Strongyloides planiceps (Nematoda; Strongyloididae) in some wild carnivores.

Abstract

We investigated 40 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus), 5 Japanese weasels (Mustela sibirica itatsi), and 3 masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) in Kanagawa Prefecture, and 2 Japanese martens (Martes melampus melampus) in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, for Strongyloides species from October, 1982 to December, 1983. Nematodes of the genus Strongyloides were obtained from the small intestine of 26 raccoon dogs and 2 Japanese weasels. The number of worms ranged 3-127 in raccoon dogs and 2-12 in Japanese weasels. The Strongyloides species obtained was identified as S. planiceps by the morphological characteristics of their parasitic and free-living stages and of eggs and further by such ecological features as prepatent period, the form of parasite passed into the feces of hosts and susceptibility of dogs and domestic cats to infection with the parasite. Some species of wild carnivores, especially raccoon dogs, act as the reservoir host of S. planiceps and will play an important role in spreading Strongyloides infections among dogs and domestic cats.