Lungworm Species Research Articles

Lung-worms (Nematoda: Pseudaliidae) of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in Norwegian waters: patterns of colonization

We studied the component community of lung-worms of the harbour porpoise, attempting to establish the relative importance of ecological and evolutionary factors on its development. The lungs of 64 porpoises by-caught in Norwegian waters were examined for helminths. Three pseudaliid species were detected. The porpoises appear to be readily colonized by lung-worms, the structure of the component community of calves being fairly similar to that of the remainder. Prenatal and/or transmammary infections might partly account for these early infections. However, host age was correlated with the number of lung-worm species, suggesting that the lung-worms may have heteroxenous cycles similar to other metastrongyloids. The lung-worm species tended to co-occur more often than expected by chance. This pattern is commonly observed in communities formed by phylogenetic relatives. Mean species richness of lung nematodes differed significantly among mammalian orders. However, species richness of marine species seemed very similar to those of most terrestrial species. This evidence suggests that phylogenetic factors seem more important than ecological ones in determining the number of lung-worm species in mammals.

The Helminth Fauna from the Common Seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina, Linné, 1758) of the Wadden Sea in Lower Saxony*

During the seal epidemic in 1988 and the beginning of 1989, 115 common seals found dead on the shores of the Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony were investigated for the presence of nematodes. The lungworm Otostrongylus circumlitus Railliet 1899 was found in 26.1% of the seals, the lungworm Parafilaroides gymnurus Railliet 1899 in 26.9% and the heartworm Dipetalonema spirocauda Leidy 1858 in 32.2% of the seals. In the digestive tract, two anisakid species were found, Pseudoterranova decipiens Mozgovoi 1951 in 87.8% and Contracaecum osculatum Rudolphi 1802 in 10.4% of the seals. Statistical analysis revealed a negative correlation between age of the seals and prevalence and intensity of infestation with the two lungworm species and the heartworms. Adult seals were found not to be infected with Dipetalonema spirocauda and Parafilaroides gymnurus, whereas the prevalence of the two anisakid species increased with increasing age of the seals. Pseudoterranova decipiens was found more often in autumn and winter than in summer. This parasite was more prevalent and had higher worm counts in the eastern part of the Wadden Sea than in the western part. Parafilaroides gymnurus and Dipetalonema spirocauda were found more often in seals with smaller blubber thickness than in well fed seals.

Seasonal prevalence of protostrongylid and Dictyocaulus species of lungworms in Awassi sheep in north-west Syria.

Seasonal prevalence of protostrongylid and Dictyocaulus species of lungworms in Awassi sheep in north-west Syria.

Helminth parasites of muskoxen Ovibos moschatus in Norway incl. Spitsbergen and in Sweden, with a synopsis of parasites reported from this host

Three species of cestodes and 14 genera of nematodes, with 10 identified species, have been found in muskoxen according to the available literature. The helminths of the present study are from 3 wild muskoxen from Spitsbergen, 3 captive animals from a muskox farm at Bardu in North Norway, 27 wild muskoxen from the Dovrefjell in South Norway, and 2 individuals from a wild population in Härjedalen, Sweden. The cestodes Moniezia expansa and cysticerci of Taenia hydatigena were recorded. Nineteen nematode species were identified of which the following 12 species have not been published from muskoxen before: Chabertia ovina, Cooperia oncophora, Nematodirus filicollis, N. skrjabini, N. spathiger, Ostertagia arctica, O. gruehneri, Teladorsagia davtiani, Trichostrongylus axei, T. capricola, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus. In addition the caecum nematode Trichuris and larvae of an unidentified species of lungworm (the latter not reported from muskoxen before) were found. Neither helminth species of muskoxen reported in the literature nor those found during the present study are specific for muskoxen; all have also been found in reindeer or domestic ruminants. Apparently muskoxen are easily infected with parasites normally occurring in other ruminant species.

Parasites of Ruminants: Possible Cross-Transmission of Dictyocaulus Sp. Lungworm Between Cattle and Elk

Determine the relationship of elk lungworm, Dictyocaulus hadweni, and a related species, D. viviparus in cattle. Elk are reinfected annually in the spring months with the lungworm species noted above. Serum samples from the elk are needed in order to attempt to explain why the elk make no immune response to lungworm infections during the period, April-June. Additionally, epidemiological work with the lungworm of cattle in areas also utilized by elk in Teton and Fremont Counties of Wyoming will be completed so as to learn more about possible cross-transmission of the lungworm infections in the cervids and bovids.

