Infection of Mammary Glands of Small Mammals in Eastern North America by Helminths

To determine whether small mammals living in natural settings harbor helminth infections in their mammary glands, we conducted a survey of helminths infecting rodents and soricimorphs in three widespread locations in the eastern United States: states of New York, Tennessee, and Georgia. We examined all the primary organs in all hosts, and identified all helminths. We also excised the complete mammary glands within their subcutaneous fat pads, then stained and mounted each whole mammary gland set for microscopical examination. A total of 53 individual hosts were examined, including 32 Peromyscus spp., 11 Mus musculus, 5 Sigmodon hispidus, 4 Clethrionomys gapperi, and 1 Blarina carolinensis. Helminths collected included Heligmosomoides sp., Hymenolepisdiminuta, Hymenolepis nana, Pterygodermatites peromysci, Schistosomatium douthitti, Syphacia obvelata, Syphacia sigmodontis, and Trichostrongylus sigmodontis. Four S. hispidus were infected by T. sigmodontis in the small intestine; in all four, we also found nematode larvae in lactiferous duct lumen and lactogenic tissue of the mammary glands. We were unable to identify the species of nematode larvae, but the co-occurrence with T. sigmodontis in all cases may suggest an association. Future studies should seek to identify such larvae using molecular and other methods, and to determine the role of these mammary nematode larvae in the life cycle of the identified species. No other host species harbored helminths in the mammary glands. Overall, our results suggest that mammary infections in wild small mammals are not common, but warrant inclusion in future surveys.

Presença de Ascaridia galli, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Syphacia obvelata e Passalurus ambiguus em cachorro-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous, Linnaeus, 1766) residente em cativeiro / Presence of Ascaridia galli, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Syphacia obvelata e Passalurus ambiguus in crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous, Linnaeus, 1766) residing in captivity

O cachorro-do-mato é um animal de difícil manejo, sendo necessária contenção anestésica para coleta de material biológico, dificultando a realização de exames de rotina. A alimentação essencialmente proteica oriunda de outros animais como leporídeos, roedores e aves não inspecionadas, aumenta o risco do parasitismo predatório e acidental causando agravos à saúde do animal. A dificuldade de manuseio destes animais leva a escassez de literatura, assim objetivou-se relatar a presença de parasitismo por diferentes espécies de helmintos em cachorro do mato (Cerdocyon thous) mantido em cativeiro. Foi realizada uma visita clínica ao Criatório Conservacionista do Centro Universitário Cesmac. Ao exame clínico observou-se: apatia, perda de peso e pelos ressecados. Foi coletada amostra fecal e encaminhada ao Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias da mesma instituição, onde foi submetida à técnica de Willis-Mollay. Constatou-se a presença de Ascaridia galli, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Syphacia obvelata e Passalurus ambiguus em grande quantidade, os quais são parasitas de galinha, roedores e coelho, respectivamente. O animal não havia sido vermifugado e recebeu esse tipo de alimentação meses antes da realização do exame coproparasitológico. Sugere-se que o animal seja portador e hospedeiro paratênico. É importante ressaltar, ainda, que a vermifugação, o monitoramento e a qualidade do alimento fornecido são determinantes para a prevenção e melhora da saúde e bem-estar desses animais.

Parasite fauna diversity in Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes) from natural and anthropized ecosystems of the Republic of Moldova

The study of the diversity of the parasite fauna in the investigated foxes showed a high level of infestation (100%). The taxonomy of parasitofauna in foxes includes 12 parasitic invasions (Isospora canis – 14,3%, Alaria alata – 51,0%, Mesocestoides lineatus – 21,7%, Taeniidae spp – 27,0%, Syphacia obvelata – 17,0%, Strongyloides stercoralis – 13,3%, Toxocara canis – 59,0%, Toxascaris leonina – 65,5%, Ancylostoma caninum – 8,7%, Trichuris vulpis – 26,1%, Trichuris muris – 4,4%, Capilaria hepatica – 35,0%), which belong to 5 classes, 10 families, 11 genera and about 12 species. The share of species from the Sporozoa class is 8.3%, from the Trematoda class - 8.3%, from the Cestoda class - 16.7%, from the Secernentea class - 41.7% and from the Adenophorea class - 25.0%. Analyzing the parasitic species on epidemiological criterion, it was found that 10 species (83.3%) with large spread have zoonotic impact (A. alata, M. lineatus, Taenia spp., S. obvelata, S. ratti, T. canis, T. leonina, A. caninum, C. hepatica, T. vulpis) with a major risk to public health, and the identified invasions (100%) can parasitize domestic animals, as well as game fauna.

Preliminary Study: Detection of Ecto and Endoparasites Among Wild Rats From Urban Area in Blimbing, Malang, East Java

Zoonotic parasitic infections is one of the global public health issues. The complex parasite transmission allows for the relationship between people, animals, vectors, and the environment. The existence of rat in the environment has an important role as a host and reservoir for various types of ecto and endoparasites. This study was conducted to collect informative data on the parasitic infection of wild rats in Blimbing sub-district, Malang city, East Java. A total number of eight wild rat were captured using live-traps from landfills during 4 days. They were classified by sex, weight and body length. The rats were anesthetized, collecting for any ectoparasites and then their carcasses were dissected for examinations of endoparasites. The result of this study show succesfull live-trap of rodents including Rattus norvegicus (87.5%) and Suncus murinus (12.5%). 50% of sampled rodents were male, 37.5% were female, and 12.5% of female the musk shrew. The presence of helminthes infection in all wild rats, namely Hymenolopis nana, Syphacia obvelata, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Furthermore, the ectoparasites identification were Xenopsylla cheopis, Echinolaelap echidninus, and blood protozoa identifications Trypanosoma lewisi. Based on the results show 100% of wild rats positive infections of endo-ectoparasites. This study indicates to continuous study among rodents’ parasites in wild rats in different urban areas and analysis of their potential impact on public health.

