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A Rare Case of Gastric Myiasis in a Lion Caused by Gasterophilus intestinalis (Diptera: Gasterophilidae)-Case Report.

Abstract: Myiasis is the infection caused by a variety of dipterous (fly) larvae in vertebrate's tissue (man and domestic or wild animals). Species of Gasterophilus are obligate parasite of horses, donkeys, zebras, elephants and rhinoceroses. There are records worldwide, but mostly, in tropical and subtropical regions. This case report describes a type of gastric myiasis caused by G. intestinalis in an old lion in a zoo in Sistan, southeast Iran. Myiasis in lions is rarely reported and this is the first report of gastric myiasis in lion.
Publication Date: 2016-01-06 PubMed ID: 27308300PubMed Central: PMC4906748
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  • Case Reports

Summary

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This research article discusses a rare case of stomach infestation by fly larvae, specifically Gasterophilus intestinalis species, in a lion from a zoo in southeast Iran. This is the first documented report of such a case.

About Myiasis and the Main Parasite

  • Myiasis is an infection caused by various types of dipterous (fly) larvae, affecting the tissue of vertebrates such as humans and both domestic and wild animals.
  • The specific fly larvae in this case, Gasterophilus intestinalis, is an obligate parasite, normally infesting horses, donkeys, zebras, elephants, and rhinoceroses.
  • Such infestations by G. intestinalis are commonly reported globally, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

The Case of the Lion in the Sistan zoo

  • This case centers on a rare occurrence of this gastric myiasis in a lion, a type of infestation rarely documented in this species.
  • The lion was elderly and languishing in a zoo located in Sistan, southeast Iran.
  • This case signifies the first-ever recorded instance of a lion suffering from gastric myiasis, making it unique within veterinary and zoological research.

Implications and Future Studies

  • The findings of this case report can potentially help increase awareness and understanding about the risk of G. intestinalis infections in animals outside of their typical host range.
  • It provides a base for further studies exploring how these fly larvae manage to infest unusual hosts such as lions.
  • The outcomes could potentially guide zoos and other animal care institutes in improving their health management strategies for various species in their care.

Cite This Article

APA
Ganjali M, Keighobadi M. (2016). A Rare Case of Gastric Myiasis in a Lion Caused by Gasterophilus intestinalis (Diptera: Gasterophilidae)-Case Report. J Arthropod Borne Dis, 10(3), 421-423.

Publication

ISSN: 2322-1984
NlmUniqueID: 101593448
Country: Iran
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
Pages: 421-423

Researcher Affiliations

Ganjali, Maryam
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.
Keighobadi, Mojtaba
  • Institute of Specific Animals, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.

References

This article includes 15 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Li XY, Pape T, Zhang D. Taxonomic review of Gasterophilus (Oestridae, Gasterophilinae) of the world, with updated nomenclature, keys, biological notes, and distributions.. Zookeys 2019;891:119-156.
    doi: 10.3897/zookeys.891.38560pubmed: 31802974google scholar: lookup
  2. Hoseini SM, Zaheri BA, Adibi MA, Ronaghi H, Moshrefi AH. Histopathological Study of Esophageal Infection with Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera: Oestridae) in Persian Onager (Equus hemionus onager).. J Arthropod Borne Dis 2017 Sep;11(3):441-445.
    pubmed: 29322061