Dermatoxys veligera

 

 

Esther van Praag, Ph.D.

 

 

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Dermatoxys veligera is a parasitic nematode worm belonging to the Oxyuridae family. It infests wild lagomorphs throughout the USA and is occasionally found in house rabbits. Dermatoxys vlakhaasi parasites hares in South Africa, and D. hispaniensis is found in Spain. Dermatoxys parasites do not pose a public health risk.

The biology and life cycle of Dermatoxys veligera is not well understood, but it is probably direct. The eggs are oval, measuring approximately 110 by 50 micrometres, and show slight flattening on one side. The development of the embryo begins immediately after oviposition. L4 stage larvae are typically found attached by hooks to the mucosa of the cecum. The males, measuring 8–11 mm long, are distinguished by a small spicule, while the females, measuring 16 mm long, possess a vulva located in the cranial half of their body. The worms live freely in the intestine and the lumen of the cecum.

Clinical signs

The clinical sign of a Dermatoxis parasitic infestation is typhlitis (inflammation of the intestine and cecum), due to the attachment of the L4 stage larvae. The infection caused by adult worms does not exhibit any clinical signs. The presence of the eggs and adult worms can be identified through fecal flotation.

Treatment

Piperazine

piperazine adipate

200 mg/kg PO, repeat in 14 days

Macrolides

ivermectin

0.2 – 0.4 mg/kg, PO, SC, repeat in 14 days

Further Information

1.    Moomker J, Horak IG, Booyse DG (1997) Parasites of South African Wildlife. XV. Helminths of Scrub Hares, Lepus saxatilis in the Kruger National Park. Onderstepoort J. of Veterinary Res. 64: 285-290.

2.    Wetzel R. (1931) On the Biology of the Four-Stage Larva of Dermatoxys veligera (Rudolphi, 1819) Schneider 1866, an Oxyurid Parasitic in the Hare. J. Parasiltol. 10: 40-43.

3.    Erickson AB. The Snowshoe Hare a New Host of Dermatoxys veligera and Nematodirus leporis. The Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 26, p. 433.

 

  

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