Hostname: page-component-6766d58669-zlvph Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-18T18:02:07.987Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Fasciola species and their vertebrate and snail intermediate hosts in East and Southern Africa: a review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2019

M.P. Malatji Open the ORCID record for M.P. Malatji [Opens in a new window] ,
D.M. Pfukenyi  and
S. Mukaratirwa
M.P. Malatji*
Affiliation:
School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
D.M. Pfukenyi
Affiliation:
School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Zimbabwe
S. Mukaratirwa
Affiliation:
School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4001, South Africa
*
Author for correspondence: M.P. Malatji, E-mail: pulanemalatji@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A systematic review was conducted focusing on the distribution of Fasciola species and their snail intermediate hosts (IHs) in East and Southern Africa. The reviewed literature showed that both Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica are present in East and Southern Africa, and infect a wide range of domestic and wild ruminants. Fasciola gigantica was reported in six East African and five Southern African countries, where Radix natalensis (found in low altitudes) was reported to be the main IH. Fasciola hepatica was reported in Tanzania and Ethiopia (East Africa), and in South Africa and Zimbabwe (Southern Africa), where Galba truncatula (found in high altitudes) was documented as the IH in all countries except in Zimbabwe. Both Fasciola species were documented in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. An overlap of the two was observed in areas with an intermediate altitude in Ethiopia and South Africa, where Pseudosuccinea columella was widespread and assumed to transmit both species. Pseudosuccinea columella has been reported in South Africa and Namibia, and proven to transmit F. gigantica in South Africa; its role in Namibia in the transmission of Fasciola species has not been reported. Other lymnaeid species such as R. rubiginosa were reported in South Africa, and R. auricularia in South Africa and Botswana; their role in the transmission of Fasciola species has not been proven. Future studies should aim to determine the role of P. columella in the geographical spread of the two species in East and Southern African countries.

Keywords

Fasciola giganticaFasciola hepaticaintermediate hostLymnaeidaeLymnaeaPseudosuccineaGalbaRadixEast AfricaSouthern Africa

Information

Type
Review Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 94 , 2020 , e63
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Abebe, R, Abdunna, F, Berhane, M, Megersa, B and Regassa, A (2010) Fasciolosis: prevalence, financial losses due to liver condemnation and evaluation of a simple sedimentation diagnostic technique in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal abattoir, southern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Veterinary Journal 14, 39–52.Google Scholar
Admassu, B, Shite, A and Kinfe, G (2015) A review on bovine fasciolosis. European Journal of Biological Sciences 7, 139–146.Google Scholar
Amsalu, T (2017) Prevalence of ovine fasciolosis and loss due to liver condemnation at Bahir Dar Town, Ethiopia. Advances in Biological Research 11, 286–294.Google Scholar
Appleton, C and Miranda, N (2015) Two Asian freshwater snails newly introduced into South Africa and an analysis of alien species reported to date. African Invertebrates 56, 1–17.Google Scholar
Appleton, CC, Curtis, BA, Alonso, LE and Kipping, J (2003) Freshwater invertebrates of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. pp. 58–69 in Alonso, LE and Nordin, L-A (Eds) A rapid biological assessment of the aquatic ecosystems of the Okavango Delta, Botswana: high water survey. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 27. Washington, Conservation International.Google Scholar
Aregay, F, Beleke, J, Ferede, Y and Hailemelekot, M (2013) Study on the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in and around Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Veterinary Journal 17, 1–11.Google Scholar