Immunization with irradiated larvae against Dictyocaulus filaria in young lambs

In the lungworm-endemic areas of Kashmir, 6–10 week old lambs of Karnah and Kashmir Merino breeds were vaccinated with two doses of 50 kR gamma-irradiated larvae of Dictyocaulus filaria, given a month apart. Assessed on the basis of reduced prevalence and significantly lower faecal larval output over an eight-month observation period, vaccinated lambs showed a high degree of resistance to naturally acquired D. filaria infection. The results also show that vaccination against D. filaria provided some degree of protection against infection with other lungworm species.

Endoparasites of Roe Deer in the Strakonice Region

Vetyska V.: Endoparasites of Roe Deer in the Strakonice Region. Acta vet. Bmo, 48, 1980: 91-103. Knowledge on endoparasites of roe deer in Czechoslovakia is relatively compre­ hensive. However, in the individual regions of roe deer breeding, which differ in abiotic and biotic factors and in the standard of game management, veterinary prophylaxis has not at its disposal any analyses based on conclusive material. From the Strakonice region, well known for the good condition of roe deer and increasing tendency in quality and amount of hunting trophies, as well as from the transition area to the Sumava Mts, slopes and the Central Bohemian Massive, 112 eviscerations of does, fawAs and buck.s w.!re examined parasitologically in 1975 and 1976. Of the endoparasites found were 4 coccidia species, one lungworm species, one tapeworm species, and 13 species of gastrointestinal helminths. Two and 13 species belonged to biohelminths and geohelminths, resp. The total low frequency of helminthiases, both from the viewpoint of species variety and their extensity and intensity, is due to the timely cultivation of the landscape, favourable c1ima~c factors, low percentage of marshy meadows and pastures, large areas of sweet forage with large-scale management, and good standard of game management, especially for wintering. The most important task for veterinary diagnostics is to reduce the incidence of lungworms of the species Capreocaulus capreoli; gastrointestinal helminths of the species Ostertagia ostertagi, O. leptospicuiaris, Trichostrongylus capricoia, Tr. axei, Chabertia OfJina, Trichocephalus globulosa, and of coccidia of the species Eimeria superba.

Lungworms in coyotes on the Great Plains.

A total of 395 coyotes (Canis latrans) was examined in the field for lungworms (Filaroides osleri and Capillaria aerophila) with 60 trachea and bronchial trees returned to the laboratory for detailed examination. Coyote carcasses were obtained from eight central states (Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, Texas, and three regions of Kansas). Cysts of F. osleri were present in the trachea or first division of bronchi of 68 (17%) of the coyotes examined. C. aerophila infections were identified during field examinations, primarily by the excess mucus in the bronchi, in 151 (38%) coyotes. Nearly 6% of the coyotes examined were infected with both lungworm species. A total of 195 (49%) coyotes had at least one species of lungworm. Filaroides was less frequent in Iowa and Kansas; Capillaria infections were present in at least 30% of the coyotes examined at all stations.

The incidence and possible cross trasmission of coccidia and helminthis in the mouflons and roe deer in Czecho-Slovakia

Viscera obtained from 52 mouflons, Ovis ammon musimon, and 33 roe deer, Capreolus capreolus, from 1963 to 1974 were examined for the presence of endoparasites. The animals used in the study were of both sexes and various ages, and were collected from the Carst and Grandiorite regions near Brno. In the viscera of mouflons, five species of coccidia, one species of tremadote, two species of lungworm and 15 species of gastro-intestinal nematode were found. In roe deer, four coccidal species, one species of cestode, two of lungworm and 15 species of nematode of the digestive tract were isolated. Eimeria superba, E. pondera, E capreoli, E. panda and Cooperia pectinata are reported for the first time in roe deer in Czechoslovakia. Neostronglupus lineairs, Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora, C. bisonis, C. curticei, C. pectinata and Oesphagostomum, columbianium are reported in the mouflon, also for the first time there. Eight species of nematode of the digestive tract were found in both game species.

