Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany
Abstract Background Exotic reptiles such as tortoises, have become increasingly common domestic pets worldwide and are known to host different gastrointestinal parasites. Some of these parasites bear zoonotic potential. In the present survey, we parasitologically examined tortoise faecal samples (n...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-06-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-018-2936-z |
| _version_ | 1818968154673512448 |
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| author | Malek J. Hallinger Anja Taubert Carlos Hermosilla Frank Mutschmann |
| author_facet | Malek J. Hallinger Anja Taubert Carlos Hermosilla Frank Mutschmann |
| author_sort | Malek J. Hallinger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Exotic reptiles such as tortoises, have become increasingly common domestic pets worldwide and are known to host different gastrointestinal parasites. Some of these parasites bear zoonotic potential. In the present survey, we parasitologically examined tortoise faecal samples (n = 1005) from 19 different species held as pets in private German households and German zoological gardens. Methods Saline faecal smears were used to generate prevalence data for potentially health-compromising gastrointestinal parasites. In addition, we performed complete parasitological dissections of dead tortoises (n = 49) to estimate endoparasite burdens precisely. Results Analysed tortoise faecal samples contained a broad spectrum of endoparasites. We detected ten taxa of endoparasites; oxyurid nematodes (e.g. Tachygonetria spp.) were the most prevalent parasites in faecal samples (43.18%), followed by ascarids (Angusticaecum spp.) (0.01%), Hexamita spp. (0.007%), Balantidium spp. (0.007%), trichomonads (0.004%), Strongyloides spp. (0.003%), Entamoeba spp. (0.005%), Hartmanella spp. (0.001%), Blastocystis spp. (0.002%), heterakids (0.001%) and Trimitus spp. (0.001%). Additionally, we investigated dead tortoise individuals (n = 49; of 10 different species) for aetiological diagnosis and estimation of endoparasite burden. Of these individuals, 38 (77.6%) were infected with parasites and 14 (28.6%) of them died most probably due to severe parasitic infection. Oxyurid infections correlated positively with calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease (MBD) as well as nephrosis/nephritis, mainly occurring in juvenile tortoises (< 5 years of age). Conclusions The saline faecal smear technique proved to be efficient in detecting different metazoan and protozoan parasite stages in tortoise faeces. The prevalence of oxyurid infections was particularly high. In combination with pathological findings in clinical oxyuridosis obtained from necropsied animals, our findings call for further, detailed investigations on pathogenesis and immunology of oxyurids in pet reptiles. Coprological analyses for parasite detection should be mandatory before tortoises are transferred to a new owner, animal group, or public and private enclosures such as zoos. We advocate for regular health screenings in pet tortoises and, if parasitic infections are diagnosed, adequate medication or alternative hygiene management should be considered to improve and maintain individual and population health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T14:00:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-234562a92da849b6b176d9cd980461bb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T14:00:11Z |
| publishDate | 2018-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj.art-234562a92da849b6b176d9cd980461bb2022-12-21T19:38:24ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052018-06-0111111210.1186/s13071-018-2936-zOccurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in GermanyMalek J. Hallinger0Anja Taubert1Carlos Hermosilla2Frank Mutschmann3Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University GiessenInstitute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University GiessenInstitute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University GiessenExomed GbRAbstract Background Exotic reptiles such as tortoises, have become increasingly common domestic pets worldwide and are known to host different gastrointestinal parasites. Some of these parasites bear zoonotic potential. In the present survey, we parasitologically examined tortoise faecal samples (n = 1005) from 19 different species held as pets in private German households and German zoological gardens. Methods Saline faecal smears were used to generate prevalence data for potentially health-compromising gastrointestinal parasites. In addition, we performed complete parasitological dissections of dead tortoises (n = 49) to estimate endoparasite burdens precisely. Results Analysed tortoise faecal samples contained a broad spectrum of endoparasites. We detected ten taxa of endoparasites; oxyurid nematodes (e.g. Tachygonetria spp.) were the most prevalent parasites in faecal samples (43.18%), followed by ascarids (Angusticaecum spp.) (0.01%), Hexamita spp. (0.007%), Balantidium spp. (0.007%), trichomonads (0.004%), Strongyloides spp. (0.003%), Entamoeba spp. (0.005%), Hartmanella spp. (0.001%), Blastocystis spp. (0.002%), heterakids (0.001%) and Trimitus spp. (0.001%). Additionally, we investigated dead tortoise individuals (n = 49; of 10 different species) for aetiological diagnosis and estimation of endoparasite burden. Of these individuals, 38 (77.6%) were infected with parasites and 14 (28.6%) of them died most probably due to severe parasitic infection. Oxyurid infections correlated positively with calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease (MBD) as well as nephrosis/nephritis, mainly occurring in juvenile tortoises (< 5 years of age). Conclusions The saline faecal smear technique proved to be efficient in detecting different metazoan and protozoan parasite stages in tortoise faeces. The prevalence of oxyurid infections was particularly high. In combination with pathological findings in clinical oxyuridosis obtained from necropsied animals, our findings call for further, detailed investigations on pathogenesis and immunology of oxyurids in pet reptiles. Coprological analyses for parasite detection should be mandatory before tortoises are transferred to a new owner, animal group, or public and private enclosures such as zoos. We advocate for regular health screenings in pet tortoises and, if parasitic infections are diagnosed, adequate medication or alternative hygiene management should be considered to improve and maintain individual and population health.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-018-2936-zExotic petsTortoiseHerpetologyPet reptilesReptile medicineTortoise endoparasites |
| spellingShingle | Malek J. Hallinger Anja Taubert Carlos Hermosilla Frank Mutschmann Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany Parasites & Vectors Exotic pets Tortoise Herpetology Pet reptiles Reptile medicine Tortoise endoparasites |
| title | Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany |
| title_full | Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany |
| title_fullStr | Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany |
| title_short | Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany |
| title_sort | occurrence of health compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in germany |
| topic | Exotic pets Tortoise Herpetology Pet reptiles Reptile medicine Tortoise endoparasites |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-018-2936-z |
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