Assefa, A, Assefa, Z, Beyene, D and Desiss, F (2015) Prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in and around Inchini town, West Showa Zone, Adaa Bega Woreda, Central Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health 7, 241–248.Google Scholar
Betebo, T (2017) Prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle slathered at Hosanna Municipal Abattoir, Southern Ethiopia. International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences 4, 70–76.Google Scholar
Black, J, Ntusi, N, Stead, P, Mayosi, B and Mendelson, M (2013) Human fascioliasis in South Africa. South African Medical Journal 103, 658–659.Google Scholar
Boomker, J (2007) Helminth infections: wildlife. University of Pretoria.Google Scholar
Brown, D (1994) Freshwater snails of Africa and their medical importance. London, Taylor Francis.Google Scholar
Chauke, E, Dhlamini, Z, Mbanga, J and Dube, S (2014) Characterization of Fasciola gigantica isolates from cattle from South-western Zimbabwe using RAPD-PCR. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science 7, 19–25.Google Scholar
Curtis, B (1991) Freshwater macro-invertebrates of Namibia. Madoqua 17, 163–187.Google Scholar
Da Costa, C, Dreyfuss, G and Rondelaud, D (1994) Several observations concerning cercarial sheddings of Fasciola gigantica from Lymnaea natalensis. Parasite 1, 39–44.Google Scholar
De Kock, KN and Wolmarans, CT (1998) A re-evaluation of the occurrence of freshwater molluscs in the Kruger National Park. Koedoe 41, 1–8.Google Scholar
De Kock, KN and Wolmarans, CT (2008) Invasive alien freshwater snail species in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Koedoe: African Protected Area Conservation and Science 50, 49–53.Google Scholar
De Kock, KN, Wolmarans, CT and Bornman, M (2003) Distribution and habitats of the snail Lymnaea truncatula, intermediate host of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica, in South Africa. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 74, 117–122.Google Scholar
Deutsch, WG (1992) Environmental assessment of ten aquaculture sites in Rwanda, Africa. Research and Development 36.Google Scholar
Dida, GO, Gelder, FB, Anyona, DN, Matano, A, Adoka, PO, Ouma, C, Kanangire, CK, Owuor, PO and Ofulla, AVO (2014) Distribution and abundance of schistosomiasis and fascioliasis host snails along the Mara River in Kenya and Tanzania. Infection Ecology and Epidemiology 4, 24281.Google Scholar
Eguale, T, Tilahun, G and Medhin, G (2006) Some biological characteristics of Lymnaea truncatula and laboratory production of Fasciola hepatica metacercariae. SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science 29, 165–170.Google Scholar
Eshetu, E, Thomas, N, Awukew, A, Goa, A and Butako, B (2017) Study on the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis and estimated financial losses due to liver condemnation: incase of Angacha Woreda, Kambata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 7, 78–83.Google Scholar
Fretter, V and Peake, J (1987) Pulmonates, systematics. Evolution and ecology. New York, Academic Press.Google Scholar
Gallivan, G, Karker, IK, Culverwell, J and Girdwood, R (1996) Prevalence of hepatic helminths and associated pathology in impala (Aepyceros melampus) in Swaziland. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 32, 137–141.Google Scholar
Grabner, DS, Mohamed, FAMM, Nachev, M, Meabed, EMH, Sabry, AHA and Sures, B (2014) Invasion biology meets parasitology: a case study of parasite spill-back with Egyptian Fasciola gigantica in the invasive snail Pseudosuccinea columella. PLoS One 9, e885.Google Scholar
Howell, A, Mugisha, L, Davies, J, et al. (2012) Bovine fasciolosis at increasing altitudes: parasitological and malacological sampling on the slopes of Mount Elgon, Uganda. Parasites and Vectors 5, 196.Google Scholar
Hubendick, B (1951) Recent Lymnaeidae. Their variation, morphology, taxonomy, nomenclature, and distribution. Küngliga Svenska Vetenskapsakademiens Handlingar 3, 1–223.Google Scholar
