An identification key for the five most common species of Metastrongylus

作者：Gasso Diana^*; Rossi Luca; Mentaberre Gregorio; Casas Encarna; Velarde Roser; Nosal Pawel; Serrano Emmanuel; Segales Joaquim; Fernandez Llario Pedro; Feliu Carles

来源：Parasitology Research, 2014, 113(9): 3495-3500.

DOI：10.1007/s00436-014-4001-y

• Lung worms
• Metastrongylus confusus
• Metastrongylus apri
• Metastrongylus elongatus
• Metastrongylus pudendotectus
• Metastrongylus asymetricus
• Wild boar

Species of the Metastrongylus genus, the lung nematodes of pigs that require an intermediate host (earthworm) to complete their cycle, pose a potential risk to both livestock and humans. This parasite which can result in lung pathology and mixed infections with other pathogens (e.g. viruses) can be fatal to pigs. Although this genus is distributed worldwide, there are no classification keys for identifying this common parasite species. In this work, we take advantage of parasitological surveys of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in northern and central Spain and southern Poland to develop a morphological identification key for the five most common Metastrongylus species (Metastrongylus apri, Metastrongylus pudendotectus, Metastrongylus salmi, Metastrongylus confusus and Metastrongylus asymetricus). In addition, we provide the first record of M. confusus in Spain, probably unidentified until now due to the lack of appropriate identification keys. We hope that this user-friendly identification key will enable parasitologists and veterinary practitioners to avoid further misclassifications of Metastrongylus species.

• 出版日期2014-9