New data about the helminth fauna of the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758) in Belorussian Polesie

The result of helminthological examination of 5 red squirrels in Belorussian Polesie during 2003-2012 is presented. Two species of helminths were found: Taenia martis (Zeder, 1803) larvae and Syphacia thompsoni Price, 1928. The red squirrel for the first time established as host of cestode T. martis. The nematode S. thompsoni registered as Syphacia sp. in this region between 1985 and 2000.

[Monitoring of the helminth fauna of small rodents of land reclamation canal banks in Belorussian Polesie]

The results of monitoring of the helminth fauna of small rodents dwelling in land reclamation canal banks performed in 2005-2010 in Belorussian Polesie are presented. A total of 38 helminth species were revealed, and the total infestation rate constituted 56.0%. The data are compared with similar observations performed in 1996-1999.

[Monitoring of the helminth of insectivorous mammals of meliorative canal banks in Belorussian Polesie]

The helminth fauna of insectivorous mammals inhabiting meliorative canal banks has been examined in western part of Belorussian Polesie during 2005-2010. 33 species of helminthes were found in 4 species of small mammals, and total infection was 94.2%. The results of monitoring were compared with the observations carried out in the same territory in 1996-1999. Common shrew was found to be the dominant species among insectivorous mammals. The helminth complex in the insectivorous mammals inhabiting meliorativ canal banks is formed mainly from the helminths of this host species.

[Helminth fauna of the wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) in Belorussian Polesie]

The results of our own long-term helminthological investigations (1980-2010) of wolves in Belorussian Polesie are presented. 87.2% of wolves were infected by helminths according to helminthological autopsy, and 98.5% by coproscopical data. 26 species of helminths were found: 5 trematode species, 9 cestode species, 11 nematode species and 1 acanthocephalan species. The wolf is a new host for nematode Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) in Belarus.

[Taenia martis (Cestoda, Taeniidae) from vertebrates in the Republic of Belarus]

Infestation of vertebrate animals with the cestode Taenia martis and its larvae was investigated in south-west Belarus during 2001-2008. Obligatory definitive host (common marten) and intermediate hosts (red-backed vole, yellow-necked mouse, striped field mouse, and red squirrel) of this helminth were established for the Republic of Belarus. Description and figure of the T. martis larva is given.

[Helminthofauna of reptiles in the Republic of Belarus]

Analysis of original long-term investigation (1980-2006) and literary data on the helminthofauna of reptiles in the Republic of Belarus is carried out. Seven species of reptiles were examined on Southern Belarus, 32 species of helminthes were found with total infestation 72.7%. It is established that the helminthofauna of reptiles in the Republic of Belarus includes 33 species (18 trematodes, two cestodes, 12 nematodes, and one acanthocephalan). The largest number of helminth species (26) was recorded in the common water snake Natrix natrix, and the least number of species (four) was recorded in the turtle Emys orbicularis and snake Coronella austriaca.

[Hydatigerosis and strobilocercosis in the Republic of Belarus and their medical significance]

The author presents the results of his own studies that were conducted during many years (1980-2007) and the data of Byelorussian helminthologists on the detection of the cestode of H. taeniaeformis and its larvae (strobilocercus), which induce hydatigerosis and strobilocercosis, respectively, in animals in the Republic of Belarus. This helminth (an imago and a larva) may parasite in man. Emphasis is laid on the fact that the residents of Belarus can be infected on chance ingestion of eggs of the cestode of H. taeniaeformis.

[Helminth fauna of amphibians (Vertebrata: Amphibia) in the Republic of Belarus]

Historical review of the investigations of helminth fauna in amphibians from Belarus is presented. In 12 amphibian species examined by different authors 46 helminth species were found, including 29 Trematoda, 13 Nematoda, 1 Monogenea, 2 Cestoda, and 1 Acanthocephala. Original data on helminths parasitizing Amphibia in Byelorussian Polesie, by the results of long-term investigations in 1986-2004 are given. Distribution of 40 helminth species by hosts and respective infestation rates are reported.

[Metazoan parasites of fishes from the Bug River]

Results if the ichthyoparasitological investigation of the Bug River carried out in 1996-1999 are reported. Twenty-nine metazoan parasite species from 7 classes were found in fishes from the studied area, with the total infestation rate 63.9%. Thirteen of them parasitize fish at larval stages. Metacercariae of Opisthorchis felineus, which ate the agents of opisthorchosis in man and animals, were found in roach.

[Animal corynosomosis is a potential human helminthiasis in the Republic of Belarus]

In the Republic of Belarus, one representative of the genus Corynosoma - C. strumosum (Rudolphi, 1802) that is a causative agent of corynosomosis and that is of medical value is parasitic on animals. In Belarus, this proboscis worm has been encountered only in European and American minks. The author of the paper found this helminth in 2 of the 50 examined American minks in Byelorussian Polesye in 1980-2001. In this region, there were no C. strumosum larvae in fishes (1394 fishes of 21 species were studied). It is noted that the American mink plays a dominant role in the circulation of invasion and the attention of medical workers ofBelarus is drawn to the existing risk of human infection with the pathogen of Corynosomosis.

[Helminth fauna in insectivores (Mammalia: Insectivora) of canal banks in meliorated territories]

Helminth fauna of Insectivora was investigated in canal banks situated in meliorated territories of Belorussian Polesie during 1996-1999. Thirty-three helminth species were found in the animals examined. Most of the parasites are usual in common shrew Sorex araneus L., which is a predominate insectivore species in canal banks.

