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Levels of infection, pathology and nodule size of Onchocerca flexuosa (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) in red deer (Cervus elaphus) from northern Spain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2014

M.R. Hidalgo ,
A. Martínez ,
R.A. Carreño ,
S. González ,
M.C. Ferreras  and
N. Díez
M.R. Hidalgo*
Affiliation:
Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24071, León, Spain
A. Martínez
Affiliation:
Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24071, León, Spain
R.A. Carreño
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH43015, USA
S. González
Affiliation:
Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24071, León, Spain
M.C. Ferreras
Affiliation:
Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24071, León, Spain
N. Díez
Affiliation:
Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of León, 24071, León, Spain
*
*Fax: +0034 987 29 1340 E-mail: mrhida@unileon.es
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Abstract

Between 2005 and 2007, the presence of Onchocerca flexuosa (Wedl, 1856) was discovered and investigated in 110 red deer (Cervus elaphus) shot in the Riaño Regional Hunting Reserve, in the province of León (north-western Spain). Nodules containing O. flexuosa were located in the dorsal region and flanks of the deer. These were collected and measured, and some adult parasites were extracted from the nodules and identified by morphology and by obtaining mitochondrial 12S rDNA sequences, which were identical to those of previously published sequences for O. flexuosa. Some nodules were prepared for histology, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained with haematoxylin–eosin. Histologically, the worms were found in several compartments separated by an infiltrated fibrous tissue. These compartments were inhabited by several females and males, surrounded by a fibrous capsule. A total of 85.45% (95% confidence interval (CI): 78.86–92.04%) of red deer were parasitized, with a mean intensity of 9.53 ± 12.27 nodules/host, ranging between 1 and 74 nodules/deer. Significant differences in prevalence and intensity of infection were found between young and adult red deer, and also between seasons. However, no significant differences between males and females were observed. Five hundred and ninety-seven nodules were measured (15.81 ± 3.94 mm) and classified by sizes into small ( < 10 mm), medium (10–20 mm) and large (>20 mm). No relation was found between the size of the nodules and the time of infection. The high values found in the studied parameters show that northern Spain is an area of high-intensity infection for deer.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 89 , Issue 3 , May 2015 , pp. 326 - 334
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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