Alaria Alata Research Articles

Parasitic infections of digestive tract of dogs in territory of Branicevo District

This paper presents the results of two-year investigations of parasitic infections of the digestive tract of dogs originating from the territories of eight municipalities of Branicevo District. Investigations were performed on 345 dogs of different breeds and age categories, originating from rural and urban environments. The investigations encompassed dogs bred in decent hygiene conditions, as well as dogs living in unhygienic conditions. Some of the dogs covered by these analyses were dewormed, but the bulk of the sampled material originated from dogs that were not treated with antihelminthics. Eight species of parasites of the digestive tract were diagnosed in the examined dogs from the territory of the Branicevo District: Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Trichuris vulpis, coccidiae, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp. and Alaria alata. Today, it is still necessary to keep dogs in rural environments and isolated areas, since these animals are used to guard real estate and cattle. For quite some time now, there has also been wide-spread interest in keeping dogs in urban areas as well. It is evident on the grounds of data from big towns that the number of dogs in urban environments has been increasing constantly all over the world. However, the conditions for naturally maintaining dogs in towns have become increasingly more difficult and complicated. The amount of free space and the number of yards are constantly being reduced, so that dog owners are compelled to keep their pets in apartments. These altered living and diet conditions have resulted in more complex and varied health problems of dogs.

Wild life surveillance on Echinococcus multilocularis in Sweden

Background Echinococcus multilocularis is a tapeworm whose adult stages parasitize the intestine of canids such as foxes and wolves. Also domestic dogs and cats can act as definitive hosts. The sylvatic life cycle includes small rodents as intermediate hosts but humans may become accidentally infected by ingestion of eggs. Sweden, Finland, UK, Ireland, and Malta are considered to be free of this parasite and therefore have maintained their national rules as regards deworming of pets at movement into the countries. According to the EC regulation, these national rules can be applied during a transitional period to 2010. In order to confirm the absence of E. multilocularis in Sweden, monitoring of foxes is being carried out continuously. These investigations are financed by the Swedish government. Materials and methods In 2007, 245 red foxes were shot and sent to SVA by local hunters in different parts of Sweden. To kill potential tapeworm eggs, the carcasses were placed in –80° C for at least one week before sampling. Faecal samples were then collected from the rectum and sent to Switzerland for testing by coproantigen ELISA (Deplazes et al., 1999). Forty-eight foxes that were positive in the ELISA and additional 28 randomly selected individuals were also examined by a sedimentation technique according to the OIE guidelines. Results and discussion Forty-eight foxes out of 245 were positive for Echinococcus sp. by the coproantigen ELISA. With the sedimentation technique however, Echinococcus sp was not detected in any of the examined animals, including those who had been positive in the ELISA. One possible explanation for obtaining false positive ELISA results was that some kind of cross-reaction had taken place. The majority of the foxes were infected with other parasites, for example Taenia sp, Mesocestoides sp, Alaria alata, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina. Conclusions There is a need for good screening methods with high sensitivities and specificities. The results obtained by the sedimentation technique indicate that Sweden was still free from the fox tapeworm in 2007.

Autochtonous infection of dogs and slugs with Angiostrongylus vasorum in Hungary

On the course of a helminthological survey of the dogs of Baranya County, Hungary Angiostrongylus vasorum infection was detected in two asymptomatic dogs. Identification of the parasite was based on morphology of the first-stage larvae (L1) isolated from droppings, and successful experimental infection with first stage larvae to laboratory reared Discus rotundatus and Lissachatina fulica snails, in order to exclude species of the family Filaroididae that have similar larvae to A. vasorum. While angiostrongylosis is widespread among foxes, this is the first report of A. vasorum infection in housedog in Hungary. In gardens, where infected dogs were being kept 91 specimens of 6 species of limacid and arionid slugs were collected of which 5 specimens of Arion lusitanicus were found to carry larvae of A. vasorum. Dogs usually do not ingest such large slugs willingly. Frogs are known to act as paratenic hosts in the life cycle of A. vasorum. Since one of the infected dogs harboured also infection with the intestinal trematode Alaria alata, of which frogs certainly play the role of the second intermediate host, therefore it is assumed that in this case the dog became infected with A. vasorum by eating frogs.