Lungworms of the Domestic Pig and Sheep

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses lungworms infection in domestic pig and sheep. Four species of lungworms infect the domestic pig, all belonging to the genus Metastrongylus. Two species are widely known namely Metastrongylus elongatus and Metastrongylus pudendotectu. They are cosmopolitan in their distribution. Numerous surveys have been made to assess the incidence of lungworms usually in pigs sent for slaughter at bacon factories or abattoirs. The precision with which these surveys have been carried out range from a simple assessment of infection made by incising the lung and examining for the presence of lungworms without any attempt to identify or count the worms to thorough examinations in which the lungworm species have been identified and counted. The life-cycles of M. elongatus and M. pudendotectus are discussed. Light to moderate infections cause no marked clinical symptoms but heavy infections can cause pneumonia and other respiratory diseases and may cause death. At least 14 different species of lungworms are known to parasitize sheep, but only four species are widely distributed and have been the subject of extensive investigations. This review is concerned principally with these four species, namely— Dictyocaulus flaria, Muellerius capillaries, Protostrongylus rufescens, and Cystocaulus ocreatus. There are numerous records of the incidence of lungworm species from different countries. As with the pig lungworms the precision with which these records have been obtained varies from the examination of lungs, usually from healthy sheep sent to abattoirs for slaughter and the identification of any lungworms recovered to records based either on the presence of lesions in the lungs resulting from lungworm infection or on the identification of lungworm larvae in the faeces and Cystocaulus ocreatus. Various methods for the control of lungworm infection in sheep are discussed.

Angiostrongylus schmidti sp. n. (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) from the Rice Rat, Oryzomys palustris, in Florida, with a Key to the Species of Angiostrongylus Kamensky, 1905

Angiostrongylus schmidti sp. n., from the the pulmonary arteries of Oryzomys palustris in Florida, can be distinguished from A. tateronae and A. sandarsae by its shorter spicules (215 to 279 ,u) and larger ventroventral rays. A key is given to the species of the genus Angiostrongylus. During a study of the helminth parasites of the rice rat, Oryzomys palustris (Harlan), in north-central Florida, an undescribed species of metastrongylid lungworm was found in the pulmonary arteries. The nematode occurred in six of 53 rats trapped from Paynes Prairie, Alachua County, Florida, and three of 55 rice rats trapped near Cedar Key, Levy County, Florida. The rats were collected in the months of April through August 1970. Following the opinions of Dougherty (1946) and Alicata (1968), the new species is included in the genus Angiostrongylus, despite the presence of a gubernaculum. Only three species of Angiostrongylus have been previously described from North America: A. gubernaculatus Dougherty, 1946, from the badger and striped skunk, and A. blarini Ogren, 1954, and A. michiganensis Ash, 1967, from shrews. This species is named in honor of Dr. Gerald D. Schmidt, in recognition of his contributions to helminth taxonomy. Unless otherwise indicated, all measurements are in microns. Drawings were made with the aid of a Bausch and Lomb microprojector. Angiostrongylus schmidti sp. n. (Figs. 1-5)

Verminous pneumonia in East African antelopes

An extremely high incidence of verminous pneumonia was observed in antelopes of the sub-family Alcelaphinae (wildebeest, topi, Coke's hartebeest) and the sub-family Antilopinae (impala, Grant's gazelle, Thomson's gazelle) which were shot and examined in an area bordering the Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania, East Africa. The lungs of these animals were infested with one or more of 5 different lungworm species of the family Protostrongylidae, which produced two different gross types of lesions. Protostrongylus etoshai, Protostrongylus gazellae, Pneumostrongylus calcaratus and Pneumostrongylus cornigerus caused lesions confined to the superficial or marginal parts of the lung lobes, whereas Protostrongylus africanus formed nodules embedded deeply and distributed irregularly in the lung parenchyma. Despite the obvious gross pathologic differences, there were only minimal microscopic differences in the lungs of the antelopes infected with the different parasites. The typical microscopic lesion was characterized by extensive alveolar and bronchiolar accumulations of ova, larvae and adult parasites; infiltrations of mononuclear cells, eosinophils and neutrophils; bronchiectasis; and hyperplasia of bronchiolar epithelium. Alveolar emphysema, atelectasis and fibrosis were observed in some animals.

