Macracanthorhynchus Hirudinaceus Research Articles

First Histopathological and Molecular Characterization of Giant Thorny-headed Worm, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Pallas, 1781) (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) in Wild Boars, Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 from Eastern Türkiye.

Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Pallas, 1781) is a zoonotic acanthocephalan that parasitizes the small intestine of wild boars. It is a pathogenic that causes economic losses, and poses a public health threat due to increased emergence. The aims of this study is describes histopathologically the damage caused by M. hirudinaceus in the small intestine of wild boar Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758, and molecularly characterize this parasite (sequences, haplotypes, phylogeny) for the first time in Elazig city, Türkiye. A high prevalence of infection was obtained. Upon separating the worms, it was discovered that there were ulcers resembling craters in the center, of the small intestine mucosa, surrounded by edema. The intestine wall where the parasite attached was damaged, with the villi epithelium and lamina propria in the mucosa being destroyed. The genomic DNA was isolated from all M. hirudinaceus samples, and PCR amplified the 489bp gene fragments were sequenced and confirmed that all 21 sequences were M. hirudinaceus. The haplotype analysis of the sequences revealed the presence of a central star-shaped haplotype, in addition to four other haplotypes. After conducting sequence analysis, the genetic differences between the M. hirudinaceus sequences obtained in this study and those reported from Europe and Japan suggest that this parasite is endemic to Türkiye's local wild boar population. Also, four haplotypes were identified, distinguishing it from other haplotypes by 1-5 mutation steps. It is essential to consider the worm's sequences and the formation of haplotypes, since these intrinsic characteristics may impact in the epidemiology and pathology of the worm in the future.

Comparative Analysis of Ascaris suum and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus Infections in Free-Ranging and Captive Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) in Hungary.

Ascaris suum and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus cause a large loss of yield in farm animals as well as in free-living and captive wild boar herds, thereby causing economic damage. This study compared A. suum and M. hirudinaceus infections in free-ranging and captive wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Hungary. The authors measured the A. suum and M. hirudinaceus infections of a 248-hectare wild boar garden and an 11,893-hectare free-living wild boar herd in the sample area. In all cases, samples were collected from shot wild boars. In total, 216 wild boars were examined from June 2015 to June 2023 in Hungary. Of the 173 dissected wild boars from the wild, 57 (32.9%) were infected with A. suum, while 30 (69.8%) of the 43 individuals from the captive area were infected. The prevalence of M. hirudinaceus in the free-living area population was 9.25% (16 wild boars), while that of the captive population was 34.89% (15 wild boars). In the case of the examined helminths, the captive herd was 36.9% more infected than the herd living in the open area.

Survey of Common Infectious Diseases in Urban Foxes (Vulpes spp.) in Southeastern Iran.

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is one of the most common species of wild Canidae and is relatively abundant in Iran. Foxes (Vulpes spp.) transmit many zoonotic diseases, the most important of which are visceral leishmaniasis, rabies, hydatidosis, toxocariasis, and trichinellosis. In this study, visceral leishmaniasis, rabies, ectoparasites, canine gastrointestinal helminths, dermatophytosis, distemper, parvovirus infection, and heartworm infections were evaluated among live-trapped and rescued foxes injured by traffic road accidents referred to the teaching hospital of Kerman, Iran, veterinary faculty. Skin scraping and direct microscopic examination were used to detect ectoparasites and dermatophytosis. Immunochromatography rapid kits were used to detect dirofilariasis, parvovirus infection, and distemper. Necropsy was used to check for gastrointestinal parasites. Rabies and visceral leishmaniosis were screened for with direct fluorescent antibody test and ELISA methods, respectively. Gastrointestinal helminth infections, including Toxocara canis, Taenia taeniaeformis, Dipylidium caninum, Joyeuxiella echinorhyncoids, Toxascaris leonina, Taenia hydatigena, Echinococcus granulosus, Rictolaria spp., Oxynema spp., Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, and Physaloptera spp., were detected. Skin scrapings showed dermatophytosis and various ectoparasites, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis, and Sarcoptes scabiei, in foxes with dermal lesions. Distemper and parvovirus infection (26.66%) were the common viral diseases, and rabies infection rate was quite high (16.66%). Dirofilariasis and leishmaniasis were detected in 10% of the population. This study showed that urban foxes which often cohabit with humans and domestic animals are carriers of many different pathogens. This interaction may facilitate indirect cross-species transmission of zoonotic disease. Periodic health monitoring and multidisciplinary cooperation for the diagnosis, control, and prevention of these zoonoses is highly recommended.

