Ectopic Dioctophyme renale in the thoracic and abdominal cavities associated with renal parasitism in a dog.

Dioctophymosis is the disease caused by the nematode Dioctophyme renale, normally found parasitizing the right kidney of dogs. The absence of symptoms is frequent in parasitized animals. The surgical procedures are commonly performed to treat this disease. This work describes a case involving a canine with renal and ectopic parasitosis in the abdominal and thoracic regions. A mixed-breed female dog, approximately four months old, was diagnosed by ultrasound as for the presence of D. renale in the right kidney and abdominal and thoracic cavities. The animal underwent exploratory celiotomy, nephrectomy of the parasitized kidney, and transdiaphragmatic thoracotomy to remove the thoracic parasite, with a single abdominal surgical wound and excellent postoperative recovery. Several reports of ectopic parasitosis are found, however, the thoracic finding is unusual, and curative therapeutic transdiaphragmatic thoracotomy for dioctophymosis in dogs has not been previously described.

First report of filarial nematodes in free-living pitheciid primates.

Although little studied, infections with nematodes of the Onchocercidae Leiper, 1911, predominated by the genera Dipetalonema Diesing, 1861 and Mansonella Faust, 1929, are frequent in wild primates and human populations in the Neotropical forest areas. This study reports natural infections with Dipetalonema freitasi Bain, Diagne & Muller, 1987 and D. gracile (Rudolphi, 1809) in two free-living species of pitheciid primates, extending the known geographical distribution of these species to the forest of the Peruvian Amazon. Adult worms were recovered from the thoracic and abdominal cavities of two species of monkeys, Pithecia monachus monachus (É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire) and Cacajao calvus ucayalii (Thomas) (Primates: Pitheciidae), collected along the Yavari-Mirin River basin and analysed via light and scanning electron microscopy. Both host species represent new host records for D. freitasi and D. gracile. Morphometric data are also presented for the sampled filarial worms in addition to morphological details obtained through light and electron microscopy examination of D. freitasi specimens.

Co-infection with filarial nematodes in Sapajus macrocephalus and Cebus albifrons (Primates: Cebidae) from the Peruvian Amazon.

Dipetalonema caudispina (Molin, 1858) and D. gracile (Rudolphi, 1809) (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) are two of six known species of filarial nematodes that parasitize Neotropical non-human primates. Adult filariae were collected from the thoracic and abdominal cavities of 38 of 44 specimens of Sapajus macrocephalus (Spix, 1823) and nine of ten specimens of Cebus albifrons (Humboldt, 1812) (Primates: Cebidae), distributed in the Yavarí-Mirín river basin and used locally for human consumption. Co-occurrence of D. caudispina and D. gracile is reported for the first time, with a prevalence of 18.5% (10 of 54 hosts examined). Our finding of D. caudispina and D. gracile in cebids from the Peruvian Amazon constitutes a new geographical record for both filariae, two new host records for D. caudispina, and the first report of D. gracile in S. macrocephalus. In addition, we provide morphometric data for D. caudispina, complementing the original description, as well as scanning electron microscopy details on the structure of the area rugosa and number of caudal papillae in males.

Congenital Filariasis Caused by Setaria bidentata (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in the Red Brocket Deer (Mazama americana).

The filarial nematode Setaria bidentata was found in 10 of 31 fetuses of the red brocket deer ( Mazama americana ) from the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon. A total of 25 specimens were collected and morphologically identified as S. bidentata. Filarial nematodes were found in the peritoneal cavity of 9 deer fetuses and the thoracic cavity of 1 fetus. Most specimens were adult stage. In this report, we provide morphometric data for these filarial specimens. This is the first study to demonstrate prenatal S. bidentata infection in cervid fetuses. Also, the finding of S. bidentata in Peru expands the geographic range of this parasite.

NOD2 dependent neutrophil recruitment is required for early protective immune responses against infectious Litomosoides sigmodontis L3 larvae.

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) recognizes muramyl dipeptide (MDP) of bacterial cell walls, triggering NFκB-induced pro-inflammation. As most human pathogenic filariae contain Wolbachia endobacteria that synthesize the MDP-containing cell wall precursor lipid II, NOD2's role during infection with the rodent filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis was investigated. In NFκB reporter-cells, worm-extract containing Wolbachia induced NOD2 and NOD1. NOD2-deficient mice infected with L. sigmodontis had significantly more worms than wildtype controls early in infection. Increased worm burden was not observed after subcutaneous infection, suggesting that protective NOD2-dependent immune responses occur within the skin. Flow cytometry demonstrated that neutrophil recruitment to the skin was impaired in NOD2-/- mice after intradermal injection of third stage larvae (L3), and blood neutrophil numbers were reduced after L. sigmodontis infection. PCR array supported the requirement of NOD2 for recruitment of neutrophils to the skin, as genes associated with neutrophil recruitment and activation were downregulated in NOD2-/- mice after intradermal L3 injection. Neutrophil depletion before L. sigmodontis infection increased worm recovery in wildtype mice, confirming that neutrophils are essential against invading L3 larvae. This study indicates that NOD-like receptors are implemented in first-line protective immune responses against filarial nematodes.

