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Mendoza-Roldan JA, Perles L, Filippi E, Szafranski N, Montinaro G, Carbonara M, Scalera R, de Abreu Teles PP, Walochnik J, Otranto D. Parasites and microorganisms associated with the snakes collected for the "festa Dei serpari" in Cocullo, Italy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011973. [PMID: 38381797 PMCID: PMC10911609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
While in much of the Western world snakes are feared, in the small, rural, mountainous town of Cocullo, in the middle of central Italy, snakes are annually collected and celebrated in a sacro-profane ritual. Every 1st of May, Serpari (snake catchers) capture and showcase dozens of non-venomous snakes to celebrate the ritual of San Domenico. In order to detect potential zoonotic pathogens within this unique epidemiological context, parasites and microorganisms of snakes harvested for the "festa dei serpari" ritual were investigated. Snakes (n = 112) were examined and ectoparasites collected, as well as blood and feces sampled. Ectoparasites were identified morpho-molecularly, and coprological examination conducted through direct smear and flotation. Molecular screenings were performed to identify parasites and microorganisms in collected samples (i.e., Mesostigmata mites, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii, Babesia/Theileria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Leishmania spp. and helminths). Overall, 28.5% (32/112) of snakes were molecularly positive for at least one parasite and/or microorganism. Endosymbiont Wolbachia bacteria were identified from Macronyssidae mites and zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (e.g., Rickettsia, Leishmania), as well as orally transmitted pathogens (i.e., Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas), were detected from blood and feces. Thus, given the central role of the snakes in the tradition of Cocullo, surveys of their parasitic fauna and associated zoonotic pathogens may aid to generate conservation policies to benefit the human-snake interactions, whilst preserving the cultural patrimony of this event.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Livia Perles
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Ernesto Filippi
- Biologist consultant for the Cocullo municipality, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicole Szafranski
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Julia Walochnik
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China
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Graham EA, Los Kamp EW, Thompson NM, Tillis SB, Childress AL, Wellehan JFX, Walden HDS, Ossiboff RJ. Proliferative strongyloidiasis in a colony of colubrid snakes. Vet Pathol 2024; 61:109-118. [PMID: 37458163 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231186391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Strongyloides are small rhabditid nematodes primarily associated with enteric disease in a variety of animal species, including reptiles. Strongyloides spp life stages were associated with a disease outbreak in a large breeding colony of snakes. Multiple Pantherophis and Lampropeltis colubrids exhibited respiratory distress, anorexia, stomatitis, facial deformation, and waning body condition that resulted in death or necessitated euthanasia. Postmortem examinations of 13 snakes revealed epithelial hyperplasia and inflammation of the alimentary and respiratory tracts associated with varying numbers of adult and larval nematodes and embryonated or larvated ova. In a subset of snakes, aberrant nematode migration was also observed in the eye, genitourinary system, coelom, and vasculature. Histomorphology and gross examination of parasitic adult female nematodes from host tissues were consistent with a Strongyloides spp. Sedimented fecal material from 101/160 (63%) snakes housed in the affected facility was positive for nematodes and/or larvated ova. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of portions of the 18S and 28S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) genes and the internal transcribed spacer region of adult female parasites and positive fecal samples supported the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis. Strongyloides spp possess a unique life cycle capable of alternating between parasitic (homogonic) and free-living (heterogonic) stages, resulting in the production of directly infective larvae. Commonly utilized husbandry practices in reptile collections can amplify the numbers of infective larvae generated in the captive environment, increasing the risk for rhabditid hyperinfections. This report documents morbidity, mortality, and non-enteric disease manifestations due to Strongyloides hyperinfections in a captive colubrid snake colony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A Graham
- University of Georgia, Tifton, GA
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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Yudhana A, Praja RN, Edila R. First report of acanthocephalan parasite in wild-caught Asian vine snake (Ahaetulla prasina) in Indonesia. Vet World 2023; 16:317-321. [PMID: 37042008 PMCID: PMC10082717 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.317-321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Exotic pet snakes are more susceptible to infection, especially parasitic helminths than wild-caught. There is no comprehensive report on the prevalence of acanthocephalan parasite infection in Indonesian snakes. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence rate and to identify the acanthocephalan infection in wild-caught Asian vine snake (Ahaetulla prasina) from the Mojokerto District, East Java, Indonesia.
Materials and Methods: A total of 60 snakes were collected from the local sellers in the Mojokerto District, East Java, Indonesia. Then, snakes were euthanized and necropsied to observe various predilections of acanthocephalan larval stage (cystacanth). Morphological identification of the cystacanth was conducted using the carmine staining method and microscopic examination.
