The first case of genetically confirmed sparganosis (Spirometra erinaceieuropaei) in European reptiles

Parasitology Research
Eliza KondziorMarta Kołodziej-Sobocińska

Abstract

Sparganosis is a zoonosis caused by the spargana (larvae) of Spirometra sp. (Diphyllobothriidae). Reptiles are particularly important vectors for the transmission of this parasite in Asia; however, their role in sparganosis spread in European wildlife is unrecognized. We investigated the infection of reptiles with Spirometra sp. in NE Poland, where several mammalian hosts have been identified recently and in the past. Of the 59 dead reptiles, plerocercoids were found in two grass snakes (Natrix natrix) from the Białowieża Primeval Forest (BPF). The Spirometra erinaceieuropaei species was genetically confirmed using the evolutionary conserved nuclear 18S rRNA gene, and then compared to GenBank deposits. The sequences were identical to previously investigated Spirometra sp. found in Eurasian badger and wild boar from BPF. Our finding is the first genetically confirmed record of Spirometra sp. in reptiles in Europe. Since reptiles are often a component of mammalian diet, they can be a source of Spirometra tapeworm infection in European wildlife; however, further studies are needed to investigate the prevalence of infection in reptiles and other non-mammalian hosts.

References

Apr 26, 2000·Parasitology Research·V V ShimalovA V Shimalov
Oct 18, 2013·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Koichiro TamuraSudhir Kumar
Jan 9, 2014·Parasitology International·Marta Kołodziej-SobocińskaRafał Kowalczyk
Aug 15, 2014·Acta Parasitologica·Sargsyan NelliArakelyan Marine
Aug 16, 2016·Veterinary Parasitology·Marta Kołodziej-SobocińskaMałgorzata Tokarska
Oct 26, 2016·International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases·Qing HongDaixiong Chen
Jun 28, 2018·Parasitology Research·Marta Kołodziej-SobocińskaMałgorzata Tokarska

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