New Insights into Morphological and Biological Features of Capillaria aerophila (Trichocephalida, Trichuridae)

Abstract

Capillaria aerophila is a trichuroid nematode affecting the respiratory system of dogs, cats, wild carnivores and, occasionally, humans. Animals become infected by ingesting larvated eggs or earthworms, which act as facultative intermediate hosts. The aim of this work is to present new insights into morphological and biological features of this neglected lungworm. Typical features of C. aerophila eggs, differentiating them from those of most known trichuroid whipworms (i.e. size, asymmetry of bipolar plugs and a wall with a network of anastomosing ridges), were detected upon light and scanning electron microscopy. Eggs of C. aerophila were used for in vitro development. Light microscopy showed typical features of C. aerophila eggs: size, asymmetry of bipolar plugs and a wall with a network of anastomosing ridges. All these features were confirmed upon SEM, in that C. aerophila eggs showed an outer densely striated and net-like shell. Eggs of T. vulpis, used for a comparative analysis, were bigger than those of C. aerophila and showed a thick and smooth wall at both light and scanning electron microscopy. Eggs started to develop after 35 days from shedding and mobile larvae were observed in the eggs after two months. The results of this study provide key information on the biological cycle of C. aerophila and present key morphological characters for the identification of eggs in faeces.

First report of Eucoleus boehmi in red foxes (Vulpis vulpis) in Denmark, based on coprological examination

“…3), therefore other morphological features should be used to differentiate between these eggs. Eggs of Trichuris vulpis are characterized by its relative larger size, brownish to yellowish color, its polar plugs are symmetrically positioned in relation to the axis of the egg, the surface of its eggs is smooth and the presence of characteristic rings on the basis of the plugs (Campbell 1991;Campell and Little 1991;Schoning et al 1993;Conboy 2009;Traversa et al 2011;Di Cesare et al 2012). In this study, the colon and the urinary bladder of the foxes sampled were not examined and eggs of T. vulpis and Personema plica were not detected.…”

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as reservoirs of respiratory capillariosis in Serbia

“…Male nematodes are about 32 mm long, while females are of 20-24 mm (26). The adult lungworms are parasites in the bronchioles, bronchi, and trachea of the definitive host.…”

“…After ingestion, the larvae migrate to the lungs, where they evolve into adult and reach their sexual maturity after about 3-6 weeks post infection (p.i.) (26).…”

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of an Imidacloprid 10 % / Moxidectin 1 % Spot-on Formulation (Advocate®, Advantage® Multi) in Cats Naturally Infected with Capillaria aerophila

“…Eggs of C. aerophila were identified using morphologic and morphometric features (i.e. size, shape, plug morphology and appearance of the egg shell) (Traversa et al 2011). Of the 330 screened cats, 41 (12.4 %, 41/330) of them were infected by C. aerophila.…”

“…These eggs have a net-like outer shell, measure ~60 -65 x ~25 -40 μm, have a typical morphology ( Fig. 1) and present asymmetry of bipolar plugs (Traversa et al 2011). Infective larvae develop into eggs in the environment, where they are very resistant.…”