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Abstract
Capillaria hepatica is a globally-distributed zoonotic nematode parasite that most commonly infects feral and native rats. Soil contact, pica, and living in close proximity to rat populations are risk factors for human infection. Larval nematodes and eggs that were morphologically consistent with C. hepatica were observed microscopically in livers of stranded southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) from California. Large (90-100 x 45-55 μm), barrel-shaped non-embryonated parasite eggs with prominent polar prominences and a roughened or striated surface, or 105-120 μm diameter larval aphasmid nematode profiles with a prominent stichosome and hypodermal bands were observed in the livers of three otters. The liver of a fourth animal exhibited serpiginous tracts of necrosis, micro-cavitation and pleocellular inflammation, with intralesional linear eosinophilic material that resembled cuticle from degenerating metazoan parasites. Capillaria hepatica-associated hepatitis and capsular adhesions were the cause of death for one otter, and parasite-associated liver lesions were observed in all cases. All infected otters were adult females that stranded from 2006 through 2016 at multiple sites along the central California coast. All cases stranded from December through May; during and soon after peak seasonal precipitation and land-sea runoff in California. This same seasonal pattern has been reported for other land-based parasites infecting southern sea otters. Neither C. hepatica, nor any similar nematodes have been reported from marine mammals, and southern sea otters are not typical hosts for C. hepatica or any other nematode parasites. The most likely route of exposure was via freshwater runoff containing embryonated eggs liberated from predated or decomposing terrestrial hosts, especially rats. Similar to the land-based parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona, C. hepatica eggs may be concentrated and transmitted through filter-feeding marine invertebrates that serve as southern sea otter prey, which may also pose an unrecognized public health risk for people who consume these species.
Highlights
IntroductionCalodium hepaticum) is a globally distributed nematode parasite of mammals, including humans
Stranded southern sea otters from throughout Central California were necropsied by collaborating veterinary pathologists (MM and PD)
One animal had been implanted with a very high frequency (VHF) radio transmitter and time-depth recorder (TDR) antemortem as part of life history research, so visual resight and electronic monitoring data were compiled by collaborating biologists
Summary
Calodium hepaticum) is a globally distributed nematode parasite of mammals, including humans. Wild and feral rodents of the genus Rattus serve as the main source of environmental contamination by parasite eggs in urban environments. Under crowded and unsanitary conditions >70% of rats can be infected, and cannibalism facilitates transmission between successive rodent generations (Fuehrer et al, 2014a). Ingestion of water or food contaminated by embryonated C. hepatica eggs can cause infection in humans and other mammals (Fuehrer et al, 2014b). In an early report of human infection, eggs compatible with C. hepatica were detected in material recovered from a 3rd to 4th century grave in France (Mowlavi et al, 2014)
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