Angiostrongylus sandarsae sp. n. (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea), a Lungworm of Rodents in Mozambique, East Africa

Angiostrongylus sandarsae sp. n., from the pulmonary arteries of Mastomys natalensis in Mozambique, possesses a gubernaculum and can be differentiated from the closely related A. gubernaculatus by the reduced length of the esophagus, spicules, female tail, and ventroventral bursal ray. The desirability of combing the genera Angiocaulus and Rodentocaulus with Angiostrongylus until more information is available, is discussed. The pathology associated with the presence of the parasite in the lungs is also discussed. In a study of lungworms among field rats in the vicinity of Beira, Mozambique, September 1965, 15 out of 27 Mastomys natalensis and one Gerbil tatera trapped, harbored an undescribed species of metastrongylid lungworm. Although this nematode possesses a guberaculum, it has many characters in common with members of the genus Angiostrongylus. For reasons which are indicated below, it appears justifiable at this time to assign this nematode to the genus Angiostrongylus until more is known of the congeneric characters of this genus and those of Angiocaulus and Rodentocaulus. The description of the new species is based on specimens collected from Mastomys only. Unless otherwise indicated, the measurements are in microns. The drawings were made with the aid of a camera lucida. The name is in honor of Dr. D. F. Sandars, who together with Dr. M. J. Mackerras, in 1955 described the obligatory migration of the larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the central nervous system of the rodent host. Angiostrongylus sandarsae sp. n. (Figs. 1-6)

On the Prevalent Species of Swine Lungworm (Genus Metastrongylus Molin, 1861) in the Philippines

On the Prevalent Species of Swine Lungworm (Genus Metastrongylus Molin, 1861) in the Philippines

Sonic Observations on the Transmission of Lungworm Infection in a Flock of Sheep at Pasture

Observations were made over a period of five years on the transmission of lungworm infection in a small flock of sheep. Nearly all of the lambs born into the flock became injected with Dictyocaulus filaria, but clinical disease did not occur. The lambs of one year served as the source of infection for lambs of the following year. Muellerius capillaris was also transmitted to most of the lambs. The common field sing Agriolimax reticulatus served as the intermediate host for this lungworm species. Cystocaulus ocreatus was transmitted to only a few of the lambs. Although development of the lungworm larvae took place in A. reticulatus, it did not appear to be very effective in the transmission of this lungworm species. Ewes acted as a source of injection of both M. capillaris and C. ocreatus. Protostrongylus rufescens was not transmitted to any of the lambs. A. reticulatus did not appear to be effective as an intermediate host for this lungworm. Species of land snails known to serve as a vector for P. rufescens were not present on the pasture grazed by the flock.

The sheep lungworm protostrongylus brevispiculum in Great Britain.

DURING the past year observations have been made to assess the seasonal pattern of lungworm infection in a flock of sheep grazing on the Wiltshire Downs. In the course of the examination of faecal samples from some of these animals first stage lungworm larvae of an unusual type were encountered. A description of such larvae could not be found in the literature. A search for the adults was, therefore, made. This proved to be more complex than had been anticipated as a number of lungworm species new to us were found. One of these has been identified as Protostrongylus brevispiculum, and the present record is thought to be the first of the occurrence of this lungworm in sheep in Great Britain.

A record of the lungworm Cystocaulus ocreatus in sheep in Great Britain.

AT least fourteen species of lungworms have been described from domestic sheep in different parts of the world. Of these, only three are recorded as occurring in Great Britain, namely, Dictyocaulus filaria, Muellerius capillaris and Protostrongylus rufescens. A fourth lungworm, identified as Cystocaulus ocreatus, has recently been found in sheep lungs examined at Weybridge.

A Lungworm, Angiostrongylus blarini, n. sp, from the Short-Tailed Shrew, with Observations on the Histopathology and Life Cycle

Several individuals from a series of Short-tailed Shrews, Blarina brevicauda, collected in Champaign County, Illinois during the fall of 1950, 1951, 1952, were found to harbor a new species of lungworm (NEMATODA: METASTRONGYLIDAE). The purpose of this paper is to present a brief description of the new species and to record certain limited observations on the histopathology of the infections and the life cycle of the parasite. The encouragement and advice of Dr. Lyell J. Thomas are gratefully acknowledged.

