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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasite / Halicephalobus gingivalis (Stefanski, 1954) from a fatal inf...
Parasite (Paris, France)1998; 5(3); 255-261; doi: 10.1051/parasite/1998053255

Halicephalobus gingivalis (Stefanski, 1954) from a fatal infection in a horse in Ontario, Canada with comments on the validity of H. deletrix and a review of the genus.

Abstract: Although the original description given by Stefanski (1954) was satisfactory, Anderson & Bemrick (1965), in describing H. deletrix (= Micronema deletrix), claimed Stefanski's description was "inadequate" and the species a "species inquirenda". Thus, infections in horses and humans have been assigned to H. deletrix. We believe the species reported in horses and humans is H. gingivalis and that H. deletrix is its synonym. H. gingivalis is separated herein from forms found free-living. The genital tract in the advanced fourth stage of H. gingivalis is didelphic and amphidelphic and terminal ends of the horns are reflected, the anterior one ventrally, the posterior one dorsally. In the adult parthenogen the latter forms a short ovary, whereas most of the anterior horn forms a combined uterus-oviduct as a receptacle for a single large egg which is laid in the 2-cell or multi-cell stage. Eggs in the 2-cell stage embryonated to larvae in 17 hours at 28 degrees C but did not hatch until an additional 24 hours. First-stage larvae were unusually large and variable in length (136-199 microns x = 168). Inactive third-stage larvae were 180-240 microns (x = 203) in length. The possible route of infection in horses and humans is briefly discussed.
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Publication Date: 1998-10-17 PubMed ID: 9772725DOI: 10.1051/parasite/1998053255Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research presents a thorough evaluation of Halicephalobus gingivalis, a nematode species discovered by Stefanski in 1954. The paper mainly discusses the proper identification of the species and provides an in-depth analysis of its features and possible routes of infection in horses and humans. The authors propose that H. gingivalis, often misidentified as H. deletrix, causes infections in both species and that H. deletrix is potentially synonymous with H. gingivalis.

Assessing the Identity of Halicephalobus gingivalis

  • The paper critically evaluates the accuracy of descriptions provided by Stefanski in 1954 and Anderson & Bemrick in 1965. It argues against the claim that Stefanski’s description of H. gingivalis was inadequate and that the species should be classified as ‘species inquirenda’ – meaning that its taxonomy is uncertain.
  • The authors assert that infections in horses and humans, previously attributed to H. deletrix, are actually caused by H. gingivalis. They propose that H. deletrix is a synonym of H. gingivalis.

Detailed Examination of Halicephalobus gingivalis

  • The researchers provide a detailed characterization of H. gingivalis, distinguishing it from forms that live freely.
  • They describe the advanced fourth-stage genital tract in H. gingivalis, noting features like a reflected terminal ends of genital horns – anterior one ventrally and the posterior one dorsally, and the format of the uterus-oviduct to accommodate large eggs.
  • This study also throws light on the reproductive cycle of the species, noting that the egg laid in the 2-cell or multi-cell stage, which takes about 17 hours to develop into a larvae at 28 degrees Celsius. However, these larvae do not hatch for an additional 24 hours.

Debating the Route of Infection

  • The researchers discuss potential routes of infection in horses and humans, however, the argument is kept brief and does not reach clear-cut conclusions.

Cite This Article

APA
Anderson RC, Linder KE, Peregrine AS. (1998). Halicephalobus gingivalis (Stefanski, 1954) from a fatal infection in a horse in Ontario, Canada with comments on the validity of H. deletrix and a review of the genus. Parasite, 5(3), 255-261. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/1998053255

Publication

Parasite (Paris, France)
ISSN: 1252-607X
NlmUniqueID: 9437094
Country: France
Language: English
Volume: 5
Issue: 3
Pages: 255-261

Researcher Affiliations

Anderson, R C
  • Department of Zoology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. randerso@uoguelph.ca
Linder, K E
    Peregrine, A S

