Parasitology Flashcards
Define Endoparasite
a parasite that lives within the host
Define Ectoparasite
a parasite that lives on/outside the host
Define Definitive Host
primary host in which the parasite reaches maturity and sexually reproduces
Define Intermediate host
secondary host In which the parasite undergoes some stage or stages of development, but does not sexually reproduce
Define a temporary parasite
the parasite does not live on/in the animal for its entire life cycle
What are the 4 main groups of endoparasite in UK?
- Nematode (round worm)
- Cestode (flattened tapeworm)
- Trematode (flukes)
- Protozoa (single-celled organism)
Describe the appearance of nematodes
Round in cross section
Either male or female worm
One whole organism
What are 5 main types of nematode?
Ascarids Hookworms Whipworms Lungworms Heartworms
Name the ascarid that infects dogs
Toxocara canis
Describe the appearance of Toxocara canis
long and off-white in colour
look like beansprouts
What are the clinical signs of a dog with a Toxocara canis infection?
Distended belly
Stunted growth
puppies may also have vomiting or diarrhoea
Describe the life cycle of Toxocara canis?
Eggs are laid by females and passed in the faeces.
Infective egg is found on the ground in the environment.
The egg can the either be:
1. eaten by a human
2.eaten directly by a puppy. The larvae migrate from the intestine to the liver and lungs, coughed up and swallowed. Mature to adult worms in the SI.
3. eaten by a paratenic host (e.g. rat) and the pup becomes infected by eating the paratenic host.
4. Eaten by an adult dog. The larvae migrate from the intestine to resting sites in the tissues.
In pregnant bitches, the larvae will migrate from the intestine across the placenta about the 42nd day of pregnancy - the pups are infected prenatally. The larvae migrate from the intestine to the liver and lungs, coughed up swallowed and mature to adult worms in the SI.
Also the larvae in the resting sites of the adult dog can migrate to the mammary glands and infect the pups via milk - there is no larval migration in the pups and the worms mature in the intestine.
How can we prevent Toxocara canis infections in puppies?
Owner education
Treatment of bitch before she gives birth
can treat puppies with anthelmintics from 2wks old
Clean/treat environment
What ascarid nematode infects cats?
Toxocara cati
Describe the appearance of T cati
Very similar to T canis, but the anterior end looks like an arrowhead
What is the prepatent period of T cati?
8 weeks
Describe the life cycle of T cati (in comparison to the life cycle of T canis)
Very similar - difference is that there is no prenatal migration of larvae across the placenta so the kittens first acquire infection from the queen’s milk.
What are the clinical signs of kittens infected with T cati?
stunted growth
pot bellies
When can kittens be treated for T cati
from 3 weeks of age
What is the ascaris nematode that infects both dogs and cats?
Toxascaris leonina
What is the difference in its life cycle compared to that of T canis and T cati?
Animals are only infected by ingesting the eggs themselves or an infected paratenic host
When would you see a patent infection of T leonina in cats and dogs?
From about 3 months of age or older
What is the prepatent period of T leonina?
8 weeks In dogs and 13 weeks in cats
What are the clinical signs of T leonina?
usually No clinical signs
Large numbers of worms are well-tolerated
How can the eggs of T leonina be differentiated from the others?
Very smooth, thick walled egg
Name (and spell!) 3 types of Hookworm and what hosts they affect
- Uncinaria stenocephala - dogs and rarely cats
- Ancylostoma caninum - dogs and rarely cats
- Ancylostoma tubaeforme - cats (in Europe)
How can Uncinaria stenocephala be identified?
Has plates in the mouth as opposed to hooks
- commonly found in like racing kennels etc
Describe the life cycle of Uncinaria stenocephala
Eggs are passed in the faeces, larvae develop in the egg, 1st stage larvae are liberated from the shell, develop into 3rd stage infective larvae in the environment and then eaten by the dog.
What is the prepatent period of Uncinaria stenocephala?
3 weeks
What is the distinct difference between the plated Uncinaria stenocephala and the other two ‘hooked’ hookworms?
Uncinaria stenocephala can penetrate the skin but will only cause local dermatitis, unlike other species of hookworm that can penetrate both the skin and migrate to the intestine.
What are the clinical signs of a dog with a heavy infection of Uncinaria stenocephala?
Can have anaemia, diarrhoea and intestinal protein loss
How can Ancylostoma caninum be identified?
3 sets of hooks in the mouth (used to attach to the intestine)
How can dogs become infected with Ancylostoma caninum?
By either penetration of the skin or by ingesting infective larvae.
Describe the life cycle of Ancylostoma caninum
Eggs passed in the faeces.
Larvae develop within the egg.
1st stage larvae are liberated from the shell.
Develop into 3rd stage infective larvae (occurs quicker in hotter climates).
Eaten by dog or penetrate the skin.
Immature larvae remain in tissues, migrate to mammary glands and infect the pups via the milk.
Others develop into adult worms in the intestine.
What Is the prepatent period of Ancylostoma caninum?
3 weeks
What are the clinical signs of Ancylostoma caninum?
Heavy infection can result in anaemia.
Not all blood is consumed by worms so some can be seen in the faeces (melena)
What hookworm is found in European Cats?
Ancylostoma tubaeforme
Briefly describe Ancylostoma tubaeforme
2 pairs of 3 teeth at entrance to mouth. Can cause anaemia with heavy presence or a small chronic infection
Name (and spell!) a whipworm found in dogs
Trichuris vulpis
Describe the identification of Trichuris vulpis
Characteristic whip-like tail and thick ‘handle’ end. Uses its tail to anchor to the intestinal wall and the thick part hangs out into the lumen.
Describe the life cycle of Trichuris vulpis
Eggs are passed in the faeces and embryonate in the environment. Larvae remain in the shell once developed.
The eggs have thick walls so can survive in the environment for long periods of time (therefore a substantial infection can accumulate in kennels etc)
What are the clinical signs of dog infected with Trichuris vulpis?
Weight loss
Blood and mucous-filled diarrhoea
How can Trichuris vulpis be treated?
Suitable anthelmintic and move animals away from infected area
Name the main lungworm of cats
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus
Briefly Describe the life cycle of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus
Indirect life cycle
Cats can become infected by eating infected slugs/snails (intermediate hosts) or by eating a paratenic host (e.g. small animals)
Adult worms live within the lungs, they produce larvae that are coughed up and swallowed.
What are the clinical signs of a cat infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus?
Some cats show respiratory signs e.g. coughing. May also have difficulties in breathing, neurological signs and/or lethargic.
What is the main lungworm (but technically a heartworm) in dogs?
Angiostrongylus vasorum