Parasites and pathology of the respiratory tracts of native and feral mammals in Australia - a review.

Abstract

This paper summarizes knowledge of the biodiversity and pathology associated with parasites of the respiratory tract of wild mammals, including feral species, in Australia. Representatives of 21 genera of nematodes distributed in the superfamilies Trichostrongyloidea, Metastrongyloidea, Thelazioidea, Filarioidea, Trichinelloidea and Muspiceoidea are included. Larval stages of the cestode, Echinococcus granulosus, occur in the lungs of macropodids and feral pigs (Sus scrofa). Trematodes occur in the lungs of dugongs (Dugong dugon) and in the cranial sinuses and blowholes of dolphins. Pentastomes occur in the lungs of the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and in the frontal sinuses of dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Nymphal stages of the latter have been found in the lungs of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and nymphs of a pentastome of tree pythons occur in the lungs of the northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus). Pneumonyssid mites occur in the lungs of the northern brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis) and an undescribed speleognathine mite has been found in the lungs of P. breviceps. Trombiculid, tydeoid, dermanyssid and halarachnid mites are endoparasitic in the nasal sinuses of rodents, antechinuses, possums, gliders, elephant seals and fur seals. Larvae of oestrid bot-flies occur in the trachea of macropodids and in the nasal sinuses of camels (Camelus dromedarius). Host specificity in these parasites represents the full spectrum from species specific to class catholic with the intranasal chigger, Ascoschoengastia rattus, occuring in metatherian and eutherian mammals as well as varanid lizards. Similarly, pathological changes associated with these parasites range from inapparent to verminous bronchitis and bronchiolitis resulting in mortalities or severely impaired respiratory reserve or hypoxia precipitating death.

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

“…‘subpleural nodules of the lung’. Other hosts . Muridae: Rattus lutreolus (Australian swamp rat), Mus domesticus Schwarz & Schwarz (house mouse), and experimentally Rattus rattus (black rat) (Spratt et al ., 2001a: 48; Spratt, 2002: 178). Intermediate hosts . Experimental infection of Deroceras panormitanum (Lesson & Pollonera), Lehmannia nyctelia (Bourguignat), Limacus flavus , Limax maximus and Milax gagates (Draparnaud), but Cornu aspersum was unsuitable (Spratt et al ., 2001b).…”

“…Other hosts . Muridae: Rattus lutreolus (Australian swamp rat), Mus domesticus Schwarz & Schwarz (house mouse), and experimentally Rattus rattus (black rat) (Spratt et al ., 2001a: 48; Spratt, 2002: 178).…”

Wildlife parasitology in Australia: past, present and future

“…Two early reviews of disease in marsupials (Barker et al 1963;Arundel et al 1977) included diseases caused by helminths, with a more recent review by Ladds (2009) specifically documenting the helminths causing disease in these hosts. Spratt (2002) provided a review of the diverse parasites and pathology of the respiratory tracts of native and feral mammals in Australia. Most helminths present in marsupials and monotremes appear to be relatively non-pathogenic.…”

Verification of the Spotted-Tail Quoll, Dasyurus maculatus, as a Definitive Host for the Pentastomid Linguatula sp. in Australia

“…In a report on the parasites that infect the respiratory system of mammals in Australia, Spratt [12] reported the presence of nymphal L. serrata in the nasal cavity of the quoll. This study presents a morphological examination of those specimens collected from the quoll.…”