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / parasitology
      • Horses
      • Ontario
      • Parthenogenesis
      • Rhabditida Infections / parasitology
      • Rhabditida Infections / veterinary
      • Rhabditoidea / anatomy & histology
      • Rhabditoidea / classification
      • Rhabditoidea / physiology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 16 times.
      1. Faghihzadeh Gorji F, Sadr S, Sharifiyazdi H, Borji H. The first molecular isolation of Halicephalobus gingivalis from horses in Iran. Vet Res Commun 2023 Aug 5;.
        doi: 10.1007/s11259-023-10188-wpubmed: 37541991google scholar: lookup
      2. Pillai VV, Mudd LJ, Sola MF. Disseminated Halicephalobus gingivalis infection in a horse. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023 Mar;35(2):173-177.
        doi: 10.1177/10406387221141698pubmed: 36482716google scholar: lookup
      3. Ragsdale EJ, Koutsovoulos G, Biddle JF. A draft genome for a species of Halicephalobus (Panagrolaimidae). J Nematol 2019;51:1-4.
        doi: 10.21307/jofnem-2019-068pubmed: 31814372google scholar: lookup
      4. Kilarski WW, Martin C, Pisano M, Bain O, Babayan SA, Swartz MA. Inherent biomechanical traits enable infective filariae to disseminate through collecting lymphatic vessels. Nat Commun 2019 Jul 1;10(1):2895.
        doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-10675-2pubmed: 31263185google scholar: lookup
      5. Noiva R, Ruivo P, de Carvalho LM, Fonseca C, Fevereiro M, Carvalho P, Orge L, Monteiro M, Peleteiro MC. First description of a fatal equine infection with Halicephalobus gingivalis in Portugal. Relevance for public health. Vet Med Sci 2019 May;5(2):222-229.
        doi: 10.1002/vms3.142pubmed: 30672155google scholar: lookup
      6. Onyiche TE, Okute TO, Oseni OS, Okoro DO, Biu AA, Mbaya AW. Parasitic and zoonotic meningoencephalitis in humans and equids: Current knowledge and the role of Halicephalobus gingivalis. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2018 Feb;3(1):36-42.
        doi: 10.1016/j.parepi.2017.12.002pubmed: 29774297google scholar: lookup
      7. Pintore MD, Cerutti F, D'Angelo A, Corona C, Gazzuola P, Masoero L, Colombo C, Bona R, Cantile C, Peletto S, Casalone C, Iulini B. Isolation and molecular characterisation of Halicephalobus gingivalis in the brain of a horse in Piedmont, Italy. Parasit Vectors 2017 Mar 7;10(1):135.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2070-3pubmed: 28270191google scholar: lookup
      8. Taulescu MA, Ionicã AM, Diugan E, Pavaloiu A, Cora R, Amorim I, Catoi C, Roccabianca P. First report of fatal systemic Halicephalobus gingivalis infection in two Lipizzaner horses from Romania: clinical, pathological, and molecular characterization. Parasitol Res 2016 Mar;115(3):1097-103.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4839-7pubmed: 26631187google scholar: lookup
      9. Lim CK, Crawford A, Moore CV, Gasser RB, Nelson R, Koehler AV, Bradbury RS, Speare R, Dhatrak D, Weldhagen GF. First human case of fatal Halicephalobus gingivalis meningoencephalitis in Australia. J Clin Microbiol 2015 May;53(5):1768-74.
        doi: 10.1128/JCM.00032-15pubmed: 25694532google scholar: lookup
      10. Henneke C, Jespersen A, Jacobsen S, Nielsen MK, McEvoy F, Jensen HE. The distribution pattern of Halicephalobus gingivalis in a horse is suggestive of a haematogenous spread of the nematode. Acta Vet Scand 2014 Sep 19;56(1):56.
        doi: 10.1186/s13028-014-0056-0pubmed: 25233889google scholar: lookup
      11. Papadi B, Boudreaux C, Tucker JA, Mathison B, Bishop H, Eberhard ME. Halicephalobus gingivalis: a rare cause of fatal meningoencephalomyelitis in humans. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2013 Jun;88(6):1062-4.
        doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0730pubmed: 23509120google scholar: lookup
      12. Ferguson R, van Dreumel T, Keystone JS, Manning A, Malatestinic A, Caswell JL, Peregrine AS. Unsuccessful treatment of a horse with mandibular granulomatous osteomyelitis due to Halicephalobus gingivalis. Can Vet J 2008 Nov;49(11):1099-103.
        pubmed: 19183732
      13. Bröjer JT, Parsons DA, Linder KE, Peregrine AS, Dobson H. Halicephalobus gingivalis encephalomyelitis in a horse. Can Vet J 2000 Jul;41(7):559-61.
        pubmed: 10907579
      14. Springer A, Krüger C, Strube C, Steinhauer D. Worms and reproductive failure: First evidence of transplacental Halicephalobus transmission leading to repeated equine abortion. Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis 2025;8:100309.
        doi: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100309pubmed: 40948903google scholar: lookup
      15. Ribeiro M, Gomes-Gonçalves S, Moreira G, Cardoso L, Mesquita JR. On the faecal detection of Halicephalobus gingivalis in equines in Iran. Vet Res Commun 2024 Oct;48(5):3499-3501.
        doi: 10.1007/s11259-024-10453-6pubmed: 38935174google scholar: lookup
      16. Sousa TM, Toma HS, Lima AP, Junior ACCL, Nunes MM, Silva APCD, Wouters D, Albuquerque AS, Varaschin MS, Raymundo DL, Toma CDM, Batista FA. Pathological fracture induced by Halicephalobus gingivalis (Nematoda: Rhabditida) in a horse limb. Parasites Hosts Dis 2024 Feb;62(1):131-138.
        doi: 10.3347/PHD.23066pubmed: 38443776google scholar: lookup
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