Scanning electron microscopy observations of the hedgehog stomach worm, Physaloptera clausa (Spirurida: Physalopteridae)

Abstract

BackgroundPhysaloptera clausa (Spirurida: Physalopteridae) nematodes parasitize the stomach of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and cause weight loss, anorexia and gastric lesions. The present study provides the first morphological description of adult P. clausa from the stomachs of infected hedgehogs, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).MethodsFrom June to October 2011, 10 P. clausa from European hedgehogs were fixed, dried, coated and subjected to SEM examination.ResultsMales and females (22–30 mm and 28–47 mm, respectively) were stout, with the cuticle reflecting over the lips to form a large cephalic collarette and showing fine transverse striations in both sexes. The mouth was characterized by two large, simple triangular lateral pseudolabia, each armed with external and internal teeth. Inside the buccal cavity, a circle of internal small teeth can be observed. Around the mouth, four sub-median cephalic papillae and two large amphids were also observed. The anterior end of both male and female bore an excretory pore on the ventral side and a pair of lateral ciliated cervical papillae. In the female worm, the vulva was located in the middle and the eggs were characterized by smooth surfaces. The posterior end of the female worm was stumpy with two large phasmids in proximity to its extremity. The posterior end of the male had large lateral alae, joined together anteriorly across the ventral surface, with subequal and dissimilar spicules, as well as four pairs of stalked pre-cloacal papillae, three pairs of post-cloacal papillae, and two phasmids. Three sessile papillae occured anteriorly and four posteriorly to the cloaca.ConclusionsThe present SEM study provides the first in-depth morphological characterization of adult P. clausa, and highlights similarities and differences with P. bispiculata P. herthameyerae, Heliconema longissimum and Turgida turgida.

Endoparasite Infections of the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Central Italy

“…Prevalence of this parasite in our study was low (2.5%), similarly to some previous Italian reports [ 1 ]. Higher prevalence rates for P. clausa have been reported in Greece ( Table 3 ), and in other countries and in Erinaceus concolor , the southern white-breasted hedgehog [ 34 , 39 , 52 , 54 ].…”

“…Differently from C. erinacei , which seems to be rarely pathogenic, acute eosinophilic gastritis or chronic gastritis with atrophy of glands and fibrosis have been described in association with Physaloptera clausa infection [ 26 , 39 , 52 , 53 ]. Prevalence of this parasite in our study was low (2.5%), similarly to some previous Italian reports [ 1 ].…”

Scanning electron microscopy of digestive tract parasites in jungle cat (Felis chaus)

“…As the results revealed, the cephalic structures of P. malayensis were different from other species of Physaloptera (Gorgani et al, 2013; Mafra & Lanfredi, 1998; Naem & Asadi, 2013). In P. malayensis , dilatation of the cervical region covered only part of the base of lips, which were often nude, while in other species, the cuticle had a dilatation in the cervical region developed from the posterior margins of the lips and shaped a collar around the lips (Gorgani et al, 2013; Mafra & Lanfredi, 1998; Naem & Asadi, 2013). The mouth of P. malayensis had two big, round lateral pseudolabia that laterally surrounded the oral cavity.…”

Helminth community dynamics in a population of Pseudopaludicola pocoto (Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae) from Northeast-Brazilian

“…Physaloptera are parasites of all classes of terrestrial vertebrates (Anderson, 2000; Gorgani et al, 2013). Currently, the following species have been registered for South America and Brazil, infecting reptiles and mammals: Physaloptera liophis Vicente and Santos, 1974, Physaloptera obtusissima (= P. monodens ) Molin, 1860, Physaloptera tubinambae Pereira, Alves, Rocha, Lima and Luque,…”