title: Identity of rumen fluke in deer.
abstract: As evidence is growing that in many temperate areas paramphistome infections are becoming more common and widespread, this study was undertaken to determine the role of deer as reservoirs for rumen fluke infections in livestock. A total of 144 deer faecal samples (88 from fallow deer, 32 from red deer and 24 samples from sika, sika/red deer hybrids) were screened for the presence of fluke eggs. Based on the ITS-2 rDNA locus plus flanking 5.8S and 28S sequences (ITS-2+), fluke eggs were identified to species level. Our results indicate that, of the 3 deer species, fallow deer had the highest fluke infection rates. Two rumen fluke species, Calicophoron daubneyi and Paramphistomum leydeni, with morphologically distinct eggs, were identified. Concurrent infections of the two paramphistome species and liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, were common. Considering the comparatively low egg burdens observed in this study, it is unlikely that deer represent a significant source of infection for Irish livestock.
authors.affiliation: Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway City, Co., Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ailis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Toole
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bassière
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: DeWaal
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mulcahy
authors.forename: Annetta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zintl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D003670:Deer / Q000469:parasitology*; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D007494:Ireland; D010250:Paramphistomatidae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D012339:RNA, Ribosomal, 28S / Q000235:genetics; D012340:RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S / Q000235:genetics; D012417:Rumen / Q000469:parasitology*; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D018509:DNA, Helminth; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D012339:RNA, Ribosomal, 28S; D012340:RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S