Ocorrência de Dioctophyma renale em Galictis cuja / Occurrence of Dioctophyma renale in Galictis cuja

A dioctofimose é uma parasitose causada pelo Dioctophyma renale (Goeze, 1782) de ocorrência mundial e acomete animais domésticos e silvestres. Em março de 2010, um exemplar adulto (macho) de Galictis cuja (Molina, 1782), encontrado morto por atropelamento no município de Guaíra, Paraná foi encaminhado ao laboratório de Patologia Veterinária de Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Campus Palotina, para a realização da necropsia. O cadáver apresentava bom estado nutricional e autólise moderada. Foram observados três exemplares de parasitos na cavidade abdominal, mas os rins encontravam-se preservados. Os parasitos foram fixados em formol acético e encaminhados ao laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária da UFPR para identificação. Os exemplares coletados foram identificados como Dioctophyma renale, sendo duas fêmeas, uma com 39cm de comprimento por 4mm de largura e a outra com 16cm de comprimento por 4mm de largura e, um macho com 16cm de comprimento por 3mm de largura. O presente trabalho relata a ocorrência de parasitismo por D. renale em G. cuja na região oeste do estado do Paraná.

Dioctophymosis is a parasitic disease caused by Dioctophyma renale (Goeze, 1782) with a worldwide occurrence and affects domestic animals as well as wildlife. In March 2010, a ferret adult male, Galictis cuja (Molina, 1782), found dead by trampling in the county of Guaíra, state of Paraná, Brazil, was necropsied in the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory at Campus Palotina, Federal University of Paraná. The animal was in good nutritional condition and moderate autolysis. Three specimens of parasites were found in the abdominal cavity, but the kidneys were preserved. The parasites were fixed in acetic formaldehyde and sent to the Veterinary Laboratory of Parasitology, Campus Palotina, for identification. The parasites were identified as Dioctophyma renale, two females, one a 39cm long and 4mm wide and the other 16cm long and 4mm wide, and a male 16cm long and 3mm wide. This paper reports D. renale parasitism in G. cuja in the western of Paraná state, Brazil.

Use of a molecular approach for the definitive diagnosis of proliferative larval mesocestoidiasis in a cat.

A 9 year-old male, neutered cat with a history of a sudden onset of lethargy, anorexia and respiratory distress was presented in a veterinary practice in Lucca, Italy. A clinical examination revealed that the cat was severely dehydrated, and had pale mucous membranes and tachypnoea. No pain or discomfort was detected at the time of physical examination. The cat was administered fluids, antibiotics and supportive therapy, but died overnight. The owner of the cat requested for a post mortem examination to be conducted. At necropsy, acephalic structures, consistent with proliferative tapeworm (cestode) larvae, were detected in the thoracic cavity on pleural surfaces. As these larvae could not be identified to genus or species by microscopy, a PCR-based sequencing-phylogenetic approach was used. Part of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene was PCR-amplified from genomic DNAs from five individual larvae and sequenced; all five sequences obtained were identical. This consensus sequence was aligned (over 355 nucleotide positions) with homologous sequences representing a range of cestodes (including Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Hymenolepis microstoma, Mesocestoides spp. and Taenia saginata) from previously published studies and then subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The sequence representing the larval cestode from the affected cat grouped, with strong statistical support, with those representing Mesocestoides corti and Mesocestoides lineatus. Therefore, a definitive diagnosis of pleural proliferative larval mesocestoidiasis could be made. This study illustrates the value of using molecular tools to directly assist clinical and pathological investigations of cestodiases of animals.

Ascaris: development of selected genotypes in mice.

Using nucleotide variation in the first internal transcribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA, five different genotypes (designated G1-G5) have been identified and the preponderance of genotype G1 in humans and of genotype G3 in pigs led to the proposal that parasites bearing the two genotypes have an affinity for a particular host species. A subsequent study using eggs of genotype G1 from humans and G3 from pigs to infect pigs and mice indicated that there is a significant difference in the ability to infect and establish as larvae in mice and as adults in pigs between the two genotypes. Extending previous investigations, the present study investigated whether there are differences in development as designated by egg hatching, larvae migration and distribution in the mice between the Ascaris strains with known genotypes. Ascaris eggs of genotypes G1 (predominating in human-derived worms) and G3 (predominating in pig-derived worms) were used to infect C57BL/6 mice orally. Eggs/larvae were examined from the small and large intestines, thoracic and abdominal cavities, peripheral blood, livers and lungs at intervals of 2h until 12h post-infection, then periodically until 34 days of infection. Results showed distinct differences in egg hatching (the timing and location of hatching, and the numbers hatched), and in larvae migration and distribution (the means and constituent ratios, the time of peak recovery, and larvae reappearing in intestines) between the two strains. The results can explain the findings of significantly higher larval recovery of genotype G1 than G3 in the mice, and may shed some enlightenment to understand the difference in host affiliation of Ascaris of different genotypes.

