Difference between revisions of "Capillaria"

Revision as of 13:24, 29 July 2010

Capillaria spp.
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Nematoda
Class	Adenophorea
Sub-class	Enoplia
Order	Trichurida
Super-family	Trichuroidea
Family	Trichinellidae
Genus	Capillaria
Species	Many

Overview

Capillaria - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

Capillaria spp. are similar to other members of the Trichuroidea superfamily such as Trichuris but with slight differences in morphology of the anterior and posterior ends. Although they are found in domestic mammals these species are of greatest importance in birds. The predilection sites vary between species and are not restricted to the gastrointestinal system. Important species include; C. annulata, C. anatis and C. contorta.

Identification

Capillaria are extremely thin, filamentous worms measuring 15-25mm long in males and 35-80mm long in females. Males have a single spicule and many have a primitive bursa like structure. The eggs have bipolar plugs and thick shells, the size can vary between species.

Important Species

C. annulata

This species affects many species of wild birds as well as domesticated poultry and ducks. The earthworm is the intermediate host for this species, making it difficult to control. Young birds are more susceptible to the disease will immune adults may be carriers. The predeliction site for this worm is the oesophagus of the bird where it will bury the anterior end into the mucosa causing inflammation. High levels can resulted in marked thickening of the oesophageal wall and can be fatal. The presence of these worms in low numbers may be a cause of ill thrift in production birds, though in high number emaciation can be seen. Clinical signs may appear very rapidly with heavy burdens, before the presence of eggs in the faeces, and so diagnosis is usually made on necropsy examination of the oesophagus and crop.

C. contorta

Also known as:

Eucoleus contorta

Capillaria aerophila in respiratory disease of cats and dogs
- In nasal passages, sinuses, trachea and bronchi of cats and dogs
- Some dogs cough but often no symptoms
- Mild catharral inflammation
- In heavy infestation may cause obstruction of the lumen of airways and may develop into secondary bronchopneumonia

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 ==Important Species==
 ===''C. annulata''===
-This species affects many species of wild birds as well as domesticated poultry and ducks. The predeliction site for this worm is the oesophagus of the bird where it will bury the anterior end into the mucosa causing inflammation. High levels can resulted in marked thickening of the oesophageal wall and can be fatal.
+This species affects many species of wild birds as well as domesticated poultry and ducks. The earthworm is the intermediate host for this species, making it difficult to control. Young birds are more susceptible to the disease will immune adults may be carriers. The predeliction site for this worm is the oesophagus of the bird where it will bury the anterior end into the mucosa causing inflammation. High levels can resulted in marked thickening of the oesophageal wall and can be fatal. The presence of these worms in low numbers may be a cause of ill thrift in production birds, though in high number emaciation can be seen. Clinical signs may appear very rapidly with heavy burdens, before the presence of eggs in the faeces, and so diagnosis is usually made on necropsy examination of the oesophagus and crop.
 ===''C. contorta''===
+{| cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" border="1"
+| Also known as:
+| ''Eucoleus contorta''
+|-
+|}
 *''Capillaria aerophila'' in [[Respiratory Parasitic Infections - Pathology#Capillaria aerophila|respiratory disease]] of cats and dogs[[Category:Trichinelloidea]]