Fascioloides magna infection in white-tailed deer of southeastern United States.

Livers of 4,023 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 13 southeastern states were examined for flukes; 514 (12.8%) harbored Fascioloides magna. Other species of liver flukes were not found. Forty-two nidi of infection were found, encompassing 56 counties in 9 states. As many as 125 flukes were recovered from a single deer. Although F magna was widely distributed throughout southeastern United States, most enzootic areas were confined to the coastal plain physiographic province. Since deer serve as reservoirs for F magna infections in domestic livestock, it was concluded that every precaution should be exercised to prevent introduction of liver flukes into areas now free of this helminth.