A novel detection method for Alaria alata mesocercariae in meat

Distomum musculorum suis (DMS), the mesocercarial stage of the trematode Alaria alata, can cause severe damages within their hosts, and since several reports about cases of human larval alariosis have been published, it became apparent that infected game animals and in particular wild boars are a potential source of infection for both humans and animals. A final statement concerning the health risks for consumers could not be given due to the lack of information about both the prevalence of DMS and the suitability of Trichinella inspection methods to detect this parasite in wild boar meat. Our studies concentrate on (1) the verification of suitability of the official digestion methods for Trichinella spp. for DMS detection in wild boars, (2) development, optimization, and validation of methods, and (3) the distribution of the parasites within their paratenic hosts. A total of 868 individual samples/digests from 48 wild boars were analyzed by the reference method for Trichinella detection in meat samples according to regulation (EC) No. 2075/2005. In addition to the official protocol, a method modification with Pankreatin(c) and bile acid was applied for analysis of adipose tissue samples (n = 89). On the basis of our results, a new detection method based on a larvae migration technique was developed and used for detection of DMS in 574 single samples. Furthermore, the distribution patterns of DMS in wild boars in a total of 1377 single sample migrations/digestions from 35 positive animals were analyzed by application of all three methods. The official digestion method for Trichinella spp. in wild boars meat is inapplicable for the detection of A. alata mesocercariae as it shows shortcomings in both digestion and sampling. A direct comparison between the newly developed A. alata mesocercariae migration technique and the official digestion method for Trichinella spp. based on 574 single samples from 18 animals clearly shows that the sensitivity to detect A. alata developmental stages in tissues of wild boars of the new method is nearly 60% higher compared with the magnetic stirrer method for pooled sample digestion as laid down in regulation (EC) No. 2075/2005. Among other advantages, this method offers a simple, highly applicable, fast, and cost effective way to detect DMS in wild boars which is already applicable in routine veterinary inspection.

A faecal analysis of helminth infections in wild and captive wolves, Canis lupus L., in Poland

One hundred and three samples of faeces of reared grey wolves from four locations (Stobnica Park and Zoological Gardens in Bydgoszcz, Wrocław and Cracow) and twenty-six samples of faeces from two free-roaming packs of grey wolf (Canis lupus L.) in Piła (Forest Divisions: Borne Sulinowo, Czarnobór, Jastrowo) and Zielona Góra (Forest Divisions: Torzym, Krosno Odrzańskie) were collected between 2005 and 2007. Helminth eggs were detected in 78.6% of faecal samples of reared grey wolves and in 88.4% of those of free-roaming wolves. The trematode Alaria alata (80.1%) and nematodes Eucoleus aerophilus (23.1%) and Spirocerca lupi (11.5%) were only detected from wild packs of wolves and the nematodes Ancylostoma caninum (35.9%), Trichuris vulpis (15.5%) and Toxocara canis (3.9%) were only detected from reared wolves. Differences were observed in the prevalence and composition of helminth fauna between reared and wild grey wolves and our results are compared with those from studies within Poland and elsewhere in Europe.

Biology of Alaria spp. and human exposition risk to Alaria mesocercariae-a review.

Recent incidental background findings of Alaria alata mesocercariae ["Distomum muscularis suis," Duncker, 1896] in meat of wild boars during official Trichinella inspection initiated a re-assessment of the potential human health risk as posed by this parasite. The present review of the literature on Alaria biology shows that the human exposition risk should no longer be accepted to be negligible, as it demonstrates a general lack of knowledge in relevant areas of Alaria biology confounding any risk analysis. Sound risk assessment needs future studies which should concentrate on the most pressing questions of (1) the optimization and/or development of methods for reliable Alaria mesocercariae detection, (2) the distribution of the mesocercariae within their paratenic hosts, i.e., identification of potential predilection sites, particularly in wild boars, and (3) their prevalence in sylvatic populations of animals with respect to their introduction into the human food chain. Further, the degree and possibly also the species specificity of Alaria mesocercariae tenacity within the paratenic hosts and respective meat as pertaining to food technological treatments need to be elucidated. While these questions remain unanswered, it is an incontrovertible fact that Alaria mesocercariae have a potentially high human pathogenicity by both occupational and alimentary exposition.

