Small Indian mongoose(Herpestes auropunctatus)in Iran:first evidence for the infection with Spirura sp.(Nematoda:Spiruridae)

Objective:To investigate the infection with gastrointestinal helminthes in small Indian mongooses(Herpestes auropunctatus)and its epidemiologic aspects in Iran.Methods:During June 2012 to July 2013,a total of 13 small Indian mongooses were caught using live trap boxes in an area located near Shiraz,southern of Iran.Captured animals were euthanized,eviscerated and parts of the alimentary tract were inspected.Two mongooses showed a nematode attached to the mucosa of the stomach.Results:According to the main morphological characteristics,the specimens belonged to the genus Spirura(Blanchard 1849).This study represents the first evidences of the infection withSpirura sp.in Herpestes auropunctatus in the world.Conclusions:Because the animal can invade and appear in the habitat of the other animal populations including omnivores or carnivores,it seems that mongooses in this area could have a high potential for the transmission of the infection with the spirurid nematodes to a large range of animals.Thus,besides the necessity of conducting the controlling programs,autochthonous dogs,cats and rodents should be included in more epidemiological studies in this region.