First report of cystic echinococcosis in rhinos: A fertile infection of Echinococcus equinus in a Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) of Kruger National Park, South Africa. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zaffarano, Gianluca P.; de Klerk-Lorist, Lin-Mari; Junker, Kerstin; Mitchell, Emily; Bhoora, Raksha Vasantrai; Poglayen, Giovanni; Govender, Danny
• Is Part Of: International journal for parasitology. Volume 14(2021)
• Page Start: 260
• Page End: 266
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Endoparasites -- Echinococcus -- Conservation -- Rhinoceros -- Wildlife -- South Africa; Parasites -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Animals -- Periodicals; Wildlife diseases -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Animals, Wild -- Periodicals; Animals; Parasites; Parasitology; Wildlife diseases; Periodicals; 591.7857
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.02.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2244

Abstract

Abstract: Despite being a parasitic disease known since ancient times, some epidemiological aspects of cystic echinococcosis (CE) remain unclear. Many studies describe its prevalence and genotyping in populations of domestic animals and livestock, but data regarding wildlife are often scarce and incomplete. The available literature suggests that CE has never been reported in African rhinos. Considering the fragile conservation status of these species due to continued poaching, this study tries to clarify some neglected epidemiological aspects. In February 2020, an adult female of the Southern white rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum simum (Burchell, 1817), was killed by poachers. The subsequent necropsy performed by the state veterinary team revealed the presence of seven cysts within the pulmonary tissue (four cysts in the right medio-caudal lobe and three cysts in the left medio-caudal lobe) with a diameter of between 1.5 and 2.3 cm. Given the state of decomposition of the carcass, only two of these were suitable for microscopic examination. Specimens were examined under 10x and 40x microscopic magnification for the confirmation of fertility of the cysts, based on the presence of numerous protoscoleces in different stages of maturation. A histopathological examination was also performed to describe the relationship between parasite and host tissue reaction. Cyst samples were subjected to PCR. The primers successfully amplified the expected fragments of the cox-1 and the nad-1 gene from the isolated genomic DNA, revealing high sequence identity with published sequences of Echinococcus equinus Williams & Sweatman, 1963 isolate G4 and E. equinus isolate SLG5-G4. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato has the ability to infect numerous types of wild animals. First morpho-microscopic description in an African Rhinoceros of Echinococcus equinus . Molecular diagnosis of Echinococcus equinus in the Kruger National Park.