Toxoplasmosis in a woodchuck (Marmota monax) and two American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus).

Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in a woodchuck (Marmota monax) and 2 American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). The woodchuck was euthanized by a wildlife rescue organization in New York after progressive clinical signs of head tilt, circling, and rapid weight loss. Necropsy examination revealed acute subdural hemorrhage over the right cerebral hemisphere. Histologic lesions included meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, and hepatitis. Protozoal cysts were present in affected and unaffected neuroparenchyma. The squirrels were found dead, emaciated, and moderately infested with fleas near a park in northern Indiana. In both squirrels, the lungs were consolidated with numerous nodules up to 2 mm in diameter. Histologically, pneumonia and encephalitis were associated with intracellular and free protozoa. Additional histologic lesions included multifocal lymphoplasmacytic encephalitis with intralesional protozoa in both squirrels. The protozoa were positive with Toxoplasma gondii-specific immunohistochemistry and had ultrastructural features consistent with T. gondii in both squirrels. A real-time polymerase chain reaction test using T. gondii-specific probes demonstrated protozoal DNA in the lung, brain, and kidney of the squirrels and in the brain and heart of the woodchuck. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of toxoplasmosis in woodchucks or American red squirrels. Because rodents are common near urban settlements, this finding underscores their role as important intermediate hosts for T. gondii.

Cerebral cysticercosis in a woodchuck (Marmota monax).

A juvenile woodchuck (Marmota monax) with vestibular signs was found in Woodbridge, Ontario (Canada) and later euthanized. At necropsy there was marked distortion of the right side of the skull, where a large, fluctuant, subcutaneous mass extended under the zygomatic arch and caudally from the right eye towards the right ear. The mass was multiloculated and contained a large number of tapeworm cysticerci, each about 1 to 2 mm in diameter. The third and lateral ventricles of the brain were dilated and contained large numbers of similar cysticerci. Based on the exogenous budding of cysts and the morphology of the scolex in each cyst, they were identified as cysticerci of Taenia crassiceps. This is the first report of cerebral cysticercosis in a woodchuck.

[Two cases of hepatic helminthiasis in Marmota monax with hepatitis virus(WHV) infection]. / A propos de deux observations d'helminthoses hépatiques sur des marmottes, Marmota monax, infectées par le virus de l'hépatite virale (WHV).

Autopsy of two Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus (WHV) infected Woodchucks, Marmota monax, revealed the presence of two parasites in an hepatic localization, Taenia mustelae (Larvae) and Calodium hepaticum. The authors present the identification of the two parasites, based on the observation of cysticerci of Taenia mustelae, or on the observation of the eggs of C. hepaticum. They discuss the probable interaction between hepatic parasites and WHV infection.

Parasitic encephalitis due to Baylisascaris sp. in wild and captive woodchucks (Marmota monax).

Twelve of 102 woodchucks submitted for necropsy to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine had clinical histories of central nervous system disorder. All had multifocal eosinophilic encephalitis with formation of granulomas. Nematode larvae, identified as Baylisascaris sp. were found in six of the 12 and were assumed to be the etiologic agent in all affected woodchucks. Both wild and captive (wild-trapped) woodchucks were affected, and all occurrences were between mid-June and early September.

Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis in a woodchuck suspected of having rabies.

A young woodchuck (Marmota monax) with a history of CNS dysfunction and abnormal behavior was submitted frozen to the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University, as a rabies suspect. The woodchuck was negative for rabies by the fluorescent antibody test. Histologically, multifocal areas of necrosis, malacia, and inflammation were seen in sections of cerebrum, midbrain, and cerebellum, accompanied by marked perivascular cuffing with eosinophils and lymphocytes. Sections of lung contained parasitic granulomas, one of which contained a large ascarid larva identified as Baylisascaris sp. The CNS lesions were typical of parasite migration, and resembled those commonly associated with infection with Baylisascaris larvae of raccoon or skunk origin. Cerebrospinal nematodiasis was diagnosed as the cause of the nervous disorder.

[Oribatids (Oribatei, Acari) as intermediate hosts of Ctenotaenia marmotae (Frölich, 1802), a tapeworm parasitic in marmots (author's transl)]. / Oribatiden (Oribatei, Acari) als Zwischenwirte des Murmeltier-Banwurmes Ctenotaenia marmotae (Frölich, 1802

Out of 30 species of Oribatids (from 23 genera), which were provided with eggs of Ctenotaenia marmotae in the laboratory, 24 proved to be potential intermediate hosts. The course of development of the parasite in the intermediate host could be followed up as far as to the cysticercoid (Figs. 2-8). It largely corresponds to the development of other Anoplocephalidae. After 113 days p.i. (test temperature 18-20 degrees C) the cysticercoid stage was reached. In the Pölla valley (Carinthia), at sea level of 2,200 m, the droppings of marmots scattered on the grass andmingled with proglottids of C. marmotae were marked. 9 months later 24 grass samples were taken and examined as to infected Oribatids. Out of a total of 12,100 specimens 49 turned out to be infected with cysticercoids; these specimens, however, belong to the species of Trichoribates incisellus (Kramer) and Trichoribates trimaculatus (C.L. Koch). They were taken from 16 samples with a total of 8,400 Oribatids. This is the first evidence under natural conditions of Oribatids acting as intermediate hosts to C. marmotae. It is presumed that 2 seasonal invasion peaks occur in the final host Marmota marmota (L.).