Parasites in Pet Reptiles

Overview

Journal Acta Vet Scand

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Veterinary Medicine

Date 2011 Jun 1

PMID 21624124

Citations 36

Authors

Aleksandra Vergles Rataj

Renata Lindtner-Knific

Ksenija Vlahovic

Urska Mavri

Alenka Dovc

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Exotic reptiles originating from the wild can be carriers of many different pathogens and some of them can infect humans. Reptiles imported into Slovenia from 2000 to 2005, specimens of native species taken from the wild and captive bred species were investigated. A total of 949 reptiles (55 snakes, 331 lizards and 563 turtles), belonging to 68 different species, were examined for the presence of endoparasites and ectoparasites. Twelve different groups (Nematoda (5), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (4)) of endoparasites were determined in 26 (47.3%) of 55 examined snakes. In snakes two different species of ectoparasites were also found. Among the tested lizards eighteen different groups (Nematoda (8), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (6)) of endoparasites in 252 (76.1%) of 331 examined animals were found. One Trombiculid ectoparasite was determined. In 563 of examined turtles eight different groups (Nematoda (4), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1) and Protozoa (2)) of endoparasites were determined in 498 (88.5%) animals. In examined turtles three different species of ectoparasites were seen. The established prevalence of various parasites in reptiles used as pet animals indicates the need for examination on specific pathogens prior to introduction to owners.

Citing Articles

A preliminary microscopic and molecular epidemiological survey of endoparasites within wild-caught and UK captive-bred reptiles: Assessing a potential parasitic disease public health risk?.

Murray S, Cunningham L, Rowley P, Crittenden E, Casewell N, LaCourse E Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. 2025; 26:101039.

PMID: 39896140 PMC: 11787025. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101039.

Parasite infestations and infections of non-traditional pets and wild mammals: diagnosis and treatment.

Ramos R, Mendes T, Hoppe E, Barros-Battesti D, Ueta M, Allegretti S Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 2024; 33(4):e017324.

PMID: 39699487 PMC: 11756823. DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612024074.

First report of Hexametra angusticaecoides Chabaud & Brygoo, 1960 (Nematoda: Ascarididae) in a population of captive central bearded dragons, Pogona vitticeps Ahl (Squamata: Agamidae).

Hernandez-Hurtado L, Gomes J, Pereira L, Vila-Vicosa M, Gutierrez-Gutierrez C Syst Parasitol. 2024; 102(1):6.

PMID: 39560810 PMC: 11576818. DOI: 10.1007/s11230-024-10202-y.

Parasites of reptiles in Iran (1922-2023): A literature review.

Sazmand A, Miadfar M, Deak G, Babaei M, Mendoza-Roldan J, Otranto D Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. 2024; 25:100992.

PMID: 39323908 PMC: 11422157. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100992.

Detection of parasitic forms in feces of Chelonoidis carbonarius (Linnaeus, 1766) from Brazilian Cerrado.

da Silva L, Dorr A, de Barros Silva V, Moreira R, Dos Santos Ferraz R, de Sousa Lima Pulcherio R Vet Res Commun. 2024; 48(6):4123-4127.

PMID: 39264574 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10534-6.

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