MEDICAL-SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF INTESTINAL INFECTION BY PROSTHENORCHIS ELEGANS IN NONHUMAN PRIMATES FROM COSTA RICA.

Parasitism is one of the most important diseases in nonhuman primates (NHP). Parasitism by Prosthenorchis elegans can be a threat to health and conservation of NHP in Costa Rica. Surgical management of intestinal acanthocephalan infection in two squirrel monkeys (Saimiri oerstedii) and one white-faced monkey (Cebus imitator) is described as an alternative to the lack of pharmacologic control options when there is a high burden of parasites present. A complete physical evaluation, including medical ultrasound techniques, allow for diagnosis of the parasite and its lesions. When animals present with a high burden of parasites, surgical management has shown to promote good health outcomes and increase the probability of survival.

Morphometric, histopathological and molecular findings of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus infection in wild boar (Sus scrofa) from continental Italy

Although Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is a neglected acanthocephalan of suids occasionally responsible for severe infections in humans, the spread of wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Europe could promote the circulation. Herein, we report the first morphometric, histological and molecular characterization of a severe M. hirudinaceus infection in a boar from continental Italy. The boar’s intestine displayed granulomatous enteritis due to 24 helminths (14 females, 10 males), identified as adults of M. hirudinaceus by a combined morphometric/molecular approach. The phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 gene revealed a close relationship of the M. hirudinaceus sequence type found herein with those from Hungary and insular Italy. The high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity of M. hirudinaceus specimens would suggest its rapid demographic expansion in the Mediterranean basin. More research is needed to assess the presence of M. hirudinaceus in susceptible beetle species and the role of boars in the epidemiology of infection.

Squamata reptiles as a potential source of helminth infections when preyed on by companion animals

BackgroundSquamate reptiles cohabiting with companion animals may represent a source of helminth infections, especially through predation by dogs and cats with an outdoor lifestyle.MethodsIn order to assess the role of reptiles as intermediate/paratenic hosts of trophically transmitted helminths, synanthropic reptiles (n = 245) captured from different ecological settings (i.e., households, dog shelters, urban, peri-urban and rural areas or natural parks) of southern Italy were examined for endoparasites. Parasitic cysts (i.e., larval forms of acanthocephalans, cestodes and nematodes) and free helminths (i.e., adult nematodes and digeneans) were morphologically and molecularly identified, and statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate the correlations between reptiles, infections, and ecological settings.ResultsOverall, 31% of reptiles were positive for at least one helminth, with Podarcis siculus (18.7%) and Tarentola mauritanica (8.1%) being the most frequently infected species. Among the parasites of medical interest, Joyeuxiella echinorhyncoides showed the highest prevalence (19.7%), followed by Diplopylidium acanthotetra (10.5%), Joyeuxiella pasqualei, Mesocestoides lineatus (5.6%) and Physaloptera sp. (3.9%). Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus was detected once. Podarcis siculus and T. mauritanica were associated with cestode infections.ConclusionsThe wide range of helminths detected here in reptiles living in sympatry with pets and the fact that many of these helminth species are parasitic and may infect companion animals (e.g., J. pasqualei, J. echinorhyncoides, D. acanthotetra, Physaloptera sp.) and humans (i.e., Macracanthorhynchushirudinaceus, Mesocestoideslineatus) indicate the potential health risk associated with pets preying on these small vertebrates. Our results indicate the need for complementary investigations of trophically transmitted parasites in dogs and cats living in sympatry with reptiles.Graphical

A molecular and ecological study of Macracanthorhynchus ingens (von Linstow, 1879) (Acanthocephala: Archiacanthocephala), in its paratenic and definitive hosts in southeastern Mexico and the Eastern USA.

