Lungworm infection in three loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta. 2008

Charles A Manire, and Michael J Kinsel, and Eric T Anderson, and Tonya M Clauss, and Lynne Byrd
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236, USA. cmanire@mote.org

Although lungworms are known to infect many mammalian species and a few are known to infect snakes, lizards, and birds, previously none were known to infect chelonians. This study documents the first three known cases of lungworms in loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta. It is unlikely that the lungworms were the primary cause of illness in any of the cases, and they may be only contributory or even incidental. Changes observed in the two cases that died included tracheal and bronchial epithelial hyperplasia and goblet cell hyperplasia. Lesions caused directly by the parasites seem to be restricted to the upper respiratory tree (trachea and main bronchi), but changes in the lungs themselves may be caused by the debris produced by the worms. Although neither case was successfully treated for the lungworms prior to death, it would appear that oxfendazole may be an effective treatment and has been used in the third case that is still undergoing rehabilitation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008168 Lung Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood. Lungs
D008174 Lung Diseases, Parasitic Infections of the lungs with parasites, most commonly by parasitic worms (HELMINTHS). Parasitic Lung Diseases,Parasitic Infections of Lung,Pulmonary Parasitic Infections,Lung Disease, Parasitic,Lung Parasitic Infection,Lung Parasitic Infections,Parasitic Infection, Pulmonary,Parasitic Infections, Pulmonary,Parasitic Lung Disease,Pulmonary Parasitic Infection
D008297 Male Males
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014426 Turtles Any reptile including tortoises, fresh water, and marine species of the order Testudines with a body encased in a bony or cartilaginous shell consisting of a top (carapace) and a bottom (plastron) derived from the ribs. Sea Turtles,Terrapins,Tortoises,Sea Turtle,Terrapin,Tortoise,Turtle,Turtle, Sea,Turtles, Sea
D017168 Rhabditida An order of nematodes of the subclass SECERNENTEA. Its organisms are characterized by an annulated or smooth cuticle and the absence of caudal glands. Rhabditidas
D017196 Rhabditida Infections Infections with nematodes of the order RHABDITIDA. Infections, Rhabditida,Infection, Rhabditida,Rhabditida Infection
D017809 Fatal Outcome Death resulting from the presence of a disease in an individual, as shown by a single case report or a limited number of patients. This should be differentiated from DEATH, the physiological cessation of life and from MORTALITY, an epidemiological or statistical concept. Fatal Outcomes,Outcome, Fatal,Outcomes, Fatal

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