Parasitic Infections in Wild Animals

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 10664

Special Issue Editors

Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: parasitology; nematodes; coccidia; wildlife; disease ecology
Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: wildlife diseases; parasites
Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Research Group (PARAVET), Department of Animal Production and Health, Public Veterinary Health and Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Calle Tirant lo Blanc, 7, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain
Interests: parasitology; helminths; zoonoses; tricomonas; wildlife

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Parasites affecting wildlife are components of biodiversity that should be studied from different perspectives. From a biological point of view, we must consider them as a part of biodiversity with the same conservation rights as other living beings. However, from the point of view of disease ecology, we must study them as pathogens that can have an impact on the health of the individual and, more broadly, on that of host populations. Finally, from the perspective of ecological interactions, parasites should be considered as fundamental elements in trophic webs. In this context, we must emphasize that the interaction between wildlife, domestic animals and humans plays an important role in the epidemiology of parasitic diseases. Therefore, the study of wildlife parasites requires an interdisciplinary approach, from a one-health perspective, involving specialists in different fields of knowledge.

The aim of this issue is the publication of research articles in which any of these effects are addressed, that is, both the direct action of parasites on the health of wildlife as well as the role of these animals as a reservoir of parasites, with a negative effect on the health of domestic animals or on human health.

Dr. M. Rocío Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero
Dr. Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
Dr. Magdalena Garijo Toledo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • parasites
  • disease ecology
  • wildlife
  • one health
  • parasitic disease
  • animal fitness
  • biodiversity conservation

Published Papers (5 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

11 pages, 4309 KiB  
Article
Gastrointestinal Polyparasitism in Bushmeat in Zadie Department in Northeast Gabon
by Gael Darren Maganga, Patrice Makouloutou-Nzassi, Larson Boundenga, Hurlis Nesla Maganga Landjekpo, Felicien Bangueboussa, Telstar Ndong Mebaley, Franck Mounioko and Oubri Bassa Gbati
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(3), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10030229 - 17 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1521
Abstract
Wild animals harbor pathogens that can be infectious agents for humans, including parasites. This study aimed to identify gastrointestinal parasites and assess their prevalence and the potential risk for humans associated with consuming these animals. The research was conducted from August to December [...] Read more.
Wild animals harbor pathogens that can be infectious agents for humans, including parasites. This study aimed to identify gastrointestinal parasites and assess their prevalence and the potential risk for humans associated with consuming these animals. The research was conducted from August to December 2019. Parasitological analyses were carried out on the feces and intestines of 113 wild animals, including antelopes (24), duikers (58), porcupines (18), small monkeys (Cercopithecus) (8), nandinia (2), pangolin (1), genet (1), and a crocodile (1), from the Zadié Department in the province of Ogooué-Ivindo in the northeast of Gabon. The results revealed 15 taxa of gastrointestinal parasites, including nine nematodes: Strongylids (61/113), Strongyloides spp. (21/113), Ascaris spp. (21/113), Trichuris spp. (39/113), Capillaria spp. (9/113), Protostrongylus spp. (5/113), Enterobius spp. (8/113), Toxocara spp. (7/113) and Mammomonogamus spp. (5/113); three species of protozoa, namely Balantidium spp. (12/113), Eimeria spp. (17/113), and Entamoeba spp. (9/113); two species of trematodes, namely Fasciola spp. (18/113) and Paramphistomum spp. (21/113); and cestode species, Taenia spp. (1/113). The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism in these animals was 85.84% (97/113). In addition, among these parasitic taxa, some are potential pathogens for humans, such as Ascaris spp., Balantidium spp., Entamoeba spp., and Taenia spp. The consumption of games, particularly offal, infested by these parasites, could threaten human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Infections in Wild Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 5296 KiB  
Communication
Identification of Contracaecum rudolphii (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (Blumenbach, 1978) from Southern Italy
by Gaetano Cammilleri, Stefano D’Amelio, Vincenzo Ferrantelli, Antonella Costa, Maria Drussilla Buscemi, Annamaria Castello, Emanuela Bacchi, Elisa Goffredo, Maria Emanuela Mancini and Serena Cavallero
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(3), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10030194 - 04 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1660
Abstract
In this study, four dead great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (Blumenbach, 1978) specimens, collected from the coasts and lakes of Southern Italy, were examined by necropsy for the detection of Contraceacum sp. The adults and larvae found were subjected to morphological analysis and [...] Read more.
In this study, four dead great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (Blumenbach, 1978) specimens, collected from the coasts and lakes of Southern Italy, were examined by necropsy for the detection of Contraceacum sp. The adults and larvae found were subjected to morphological analysis and molecular identification by PCR-RFLP. A total of 181 Contracaecum specimens were detected in all of the four great cormorants examined (prevalence = 100%), showing an intensity of infestation between nine and ninety-two. A co-infestation by adult and larval forms of Contracaecum rudolphii was found only in one of the great cormorants examined. Following molecular investigations, 48 specimens of C. rudolphii A and 38 specimens of C. rudolphii B were detected, revealing co-infestation solely for the great cormorant from Leporano Bay (Southern Italy). Our results showed an opposite ratio between C. rudolphii A and C. rudolphii B in Pantelleria and in Salso Lake (Southern Italy) compared to what was reported in the literature, probably due to migratory stopovers and the ecology of the infested fish species, confirming the role of Contracaecum nematodes as ecological tags of their hosts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Infections in Wild Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1586 KiB  
Article
Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Spirometra Tapeworms from Snakes in Hunan Province
by Shu-Yu Chen, Teng-Fang Gong, Jun-Lin He, Fen Li, Wen-Chao Li, Li-Xing Xie, Xin-Rui Xie, Yi-Song Liu, Ying-Fang Zhou and Wei Liu
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(2), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9020062 - 01 Feb 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2021
Abstract
Sparganosis is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease that poses huge threats to humans worldwide. Snakes play an important role in sparganosis transmission because they are the most common second intermediate hosts for Spirometra parasites. However, the population genetics of Spirometra isolates from snakes [...] Read more.
Sparganosis is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease that poses huge threats to humans worldwide. Snakes play an important role in sparganosis transmission because they are the most common second intermediate hosts for Spirometra parasites. However, the population genetics of Spirometra isolates from snakes is currently not well studied in China. The present study was performed to explore the molecular characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of Spirometra tapeworms from different species of snakes in Hunan Province. This study obtained 49 Spirometra isolates from 15 geographical areas in Hunan Province, Central China. Subsequently, the 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) fragments were amplified from the isolated parasites, and their sequences were analyzed to assess their genetic diversity. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using the maximum likelihood algorithm. The results showed that sequence variations among these isolates were 0–2.3% and 0–0.1% for 18S and 28S rDNA, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all Spirometra isolates from Hunan Province were clustered into the same branch with Spirometra erinaceieuropaei isolated from other areas (China, Vietnam, Australia). Moreover, the phylogenetic trees revealed that Spirometra is closely related to Adenocephalus, Pyramicocephalus, Ligula, Dibothriocephalus, Schistocephalus, and Diphyllobothrium. The Spirometra isolates of different hosts/regions in Hunan Province are not host segregated or geographically isolated, and support for the taxonomic status of Spirometra tapeworms in China has been added. These results provide reference values for future accurate identification and taxonomic status of Spirometra tapeworms in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Infections in Wild Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 582 KiB  
Article
Are Anthelminthic Treatments of Captive Ruminants Necessary?
by Liron Lahat, Juana M. Ortiz, Paolo Tizzani, Belén Ibáñez, Francisco Valera, Eulalia Moreno, Gerardo Espeso and Rocío Ruiz de Ybáñez
Vet. Sci. 2021, 8(10), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8100240 - 18 Oct 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2300
Abstract
Anthelmintics are frequently administered to animals to limit fecal egg elimination, so that wild animals in captive breeding programs are treated to maintain a proper health condition. This is effective from a health management perspective, but on the other hand, it could prevent [...] Read more.
Anthelmintics are frequently administered to animals to limit fecal egg elimination, so that wild animals in captive breeding programs are treated to maintain a proper health condition. This is effective from a health management perspective, but on the other hand, it could prevent captive animals from developing an effective immunity against parasites that they might encounter when reintroduced into their original geographic areas. The aim of this study was to describe the dynamics of parasite infections in captive Cuvier’s gazelles (Gazella cuvieri) not treated with anthelmintics for two years and to evaluate the factors related to their fecal egg shedding. Fifteen one-year-old males were enclosed together and captured monthly to collect feces directly from the rectum. Fecal egg counts were performed, and eggs were classified as strongylid-like, Nematodirus sp., or Trichuris sp. Fecal egg shedding for the three groups of parasites did not vary significantly over the duration of the study. Only precipitation affected the egg-shedding pattern of all parasites, while inbreeding was positively associated with the number of strongylid-like parasites. These findings suggest an equilibrium between hosts and parasites in absence of treatment during the study. The anthelmintic treatment as a systematic prophylaxis method in captive animals should be avoided and replaced by systematic coprological and clinical vigilance, as well as targeted treatment in the case of a significant rise of fecal egg counts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Infections in Wild Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

