Enzootic Hepatic Capillariasis (Calodium hepaticum) in Street Rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Marseille City, France

Hepatic capillariasis is a rare and neglected zoonosis affecting wild and synanthropic small rodents. It is caused by infection with Calodium hepaticum in liver. Despite the worldwide distribution of the host Rattus norvegicus (brown or street rats) in the urban area, the epidemiological status of this parasitosis remains unknown. In the present study, we examined a total of 27 brown rats from the city centre and a garden (four km from the city centre) of Marseille, France. All rats were autopsied and 52% showed the presence of C. hepaticum eggs in the liver. This result draws general attention to public health risks, since street rats are living near the human population.

Mortalities, amyloidosis and other diseases in free-living red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) on Jersey, Channel Islands

Between 2007 and 2014, 337 free-living red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) on Jersey, Channel Islands, were examined post mortem as part of a mortality and disease surveillance scheme. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were attributable for 50.7 per cent (171/337) of the casualties, 34.4 per cent (116/337) succumbed to diseases including fatal exudative dermatitis (FED), 7.1 per cent (24/337) to predation, 6.5 per cent (22/337) to other trauma and 1.2 per cent (4/337) to suspected poisoning. Cat predation accounted for 5 per cent (17/337) of mortalities. Pathologies were diverse and individual animals were often identified with more than one disease process. Squirrelpox virus (SQPV) particles were not detected in selected cases examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Amyloid was identified in 19.3 per cent (65/337) of squirrels, often in conjunction with inflammatory lesions like hepatic capillariasis. A consistent cause of amyloid accumulation was not identified, although there was a significant association of amyloidosis with hepatic capillariasis and FED. In addition to RTAs, amyloidosis and FED have been identified as important causes of squirrel morbidity and mortality on Jersey, while the underlying aetiology and predisposing factors for these two disease complexes are presently unclear. Disease, fragmented woodlands, an increasingly suburban habitat, along with various anthropogenic factors, may jeopardise the long-term viability of this island red squirrel population.

Hepatic capillariasis in two captive Callithrix penicillata

O presente trabalho relata a ocorrência de dois casos de capilariose hepática em primatas não-humanos da espécie Callithrix penicilatta mantidos em cativeiro. O caso 1 era uma fêmea jovem, que exibiu fígado de cor pálida, suavizada devido a autólise e algumas áreas múltiplas visivelmente esbranquiçadas. O caso 2 foi registrado em um macho adulto, de idade desconhecida, com fígado levemente pálido e acastanhado. A análise histológica das amostras revelou extensa fibrose intersticial com áreas de hemossiderose, exemplares de Capillaria hepatica adultos e numerosos ovos morfologicamente caracterizados pela sua forma elipsóide, não-embrionárias, com tampões bipolares que se sobressaem da casca, que é espessa, birrefringente e com uma camada porosa, dando uma aparência estriada ao ovo. Algumas formações císticas continham ovos do nematóide cercados por numerosas células gigantes do tipo corpo estranho. A literatura consultada possui poucas referências acerca da presença de Capillaria hepatica em primatas não-humanos. No entanto, infecções semelhantes são bem estudadas em roedores domésticos.

Unique case of disseminated toxoplasmosis and concurrent hepatic capillariasis in a ring-tailed lemur: first case description

A unique co-infection with Toxoplasma gondii and Capillaria hepatica is reported in a semi-free-living ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). In this case acute toxoplasmosis, characterised by severe necrotising inflammation in different organs, was the leading cause of death, whilst accompanying chronic capillariasis was regarded as a predisposing factor. A concise description of both disease manifestations is given.