Cephenemyia stimulator and Hypoderma diana infection of roe deer in the Czech Republic over an 8-year period

Abstract

A survey of naso-pharyngeal and subcutaneous myiasis affecting roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was conducted in the Czech Republic over an 8-year period (1999-2006). A total of 503 bucks and 264 does from six hunting localities were examined. The sampling area comprised predominantly agricultural lowlands and a mountain range primarily covered by forest. Since 1997, the deer have been treated each winter across the board with ivermectin (150 mg/kg, CERMIX® pulvis, Biopharm, CZ). Parasites found were the larvae of Hypoderma diana and Cephenemyia stimulator. There were no significant differences in warble fly infection among captured animals in the individual hunting localities. Overall, 146 (28.8%) of 503 animals (bucks) were infected with Cephenemyia stimulator larvae; body size of the second instar larva reached 13-18 mm. The prevalence ranged from 16.1 to 42.9% per year, and the mean intensity from 6 to 11 larvae per animal. Additionally, a total of 264 roe deer (does) were examined for H. diana larvae, and 77 (29.1%) were found to be positive; body size of the second instar larva reached 17 mm. The prevalence ranged from 18.8 to 50.0% per year, and the mean intensity from 13 to 22 larvae per animal. The results showed that the bot flies, Cephenemyia stimulator as well as H. diana, are common parasites in roe deer in the Czech Republic, and that through the help of treatment (ivermectin), it is possible to keep parasite levels low. The body weights of infected and non-infected H. diana deer did not differ significantly.

Antigen characterization from second instars of oestrid bot flies for the detection of anti‐Cephenemyia stimulator antibodies by ELISA in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

“…In Europe, there are four known species: Cephenemyia stimulator in roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ); Cephenemyia trompe in reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ); Cephenemyia auribarbis in red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) and fallow deer ( Dama dama ) (Ruiz et al , ), and Cephenemyia ulrichii in moose or European elk ( Alces alces ). In the last three decades, there have been several studies on the prevalence of C. stimulator larvae in roe deer hunted in different countries such as France (Maes & Boulard, ), Slovakia (Čurlík et al , ), Hungary (Sugár, , ; Király & Egri, ), Poland (Dudziňski, ) and the Czech Republic (Lamka et al , ; Vaca, ; Salaba et al , ).…”

“…The chronobiology and descriptive epidemiology of this nasopharyngeal myiasis agent have been investigated by several authors in Europe with partially discordant results (Salaba et al , ). Rainfall in the previous year has been found to positively affect the prevalence and intensity of infestation through its effect on the survival of the pupal stage.…”

Use of computed tomography as a non‐invasive method for diagnosing cephenemyiosis in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

“…The direct diagnosis of bot fly larval infestation is invasive because it involves necropsy of the head of the host (e.g. Király & Egri, ; Salaba et al , ). Immunodiagnosis of cephenemyiosis by means of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has also been applied (Arias et al , ).…”

“…Similarly to findings in previous studies (e.g. Salaba et al , ), rhinitis with nasal discharge and muco‐purulent sinusitis were observed in only a few animals. Therefore, it can be assumed that these infestations are generally well tolerated by the animals.…”

“…: + 34 953 212520; Fax: + 34 953 211873; E-mail: jperez@ujaen.es (e.g. Király & Egri, 2007;Salaba et al, 2013). Immunodiagnosis of cephenemyiosis by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has also been applied (Arias et al, 2014).…”