DISEASE SUMMARY PAGE

Lungworms in Bears

Summary Information
Diseases / List of Parasitic Diseases / Disease summary
Alternative Names
  • Crenosoma sp. infection in bears
  • Capillaria aerophila infection in bears
Disease Agents
  • Crenosoma sp. (J345.3.w2)
  • Capillaria aerophilla. (J1.14.w10, J11.90.w1)
Infectious Agent(s) --
Non-infectious Agent(s) --
Physical Agent(s) --
General Description Lesions associated with Capillaria aerophila infection were noted in one infected Ursus americanus - American black bear from the southeastern USA. 
Gross Pathology
  • Respiratory: 
    • In the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles, large amounts of viscous exudate, yellow to grey, completely occluding some of the smaller air passages. (J1.14.w10)
    • Exudate from the trachea and bronchi contained numerous Capillaria aerophila and eggs. (J1.14.w10)
Histopathology
  • Respiratory:
    • Catarrhal bronchitis; bronchi and bronchioles occluded by mucus containing occasional neutrophils. (J1.14.w10)
Further Information

Cappilaria aerophila infection may be of pathological significance in Ursus americanus - American black bears in Florida, USA. (B419.14.w14)

Occurrence
  • Crenosoma sp. lungworms were found in the larger air passages of 3/53 adult Ursus americanus - American black bears from New York (Adirondacks, plus five from Allegany State Park), 1956-1958. (J413.7.w1)
  • Lungworms were found in the bronchi of the left apical lung in 3/10 adult Ursus americanus - American black bears trapped in the Adirondacks, and lungworm larvae were recovered from the faeces of one bear. (J413.7.w1)
  • Capillaria aerophila was found in the lungs of 10% of bears during a survey of Ursus americanus - American black bears from six states in the southeastern USA, July 1973-November 1976. This is the first record of this parasite in Ursus americanus. (J1.14.w10)
  • Crenosoma sp. was found in the small bronchioles of 8% of bears during a survey of black bears from six states in the southeastern USA, July 1973-November 1976. It was found only in bears from mountainous areas. (J1.14.w10)
  • Capillaria aerophila was detected in the lungs and trachea of 73.2% of 46 Ursus americanus - American black bears examined during a survey in Florida, October 1976-April 1981. (J381.50.w1)
  • Crenosoma vulpis were detected in the lungs of 2.4% of 46 Ursus americanus - American black bears (i.e. one bear) examined during a survey in Florida, October 1976-April 1981. (J381.50.w1)
  • Crenosoma sp. was detected in the lungs of 2.4% of 46 Ursus americanus - American black bears (i.e. one bear) examined during a survey in Florida, October 1976-April 1981. (J381.50.w1)
  • Crenosoma sp. lungworms were found in bears (in three of 53 wild Ursus americanus - American black bears from New York). (J345.3.w2)
    • These were found in the larger air passages. (J345.3.w2)
  • An unidentified nematode, 300 mm long (average) and 1.5 mm wide was found in the bronchi of a wild Ursus thibetanus - Asiatic black bear in the south-eastern USSR. (J345.3.w2)
  • Capillaria aerophila were found in the lungs of one bear (out of 17 in which the lungs were examined) during a survey of 22 Florida black bears Ursus americanus floridanus (Ursus americanus - American black bear) cubs (up to 12 months old) between 1998 and 2003, with four nematodes found. (J11.90.w2)
  • Crenosoma petrowi were found in eight of 64 bears examined during a survey of Ursus americanus - American black bears in central Ontario, Canada, 1975-1977. In two bears there was a mixed infection with Crenosoma potos. There was no associated gross pathology. (J30.56.w4)
  • Crenosoma potos were found in three of 64 bears examined during a survey of Ursus americanus - American black bears in central Ontario, Canada, 1975-1977. In two bears there was a mixed infection with Crenosoma petrowi. There was no associated gross pathology. (J30.56.w4)
  • Immature Crenosoma vulpis (41 worms) were found in a cub which died due to an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic drug when removed from its den bears during a survey of Ursus americanus - American black bears in central Ontario, Canada, 1975-1977. There was no associated gross pathology. (J30.56.w4)
Associated Techniques
Host taxa groups /species Further information on Host species has only been incorporated for species groups for which a full Wildpro "Health and Management" module has been completed (i.e. for which a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken).

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this infectious agent)

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