A little-known capillariid of carnivores with an unusual localization

The purpose of the research is to study the distribution of the nematode Capillaria paranalis in wild carnivores in the Central region of the European part of Russia and to evaluate histopathological changes in the anal glands. Materials and methods . The anal glands were examined during helminthological autopsies of 25 pine martens (Martes martes) and 43 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from hunting grounds in the Ryazan and Tver regions. The material for histological examination was fixed in 10% formalin, sections were stained with Mayer’s Hematoxylin-Eosin. Results and discussion . C. paranalis nematodes were found in the anal glands of 16 (64%) martens in number from 2 to 11, averaging 6 specimens, with an abundance index (AI) of 3.8 specimens. Nematodes were found in 5 (12%) foxes in number from 1 to 3, averaging 2.2 specimens, with an AI of 0.3 specimens. Histological examination showed that nematodes in the anal glands are located parietal and within the stratum corneum of the mucosa. Bilateral sacculitis is moderately expressed, the process is chronic. In the places of nematode location, the epithelium is degeneratively changed. Soft tissues surrounding the anal glands are edematous, there are clusters of small lymphocytes, less often histiocytes and macrophages, sometimes neutrophils, eosinophils and plasma cells are visible.