Presence of Fasciola hepatica in feral nutria (Myocastor coypus) living in a public park in Brazil.

Abstract

Sixteen nutria (Myocastor coypus) from a protected area in Curitiba, Brazil, were sampled to determine the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica eggs and intestinal parasites and the presence of snails in the habitat used by nutria. The overall prevalence rates were 56.25% (9) for F. hepatica eggs, 87.50% (14) for cestode eggs, 56.25% (9) for ascarid eggs, 50% (8) for coccidian (Eimeriidae) oocysts, and 56.25% (9) for Strongyloidea eggs. Fasciola hepatica eggs had an average size of 138 microm x 72 microm. The following mollusks were found: Physa cubensis, Physa marmorata, and Biomphalaria tenagophyla. These results suggest that the infected nutria could serve as a source of contamination for other animals, humans, and surface water. This is the first report about parasites in nutria in the state of Paraná, Brazil.