title: Lesions associated with Eucoleus sp. in the non-glandular stomach of wild urban rats (Rattus norvegicus).
abstract: Histological lesions associated with Eucoleus sp. infection of the non-glandular stomach were discovered in a wild, urban population of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) trapped over a 1-year period in Vancouver, Canada. Four distinct categories of histological lesions in the non-glandular stomach were identified in association with infection in a sample of 183 rats. The apparent prevalence of Eucoleus sp. in the upper gastrointestinal tract (ventral tongue, oropharynx, esophagus and non-glandular stomach) was 43.1% (79/183). Infection with Eucoleus sp. was significantly associated with hyperkeratosis, mucosal hyperplasia, keratin pustules and submucosal inflammation in the non-glandular stomach (P < 0.05). Eucoleus sp. infection and/or related stomach pathology was present in 135/183 (73.8%) of rats. Statistical analysis showed the odds of being affected by Eucoleus sp. or associated stomach pathology were greater in heavier (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.00-1.12) and sexually mature rats (OR = 4.64, 95% CI = 1.23-17.10). Eucoleus sp. infection is common in wild rats in Vancouver and induces substantial host response. The impact of Eucoleus sp. and associated lesions on the health of individual rats and the population as a whole remains to be investigated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rothenburger
authors.affiliation: School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z9, Canada ; Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, 1767 Angus Campbell Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia V3G 2M3, Canada.
authors.forename: Chelsea G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Himsworth
authors.affiliation: Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
authors.forename: Manigandan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lejeune
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, T140 Health Science Center, Box #357190, Seattle, WA 98195-7190, United States.
authors.forename: Piper M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Treuting
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada ; Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Frederick A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Leighton
keywords: Capillaria; Eucoleus; Pathology; Rat; Stomach; Wild