The acanthocephalan Macracanthorhynchus ingens (von Linstow 1879) (Acanthocephala: Archiacanthocephala) is a parasite that infects the gut of carnivores (racoons, coyotes, wolves, foxes, badgers, skunks, opossum, mink and bears) as an adult and the body cavity of lizards, snakes, and frogs as a cystacanth in the Americas. In this study, adults and cystacanths of M. ingens from southeastern Mexico and southern Florida, USA, were identified morphologically by having a cylindrical proboscis armed with 6 rows of hooks each with 6 hooks. Hologenophores were used to sequence the small (SSU) and large (LSU) subunits of ribosomal DNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox 1) from mitochondrial DNA.Phylogenetic analysis of the new SSU and LSU sequences of M. ingens placed them in a clade with other sequences available in GenBank identified as M. ingens. The cox 1 tree showed that the nine new sequences and six previously published sequences of M. ingens from the USA form a clade with other sequences previously identified as M. ingens from GenBank. The intraspecific genetic divergence among isolates from the Americas ranged from 0 to 2%, and in combination with the phylogenetic trees confirmed that the isolates belonged to the same species. The cox 1 haplotype network inferred with 15 sequences revealed 10 haplotypes separated from each other by a few substitutions. Rio Grande Leopard Frogs and Vaillant´s Frogs harbored cystacanths with low prevalence, 28% and 37% respectively, in Mexico. Brown Basilisks, an invasive lizard in Florida, USA, had high values of prevalence, 92% and 93% in males and females, respectively. Females harbored more cystacanths than males (0-39 vs 0-21) for unknown reasons that may, however, be related to ecological differences.

Distribution of Baylisascaris procyonis in Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Florida, USA.

Baylisascaris procyonis, or raccoon roundworm, is an intestinal nematode parasite of raccoons (Procyon lotor) that is important to public and wildlife health. Historically, the parasite was uncommon in the southeastern US; however, the range of B. procyonis has expanded to include Florida, US. From 2010 to 2016, we opportunistically sampled 1,030 raccoons statewide. The overall prevalence was 3.7% (95% confidence interval=2.5-4.8%) of sampled individuals, and infection intensity ranged from 1 to 48 (mean±standard deviation 9.9±4.0). We found raccoon roundworm in 9/56 (16%) counties sampled, and the percent positive ranged from 1.1% to 13.3% of specimens collected per county. Including previously published data, B. procyonis was detected in 11 Florida counties. We used logistic regression to estimate the contribution of raccoon demographic variables and the presence of the endoparasite Macracanthorhynchus ingens to B. procyonis detection in Florida. Following the model selection process we found housing density, M. ingens presence, and urbanicity to be predictive of raccoon roundworm presence. We also found substantial among-county variation. Raccoon sex and age were not useful predictors. Public health officials, wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife managers, and others should consider any Florida raccoon to be potentially infected with B. procyonis, particularly in areas where housing density is high.

Cryptic diversity in a gastrointestinal acanthocephalan of New World primates from Costa Rica

Prosthenorchis elegans is a worm of the family Archiacanthocephala that infects non-human primates in the Americas, producing an intestinal pathology that may compromise the life of its hosts. Squirrel monkeys, Saimiri oerstedii citrinellus, were found with P. elegans in Costa Rica. Histopathological analysis revealed a severe pyogranulomatous response composed by macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Morphological worm analyses revealed 36 hooks in the proboscis distributed in six rows; and total body, hook and lemnisci length were compatible to the original descriptions of P. elegans. In addition, phylogenetic, haplotype network and genetic distance analyses were done on cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, cox1, sequences obtained from the collected specimens. Sequences obtained herein clustered separately with high posterior probabilities in a Bayesian Inference tree and showed 8.12% nucleotide differences when compared to P. elegans from Colombia. This high divergence was confirmed in the TCS network that separated Colombian and Costa Rican sequences by 32 mutational steps, a genetic distance PCA which separated sequences from both geographical locations by 89.5% and an FST value of 0.655, indicating the presence of cryptic diversity in P. elegans. Additional studies from specimens collected from other definitive hosts and geographical locations are required to better understand the biodiversity of this species.

Epidemiology and Integrative Taxonomy of Helminths of Invasive Wild Boars, Brazil

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are a significant invasive species in Brazil. We evaluated the helminth diversity of 96 wild boars in São Paulo state. Helminth infection descriptors were calculated, the species were identified and their 18S, 28S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were amplified for phylogenetic analyses. Ascarops strongylina, Strongyloides ransomi, Globocephalus urosubulatus, Oesophagostomum dentatum, Trichuris suis, Metastrongylus salmi, Metastrongylus pudendotecus, Ascaris suum and Stephanurus dentatus and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus were identified. Globocephalus urosubulatus had the highest prevalence and mean abundance, and most animals had mixed infections with three parasite species. There was no association between parasite intensity and prevalence and host sex and body condition index (p > 0.05). Novel DNA sequences were obtained from G. urosubulatus, A. strongylina, and S. dentatus. This is the first study on the helmint diversity of non-captive wild boars in Brazil, and the first report of the occurrence of M. hirudinaceus, G. urosubulatus and S. dentatus in Brazilian wild boars. Non-captive wild boars of São Paulo State did not act as capture hosts for native helminth species but maintained their typical parasites, common to domestic pigs. They may act as parasite dispersers for low-tech subsistence pig farming and for native Tayassuidae.

