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Aberrant migration by Toxocara pteropodis in flying-foxes--two case reports
1Department of Parasitology, University of Queensland, St Lucia Australia.
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Adult nematodes of Toxocara pteropodis were found in unusual locations within juvenile flying-foxes. This discovery highlights the parasite's potential for aberrant migration outside the typical gastrointestinal tract.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Zoology
Background:
- Toxocara pteropodis is a nematode parasite of flying-foxes (genus Pteropus).
- Adult T. pteropodis are typically found in the gastrointestinal tract of their hosts.
- Extra-intestinal locations for adult T. pteropodis have not been previously documented.
Observation:
- In two captive juvenile flying-foxes, adult T. pteropodis were discovered in aberrant locations.
- One bat exhibited a nematode within its gall bladder and common bile duct.
- Another bat had a nematode in its esophagus, extending into the laryngopharynx.
Findings:
- This study reports the first documented cases of adult Toxocara pteropodis in extra-intestinal sites.
- The presence of nematodes in the gall bladder, bile duct, and esophagus demonstrates aberrant migration.
- This aberrant migration occurred in juvenile flying-foxes, a previously unreported host context for these locations.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that T. pteropodis possesses the capability for aberrant larval migrans, similar to other ascaridoid nematodes.
- Understanding these unusual migration patterns is crucial for diagnosing and managing toxocariasis in Pteropus species.
- This research expands the known parasitic behavior of T. pteropodis, impacting veterinary helminthology and wildlife health studies.