Downloaded from veterinaryrecord.bmj.com on May 29, 2014 - Published by group.bmj.com
Gazette Letters WILDLIFE SURVEILLANCE
Fatal spirocercosis in a free-ranging red fox Spirocerca lupi is a nematode that localises in the oesophageal and gastric wall of Canidae and other carnivores. It is found worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The lifecycle of S lupi involves intermediate (coprophagous beetles) and paratenic hosts (poultry, wild birds, lizards, rodents, hedgehogs and rabbits), infected with larvae (L3) and a final host (carnivore). In domestic dogs, in which it is certainly underestimated, it can cause acute death due to aortic rupture (Rinas and others 2009), while the chronic infection can lead to granulomatous lesions and mesenchymal tumour (mainly oesophageal fibrosarcomas). Even though red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are known to be involved in the parasitic lifecycle (Ferrantelli and others 2010), few cases are reported as incidental findings and acute death related to S lupi has never been reported in this species. In May 2013, an adult male red fox was found dead by rangers in the Monti Sibillini national park in central Italy, at about 1200 m above sea level. The carcase (8.5 kg, in good body condition) was in rigor mortis with pale mucous membranes. At postmortem examination, a severe haemothorax with a voluminous mediastinic blood clot (about 2 x 5 x 3 cm) was observed. The aortic arch showed a focal dilatation (aneurysm) of 3 x 3 x 3 cm with ruptured wall and numerous clot fragments. On the cut surface, a blood clot, surrounded by proliferative tissue reaction (granulation tissue), involved the aortic wall (false aneurysm). On the pars oesophagea of the gastric mucosa a 2 x 3 x 1 cm focal nodule, involving the submucosa, was evident with a short fistulous track leading to the gastric lumen. On the cut surface of the nodule a round coiled reddish worm, measuring 8 x 0.2 cm was found. It was preserved in ethanol (95 per cent) and classified as S lupi on the basis of gross and microscopic features. The faeces of the fox did not show any parasite eggs by means of a faecal flotation egg count technique. Federico Morandi, Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini, Piazza del Forno, 1 – 62039, Visso Macerata, Italy e-mail: [email protected] Gabriele Angelico, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria e Marche, Via Cupa di Posatora, 3 – 60100, Ancona, Italy Ranieri Verin, Stefano Gavaudan, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE 228 | Veterinary Record | March 1, 2014
References
FERRANTELLI, V., RIILI, S., VICARI, D., PERCIPALLE, M., CHETTA, M., MONTEVERDE, V. & OTHERS (2010) Spirocerca lupi isolated from gastric lesions in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Sicily (Italy). Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences 13, 465-471 RINAS, M. A., NESNEK, R., KINSELLA, J. M. & DEMATTEO, K. E. (2009) Fatal aortic aneurysm and rupture in a neotropical bush dog (Speothos venaticus) caused by Spirocerca lupi. Veterinary Parasitology 164, 347-349
doi: 10.1136/vr.g1802
WILDLIFE
Canine distemper virus and badgers I WAS intrigued by the speculation from Mike Davies regarding the possible re-emergence of canine distemper virus (CDV) (VR, February 15, 2014, vol 174, p 178), as there is a possibility that this could provide insight into another aspect of animal health in the UK. Over the period that CDV has largely been eliminated from domestic dogs, there
has been a coincidental unprecedented increase in the badger population. Many factors will have contributed to this phenomenon but I have often conjectured that the decline in the prevalence of CDV might have been one of these factors. The susceptibility of many mustelids to CDV is well-established, though I am unaware of any reports of infection causing disease in badgers. The purpose of this communication is to inquire if there is anyone in the profession, particularly those with experience when CDV was prevalent, who has evidence or suspects that badgers might have been affected by infection with this virus. I would greatly appreciate any information on this possibility as it could be useful to our understanding of the dynamic of badger populations and their role in the perpetuation of Mycobacterium bovis in the UK. Hugh W. Reid, Doric View, Lyars Road, Longniddery, East Lothian EH320PT e-mail: [email protected]
doi: 10.1136/vr.g1803
Downloaded from veterinaryrecord.bmj.com on May 29, 2014 - Published by group.bmj.com
Canine distemper virus and badgers Hugh W. Reid Veterinary Record 2014 174: 228
doi: 10.1136/vr.g1803
Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/174/9/228.2.full.html
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Notes
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Gazette Letters WILDLIFE SURVEILLANCE
