Larvae of Elaphostrongylus cervi in the deer of Scotland

• Published in: Veterinary Record
• Main Authors: English, AW, Watt, CF, Corrigall, W
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 1985
• Subjects: Papers & Articles; Rangifer tarandus
• Online Access: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/116/10/254; https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.116.10.254

Protostrongylid larvae were recovered from the faeces or lungs of red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Scotland during 1981. Typical protostrongylid first-stage larvae were also recovered from possible intermediate hosts, the grey field slug (Agriolimax reticulata) and the white-soled slug (Arion fasciatus). All these protostrongylid larvae were microscopically identical to those of the nematode Elaphostrongylus cervi. Despite careful search, adult E cervi were not found, but it is concluded that infection with E cervi is widespread in Scottish deer.