<i>Angiostrongylus vasorum</i> infection in Cornwall

Simpson, V. R.

doi:10.1136/vr.g5123

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Apart from foxes there has, until now, been no evidence of A. vasorum infection in other free-living species of wildlife in Britain. Larvae identified as those of A. vasorum were seen in the lungs of a single Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra ) in Denmark [ 48 ] but post-mortem examinations on 700 otters in Britain, many of which came from known endemic areas of infection, all proved negative for the parasite [ 49 ]. Kirk and co-workers [ 46 ], citing Guilhon [ 50 ], suggested that Eurasian otters could act as an alternative final host but this was in error as Guilhon [ 50 ] made no mention of infection in otters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A post-mortem study of respiratory disease in small mustelids in south-west England

Simpson¹,

Tomlinson

Stevenson

et al. 2016

BMC Vet Res

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BackgroundStoat (Mustela erminea) and weasel (Mustela nivalis) populations in south-west England are declining whilst polecats (Mustela putorius), absent for over a century, are increasing. Little is known about the health status of these species nationally. This study aimed at investigating respiratory disease in specimens found dead in south-west England.ResultsTrauma caused by road traffic, predator attack or being trapped was the predominant cause of death in 42 stoats, 31 weasels and 20 polecats; most were in good physical condition. Skrjabingylus nasicola was present in all species (weasels 37 %, polecats 39 %, stoats 41 %) and infected animals showed no evidence of loss of body condition. Even in carcases stored frozen L1 larvae were frequently alive and highly motile. Angiostrongylus vasorum infection was diagnosed in two stoats and one weasel: in stoats infections were patent and the lung lesions were likely of clinical significance. These are believed to be the first records of A. vasorum in small mustelids. Pleuritis and pyothorax was seen in two polecats, in one case due to a migrating grass awn. Histological examination of lungs showed granulomata in stoats (38 %), weasels (52 %) and polecats (50 %). Spherules consistent with Emmonsia spp. adiaspores were present in the granulomata of stoats (60 %), weasels (36 %) and polecats (29 %). Adiaspore diameter in all three species was similar (means: stoats 39 μm, weasels 30 μm, polecats 36 μm); these are markedly smaller than that normally recorded for E. crescens. Although they lie within the accepted range for spores of Emmonsia parva this arid-zone species is not found in Britain, thus raising a question over the identity of the fungus. Cases showing numerous granulomata but few or no adiaspores were Ziehl-Neelsen-stain negative for acid-fast bacilli and IHC negative for Mycobacterium spp. However, in some cases PCR analyses revealed mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium kumamotonense and Mycobacterium avium Complex. One stoat had numerous unidentified small organisms present centrally within granulomata.ConclusionsStoats, weasels and polecats in south-west England share several respiratory diseases, often of high prevalence, but the pathology would appear insufficient to impact on the health status of the populations and other ultimate causes of death should be investigated when examining these species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A post-mortem study of respiratory disease in small mustelids in south-west England

Simpson¹,

Tomlinson

Stevenson

et al. 2016

BMC Vet Res

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“…In the United Kingdom (UK), A. vasorum was first identified in foxes and dogs in the southwestern county of Cornwall in 1979 (Jones et al 1980; Simpson and Neal, 1982). Since then its distribution appears to have increased, with foci emerging in both Southwest and Southeast England (Cobb and Fisher, 1990; Chapman et al 2004; Simpson, 2014), and reports in dogs in Northern England (Yamakawa et al 2009) and in dogs and foxes in Scotland (Helm et al 2009; Philbey and Delgado, 2013). A survey of 546 foxes collected in 2005–2006 found overall prevalence to be 7·3%, with large regional variation and an absence from Northern England and Scotland (Morgan et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased prevalence and geographic spread of the cardiopulmonary nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum in fox populations in Great Britain

et al. 2015

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The nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum is becoming more widely recorded globally, and is of increasing concern as a cause of disease in dogs. Apparent geographic spread is difficult to confirm due to a lack of standardized disease recording systems, increasing awareness among veterinary clinicians, and recent improvements in diagnostic technologies. This study examines the hypothesis that A. vasorum has spread in recent years by repeating the methods of a previous survey of the fox population. The hearts and lungs of 442 foxes from across Great Britain were collected and examined by dissection and flushing of the pulmonary circulation and microscopic inspection of tracheal scrapes. Sampling and parasite extraction methods were identical to an earlier survey in 2005 to ensure comparability. Prevalence of A. vasorum was 18·3% (exact binomial confidence bounds 14·9-22·3), compared with 7·3% previously (5·3-9·9, n = 546), and had increased significantly in most regions, e.g. 7·4% in the Northern UK (previously zero) and 50·8% in the south-east (previously 23·2%). Other nematodes identified were Crenosoma vulpis (prevalence 10·8%, CI 8·1-14·2) and Eucoleus aerophilus (31·6%, CI 27·3-36·2). These data support the proposal that A. vasorum has increased in prevalence and has spread geographically in Great Britain.

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“…In the UK, A vasorum was identified in dogs and then foxes in Cornwall (Jones and others 1980, Martin and Neal 1992, Simpson 1996) and later in south Wales (Trees 1987) and south‐east England (Chapman and others 2004). Data on infections in foxes (Morgan and others 2008) and dogs (Schnyder and others 2013) show that the parasite is now widespread in the southern UK, beyond historic hyperendemic foci (Blehaut and others 2014, Simpson 2014). In Scotland, the first reported case in a non‐travelled dog (Helm and others 2009) was followed by further evidence of autochthonous infection in two red fox cubs exhibiting neurological signs (Philbey and Delgado 2013), suggesting ongoing northward spread.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological survey of Angiostrongylus vasorum in dogs and slugs around a new endemic focus in Scotland

et al. 2015

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The nematode parasite Angiostrongylus vasorum is an increasingly important cause of respiratory and other diseases in dogs. Geographical spread from previously limited endemic foci has occurred rapidly. This paper investigates parasite epidemiology around the location of the first reported case in Scotland in 2009: by detection of A vasorum-specific DNA in gastropod intermediate hosts, and in dogs circulating DNA and specific antibodies, and first stage larvae in faeces. Overall prevalence in gastropods was 6.7 per cent (16/240), with parasite DNA found in slugs in the Arion ater and Arion hortensis species aggregates and the snail Helix aspersa (syn. Cornu aspersum). Of 60 dogs presenting with clinical signs compatible with angiostrongylosis, none tested positive using PCR on peripheral blood or Baermann test on faeces, and none of 35 tested for circulating anti-A vasorum antibodies were positive. PCR prevalence in gastropods was highest (11 per cent) in the park frequented by the canine angiostrongylosis index case. Molecular survey for infection in gastropods is a potentially informative and efficient method for characterising the distribution of A vasorum and therefore local risk of canine infection. However, there appears to be a complex relationship between prevalence in gastropods and emergence of canine clinical disease, which requires further work to advance understanding of parasite transmission and geographical disease spread.

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Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in Cornwall

Cited by 3 publications

References 6 publications

A post-mortem study of respiratory disease in small mustelids in south-west England

A post-mortem study of respiratory disease in small mustelids in south-west England

Increased prevalence and geographic spread of the cardiopulmonary nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum in fox populations in Great Britain

Epidemiological survey of Angiostrongylus vasorum in dogs and slugs around a new endemic focus in Scotland

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