First record of Troglotrema acutum (Trematoda, Troglotrematidae) in European polecats Mustela putorius from Luxembourg.

We report the first record of the trematode Troglotrema acutum in skulls of European polecats (Mustela putorius) from Luxembourg. Thirty-one road-killed polecats from the northern and eastern parts of the country were examined. We found the trematode in three polecats from the administrative districts of Clervaux and Vianden in the northeast of the country. The parasites were detected in the frontal sinuses of one juvenile male as well as one adult of each sex. The animals were infected with six, nine and 13 adult trematodes, respectively, and we recovered 24 trematode eggs from one polecat. While the two adult hosts showed the lesions and deformations of the skull that are typical of T. acutum infections in polecats, the skull of the juvenile was not deformed. The prevalence of 9.7% reported here was lower than the values reported from Central European studies. Our findings indicate that the distribution range of T. acutum in western Central Europe extends to the Ardennes low mountain range.

A new species of Skrjabingylus Petrov, 1927 (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) from the frontal sinuses of the hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura (Mustelidae).

Skrjabingylus santaceciliae n. sp. is described based on specimens from the frontal sinuses of a hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura, collected from the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Skrjabingylus santaceciliae n. sp. differs from the other 5 species in the genus in having pointed spicule tips that lack a rounded or lobed formation and by lacking a prominent distal projection at the tail tip. Morphometric comparisons show that S. santaceciliae n. sp. is much smaller than the only other valid species from Mephitis, Skrjabingylus chitwoodorum Hill, 1939. Likewise, morphometric comparisons also distinguish S. santaceciliae n. sp. from other described Skrjabingylus species.

[Mast cells and eosinophils of the respiratory mucosa of sheep with Oestrus ovis (Linné, 1761) infection]. / Mastocytes et eosinophiles de la muqueuse respiratoire du mouton infesté par Oestrus ovis (Linné, 1761).

Mast cells and eosinophils have been identified by differential stainings and counted in mucous membrane of nasal septum, turbinates and sinus of 77 ewes naturally infected with Oestrus ovis. Results have been compared with those of nine parasite free lambs. Anova tests indicate significant differences between infected and parasite-free sheep for the cell numbers and their distribution among the septum, the turbinates and the sinus and according to their position in mucous membrane, interglandular chorion of sub-mucosa. In infected sheep, the mean number of mast cells is twice the number present in parasite free animals. The burdens of eosinophils are multiplied by 17 for the septum, 29 for the turbinates and 58 for the sinus. The hypothesis of the development of an hypersensitivity phenomenon in ovine oestrosis is sustained by these results.

Prevalence and seasonality of Oestrus caucasicus Grunin, 1948 (Diptera: Oestridae) parasitizing the Spanish ibex, Capra pyrenaica (Mammalia: Artiodactyla).

Prevalence and intensity of parasitism by oestrid larvae in the Spanish ibex Capra pyrenaica were determined for a period of 2.5 yr in Sierra Nevada Natural Park, southern Spain. The most relevant result of this study was to find Oestrus caucasicus parasitizing this ungulate in a geographical location far from its previously known distribution, e.g., the Caucasus mountain range and central Asia. Larvae were found within 74% of the heads examined (n = 180). Prevalence was higher in females and in older animals. Lowest prevalence occurred during the summer months. The mean intensity (+/- SD) was 25.4 +/- 27.3 larvae and was similar in both host sexes. The number of larvae increased with host age and reached the highest intensities in winter, during December and January.

Oestrus ovis myiasis in Libyan sheep and goats.

The heads of 1,489 sheep and 320 goats were examined for larvae of Oestrus ovis at 17 abattoirs in northern Libya in July to November 1988. The prevalence of O. ovis in sheep was 22.6% and in goats it was 18.4 per cent. Up to 14 and 11 larvae were collected from individual sheep and goats respectively. All larvae were recovered from the nasal passages and frontal sinuses, but only second and third instars were seen.

Changes in the frontal sinuses of the weasel (Mustela nivalis) in Poland possibly caused by nematodes or trematodes.

The presence of parasitic Nematodes was determined by visual assessment of damage to the 271 weasel skulls (154 males and 117 females). The damages were attributed to Skrjabingylus nasicola (Leuckart, 1842) or Troglotrema acutum (Leuckart, 1842) (on the basis of it's appearance and relevant papers). The frequency of infestation by both parasites was 38%. It was higher in females and also increased along with age. A significant dependence between skull length of adult specimens and infestation rate was found.

Pneumonyssoides caninum: a mite from the nasal cavities and frontal sinuses of the dog. A case report.

The dog nasal mite, Pneumonyssoides caninum, is reported from Italy for the first time. The identification of the mite was based upon the morphology of larvae and adults.