A Rare Parasite in Cats: Record of a Linguatula serrata Frölich, 1789 (Porocephalida, Linguatulidae) Nymphal Infestation in a Cat in Albania, with a Synopsis and Review of the Literature on L. serrata Infestation in Cats

Linguatula serrata, commonly known as the dogs' 'tongue-worm', is an arthropod endoparasite of the class Pentastomida infesting chiefly canids as definitive hosts and herbivores as intermediate hosts. Adult L. serrata usually reside in the upper respiratory tract, such as the nasal cavity and sinuses, and the larval stages are encapsulated in various visceral organs, respectively. This report presents the first case of a L. serrata nymphal pulmonary infestation in a cat from Albania and adds to the description of the overall rare cases of this parasitic infestation in domestic cats. Discussion of this case together with a comprehensive review of the literature allows us to conclude that cats are susceptible to the infestation with L. serrata when ingesting the parasite's eggs and allow for the development of the nymphal stage of the parasite in several visceral organs. Therefore, cats may serve as accidental intermediate hosts in the life cycle of L. serrata but are unlikely to be of epidemiological relevance. There is no evidence that domestic cats can act as definitive hosts of L. serrata.

Helminth parasites of the invasive European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in Brazil: the first report of Bunostomum trigonocephalum in a hare

Invasive alien species have the potential to introduce pathogens of economic and health importance in new environments. In Brazil, parasites from the non-native European brown hare can be a threat to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Therefore, we aimed to describe the helminth fauna of the invasive European brown hare in three Brazilian states (São Paulo, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul). For this, 90 brown hares were collected and examined for helminths. Helminth specimens recovered were morphologically identified and genetically characterized based on the DNA of male specimens using three genetic regions (28S rDNA, ITS-2, and cox-1 mtDNA). Descriptors of infection were calculated, and statistical analysis was performed. Parasites were found only in the small intestine of 14.4% (13/90) of brown hares and low parasite loads per animal were recorded (range = 1-530). The obtained specimens were morphologically identified as Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Bunostomum trigonocephalum. There was a high level of agreement between phylogenetic analysis and morphology for T. colubriformis. The geographical region was the only significant factor for infection; the State of Rio Grande do Sul had a higher general prevalence, higher T. colubriformis specific prevalence, and higher mean abundance than the other states evaluated. All hares were in a good body condition. To our knowledge, this is a new host record for B. trigonocephalum. This is the first study on the helminthological diversity of European brown hares in Brazil, and our results indicate that their helminth fauna is represented by parasites of domestic ruminants with zoonotic potential.

Coprological Survey of Protostrongylid Infections in Antelopes from Souss-Massa National Park (Morocco)

Protostrongylids, small nematode lungworms, are an integral part of the wild ruminant helminth community, which can damage animals' health when they are held in captivity or semi-captive conditions. The Sahelo-Saharan antelope species dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), and the addax (Addax nasomacculatus), reintroduced to Souss-Massa National Park in Morocco, could be host to many species of Protostrongylids. This study was conducted from January to July 2015 to identify infecting parasite species, and determine their prevalence and abundance in all three antelope species. A total of 180 individual fecal samples were collected, morphologically examined by the Baermann technique, and molecularly identified by PCR amplification and sequencing of the second internal transcribed spacer region of the rDNA (ITS-2). Two parasite species were found in the three antelope populations: Muellerius capillaris and Neostrongylus linearis. The prevalence scores recorded for M. capillaris were 98.40 % in the addax, 96.70 % in dorcas gazelle, and 28.40 % in the oryx. The prevalence rates of N. linearis were 60 % in the addax, 23.40 % in dorcas gazelle, and 90 % in the oryx. Excreted larvae were quantified by LPG (larvae per gram) counting: for M. capillaris, the LPG mean values were 92.94 in the addax, 133.09 in dorcas gazelle, and 1.48 in the oryx; and for N. linearis, the LPG mean values were 6.02 in the addax, 1.37 in dorcas gazelle, and 32.81 in the oryx. These findings indicate that the three species of antelopes are infected with Muellerius capillaris and Neostrongylus linearis to varying degrees in intensity and prevalence.