title: Gastric Ollulanus tricuspis infection identified in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) with chronic vomiting.
abstract: Gastritis, vomition and weight loss are common in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Gastric spiral bacteria (Helicobacter spp.) and the very small, viviparous nematode Ollulanus tricuspis, a stomach worm of cats, are believed to be important causes. Three sibling cheetahs at Wellington Zoo, New Zealand, developed chronic vomiting, diarrhoea and debility. Their parents were both South African-born. Response to antibacterial treatment was poor. Endoscopic examinations revealed chronic lymphoplasmacytic gastritis and Ollulanus infection. Treatment with oxfendazole and pyrantel embonate resulted in clinical improvement; however, 1 cheetah, which died 7 months later as a result of a ruptured liver due to hepatic amyloidosis, still had Ollulanus worms present in her stomach. Ollulanus tricuspis is a significant cause of gastritis and vomiting in captive cheetahs, lions and tigers, as well as wild cougars and tigers. The parasite has not yet been found in sub-Saharan Africa. Because of the unusual characteristics of this parasite, the literature on its life history and techniques for diagnosis is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Collett
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Pomroy
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Guilford
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Johnstone
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Blanchard
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Mirams
mesh_terms: D002612:Acinonyx / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D014251:Trichostrongyloidea / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014252:Trichostrongyloidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000969:Antinematodal Agents