Morphological and Molecular Descriptions of Macracanthorhynchus ingens (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) Collected from Hedgehogs in Iran.

Aim Limited data exist on acanthocephalan infections of hedgehogs in the world. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of Macracanthorhynchus ingens infection in hedgehogs between August 2021 and March 2022 (n = 30) in the east of Iran. Methods At first, infection with M. ingens was diagnosed based on morphologic features of the adults such as body length, proboscis, and hooks. Spindle-shaped eggs (mean length, 99.1 microns; mean width, 60.1 microns) were obtained from the body cavity of gravid female specimens. Results The molecular analysis based on 18S rDNA and COX 1 genes confirmed the morphological identification of isolated M. ingens. The prevalence of M. ingens in our sample was 13.3% with 1–10 worms per infected host. Conclusion In this study, we identify M. ingens as zoonotic species in hedgehog carcasses for the first time that passed eggs and adult worms, indicating parasite maturation and reproduction. There are a few studies on acanthocephalans in Iran. Therefore, more comparative studies are needed to determine the status of these species.

Prevalence, Intensity, and Risk Factors for Helminth Infections in Pigs in Menoua, Western Highlands of Cameroon, with Some Data on Protozoa.

Helminthes affect satisfactory pig farming by causing poor growth rate and infertility. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of helminthes in pig production, as well as factors influencing their prevalence in Menoua, Western Highlands of Cameroon. Thus, 597 fecal samples from 100 farms of three production types (farrower, grower, and farrow-to-finish) were collected together with data on farmer and management characteristics. Samples were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Eggs of eight helminthes were identified: Hyostrongylus rubidus (81.10%, 50-550 epg), Strongyloides ransomi (34.5%, 50-150 epg), Trichostrongylus sp. (28.1%, 50-650 epg), Ascaris suum (11.6%, 50-200 epg), Metastrongylus sp. (10.4%, 50-250 epg), Oesophagostomum dentatum (5.7%, 50-150 epg), Trichuris suis (4.0%, 50-150 epg), and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (0.2%, 50-50 epg). The overall prevalence was 89.3% (533 out of 597). Single infestations were 30.2%, while mixed infestations were 59.1%. A. suum, S. ransomi, and strongyles (H. rubidus, Trichostrongylus sp., Metastrongylus sp., and O. dentatum) were found in almost all age groups but the prevalence of A. suum increased with the growing age to drop in older animals. H. rubidus was found in all farm types followed by S. ransomi in farrower and farrow-to-finish farms. The other parasites were present only in farrow-to-finish farms. Coccidia parasites were also found including Isospora suis (26.30%, 50-12500 oocysts per gram of feces (opg)) and Eimeria spp. (1.40%, 100-100 opg). The risk of infestation for some parasites was lower with increasing herd size, high education level of farmers, and in wooden piggeries and semipermanent structures. The infestation risk was higher for all the investigated parasites for pigs escaping the pens. The overall significance of these parasites on growth and reproduction of the naturally infested pigs deserve assessment. Necropsy studies to confirm the worm burden are needed. Risk factors were identified, thus paving the way to design successful helminth control in pig production enterprises.

Molecular Characterization of a New Moniliformis sp. From a Plateau Zokor (Eospalax fontanierii baileyi) in China.

In the present study, a new species of the genus Moniliformis species is described taxonomically in the mitochondrial genomic context. The parasite was found in a plateau zokor captured in a high-altitude area of Xiahe County of Gansu Province, China. The mitochondrial (mt) genome length of this new species was 14,066 bp comprising 36 genes and 2 additional non-coding regions (SNR and LNR), without atp8. The molecular phylogeny inferred by the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (cox1) and the18S ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA) sequences showed that the parasite as a sister species to other Moniliformis spp. and was named Moniliformis sp. XH-2020. The phylogeny of the concatenated amino acid sequences of the 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) showed Moniliformis sp. XH-2020 in the same cluster as Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus and Oncicola luehei confirming the cox1 and 18S rDNA phylogenetic inference. In addition, the entire mt genome sequenced in this study represents the first in the order Moniliformida, providing molecular material for further study of the phylogeny of the class Archiacanthocephala. Moreover, the species of this class, use arthropods as intermediate hosts and mammals as definitive hosts and are agents of acanthocephaliasis, a zoonosis in humans. Therefore, this study not only expands the host range among potential wild animal hosts for Archiacanthocephalans which is of great ecological and evolutionary significance but also has important significance for the research of zoonotic parasitic diseases.

