Onchocercosis in red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Spain

Onchocercosis, caused by Onchocerca flexuosa, was observed in red deer (Cer vus elaphus) from Spain for the first time. Adult specimens of O. flexuosa were found in nodules in subcutaneous tissues in 42 of 125 (33%) red deer b etween October 1994 and September 1995; intensity of infection +/- SD was 3 .93 +/-5.26 nodules per infected host. A clear seasonal pattern in the dist ribution of nodules was observed, with higher values of prevalence and inte nsity in fall and winter in contrast to spring and summer. Significant diff erences were found among age groups in prevalence, but not in the mean inte nsity. No differences in infection were apparent between male and female ad ult red deer.