Aspidodera sp. infection in six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) from a German zoo

The nematodes Aspidodera spp. are occurring in different mammals of the southern Nearctic and Neotropical region. Six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) are mainly found in South America and act as suitable hosts for different Aspidodera species. Here, a case of an Aspidodera sp. infection in six-banded armadillos from a German zoo is described. A 17-year-old male six-banded armadillo found in poor body condition was euthanized for ethical reasons. The parasitological examination of the gastro-intestinale tract revealed an infection with nematodes of the superfamily Heterakoidea. Sequence analysis targeting the 18S rRNA confirmed high identities with isolates of Aspidodera sp. (accession number: EF180070; 100 %) and Aspidodera raillieti (accession number: KX954128; 99.86 %). Analysis of faecal samples of the remaining female armadillo led to similar results. This case description broadens the knowledge about parasitic infections in armadillos from zoological gardens in Europe.