Intestinal Parasites of Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Their Zoonotic Importance for Humans in Kars Province

During 2004-2007, 20 carcasses of red foxes, found dead mainly due to road accidents in Kars province of Turkey, were collected and examined helminthologically. Fifteen of (75%) 20 necropsied foxes were infected with various helminth species. According to the results of intestinal wash examinations, the helminth community of the red fox in the necropsy is composed of 10 helminths and 1 arthropod species. The recovered species were Alaria alata (30%), Mesocestoides lineatus (60%), Taenia multiceps (10%), T. pisiformis (10%), T. taenuiformis (5%), Taenia spp. (10%), Echinococcus granulosus (5%), Toxascaris leonina (65%), Toxocara canis (20%), Capillaria spp. (5%) and Linguatula serrata (40%). This article appears to be the first report of the presence of both the adults and nymphs of Linguatula serrata in the intestines of fox. According to the results of fecal examinations, helminth eggs were found in 13 of 20 (65%) fox fecal samples. Revealed helminth species were as follows; Mesocestoides lineatus (55%), Toxascaris leonina (40%), Alaria alata (30%), Toxocara canis (15%), Capillaria spp. (15%), Taenia spp. (15%).

Estimation of Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites in Hunting Dogs from the Area of Foothills of Olympus Mountain, Northern Greece

The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in hunting dogs from the area of foothills of Olympus Mountain was investigated through fecal examination, using a sedimentation method. From a total of 317 fecal samples collected, the following parasites were identified: Toxocara canis (10.4%), Ancylostomidae (9.8%), Dipylidium caninum (8.8%), Trichuris vulpis (4.7%), Taeniidae (1.9%), Toxascaris leonina (1.3%), Spirocerca lupi (0.6%) and Alaria alata (0.6%). This study has recorded, with respect to the age of the infected dogs, a significantly higher prevalence in young dogs infected with Toxocara canis, compared to adults, and a significantly higher prevalence in adults of the Trichuris vulpis and Dipilidium caninum infection (p<0.05). As regards gender, a significantly higher prevalence was recorded in female rather than male dogs infected with the nematode Toxocara canis (p<0.05)

Two new records of helminth parasites of domestic cat from Uruguay: Alaria alata (Goeze, 1782) (Digenea, Diplostomidae) and Lagochilascaris major Leiper, 1910 (Nematoda, Ascarididae)

Eight helminth taxa were recovered from the necropsy of four stray domestic cats from Colonia Miguelete, county of Colonia, Uruguay. Two of them are recorded for the first time for domestic cats in that country: Alaria alata (Goeze, 1782) from the small intestine (which is also the first trematode species found in domestic cat in Uruguay), and Lagochilascaris major Leiper, 1910 from the pharynx. The remaining helminth species found were Toxocara mystax (Zeder, 1800) and Spirometra sp. from the small intestine, Trichuris serrata (von Linstow, 1879) from the caecum, Eucoleus aerophilus (Creplin, 1839) from the trachea, and Pearsonema feliscati (Diesing, 1851) from the urinary bladder. Moreover, four female specimens of an unidentified Spiruroidea were collected from the stomach and small intestine of one host.

