Echinuria Uncinata Research Articles

Occurrence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Synanthropic Neozoan Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca, Linnaeus 1766) in Germany

Various studies have shown that the transmission and passage of alien and native pathogens play a critical role in the establishment process of an invasive species and its further spread. Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) are neozotic birds on various continents. They live not only in the countryside near fresh water bodies but also in urban habitats in Central Europe with close contact to humans and their pets. Although their rapid distribution in Europe is widely debated, scientific studies on the anthropozoonotic risks of the population and studies on the present endoparasites in Egyptian geese are rare worldwide. In the present study, 114 shot Egyptian geese and 148 non-invasively collected faecal samples of wild Egyptian geese from 11 different Federal States in Germany were examined. A total of 13 metazoan endoparasite species in 12 different genera were identified. The main endoparasites found were Hystrichis tricolor, Polymorphus minutus, and, in lesser abundance, Cloacotaenia sp. and Echinuria uncinata. Adult stages of Echinostoma revolutum, an anthropozoonotic heteroxenic trematode, were found in 7.9% of the animals examined postmortem. This species was additionally identified by molecular analysis. Although Egyptian geese live in communities with native waterfowl, it appears that they have a lower parasitic load in general. The acquisition of generalistic parasites in an alien species and the associated increased risk of infection for native species is known as “spill-back” and raises the question of impacts on native waterfowl. Differences between animals from rural populations and urban populations were observed. The present study represents the first large-scale survey on gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging Egyptian geese.

Gastrointestinal helminths of waterfowl (Anatidae: Anatinae) in the Lerma marshes of central Mexico: Some pathological aspects.

Gastrointestinal helminths of migratory waterfowl can cause several lesions that may affect the health and even the survival of their hosts. As part of an ongoing project that aims to inventory the helminth species that infect this group of birds, as well as the histopathologic lesion they cause, a total of 200 digestive tracts of nine species of anatid birds (Spatula discors, S. cyanoptera, S. clypeata, Mareca strepera, M. americana, Anas crecca, A. acuta, A. platyrhynchos diazi, and Oxyura jamaicensis) were collected in the Atarasquillo marsh of Lerma, in the State of Mexico. The present work had a twofold goal: to determine the taxonomic identity of the helminth species present in waterfowl as well as their infection levels and to describe the lesions caused by gastrointestinal parasites in migratory and resident anatids in Atarasquillo marsh, State of Mexico. The specimens were examined using routine helminthological and histopathological techniques. A total of 23 helminths were identified: six trematodes (Zygocotyle lunata, Notocotylus triserialis, Notocotylus seineti, Psilochasmus oxyurus, Australapatemon burti and Cotylurus magniacetabulus), four cestodes (Cloacotaenia megalops, Fimbriaria fasciolaris, Gatrotaenia cygni and Diorchis sp.), eleven nematodes (Echinuria uncinata, Tetrameres sp., Tetrameres fissispina, Hystrichis sp., Streptocara sp., Amidostomum sp., Epomidiostomum uncinatum, Capillaria sp., Capillaria contorta, Ascaridia sp. and Heterakis sp.) and two acanthocephalans (Pseudocorynosoma constrictum and Filicollis sp.). At the proventriculus level, Echinuria uncinata caused the most severe lesions; in the gizzard, Amidostomum sp. and E. uncinatum produced hemorrhages and necrosis. Finally, the main lesions found in the intestine (necrosis, heterophilic granulomas and the formation of lumps on the serosa) were caused by the implantation of the acanthocephalans’ proboscis. Eleven species of gastrointestinal helminths found are new records for the Lerma marshes, as well as the first record in Mexico of the nematode Capillaria contorta and the acanthocephalan Filicollis sp.

