• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.271-276
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• 2016

Horsehair or gordian worms (Nematomorpha) were identified with 22 genera (Gordiida) and 5 marine species (Nectonema) until now. During juvenile phase in development, they gain parasitic activity in arthropods. In this study, a gordian worm was detected in the feces of a dog living in Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. Using this worm, we evaluated the morphological characteristics by light microscopic analysis. Furthermore, the morphological classification was re-evaluated by scanning and transverse electron microscopes. The worm was determined that it is male adult having a bi-lobed tail and male gonads in cross sections. Based on the morphological characteristics including cross sections of body and areole on the cuticle, the parasite was also identified as Gordius sp. (Nematomorpha: Gordiidae).

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.348-352
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• 2009

This report deals with the morphology of the horsehair worm isolated in canine vomitus. We received a worm in living status. The worm was investigated by using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for species determination. Grossly, the worm was blackish brown in color and 215 mm in length and 1.2 mm in maximum width. Microscopically, the worm was composed of epicuticle, cuticle, epidermis, muscle, mesenchyme, pseudocoel, nerve cord and gut. But the genital organ was not developed. The SEM study revealed that the cuticle contains five types of elevated structures called areoles. The cuticular surface of the parasite is covered by an abundant type of areoles: simple areole, tubercle areole, bulging areole, crowned areole, circumcluster areole. The observed characteristics of the specimen in this study are same to those of genus Chordodes. And we concluded that it is a male of Chordodes koreensis belong to Gordiida. Only nine species of freshwater Nematomorpha are known from Korea, two of which belong to the genus Chordodes. But the case of parasitic horsehair worm in dogs do not recorded, and this is a first gordiosis of dog in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.719-724
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• 2015

Nematomorpha, horsehair or Gordian worms, include about 300 freshwater species in 22 genera (Gordiida) and 5 marine species in 1 marine genus (Nectonema). They are parasitic in arthropods during their juvenile stage. In the present study, the used gordian worm was found in the feces of a dog (5-month old, male) in July 2014. Following the worm analysis using light and scanning electron microscopes, the morphological classification was re-evaluated with molecular analysis. The worm was determined to be a male worm having a bi-lobed tail and had male gonads in cross sections. It was identified as Gordius sp. (Nematomorpha: Gordiidae) based on the characteristic morphologies of cross sections and areole on the cuticle. DNA analysis on 18S rRNA partial sequence arrangements was also carried out, and the gordiid worm was assumed to be close to the genus Gordius based on a phylogenic tree analysis.