Coprological Study on Helminth Fauna in Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) From the Białowieża Primeval Forest in Eastern Poland

One hundred fecal samples were collected during research on Eurasian lynx ecology and food habits in the Polish part of the Białowieza Primeval Forest (BPF) from 2001 to 2006. Seventy-three percent of samples contained eggs or larvae of helminths. A total of 10 species of helminths was identified, including 3 Cestoda (Diphyllobothrium latum, Spirometra janickii, and unidentified species of Taeniidae), 1 Trematoda (Alaria alata), and 6 Nematoda (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Eucoleus aerophilus, Metastrongylus sp., Nematodirus sp., and Toxocara cati). Alaria alata has not been reported previously in lynx. A statistical comparison of the 2 techniques used to isolate eggs, i.e., flotation and sedimentation, indicates that sedimentation was more effective.

Helmintos do cachorro do campo, Pseudalopex gymnocercus (Fischer, 1814) e do cachorro do mato, Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766) no sul do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Forty wild canids were captured by live trap at Municipalities of Pedro Osorio and Pelotas in Southern of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and they were transported to the Parasitology Laboratory at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas. After they were posted, segments of intestinal, respiratory and urinary tracts and liver were separated and examined. Animal skulls were used for taxonomic identification. Of forty wild animals trapped, 22 (55%) were Pseudalopex gymnocercus and 22 (55%) Cerdocyon thous. The most prevalent nematodes were: Ancylostoma caninum (45.4 in P. gymnocercus and 22.2% in C. thous), Molineus felineus (9.9 in P. gymnocercus and 5.6% in C. thous), Strongyloides sp. (22.7 in P. gymnocercus and 16.7% in C. thous), Trichuris sp. (13.6 in P. gymnocercus and 11.1% in C. thous), and Capillaria hepatica (13.6 in P. gymnocercus and 5.5% in C. thous). The trematodes observed were: Alaria alata (36.4 in P. gymnocercus and 50.0% in C. thous), and Asthemia heterolecithodes in 5.6% C. thous. Cestodes were identified as Spirometra sp. (61.1% in C. thous and 54.5 in P. gymnocercus), Diphyllobothriidae, (81.8 in P. gymnocercus and 77.8% in C. thous) and an Acantocephala of the genus Centrorhynchus was also observed in 5.6% of C. thous only. These results indicated the helminths fauna in wild canids from the studied area.

Helminth infections in faecal samples of wolves Canis lupus L. from the western Beskidy Mountains in southern Poland

Eighty-nine samples of grey wolf (Canis lupus L.) faeces were collected between 2002 and 2004 from two areas in the western Beskidy Mts (south Poland). Helminth eggs were observed in 56.2% of faeces examined. These included: Alaria alata (2.2%), taeniid eggs (11.2%), Toxocara canis (5.6%), Toxascaris leonina (1.1%), Eucoleus aerophilus (14.6%), Ancylostoma caninum (12.3%), Uncinaria stenocephala (37%) and unidentified roundworm eggs of the family Strongyloididae (1.1%). Eucoleus aerophilus is recorded for the first time from Poland. The results are compared with the helminth fauna of other wolf populations in Europe.

The use of tetracycline in anthelmintic baits to assess baiting rate and drug efficacy against Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes

Anthelmintic (praziquantel) baiting of wild red foxes against Echinococcus multilocularis infection was studied in a highly epizootic suburban area of Otaru, Hokkaido (the northern island of Japan) during the summer and autumn in the years 1999–2004. Acceptance of baits containing the biomarker tetracycline (TC) was evaluated. The prevalence of E. multilocularis infection in foxes before baiting (1999–2000) was 58% (88/153), whereas in the fourth year of bait distribution year (2004), it decreased to 11% (5/45). Analysis of TC marking in the teeth of foxes showed that 39% (77/195) of those captured after baiting were estimated to have consumed baits in the year of capture. Importantly, more juvenile (56%, 49/87) than adult foxes (26%, 28/108) were marked, indicating efficient baiting of juveniles, which tended to have a higher worm burden of E. multilocularis. Of 77 marked foxes, E. multilocularis and Alaria alata (monitored as the second indicator species of deworming) were not detected in 70 (90%) and 76 (99%) foxes, respectively. The results suggest effective deworming by bait consumption. However, it was also demonstrated that 9% of the marked foxes were infected or re-infected after bait consumption, suggesting high infection pressure and the importance of frequent baiting.

