Acanthocephala Infection of Hedgehogs
(Thorny-headed Worm)
There has been a high incidence of this reported this year from varies parts of the UK and the Continent
Summary Information
Alternative Names • Thorny headed worm infection of hedgehogs
Disease Agents • Thorny headed worms (Acanthocephalids).
General Description • Worm infection usually of the intestines but also the mesentery.
Clinical signs:
• Heavy infections in juveniles may result in emaciation, poor condition, squealing and death.
• Diarrhoea and emaciation from severe infections.
• Usually asymptomatic although heavy infection may be fatal.
o Usually asymptomatic in adults.
• Severe infections: Diarrhoea, weight loss.
Pathology:
• Gastrointestinal:
o Presence of the worms in the intestine (and mesentery).
o Intestinal mucosal damage (ulceration of the intestinal wall); severe damage to the mucosa may be seen with very heavy infections.
o Intestinal ulceration recorded due to Echinorhynchus erinacei infection.
o Ulceration of the colon recorded due to Echinorhynchus roase infection.
Note: Often there may be an associated gastrointestinal bacterial infection. [See: Colibacillosis (with special reference to Waterfowl and Hedgehogs), Proteus Infection in Waterfowl and Hedgehogs, Salmonellosis (with special reference to Waterfowl and Hedgehogs)]
Further Information
Transmission: • Ingestion of infected insect intermediate hosts.
Susceptibility: • Juvenile hedgehogs appear to develop more severe and pathological infections than do adults.
Diagnosis:
• Faecal examination: presence of worms, like white grass seeds, visible to the naked eye.
• Faecal examination by sedimentation (necessary due to the high specific weight of the eggs): presence of eggs; the egg contains a larva, already armed with hooks.
• Post mortem examination: presence of worms may be detected incidentally at post mortem examination. Prosthorhynchus spp. are about 6mm long.
Fri May 31, 2013 12:15 pm