A list of the trichostrongylid lungworms (Phylum Nematoda) and a key to the six genera

In recent papers I have given, in relatively compact form, lists of the genera and species of metastrongylid lungworms; these publications are in turn summarized in a paper which follows (Dougherty, 1948). However, the trichostrongylid lungworms, constituting the subfamily Skrjabingylinae Skriabin, 1933, have not been completely treated, although in a recent work (Dougherty, 1945), in which certain lungworms were formally transferred from the Metastrongylidae to the Trichostrongylidae, the Skrjabingylin genera were listed without critical appraisal, and in the same paper the genus Crenosoma Molin, 1861, was reviewed in detail; subsequently the genus Dictyocaulus Railliet & Henry, 1907, has also been reviewed (by Dougherty, 1946).

The nematode lungworms (suborder Strongylina) of North American deer of the genus Odocoileus

1. Seven species of lungworms are so far known to occur in North American deer of the genus Odocoileus: Dictyocaulus filaria (Rudolphi, 1809) Railliet & Henry, 1907; D. viviparus (Bloch, 1782) Railliet & Henry, 1907; Varestrongylus alpenae (Dikmans, 1935) n.comb.; Pneumostrongylus tenuis n.sp.; Elaphostrongylus odocoilei Hobmaier & Hobmaier, 1934; Protostrongylus coburni Dikmans, 1935; and P. macrotis Dikmans, 1931. Specimens (from deer) of all these species except Dictyocaulus filaria and Protostrongylus coburni have been studied in the course of this work.2. Two subspecies of Odocoileus virginianus (Boddaert) and two of O. hemionus (Rafinesque) have been reported as hosts for lungworms. These may be listed with their established lungworm parasites as follows:Common white-tailed or Virginia deer, Odocoileus v. virginianus (Boddaert): Dictyocaulus viviparus, Varestrongylus alpenae—new record, Pneumostrongylus tenuis—new record.Northern white-tailed deer, Odocoileus v. borealis Miller: Dictyocaulus filaria, D. viviparus, Varestrongylus alpenae, Protostrongylus coburni.Rocky Mountain mule deer, Odocoileus h. hemionus (Rafinesque): Dictyocaulus viviparus, Protostrongylus macrotis.Columbian black-tailed deer, Odocoileus h. columbianus (Richardson): Dictyocaulus filaria, D viviparus—new record, Elaphostrongylus odocoilei.3. A new species, Pneumostrongylus tenuis, is based on a single male lungworm from a bronchiole of Odocoileus v. virginianus. Pneumostrongylus tenuis differs from P. calcaratus Mönnig, 1932, genotype of Pneumostrongylus Mönnig, 1932, in spicular, gubernacular, and bursal characters.4. Pneumostrongylus alpenae Dikmans, 1935, is transferred to the genus Varestrongylus Bhalerao, 1932, as a result of the study of specimens of Pneumostrongylus alpenae and Varestrongylus pneumonicus Bhalerao, 1932, genotype of Varestrongylus. The former becomes Varestrongylus alpenae (Dikmans, 1935) n.comb. Also placed in this genus are Varestrongylus sagittatus (Mueller, 1890) n.comb. (syn. Strongylus, or Protostrongylus sagittatus) and Varestrongylus capreoli (Stroh & Schmid, 1938) n.comb. (syn. Protostrongylus capreoli).5. The reports of Protostrongylus coburni from Odocoileus v. virginianus by Goble (1943) were based on larvae and adult lungworms in sections of lung tissue. Subsequent observations by Cheatum (in litt.) strongly indicate that these were actually Varestrongylus alpenae.6. The structure of the gubernaculum in Protostrongylus macrotis is redescribed, and the conclusion reached that this form may be regarded as an aberrant species of Protostrongylus. Appendages at the distal ends of the gubernacular crura are given the name pedes (sing, pes), and the sclerotized are, found in the bursa of a number of genera of the Protostrongylinae, the name arcus.7. The fact that crura have not been described for the gubernaculum of Elaphostrongylus cervi Cameron, 1931, genotype of Elaphostrongylus Cameron, 1931, whereas E. odocoilei Hobmaier & Hobmaier, 1934, possesses them must be regarded as a possibly significant difference between the two species; but it is suggested that E. cervi may be found to have these structures. Therefore E. odocoilei is left in Elaphostrongylus.