Respiratory disease associated with migrating Ascaris larvae in a beef calf

Abstract

A group of 4-month-old beef calves were examined for clinical respiratory disease with labored breathing, coughing, and fevers of over 104°F. Necropsy of one of the calves revealed lungs that were not collapsed but had red mottled appearance on cut surface. Assessment of lung tissue by bacterial culture and PCR did not reveal bovine bacterial or viral respiratory pathogens. Histopathology of affected tissues and lymph nodes revealed larval ascarid nematodes. In combination with phylogenetic analysis, amplification and sequencing of ITS1 was used to identify the larvae as Ascaris.

Soil-Transmitted Helminths in the USA: a Review of Five Common Parasites and Future Directions for Avenues of Enhanced Epidemiologic Inquiry

“…As both A. lumbricoides and A. suum have been documented to cause infection in humans, many of these recent case reports have occurred in agricultural areas. Infections common in commercial and feral swine [ 44 ] have also been documented in other mammalian species, like cattle in Missouri and Iowa [ 20 , 36 ].…”

“…Infections common in commercial and feral swine [ 44 ] have also been documented in other mammalian species, like cattle in Missouri and Iowa [ 20 , 36 ].…”

“…As both A. lumbricoides and A. suum have been documented to cause infection in humans, many of these recent case reports have occurred in agricultural areas. Infections common in commercial and feral swine [44] have also been documented in other mammalian species, like cattle in Missouri and Iowa [20,36]. Due to conducive environmental conditions in the southeastern USA, prevalence of ascariasis is reported to be high and human infection can last for years; however, subclinical infection manifestation is common and underdiagnosed [22].…”