Browsing by Subject "Helminths"

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    Differences in helminth infections between captive and wild spur-thighed tortoises Testudo graeca in southern Spain: A potential risk of reintroductions of this species
    (Elsevier, 2012-02-10) Chávarri, Malva; Berriatua, Eduardo; Giménez, Andrés; Graciá, Eva; Martínez Carrasco-Pleite, Carlos; Ortiz, Juana; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Sanidad Animal
    Although the spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca, is one of the most widely distributed species of tortoises, its natural populations are threatened through its whole range. Particularly at south-eastern Spain, the species is mainly threatened by habitat destruction and over-collection, given that this chelonian has been traditionally considered an appreciate pet. As south-eastern Spanish wildlife recovery centers shelter hundreds of captive animals mainly coming from illegal trade or captive-bred, there is a strong debate about what to do with these animals: maintaining them in captivity all along their lives or reintroducing them to wildlife. It is well known that the reintroduction of captive animals supposes a risk for the wild population due to the uncertainty of their genetic origin and to the possible spread of infectious diseases. However, despite the increasing evidence that infectious agents are a potential health hazard for wildlife, little is known about the risk that introduced parasites could suppose for the wild populations of spur-thighed tortoise. The present study investigates for the first time the presence of helminth eggs and worms in faeces from 107 wild and captive individuals collected from mid-March to mid-June 2010, and relates the findings to different environmental and host variables. Sixteen oxyurid species and the ascarid Angusticaecum holopterum were identified. This last nematode and the oxyurid species Tachygonetria palearticus and T. seurati had not been reported in Spanish wild T. graeca previously. The prevalence of oxyurid eggs and worms were 94% and 70%, respectively; while, ascarid eggs and worms were found in 26% and 5% of tortoises, respectively. Ascarid infections affected mostly captive animals and were associated to caparace deformities and symptoms of upper respiratory tract disease (p < 0.05). Oxyurid infections were not associated to negative health traits and prevalence increased with age. In free-living tortoises, the distribution of pharingodonid genera also varied according to habitat; moreover, T. longicollis, T. pusilla, T. conica, T. robusta and Mehdiella stylosa where significantly more frequent in wild compared to captive tortoises (p < 0.05). Study results highlight important differences in the nematode fauna of captive and free-living tortoises and questions one more time if the reintroductions of captive animals suppose a risk for the wild population since the former ones can harbor and distribute among free populations pathogens like ascarid nematodes.
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    Gastrointestinal parasites in red‑legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) hunted in Spain: a warning to game managers
    (2022-07-07) Martínez Carrasco-Pleite, Carlos; Tizzani, Paolo; Berriatua, Eduardo; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Arcenillas Hernández, Irene; Sanidad Animal
    Red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) populations are currently declining in the Iberian Peninsula, mainly due to habitat degradation and hunting pressure. In addition, the release of farm-reared partridges may introduce pathogens, including parasites, to wild populations. The presence of digestive parasites in red-legged partridges hunted in ffteen Spanish provinces was studied. Fecal samples and gastrointestinal tracts were collected, analyzed, and the morphometric identifcation of parasites was carried out. Eimeria spp. oocysts, nematode, cestode and trematode eggs were observed in fecal samples. Adult nematodes (Ascaridia galli, Ascaridia compar, Heterakis gallinarum, Heterakis tenuicauda, Trichostrongylus tenuis, Subulura spp., Cyrnea spp. and Aonchotheca caudinfata), tapeworms (Raillietina tetragona, R. echinobothrida, R. micracantha, Rhabdometra nigropunctata, and Choanotaenia infundibulum), and trematodes (Brachylaima spp., Brachylecithum spp., Dicrocoelium spp.) were identifed in the gastrointestinal tracts. Signifcant statistical diferences were found among climatic regions in the prevalence and intensity of Eimeria spp. infection, median intensity and the prevalence of indirect life cycle helminths, with Southern areas always showing higher infection values. The study provides information of the health status of red-legged partridges in Spain, highlighting the risk associated with the release of farm-reared partridges for restocking purposes. This should be taken into account to improve management strategies for the long-term conservation of the species.
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    Helminths in a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) from a zoo in Spain
    (2004-11-08) Garijo Toledo, M. Magdalena; Ortiz, Juana; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Sanidad Animal
    A pregnant female Cape giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) died from an unknown cause in the Aitana Zoo, Alicante, Spain. Neither clinical signs nor macroscopic lesions were observed at necropsy. The alimentary tract was removed and examined for parasites. A total of 2 724 nematodes were found, including Camelostrongylus mentulatus, Trichostrongylus axei, Ostertagia ostertagi, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Teladorsagia trifurcata, Marshallagia marshalli, Trichostrongylus vitrinus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Spiculopteragia asymmetrica and Trichuris giraffae. Only T. giraffae and C. mentulatus have been previously reported from giraffes. The other nematodes are common in mouflons, fallow and red deer, which can usually be found in the same paddock as the giraffes in Aitana Zoo. Although its occurrence is unusual in this host, C. mentulatus was the most abundant nematode in our giraffe. This parasite has been related to disease, and even death, in several wild ruminants.
