Identity of rumen fluke in deer

Abstract

As evidence is growing that in many temperate areas paramphistome infections are becoming more common and widespread, this study was undertaken to determine the role of deer as reservoirs for rumen fluke infections in livestock. A total of 144 deer faecal samples (88 from fallow deer, 32 from red deer and 24 samples from sika, sika/red deer hybrids) were screened for the presence of fluke eggs. Based on the ITS-2 rDNA locus plus flanking 5.8S and 28S sequences (ITS-2+), fluke eggs were identified to species level. Our results indicate that, of the 3 deer species, fallow deer had the highest fluke infection rates. Two rumen fluke species, Calicophoron daubneyi and Paramphistomum leydeni, with morphologically distinct eggs, were identified. Concurrent infections of the two paramphistome species and liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, were common. Considering the comparatively low egg burdens observed in this study, it is unlikely that deer represent a significant source of infection for Irish livestock.

Mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal DNA dataset supports that Paramphistomum leydeni (Trematoda: Digenea) is a distinct rumen fluke species

“…Species of Paramphistomum (Trematoda: Digenea), known as the ‘rumen flukes’ or ‘amphistomes’, are the pathogens of paramphistomiasis of ruminants, such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and deer [ 1 - 5 ]. Although rumen flukes are considered neglected parasites, they are widely distributed in many continents of the world, (e.g., Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and Oceania) [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 - 12 ]. Rumen flukes require aquatic snails as intermediate hosts and the pre-parasitic stages of miracidia and stages in snails (sporocyst, redia and cercaria) are similar to those of liver flukes, such as Fasciola hepatica [ 13 ].…”

“…Paramphistomum leydeni and Paramphistomum cervi are common rumen flukes in many countries [ 1 , 2 ], particularly in Argentina [ 3 ]. Various host animals are often infected concurrently with P. leydeni , P. cervi and other paramphistomums globally, and the host or geographical preference of the two rumen flukes has not been documented.…”

“…In spite of the economic loss and morbidity of paramphistomiasis, over the years, there has been a significant controversy as to whether P. leydeni and P. cervi represent the same or distinct fluke species. The taxonomy of P. leydeni and P. cervi is still unclear [ 1 ]. Although the amphistome species are morphologically very similar [ 2 ], reports have documented that P. leydeni and P. cervi are morphologically distinct species based on morphological features of the adult (e.g., genital opening type, pharynx type, ventral pouch and tegumental papillae absent or present) [ 13 , 14 ].…”

“…Although the amphistome species are morphologically very similar [ 2 ], reports have documented that P. leydeni and P. cervi are morphologically distinct species based on morphological features of the adult (e.g., genital opening type, pharynx type, ventral pouch and tegumental papillae absent or present) [ 13 , 14 ]. Furthermore, some studies have shown that Cotylophoron cotylophorum was re-classified as P. leydeni [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]. P. leydeni , as well as Paramphistomum hiberniae , Paramphistomum scotiae and Cotylophoron skriabini , was regarded as established synonym of P. cervi [ 5 , 14 - 17 ].…”

Paramphistomidose – eine Übersicht zu Epidemiologie und klinischer Symptomatik

“…Weideflächen keine Zwischenwirthabitate zu finden waren [70]. Außerdem stellen Wildwiederkäuer, die ebenfalls an Paramphistomidose erkranken können, ein natürliches Reservoir für Pansenegel dar [20] [48]. Der Parasit kann sich so, ähnlich wie der Große Leberegel, flächendeckend in Deutschland ausbreiten [36], da sie den gleichen Zwischenwirt nutzen [27].…”