Capillaria hepatica (NEMATODA: TRICHURIDAE) IN PRONGHORN ANTELOPE (Antilocapra americana ORD) IN ALBERTA

¹ Alberta Department of Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
² Alberta Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Division, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

During January and February, 1971, 41 carcasses of pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana Ord), killed by vehicles, starvation and predators in southeastern Alberta, were examined. Livers of four does contained white to yellow lesions beneath Glisson's capsule and within the hepatic parenchyma. Histopathologic examination revealed numerous ova of Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft 1893). Ova were surrounded by granulomatous reactions characterized by collagenous fibers and fibrous tissue; many were fragmented and contained calcium and iron salts. No adults were found. Widespread granulomatous reactions and mineralized, fragmented ova suggested that ova were non-viable and that pronghorn antelope are accidental and unsuitable hosts. This is the first published record of C. hepatica in pronghorn antelope specifically, and in North American ruminants, generally.