Spatial analysis of sheep fascioliasis in rural communities of the Southern highlands of Peru.

Sheep fascioliasis causes considerable economic losses globally, yet risk factors for infection in Andes Highlands remain poorly characterized. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the risk factors of sheep fascioliasis in rural communities of the Southern highlands of Peru. Data on farm and animal characteristics, management practices, and water sources were collected. Stool samples were geographically tagged and examined microscopically for Fasciola and other parasites eggs. A total of 3,518 sheep from 268 farms were evaluated, of which 40.6% (1,429/3,518) were infected with F. hepatica. Whereas 73.6% (2,591/3,518) harbored other non-Fasciola parasites. Infected sheep were typically older (2.72 ± 1.7 vs 2.25 ± 1.6; p < 0.001), had lower body condition scores (2.08 ± 0.6 vs 2.16 ± 0.6; p < 0.001), and often had prior treatment for fascioliasis (50.9% vs 49.1%; p < 0.001). Farms with infected sheep tended to have larger flock sizes (OR 1.061, 95%CI 1.007-1.119; p = 0.027) and use irrigation water as a water source (OR 2.359, 95%CI 1.000-5.563; p = 0.050), whereas were less likely to have more family members (OR 0.690, 95%CI 0.542-0.878; p = 0.003) or rely on artificial canals (OR 0.379, 95%CI 0.155-0.926; p = 0.033) than those without infection. Spatial analysis revealed heterogeneous infection distribution across the study regions. Further research is needed to validate our findings in fascioliasis transmission in the Peruvian highlands.