Potential application of serological tests on fluids from carcasses: detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcoptes scabiei in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).

BACKGROUND: Serological surveys for disease investigation of wild animal populations require obtaining blood samples for analysis, which has logistic, ethic and economic difficulties. Applying serological test to fluids collected from dead animals is an alternative. The aim of this study was to assess if antibodies could be detected in two types of fluids collected from 56 carcasses of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): pleural fluid and lung extract. FINDINGS: In 22 (39%) foxes antibodies against Sarcoptes scabiei were detected in both fluid types by ELISA and Western blot. In 46 (82%) foxes, antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were detected in pleural fluid and in 41 (73%) in lung extract applying a Toxo-screen test (DAT). Antibodies were still detectable in the same fluids kept at room temperature for 28 days, although in fewer foxes (16 and 14 foxes tested for T. gondii in lung extract and pleural fluid respectively; and 1 and 4 tested for S. scabiei in lung extract and pleural fluid respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the potential utility of using fluids from carcasses for antibody screening of wild animals at the population level.

Massive presence of Echinococcus granulosus (Cestoda, Taeniidae) cysts in a wild boar (Sus scrofa) from Spain.

We report a heavy infestation of a free-living wild boar sow from Spain with Echinococcus granulosus cysts and state its molecular characterization. We found >65 hydatid cysts in the thoracic and abdominal cavities of the sow. Parasites were routinely processed for their identification and histopathology and DNA molecular characterization of the E. granulosus cysts were carried out. The polymerase chain reaction results confirmed the E. granulosus identity of the cysts and restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing revealed its G1 genotype. Our results suggest that wild boar could be involved in the epidemiology of E. granulosus, particularly considering that large amounts of carcass remains are available to dogs and wolves during the hunting season. The recent population increase of the wild boar in Spain and the DNA confirmation that the wild boar isolate shared identical sequences to the sheep strain emphasize the importance of the reported finding in public health.

Infracommunity structure of parasites of Hemigymnus melapterus (Pisces: Labridae) from Lizard Island, Australia: the importance of habitat and parasite body size.

This study describes the community of all metazoan parasites from 14 individuals of thicklip wrasse, Hemigymnus melapterus, from Lizard Island, Australia. All fish were parasitized, and 4,649 parasite individuals were found. Twenty-six parasite species were identified although only 6 species were abundant and prevalent: gnathiid isopods, the copepod Hatschekia hemigymni, the digenean Callohelmis pichelinae, and 3 morphotypes of tetraphyllidean cestode larvae. We analyzed whether the body size and microhabitat of the parasites and size of the host affected understanding of the structure of the parasite community. We related the abundance, biovolume, and density of parasites with the host body size and analyzed the abundances and volumetric densities of some parasite species within microhabitats. Although the 2 most abundant species comprised 75% of all parasite individuals, 4 species, each in similar proportion, comprised 85% of the total biovolume. Although larger host individuals had higher richness, abundance, and biovolume of parasites than smaller individuals, overall parasite volumetric density actually decreased with the host body size. Moreover, parasites exhibited abundances and densities significantly different among microhabitats; some parasite species depended on the area available, whereas others selected a specific microhabitat. Parasite and habitat size exhibited interesting relationships that should be considered more frequently. Considerations of these parameters improve understanding of parasite community structure and how the parasites use their habitats.

A new species, Litomosoides odilae n. sp (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) from Oligoryzomys nigripes (Rodentia: Muridae) in the rainforest of Misiones, Argentina.

A new species of Litomosoides was collected from the abdominal cavity of Oligoryzomys nigripes (Rodentia: Muridae) in a semideciduous secondary rainforest of Misiones, Argentina. Litomosoides odilae n. sp. belongs to the carinii group and is characterized by the amphids displaced dorsally; buccal capsule with an anterior segment transparent and an annular asymmetrical thickening; esophagus divided, with the posterior glandular portion slightly wider than the muscular; male cloacal aperture strongly protruded; and microfilaria sheathed with an attenuated tail. The morphology of the new species, which is similar to that of L petteri, a parasite of marsupials in Brazil, suggests that host-switching events may have occurred in the diversification of this genus.