Fatal spirocercosis in a free-ranging red fox Spirocerca lupi is a nematode that localises in the oesophageal and gastric wall of Canidae and other carnivores. It is found worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The lifecycle of S lupi involves intermediate (coprophagous beetles) and paratenic hosts (poultry, wild birds, lizards, rodents, hedgehogs and rabbits), infected with larvae (L3) and a final host (carnivore). In domestic dogs, in which it is certainly underestimated, it can cause acute death due to aortic rupture (Rinas and others 2009), while the chronic infection can lead to granulomatous lesions and mesenchymal tumour (mainly oesophageal fibrosarcomas). Even though red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are known to be involved in the parasitic lifecycle (Ferrantelli and others 2010), few cases are reported as incidental findings and acute death related to S lupi has never been reported in this species. In May 2013, an adult male red fox was found dead by rangers in the Monti Sibillini national park in central Italy, at about 1200 m above sea level. The carcase (8.5 kg, in good body condition) was in rigor mortis with pale mucous membranes. At postmortem examination, a severe haemothorax with a voluminous mediastinic blood clot (about 2 x 5 x 3 cm) was observed. The aortic arch showed a focal dilatation (aneurysm) of 3 x 3 x 3 cm with ruptured wall and numerous clot fragments. On the cut surface, a blood clot, surrounded by proliferative tissue reaction (granulation tissue), involved the aortic wall (false aneurysm). On the pars oesophagea of the gastric mucosa a 2 x 3 x 1 cm focal nodule, involving the submucosa, was evident with a short fistulous track leading to the gastric lumen. On the cut surface of the nodule a round coiled reddish worm, measuring 8 x 0.2 cm was found. It was preserved in ethanol (95 per cent) and classified as S lupi on the basis of gross and microscopic features. The faeces of the fox did not show any parasite eggs by means of a faecal flotation egg count technique. Federico Morandi, Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini, Piazza del Forno, 1 – 62039, Visso Macerata, Italy e-mail: [email protected] Gabriele Angelico, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria e Marche, Via Cupa di Posatora, 3 – 60100, Ancona, Italy Ranieri Verin, Stefano Gavaudan, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE 228 | Veterinary Record | March 1, 2014
References
FERRANTELLI, V., RIILI, S., VICARI, D., PERCIPALLE, M., CHETTA, M., MONTEVERDE, V. & OTHERS (2010) Spirocerca lupi isolated from gastric lesions in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Sicily (Italy). Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences 13, 465-471 RINAS, M. A., NESNEK, R., KINSELLA, J. M. & DEMATTEO, K. E. (2009) Fatal aortic aneurysm and rupture in a neotropical bush dog (Speothos venaticus) caused by Spirocerca lupi. Veterinary Parasitology 164, 347-349
doi: 10.1136/vr.g1802
WILDLIFE
Canine distemper virus and badgers I WAS intrigued by the speculation from Mike Davies regarding the possible re-emergence of canine distemper virus (CDV) (VR, February 15, 2014, vol 174, p 178), as there is a possibility that this could provide insight into another aspect of animal health in the UK. Over the period that CDV has largely been eliminated from domestic dogs, there
has been a coincidental unprecedented increase in the badger population. Many factors will have contributed to this phenomenon but I have often conjectured that the decline in the prevalence of CDV might have been one of these factors. The susceptibility of many mustelids to CDV is well-established, though I am unaware of any reports of infection causing disease in badgers. The purpose of this communication is to inquire if there is anyone in the profession, particularly those with experience when CDV was prevalent, who has evidence or suspects that badgers might have been affected by infection with this virus. I would greatly appreciate any information on this possibility as it could be useful to our understanding of the dynamic of badger populations and their role in the perpetuation of Mycobacterium bovis in the UK. Hugh W. Reid, Doric View, Lyars Road, Longniddery, East Lothian EH320PT e-mail: [email protected]
doi: 10.1136/vr.g1803
Downloaded from veterinaryrecord.bmj.com on May 29, 2014 - Published by group.bmj.com
Canine distemper virus and badgers Hugh W. Reid Veterinary Record 2014 174: 228
doi: 10.1136/vr.g1803
Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/174/9/228.2.full.html
These include:
Email alerting service
Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up in the box at the top right corner of the online article.
Notes
To request permissions go to: http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions
To order reprints go to: http://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform
To subscribe to BMJ go to: http://group.bmj.com/subscribe/
