An overview of the host spectrum and distribution of Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica): part 2—Mammalia (excluding Muroidea)

Hans-Peter Fuehrer

doi:10.1007/s00436-013-3692-9

Abstract

Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a globally distributed zoonotic nematode with low host specificity and a high affinity to the liver. Although murid rodents are the main definite hosts, various other mammals can be affected with hepatic capillariasis: non-murid rodents, Insectivora, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Hyracoidea, Marsupialia, Carnivora, and Primates. Overall, more than 180 mammalian species (including humans) are known as suitable hosts of this pathogen. This review gives an overview of the distribution and host spectrum of C. hepaticum in non-Muroidean mammals in wildlife and zoos as well as in domesticated and laboratory animals. Furthermore, the role of spurious infections in animals and the dissemination of C. hepaticum by mammalian and non-mammalian animals are summarized.

Highlights

Calodium hepaticum is a worldwide-distributed zoonotic parasite with a high affinity to the liver. It is the causative agent of hepatic capillariasis and has low host specificity
This review focuses on the mammalian host spectrum and its geographic distribution in those hosts
C. hepaticum was found in various pet shops and laboratories, for example, in one out of four Korean squirrels imported from China to Spain, 3 out of 155 lab groundhogs imported from the USA to Germany, 13 out of 160 New Zealand White rabbits in France from a commercial distributor, two cases in common chimpanzees which were lab animals originating from West Africa, and 0.6 % of 472 wild-caught laboratorymaintained crab-eating macaques (Abbott and Majeed 1984; Carrasco et al 2006; Hilken et al 2003; Mowat et al 2009; Sadun et al 1970)

Summary

Introduction

Calodium hepaticum is a worldwide-distributed zoonotic parasite with a high affinity to the liver. Spurious infections in animals and the dissemination of C. hepaticum are summarized. Numerous documented cases of C. hepaticum in non-murid mammals were reported from zoological gardens and laboratories or in domesticated animals.

Results

Conclusion