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    Mechanisms underlying eosinophil trafficking and their relevance in vivo
    (F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2000) Cara, D. C.; Negrao-Correa, D.; Teixeira, M. M.
    After their formation in the bone marrow, eosinophils circulate with a short half-life and are distributed throughout the body, especially in mucosal and sub-mucosal regions. Although a small amount of these cells are normally seen in healthy tissue, blood and tissue eosinophilia is a hallmark of helminthic and allergic diseases. The role of eosinophils in the normal physiology of mucosal tissues is not understood, but there is good evidence to demonstrate that these cells protect the host at least against some intestinal helminths, specially those with a lung cycle. In addition, there are now many data that support a role for eosinophils in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases, such as asthma. Because helminthic diseases have been largely controlled in developed countries, there has been much interest in the development of drugs which affect eosinophil migration and/or activation in the tissue and which may, thus, be useful in the treatment of allergic conditions. The understanding of the mechanisms controlling eosinophil trafficking and/or activation are essential in the development of anti-eosinophil-based therapeutic strategies. The present paper reviews aspects of eosinophil biology with emphasis on the role of eosinophils in parasitic infections and allergy, the basic mechanisms underlying the trafficking of eosinophils into tissue and how these can be modulated pharmacologically.
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    Parasites of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) in Murcia, southeast Spain
    (ENVT [École nationale vétérinaire de Toulouse], 2007) Martínez Carrasco-Pleite, Carlos; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Sagarminaga, J.L.; Garijo, M.M.; Moreno, F.; Acosta, I.; Hernández, S.; Alonso de Vega, Francisco D.; Sanidad Animal
    Fifty five red foxes were captured in Murcia province (Southeast Spain) and necropsied to evaluate parasitic infections. Fifteen helminth species were found, including five cestodes (Mesocestoides lineatus, Mesocestoides litteratus, Joyeuxiella pasqualei, Taenia pisiformis and Dipylidium caninum), nine nematodes (Pterygodermatites affinis, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Toxascaris leonina, Oxynema crassispiculum, Eucoleus (Capillaria) aerophilus, Toxocara cati, Uncinaria stenocephala and Angiostrongylus, vasorum), and one acanthocephalan (Macracanthorhynchus catulinus). Coprological method revealed the presence of, Isospora spp. oocysts. Also, fleas and ticks were recovered from the carcasses, corresponding to Pulex irritans, Spilopsyllus cuniculi, Ctenocephalides felis felis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes ventalloi, and Ixodes ricinus. Both S. cuniculi and C. felis felis are first records in foxes in the Iberian Peninsula
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    Parasitic fauna of a yellow-legged gull colony in the island of Escombreras (South-eastern Mediterranean) in close proximity to a landfill site: potential effects on cohabiting species
    (Springer, 2015-01-12) Hervías Parejo, Sandra; Martínez Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Díaz, Julia I.; Chitimia, Lidia; Ortiz Sánchez, Juana; Mayo, Elvira; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Sanidad Animal
    We identified the ectoparasites and helminth fauna of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis michahellis), breeding near to a solid waste landfill, and compared infection levels with those of other yellow-legged gull colonies. Moreover, we analysed correlations between parasites and sex and body condition of yellow-legged gulls, co-infections and the helminth community structure in order to propose the role of this species as reservoir of certain parasites. We also discuss the potential transmission of parasites between the yellow-legged gull and the endangered Audouin's gull, because interactions between these two species, such as kleptoparasitism and predation, occur frequently around colonies. The following species were recorded: Ornithodorus capensis (Arthropoda); Cosmocephalus obvelatus, Paracuaria adunca, Eucoleus contortus, Tetrameres skrjabini and Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda); Tetrabothrius cylindraceus (Cestoda); Acanthotrema armata, Cardiocephaloides longicollis and Ornithobilharzia intermedia (Digenea). Tetrabothrius cylindraceus, A. armata and O. capensis are new parasite records for this host. The dependence of yellow-legged-gulls on fishery discards is supported by the dominance of parasites transmitted through marine intermediate hosts with interest to fisheries in the study area. However, the shift in diet from natural resources to food derived from human activities seems not to affect the parasitic fauna of yellow-legged gull. Besides of direct physical contact between individuals in nesting and resting habitats, the high availability of fishery discards could increase the risk of Audouin's gulls to be infected by common parasites of yellow-legged gull.