11 pages, 4889 KiB  
Case Report
The First Report of Elaphostrongylus cervi Infection in Two Imported Wapitis (Cervus canadensis) in Slovenia
by Petra Bandelj, Polona Juntes, Gorazd Vengušt and Diana Žele Vengušt
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9010019 - 06 Jan 2022
Viewed by 1968
Abstract
This study describes two female wapitis (Cervus canadensis) with neurological signs associated with an Elaphostrongylus cervi (E. cervi) infection. The original host of the nematode parasite is the Eurasian red deer (Cervus elaphus), although other cervids and [...] Read more.
This study describes two female wapitis (Cervus canadensis) with neurological signs associated with an Elaphostrongylus cervi (E. cervi) infection. The original host of the nematode parasite is the Eurasian red deer (Cervus elaphus), although other cervids and small ruminants may also be affected. The two wapitis imported from Canada were kept in an enclosure with the Slovenian red deer herd. After developing debilitating neurological signs, the wapitis were euthanized and examined for possible causes. A histopathological examination of the brain of the first wapiti revealed severe diffuse perivascular meningoencephalitis with chronic vasculitis, and some cross-sections of nematodes were found in the leptomeninges. A necropsy of the second wapiti revealed severe pachymeningitis and leptomeningitis, where several adult nematode parasites were found. E. cervi was confirmed by molecular methods. The prevalence of E. cervi in the European red deer population is high, but no study has been conducted to assess its prevalence in Slovenia. This was the first confirmation of E. cervi in Slovenia and the first infection with this parasite described in Europe in a wapiti. Elaphostrongylus cervi should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in Europe for all ruminants grazing on pastures frequented by red deer and showing neurological clinical signs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Infections in Wild Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop