Host age, sex related and seasonal dynamics of Elaphostrongylus cervi larvae in fenced and free living red deer

Abstract

First-stage larvae (L₁) of the so-called tissue worm or extra-pulmonary lungworm Elaphostrongylus cervi were detected in the faeces of red deer using the Baermann sedimentation method. Faeces samples of farmed (n=340) and free living deer (n=94) of different age categories and both sexes were collected and examined in 2005-2009. Dorsal-spined 364-452 μm long L₁ were counted and expressed as number of larva per gram (lpg). In calf samples L₁ appeared first time in January only. Wild calves represented a higher prevalence (61.1-80%) and lower intensity (25.2-90.2) than their farmed counterparts (33.3-45.5 and 80-292 lpg). Prevalence (33.3-83.3 %) and intensity (5.2-372.1) in wild hinds varied over seasons as well as in farmed hinds (36.8-90.5%, and 54.7-251.6). In farmed stags prevalence showed even larger variations (0-100%), meanwhile intensity values were low (4-31.3) except in March (144.7 lpg). The use of anthelmintics had just a short-term influence on the prevalence and intensity.