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Morphological and Molecular Descriptions of Macracanthorhynchus ingens (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae)
Mohsen Najjari1, Amir Tavakoli Kareshk2,3, Mohammad Darvishi4
1Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Aim:
Limited data exist on acanthocephalan infections of hedgehogs in the world. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of Macracanthorhynchus ingens infection in hedgehogs between August 2021 and March 2022 (n = 30) in the east of Iran.
Methods:
At first, infection with M. ingens was diagnosed based on morphologic features of the adults such as body length, proboscis, and hooks. Spindle-shaped eggs (mean length, 99.1 microns; mean width, 60.1 microns) were obtained from the body cavity of gravid female specimens.
Results:
The molecular analysis based on 18S rDNA and COX 1 genes confirmed the morphological identification of isolated M. ingens. The prevalence of M. ingens in our sample was 13.3% with 1-10 worms per infected host.
Conclusion:
In this study, we identify M. ingens as zoonotic species in hedgehog carcasses for the first time that passed eggs and adult worms, indicating parasite maturation and reproduction. There are a few studies on acanthocephalans in Iran. Therefore, more comparative studies are needed to determine the status of these species.
Insights
This study found Macracanthorhynchus ingens in 13.3% of Iranian hedgehogs, identifying it as a zoonotic parasite. Further research is needed to understand acanthocephalan status in the region.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Helminthology
Background:
- Acanthocephalan infections in hedgehogs are poorly documented globally.
- Macracanthorhynchus ingens is a parasitic worm with potential zoonotic implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and distribution of Macracanthorhynchus ingens in hedgehogs in eastern Iran.
- To identify M. ingens in hedgehog carcasses, confirming parasite maturation and reproduction.
Main Methods:
- Morphological examination of adult worms and eggs from infected hedgehog carcasses.
- Molecular analysis using 18S rDNA and COX 1 genes for species confirmation.
Main Results:
- Macracanthorhynchus ingens was identified in 13.3% of the sampled hedgehogs (n=30).
- Infected hosts harbored 1-10 worms, with spindle-shaped eggs found in gravid females.
- Morphological and molecular data confirmed the presence of M. ingens.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of M. ingens as a zoonotic species in hedgehog carcasses in Iran.
- The findings indicate successful parasite maturation and reproduction within the hedgehog population.
- Further comparative studies are recommended to assess the broader status of acanthocephalans in Iran.
