Sarcocystis gracilis ‐like sarcocysts in a sheep

New insights into the ecology and biology of Acanthocheilonema reconditum (Grassi, 1889) causing canine subcutaneous filariosis

“…In contrast to previous studies (Pennington and Phelps, 1969; Cringoli et al 2001; Giannetto et al 2007), no differences in terms of infestation rate between animal genders were found as already recorded by Korkejian and Edeson (1978). This finding could be due to the fact that in the studied shelter dogs were housed in the same environment, thus being exposed and infested by the same population of arthropods.…”

“…Information on this filarioid infestation is scant, with D. immitis and D. repens being considered the most common filarial species parasitizing dogs worldwide. In Italy, there are data indicating that A. reconditum is the most prevalent filarioid species infesting dogs in southern regions (Cringoli et al 2001; Otranto et al 2009), as has also been demonstrated by an extensive survey carried out on 2512 dogs in Sicily where this nematode was the most common causative agent of filarial infection with an overall prevalence of 4·5% (95% CI 3·7%−5·4%) (Giannetto et al , 2007). Interestingly, A. reconditum was the only species found in dogs in the study site, as recorded in other geographical areas where it was the only filarioid affecting dogs (Mazzotti and Chabaud, 1962; Korkejian and Edeson, 1978; Minnaar and Krecek, 2001).…”

“…The study was carried out in a confined dog population in a municipal shelter of Messina, northern Sicily (38.2416° N, 15.5218° E), an area of A. reconditum endemicity (Giannetto et al 2007). In this shelter, a total of 371 dogs were housed in single or collective mesh fences, being grouped according to character and gender compatibility.…”

“…Differently, Acanthocheilonema reconditum is less pathogenic, probably due to the fact that adults are beneath the subcutaneous tissues of the limbs and back (Nelson, 1962), seldom of the trunk, hind legs and the fat near the kidney (Grassi and Calandruccio, 1890; Korkejian and Edeson, 1978; Sonin, 1985). Nonetheless, A. reconditum has a global distribution and, in many geographical areas of the Mediterranean Basin, Middle East, South Africa, South America and Oceania, it is the sole (Mazzotti and Chabaud, 1962; Korkejian and Edeson, 1974; Minnaar and Krecek, 2001) or the most prevalent (Pennington and Phelps, 1969; Boreham and Atwell, 1985; Pampiglione et al 1986; Saleh et al 1988; Ortega-Mora et al 1991; Aranda et al 1998; Alves et al 1999; Cringoli et al 2001; Reifur et al 2004; Giannetto et al 2007) filarioid species infesting dogs. Differently from other filarioids transmitted by mosquitoes (e.g., D. immitis and D. repens ) or ticks (e.g., Cercopithifilaria spp.)…”

Morphometric Study of Microscopic Cysts of Sarcocystis Sp. in Sheep Carcasses

“…[8]. Recently other species of Sarcocystis have been reported to occur in sheep including Sarcocystis gracilis-like [11] and Sarcocystis mihoensis [30].…”