Natural infection with Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) in the European bison (Bison bonasus) in Białowieża National Park, Poland

The aim of our study was to determine prevalence of appearance of Fasciola hepatica L. among European bison Bison bonasus selected in Białowieża National Park, Poland from 2001 to 2006. The analyzed ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences of nuclear DNA of Fasciola hepatica have a length of 433bp and an AT content of 47.8 % and a length of 365 bp and an AT content of 51.2 % respectively. Among 178 bison liver fluke was found in liver of 63 (35.3 %) individuals including as follow: in 39 (21.9 %) adults, 11 (6.1 %) juveniles and 13 (7.3 %) calves. Results of researches are as follow: prevalence of infection of Fasciola hepatica among bison in Białowieża National Park between 2001–2006 oscillated about 35.3%. The most extensive invasion of fascioliasis was observed in adult animals (21.9 %). We pay attention that between infected animals were calves 13 (7.3 %). Conclusions: The obtained results referring to infection of bison within the Białowieża National Park, Poland of F. hepatica are very interesting. The epidemiological importance of these finding is evident, demonstrating the fascioliasis expansion in restricted or protected areas, as National Parks such as Białowieża National Park, habitat of this wild host, and where no domestic animals are present.