Coprological survey of protostrongylid infections in antelopes from Souss-Massa National Park (Morocco)

Abstract

SummaryProtostrongylids, small nematode lungworms, are an integral part of the wild ruminant helminth community, which can damage animals’ health when they are held in captivity or semi-captive conditions. The Sahelo-Saharan antelope species dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), and the addax (Addax nasomacculatus), reintroduced to Souss-Massa National Park in Morocco, could be host to many species of Protostrongylids. This study was conducted from January to July 2015 to identify infecting parasite species, and determine their prevalence and abundance in all three antelope species. A total of 180 individual fecal samples were collected, morphologically examined by the Baermann technique, and molecularly identified by PCR amplification and sequencing of the second internal transcribed spacer region of the rDNA (ITS-2).Two parasite species were found in the three antelope populations: Muellerius capillaris and Neostrongylus linearis. The prevalence scores recorded for M. capillaris were 98.40 % in the addax, 96.70 % in dorcas gazelle, and 28.40 % in the oryx. The prevalence rates of N. linearis were 60 % in the addax, 23.40 % in dorcas gazelle, and 90 % in the oryx. Excreted larvae were quantified by LPG (larvae per gram) counting: for M. capillaris, the LPG mean values were 92.94 in the addax, 133.09 in dorcas gazelle, and 1.48 in the oryx; and for N. linearis, the LPG mean values were 6.02 in the addax, 1.37 in dorcas gazelle, and 32.81 in the oryx. These findings indicate that the three species of antelopes are infected with Muellerius capillaris and Neostrongylus linearis to varying degrees in intensity and prevalence.

Hatay Dağ Ceylanları’nda (Gazella gazella) Tespit Edilen Parazitler

“…Lungworms belonging to the family Protostrongylidae infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals. Some of these parasites are causative agents of pneumonia but also can damage lung tissue and lead to secondary infections (Saidi et al, 2020b). Weight loss, respiratory discomfort, reduction in reproductive performance and death occur associated with these nematodes (Panayotova-Pencheva and Alexandrov, 2010).…”

“…Weight loss, respiratory discomfort, reduction in reproductive performance and death occur associated with these nematodes (Panayotova-Pencheva and Alexandrov, 2010). Muellerius capillaris and Neostrongylus linearis species of lungworms have been reported in 60 gazelles (Gazella dorcas) in Morocco (Saidi et al, 2020b) whereas there were no lungworms in the necropsy of 24 gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) in Iran (Modabbernia et al, 2021). In this study, D. filaria, which is frequently found in sheep and goats but can also be seen in wild ruminants (López and Martinson, 2017) was determined.…”

Saprophytic Filamentous Fungi against Helminths Affecting Captive Wild Animals

“…Bronchopulmonary nematodes of the families Protostrongylidae and Dictyocaulidae, also known as lungworms, are parasites characterized by the location of adults in the lower respiratory tract of domestic and wild mammals [20]. Most infections are asymptomatic, but eventually they can cause respiratory problems such as bronchopneumonia and parasitic bronchitis that could evolve into severe disease.…”

Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections in Antelopes from Morocco: A Coprological Survey

“…As grazing ruminants, antelopes are exposed to different internal parasitic infections namely coccidian [10], pulmonary nematodes [11], and particularly gastrointestinal nematodes [12,13]. In nature, parasites and hosts maintain a balanced relationship.…”