[An attempt of experimental infection of fishes and chickens with invasive larvae of Elaphostrongylus cervi (Nematoda, Protostrongylidae)].

Abstract

Elaphostrongylus cervi is a parasite of skeletal muscles and central nervous system of wild and farm red deer in Europe and Asia. Numerous species of terrestrial snails can be its intermediate hosts. Considering the fact that invasive larvae of E. cervi are released by deer to the external environment in huge numbers, fishes and birds can be accidentally infect by them. In this study the development of larvae E. cervi in those nonspecific hosts was discussed. It was determined that invasive larvae of E. cervi in the digestive tract of fish do not penetrate the intestinal wall, do not develop any further, and are probably digested. Similarly, those larvae given to chicken are also incapable of breaking the gut barrier and are digested. In all infected animals, the phenomenon of parathenia has not been observed and the meat of the animals studied poses not threat to humans.