[Non-indigenous and non-specific parasitic nematodes--the background and the consequences].
Introduction of the host is the main reason behind introduction of the parasite, e. g., nematodes. The introduction of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) in Europe in the 1980s resulted in expansion of the swimbladder nematode Anguillicola crassus which soon invaded not only populations of the European eel (A. anguilla), but also other local fish. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is native to North America. It is the specific host of Strongyloides procyonis and Baylisascaris procyonis. More than 90 species of wild and domestical bird and mammal species, including humans, have been infected with B. procyonis larvae. The larvae enter various organs of paratenic hosts, particularly the central nervous system and eye, causing severe diseases and death. Asthworthius sidemi--a blood-succking, abomasal nematode, a specific parasite of the Asiatic sika deer (Cervus nippon) and sambar deer (C. unicolor)--was first introduced with its hosts into countries adjacent to Poland. A. sidemi is especially dangerous to the European bison (Bison bonasus) which is its new host. The bison populations, in both Białowieza Primaeval Forest and the Bieszczady Mts, sometimes show a 100% prevalence and mass infection intensity. Imported animals, sold in pet shops or available from private breeding firms, often carry non-native parasites. For example, the red-eared tortoise (Trachemys scripta elegans) and Afgan tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldii) carry nematodes Angusticaecum holopterum, Tachygonetria lobata and T. robusta. Migratory birds in their wintering grounds are often infected with parasites which are usually not constant components of the native fauna, but sometimes nematodes could find a suitable conditions to complete their life cycle. E.g. Cyathosoma microspiculum, species specific to cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) and previously recorded only from Asia and the Asian-European boudary, was able complete the life cycle in Poland. The increasingly frequent travels to countries with different climatic conditions contribute to introduction of non-native nematodes: Dirofilaria immitis--in dogs, D. repens or Ancylostoma brasiliense--in humans.
Okulewicz
Anna
A
Zakład Parazytologii, Instytut Genetyki i Mikrobiologii, Uniwersytet Wrocławski, ul. Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wrocaw. annaok@microb.uni.wroc.pl
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000469:parasitology*; D016164:Bison / Q000469:parasitology; D003670:Deer / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs / Q000469:parasitology; D004321:Dracunculus Nematode / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005399:Fishes / Q000469:parasitology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008322:Mammals / Q000469:parasitology*; D011821:Raccoons / Q000469:parasitology; D013045:Species Specificity