Ibrahim, N (2017) Fascioliasis: systematic review. Advances in Biological Research 11, 278–228.Google Scholar
Jaja, IF, Mushonga, B, Green, E and Muchenje, V (2012) Seasonal prevalence, body condition score and risk factors of bovine fasciolosis in South Africa. Veterinary and Animal Science 4, 1–7.Google Scholar
Jooste, R (1989) A checklist of helminth parasites from the larger domestic and wild mammals of Zimbabwe. Transactions of the Zimbabwe Scientific Association 64, 5–32.Google Scholar
Kamwela, K, Kassuku, AA and Nonga, HE (2013) Prevalence and financial losses associated with bovine fasciolosis at SAAFI and Sumbawanga municipal abattoirs, Rukwa, Tanzania. Tanzania Veterinary Journal 28.Google Scholar
Kedir, S, Deressa, B and Tigre, W (2012) Small ruminant fasciolosis in Jimma area of South Western Ethiopia: its epidemiology and minimum monetary loss. Global Veterinary 9, 635–641.Google Scholar
Kemp, M, De Kock, KN and Wolmarans, CT (2016) A comparison of mollusc diversity between the relatively pristine Marico River and the impacted Crocodile River, two major tributaries of the Limpopo River, South Africa. Water SA 42, 253–260.Google Scholar
Keyyu, J, Kassuku, AA, Msaliwa, LP, Monrad, J and Kyvsgaard, NC (2006) Cross-sectional prevalence of helminth infections in cattle on traditional, small-scale and large-scale dairy farms in Iringa district, Tanzania. Veterinary Research Communications 30, 45–55.Google Scholar
Kithuka, J, Maingi, N, Njeru, FM and Ombui, JN (2002) The prevalence and economic importance of bovine fasciolosis in Kenya-an analysis of abattoir data. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 69, 255–262.Google Scholar
Legesse, G, Asfaw, Y, Tolossa, YH and Beyene, TJ (2014) Epidemiology and economic importance of fasciolosis of domestic ruminants in selected districts of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Veterinary Journal 18, 51–64.Google Scholar
Malatji, MP, Lamb, J and Mukaratirwa, S (2019) Molecular characterization of liver fluke intermediate host lymnaeids (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) snails from selected regions of Okavango Delta of Botswana, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports.Google Scholar
Malatji, MP and Mukaratirwa, S (2019) Molecular detection of natural infection of Lymnaea (Pseudosuccinea) columella (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) with Fasciola gigantica (Digenea: Fasciolidae) from two provinces of South Africa. Journal of Helminthology, 1–6.Google Scholar
Mas-Coma, S (2005) Epidemiology of fascioliasis in human endemic areas. Journal of Helminthology 79, 207–216.Google Scholar
Mas-Coma, S, Bargues, MD and Valero, MA (2005) Fascioliasis and other plant-borne trematode zoonoses. International Journal of Parasitology 35, 1255–1278.Google Scholar
Mas-Coma, S, Valero, MA and Bargues, MD (2009a) Climate change effects on trematodiases, with emphasis on zoonotic fascioliasis and schistosomiasis. Veterinary Parasitology 163, 264–280.Google Scholar
Mas-Coma, S, Valero, MA and Bargues, MD (2009b) Fasciola, lymnaeids and human fascioliasis, with a global overview on disease transmission, epidemiology, evolutionary genetics, molecular epidemiology and control. Advances Parasitology 69, 41–146.Google Scholar
Mebrahtu, G and Beka, K (2013) Prevalence and economic significance of fasciolosis in cattle slaughtered at Dire Dawa Municipal Abattoir, Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Advances 3, 319–324.Google Scholar
Meshesha, M and Tesfaye, W (2017) Prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle slathered at Hosanna municipal abattoir, southern Ethiopia. International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Science 4, 40–46.Google Scholar
Mhoma, J and Kanyari, PWN (2011) The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in goats in urban and peri-urban areas of Mwanza City, Tanzania. Scientia Parasitologica 12, 191–196.Google Scholar
Mhoma, J and Kanyari, PWN (2011) The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in goats in urban and peri-urban areas of Mwanza City, Tanzania. Scientia Parasitologica 12, 191–196.Google Scholar
