PCR-based assay for the mitochondrial cox1 specific amplification of Eucoleus böhmi

High prevalence of Eucoleus boehmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) in foxes from western Austria

“…Eucoleus boehmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi ) is a poorly studied capillarid nematode that inhabits the mucosa of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses of domestic dogs, foxes, and wolves (Veronesi et al 2014 ; Di Cesare et al 2015 ). This nematode was described for the first time in red foxes from Lower Austria in 1953, although the characteristic eggs of the parasite were found in fecal samples of silver foxes originating from Moravia, Czech Republic, many years before (1929) by Professor Leopold Karl Boehm, after whom the species is named (Supperer 1953 ).…”

“…This nematode was described for the first time in red foxes from Lower Austria in 1953, although the characteristic eggs of the parasite were found in fecal samples of silver foxes originating from Moravia, Czech Republic, many years before (1929) by Professor Leopold Karl Boehm, after whom the species is named (Supperer 1953 ). The biological life cycle and route(s) of transmission of this nematode are still unknown, but it is hypothesized that animals become infected by ingestion of eggs containing the infective larvae or by ingestion of earthworms which may act as facultative intermediate or paratenic host (Traversa et al 2010 ; Veronesi et al 2013 ; Di Cesare et al 2015 ). In dogs, infections with E. boehmi often remain asymptomatic, but in case of higher parasite burden, animals may show distress of the upper respiratory tract with varying clinical signs, such as cough, sneezing, reverse sneezing, wheezing, epistaxis, nasal discharge, and hypo- or anosmia (Traversa et al 2010 ; Veronesi et al 2013 , 2014 ; Di Cesare et al 2015 ; Morganti et al 2015 ; Alho et al 2016 ).…”

“…The biological life cycle and route(s) of transmission of this nematode are still unknown, but it is hypothesized that animals become infected by ingestion of eggs containing the infective larvae or by ingestion of earthworms which may act as facultative intermediate or paratenic host (Traversa et al 2010 ; Veronesi et al 2013 ; Di Cesare et al 2015 ). In dogs, infections with E. boehmi often remain asymptomatic, but in case of higher parasite burden, animals may show distress of the upper respiratory tract with varying clinical signs, such as cough, sneezing, reverse sneezing, wheezing, epistaxis, nasal discharge, and hypo- or anosmia (Traversa et al 2010 ; Veronesi et al 2013 , 2014 ; Di Cesare et al 2015 ; Morganti et al 2015 ; Alho et al 2016 ). Moreover, infection with this parasite has recently been recognized as a potential cause of chronic meningoencephalitis and consequently convulsive seizures in dogs (Clark et al 2013 ).…”

Evaluation of the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of a Spot-on Combination of Imidacloprid 10 % / Moxidectin 2.5 % (Advocate®, Advantage® Multi) in Comparison to an Untreated Control Group in the Treatment of Capillaria boehmi in Naturally Infected Dogs

“…Capillaria boehmi is doubtless underestimated, probably due to the lack of knowledge about this nematode among veterinarians, the occurrence of unspecific clinical signs and the difficulties in achieving an aetiological diagnosis (Di Cesare et al 2015). In clinical settings the diagnosis relies on standard faecal flotations for detecting the typical eggs, which need to be differentiated from those of the lungworm Capillaria aerophila and of the best-known canine intestinal whipworm Trichuris vulpis (Di Cesare et al 2012).…”

“…Nevertheless, rhinoscopy is expensive, invasive, requires anaesthesia and is unsuitable when the parasite is located in the caudal portion of the nasal cavity or when abundant mucus is present (Veronesi et al 2014a). Finally, a species-specific molecular assay which enables identification of DNA of C. boehmi from faecal samples has recently been developed, though not used in routine clinical practice (Di Cesare et al 2015). Despite the fact that C. boehmi may play a pathogenic role in dogs, no products are licensed in Europe for treating the infection.…”