Hepatic Capillariasis (Capillaria Hepatica) in Porcupines (Erethizon Dorsatum) in Pennsylvania

Abstract

Tissues of 53 adult porcupines ( Erethizon dorsatum) from Pennsylvania were obtained for histopathologic examination. Hepatic capillariasis was recorded in 9% of the porcupines. An additional 11% of the liver sections showed lesions that were compatible with migration by Capillaria hepatica. Because only 1 section of the liver per animal was examined microscopically, the documented prevalence of C. hepatica in Pennsylvania is considered conservatively low. However, this condition was subclinical, because none of the infected animals showed clinical signs, and none revealed severe pathologic changes in the affected livers. This seems to be the only report of C. hepatica in porcupines.