Detection of antibodies against Fasciola hepatica in cattle of Ulleung island, Korea - Short communication

We performed a cross-sectional study to estimate 'the seroprevalence of Fasciola hepatica in herds of cattle on Ulleung island, Korea. Blood samples were collected from randomly selected cattle and the sera were separated and analysed with an ELISA to detect antibodies against F. hepatica. The positive samples were classified as mildly, moderately or strongly positive. Out of 405 cattle sera assessed, 38 (9.4%) were seropositive for antibodies against F. hepatica. From these, 2.5% each were moderately or strongly positive and 4.4% were mildly positive. A significantly higher seroprevalence (P<0.05) was observed in young animals (<2 y old, 15.3%) compared to adults (≥2 y old, 5.4%), while no significant difference in seropositivity was found between male and female animals. This is the the first report of F. hepatica seroprevalence in cattle herds in Korrea. Theese findiings may be used tto esttablliissh a base--lliine of iinfformattiion fforr ffutturre iinveessttiigaattiions focusseed on the significance of F. hepatica in Korea.