Results: Acanthocephalan infection was recorded with a high prevalence rate of 80.06%. A total of 696 cystacanths were examined from the muscle, subcutaneous tissues, and visceral with 32.90, 16.37, and 50.71% intensity rates, respectively.
Conclusion: Acanthocephalan prevalence rate was recorded at 80.06% in this study. Constant disease monitoring is necessary, considering wild-caught Asian vine snakes were susceptible host and lack of data regarding parasitological surveys. Therefore, further studies are needed in new areas and various species of wild-caught snakes in Indonesia, because of the potential of parasitic helminth transmission between snake and other reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Yudhana
- Veterinary Medicine Study Program, Department of Health and Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Universitas Airlangga, Wijaya Kusuma Street 113, Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia; Department of Veterinary Science, Division of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Kampus C Mulyorejo Street, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Ratih Novita Praja
- Veterinary Medicine Study Program, Department of Health and Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Universitas Airlangga, Wijaya Kusuma Street 113, Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia; Department of Veterinary Science, Division of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Kampus C Mulyorejo Street, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Ryanka Edila
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Kampus C Mulyorejo Street, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia; Royal Canin Veterinary Student Ambassador, Indonesia
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Parasitic helminths in snakes from the global legal trade. Helminthologia 2021; 58:415-419. [PMID: 35095319 PMCID: PMC8776304 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the demand for snakes imported from different countries around the world has increased in Slovakia. However, such snakes can be infected with a wide variety of parasites. We have been focused on monitoring the prevalence of parasitic helminths of snakes imported to Slovakia. From 2015 to 2020, 205 samples were collected. We examined faecal samples of 185 live snakes, and a parasitological autopsy was performed on 20 carcasses. Out of a total of 205 snakes, parasitic helminths were found in 44 individuals (21.46 %). Coprological examination of live snakes confirmed positivity for the presence of helminths in 38 snakes (20.54 %). Through parasitological autopsy of all the dead snakes, we found helminths or their eggs in 6 carcasses (30.00 %). The genera of helminths found in the positive snakes were: Ophiotaenia spp., Kapsulotaenia spp., Strongyloides spp., Rhabdias spp., Ophidascaris spp., Ascaridia spp., f. Heterakidae, Kalicephalus spp., Capillaria spp., order Oxyurida and stages of the plerocercoid of an unidentifi ed species of tapeworm in the subcutaneous tissue.
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Hallinger MJ, Taubert A, Hermosilla C. Endoparasites infecting exotic captive amphibian pet and zoo animals (Anura, Caudata) in Germany. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3659-3673. [PMID: 32960371 PMCID: PMC7578172 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06876-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Alongside exotic reptiles, amphibians, such as toads, frogs, salamanders, and newts, are nowadays considered popular pets worldwide. As reported for other exotic pet animals, amphibians are known to harbor numerous gastrointestinal parasites. Nonetheless, very little data are available on captive amphibian parasitic diseases. In this study, we applied direct saline fecal smears (DSFS) to examine in total 161 stool samples from 41 different amphibian species belonging to the orders Anura and Caudata. In addition, carbolfuchsin-smear (CFS) staining (n = 74 samples) was used to detect amphibian Cryptosporidium oocysts. Also, complete dissections of deceased amphibians (n = 107) were performed to specify parasite infections and to address parasite-associated pathogenicity. Overall, examined amphibian fecal samples contained 12 different parasite taxa. The order Rhabditida with the species Rhabdias spp. and Strongyloides spp. were the most prevalent nematode species (19.3%), followed by flagellated protozoans (8.7%), Amphibiocapillaria spp./Neocapillaria spp. (7.5%), Oswaldocruzia spp. (4.3%), Blastocystis spp. (3.1%), Cosmocerca spp. (3.1%), oxyurids (Pharyngonoidae) (3.1%), spirurids (1.2%), un-sporulated coccidian oocysts (0.6%), Tritrichomonas spp. (0.6%), Karotomorpha spp. (0.6%), and Cryptosporidium spp. (0.6%). One CFS-stained fecal sample (1.4%) was positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Within dissected amphibians, 31 (48.4%) of the anurans and 11 (26.2%) of the salamanders were infected with gastrointestinal parasites. One cutaneous Pseudocapillaroides xenopi infection was diagnosed in an adult African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis). Etiologically, 17 (15.9%) of them died due to severe parasitic and/or bacterial infections (e.g., Chryseobacterium indologenes, Citrobacter freudii, Sphingobacterium multivorum, Klebsiella pneumoniae). High prevalence and pathological findings of several clinical amphibian parasitoses call for more detailed investigation on gastrointestinal parasite-derived molecular mechanisms associated with detrimental lesions or even death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malek J Hallinger
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
- exomed GmbH, Schönhauser Str. 62, 13127, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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