Epidemiological studies on Echinococcus in Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) and European hare (Lepus europaeus) in Buenos Aires province, Argentina

Abstract

In Argentina, hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus is widespread. The south of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, is one of the three regions where hydatidosis is endemic. Although domestic dogs and sheep are considered to be the main hosts for E. granulosus, the potential role of wildlife in the local transmission of E. granulosus has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to estimate the hydatidosis/echinococcosis prevalence in European hare (Lepus europaeus) and Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus), two abundant species with a strong predator-prey relationship in rural areas of Buenos Aires province using different diagnostic tests. A total of 61 fox intestines were examined, finding that 52 (85.2%) harbored at least one helminth species. However, no adult or immature form of Echinococcus sp. was found in the intestinal contents. Coproparasitological analysis and Copro-ELISA followed by Copro-PCR were used as supplementary diagnostic tests. Only one (1.7%) of 59 fecal samples was positive to Taeniidae eggs by coproparasitological analysis, but this same sample was negative by the Copro-ELISA test. The analysis by Copro-ELISA showed 6 of 57 (10.6%) positive samples, but the Copro-PCR tests carried out on these samples were negative to E. granulosus. A total of 6,808 lungs, 3,576 livers, and 3,542 hearts of hunted hares were examined and palpated, but no structure resembling hydatid cysts were detected. Our results suggest that hares and Pampas foxes are not currently important wild reservoirs of E. granulosus in the studied area.

New host and distribution expansion forPterygodermatites (Multipectines) affinis

“…Each sample was analyzed by two methods of eggs concentration: Ritchie sedimentation and Sheather fl otation (Benbrook & Sloss, 1965). Examination of the intestinal content was performed using the sedimentation and counting technique described by Eckert et al (2001) with modifi cations described by Scioscia et al (2013). Obtained sediments were examined in small portions of 5 -10 ml round petri dishes with magnifi er lens at 65×.…”

“…It is an omnivorous predator showing an opportunistic behavior, as dietary items vary according to seasonal availability and geographic location (Farias & Kittlein, 2008). There are reports on heminths infecting L. gymnocercus (Blood & Lelijveld, 1969;Szidat, 1971;Schmidt & Martin, 1978;Martínez, 1985;Martínez et al, 2000Martínez et al, , 2005Rigonatto et al, 2000;Lucherini et al, 2004;Fuchs et al, 2006;Fiorello et al, 2006;Ruas et al, 2003Ruas et al, , 2008Scioscia et al, 2013;Scioscia et al, 2014), but none confi rmed the presence of adults or eggs of the genus Pterygodermatites. Here we report the fi rst fi nding of Pterygodermatites (M) affi nis in Argentina and add L. gymnocercus as new defi nitive host of this nematode species, providing a prevalence estimate for rural areas of southern Buenos Aires province, Argentina.…”

First identification and molecular phylogeny of Sparganum proliferum from endangered felid (Panthera onca) and other wild definitive hosts in one of the regions with highest worldwide biodiversity

“…The intestinal tracts of the analyzed carnivores were carefully removed from each carcass and subsequently isolated by ligatures (pylorus and rectum). All samples were kept at −20 °C for at least 1 month prior to processing in order to inactivate possible parasite eggs from other species ( Scioscia et al, 2013 ). Examination of the intestinal content was performed as previously ( Arrabal et al, 2017 ) using the modification of the technique described originally by Eckert (2001) .…”

Natural infection in Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) by Lagochilascaris major Leiper, 1910 (Nematoda: Ascarididae) in Buenos Aires, Argentina

“…The pharynx and trachea were opened out and the parasites observed macroscopically were collected and placed in a saline solution. Examination of the stomach and intestinal content was performed using the sedimentation and counting technique described by Scioscia et al (2013). Obtained sediments were examined in small portions of 5-10 ml in Petri dishes with magnifier lens at × 65.…”