Cysticercosis by Taenia pisiformis in brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in northern Italy: epidemiologic and pathologic features

Publication date: Available online 10 April 2019Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and WildlifeAuthor(s): Laura Stancampiano, Silvia Ravagnan, Gioia Capelli, Gianfranco MiliternoAbstractIn Northern Italy, a hastening of hare population decline was noticeable from 2008. In the same year hunters reported a sudden increase of hares infected by Taenia sp. larvae, whose morphology was consistent with T. pisiformis cysticerci. The aim of the survey was: i)to identify the parasites through morphological features and molecular techniques; ii)to quantify the prevalence and abundance of cysticerci in hunted hares; iii)to describe pathological aspects of parasite-induced lesions; iv)to evaluate the short-term trend of the infection comparing two different hunting seasons; v)to highlight possible relationship between T. pisiformis infection and hare-related variables.In 2013, 2015 the viscera of 54 and 61 hares legally hunted in agro-ecosystems of the Po Plain were collected.Peritoneum, liver and lungs were examined for cysticercosis; abundance was estimated counting superficial parasites in liver; parasites were microscopically identified by shape and measure of both large and small hooks. One cysticercus from each hare was analized by a PCR targeting Taeniid species and then sequenced. Frozen liver, lungs and gastrointestinal peritoneum were macroscopically observed and, after thawing, representative samples from the available organs were collected for histologic...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research