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Elaeophorosis in red deer from Spain
M Santin-Durán1, J M Alunda, J M San Miguel
1Departamento de Patología Animal I Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. msantin@eucmax.sim.ucm.es
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|November 21, 2000
Summary
Elaeophorosis, a parasitic disease caused by Elaeophora elaphi, has been newly identified in Spanish red deer. This study documented adult worms in hepatic vessels, with infections most prevalent from fall to spring.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Wildlife Diseases
- Helminthology
Background:
- Elaeophorosis is a parasitic disease caused by the nematode Elaeophora elaphi.
- This parasite primarily affects various cervid species.
- Previous reports of Elaeophora elaphi in Spain were limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first occurrence of Elaeophora elaphi in red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Toledo Province, Spain.
- To characterize the prevalence, intensity, and seasonality of this parasitic infection in red deer.
- To investigate potential differences in infection based on host age or sex.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy of 151 red deer from Toledo Province, Spain, between October 1994 and September 1995.
- Examination of hepatic vessels for adult specimens of Elaeophora elaphi.
- Analysis of infection intensity (nematodes per host).
- Limited sampling of fallow deer (Dama dama) for comparison.
- Blood sample analysis for microfilariae.
Main Results:
- Adult Elaeophora elaphi were identified in the hepatic vessels of 9 out of 151 (6%) red deer examined.
- Infection intensity ranged from 2 to 18 nematodes per infected host.
- Adult nematodes were exclusively detected during the fall and early spring periods.
- No significant differences in infection rates were observed between male and female red deer, or across different age groups.
- Elaeophora elaphi was not detected in the limited sample of fallow deer.
- Blood samples tested negative for microfilariae.
Conclusions:
- This study confirms the presence of Elaeophorosis in red deer populations in Spain for the first time.
- The findings indicate a seasonal pattern for adult nematode detection, primarily in cooler months.
- The absence of microfilariae in blood suggests potential limitations in diagnostic methods or parasite life cycle stages present in the sampled hosts.