Meerkats (Suricata suricatta), a new definitive host of the canid nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum

Abstract

Angiostronglyus vasorum is a cardiopulmonary nematode infecting mainly canids such as dogs (Canis familiaris) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Natural infections have also been reported in mustelids and red pandas (Ailurus fulgens fulgens). We report the occurrence of natural A. vasorum infections in a group of captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta), housed at a university facility in Switzerland. A. vasorum first-stage larvae (L1) were initially identified in a pooled faecal sample. Individual samples, investigated with the Baermann-Wetzel technique, revealed that 41% (7/17) of the meerkats were infected, with ranges of 2–125 L1/g faeces. PCR and sequencing of part of the ITS-2 region resulted in 100% identity with A. vasorum. Infected animals did not show clinical signs. One meerkat died two days after diagnosis. Upon necropsy one adult specimen was recovered; histological examination of the lung revealed granulomatous pneumonia caused by A. vasorum larvae and eggs as well as intima and media hyperplasia and isolated arteriosclerosis of larger lung vessels. However, the cause of death was a spleen rupture with associated blood loss. All meerkats were topically treated with 10 mg imidacloprid/2.5 mg moxidectin per animal, after which they became negative in all follow up faecal examinations. Potential intermediate (gastropods) and paratenic hosts (birds) were collected from within or outside the meerkats enclosure. Gastropods were examined by PCR and bird samples by digestion. Four out of 193 (2.1%) gastropod samples were positive for A. vasorum, whereas none of the bird samples were positive. Meerkats, belonging to the Herpestidae, therefore are suitable definitive hosts for A. vasorum, with production and excretion of live L1. Meerkats kept in captivity in areas where A. vasorum is endemic and with potential contact to intermediate hosts are at risk of infection. Regular faecal examinations including Baermann-Wetzel technique should be considered.

First case of a natural infection in a domestic cat (Felis catus) with the canid heart worm Angiostrongylus vasorum

“…However, genetic analyses did not confirm the presence of A. chabaudi, despite the detection of nematode DNA in histological samples. Instead, ITS2 and COI sequencing both surprisingly confirmed an infection with A. vasorum: although patent infections with A. vasorum were observed in a wide range of canids and also in red pandas, badgers, stoats, weasels and even meerkats (Gillis-Germitsch et al, 2017b), the cat was not considered as a suitable definitive host for A. vasorum, as natural infections have never been observed before. Unfortunately, due to the progressing glomerular disease followed by euthanasia, no faecal samples could be collected from the here presented cat for confirmation of absence of larval stages and therefore patency.…”

The first seroepidemiological survey for Angiostrongylus vasorum in domestic dogs from Romania

“…Angiostrongylus vasorum is a metastrongyloid nematode localized in the right heart and the pulmonary arteries of mainly domestic dogs [1] and foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) [2], but also in other wild carnivores: gray wolves ( Canis lupus ) [3], golden jackals ( Canis aureus ) [4], coyotes ( Canis latrans ) [5], red pandas ( Ailurus fulgens ) [6], meerkats ( Suricata suricatta ) [7] and various mustelids, using mainly gastropods as intermediate hosts [8, 9] and possibly amphibians and birds as paratenic hosts [10]. Infection of definitive hosts may also occur by ingestion of vegetation, food or water contaminated with secretions from infected gastropods [1, 11].…”

Annotated catalogue of species of Angiostrongylus and the related genera Gallegostrongylus, Rodentocaulus and Stefanskostrongylus (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea, Angiostrongylidae)

“…Various species of fox, wolf, coyote and jackal (Canidae), European otter ( Lutra lutra Linnaeus), ferret ( Mustela putorius Linnaeus), stoat ( Mustela erminea Linnaeus) weasel ( Mustela nivalis Linnaeus), badger ( Meles meles ) and red panda ( Ailurus fulgens Cuvier) (Musteloidea), and meerkat ( Suricata suricatta ; in captivity) (Herpestidae) (e.g. Koch & Willesen, 2009: 349; Spratt, 2015: 181; Gillis-Germitsch et al ., 2017; Valente et al ., 2018: 149; Priest et al ., 2018). Intermediate hosts .…”