Gastrointestinal parasites of shepherd and hunting dogs in the Serres Prefecture, Northern Greece

A total of 281 faecal samples from owned shepherd and hunting dogs were collected in the Serres Prefecture, Northern Greece and were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites. The overall prevalence of parasitism was 26% and the 11 species found were: Toxocara canis (12.8%), Trichuris vulpis (9.6%), Giardia spp. (4.3%), Isospora ( Cystoisospora) spp. (3.9%), Ancylostoma/ Uncinaria spp. (2.8%), Cryptosporidium spp. (2.8%), Alaria alata (2.5%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.8%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (1.1%), Toxascaris leonina (0.7%) and Dipylidium caninum (0.3%). The prevalence of T. canis and Isospora ( Cystoisospora) spp. was significantly higher in young than in adult dogs ( p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in prevalence between genders, except for T. canis, which was more common in male dogs ( p < 0.05).

The Helminth Community of the Red Fox, Vulpes Vulpes, In Dunas de Mira (Portugal) and its effect on host condition

The analysis of 62 foxes collected by hunters between 2000 and 2006 revealed that the helminth community of the red fox in Dunas de Mira is composed by 20 species. Over 90% of the foxes were parasitized and a maximum of 8 species was recorded in an individual fox. The overall mean species richness was 2.7. The component species were Uncinaria stenocephala (77.4%), Toxocara canis (37.1%), Mesocestoides spp. (30.7%), Alaria alata (27.4%), Ascocotyle longa (24.2%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (16.1%), and Spirocerca lupi (12.9%). Ascocotyle longa presented the highest mean intensity (268.5). The prevalence of U. stenocephala in males (86.8%) was significantly higher than that found in females (62.5%). The measures of host body condition indicate an overall KFI of 1.42 with male foxes presenting relatively lower KFI values than females (1.37 and 1.52, respectively). The infection by T. canis , Mesocestoides spp., and both T. canis and U. stenocephala produced significant effects upon host condition. The component species are discussed considering the red fox diet in the study area, their relationship with a lowered host condition and their possible transmission to humans.

HELMINTHOLOGIC SURVEY OF THE WOLF (CANIS LUPUS) IN ESTONIA, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ECHINOCOCCUS GRANULOSUS

Carcasses of 26 wolves were collected during the 2000/2001 and 2003/2004 hunting seasons and examined for helminths. Thirteen helminth species were recorded: one trematode (Alaria alata), seven cestodes (Diphyllobothrium latum, Mesocestoides lineatus, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia multiceps, Taenia ovis, Taenia pisiformis, and Echinococcus granulosus), and five nematode species (Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara canis, Trichinella nativa, and Trichinella britovi). The most common species were A. alata and U. stenocephala. Mature Echinococcus granulosus was found and described for the first time in Estonia, and its identity verified using PCR-RFLP analysis. Sequencing a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA NADH dehydrogenase 1 (mtND1) gene showed that the E. granulosus strain from Estonia was identical to strain G10, recently characterized in reindeer and moose in Finland.

Ecological analyses of the intestinal helminth communities of the wolf, Canis lupus, in Spain.

This work describes the ecological characteristics of the intestinal helminth communities of 50 wolves (Canis lupus L.) from Spain. The species found were classified into three groups according to prevalence, intensity and intestinal distribution. Taenia hydatigena Pallas, 1766 and Uncinaria stenocephala (Railliet, 1884) are the core species of the community. Taenia multiceps (Leske, 1780) is a secondary species. The rest of the species, Alaria alata (Goeze, 1782), Taenia serialis (Gervais, 1847). Taenia pisiformis (Bloch, 1780), Dipylidium caninum (Linnaeus, 1758), Mesocestoides sp. aff. litteratus, Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782), Toxascaris leonina (von Linstow, 1902), Ancylostoma caninum (Ercolani, 1859) and Trichuris vulpis (Froelich, 1789), behave as satellite species. The linear intestinal distribution of all helminth species was analysed. The location of most species can be considered predictable, especially for core and secondary species. The analysis of interspecific relationships between infracommunities shows that negative associations are more numerous than positive associations. The role of A. caninum in the community is compared with that of U. stenocephala.

