PARASITIC GASTRITIS IN Cuniculus paca (RODENTIA: CUNICULIDAE)

Abstract

Parasitism by genus Physocephalus sp. is reported in two naturally infected species of paca from the eastern Amazon region. Four animals were necropsied and during inspection of the digestive tract nodules were observed in the greater curvature of the stomach. Inside these nodules, parasites of the genus Physocephalus sp. were found, (seven males and seven females) with an average of three nematodes fixed and infiltrated into the submucosa of each lesion. Histopathological examination showed congestion and interstitial hemorrhage in the submucosal region, associated with the presence of mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate, as well as nematodes at the lesion site. Despite previous descriptions of this pathogen in rodents, we are not aware of any reports of lesions caused by this parasite. The lesions caused by the action of this pathogen in the stomach mucosa may affect the digestive process of C. paca and lead the animal to present diminished food intake and consequent inactivity and arrested growth and weight gain, compromising the health and welfare of wild species.

Endoparasites of Selected Native Non-Domesticated Mammals in the Neotropics (New World Tropics)

“…The liver pathology potentially caused by Echinococcus vogeli and Calodium hepaticum was characterized by fibrosis with a scanty infiltrate of lymphocytes and macrophages [39] and the histopathological lesions of Physocephalus spp. in the stomach showed congestion, interstitial hemorrhaging, and mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates [40]. In a breeding farm in Brazil, Eimeria spp., Strongyloides spp., Trichuris spp., and Hymenolepis diminuta were found and managed by anthelmintics and sanitation [41].…”