A case report of Apatemon gracilis (Szidat, 1928) infection in domestic geese in mainland China

Abstract

This is the first report of the diagnosis and treatment of Apatemon gracilis infection in domestic geese in mainland China confirmed at the molecular level. The mortality of geese reached 10% (150/1500). Necropsy examinations confirmed hemorrhagic inflammation of the small intestine and blood and catarrhal mucus in the enteric cavity. A large number of flukes were found in the first third of the small intestine, with one end buried in the intestinal mucosa, forming lesions at the absorption sites. The ITS-1 sequence of the parasites was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis confirmed that the isolated worms were Apatemon gracilis (Szidat, 1928). Expulsion of the parasites with praziquantel effectively controlled the disease on the goose farm.