Erlwanger K H, De Witt B A, Fick L G, Hetem R S, Meyer L C R, Mitchell D, Wilson W A, Mitchell B
Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, 7 York Rd, Parktown, 2193 South Africa.
J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2009 Dec;80(4):276-7. doi: 10.4102/jsava.v80i4.228.
We report, for the first time, an incidental finding of Calodium hepaticum infestation in a sub-adult female Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inaurus). Post mortem examination of the squirrel revealed severe haemoperitoneum, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly with miliary white spots distributed diffusely throughout the hepatic parenchyma. Histologically the portal tracts in the liver showed granulomatous inflammation with fibrosis and numerous giant cells. Occasional adult worms were identified and there were multiple C. hepaticum eggs distributed diffusely throughout the portal tracts and the parenchyma. The spleen also contained C. hepaticum eggs. The genus Rattus is the primary host and reservoir of C. hepaticum, but C. hepaticum infections have been reported previously in other Sciuridae. Based on our findings, people should be cautious of the zoonotic potential of C. hepaticum, when they come into contact with the Cape ground squirrel.
我们首次报告在一只亚成年雌性南非地松鼠（南非地松鼠属）中偶然发现肝毛细线虫感染。对这只松鼠的尸检显示有严重的腹腔积血、脾肿大和肝肿大，肝实质内弥漫性分布着粟粒状白色斑点。组织学检查显示肝脏的门管区有肉芽肿性炎症伴纤维化及大量巨细胞。偶尔能识别出成虫，并且在整个门管区和实质内弥漫性分布着多个肝毛细线虫卵。脾脏中也含有肝毛细线虫卵。大鼠属是肝毛细线虫的主要宿主和储存宿主，但此前曾报道其他松鼠科动物感染肝毛细线虫。基于我们的发现，人们在接触南非地松鼠时应警惕肝毛细线虫的人畜共患病潜力。
