Learedius learedi infection in black turtles (Chelonia mydas agassizii), Baja California Sur, Mexico

J Parasitol. 2004 Jun;90(3):645-7. doi: 10.1645/GE-165R.

Abstract

Black turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizii) carcasses, recovered as a result of incidental capture in Magdalena Bay, Mexico, revealed invasion by spirorchiid trematode eggs in liver, kidney, intestines, muscle, heart, pancreas, and duodenum. Seventy-five adult Learedius learedi Price, 1934, were recovered from the heart of 1 turtle. Most of the organs showed a mild or absent inflammatory response in histological sections, with the exception of a pancreatic-duodenal section that revealed severe lymphocyte and phagocyte infiltration associated with an infestation of more than 200 eggs. A linear formation of 35 eggs from the pancreas toward the intestinal lumen is described as resembling migration. This is among the first reports of a parasitic infection of L. learedi Price 1934, in C. m. agassizii in Mexico.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Trematoda / immunology
  • Trematoda / isolation & purification*
  • Trematode Infections / epidemiology
  • Trematode Infections / parasitology
  • Trematode Infections / pathology
  • Trematode Infections / veterinary*
  • Turtles / parasitology*