Muellerius spp. (1)

Question 1

What are the final hosts?

Answer 1

Sheep and goats

Question 2

What are the intermediate hosts?

Answer 2

Molluscs

Question 3

Describe the adults

Answer 3

Brown

Hairlike

1-3 cm long

Difficult to discern with the naked eye

Embedded in lung tissue

Tail of the L1 has an S-shaped kink and accessory spine

Question 4

Describe the life cycle

Answer 4

PPP: 6-10 weeks

Adult lives in alveoli

L1 found in alveoli

Infect a molluscan intermediate host

Develop to L3

Sheep infected by ingesting mollusc

L3 travel to lungs by lymphatic - vascular route

Develop to adults in lymph nodes form nodules also in lungs

Question 5

What is the site of infection?

Answer 5

Alveoli

Question 6

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 6

Not normally associated with health issues

Cause small, spherical, nodular lesions near or on lung surface

 - Feel and look like "leadshot"
 - Each nodule contains several lungworms
 - Difficult to remove intact

Signs of pneumonia

Heavy infections in goats more serious

Question 7

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 7

Several Anthelmintics effective

Control difficult because L3 live as long as Molluscs

Question 8

What is the common name?

Answer 8

Lungworm