Gastrointestinal and cardiorespiratory endoparasites in the wild felid guigna (Leopardus guigna) in Chile: Richness increases with latitude and first records for the host species

Abstract

Guignas ( Leopardus guigna ) are small felids closely associated with native forest habitats. In fragmented landscapes, they use vegetation corridors and forest remnants to move across the landscape. In these contexts, guignas may increase contact probabilities with domestic animals, being therefore relevant to assess their pathogens and parasites. The aim of this study was to characterize the helminth fauna in the gastrointestinal tract and cardiorespiratory system of guignas from central and southern Chile. Between 2015 and 2018, 33 dead free-ranging guignas were found road-killed or were collected from wildlife rescue centers. Thirty-two gastrointestinal tracts and 32 cardiorespiratory organs were analyzed through direct analysis and artificial digestion. We found 81.8% (27/33) guignas were positive for helminth endoparasites (84.4% (27/32) positive for gastrointestinal parasites, 37.5% (12/32) positive for cardiorespiratory parasites). Fourteen parasites were identified (7 at genus level and 7 at species level), with Angiostrongylus sp ., Molineus sp ., Oslerus sp . and Troglostrongylus sp. as first records in guignas. The most prevalent parasites were the species Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara cati and Uncinaria stenocephala . Uncinaria stenocephala showed the highest intensity of infection. Multiparasitism was observed in 76% of the animals. Significant differences in richness of endoparasites and prevalence of cardiorespiratory parasites were found between geographic zones; higher values in the southern zone are possibly due to favorable environmental characteristics for endoparasite development. There were no statistically significant differences between sexes. All the parasites found in this study have been previously reported in domestic cats. These results are valuable to understand parasite transmission at the domestic-wildlife interface; the possibility of endoparasite transmission between domestic cats and guignas should be clarified with molecular analysis.

Intra Vitam Diagnosis of Neglected Gurltia paralysans Infections in Domestic Cats (Felis catus) by a Commercial Serology Test for Canine Angiostrongylosis and Insights into Clinical and Histopathological Findings—Four-Case Report

“…Recent studies evaluating the Angio Detect TM ® Test (IDEXX Laboratories) have shown the serologic cross-reactivity of A. vasorum with Angiostrongylus chabaudi in European wildcats and Angiostrongylus daskalovi in free-ranging badgers [19]. Although, domestic and wild cats have been known to be clinically affected with A. chabaudi, thereby showing granulomatous pneumonia, parenchymal hemorrhages and alveolar emphysema [20]; a demonstration of A. chabaudi adults, larvae or associated leptomeningeal lesions have not been observed in feline angiostrongylosis in wild Chilean kodkods [21]. Three of the ten felines examined in this study were positive for infections with A. abstrusus, a metastrongyloid nematode that also belongs to the family Angiostrongylidae and reported to occur in domestic and wild cats with symptoms varying from subclinical to fatal respiratory diseases [22,23].…”

“…Although, the Baermann funnel technique is the most frequently used method for the diagnosis of metastrongyloid infections, this technique has failed so far to detect patent G. paralysans infections, particularly during periods when there is no larval removal independent of the existence of clinical signs [8,24]. As mentioned, the complete life cycle of G. paralysans to date is still unknown; however, it is presumed that it could share obligate intermediate hosts (terrestrial slugs/snails) and/or paratenic hosts (lizards, amphibians, birds, rodents) of other closely related metastrongyloid feline nematodes present in Chilean territories, such as A. abstrusus [2], A. chabaudi and Troglostrongylus brevior [21]. Consequently, frequent concomitant infections with A abstrusus might be suitable to assume, as demonstrated elsewhere [23], as is the possibility of antigenic cross-reactions with other metastrongyloids such as A. vasorum, A. chabaudi, G. paralysans and T. brevior, while there are no studies covering these issues [2].…”

“…Based on these preliminary findings, the Angio Detect TM ® Test (IDEXX Laboratories) can alternatively be used for effective and rapid intra vitam diagnosis for cats displaying clinical signs of chronic G. paralysans infections. Unambiguously, further research is required to evaluate cross-reactivity with other feline metastrongyloid species present in Chile, namely T. brevior and A. chabaudi [21]. The use of the Angio Detect TM ® Test is considered as a promising technique for use in feline medicine for identification of Angiostrongylus spp.…”

“…Nonetheless, we recently developed a novel semi-nested PCR diagnosis for the detection of G. paralysans DNA circulating in positive serum samples [32]. As feline angiostrongylosis and troglostrongylosis have recently been reported to occur in wild felids of Chile [21] future surveillance of domestic and endemic wild cat species (i.e., guigna (L. guigna), pampas cats (Leopardus colocolo, Leopardus pajerus) and puma (Puma concolor)) are necessary.…”

Felid Cardiopulmonary Nematodes: Dilemmas Solved and New Questions Posed

“…and Angiostrongylus sp. have been recently found in kodkods from Chile but informative pictures of key morphological features of adult nematodes were not provided, and no description of L1 or molecular analysis were performed [ 64 ].…”