title: Genetically distinct isolates of Spirocerca sp. from a naturally infected red fox (Vulpes vulpes) from Denmark.
abstract: Spirocerca lupi causes formation of nodules that may transform into sarcoma in the walls of aorta, esophagus and stomach of infected canids. In February 2013, post mortem examination of a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) hunted in Denmark revealed the presence of several nodules containing adult worms of Spirocerca sp. in the stomach and the omentum. The nodules largely consisted of fibrous tissue with infiltration of mononuclear cells, neutrophilic granulocytes and macrophages with hemosiderin deposition. Parasitological examination by three copromicroscopic methods, sedimentation, flotation with saturated sugar-salt solution, and sieving failed to detect eggs of Spirocerca sp. in feces collected from the colon. This is the first report of spirocercosis in Denmark, and may have been caused by a recent introduction by migrating paratenic or definitive host. Analysis of two overlapping partial sequences of the cox1 gene, from individual worms, revealed distinct genetic variation (7-9%) between the Danish worms and isolates of S. lupi from Europe, Asia and Africa. This was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis that clearly separated the Danish worms from other isolates of S. lupi. The distinct genetic differences of the current worms compared to other isolates of S. lupi may suggest the presence of a cryptic species within Spirocerca.
authors: Section of Bacteriology, Pathology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. Electronic address: moals@vet.dtu.dk.
authors: Mohammad Nafi Solaiman
authors: MN
authors: Al-Sabi
authors: Section of Bacteriology, Pathology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors: Mette Sif
authors: MS
authors: Hansen
authors: Section of Public Sector Consultancy, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors: Mariann
authors: M
authors: Chriél
authors: Section of Public Sector Consultancy, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Holm
authors: Section of Public Sector Consultancy, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors: Gitte
authors: G
authors: Larsen
authors: Section of Bacteriology, Pathology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors: Heidi Larsen
authors: HL
authors: Enemark
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D005589:Foxes / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D009852:Omentum / Q000469:parasitology; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013270:Stomach / Q000469:parasitology; D013802:Thelazioidea / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
keywords: Omentum; Pathologic changes; Spirocerca lupi; Stomach; Vulpes vulpes; cox1