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Faecal egg counts from field experiment reveal density dependence in helminth fecundity: Strongyloides robustus infecting grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)

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Abstract

Investigation of endo-macroparasite infections in living animals relies mostly on indirect methods aimed to detect parasite eggs in hosts’ faeces. However, faecal flotation does not provide quantitative information on parasite loads, whereas faecal egg count (FEC) techniques may not give reliable estimates of parasite intensity, since egg production may be affected by density-dependent effects on helminth fecundity. We addressed this issue using Eastern grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and their gastrointestinal nematode Strongyloides robustus to assess the performance of coprological techniques and to investigate factors affecting parasite fecundity. We compared results of gut examination, flotation and McMaster FECs in 65 culled grey squirrels. Sensitivity and specificity of flotation were 81.2 % (Confidence Interval, CI 54.3–95.9 %) and 85.7 % (CI 72.7–94.1 %), respectively, resulting in low positive predictive values when infection prevalence is low. Individual parasite fecundity (no. of eggs/adult female worm) was negatively affected by S. robustus intensity, leading to a non-linear relationship between parasite load and eggs/gram of faeces (EPG). As a consequence, whereas flotation may be a valid method to perform the first screening of infection status, FECs are not a reliable method to estimate S. robustus intensity, since diverse values of EPG may correspond to the same number of parasites. Neither the amount of analysed faeces nor the season had any effect on EPG, indicating that the observed reduction in helminth fecundity is likely caused exclusively by density-dependent processes such as competition among worms or host immune response.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Cuneo Province and private estates owners for allowing field collection. Many thanks also to Leila Luise and Sara Vedovato for their assistance with laboratory analysis.

Ethical standards

Sampling of grey squirrels was carried out with authorizations by Cuneo Province (Permit No. 473, 12 May 2011) and the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). All sampling protocols were chosen to minimise animal stress and suffering. Squirrels were euthanised immediately after capture following EC and AVMA guidelines (Close et al. 1996, 1997; Leary et al. 2013).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Claudia Romeo & N. Saino

  2. Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Claudia Romeo & N. Ferrari

  3. Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100, Varese, Italy

    L. A. Wauters & A. Martinoli

  4. Department of Biology, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium

    S. Cauchie & E. Matthysen

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  1. Claudia Romeo
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  2. L. A. Wauters
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  3. S. Cauchie
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Correspondence to Claudia Romeo.

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Romeo, C., Wauters, L.A., Cauchie, S. et al. Faecal egg counts from field experiment reveal density dependence in helminth fecundity: Strongyloides robustus infecting grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). Parasitol Res 113, 3403–3408 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-014-4005-7

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