Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
Vet Rec. 2013 Nov 30;173(21):525. doi: 10.1136/vr.101794. Epub 2013 Oct 23.
Despite gastrointestinal parasites being commonly diagnosed in captive tortoises throughout the UK, there is a lack of data regarding the prevalence. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in tortoises in the UK, and to investigate the factors affecting the prevalence of these parasites. Owners were invited to submit a faecal sample from their tortoise in conjunction with a completed questionnaire covering details of signalment and husbandry. Data from the questionnaires were analysed at the end of the study. Faecal analysis was performed on samples from Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca and Testudo horsfieldii. This involved examination of direct wet preparations, a modified McMaster technique, passive NaCl flotation and Cryptosporidium staining. Of the 142 samples used, 130 were examined by the first three methods. 49 per cent were positive for one or more parasites. Of the positive samples, 67 per cent were positive for oxyurids, 28 per cent were positive for ascarids and 28 per cent were positive for protozoa (Balantidium, Nyctotherus or flagellates). Only 1/113 (0.8 per cent) samples was positive for Cryptosporidium. The most important risk factors for parasites were sex (F) and length of time (<5 years) in owner's possession. This survey showed that gastrointestinal parasites are frequently detected in the faecal samples of captive tortoises in the UK, but their prevalence may be influenced by various factors including sex, length of time owned, age and species.
尽管在英国，胃肠道寄生虫在圈养龟鳖类中经常被诊断出来，但有关其流行率的数据却很少。本研究的目的是调查英国龟鳖类胃肠道寄生虫的流行率，并探讨影响这些寄生虫流行率的因素。研究人员邀请龟鳖类的主人提交他们的龟鳖粪便样本，并填写一份涵盖特征和饲养细节的调查问卷。在研究结束时，对调查问卷的数据进行了分析。对 Testudo hermanni、Testudo graeca 和 Testudo horsfieldii 的粪便样本进行了分析。这包括直接湿片检查、改良 McMaster 技术、被动氯化钠漂浮和隐孢子虫染色。在使用的 142 个样本中，有 130 个样本通过前三种方法进行了检查。49%的样本对一种或多种寄生虫呈阳性。在阳性样本中，67%的样本对蛔虫呈阳性，28%的样本对蛔虫呈阳性，28%的样本对原生动物（类圆线虫、夜尿虫或鞭毛虫）呈阳性。只有 1/113（0.8%）的样本对隐孢子虫呈阳性。寄生虫最重要的风险因素是性别（F）和主人拥有时间（<5 年）。本调查显示，胃肠道寄生虫在英国圈养龟鳖类的粪便样本中经常被检测到，但它们的流行率可能受到各种因素的影响，包括性别、拥有时间、年龄和物种。