First molecular description of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus in wild boars from Italy with pathomorphological and epidemiological insights.

Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is a zoonotic parasite affecting suids worldwide which are the definitive hosts for this helminth species. Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is of significant economic and management concern due to its pathogenicity, causing intestinal obstruction and perforation in the definitive hosts. Current study is the preliminary investigation from Sardinia, Italy, reporting the pathomorphological findings and molecular characterization of M. hirudinaceus in the wild boars (Sus scrofa meridionalis). A total of 59 wild boars were examined showing acanthocephalan infection in 8 (13.6%) animals. In total, 49 parasites were collected with a mean intensity of 6.1. Comparatively higher infection levels were observed for males (16.7%) and young boars (14.3%); however, these epidemiological differences were statistically non-significant. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of a variable number of nodules (∼5 mm) in the intestine of M. hirudinaceus infested animals surrounded by a hyperemic-hemorrhagic halo. Several parasites were recovered from the intestinal lumen attached by the means of characteristic hooks showing necrosis in muscle layers. A moderate number of plump reactive fibroblasts and lesser numbers of fibrocytes were embedded with and at the borders of the inflammatory nodules in a moderate amount of homogeneous intensely eosinophilic fibrillary material rupturing the cell membrane. For molecular characterization, six isolated worms were amplified for the partial mitochondrial cox1 gene showing distinct interindividual variations. This first pathological and molecular description from southern Europe provided new knowledge about the diffusion of M. hirudinaceus in wild boars, furthering the research into the origin and transmission status of M. hirudinaceus in endemic localities.

A Neglected Parasite: Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, First Report in Feral Pigs in a Natural Park of Sicily (Southern Italy).

Sanitary management and population control of feral pigs remains a major problem in public health, particularly in natural parks where hunting is prohibited and the extensive farming of livestock is common. Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is a zoonotic parasite species with a worldwide distribution of which the natural definitive hosts are primarily pigs and wild boars (Sus scrofa). The present study describes the main anatomo-pathological and parasitological findings in the first case of M. hirudinaceus in feral pigs in the Madonie park in Sicily (Southern Italy). Overall, 52 acanthocephalans were collected from the small intestine of four infected feral pigs. The prevalence among the 36 examined animals was 11.1% with a mean Abundance (mA) and mean Intensity (mI) of 1.4 and 13, respectively. Pathological examination revealed grossly visible nodules on the external surface of the intestines, corresponding to the proboscis of M. hirudinaceus attached deeply into the intestinal wall. In these sites, severe inflammatory reactions in the tissue involved and the destruction of normal intestinal architecture, as well as necrosis and ulceration in the mucosa, submucosa, and part of the muscolaris mucosae were described. This is the first official report of this neglected zoonosis in Italy, in particular in a natural park where the extensive farming of domestic pigs is practiced. This could favor the spread of this parasite in domestic animals and the environment, increasing the accidental risk of infection in human residents of these areas.

Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus in expanding wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Eastern Spain

Prevalence and temporal evolution of the infection by the acanthocephalan Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is studied in the Valencian Community (Eastern Spain), a region only recently fully colonized by the expanding native Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa). For 8 years, a total of 1486 wild boars were sampled in order to look for the parasite. The mean prevalence was 20.7% (95% CI, 18.6-22.8; 307/1486). We observed an increasing trend through time, both in the number of wild boars and affected districts. The prevalence of M. hirudinaceus rose in parallel to the annual capture of wild boars, and its presence has been expanding towards the East. A hotspot of M. hirudinaceus is located to the west of the study area, in Muela de Cortes Game Reserve, where 89.6% of the wild boars were positive for the infection, constituting one of the world's highest known prevalence areas.

Helminthfauna of road-killed cougars (Puma concolor) from the Northeastern Region of São Paulo State, Brazil.

As the second-largest Neotropical carnivore, cougars (Puma concolor) are especially important for maintenance of the biodiversity and ecosystem health. Five wild adult cougars (Puma concolor), found roadkilled in highways in the Northeastern region of São Paulo, were evaluated in search for parasites. Ten species representing nine families were identified. The most prevalent helminths were Uncinaria bidens, Lagochilascaris major, Spirometra sp., and Oncicola canis, followed by Cylicospirura subaequalis, Toxascaris leonina, Taenia omissa, Echinococcus sp., Filaroides sp. and Oncicola oncicola. It is important to note that some helminths found in this study, such as L. major, Spirometra sp., O. oncicola, O. canis, Echinococcus sp., T. leonina, C. subaequalis, and Filaroides sp. are known to affect domestic carnivores, which may indicate interaction between wild and domestic hosts. This study represents a new host record for four of the species found in cougars, U. bidens, L. major, O. canis, and Filaroides sp., and new locality records for U. bidens, T. leonina, C. subaequalis, and Filaroides sp.

Patent Macracanthorhynchus ingens Infection in a 17-Month-Old Child, Ohio.

Limited data exist on human Macracanthorhynchus infections. We report an asymptomatic 17-month-old who passed eggs and an adult Macracanthorhynchus ingens worm, indicating parasite maturation and reproduction. Macracanthorhynchus ingens may have a greater capacity to mature in humans versus Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus.

The Prevalence and Degree of Endoparasitic Infections in Wild Boars Using the Semi-quantitative Fecal Egg Count Method.

Breeding of wild boars is a significant part of the hunting economy; however, hogs are associated with zoonotic infection. This study assessed the prevalence and degree of parasitic infections that exist in wild boars from two hunting grounds in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia. Parasitological examinations were conducted from 2016 to 2019. In total 220 fecal samples and 13 lungs were collected from wild boars in two hunting grounds (an open and a closed habitat) on the territory of Vojvodina (Serbia). Assessment of the prevalence and degree of the detected endoparasitosis involved a semi-quantitative fecal egg count method. The presence of protozoa-Eimeria spp./Isospora spp. (76.38%; 32.26%) and Balantidium coli (7.08%), nematodes-Ascaris suum (29.03%), Trichuris suis (31.49%; 19.35%), Hyostrongylus rubidus/Oesophagostomum spp. (55.12%; 48.39%), Metastrongylus pudendotectus (66.14%; 21.51%), Gnathostoma hispidum (3.94%; 2.15%) and Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (9.45%; 7.53%) and trematodes-Fasciola hepatica (5.51%; 4.30%) and Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.78%; 2.30%) were detected as single or mixed infections, via qualitative coprological examination. The total prevalence of the endoparasitosis was 92.91% in hunting ground I (closed habitat) and 73.12% in hunting ground II (open habitat). The most prevalent infection in hunting ground I was coccidiosis (76.38%), and hyostrongylosis/oesophagostomosis (48.39%) in hunting ground II. Adult forms of M. pudendotectus were identified in the lungs of 13 wild hogs with mild to severe bronchopneumonia from hunting ground II. The semi-quantitative fecal egg count method demonstrated clinical and parasitological significance and revealed the risks associated with zoonotic infections in this game species population. Therefore, monitoring the etiology and epizootiology of parasitic infections in wild boars is essential for creating health care programs in hunting ground areas and planning control strategies that protect both the hunting economy and public health.

Neglected rare human parasitic infections: Part I: Sparganosis Wael M Lotfy

Some neglected parasitic larvae and worms may cause rare human infections. They are mostly zoonotic species. Sparganosisis is the infection with a plerocercoid larva of an animal diphyllobothriid cestode. The valid species incriminated in causing human sparganosis are Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, Spirometra decipiens, Spirometra mansonoides, Spirometra theileri, and the aberrant Sparganum proliferum. Other species reported to infect human in the literature are probably nonspecific. Coenuriasisis the infection with a metacestode of Taenia species, mainly T. multiceps or T. serialis. Acanthocephaliasis, on the other hand, is the infection with acanthocephalan worms. Man was reported to be infected with at least nine acanthocephalan species, among them, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus and Moniliformis moniliformis are the most common species. Hirudiniasisis is the human attack by leeches. They are temporary parasites because they attack victims only when they are hungry and drop off when they are engorged. Among all species of leeches, only true leeches especially jawed leeches are known to attack humans. These species are either freshwater or land dwellers. This review summarizes current knowledge of the public health significance of human affections by these parasites, and the recommended methods of prevention and control.