Histopathological findings in wild Nutrias (Myocastor coypus) with Capillaria hepatica infection

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 78; no. 12; pp. 1887 - 1891
• Main Authors: HONG, Il-Hwa, KANG, Sun-Young, KIM, Jong-Hyun, SEOK, Seong-Hoon, LEE, Seong-Kyu, HONG, Seong-Jin, LEE, Seung-Yong, PARK, Se-Jin, KONG, Joo-Yeon, YEON, Seong-Chan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.12.2016; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Animals; Calcification; Capillaria - isolation & purification; Capillaria hepatica; Chronic infection; Cirrhosis; Detritus; Eggs; Enoplida Infections - parasitology; Enoplida Infections - pathology; Enoplida Infections - veterinary; Eosinophils; Female; Fibrosis; Giant cells; Giant Cells - pathology; Granuloma; Granuloma - parasitology; Granuloma - pathology; Granuloma - veterinary; Infections; Leukocytes (eosinophilic); Liver; Liver - parasitology; Liver - pathology; Liver cirrhosis; Macrophages; Male; milky spot; multinucleated giant cell; Myocastor coypus; Necropsy; nutria; Rats; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Rodent Diseases - parasitology; Rodent Diseases - pathology; Rodentia; Rodents; Wildlife Science
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0174

Capillaria hepatica is a zoonotic nematode that uses rodents and other mammals as hosts, especially rats and mice, and causes hepatic granuloma and eventually fibrosis/cirrhosis. However, C. hepatica infection in nutria, a large semiaquatic rodent, has rarely been reported, and histopathologic features of the infection have not been described in detail. We conducted necropsy on 36 wild nutrias. Some animals were found to have milky spots, parasitic eggs and worms within hepatic microgranuloma involving central calcification with cell debris, macrophages, eosinophils and multinucleated giant cells (MGCs). Interestingly, the eggs were closely surrounded by MGCs and appeared to be destroyed without inducing further chronic changes. Based on microscopical examination, C. hepatica infection was diagnosed, and we describe its histopathological characteristics in wild nutrias.