Fasciola hepatica as cause of liver seizure in cattle slaughtered in the province of Huaura, Peru

Fascioliasis is an important parasitic zoonosis affecting cattle in Peru. The objective of this research was to determine the factors associated with the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in cattle slaughtered in the province of Huaura. Data on liver seizures, origin, age, sex and month of the year, from the records of 2198 cattle, between May and August 2018, were evaluated. 59.51 % of the livers were infested with Fasciola hepatica. Higher seizures (p < 0.05) were recorded in cattle from Churin (67 %), Oyon (63 %) and Ambar (57 %) districts, located in the areas of higher altitude (2082-3620 m a.s.l.) and rainfall (30-206 mm). Prevalence was higher in May (69 %, p < 0.05) compared to June (61 %), July (58 %) and August (42 %) and the age of the animals was associated with the seizure of livers (p < 0.05), being higher in cattle 5 years old or older (62 %) and younger than 2 years old (64 %) compared to those 2 years old (51 %), 3 years old (53 %) and 4 years old (52 %). Liver seizures were higher in females (61 %, p < 0.05) than in males (51 %). The prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in cattle slaughtered in the province of Huaura is high; the origin of the cattle, sex, age and month of the year were associated with the highest seizures of livers.