Gastrointestinal parasites in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus): A review focusing on Fennoscandia

Jokelainen, Pikka; Moroni, Barbara; Hoberg, Eric P.; Oksanen, Antti; Laaksonen, Sauli

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100317

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Although protozoa such as Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis or, or Eimeria spp. may infect reindeer [9], we did not find any of these protozoa in our study. This is in contrast to caribou from Northern Alaska where the overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was 6.1% in [26].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 74%

“…Eimeria spp. are also frequently found in semi-domesticated reindeer calves, whereas the prevalence in adult wild reindeer is low [9]. Nevertheless, the prevalence of Eimeria spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Like other ruminants, reindeer are hosts to a variety of endoparasites that may affect their health and productivity [6]. In their natural habitat, the prevalence of subclinical, low-intensity mixed gastrointestinal parasitic infections is high [2,[7][8][9]. Common gastrointestinal parasites affecting reindeer are Eimeria spp., gastrointestinal nematodes such as strongylids, Capillaria spp., Trichuris spp., Skrjabinema spp., and cestodes such as Moniezia spp., among others [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reindeer Husbandry in Switzerland—Management, Feeding, and Endoparasite Infections

Luginbühl

Gross

Wenker³

et al. 2023

Animals

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The aim of the present work was to provide an overview of management and feeding practices, and the prevalence of endoparasite infections in captive Swiss reindeer. On two visits to eight farms or zoos, a standardized questionnaire was completed. A total of 67 reindeer were weighed, and fecal samples were collected. The primary management concerns voiced by owners/managers were feeding and successful breeding. All reindeer were fed roughage ad libitum and supplementary feed for reindeer or other browsers, with different compositions in each herd. Males over two years of age weighed from 60 kg up to 127.5 kg, whereas females had a body weight from 53.5 kg to 86.5 kg. The prevalence of gastrointestinal strongyles was 68.6% (46/67), with reindeer in zoos having a lower prevalence (36%; 9/25) than reindeer from private farms (88%; 37/42). Capillaria sp., Strongyloides sp., and Trichuris sp. were detected in lower prevalences (<24%) and were also more frequent in private farms. Intestinal protozoa, as well as fluke and tapeworms, were not detected in any herd. This study provides an overview on husbandry, feeding, and endoparasite prevalence in reindeer in Switzerland and should be of help for breeders and veterinarians dealing with this animal species.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 74%

“…Eimeria spp. are also frequently found in semi-domesticated reindeer calves, whereas the prevalence in adult wild reindeer is low [9]. Nevertheless, the prevalence of Eimeria spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reindeer Husbandry in Switzerland—Management, Feeding, and Endoparasite Infections

Luginbühl

Gross

Wenker³

et al. 2023

Animals

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“…Ostertagia gruehneri egg output generally peaks midsummer or in late summer-autumn [29], and the burden of adult O. gruehneri has been found to increase from autumn to spring in Svalbard reindeer [30]. O. gruehneri infections have been associated with decreased food intake, loss in body condition and reduced fecundity in reindeer [31].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of faecal endoparasites in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in two grazing areas in northern Norway

et al. 2021

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Background Semi-domesticated reindeer represent an important livestock industry and livelihood for a proportion of the human population in northern Fennoscandia. Reindeer husbandry is considered an extensive animal husbandry, where the animals are kept mostly on natural pastures, although sometimes kept in fenced areas for shorter periods. These reindeer may harbour a variety of parasites that may affect animal health and production. The relatively limited close contact between herds and owners gives limited opportunities for diagnosis and treatment of diseases in general. Furthermore, the effects of subclinical parasitism in livestock are commonly expressed as a reduction in productivity rather than clinical disease and mortality. Thus, specific knowledge of endoparasites and parasitic infections in these herds is scarce. This study investigated the occurrence of various endoparasites in reindeer by analysis of a total of 114 faecal samples from winter-slaughtered reindeer from two different grazing areas in Troms and Finnmark, Norway. Results Using a McMaster method, a Baermann technique, and a direct immunofluorescent antibody test, the following parasites were identified in the faecal samples with the occurrence data given as percentages: Strongylid eggs (62%), Nematodirinae spp. eggs (24%), Capillaria sp. eggs (42%) and Moniezia spp. eggs (17%), Dictyocaulus spp. larvae (14%) protostrongylid larvae (40%), Eimera spp. oocysts (23%), and Giardia duodenalis cysts (5%). Cryptosporidium oocysts were not detected. Parasite eggs, oocysts, and cysts were quantified. Molecular analysis revealed G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AI, a potentially zoonotic genotype not previously reported in reindeer from this region. Morphological analyses of Eimeria oocysts identified two species, Eimeria mayeri and Eimeria rangiferis, and molecular analyses of the cytochrome C oxidase I (coi) gene and 18 s rRNA (18SSU) gene of Eimeria confirmed the presence of Eimeria species that are specific to reindeer. Conclusions A high prevalence, but low burden, of endoparasites was detected in samples from these semi-domesticated reindeer. The samples were collected during winter, when adult gastrointestinal parasites usually produce only low numbers of transmission stages. Therefore, together with the low number of samples, detailed and definitive conclusions regarding parasite status of semi-domesticated reindeer are avoided. Nevertheless, these data provide a snapshot overview of parasite occurrence in a semi-domesticated animal group vulnerable to the various environmental changes to which they are exposed.

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“…Trichuris eggs were found in 38% of faecal samples but worms were found in 10% of caecum and 2% in the ascending colon [58] (See Table 2). Jokelainen et al [59] reviewed gastrointestinal parasites in reindeer located in Fennoscandia (Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia). It was stated that historically, the Trichuris spp.…”

Section: Trichuris In Deer Located In Europementioning

confidence: 99%

Trichuriasis in Selected Deer (Cervidae) Species: A Geographical Perspective

Jones

2021

Ruminants

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Trichuris spp. are endoparasites found in a wide range of mammalian species. Some of these host species include humans, non-human primates, dogs, cats, pigs, wild ruminants and domesticated ruminants. However, it had been noted that Trichuris are host specific, therefore the parasites that infects wild ruminant species may be transmitted to domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep and goat. Thus, the aim of this review was to identify species of Trichuris that parasitise deer species and to categorise the prevalence of this disease at various geographical locations. It must be noted that the prevalence and intensity of this parasite within deer species was low and rarely showed any signs of clinical disease. However, deer can be a source of infection to domesticated ruminants that may be housed in closed proximity. The review is divided into several sections based on the geographical location of the deer species. In summary, the review shows that most of the identification of various species of Trichuris in deer is based on morphological techniques. However, the use of molecular techniques in the identification of various species of Trichuris is more accurate. In closing, there is a need for more molecular investigations to be done in identifying the species of Trichuris that are present in deer living in the neo-tropical region.

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Gastrointestinal parasites in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus): A review focusing on Fennoscandia

Cited by 7 publications

References 65 publications

Reindeer Husbandry in Switzerland—Management, Feeding, and Endoparasite Infections

Reindeer Husbandry in Switzerland—Management, Feeding, and Endoparasite Infections

Occurrence of faecal endoparasites in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in two grazing areas in northern Norway

Trichuriasis in Selected Deer (Cervidae) Species: A Geographical Perspective

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