Occurrence of Libyostrongylus sp. (Nematoda) in ostriches ( Struthio camelus Linnaeus, 1758) from the north region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Domestic production of ostrich in Brazil started in the beginning of the last decade, but its sanitary state has not been reported. Libyostrongylus sp. is an ostrich specific nematode whose parasitism can severely affect the birds. Thus, Libyostrongylus spp. larvae were identified in commercial ostriches in the north region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The EPG was determined and fecal cultivation was performed. The eggs presented typical characteristics of strongylid and were present in five out of six farms. The mean EPG varied from 22 to 2395 and Libyostrongylus spp. prevalence was from 0 to 100%, with adult birds more infected. Two types of infective larvae with tail finishing in a tipped spiny knob were distinguished. The first had a mean length of 848 μm (710–1010) with a long sheath tail of about 66 μm (52–112). The other had a mean length of 826 μm (620–940) with a short, more abruptly ending sheath tail of 32 μm (22–40) and a less rounded cephalic end. The differences between these larvae suggest two Libyostrongylus species.