Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Brief Description
Ascarids, very common intestinal large roundworms.
*often just called roundworms.
*some of the largest known.
*several inches up to 2 feet! Zoonotic
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Common in?
Dogs, cats, pigs, cattle, horses, chickens, and other animals.
*most frequently found in young animals.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Direct or indirect life cycle?
Direct.
-transmitted by ingestion of egg by a new host.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Where are they in the host?
Juvenile stages are not confined to the intestinal lumen (invade other tissues).
*often feature migration within the host.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
What do males have?
Curved tails.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
General Life Cycle
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Eggs are….?
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
What is usually the infective stage?
The J2 in egg.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Ascaris suum is the?
Intestinal roundworm of pigs, and the most common parasite found in pigs.
*more common in pigs less than 1 year.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Ascaris suum
Parascaris equorum
Toxocara canis
Toxocara cati
Life Cycle
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Ascaris suum
What type of migration do they have?
Hepato-trachael larval migration.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Ascaris suum
Parascaris equorum
Symptoms
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Ascaris suum
What happens to the milk spots on the liver, why are they important?
They will eventually go away. They are important because they are a reason for meat condemnation.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Ascaris suum
What causes the most damage to the host?
Larval migrations.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Ascaris suum
Parascaris equorum
Diagnosis
Eggs in feces, will NOT see them during the prepatent period.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Ascaris suum
Parascaris equorum
What do the eggs look like?
*very highly resistant to standard disinfectants.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Ascaris suum
Parascaris equorum
Prevention
Regular deworming does help, but it does not totally prevent.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Parascaris equorum
Brief Description
Large conspicuous roundworm of horses.
*females may be up to 50 cm (20”).
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Parascaris equorum
What is the predilection site?
Small intestine of equines.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Parascaris equorum
Symptoms (especially in foals)
Similar to Ascaris suum, add:
-Death due to heavy infestation.
*from intestinal impaction or rupture.
*not that common.
*after the parasite reaches adult.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Toxocara canis
Brief Description
Common roundworm of dogs (especially puppies). Found rarely in cats.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Toxocara canis
Paratenic Hosts
Many mammals can serve as paratenic hosts. Especially mice and other rodents.
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Toxocara canis
Prepatent Period
19-34 days!
Ascarids
– Superfamily Ascaridoidea
Toxocara canis
How are animals infected?
By ingestion of an egg, mostly by ingestion of a paratenic host. Often a mouse.