THE FIRST STUDY OF THE ENDOPARASITIC FAUNA OF MUTE SWANS (CYGNUS OLOR) IN THE NORTHERN PART OF SERBIA

In the Northern part of Serbia, which is part of Pannonian Basin, mute swan (Cygnus olor) population has notably increased over the last few decades. Like other birds from Anatidae family, mute swans are a host of numerous endoparasite species. The aim of this study was to acquire the data on identification and prevalence of endoparasites in mute swans in the Republic of Serbia, as that information is lacking. Individual faecal samples of sixty-eight adult mute swans were examined for the presence of endoparasites. Coprological examination was performed using flotation and sedimentation technique with saturated ZnSO4 solution. The samples were collected from December 2016 to March 2017, during epizootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in the Republic of Serbia. Dead mute swans were collected from twelve different locations in the Northern part of Serbia. Altogether, 39.7% of the examined fecal samples contained different parasites. The endoparasitic fauna was divers and included 3 species of nematodes, 2 cestodes species, one trematode and one protozoan species. Nematodes were the most prevalent helminthes and among these the most frequent nematode species found was Heterakis dispar (17.6%), followed by Echinuria uncinata (5,8%) and Ascaridia spp. (4,4%). Four mixed infections were found, where double infection was the most prevalent. No endoparasites were found in faecal samples of mute swans collected from the locations Sombor and Titel. As this study covers a small population of mute swans, more detailed studies need to be carried out on a larger population in order to gain an insight into the diversity and prevalence of endoparasites in the Republic of Serbia.

Helmintofauna del aparato digestivo y respiratorio de aves acuáticas (Anatidae: Anatinae) del humedal de Atlangatepec, Tlaxcala, México

El objetivo de esta investigación fue realizar el primer inventario de helmintos recuperados a partir del tubo digestivo y del aparato respiratorio de 52 aves acuáticas de la familia Anatidae, procedentes del humedal de Atlangatepec, Tlaxcala, a partir del aparato digestivo y respiratorio, los cuales fueron donados por cazadores en la temporada de caza de noviembre 2012- febrero 2013 y noviembre 2013- febrero 2014. Los parásitos encontrados se procesaron empleando técnicas convencionales para el examen helmintológico. Se identificaron 21 taxa de helmintos: siete trematodos (Cotylurus. cornutus, Australapatemon burti, Zygocotyle. lunata, Notocotylus. seineti, Typhlocoelum. sisowi, Echinostoma sp. y Echinoparyphium recurvatum.), cuatro cestodos (Hymenolepis sp., Cloacotaenia megalops, Choanotaenia infundibulum y Fimbriaria fasciolaris), ocho nematodos (Amidostomum sp., Streptocara sp., Epomidiostomum uncinatum, Syphaciella sp., Capillaria sp., Tetrameres. fissispina, Tetrameres sp. y Echinuria uncinata) y dos acantocéfalos (Pseudocorynosoma constritum y Polimorphus sp.), entre ellos destaca Syphaciella sp., ya que se registra por primera vez para México. También se registra por primera vez para México a los trematodos: Z. lunata y A. burti en A. crecca y A. strepera. En el caso de los cestodos a C. infundibulum en A. affinis.

Morphological and biochemical indicators of geese blood by deworming with brovermektin and by adding to the ration macleaya cordata and vegetable sources of bioflavonoids

One of the problems connected with the process of geese growing up is infectious diseases (infectious and parasitic), which hurt the fowls’ organisms and are in for economic lesion. As some helminths (caryocolum tetrameris and echinuria uncinata) have transitional carriers who live in the aquatic environment (water flea, freshwater shrimp and asellus aquaticus) and can infect geese in the process of grazing. Another problem of antiparasitic actions is parasits’ resistance to the majority of preparations. The perspectives of this field is determined by the usage of antihelminthics of broad spectrum which include derived avermectins, which is presented by local medication such as «Brovermektin» 1% which consists of 10.0 mg of ivermectin. The article highlights data connected with the analysis of morphological and biochemical indicators of geese blood by adding after the process of deworming: Brovermektin 1% «E-selen», chalked steamed of macleaya cordata, powder of unprocessed buckwheat grains, onion and buckwheat husks as the source of rutin and its precursor such as quercetin and proanthocyanidin. The research has shown that adding to the geese ration of Brovermektin 1% only (second testes group) leads to significant increase of the quantity of erythrocytes, concentration of hemoglobin and activation of diagnostic enzymes of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and γ-glutamyltransferase that testifies negative influence of preparation which is had on the liver and the development of hypoxic condition. At the same time adding one-time Brovermektin 1% with «E-selen» in dose of 0.01 cm3 per fowl, vegetable additives of macleaya cordata in dose of 0.563 g/10 kg of forage, «green buckwheat» in quantity of 2 g/10 kg of body weight was leading to decrease of indicators’ activity of liver ferments and to normalization of the quantity of erythrocytes and geese blood hemoglobin – are the indicators of hepatoprotective activity of these preparations in mentioned doses.

