Pharmacological advances in the treatment of fascioliasis in cattle

Abstract

The fascioliasis is a parasitic disease caused by two species of trematodes, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. Considered a zoonosis with wide geographical distribution, is able to limit the creation of several species of domestic animals of zootechnical interest. The prevalence is high in areas that are creations of ruminants. Consisting of the most relevant parasitic disease in animals of economic interest in the world, its importance is due mainly to losses associated with condemnation of livers, mortality, reduction in production of meat, wool and milk, to secondary bacterial infections, the interference with fertility and the costs of anthelmintic treatments (fasciolicidas). For an efficient control of fascioliasis is necessary to use fasciolicidas that are easy to apply, do not leave residues in meat and milk and are highly effective against adult and immature forms of F. hepatica. This product profile is not always found and therefore the frequency of medication will depend on the efficiency of fasciolicida and degree of exposure of animals to highly contaminated areas.