Mochankana, ME and Robertson, ID (2016) A retrospective study of the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis at major abattoirs in Botswana. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 83, 1–5.Google Scholar
Mochankana, ME and Robertson, ID (2018) Cross-sectional prevalence of Fasciola gigantica infections in beef cattle in Botswana. Tropical Animal Health and Production 1–9.Google Scholar
Moema, E, King, PH and Baker, C (2008) Cercariae developing in Lymnaea natalensis Krauss, 1848 collected in the vicinity of Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 75, 215–223.Google Scholar
Moje, N, Mathewos, S, Desissa, F and Regassa, A (2015) Cross-sectional study on bovine fasciolosis: prevalence, corpological, abattoir survey and financial loss due to liver condemnation at Areka Municipal Abattoir, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health 7, 33–38.Google Scholar
Mucheka, VT, Lamb, JM, Pfukenyi, DM and Mukaratirwa, S (2015) DNA sequence analyses reveal co-occurrence of novel haplotypes of Fasciola gigantica with F. hepatica in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Veterinary Parasitology 214, 144–151.Google Scholar
Mukaratirwa, S and Brand, A (1999) Fasciola traphelaphi in a beef cow. Zimbabwe Veterinary Journal 30, 67–69.Google Scholar
Muma, J, Samui, KL, Oloya, J, Munyeme, M and Skjerve, E (2007) Risk factors for brucellosis in indigenous cattle reared in livestock–wildlife interface areas of Zambia. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 80, 306–317.Google Scholar
Mungube, E, Bauni, SM, Tenhagen, BA, Wamae, LM, Ngini, JM and Mugambi, JM (2006) The prevalence and economic significance of Fasciola gigantica and Stilesia hepatica in slaughtered animals in the semi-arid coastal Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production 38, 475–483.Google Scholar
Munyeme, M, Mingang'andu, HM, Muma, JB, Nambota, AM, Biffa, D and Siamudaala, VM (2010) Investigating effects of parasite infection on body condition of the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in the Kafue basin. BMC Research Notes 3, 346.Google Scholar
Munyeme, M, Muma, JB, Skjerve, E, Nambota, AM, Phiri, IGK, Samui, KL, Dorny, P and Tryland, M (2008) Risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis in traditional cattle of the livestock/wildlife interface areas in the Kafue basin of Zambia. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 85, 317–328.Google Scholar
Mwabonimana, M, Kassuku, AA, Ngowi, HA, Mellau, LSB, Nonga, HE and Karimuribo, ED (2009) Prevalence and economic significance of bovine fasciolosis in slaughtered cattle at Arusha abattoir, Tanzania. Tanzania Veterinary Journal 26, 68–74.Google Scholar
Njeruh, FM, Kithuka, JM, Maingi, N and Ombui, JN (2004) Prevalence and economic importance of fascioliasis in cattle, sheep and goats in Kenya. Kenya Veterinarian 27, 118–123.Google Scholar
Nzalawahe, J, Kassuku, AA, Stothard, JR, Coles, GC and Eisler, MC (2014) Trematode infections in cattle in Arumeru District, Tanzania are associated with irrigation. Parasites and Vectors 7, 107.Google Scholar
Nzalawahe, J and Komba, EV (2013) Occurrence and seasonal predisposition of fasciolosis in cattle and goats slaughtered in Kasulu District abattoir, Western Tanzania. Research Opinions in Animal & Veterinary Sciences 3, 395–400.Google Scholar
Perissinotto, R, Miranda, NAF, Raw, JL and Peer, N (2014) Biodiversity census of lake St Lucia, iSimangaliso wetland park (South Africa): gastropod molluscs. ZooKeys, 1.Google Scholar
Pfukenyi, DM and Mukaratirwa, S (2004) A retrospective study of the prevalence and seasonal variation of Fasciola gigantica in cattle slaughtered in the major abattoirs of Zimbabwe between 1990 and 1999. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 71, 181–187.Google Scholar
Pfukenyi, D, Mukaratirwa, S, Willingham, AL and Monrad, J (2006) Epidemiological studies of Fasciola gigantica infections in cattle in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 73, 37–51.Google Scholar
