Sarcocystis spp. are common protozoan parasites infecting a wide range of intermediate hosts, including wild cervids. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and molecular characteristics of Sarcocystis infection in wild Korean roe deer (Capreolus pygargus tianschanicus) from Jeju Island, Korea. Sarcocysts were identified in the heart and skeletal muscle of 18 out of 40 examined animals (45.0%) based on histopathological examination. The cysts were oval to spherical in shape, measuring 42.41–340.29 μm in length and 31.62–129.76 μm in width, and were not associated with significant inflammatory responses. Molecular analysis targeting the 18S rRNA gene yielded 2 representative sequences, which showed 99.82% identity and high similarity to Sarcocystis linearis, as well as closely related species including S. taeniata and S. grueneri. Phylogenetic analysis placed these sequences within a clade of ungulate-associated Sarcocystis spp., although species-level resolution was not achieved due to the conserved nature of the marker. These findings provide baseline data on Sarcocystis infection in wild roe deer from Jeju Island and highlight the limitations of 18S rRNA-based identification for closely related Sarcocystis species.

Dirofilaria spp. are mosquito-borne filarial nematodes that primarily infect mammals. Here, we describe a filarial nematode infection in a female little egret (Egretta garzetta) from Jeju, Korea. Necropsy revealed multiple slender nematodes (4–6 cm) in the subcutaneous tissues of both legs. Histopathological examination demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with intralesional parasites. Morphologically, the nematodes exhibited a thick multilayered cuticle with prominent longitudinal ridges, consistent with members of the genus Dirofilaria. Molecular analysis based on 18S rRNA and mitochondrial c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene sequences indicated that the parasite was most closely related to D. repens; however, the level of sequence divergence precluded definitive species-level identification. Phylogenetic analysis further demonstrated that the isolates clustered within the Dirofilaria clade and were clearly separated from avian-associated filarioid nematodes. This study provides molecular and histopathological evidence of a Dirofilaria sp. infection in an avian host and supports incidental infection under natural exposure conditions.

Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae), a parasitic eye worm causing thelaziasis has been reported in humans and dogs in Korea. However, its occurrence in other potential reservoir hosts, including wild animals, remains unclear. In the present study, we described the 2 cases of thelaziasis from both of feral and captive wild animal in Korea. In August and November 2017, 2 cases of the parasitic infections were found in the third eyelid of rescued leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis and reared raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides at the Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center. A total of 20 and 24 worms were detected from the left and right eyes of leopard cat, respectively. In the left eye of the raccoon dog, 5 worms were recognized. Male worms were 969–11,860 μm long (10,600 μm on average) and 300–320 μm width (315 μm on average). Female worms were 13,430–15,330 (14,480) μm long and 320–370 (344) μm wide in size. They commonly had a characteristic scalariform buccal cavity and short esophagus. The vulva openings were located at the anterior of esophago-intestinal junction in females. The thelaziasis is reported in 2 species of wildlife, P. bengalensis and N. procyonoides, for the first time in Korea.