Molecular identification of the rumen flukes Paramphistomum leydeni and Paramphistomum cervi in a concurrent infection of the red deer Cervus elaphus.
Paramphistomosis, caused by paramphistomid flukes, is a gastrointestinal parasitic disease of domestic and wild ruminants. Originally thought to be limited to the tropics and subtropics, the disease has recently been reported in temperate regions. Here we describe the concurrent infection of a red deer doe (Cervus elaphus) with Paramphistomum leydeni and Paramphistomum cervi. This is the first report of P. leydeni in Croatia. Flukes were identified on the basis of morphological keys (tegumental papillae) and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region 2 in ribosomal DNA. Our results confirm that the absence of tegumental papillae allows P. cervi to be differentiated morphologically from other paramphistomid species in Europe based on incident light stereomicroscopy. Nevertheless the limitations of morphological identification and taxonomic issues suggest that previous findings on paramphistomid infection should be interpreted carefully. The possible worldwide distribution of these pathogens means that paramphistomosis may be more common and its economic impact greater than previously thought.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,University of Zagreb,Heinzelova 55,10000 Zagreb,Croatia.
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M
Sindičić
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,University of Zagreb,Heinzelova 55,10000 Zagreb,Croatia.
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F
Martinković
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,University of Zagreb,Heinzelova 55,10000 Zagreb,Croatia.
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Strišković
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,University of Zagreb,Heinzelova 55,10000 Zagreb,Croatia.
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M
Špehar
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,University of Zagreb,Heinzelova 55,10000 Zagreb,Croatia.
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Štimac
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,University of Zagreb,Heinzelova 55,10000 Zagreb,Croatia.
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M
Bujanić
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,University of Zagreb,Heinzelova 55,10000 Zagreb,Croatia.
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Konjević
D000818:Animals; D060085:Coinfection / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D017523:Croatia; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D003670:Deer / Q000469:parasitology*; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008853:Microscopy; D010250:Paramphistomatidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012417:Rumen / Q000469:parasitology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
D018509:DNA, Helminth; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer