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Setaria labiatopapillosa (Filarioidea, Nematoda) in Moroccan cattle: atypical localization and morphological characterization of females and microfilariae by light and scanning electron microscopy

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Abstract

Filarioid nematodes are parasites of the tissues and tissue spaces of all vertebrates except fish. Females produce microfilariae that enter the host’s blood circulation or skin and may cause ocular and neurological pathology, leading to important implications in veterinary and public health. The present work is the first investigation on Setaria labiatopapillosa conducted in Morocco to characterize the morphological features of both adult and microfilaria forms. Two adult female nematodes were found free in the thoracic cavity of a slaughtered 3.5-year-old (6 teeth) Moroccan enhanced cross-breed bull which was born and raised in Morocco. The worms were identified as S. labiatopapillosa by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on the basis of their characteristic features of the anterior and posterior parts of the worms. The two S. labiatopapillosa worms measured 90 mm and 105 mm in length and 0.55 and 0.64 mm in width, respectively. Microfilariae were detected in the fully developed eggs contained in the uterus of both nematodes. A detailed morphology of both the adult females and larvae of S. labiatopapillosa is described using LM and SEM. Although the origin of S. labiatopapillosa analyzed in the present study is unknown and there is currently no evidence that Setaria spp. have invaded Morocco, further surveillance is warranted to determine the incidence of setariasis, identify its vectors, and take appropriate measures to protect the livestock and cattle industry of the country.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the farmers and breeders in Kénitra region (Morocco), the director of municipal slaughterhouse in Kénitra for collection of parasites, and Unité d’appui technique à la recherche scientifique of Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique (CNRST, Rabat, Morocco) for technical support and use of scanning electronic microscope.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environment and Health Team, Laboratory of Environment and Biotechnology, Faculty of sciences, University Ibn Tofaïl, BP 133, 14000, Kenitra, Morocco

    Redouan Mrifag, Mohamed Aly Lemrabott, Khadija El Kharrim & Driss Belghyti

  2. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Marseille, Service de Santé des Armées, Unité Mixte de Recherche Vecteurs – Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France

    Mohamed Aly Lemrabott & Leonardo K. Basco

  3. Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire – Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France

    Mohamed Aly Lemrabott & Leonardo K. Basco

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  1. Redouan Mrifag
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Contributions

This work is part of PhD thesis of RM under the guidance of his thesis director KEK. RM, KEK, and DB conceived and designed the experiments. RM performed the experiments. RM, MAL, KEK, and DB analyzed the data. RM, DB, and LB wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Leonardo K. Basco.

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Mrifag, R., Lemrabott, M.A., El Kharrim, K. et al. Setaria labiatopapillosa (Filarioidea, Nematoda) in Moroccan cattle: atypical localization and morphological characterization of females and microfilariae by light and scanning electron microscopy. Parasitol Res 120, 911–918 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06966-z

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