Gizzard Helminths in Female Northern Pintails ( Anas acuta) Wintering Along the Texas Coast.

Gizzard helminths were examined in 100 (50 adult, 50 juvenile) female northern pintails ( Anas acuta). Sixty-three individual helminths, representing 5 species ( Amidostomum acutum, Echinuria uncinata, Epomidiostomum uncinatum, Streptocara crassicauda, and Gastrotaenia cygni) were found. Twenty-seven northern pintails were infected with 1-3 helminth species and averaged 1.4 species. Overall, A. acutum and G. cygni were the most prevalent and abundant species (20%, n = 31 and 10%, n = 25, respectively), followed by S. crassicauda (5%, n = 5), E. uncinata (1%, n = 1), and E. uncinatum (1%, n = 1). Intensity of infection for A. acutum, E. uncinata, E. uncinatum, S. crassicauda, and G. cygni was 1.6 ± 0.3 [SE], 1.0 ± 0, 1.0 ± 0, 1.0 ± 0, and 2.5 ± 0.6, respectively. Our findings represent new information about gizzard helminth infections in northern pintails wintering along the Texas coast.

Stomach nematodes of three sympatric species of anatid birds off the coast of Patagonia.

The present study focuses on the nematode community in the stomachs of three sympatric anatid bird species from the Central Patagonian coast, Argentina. The bird species include the Chubut steamer duck, Tachyeres leucocephalus, the crested duck, Lophonetta specularioides, and the black-necked swan, Cygnus melancoryphus. Up to 138 nematodes representing five species were recovered from 10 of the 13 ducks examined, with an overall prevalence of 77% and a mean intensity of 13.8. Nematodes isolated from the gizzard were Streptocara formosensis and Sciadiocara legendrei (Acuariidae) in T. leucocephalus, and Epomidiostomum vogelsangi (Amidostomatidae) in C. melancoryphus, whereas Echinuria uncinata (Acuariidae) and Tetrameres (Petrowimeres) fissispina (Tetrameriidae) were found in the proventiculus of L. specularioides. In particular, S. legendrei was registered for the first time in South America and T. leucocephalus, whereas T. fissispina represents a new record in Argentina and L. specularioides. Moreover, E. vogelsangi and E. uncinata were isolated in Patagonia for the first time. The birds studied herein are sympatric in their distribution, and two of them are syntopic breeders; however, they were infected with different parasite species. This situation could be partially due to their diet or their seasonal movements, or a combination of both. Despite the low number of hosts examined, this work enhances our knowledge about parasites from a frequently occurring group of birds on the Patagonian coast, a subject that has not been studied extensively in South America.

Analysis of study comprehensiveness for nematode fauna of hydrophilic birds in Ukrainian Polissya.

The fauna of helminths of hydrophilic birds was subject of many works in Ukraine. But the most of investigators dealt with helminth fauna of waterfowls in general. And only few works were dedicated to the parasitic nematodes. There are registered 81 species of helminths on Ukraine and 36 species of nematode of hydrophilic bird for Polissya (23 species for Belarus. 15 for Poland and 18 for Ukraine). As well it was compared lists of parts of Polissya between itself. The comprehension of the parasitic nematodes from different part of Polissya showed that 6 species of nematodes are common for whole Polissya: Eucoleus contortus, Amidostomum anseris, Echinuria uncinata, Porrocaecum crassum, Porrocaecum semiteres and Tetrameres fissispina. Further studies are necessary to increase our knowledge on biodiversity of the parasitic nematodes in waterfowls and clear up their taxonomic status.

