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Transient Transduction of the Strobilated Forms of Echinococcus granulosus
Published on: September 16, 2022
Precocious development of hydatid cysts in a macropodid host
Tamsin S Barnes1, Lyn A Hinds, David J Jenkins
1School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, 4072, Australia.
International Journal for Parasitology
|June 30, 2007
Summary
This study shows tammar wallabies are susceptible to Echinococcus granulosus infection, developing hydatid disease rapidly. This research highlights wallabies as a valuable model for studying this parasitic disease in macropodids.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Echinococcus granulosus causes hydatid disease, a significant zoonotic parasite.
- Tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) are marsupials with limited research on their susceptibility to E. granulosus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathological changes and disease progression of Echinococcus granulosus infection in captive tammar wallabies.
- To assess the suitability of tammar wallabies as a laboratory model for hydatid disease research in macropodids.
Main Methods:
- Tammar wallabies were orally infected with varying doses of E. granulosus eggs.
- Lung cyst development was monitored using chest radiography.
- Animals were necropsied at different time points post-infection for pathological examination.
Main Results:
- Infection led to rapid cyst development in the lungs, with earlier fertility than observed in sheep.
- Cyst growth caused significant loss of lung capacity (up to 28%).
- Complications included fatal anaphylaxis, pneumothorax, and atelectasis, with 7 of 11 infected wallabies dying.
Conclusions:
- Tammar wallabies are susceptible to hydatid disease caused by E. granulosus.
- The rapid parasite life cycle in wallabies suggests a greater biotic potential.
- Tammar wallabies are a suitable and valuable model for studying hydatid disease in macropodids.
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