Are feral goats intermediate hosts for Linguatula (Pentastomida) in Australia?

Barton, Diane P.; Shackelford, Bridgette; Shamsi, Shokoofeh; Dj, Jenkins

doi:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.07.004

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Rabbits and hares were relatively well studied for parasites as potential biological control agents [17], and feral pigs have had sporadic and generally localised reports of parasites [47], but there has been no systematic survey of pigs in areas of hunting in recent years, although the risk of introduction of diseases such as African Swine Fever has led to an increased interest in diseases of feral pigs [64,65]. Feral deer and goats have had very limited studies with respect to parasite infections, although deer are increasingly hunted for game meat [8] and goats are routinely captured for consumption either domestically or internationally [38]. Priority needs to be directed towards systematic surveys of these animals, in collaboration with local hunter and pest control groups, to determine zoonotic parasite risk from consumption of meat, especially if undercooked.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only three reports were obtained discussing infection with Linguatula serrata in feral animals [27,38,39]. After documenting the widespread occurrence of L. serrata in wild dogs and foxes in the highlands of southern Australia, but not being able to find infection within a range of potential intermediate hosts, including rabbits, hares and pigs [27], intermediate stages were subsequently found in the liver and lung tissues of rabbits [39] and the mesenteric lymph node of a feral goat (identified as Linguatula sp.…”

Section: Linguatulamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Zoonotic Parasites in Feral Animals Commonly Consumed in Australia — Is There a Risk?

Barton

Fahey

et al. 2023

Curr Clin Micro Rpt

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Purpose of Review Consumption of wild game meat is traditionally associated with rural, remote and poor areas around the world, but there has been a recent rise in the consumption of wild game meat in urban and higher socio-economic regions such as Australia. Along with its unique animal fauna, Australia has a wide diversity of feral animals, many of which are hunted for food, although little is known about the levels of consumption of this meat across Australia. Corresponding with this is the lack of information on the parasites within these animals, particularly those of potential zoonotic concern through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat and organs. This review aimed to determine the level of knowledge of parasites of feral animals regularly consumed in Australia. Recent Findings Online databases were searched for publications on feral animals and their parasites. For the purpose of this review, only protozoal and helminth parasites that infest the muscle and organ systems and are infective to humans upon ingestion were considered as potential zoonotic parasites. A total of 5 records were found based on host and 27 based on parasite, showing a lack of information available. Summary Little information was available on the parasites of the major groups of feral animals hunted in Australia for food (pigs, deer, rabbits and hares, and goats) as well as on the parasites themselves, except for sparganosis caused by the cestode Spirometra erinaceieuropaei which has been widely reported in feral pigs. Sparganosis appears to be an underreported disease in Australia, with only 8 confirmed cases, highlighting the need for education of medical practitioners, especially in rural and remote areas, on the diagnosis of this infection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Linguatulamentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoonotic Parasites in Feral Animals Commonly Consumed in Australia — Is There a Risk?

Barton

Fahey

et al. 2023

Curr Clin Micro Rpt

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“…Additionally, culinary habits of countries change with the arrival of immigrants [63][64][65][66], leading to potential increases in infections with parasites in some groups. Barton et al [65] discussed the potential zoonotic risks of consuming feral animals in Australia especially given recent research which had reported L. serrata in rabbits [33], wallabies [32] and goats [67].…”

Section: The Need For Increased Awarenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnosis of Pentastome Infections and the Need for Increased Awareness Among Medical Practitioners and Diagnosticians in the Developed World

Barton,

Shamsi

2024

Curr Clin Micro Rpt

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Purpose of Review The patterns of movement of people, and animals, are changing due to climate change, immigration and ongoing refugee crises. Subsequently, many parasitic diseases, including pentastomiasis, are also changing their patterns of distribution. This review is aimed at raising awareness among medical practitioners and diagnosticians, especially in non-endemic areas for pentastomiasis, the disease, and highlighting the issues with the identification of pentastome infections in humans. Recent Findings Pentastome infections in humans can be either visceral or nasopharyngeal in location. Visceral pentastomiasis is generally asymptomatic and is usually only discovered incidentally during examination for other issues or at autopsy. Nasopharyngeal pentastomiasis presents as an acute infection, generally following ingestion of raw or undercooked offal. Identification of the causative agent/s of pentastomiasis is based on general morphological features, determined through histology or radiology, with molecular confirmation of species rare. Summary Although specific identity of the pentastome infection is probably not required from a medical viewpoint with regard to treatment of the infection, it is needed to improve our understanding of the epidemiology of infections. Additionally, with the increased movements of humans, and other animals, and their associated parasitic diseases, these parasites will start to appear in non-endemic areas. Medical practitioners and diagnosticians, as well as veterinarians, need to be aware of these parasites to ensure an accurate identification of the disease.

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