Seasonal Behavior of Fasciola hepatica in Sacrificed Bovines at Chacuba Slaughterhouse, Camagüey, Cuba.

To determine the existence of seasonal patterns for  Fasciola hepatica infestation in bovines slaughtered in the province of Camaguey, Cuba, information  gathered from  13 059 bovines  sacrificed  at the Chacuba slaughterhouse (Terso Livestock Basic Marketing Company, Maraguan Livestock Company),  between 2008 and 2014, was used. The study included 2 387 animals affected by F. hepatica, according to  the  anatomical and pathological diagnostic made at the slaughterhouse.  Prevalence calculations were based on the sacrificed and affected  animals  (18.27%) for the entire period. The seasonal decomposition process was based on additive model. It revealed the existence of sea-sonal behavior for the animals affected by  Fasciola hepatica  and its prevalence. The seasonal patterns  had peaks in February, October and December for the two variables studied. Evaluation of intermediate hosts dynamics and larval F. hepatica stages were associated to the seasonal patterns observed

Comportamiento estacional de Fasciola hepatica en bovinos sacrificados en el matadero Chacuba, Camagüey, Cuba.

Con el objetivo de determinar la existencia de patrones estacionales para la infestación por Fasciola hepatica en bovinos sacrificados en la provincia de Camagüey, Cuba, fueron utilizados los registros mensuales de los 13 059 sacrificios de ganado bovino realizados en el matadero Chacuba de la Unidad Empresarial Básica Comercializadora ganadera de Terso, perteneciente a la Empresa Pecuaria Maraguán; durante el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2008 y diciembre de 2014. Fueron utilizados los 2 387 animales afectados por F. hepatica, resultado del diagnóstico anátomo-patológico realizado en el propio matadero. A partir de animales sacrificados y los afectados fue calculada la prevalencia que alcanzó un valor de 18,27 % para todo el período. El proceso de descomposición estacional con un modelo aditivo, reveló, por primera vez en Camagüey, la existencia de comportamiento estacional para los animales afectados por Fasciola hepatica y la prevalencia. Los patrones estacionales estuvieron caracterizados por picos en febrero, octubre y diciembre para las dos variables estudiadas. Se recomienda evaluar la dinámica de los hospederos intermediarios y estadios larvarios de F. hepatica para relacionarlos con los patrones estacionales observados.Seasonal Behavior of Fasciola hepatica in Cattle Slaughtered at Chacuba Abattoir, Camagüey, CubaABSTRACTWith the objective to determine the existence of seasonal patterns of infection with Fasciola hepatica in slaughtered bovines in Camagüey province, monthly records were used for the 13 059 slaughtered bovines carried out in Chacuba slaughterhouse, a basic unit belonging to the Terso Cattle Commercializing Company, in Camagüey, Cuba, from January 2008 to December 2014. There were 2 387 animals affected by F. hepatica according to the anatomicpathologic diagnosis carried out at the slaughterhouse. The disease prevalence in slaughtered and infected animals was determined for the whole period to be of 18.25 %. The process of seasonal decomposition with an additive model revealed for the first time in Camagüey, the existence of a seasonal pattern for affected bovines with Fasciola hepatica, as well as for the amount and the prevalence. The seasonal patterns were characterized by peaks in February, October and December for the two studied variables. It’s recommended to evaluate the dynamics of the intermediate host and larval stages of F. hepatica to correlate with the observed seasonal patterns