[Contamination of meliorated territories by carnivore excrements contain eggs and larva of helminths (a study of problems of parasitic contamination)]

The results of coproscopical examined of carnivores carries out on eight meliorative systems of western part of Belorussian Polesie during 1995-1999 are presented. Eggs and larva of helminths were found in 95.4 % of these animal excrements. A hundred of the meliorative channel banks contained 11.7 grams of excrements. These excrements contained up to 3890 eggs and larva of helminths. These results will important for studying of problems of parasitic contamination in meliorated territories.

Helminth fauna of cervids in Belorussian Polesie

We report on the examination of 18 elk ( Alces alces), 16 red deer (Cervus elaphus)and 16 roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus) from the Belorussian Polesie in the period 1981-1998 for helminths. A total of 18 helminth species were found including Dictyocaulus eckerti, Fasciola hepatica, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Taenia hydatigena larvae and Trichuris ovis, all of which occurred in all host species. Sixteen of the species found are known to infect humans, domestic animals and/or farm animals.

Helminth fauna of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) in southern Belarus

We examined 94 carcasses of and 1,213 faecal samples from red foxes collected between 1981 and 2001 in natural and transformed ecosystems in the southern part of Belarus. A total of 32 helminth species were found. Of these, the most common were Alaria alata, Pearsonema plica, Taenia crassiceps, Toxocara canis, Trichinella spp. larvae and Uncinaria stenocephala. All species are significant for medical and veterinary health.

[The helminth fauna of amphibians of open canals in meliorated regions of the Belorussian Poles'e]

The helminth fauna from amphibians inhabiting open channels of different meliorated territories of the Belorussian Polesie was investigated in 1986-2000. 31 species of helminthes were found in these animals. Total infection rate with helminthes is 89.1%. A role of amphibians in a formation of natural foci of helminthoses of medical and veterinary importance is discussed.

[Helminth fauna in small rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia) of canal banks in meliorated territories]

A helminth fauna of small rodents inhabiting channel banks have been investigated in soil improvement territories (Belorussian Polesie) in the period 1996-1999. 41 helminth species have been found in animals. Generally, there are specific helminths of rodents of the Cricetidae and Muridae families. These animals also participate in life cycles of bird's and carnivore's helminths.

[Human parasitizing echinostomatata (Trematoda, Fasciolidae) in mammals in Belorussian forest zone]

Domestic and wild mammals in Byelorussian Polesye have been found to have 3 species of echinostomatates known as human parasites: Echinochasmus perfoliatus (Ratz, 1908), Echinostoma revolutum (Froelich, 1802) and Isthmiophora (= Euraryphium) melis (Schrank, 1788). Human beings may be infected on ingestion of mollusks, fish, and Amphibia (frogs) invaded with larvae of these helminths. Although, cases of human invasion have not been recorded in Byelarus, there is an infection risk group, this should be borne in mind by medical workers.

Helminth fauna of the stoat (Mustela erminea Linneaus, 1758) and the weasel (M. nivalis Linnaeus, 1758) in Belorussian Polesie

Helminthological examinations of 30 stoat and 31 weasel carcasses were carried out in Belorussian Polesie (southern part of Belarus, Brest and Gomel regions) between 1980 and 1999. The total rate of helminth infection of these animals was 78.7%. A total of 23 stoats and 25 weasels were infected by helminths. The animals were hosts for 20 species of helminths.

[Carnivorous Ascaridata in Belarus and their medical significance]

Long-term (1980-1998) helminthological animal surveys in southern Belarus (Polesye) revealed 4 types of worms of the suborder Ascaridata of medical significance: Ascaris (= Baylisascaris) devosi (Sprent, 1952), Toxascaris leonina (Linstow, 1902), Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) and T. cati (Schrank, 1788). The host of the first worm are nartens (8 species) and the latter 3 ones are canine and feline families (4 and 2 species, respectively). Emphasis is laid on the fact that in Belarus there is a risk for human infection with carnivores Ascaridate worms and there is a need to work out uniform sanitary and veterinary rules and standards for these helminths, which should be a link of general parasitological monitoring of anthropozootic diseases in the republic.

[Fish helminthic larvae from Bug river dangerous to humans]

The study was undertaken in 1996-1999 to examine 255 fishes of 15 species from the Bug River for their helminthic larve that are a serious hazard to human health. The larvae of 6 species of these parasites were found. Their fish infection rates were 38.8%; Eleven species were found to act as their hosts species. Among helminths there were the trematoda Opisthorchis felineus (Rivolta, 1884) that is of medical significance. Metacercariae were detected in 2 roaches from 95 caught in the Bug River in the vicinity of the village of Domachevo, Brest Region.

[Alveolar echinococcosis in Belorussian polesie]

Results of long-time (1980-1998) investigations of wild animals, which are potential hosts of the pathogen of alveolar echinococcosis in Belorussian Polesie, have been already generalized. One species of carnivores, two species of insectivores and eight species of rodents take part in circulation of infection.

[Alaria alata (Trematoda: Alariidae)--the parasite of canines in the Byelorussian woodlands]

The canines have been investigated during 19 year (1980-1998) in the Belorussian Polesie in realtion to their infection with the trematode Alaria alata (Goeze, 1782). Four species of canines (Canis familiaris, C. lupus, Vulpes vulpes and Nyctereutes procyonoides) have been recorded as definitive hosts. A significance of meliorative channels as potentian foci of the alariasis infection is considered for the first time.

Helminth fauna of the hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) in the southern part of Belarus

Facts about helminth fauna of hares have not been published in Belarus since 1972. Results of helminthological studies of 22 hare carcasses carried out between 1985 and 1999 in the southern part of Belarus are presented.