Phiri, AM, Phiri, IK and Monrad, J (2006) Prevalence of amphistomiasis and its association with Fasciola gigantica infections in Zambian cattle from communal grazing areas. Journal of Helminthology 80, 65–68.Google Scholar
Phiri, AM, Phiri, IK, Sikasunge, CS and Monrad, J (2005b) Prevalence of fasciolosis in Zambian cattle observed at selected abattoirs with emphasis on age, sex and origin. Zoonoses and Public Health 52, 414–416.Google Scholar
Phiri, AM, Phiri, IK, Siziya, S, Sikasunge, CS, Chembensofu, M and Monrad, J (2005a) Seasonal pattern of bovine fasciolosis in the Kafue and Zambezi catchment areas of Zambia. Veterinary Parasitology 134, 87–92.Google Scholar
Phiri, A, Phirir, IK, Chota, A and Monrad, J (2007) Trematode infections in freshwater snails and cattle from the Kafue wetlands of Zambia during a period of highest cattle–water contact. Journal of Helminthology 81, 85–92.Google Scholar
Prasad, P, Tandon, V, Biswal, DK, Goswami, LM and Chatterjee, A (2008) Molecular identification of the Indian liver fluke, Fasciola (Trematoda: Fasciolidae) based on the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions. Parasitology Research 103, 1247.Google Scholar
Quayle, L, Appleton, CC and Dickens, CWS (2010) The impact of river flow regulation and manipulation on the invertebrate hosts of malaria, bilharzia and liver fluke disease. WRC Report 456/10.Google Scholar
Rangel-Ruiz, LJ, Marquez-Izquierdo, R and Bravo-Nogueira, G (1999) Bovine fasciolosis in Tabasco, Mexico. Veterinary Parasitology 81, 119–127.Google Scholar
Regassa, A, Woldemariam, T, Damissie, S, Moje, N, Ayana, D and Abunna, F (2012) Bovine fasciolosis, Coprological, Abattoir survey and financial loss due to liver condemnation in Bishooftu Municipal Abattoir, Central Ethiopia. European Journal of Biological Science 4, 83–90.Google Scholar
Sanchez-Andrade, R, Paz-Silva, A, Suaurez, JL, Panadero, R, Pedreira, J, Lopez, C, Diez-Banos, P and Morrondo, P (2002) Influence of age and breed on natural bovine fasciolosis in an endemic area (Galicia, NW Spain). Veterinary Research Communications 26, 361–370.Google Scholar
Stensgaard, AS, Jørgensen, A, Kabatereine, NB, Rahbek, C and Kristenses, TK (2006) Modeling freshwater snail habitat suitability and areas of potential snail-borne disease transmission in Uganda. Geospatial Health 1, 93–104.Google Scholar
Stothard, J, Bremond, PH, Andriamaro, L, Loxton, NJ, Sellin, B, Sellin, E and Rollinson, D (2000) Molecular characterization of the freshwater snail Lymnaea natalensis (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) on Madagascar with an observation of an unusual polymorphism in ribosomal small subunit genes. Journal of Zoology 252, 303–315.Google Scholar
Utzinger, J and Tanner, M (2000) Microhabitat preferences of Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Lymnaea natalensis in a natural and a man-made habitat in southeastern Tanzania. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 95, 287–294.Google Scholar
Van Wyk, IC and Boomker, J (2015) Parasites of South African wildlife: XIX. The prevalence of helminths in some common antelopes, warthogs and a bushpig in the Limpopo province, South Africa. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 78, 1–11.Google Scholar
Walker, S, Makundi, AE, Namuba, FV, Kassuku, AA, Keyyu, J, Hoey, EM, Prödohl, P, Stothard, JR and Trudgett, A (2008) The distribution of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica within southern Tanzania–constraints associated with the intermediate host. Parasitology 135, 495–503.Google Scholar
Wamae, L and Cheruiyot, H (1990) Incidence of Fasciola gigantica intramolluscan stages in Lymnaea natalensis, the intermediate host, over a one-year period in Kenya. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa 38, 5–6.Google Scholar
Wolmarans, C and De Kock, KN (2006) The current status of freshwater molluscs in the Kruger National Park. Koedoe 49, 39–44.Google Scholar
Yabe, J, Phiri, IK, Phiri, AM, Chembensofu, M, Dorny, P and Vercruysse, J (2008) Concurrent infections of Fasciola, Schistosoma and Amphistomum spp. in cattle from Kafue and Zambezi river basins of Zambia. Journal of Helminthology 82, 373–376.Google Scholar