A coprological survey of parasites of wild carnivores in Ireland

Abstract

The increasing movement of people to wilderness areas, shrinking of wildlife habitats and the resulting urbanisation of wildlife has led to growing concerns about the transfer of parasitic diseases, particularly from contaminated faeces. Faecal samples from wild carnivores in Ireland were examined for the presence of protozoan and nematode parasites. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) samples (n = 91) were positive for Uncinaria stenocephala (38%), Eucoleus aerophilus (26%), Toxocara canis (20%), Trichuris vulpis (4%) and Isospora-like oocysts (9%). Badger (Meles meles) samples (n = 50) were positive for Uncinaria criniformis (40%), E. aerophilus (6%) and Isospora-like oocysts (16%). No parasites were observed in pine marten (n = 48; Martes martes) faeces. Approximately 5% of American mink (Mustela vison) samples were positive for Cryptosporidium by polymerase chain reaction (identified as Cryptosporidium andersoni (n = 3) and 'mink' genotype (n = 1)). The results suggest that wild carnivores in Ireland have a range of parasites, although it is unclear from the present study to what extent these infections are associated with morbidity. While it can be expected that, via their faeces, wild carnivores contribute to the spread of these parasites, they are unlikely the primary source of environmental contamination. Therefore, they should not always be the principal target of control measures.

An overview of the host spectrum and distribution of Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica): part 1—Muroidea

“…At spurious infections, care should be taken to exclude mix-ups with other Trichuridae and Capillaridae shedding eggs of almost similar morphology (e.g., Bork-Mimm and Rinder 2011; Di Cesare et al 2011; Stuart et al 2013; Traversa et al 2011). Novel (molecular) diagnostic tools for proper (molecular) species classification are of urgent need.…”

Public health significance of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species in wildlife: Critical insights into better drinking water management

“…), Mice ( Mus sp. ), Greater bilblies ( Macroties lagotis ), Girrafes house mice ( Mus musculus ), Eastern grey squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis ), Golden hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ), Rock hyrax ( Procavia capensis ), Large footed mouse-eared bat ( Myotis adversus ), Japanese field mouse ( Apodemus argenteus ), Bilbies ( Macrotis lagotis ), Bank voles ( Clethrionomys glareolus ), Campbell hamster ( Phodopus campbelli ), Siberian hamster ( Phodopus sungorus ), Golden hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ), Mountain goats ( Oreamnos americanus ), Cynomolgus monkeys ( Macaca fascicularis ), East African mole rat ( Tachyoryctes splendens ), Ringed seal ( Pusa hispida ), Donkey ( Giraffa camelopardalis ), Ringed seal ( Phoca hispida ), Large Japanese field mouse ( Apodemus speciosus ), Cynomolgus monkey ( Macaca fascicularis ), Slow loris ( Nycticebus coucang ), Ostriches ( Struthio camelus ), Mountain gorillas ( Gorilla beringei beringei ), Asian house rat ( Rattus tanezumi ), Brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus ), House mouse ( Mus musculus )Numerous reports in humansChalmers et al., 1997, Hurkova et al., 2003Dubey et al., 2002, Morgan et al., 1999a, Xiao et al., 2002a, Xiao et al., 2004b, Warren et al., 2003, Nakai et al., 2004, Hikosaka and Nakai, 2005, Santín et al., 2005, Azami et al., 2007, Brikan et al., 2008, Kváč et al., 2008, Lupo et al., 2008, Lv et al., 2009, Kodádková et al., 2010, Feng, 2010, Murakoshi et al., 2013, Yang et al., 2011, Yang et al, 2013; Ng-Hublin et al., 2013, Karim et al., 2014, Qi et al., 2014, Sak et al., 2014, Du et al., 2015, Laatamna et al., 2015, Petrincová et al, 2015, Zhao et al., 2015b C. andersoni Bacterian camel ( Camelus bactrianus ), European wisent ( Bison bonasus ), Marmots Campbell hamster ( Phodopus campbelli ), Golden hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ), Golden takins ( Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi ), Giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ), Macaca mulatta ( Rhesus macaque ), American mink ( Mustela vison )Minor–Matsubayashi et al., 2005, Wang et al., 2008, Lv et al., 2009, Stuart et al., 2013, Du et al., 2015, Wang et al., 2015, Zhao et al., 2015a C. felis Rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta ); Pallas's cat ( Felis Manul )Numerous reports in humans–Lucio-Forster et al., 2010, Ye et al., 2012, Bes...…”

The diversity and impact of hookworm infections in wildlife

“…Additionally, hookworm species can differ in their resistance to environmental conditions, creating regional patterns of infection. Such is the case of canine hookworms since A. caninum is found in higher mean intensities in areas with mild climate like southeastern United States (Miller and Harkema, 1968, Mitchell and Beasom, 1974, Thornton and Reardon, 1974, Schitoskey, 1980, Custer and Pence, 1981) while U. stenocephala is usually reported in higher prevalence and intensity in canids inhabiting temperate or circumboreal areas (Willingham et al., 1996, Craig and Craig, 2005, Reperant et al., 2007, Stuart et al., 2013). An additional factor associated with changes in prevalence and mean intensities is the spatial density of host animals.…”