Histopathological lesions caused by experimental Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina infections in farm mink (Neovison vison)

• Published in: Journal of veterinary research Vol. 63; no. 2; pp. 205 - 214
• Main Authors: Klockiewicz, Maciej, Sobczak-Filipiak, Małgorzata, Jakubowski, Tadeusz, Długosz, Ewa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Poland Sciendo 01.06.2019; De Gruyter Poland
• Subjects: Cardiac muscle; Comparative analysis; Eggs; farm mink; farm mink (neovison vison); Follicles; histopathological lesions; Infections; Inflammation; Kidneys; Larvae; Lesions; Leukocytes (eosinophilic); Leukocytes (mononuclear); Lymph nodes; Mineralization; Muscles; Neovison vison; Parasites; Skeletal muscle; Spleen; toxascaris leonina; toxocara canis; toxocarosis; Toxocara canis; farm mink (Neovison vison); Toxascaris leonina; toxocarosis; histopathological lesions
• ISSN: 2450-7393; 2450-8608; 2450-8608
• DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2019-0034

Canine roundworm and infections were investigated in experimentally infected farm mink ( ) to describe the pattern of pathological lesions in this paratenic host. Material and MethodsInfections in mink developed following ingestion of embryonated eggs of either parasite or mice tissue infected with both parasite species. Comparative analysis of haematoxylin- and eosin-stained slides showed essential differences among the experimental groups. The lesions observed included eosinophil and mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates of the intestinal wall and local lymph nodes, inflammation and haemorrhages in liver tissues, and interstitial inflammation and mineralisation of the kidneys and lungs. Larvae migrating through the minks' bodies also caused particularly salient enlargement of lymphoid follicles in the spleen and inflammatory infiltrates of mononuclear cells in skeletal and heart muscles. It is assumed that histopathological lesions appeared as a local and general host response to invasive L3 and larvae migrating through the tissues of infected farm mink. Interestingly, mink infected with embryonated eggs had more pronounced lesions than animals infected with tissue larvae. Detailed histopathological examinations of parenchymal organs and striated muscles revealed lesions resembling those observed in other paratenic host species due to toxocarosis.