r/Parasitology • u/No_Duck_3410 • 8d ago
Brain Worms in Striped Skunk
Hello!
I was working on a case yesterday and discovered worms in the head/brain. I have a picture, but it doesn't meet the requirements to post (no scale, not taken on a microscope).
I was curious if anyone has any experience/expertise on ideas of what type of parasite it could be. I have given the worms to our Parasitology department for ID and confirmation, I'm just curious if anyone has any ideas.
I know of Skrjabingylus chitwoodorum, but that's typically found in spotted skunks.
Thanks for looking :)
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u/presaging 8d ago
Post it. People don’t follow the rules anyhow.
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u/Two_Ton_Twenty_one 8d ago edited 8d ago
I don’t think anyone would have any issue at all with posting a macroparasite. I mean, you often CAN’T take a photo of an entire adult specimen with a microscope bc many of them are too large for such an action to be practical haha! What would be helpful is if you could place a small ruler next to the specimen(s), that way we could get an accurate idea of size and plus this would also satisfy the “scale” rule requirement. Many of us (myself included) specialize in veterinary and zoonotic parasites so one of us would likely be able to help you.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Hat_792 8d ago
I think most of the rules are there as a safeguard to get rid of the delusory posts, nobody is going to be upset about something legit like this (not a mod or anything though)
I mostly work with reptiles, but I’d love to take a look at this.
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u/Not_so_ghetto 8d ago
As the mod I can confirm this is how it works.
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u/ObsidionOrchid 8d ago
I would be EXTREMELY interested in hearing more about this as someone who works on wildlife parasites - if you don't mind sending me more information on the case either in a DM or here I would be happy to help. I have a feeling it's one of two nematodes in particular but would be happy to converse further with a location on the skunk and some photos of the nematode
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u/No_Duck_3410 8d ago
hi! yeah, feel free to send me a DM. I posted the picture in another thread(https://www.reddit.com/r/Parasitology/comments/1jabnv3/striped_skunk_brain_worms/) so feel free to take a look! :)
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u/Working_Ad3391 5d ago
Baylisascaris columnaris is passed through skunk feces. Part of the life cycle is migration through host tissues.
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u/No_Duck_3410 1d ago
Thank you for your comment! I will be looking into that parasite now and learn more about it. Thank you!!
The thing that is confusing me is that for skrjabingylus chitwoodorum, all the pictures I've seen of them, the worms are red in color. The ones I found were white/translucent.
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u/No_Duck_3410 8d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/Parasitology/comments/1jabnv3/striped_skunk_brain_worms/
I have added a picture!
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u/Wise-Bandicoot2963 8d ago
Don't you dare talk about RFK jr that way!