Diseases / List of Parasitic Diseases / Disease description:
Tracheal Fluke Infection in Waterfowl

INFORMATION AVAILABLE

GENERAL INFORMATION

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS & PATHOLOGY

INVESTIGATION & DIAGNOSIS

TREATMENT & CONTROL

SUSCEPTIBILITY & TRANSMISSION

ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY

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General and References

Disease Summary
WATERFOWL Fluke infection of the trachea (windpipe), may be subclinical but also associated with noisy respiration and sometimes mortality.

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Alternative Names (Synonyms)
  • Orchipedum tracheicola infection
  • Typhlocoelum infection
  • Tracheophilus infection

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Disease Type
 Parasitic - Tapeworms and Flukes

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Infectious/Non-Infectious Agent associated with the Disease
Trematodes flukes): Orchipedum tracheicola, Typhlocoelum (Tracheophilus) cucumerinum (= T. obovale) may be synonymous with Tracheophilus cymbius (T. sisowi). Hyptiasmus tumitus = H. arcuatus (B24)

Infective "Taxa"

Non-infective agents

 --

Physical agents

 -- Indirect / Secondary

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References

Disease Author

 Debra Bourne
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Major References / Reviews

Code and Title List

 B24
J1.16.w9
J7.50.w1

Other References

Code and Title List

 B91
J1.13.w7, J1.16.w8, J1.17.w6

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Clinical Characteristics and Pathology

Detailed Clinical and Pathological Characteristics

General

 WATERFOWL Flukes in the trachea, may be subclinical infection or associated with noisy respiration and causing inflammation of the trachea and sometimes an airsacculitis.

Clinical Characteristics

 WATERFOWL
  • May be subclinical (no clinical signs).
  • Noisy breathing noticed in swans with Orchipedum tracheicola infection (J1.50.w1).
  • Dyspnoea and asphyxia may be seen with infections of Typhlocoelum cucumerinum in ducks (J1.16.w9).

Incubation

 WATERFOWL --

Mortality / Morbidity

 WATERFOWL Mortality reported with heavy infections of Typhlocoelum cucumerinum in ducks (J1.16.w9).

Pathology

 WATERFOWL
  • Trachea: Flukes Orchipedum tracheicola (leaf-shaped, 13mm by 4mm) in the trachea, causing damage resulting in inflammatory debris in the trachea.
  • Airsacs: airsacculitis may also be noted.

(J7.50.w1)

  • Typhlocoelum cucumerinum may be found in the trachea, airsacs and oesophagus of wild ducks, Tracheophilus cymbius may be found in the trachea and bronchi. Flukes may obstruct the airways

(B24)
Systems affected by the disease WATERFOWL -

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Human Health Considerations
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Susceptibility / Transmission

General information on Susceptibility / Transmission
WATERFOWL
  • Susceptibility may be affected by concurrent diseases  (J7.50.w1).
  • Transmission: by ingestion of infected intermediate host snails (J1.16.w9, B24).

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Disease / Agent has been reported in either the wild or in captivity in:
Disease reported in:
  • Mute swan Cygnus olor in the UK, Orchipedum tracheicola infection in a high density population and with concurrent lead poisoning and other parasitic diseases (J7.50.w1).
  • High intensity of infection with Typhlocoelum cucumerinum has been associated with mortality in ducks (J1.16.w9).

Infection reported in:

  • Wild northern shovelers Anas clypeata in southwest Texas, USA (J1.13.w7).
  • Wild Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and green-winged teal Anas crecca in Oklahoma, USA (J1.16.w8).
  • Infection with Typhlocoelum cucumerinum in Anas acuta - Northern pintail, Anas crecca - Green-winged teal, Anas discors - blue-winged teal, Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard, Anas rubripes - American black ducks, Aythya marila - Greater scaup and Aythya valisineria - Canvasback in Quebec, Canada; infection also reported in Anas strepera - Gadwall and Anas clypeata - Northern shoveler in Texas, USA, Anas fulvigula - Mottled duck, in Florida, USA, Aythya marila - Greater scaup, Aythya affinis - Lesser scaup and redheads Aythya americana in Maryland, USA, Aythya valisineria - Canvasback in Manitoba, Canada and in Michigan, USA, , Anas rubripes - American black ducks in eastern Canada and Anas penelope - Eurasian wigeon in the UK (J1.16.w9).
  • Anseranas semipalmata - Magpie goose (Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Dendrocygna fulva - Fulvous whistling-duck (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Anser anser - Grey-lag goose (Typhlocoelum sisowi, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Anser anser domesticus - Domestic goose (Typhlocoelum sisowi, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Anser albifrons - Greater white-fronted goose (Typhlocoelum sisowi), Anser caerulescens - Snow goose (Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum),, Hyptiasmus arcuatus (Hyptiasmus arcuatus),Cygnus columbianus - Tundra swan (Orchipedum tracheicola), Cygnus cygnus - Whooper swan (Orchipedum tracheicola), Cygnus cygnus buccinator - Trumpeter swan (Orchipedum tracheicola), Cygnus olor - Mute swan (Orchipedum tracheicola, Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Tadorna ferruginea - Ruddy shelduck (Orchipedum tracheicola, Typhlocoelum sisowi), Tadorna tadorna - Common shelduck (Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard (Orchipedum tracheicola, Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Anas platyrhynchos domesticus - Domestic duck (Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Anas acuta - Northern pintail  (Orchipedum tracheicola, Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Anas clypeata - Northern shoveler (Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Anas crecca - Common teal (Orchipedum tracheicola, Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Anas discors - Blue-winged teal [taken to be synonymous with Anas erythrorhyncha in this reference] (Typhlocoelum sisowi), Anas falcata - Falcated duck (Typhlocoelum sisowi), Anas penelope - Eurasian wigeon (Orchipedum tracheicola, Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Anas poecilorhyncha - Spot-billed duck (Typhlocoelum sisowi), Anas querquedula - Garganey (Orchipedum tracheicola, Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Anas rubripes - American black duck (Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Anas strepera - Gadwall (Typhlocoelum sisowi, Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Melanitta fusca - White-winged scoter (Orchipedum tracheicola, Typhlocoelum sisowi), Somateria mollissima - Common eider (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Aythya affinis - Lesser scaup (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Aythya americana - Redhead (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Aythya ferina - Common pochard (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus) Aythya fuligula - Tufted duck (Hyptiasmus arcuatus),Aythya marila - Greater scaup (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Aythya nyroca - Ferruginous pochard (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Netta rufina - Red-crested pochard (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Cairina moschata - Muscovy duck  (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Plectropterus gambensis - Spur-winged goose (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Sarkidornis melanotos - Comb duck (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum), Bucephala clangula - Common goldeneye  (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Clangula hyemalis - Long-tailed duck (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Melanitta fusca - White-winged scoter (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Mergus albellus - Smew (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum, Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Melanitta nigra - Black scoter (Hyptiasmus arcuatus), Mergus serrator - Red-breasted merganser (Typhlocoelum cucumerinum). (B91)

WATERFOWL Host Species List

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Disease / Agent has been specifically reported in Free-ranging populations of:
Disease reported in:
  • Mute swan Cygnus olor in the UK, Orchipedum tracheicola infection in a high density population and with concurrent lead poisoning and other parasitic diseases (J7.50.w1).

Infection reported in:

  • Wild northern shovelers Anas clypeata in southwest Texas, USA (J1.13.w7).
  • Wild Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and green-winged teal Anas crecca in Oklahoma, USA (J1.16.w8).
  • Wild green-winged teal Anas crecca in southwest Texas, USA (J1.17.w6).
  • Ducks with Typhlocoelum cucumerinum: Anas acuta - Northern pintail, Anas crecca - Green-winged teal, Anas discors - blue-winged teal, Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard, Anas rubripes - American black ducks, Aythya marila - Greater scaup and Aythya valisineria - Canvasback in Quebec, Canada; infection also reported in Anas strepera - Gadwall and Anas clypeata - Northern shoveler in Texas, USA, Anas fulvigula - Mottled duck, in Florida, USA, Aythya marila - Greater scaup, Aythya affinis - Lesser scaup and redheads Aythya americana in Maryland, USA, Aythya valisineria - Canvasback in Manitoba, Canada and in Michigan, USA, , Anas rubripes - American black ducks in eastern Canada and Anas penelope - Eurasian wigeon in the UK (J1.16.w9).

WATERFOWL Host Species List

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Environment/Geography
General Information on Environmental Factors/Events and Seasonality
  • Occurrence will depend on the presence of suitable habitat for the intermediate host snails.
  • Prolonged use of one area by infected waterfowl may result in a build up of infection in the intermediate host snails in the area (J1.16.w9).

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Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded

Orchipedum tracheicola infection, UK (J7.50.w1). Typhlocoelum spp.infection UK and North America (J1.16.w9).

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Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded in Free-ranging populations

Orchipedum tracheicola infection, UK (J7.50.w1).

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General Investigation / Diagnosis

General Information on Investigation / Diagnosis
WATERFOWL Flukes found (6-11.5 x 3mm) in airways (B24).
Related Techniques
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Similar Diseases (Differential Diagnosis)
WATERFOWL --

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Treatment and Control

Specific Medical Treatment
WATERFOWL Albendazole and praziquantel may be useful (B24).
Related Techniques
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General Nursing and Surgical Techniques
WATERFOWL --
Related Techniques

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Preventative Measures
Vaccination WATERFOWL --
Prophylactic Treatment

WATERFOWL

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Related Techniques --
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Environmental and Population  Control Measures
General Environment Changes, Cleaning and Disinfection

WATERFOWL

 Molluscicides could be used to eliminate the snails (B24).
Population Control Measures WATERFOWL Keep waterfowl away from water suspected to be infected with the flukes and intermediate host snails (B24).
Isolation, Quarantine and Screening WATERFOWL --
Related Techniques
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