Potential consequences of captivity and environmental pollution in endoparasitic prevalence in different antelopes kept at wildlife parks

Anoplocephalid tapeworms in mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) inhabiting the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Cestodes of the family Anoplocephalidae parasitize a wide range of usually herbivorous hosts including e.g. rodents, ungulates, primates, elephants and hyraxes. While in some hosts, the epidemiology of the infection is well studied, information is lacking in others. In this study of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif, an extensive sample set comprising adult cestodes collected via necropsies, proglottids shed in feces, and finally, fecal samples from both night nests and identified individuals were analysed. Anoplocephala gorillae was the dominant cestode species detected in night nest samples and individually known gorillas, of which only 1 individual hosted a Bertiella sp. It was shown that the 2 species can be distinguished through microscopy based on egg morphology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for diagnostics of both species were provided. Sequences of mitochondrial (cox 1) and nuclear (ITS1, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA) markers were used to evaluate the phylogenetic position of the 2 cestodes detected in mountain gorillas. Both types of fecal samples, from night nests and from identified individuals, provided comparable information about the prevalence of anoplocephalid cestodes, although the analysis of samples collected from identified gorilla individuals showed significant intra-individual fluctuation of A. gorillae egg shedding within a short period. Therefore, multiple samples should be examined to obtain reliable data for wildlife health management programmes, especially when application of anthelmintic treatment is considered. However, while A. gorillae is apparently a common symbiont of mountain gorillas, it does not seem to impair the health of its host.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in captive mammals at Khon Kaen Zoo, Thailand

Background and Aim

Captive animals are susceptible to parasitic diseases due to the stress and confinement they experience. In addition, they can serve as reservoirs of zoonotic parasites that have the potential to infect humans. To investigate this possibility, we estimated the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in captive mammals at Khon Kaen Zoo, Thailand.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and forty-seven individual mammals (37 primates, 43 carnivores, 62 herbivores, and 5 rodents) were examined for parasitic infections by fecal examination daily for 3 consecutive days using the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT) and the agar plate culture method.

Results

According to FECT, the overall prevalence of GI parasites was 62.6% (92/147). Within animal groups, the numbers were as follows: 67.6% (25/37) in primates, 23.3% (10/43) in carnivores, 85.5% (53/62) in herbivores, and 80.0% (4/5) in rodents. Using the agar plate culture method, 21.43% (27/126) were positive for Strongyloides spp. and hookworm infections. The GI parasites identified belonged to three categories: protozoa (including Entamoeba histolytica species complex, Entamoeba coli, Giardia spp., coccidia, and ciliated protozoa), trematodes (minute intestinal flukes and rumen flukes), and nematodes (strongyle/hookworm, Strongyloides spp., Ascarididae, and Trichuris spp.).

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate the prevalence of several GI parasites in zoo animals with the potential for transmission to humans, given the animals' close proximity to both visitors and animal caretakers.

Biomonitoring of heavy metals and their association with DNA damage in Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) under captivity

Environmental pollution and changing climatic conditions are likely to damage biodiversity not only on organismal level but on molecular level as well. The aim of the present study was to find the concentration of heavy metals in soil, water, feed, feathers, and blood and association of heavy metals with DNA damage of P. cristatus. The results showed that lead (Pb) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in soil and cadmium (Cd) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in soil and water. Chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co) were significant (P < 0.01) in feed. Manganese (Mn) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in feed and soil (surface). In addition, Pb and Cd concentrations were significant (P < 0.01) in feathers while Cr and Zn concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in feces. Nickel was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in feathers and eggshell while Mn and Co concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in blood and feces, respectively. Furthermore, significant positive correlation between Pb (r_s = 0.75; P < 0.05) and Cd (r_s = 0.67; P < 0.05) concentrations in blood with tail DNA was found. It was concluded that heavy metals exist in the soil, water, feathers, and blood and have association with DNA damage of P. cristatus.

Source identification and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air and dust samples of Lahore City

During two consecutive summer and winter seasons in Lahore, the health risk of air and dust-borne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was evaluated. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GS/MS) was used to determine air and dust samples from various functional areas across the city. The mean ∑₁₆PAHs were higher in air 1035.8 ± 310.7 (pg m^-3) and dust 963.4 ± 289.0 (ng g^-1 d.w.) during winter seasons as compared to summer seasons in air 1010.9 ± 303.3 (pg m^-3) and dust matrices 945.2 ± 283.6 (ng g^-1 d.w.), respectively. PAHs ring profile recognized 3 and 4 rings PAHs as most dominant in air and dust samples. Estimated results of incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) highlighted high carcinogenic risk among the residents of Lahore via ingestion and dermal contact on exposure to atmospheric PAHs. The total ILCR values in air among children (summer: 9.61E - 02, winter: 2.09E - 02) and adults (summer: 1.45E - 01, winter: 3.14E - 02) and in dust, children (summer: 9.16E - 03, winter: 8.80E - 03) and adults (summer: 1.38E - 02, winter: 1.33E - 02) during the study period. The isomeric ratios in the study area revealed mixed PAH sources, including vehicular emission, petroleum, diesel and biomass combustion. As a result, it is advised that atmospheric PAHs should be monitored throughout the year and the ecologically friendly fuels be used to prevent PAHs pollution and health concerns in the city. The findings of this study are beneficial to the local regulating bodies in terms of controlling the exposure and promoting steps to reduce PAHs pollution and manage health in Lahore.