The occurrence and molecular identification of Thelazia spp. in European bison (Bison bonasus) in the Bieszczady Mountains.

ABSTRACT: Infection with Thelazia nematodes results in eye disease in wild and domestic animals. The aim of the present study was to describe the occurrence of Thelazia nematodes in European bison, and to subject the isolated parasites to molecular identification and phylogenetical analysis. The eyeballs of 18 European bison from the Bieszczady Mountains, culled due to dysfunctional vision, were collected for study. The conjunctival sacs, tear ducts, corneal surface and nictitating membrane were rinsed with a saline solution. Any obtained nematodes were isolated under a stereoscopic microscope, and then identified as T. gulosa or T. skrjabini by molecular analysis of partial cox1 sequences. The prevalence of infection with Thelazia spp. was found to be 61%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI 95%) of

SUBMITTER: Filip-Hutsch K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9800370 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature