Case report: Intestinal perforation and secondary peritonitis due to Acanthocephala infection in a black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla). (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sist, Birgit; Basso, Walter; Hemphill, Andrew; Cassidy, Tamar; Cassidy, Rod; Gudehus, Maja
• Is Part Of: Parasitology international. Volume 80(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Acanthocephala -- Black-bellied pangolin -- Helminthiasis -- Perforation -- Peritonitis -- Phataginus tetradactyla; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Parasitic Diseases -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitologie -- Périodiques; 571.99905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102182
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1383-5769

Abstract

Abstract: A case of Acanthocephala infection in a 5-year-old female rehabilitated and released black-bellied pangolin ( Phataginus tetradactyla ), which was part of a post-release monitoring program of a pangolin research operation in the Central African Republic, is described. This represents the first report of Acanthocephala infection in this species, which lead to intestinal perforation, secondary peritonitis and ultimately to the death of the animal concerned. It is of relevance to alert the pangolin conservation and research community to a so far unreported cause of death. A case history and necropsy findings, as well as preliminary parasite identification and genetic characterization which potentially revealed a new gigantorhynchid taxon are presented.