Abstract
The first objective of the present study was to determine and quantify the diversity of ecto- and endo-parasites of hedgehogs as well as their pathologic lesions in Tabriz, Iran. A total of 42 hedgehogs were collected and examined. The hedgehogs harbored the adults of two ixodidae tick species belonging to two genera, namely Hyalomma excavatum and Rhipicephalus turanicus as well as two flea species of two genera, namely Ctenocephalides canis and Leptopsylla segnis. At necropsy, 173 helminthes were recovered from the internal organs. Phyasaloptera clausa (36.84%), Mullerius capillaries (25.18%) and Hymenolepis diminuta (3%) were recognized in this survey. Microscopically, severe parasitic bronchitis and bronchiolitis, chronic interstitial pneumonia, hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, furunculosis, and chronic fibrosing gastritis were observed. The results of this study represent that hedgehogs are suitable hosts for the above mentioned parasites. Their pathological tissue damages were assessed.
Highlights
Hedgehogs, as nocturnal and spiny-coated omnivorous mammals with distinctive features, fall in the subfamily Erinaceinae of the order Erinaceomorpha
Hedgehogs have recently grown in popularity as exotic pets in the Iranian society
The most prevalent In lung, heavy parasitic infestations, suppurative helminthes species was Phyasaloptera clausa (36.84%), bronchitis and bronchiolitis, hyperplasia and stratified followed by Mullerius capillaries (25.18%) and squamous metaplasia and in some areas, focal erosion of Hymenolepis diminuta (3%)
Summary
As nocturnal and spiny-coated omnivorous mammals with distinctive features, fall in the subfamily Erinaceinae of the order Erinaceomorpha. They prefer deciduous woodlands, scrub and opened grasslands as habitats (39). These mammals were historically classified into five genera and have currently distributed through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and New Zealand and subspecies due to close genetic ties. Hedgehogs have recently grown in popularity as exotic pets in the Iranian society. Hedgehogs with their capacity for rapid and sustained
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