Three nematodes, Turgida turgida, Cruzia americana, and Didelphostrongylus hayesi, have been documented to cause morbidity and mortality in the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). The present study was designed to determine the frequency of infection of these nematodes in opossums at 2 study sites in California and to determine if there are risk factors associated with shedding of eggs or larvae in the feces. Turgida turgida and C. americana adults were found in 84.4% (stomach; n = 45) and 62.5% (intestinal wash and feces; n = 16) of sampled opossums. Eggs were present in opossum feces (n = 105) less frequently (40% T. turgida and 35.2% C. americana). Didelphostrongylus hayesi larvae were found in 79.0% of opossum feces examined (n = 105). Adult age and wet season (December through April) were significant predictive factors for the presence of T. turgida eggs, whereas the dry season (May through November) was significantly associated with the presence of C. americana eggs in feces. Adult opossums were more likely to have eggs and larvae from all 3 nematodes in the feces.
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October 2008
Research Article|
October 01 2008
Evaluation of Cruzia americana, Turgida turgida, and Didelphostrongylus hayesi Infection in the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and Risk Factors Along the California Coast
Amy E. Nichelason;
Amy E. Nichelason
aSchool of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616
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Dan Rejmanek;
Dan Rejmanek
aSchool of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616
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Haydee A. Dabritz;
Haydee A. Dabritz
bCalifornia Department of Public Health, Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, E-361, Richmond, California 94804
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Ann C. Melli;
Ann C. Melli
aSchool of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616
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Melissa Miller;
Melissa Miller
cMarine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, California Department of Fish and Game, Department of Oil Spill Prevention and Response, 1451 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California 95060
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Patricia A. Conrad
Patricia A. Conrad
dTo whom correspondence should be addressed. paconrad@ucdavis.edu
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J Parasitol (2008) 94 (5): 1166–1168.
Citation
Amy E. Nichelason, Dan Rejmanek, Haydee A. Dabritz, Ann C. Melli, Melissa Miller, Patricia A. Conrad; Evaluation of Cruzia americana, Turgida turgida, and Didelphostrongylus hayesi Infection in the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and Risk Factors Along the California Coast. J Parasitol 1 October 2008; 94 (5): 1166–1168. doi: https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-1363.1
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