The medical relevance of Spirometra tapeworm infection in Indonesian Bronzeback snakes (Dendrelaphis pictus): A neglected zoonotic disease - PubMed (original) (raw)

The medical relevance of Spirometra tapeworm infection in Indonesian Bronzeback snakes (Dendrelaphis pictus): A neglected zoonotic disease

Aditya Yudhana et al. Vet World. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

Aim: Spirometra parasites cause sparganosis, a zoonotic disease, especially in reptiles and humans. This study aimed to report on the prevalence and effects of Spirometra parasites infection on public health and provide a scientific foundation for its prevention.

Materials and methods: A total of 378 living Indonesian wild-caught and captive-bred Bronzeback snakes (Dendrelaphis pictus) were selected. The snakes were euthanized using ethyl ether anesthesia before checking for Spirometra parasites. The numbers of Spirometra located in the muscle tissue, subcutaneous tissue, and coelom (including the viscera) were each counted to investigate the distribution of Spirometra inside the snake body cavity.

Results: The total prevalence in the sample was 50.85%. The prevalence values in wild-caught and captive-bred snakes were 70.7% and 48.7%, respectively. More than half (56.6%) of the Spirometra parasites were located in the muscular tissue, while 29.5% were in the subcutaneous tissue and 13.8% were in the coelomic cavity.

Conclusion: Wild-caught Indonesian Bronzeback snakes, which are sold as food in markets, and captive-bred snakes, which are collected as exotic pets in Indonesia, have similar opportunities to transmit the Spirometra parasite and cause global health problems due to their high prevalence.

Keywords: Dendrelaphis pictus; Spirometra; sparganosis; zoonosis.

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Figures

Figure-1

Figure-1

Spirometra located in (a) subcutaneous tissue, (b) coelom, and (c) muscle of Dendrelaphis pictus. Arrows point to Spirometra.

Figure-2

Figure-2

(a) Prevalence of Spirometra, (b) intensity of Spirometra infection, (c) number of Spirometra found in wild-caught snakes, and (d) number of Spirometra found in captive-bred snakes.

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