title: An identification key for the five most common species of Metastrongylus.
abstract: Species of the Metastrongylus genus, the lung nematodes of pigs that require an intermediate host (earthworm) to complete their cycle, pose a potential risk to both livestock and humans. This parasite which can result in lung pathology and mixed infections with other pathogens (e.g. viruses) can be fatal to pigs. Although this genus is distributed worldwide, there are no classification keys for identifying this common parasite species. In this work, we take advantage of parasitological surveys of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in northern and central Spain and southern Poland to develop a morphological identification key for the five most common Metastrongylus species (Metastrongylus apri, Metastrongylus pudendotectus, Metastrongylus salmi, Metastrongylus confusus and Metastrongylus asymetricus). In addition, we provide the first record of M. confusus in Spain, probably unidentified until now due to the lack of appropriate identification keys. We hope that this user-friendly identification key will enable parasitologists and veterinary practitioners to avoid further misclassifications of Metastrongylus species.
authors: Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), E-08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain, diana.gasso@gmail.com.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Gassó
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Rossi
authors: Gregorio
authors: G
authors: Mentaberre
authors: Encarna
authors: E
authors: Casas
authors: Roser
authors: R
authors: Velarde
authors: Pawel
authors: P
authors: Nosal
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Serrano
authors: Joaquim
authors: J
authors: Segales
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Fernandez-Llario
authors: Carles
authors: C
authors: Feliu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008681:Metastrongyloidea / Q000145:classification*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*