Contributions to Knowledge of the <i>Dictyocaulus</i> Infection of the Red Deer

Dictyocaulosis is a parasitic disease that affects ungulate species, including red deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i>). The genus <i>Dictyocaulus</i> comprises eighteen species, but only four have been reported to infect red deer. The disease is characterized by respiratory tract in...

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Main Authors: M. González-Velo, A. Espinosa-Sánchez, A. Ripa, M. A. Hurtado-Preciado, M. A. Habela Martínez-Estéllez, J. L. Fernández-García, C. Bazo-Pérez
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/595
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author M. González-Velo
A. Espinosa-Sánchez
A. Ripa
M. A. Hurtado-Preciado
M. A. Habela Martínez-Estéllez
J. L. Fernández-García
C. Bazo-Pérez
author_facet M. González-Velo
A. Espinosa-Sánchez
A. Ripa
M. A. Hurtado-Preciado
M. A. Habela Martínez-Estéllez
J. L. Fernández-García
C. Bazo-Pérez
author_sort M. González-Velo
collection DOAJ
description Dictyocaulosis is a parasitic disease that affects ungulate species, including red deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i>). The genus <i>Dictyocaulus</i> comprises eighteen species, but only four have been reported to infect red deer. The disease is characterized by respiratory tract infection, particularly in the lungs, bronchi, and bronchioles, leading to inflammatory and hemorrhagic microscopic lesions, as well as emphysema and edema. The biological cycle involves a female ovipositing larvated eggs in the bronchi and trachea, which are expelled to the exterior through coughing or feces, releasing L1 into the environment. In this study, 106 adult red deer were collected from seven locations in Extremadura (Spain). Eight positive lungs were initially assessed by morphological identification, revealing a mean intensity of 13.3 adult worms per infected lung, with a global decrease to an average of 1.8 adult worms per sampled lung. The presence of adult worms in the upper and middle respiratory tract was confirmed through anatomopathological analysis. Molecular identification was performed by sequencing the COI gene. The results indicated the presence of three genetic groups, supported by significant subdivision using the <i>ɸ<sub>ST</sub></i> measure. <i>D. cervi</i> and <i>D. viviparus</i> exhibited their respective matrilineal ancestry, while <i>D. eckerti</i> and <i>D. cervi</i> demonstrated matrilineal sharing. Consequently, the possibility of introgression between these two species was suggested. Although <i>D. viviparus</i> had previously been identified in the same Spanish region based on morphological characteristics, <i>D. cervi</i> and <i>D. eckerti</i> were reported for the first time in the explored geographic area.
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spelling doaj-art-0bdd5108c29e4c55b19a59f12f86587a2025-08-20T03:32:32ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-06-0112659510.3390/vetsci12060595Contributions to Knowledge of the <i>Dictyocaulus</i> Infection of the Red DeerM. González-Velo0A. Espinosa-Sánchez1A. Ripa2M. A. Hurtado-Preciado3M. A. Habela Martínez-Estéllez4J. L. Fernández-García5C. Bazo-Pérez6Parasitology and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainGenetics and Animal Breeding Department, Veterinary School, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainGenetics and Animal Breeding Department, Veterinary School, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainGenetics and Animal Breeding Department, Veterinary School, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainParasitology and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainGenetics and Animal Breeding Department, Veterinary School, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainParasitology and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, SpainDictyocaulosis is a parasitic disease that affects ungulate species, including red deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i>). The genus <i>Dictyocaulus</i> comprises eighteen species, but only four have been reported to infect red deer. The disease is characterized by respiratory tract infection, particularly in the lungs, bronchi, and bronchioles, leading to inflammatory and hemorrhagic microscopic lesions, as well as emphysema and edema. The biological cycle involves a female ovipositing larvated eggs in the bronchi and trachea, which are expelled to the exterior through coughing or feces, releasing L1 into the environment. In this study, 106 adult red deer were collected from seven locations in Extremadura (Spain). Eight positive lungs were initially assessed by morphological identification, revealing a mean intensity of 13.3 adult worms per infected lung, with a global decrease to an average of 1.8 adult worms per sampled lung. The presence of adult worms in the upper and middle respiratory tract was confirmed through anatomopathological analysis. Molecular identification was performed by sequencing the COI gene. The results indicated the presence of three genetic groups, supported by significant subdivision using the <i>ɸ<sub>ST</sub></i> measure. <i>D. cervi</i> and <i>D. viviparus</i> exhibited their respective matrilineal ancestry, while <i>D. eckerti</i> and <i>D. cervi</i> demonstrated matrilineal sharing. Consequently, the possibility of introgression between these two species was suggested. Although <i>D. viviparus</i> had previously been identified in the same Spanish region based on morphological characteristics, <i>D. cervi</i> and <i>D. eckerti</i> were reported for the first time in the explored geographic area.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/595COI-barcoding<i>Dictyocalulus</i>morphological and molecular identificationred deer
spellingShingle M. González-Velo
A. Espinosa-Sánchez
A. Ripa
M. A. Hurtado-Preciado
M. A. Habela Martínez-Estéllez
J. L. Fernández-García
C. Bazo-Pérez
Contributions to Knowledge of the <i>Dictyocaulus</i> Infection of the Red Deer
Veterinary Sciences
COI-barcoding
<i>Dictyocalulus</i>
morphological and molecular identification
red deer
title Contributions to Knowledge of the <i>Dictyocaulus</i> Infection of the Red Deer
title_full Contributions to Knowledge of the <i>Dictyocaulus</i> Infection of the Red Deer
title_fullStr Contributions to Knowledge of the <i>Dictyocaulus</i> Infection of the Red Deer
title_full_unstemmed Contributions to Knowledge of the <i>Dictyocaulus</i> Infection of the Red Deer
title_short Contributions to Knowledge of the <i>Dictyocaulus</i> Infection of the Red Deer
title_sort contributions to knowledge of the i dictyocaulus i infection of the red deer
topic COI-barcoding
<i>Dictyocalulus</i>
morphological and molecular identification
red deer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/595
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