Troglostrongylus brevior and other lungworm infections in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) of the Harz Mountains, Germany

Abstract text

Introduction:

The formerly widely spread Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) nowadays represents an endangeredsmall felid species (Felinae), freely ranging in only three small fragmented populations in Germany. To date, little is known on lynx pathogens, especially in the field of cardio-pulmonary parasites. Moreover, data on the occurrence, pathology and clinical significance of lungworm infections in lynx are scarce. In domestic cats, metastrongyloid lungworms can induce different clinical signs ranging from subclinical courses to minor and severe symptoms like coughing, dyspnea, cardiac hypertrophy or even death.

Objectives:

The current study was initiated to study neglected metastrongyloid lungworm infections in re-introduced free-ranging L. lynx populations in Germany.

Material and Methods:

In 2022, sixteen faecal samples from seven[LS1] [MH2] GPS-collared sub-adult Eurasian lynxes from the Harz Mountain population were collected (at around 51.855380, 10.345010). Sampling was performed at natural prey killing sites in a non-invasive and un-molested manner. The fresh faecal samples were analyzed for vital metastrongyloid larvae using the Baermann funnel technique. First-stage lungworm larvae were identified microscopically based on classical morphological characteristics. To confirm morphological results on species level, molecular analyses were performed via PCR.

Results:

By coprological analysis, we here deliver the first report on Troglostrongylus brevior infection in German Eurasian lynx. The morphometric and morphological identification of T. brevior-larvae was confirmed by PCR and. Furthermore, larvae of other metastrongyloid lungworms, i. e. Angiostrongylus sp., Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Crenosoma sp. were detected in lynx samples. Overall, a high proportion (56%) of lynx faecal samples proved positive for metastrongyloid cardiopulmonary nematode infections.

Conclusion:

Considering the high proportion of lungworm-positive faecal samples, further studies on metastrongyloid lungworm infections circulating in Eurasian lynx should be performed to better understand the epidemiology, prevalence and pathobiology of this parasite infection. The implementation of a veterinary monitoring program on Lynx lynx is pivotal to assess their health status and to succeed in conserving this endangered small wild felid species.