Liver fluke

Description



Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) is a parasite that can infect a broad range of host, including humans and ruminants. Final hosts in which sexual maturity can occur include livestock such as sheep, cattle, horses, pigs, goats, alpacas and deer.

Different forms of infections occur in ruminants. The chronic form is rarely fatal in cattle but often fatal in sheep while the subacute or acute form seen primarily in sheep is often fatal and can occur in conjunction with “black disease” (caused by Clostridium novyi type B infection).

Clinical signs vary in severity from distended, painful abdomen and anaemia (acute form) to illthrift, submandibular oedema and reduced productivity (chronic form).

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical history, serology, faecal antigen, faecal egg count, response to treatment and post-mortem examination in the field.

Tests available

Test

Sample(s) required

Days of the week test is conducted

Turnaround time1

Fluke (Liver) antibody  ELISA – Blood

Clotted blood

Thursday and Friday

Up to 7D

Fluke (Liver) antibody ELISA – (pool of 5)2Clotted blood (submitted individually, pooled testing in the lab)

Thursday and Friday

Up to 7D
Fluke (Liver) antibody ELISA – pooling fee (per pool)N/AN/AN/A

Fluke (Liver) ELISA – Bulk Milk*

Milk

Thursday and Friday

Up to 7D

Fluke (Liver) Antigen ELISA - Individual4 10g faeces per animal (Individual testing) Monday - Friday 3-5D
Fluke (Liver) Antigen ELISA - 2 pools of 5 samples10g faeces per animal (submitted individually, pooled testing in the lab)Monday - Friday3-5D
Fluke (Liver) Antigen ELISA - 5 pools of 2 samples10g faeces per animal (submitted individually, pooled testing in the lab)Monday - Friday3-5D
Fluke (Liver/Stomach) - presence/absence: individual
(Non export/interstate/BULK submissions)

20g faeces per animal (Individual testing)

Monday - Friday

3-5D

Fluke (Liver/stomach)- presence/absence: 2 pools of 5 samples20g faeces per animal (submitted individually, pooled testing in the lab)Monday - Friday3-5D
Fluke (Liver/stomach)- presence/absence: 5 pools of 2 samples20g faeces per animal (submitted individually, pooled testing in the lab)Monday - Friday3-5D
Fluke egg count (Liver/Stomach)- quantitative: Individual
(Non export/interstate/BULK submissions)
20g faeces per animal (Individual testing)Monday - Friday3-5D
Fluke egg count (Liver/Stomach)- quantitative: 2 pools of 5 samples20g faeces per animal submitted individually, pooled testing in the lab)Monday - Friday3-5D
Fluke egg count (Liver/Stomach)- quantitative: 5 pools of 2 samples20g faeces per animal (submitted individually, pooled testing in the lab)Monday - Friday3-5D
Liver fluke test for export to Western Australia (individual testing only)20g Faeces per animal- MUST be submitted individually and labelled clearly with ID.Monday - Friday

1-19 samples= 1-2W4

20+ samples- Lab to confirm TAT

If express testing is required, please call and discuss with Customer Service BEFORE samples arrive. Anything less than 5 days will incur express test charges.

We will need the following information: number of samples, sample collection date, date samples will be submitted to the lab, border crossing date and the required reporting date.

Liver fluke test for International Exports (individual testing only)20g Faeces per animal- MUST be submitted individually and labelled clearly with ID.Monday - Friday

1-19 samples= 1-2W4

20+ samples- Lab to confirm TAT

If express testing is required, please call and discuss with Customer Service BEFORE samples arrive. Anything less than 5 days will incur express test charges.

We will need the following information: number of samples, sample collection date, date samples will be submitted to the lab, export date and the required reporting date.

Parasitology express testingN/AN/A

If express testing is required, please call and discuss with Customer Service BEFORE samples arrive. Anything less than 5 days will incur express test charges.

We will need the following information: number of samples, sample collection date, date samples will be submitted to the lab, border crossing date and the required reporting date.

1 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
2 Please clearly specify on the submission form if samples are to be pooled.
3 This test is not NATA accredited.

41-2 weeks notice required before submitting samples

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Blood (without anti-coagulant)
  • 10 ml of blood (including at least 2 ml of serum) from affected animals and their cohorts
    • Collected into a plain red top tube.
    • Submit chilled
Faeces
  • 30 g of faeces from each of at least ten animals in the flock or herd previously diagnosed with liver fluke and treated in the previous five months.
    • Clearly label samples to identify which animal(s) have been sampled when submitting pooled samples.
    • Submit chilled
Milk
  • Milk from affected animals and their cohorts
    • Submit chilled

Note

Faecal samples may be tested individually, or pooled in groups of up to five samples. Pooling reduces costs. Submitters should nominate if they wish the samples to be tested in pools. If pooling is not requested, the laboratory will test the individual samples.

The antibody ELISA is available for the detection of infection with both immature and adult fluke. Titres appear 6-8 weeks (cattle) or 4-6 weeks (sheep) after infection and remain high for at least 12 weeks after the infection has been removed. Antibodies remain high in untreated subacute and chronic stages. The false negative rate is low in both cattle (2.5%) and sheep (nil). The test is not suitable for other species.

The antibody ELISA is the only diagnostic method for the detection of acute and subacute fascioliasis, which typically occurs in NSW from autumn to early winter and in late spring.

NSW DPI recommends that ten animals be bled and a pooled fluke ELISA requested for herd diagnosis. The samples will be tested as two pools of five samples in the laboratory.

Antibody ELISA is more sensitive than faecal egg counts for the detection of chronic fascioliasis in both cattle (30% more infected animals detected) and sheep (15-20% more infected animals detected).

Faecal egg counts are only of value in chronic fascioliasis where fluke eggs are being excreted (patent infection); they are of no value in acute and subacute infections.

Liver Fluke Fact Sheet- cattle and sheep

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

NSW DPI's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.

CONTACT DETAILS

Phone1800 675 623
Email

laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Operating Hours

8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays)

8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)

Postal Address

Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Parasitology Submission Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au) for more information.

Courier services and specimen delivery

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the SVDL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type

Laboratory

Street Address

Animal (including aquatic animals)

NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)

EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568