Parasitic nematodes of anseriform birds in Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract Parasitic nematodes of 176 individuals of 15 bird species belonging to the order Anseriformes from Hokkaido, Japan were investigated. A total of 12 nematode species were obtained, namely Amidostomum anseris, A. acutum, Epomidiostomum crami, E. uncinatum, Tetrameres fissispina, Eucoleus contortus, Capillaria anatis, Baruscapillaria mergi, Contracaecum rudolphii, Echinuria uncinata, Streptocara crassicauda and Sarconema eurycerca. Among these, E. uncinatum (hosts: Anas platyrhynchos, A. poecilorhyncha, A. acuta, Mel. nigra) and E. crami (hosts: Anser albifroms, Ans. fabalis, C. cygnus, C. columbianus) were the first geographical records in Japan. There appeared to be strict host-parasite relationships between the wild swans/geese and A. anseris/E. crami, and between wild duck species and A. acutum/E. uncinatum, respectively.

Mortality in Laysan ducks (Anas laysanensis) by emaciation complicated by Echinuria uncinata on Laysan Island, Hawaii, 1993.

In November 1993, unusual mortality occurred among endangered Laysan ducks on Laysan Island, one of the remote refugia of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge (USA). Ten live ducks were emaciated, and blood samples documented anemia, heterophilia, and eosinophilia. Pathology in 13 duck carcasses revealed emaciation, marked thickening of the proventricular wall, abundant mucus, and nodules in the gastrointestinal tract. Histology revealed granulomata associated with nematodes in the proventriculus, small intestines, and body walls of nine of 10 ducks examined on histology. We suspect that low rainfall and low food abundance that year contributed to enhanced pathogenicity of parasite infection, either through increased exposure or decreased host resistance. Because the Laysan duck is found only on Laysan island and is critically endangered, translocation of this species to other islands is being considered. Given that we have not seen pathology associated with Echinuria spp. in native waterfowl on other Hawaiian Islands and given the parasite's potential to cause significant lesions in Laysan ducks, it will be important to prevent the translocation of Echinuria spp.

Parasites of waterfowl, from southwest Texas: III. The green-winged teal, Anas crecca.

Seventy of 72 green-winged teal, Anas crecca, from southwest Texas were infected with parasites. Seventeen species of endoparasites were recorded: Notocotylus attenuatus, Zygocotyle lunata, Typhlocoelum sisowi, Echinostoma revolutum, Hypoderaeum conoideum, Dendritobilharzia pulverulenta, Cloacotaenia megalops, Sobolevicanthus gracilis, Sobolevicanthus krabbeella, Gastrotaenia cygni, Amidostomum acutum, Amidostomum anseris, Tetrameres crami, Echinuria uncinata, Corynosoma constrictum, Polymorphus minutus. Also recorded were five species of ectoparasites: Trinoton querquedulae, Anaticola crassicornis, Anatoecous icterodes, Holomenopon setigerum and Epidermoptes sp. and the sacrosporidian, Sarcocystis rileyi. Anatoecous icterodes is a new host record for A. crecca. Sobolevicanthus gracilis, S. krabbeella, T. sisowi, and D. pulverulenta are new records for A. crecca in North America. Sobolevicanthus krabbeella is also a new record for North America. Fall juveniles had greater mean parasite intensity (29) than fall (19) and spring adults (19). Juveniles were infected with fewer species of parasites (17) than adults (20). Simpson's index was very low (0.11) indicating a diverse parasite fauna. Sorenson's index of similarity indicated that the parasite fauna for green-winged teal from southwest Texas was more similar to the shoveler's, Anas clypeata, parasites reported from southwest Texas (55%) than to green-winged teal parasites reported from eastern Canada (41%) and New Brunswick, Canada (21%).

