First report of pulmonary cysticercosis caused by Taenia crassiceps in a Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus)

Publication date: Available online 15 July 2019Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and WildlifeAuthor(s): Cora Delling, Denny Böttcher, Vivien Schiffbauer, Andreas Bernhard, Ronald SchmäschkeAbstractThe cestode Taenia crassiceps parasitizes in the intestine of domestic and wild carnivores, especially in red foxes. Usually, the metacestode stage, also known as Cysticercus longicollis, is located in muscles, peritoneal and pleural cavity of wild rodents. In this case, larval stages were found in a female Cape fur seal, which lived in a German zoo since June 1998. In January 2019, the animal presented clinical signs in terms of inappetence and reduced mobility and, within a short time, it developed dyspnoea and died. Pathological and parasitological examinations were performed. In a large mass of the right thoracic wall and in nodular lung lesions, metacestodes with numerous protoscoleces were identified. Morphological and molecular analyses led to the diagnosis of a Taenia crassiceps infection. Probably, the urban fox population was the source of infection. Thus, regarding the zoonotic potential of this cestode, a regularly performed parasitological examination of pet dogs is recommended.Graphical abstract
Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research