‐2011‐5‐288975‐GLOWORM; FPVII‐KBBE‐2010‐4‐265862‐PARAVAC; H2020‐635408‐PARAGONE. DJLW, JEH, NJB received funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) through awards: BB/K015591/1 and BBI002480/1, and RJF was supported by BBSRC award BB/M018520/1. MMV was funded by the Spanish “Ramón y Cajal” Programme of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RYC‐2015‐18368). CC was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at the University of Liverpool in partnership with Public Health England (PHE) and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, the Department of Health or PHE.

Peer reviewed