Letter to the editor

Abstract Extract Sir, Little has been recorded of the parasites of waterfowl, wild or domesticated in New Zealand (Rind 1974 Rind, S. R. 1974. Mauri Ora, 2: 139–146. [Google Scholar]). The nematodes of New Zealand waterfowl appear quite unknown. Recently Mrs Rind gave me part of the anterior alimentary canal of a grey duck (Anas superciliosa) that had been shot a few days earlier (November 8, 1976) at Omihi, North Canterbury. She drew my attention to a nodule in the proventriculus wall about 2 cm anterior to the gizzard. When opened, this fibrous granuloma was found to contain six male and 12 female nematodes each about 1–1.5 cm long. Another grey duck from Irwell, Canterbury shot on June 1, 1974 contained 25 female and 12 male Echinuria. Using the keys in Ali (1968 Ali, M. M. 1968. J. Helminth., 42: 221–242. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) and McDonald (1974) the nematodes were identified as Echinuria uncinata (Rudolphi 1819) (synonyms: teste Yamaguti (1961 Yamaguti, S. 1961. Systema Helminlhum, Vol. III, Interscience Publishers. [Google Scholar]) include E. jugadornata (Soloviev, 1912) and teste McDonald (1969 McDonald, M. E. 1969. Catalogue of Helminths of Waterfowl (Anatidae). u.S. Fish. Wildl. Serv. Spec. Sci. Rep. Wildl, 126: 692–692. [Google Scholar]) E. cygni (Morini, Columba and Martin, 1960 Morini, E. G., Columbo, E. G. and Martin, A. A. 1960. Actas y Trab. 1. Cong. Sudam. Zool (La Plata. 1959), 2: 223–228. Secc. 3 Invertebrados [Google Scholar]). The identification was confirmed by reference to descriptions and figures in a variety of publications.

The occurrence, life cycle, and pathogenicity of Echinuria uncinata (Rudolphi, 1819) Soloviev, 1912 (Spirurida, Nematoda) in waterfowl at Delta, Manitoba.

In the Delta Marsh, third-stage Echinuria uncinata juveniles were found in Daphnia magna, D. pulex, Simocephalus vetulus, and Gammarus lacustris. Daphnia magna, the major host, were found infected from late May to early November with a peak of 108 parasites per 100 Daphnia in early August. Experimentally, D. magna, D. pulex, Ceriodaphnia reticulata, C. acanthina, S. vetulus, Moina macrocopa, Eurycercus lamellatus, G. lacustris, Hyallela azteca, Chirocephalopsis bundyi, and Lynceus brachyurus became infected when exposed to E. uncinata eggs. Parasites developed to the infective stage in D. magna and D. pulex in 30 days at 15 °C and in 10 days at 20–24 °C.In mallard ducks, E. uncinata completed the fourth molt 20 days after infection; male worms were sexually mature after 30 days and females oviposited 40 days after infection. Parasites grew faster in 1-week-old Delta mallards than in 2- and 3-month-old birds. Adult nematodes were located beneath the mucosal layer at the junction of the proventriculus and gizzard where granulomas formed after 30 days. The number of granulomas was correlated with the number of parasites. Mallards, pintails, gadwalls, lesser scaup, common eiders, and domestic geese were more susceptible to Echinuria infection than were shovellers, blue-winged teal, redheads, ruddy ducks, and American coots. Parasite eggs died when frozen but 50% survived 85 days when dried on filter paper. Echinuria uncinata can survive winter in resident mallards.

OBSERVATIONS ON WATERFOWL MORTALITY IN SOUTHERN MANITOBA CAUSED BY ECHINURIA UNCINATA (NEMATODA, ACUARIIDAE)

An outbreak of echinuriasis caused by the nematode Echinuria uncinata is reported in the ducks and swans of southern Manitoba. Treatment in trumpeter swan cygnets with piperazine citrate was attempted. Symptoms and lesions characteristic of chronic echinuriasis are described. Ecological factors of this disease, and its possible association with drought are discussed. New host records for Echinuria uncinata are Anas discors, Aythya valisineria, and Olor buccinator.