Studies on the anthelmintic potentials of the roots of Asparagus racemosus willd. (Asparagaceae)

Background The Santhal tribe in Assam, India use the roots of Asparagus racemosus (Asparagaceae) as a deworming remedy. The study aimed to investigate the anthelmintic credentials of this plant, using two representative groups of helminth parasites. Methods The in vitro testing was conducted against Hymenolepis diminuta (cestode) and Syphacia obvelata (nematode). Parasites were exposed to 10, 20 and 30 mg/ml concentrations of plant extract, and efficacy was adjudged on the basis of parasites paralysis and mortality. In vivo efficacy was examined using H. diminuta-rat and S. obvelata-mice models where animals were administered 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg doses of extract. Results In vitro assay, against H. diminuta revealed that at 30 mg/ml concentration the extract showed almost a comparable efficacy with that of reference drug praziquantel (PZQ) (1 mg/ml). The in vitro efficacy of extract against S. obvelata was however lower than H. diminuta. In vivo studies against H. diminuta at 500 mg/kg revealed 53.88 and 24 % reduction in eggs per gram (EPG) and worm counts respectively. Against S. obvelata the extract showed 26.61 and 30.93 % reduction for the same. Conclusions The findings of this study present suggest that the roots of A. racemosus are effective against intestinal helminthic infections and justifies its use as an anthelmintic in the traditional medicine of the Santhals.

OCURRENCIA DE NEMATODOS GASTROINTESTINALES ASPICULURIS TETRAPTERA (NITZSCH, 1821) SCHULZ, 1927 Y SYPHACIA OBVELATA RUDOLPHI, 1802 EN MUS MUSCULUS LINNAEUS, 1758 EN BIOTERIOS DE INVESTIGACION EN MEXICO

El ratón común Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 es empleado comúnmente como modelo de investigación en las ciencias veterinarias y biomédicas. Cuarenta organismos fueron colectados en cuatro diferentes bioterios de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México y fue evaluada la presencia de parásitos. La examinación intestinal reveló al nematodo Aspiculuris tetraptera (Nitzsch, 1821) Schulz, 1927 (n=104) y Syphacia obvelata Rudolphi, 1802 (n=1582). El análisis estadístico determinó que no hay preferencia parasitaria por sexo del hospedero. Se registró al cestodo Rodentolepis nana (Siebold, 1852) sinónimos (Hymenolepis nana y Vampirolepis nana) que son causantes de cestodiasis en el humano. Este trabajo tiene un énfasis en estos helmintos debido a su potencial zoonótico. No se detectó la presencia de ectoparasitos. Se elaboró un reporte del registro de parásitos en roedores de bioterio en México obtenido de una base de datos de la Colección Nacional de Helmintos del Instituto de Biología de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Este es un primer registro preliminar de la ocurrencia del nematodo A. tetraptera y S. obvelata en el ratón común M. musculus en cuatro bioterios en la ciudad de México. Este trabajo amplía la distribución geográfica y contribuye también, a un nuevo registro del parásito.

LOS HELMINTOS PARÁSITOS DE RATTUS RATTUS (LINNAEUS, 1758) DE LOS ENTORNOS URBANOS, INTERMEDIOS Y RURALES EN EL SUR DE BRASIL

Rattus rattus tiene hábitos sinantrópicos que lo convierten en el roedor importante para la difusión de parasitos zoonóticos. Treinta individuos fueron capturados y someterse a necropsia con el objetivo de conocer la fauna de helmintos de R. rattus. Se encontraron tres espécies, dos nematodos (Aspiculuris tetraptera y Syphacia obvelata) y uno cestodo (Hymenolepis diminuta). El área rural mostró mayor diversidad de helmintos.

Intestinal helminthic parasites of rodents in the central region of Iran: first report of a capillariid nematode from Dryomys nitedula

Objectives Rodents play an important role to spread zoonotic diseases through society. The current study was carried out to collect informative data on the intestinal helminthic infections of wild rodents in Taleqan County, Alborz Province, the center of Iran, emphasizing their zoonotic aspects. Results Sixty-two killed rodents by local farmers belonging to five species were collected, among which 24 were identified as Mus musculus, 15 as Meriones persicus, 12 as Meriones libycus, 10 as Apodemus witherbyi, and 1 as Dryomys nitedula. Of them, 30 (48.4%) were infected with at least one helminth species. Rodents were infected with Hymenolepis diminuta (42%), Syphacia obvelata (21%), Hymenolepis nana (17.7%), Heligmosomoides polygyrus (9.6%), Trichuris muris (8%), and as well as a capillariid nematode that was isolated for the first time from D. nitedula in Iran. The findings of the present study revealed a significant intestinal helminthic infection of rodents in Taleqan County. Improving hygiene practices, and making a preventive attitude can be helpful to reduce the hazards of rodent-borne diseases in the area where humans, livestock, and synanthropic rodents are living close to each other.