The occurrence of the parasite Collyriclum faba (Bremser in Schmalz, 1831) in wild birds in Switzerland
Denzler, T.; Lobsiger Molliet, C.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 133(9): 419-424
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 1771405 Document Number: 379471
The infection of indigenous wild birds with the parasite C. faba is rare. The adult trematodes reside in the subcutaneous tissue of the host, where prominent cysts can be found. In summer 1988, 2 cases were diagnosed, in a house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and in a goldcrest (Regulus regulus). The cycle of the parasite is still unknown, earlier appearances in Switzerland are reviewed. Between 1960 and 1989, a total of 2070 wild birds were examined in the authors' institute. In only 4 cases was infection with C. faba diagnosed. All of the affected birds belonged to the order Passeriformes. The occurrence rate of infestation among all wildbirds was 0.2% and 0.6% within the order of the Passeriformes. The rate of C. faba infections in wild birds of Switzerland is low.