The definitive and intermediate hosts of Fasciola hepatica in the natural watercress beds in central France

Field investigations were carried out over a two-year period in 52 natural watercress beds located in the Limousin region of central France to list th e mammal and bird species that frequented these sites. This enabled detecti on of the definitive hosts of Fasciola hepatica and determination of the pr evalence of natural infection in snails. A total of 13 mammal and five bird species were listed in these watercress beds. Adult flukes were found in L epus capensis (39.2%), Oryctolagus cuniculus (42.0%), and Sylvilagus florid anus (25.0%). No infection with F. hepatica was noted in the five species o f rodents studied. Snails infected with F. hepatica were found in 14 waterc ress beds. The global prevalence of natural infection was 1.1% in Lymnaea t runcatula and 0.3% in L. glabra. Among the other trematode larval forms det ected, the most frequent was Haplometra cylindracea (0.5%). In the Limousin region, the presence of hares and rabbits in watercress beds ensured the c ontinuation of the F. hepatica life cycle and permitted the subsequent infe ction of humans when this wild watercress was eaten.