Trichosomoides crassicauda infection in a pet hooded rat

Habitat fragmentation and vegetation structure impact gastrointestinal parasites of small mammalian hosts in Madagascar

Deleterious effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on biodiversity have been demonstrated in numerous taxa. Although parasites represent a large part of worldwide biodiversity, they are mostly neglected in this context. We investigated the effects of various anthropogenic environmental changes on gastrointestinal parasite infections in four small mammal hosts inhabiting two landscapes of fragmented dry forest in northwestern Madagascar. Coproscopical examinations were performed on 1,418 fecal samples from 903 individuals of two mouse lemur species, Microcebus murinus (n = 199) and M. ravelobensis (n = 421), and two rodent species, the native Eliurus myoxinus (n = 102) and the invasive Rattus rattus (n = 181). Overall, sixteen parasite morphotypes were detected and significant prevalence differences between host species regarding the most common five parasites may be explained by parasite-host specificity or host behavior, diet, and socioecology. Ten host- and habitat-related ecological variables were evaluated by generalized linear mixed modeling for significant impacts on the prevalence of the most abundant gastrointestinal parasites and on gastrointestinal parasite species richness (GPSR). Forest maturation affected homoxenous parasites (direct life cycle) by increasing Lemuricola, but decreasing Enterobiinae gen. sp. prevalence, while habitat fragmentation and vegetation clearance negatively affected the prevalence of parasites with heterogenic environment (i.e., Strongyloides spp.) or heteroxenous (indirect cycle with intermediate host) cycles, and consequently reduced GPSR. Forest edges and forest degradation likely change abiotic conditions which may reduce habitat suitability for soil-transmitted helminths or required intermediate hosts. The fragility of complex parasite life cycles suggests understudied and potentially severe effects of decreasing habitat quality by fragmentation and degradation on hidden ecological networks that involve parasites. Since parasites can provide indispensable ecological services and ensure stability of ecosystems by modulating animal population dynamics and nutrient pathways, our study underlines the importance of habitat quality and integrity as key aspects of conservation.

Paleoparasitology and archaeoparasitology in Iran: A retrospective in differential diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

This paper reviews paleo- and archaeoparasitology publications to date, from Iran. The primary focus is the importance of differential diagnosis and the crucial role of interdisciplinary collaborations among parasitologists and other specialists.

METHODS

All relevant articles and theses published in Iran through October 2020 are included and evaluated, with particular emphasis on the diagnostic process.

RESULTS

Archaeoparasitic studies in Iran have identified a number of parasites that provide insight into the past. Misidentification, however, due to incomplete differential diagnosis, remains an issue, as does incomplete description and problematic images.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of paleoparasites to the species level must be supported with accurate morphology and morphometry. Rigorous differential diagnosis is essential. Caution must be exercised when interpreting observations of ova recovered from coprolites. In these instances, precise identification of host animals and aligning parasite ranges with host specificity is critical. The possibility of incidental parasite presence must be evaluated, including non-specificity of parasite tropisms, transport hosting, or contamination. Lastly, differential diagnosis must include consideration of intentional consumption of parasites. Thus, parasitological findings must be placed in geographical, historical, and cultural contexts.

SIGNIFICANCE

Archaeoparasitological research in Iran has elucidated the presence of faunal and human disease in the past and has, through this reevaluation of the published works, contributed to precise description and diagnosis of ova of roundworms, tapeworms, thorny-headed worms, and recognition of larval stages of tapeworms in recovered remains of mites.

Disease Overview of the Urinary Tract in Exotic Companion Mammals and Tips on Clinical Management

Diseases of the urinary tract are reviewed, covering infectious (bacterial, viral, parasitic), degenerative, congenital, metabolic, nutritional, neoplastic, obstructive, and toxic causes. Some clinical presentations and diagnostic procedures are described for ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, chinchillas, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders, as well as therapies.