Capillaria hepatica Infection in Wild Brown Rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the Urban Area of Milan, Italy

Abstract

Forty‐seven wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) collected from the urban area of Milan (Italy) were screened for Capillaria hepatica liver infection. The liver of each rat was grossly and histologically examined for the presence of C. hepatica adults, eggs and typical C. hepatica‐induced lesions. In 17 rats (36 %) liver lesions consistent with C. hepatica infection were detected. Grossly, white–yellow nodules of 1–5 mm in diameter were present, either scattered on the liver surface or localized in a single lobe. Histologically, granulomatous liver lesions associated with eggs and/or worms were observed. The degree of gross liver involvement was moderate in most of the positive cases (71 %). About 30 cases of C. hepatica infection in humans have been documented world‐wide, most of which are reported in children from 1 to 5 years of age. Our results suggest that the potential transmission of C. hepatica to children in the study area should be considered an important health issue.

Prevalence of Calodium hepaticum (Syn. Capillaria hepatica) in house mice (Mus musculus) in the Azores archipelago

“…Some differences in the lesions caused by this parasite have been observed in rats and mice (De Andrade and Andrade, 2004). The granulomatous hepatic lesions found in the present study were consistent with those observed in previous reports (Borucinska et al, 1997;Hamir and Rupprecht, 2000;Ceruti et al, 2001;Landolfi et al, 2003;De Souza et al, 2006). However, acute necrotizing lesions associated with larva migration were not constantly described for this infection, nor has bile duct hyperplasia.…”

“…The main reservoirs of C. hepaticum are thought to be Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus, since high prevalence have been registered in these species (Ceruti et al, 2001;Spratt and Singleton, 2001). In comparison to rats, the few existing surveys of prevalence in house mice suggest that this species is less likely to be infected with C. hepaticum (Farhang-Azad and Schlitter, 1978;Childs et al, 1988;Singleton et al, 1991;Spratt and Singleton, 2001).…”

“…Rat species of the genus Rattus are considered the main primary host and reservoir of this nematode and infection to other mammalian occur incidentally due to ingestion of water or food contaminated with embryonated C. hepaticum eggs (Spratt and Singleton, 2001). The prevalence of C. hepaticum infection in the genus Rattus can be as high as 100% and has been reported worldwide (Farhang-Azad, 1977;Singleton et al, 1991;Ceruti et al, 2001). Only a few surveys have been reported in house mice (Mus musculus), perhaps surprisingly, given that this species cohabits closely with man and is very common in rural areas worldwide, including the Azores.…”

Rattus norvegicus como indicador de la circulación de Capillaria hepatica y Taenia taeniaeformis en la Plaza Minorista de Medellín, Colombia

“…Como se registra, C. hepatica es un parásito de interés zoonótico y, aunque la infección humana es ocasional, su amplio rango de huéspedes mamíferos, muchos de los cuales están asociados cercanamente con los humanos, puede incrementar la probabilidad de la infección en estos (15,(22)(23)(24)(25). Se han reportado en el mundo 37 casos de presentación subclínica o fatal de humanos con C. hepática, presentando algunos síndromes de fiebre crónica, asociada con eosinofilia, hepatomegalia, hepatitis granulomatosa y fibrosis hepática.…”

Prevalence of Hepatic Parasites in Korean Wild Rats (Rattus norvegicus) and Their Association With Pulmonary Arteriolar Medial Hypertrophy

“…11,20 C hepatica is a nematode belonging to the family Trichocephalidea and the class Tricuroidea. C hepatica is an important zoonotic parasite, 5 and its infection has been documented in more than 40 mammalian species, including rodents, 6 dogs, 18 cats, 24 nonhuman primates, 13,27 and humans. 3,4,22,31 C fasciolaris is the larval form of the cestode Taenia taeniaformis, also known as the cat tapeworm.…”