Helminth fauna of the racoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray, 1834) in Belorussian Polesie.

The racoon dog is a canid species that has been introduced into Belarus and is now widespread throughout nearly the whole territory of this country. Acclimatization of this animal began in the 1930s. To date, racoon dogs have accumulated many helminths from the Belorussian aboriginal animals. This report is the result of the helmintological examination of 78 carcasses and 179 stools of racoon dogs, carried out in natural and transformed ecosystems of Belorussian Polesie (southern part of Belarus, Brest, Gomel regions) between 1981 and 1999. The animals were killed by hunters. The stools were gathered by us on drainage channel banks. The total rate of infection of racoon dogs by helminths was 83.3% (assessed by helmintological dissection, organ compression). These animals are hosts to 25 species of helminths (Table 1). Alaria alata, Isthmiophora melis, Toxocara canis and Uncinaria stenocephala were the most frequently detected parasites. The prevalence of these helminths in the intestine of racoon dogs was 47.4%, 24.4%, 20.5% and 52.6, respectively. The eggs and larvae of helminths were found in 93.1% of racoon dog faecal samples. The most frequently registered were larvae of Strongylata spp (45.8%) and eggs of A. alata (50.8%), Taenia spp (24.6%), Toxocara spp (23.5%) and U. stenocephala (21.8%). All helminth species (except Strongyloides erschovi) are important for medical and veterinary sciences. These species of helminth are known as parasites of humans (all trematode species, Ancylostoma caninum, Dipylidium caninum, Eucoleus aerophilus, Mesocestoides lineatus, Spirometra erinacei, Taenia crassiceps, T. hydatigena, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara canis, Trichinella spp, Trichuris vulpis, Uncinaria stenocephala), cats and dogs (all helminth species) and pigs (all trematode species except Pseudamphistomum truncatum, D. caninum as a casual parasite, S. erinacei, Taenia hydatigena, Trichinella spp). Parasitol Res (2002) 88: 944–945 DOI 10.1007/s00436-001-0582-3

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Ireland as hosts for parasites of potential zoonotic and veterinary significance

Intestinal washes, faecal flotations and serological examinations for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum were used to assess the prevalence of parasites in carcases of foxes killed on roads...

Helminths in the wolf, Canis lupus, from north-western Spain.

Fifteen helminth species were collected from 47 wolves (Canis lupus ) which were surveyed from 1993 to 1999 in northwestern Spain. These included the trematode Alaria alata (2.1%); the cestodes Taenia hydatigena (44.7%), T. multiceps (29.8%), T. serialis (2.1%), Dipylidium caninum (6.4%) and Mesocestoides sp. aff. litteratus (4.2%); and the nematodes Pearsonema plica (7.4%), Trichuris vulpis (10.6%), Trichinella britovi (12.8%), Ancylostoma caninum (8.5%), Uncinaria stenocephala (51.1%), Toxocara canis (6.4%) Toxascaris leonina (4.2%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (2.1%) and Dirofilaria immitis (2.1%). Only two wolves were not infected. A single infection occurred in 28.9% of the cases, but the commonest infracommunity (31.1%) involved three species. The helminths Alaria alata, Taenia hydatigena, Mesocestoides sp. aff. litteratus, P. plica, Trichuris vulpis, and Ancylostoma caninum parasitizing C. lupus are reported for the first time in Spain. Taenia serialis and D. immitis are reported for the first time in wolves in Europe. Angiostrongylus vasorum represents a new host record for wolves. The helminth fauna of Spanish wolves is compared with that of other European wolf populations. Some epidemiological considerations of the helminth fauna of wolves in Spain and the health risk to humans are also discussed.