Frequency of different genotypes of Giardia duodenalis in slaughtered sheep and goat in east of iran

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Wolf (Canis lupus) as a Reservoir of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia intestinalis in Poland

Infections with zoonotic pathogens have received increasing attention in recent years, as reflected in the literature of both veterinary and human medicine. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are recognised as the principal causes of waterborne outbreaks worldwide, but there is still limited data on the role of wild carnivores, such as red foxes and wolves, as reservoir hosts and in disseminating these pathogens in the environment. The aim of the current project was to analyse the prevalence and abundance of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in foxes from seven voivodeships and in wolves from the Warmia-Masuria Voivodeship in Poland and to conduct a phylogenetic analysis of the detected parasites. For the detection of both parasites, we used the commercial immunofluorescent assay MeriFluor Cryptosporidium/Giardia. For Cryptosporidium detection we also applied modified Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining of faecal smears and, following PCR amplification, sequenced the 18S rDNA locus. For Giardia detection, we sequenced the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene. In total, 117 and 69 faecal samples obtained from red foxes and wolves, respectively, were screened for the presence of Cryptoporidium/Giardia. In red foxes, prevalence was 38.5% and 15.4% for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. intestinalis, respectively. In wolves, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 14.5%, and only one sample was Giardia-positive. Cryptosporidium canis, Cryptosporidium sp. vole genotype, C. baileyi and Cryptosporidium sp. were identified in red foxes, while C. canis and Cryptosporidium sp. were detected in wolves. Our results indicate that red foxes and grey wolves act as reservoir hosts of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. intestinalis in natural areas in Poland.

Giardia duodenalis triggered neutrophil extracellular traps in goats

Giardia duodenalis is a globally distributed zoonotic parasite primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, infecting various vertebrates, and the infection of which is prevalent in goats. Immune cells play a crucial role in pathogens invasion, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) released by neutrophils serve as a non-specific defense mechanism against pathogens including parasites. In this study, we investigated the characteristics, components, and molecular mechanisms of goat NETs upon stimulation with G. duodenalis trophozoites. This study demonstrates that G. duodenalis trigger dose-dependent NETs formation in goat neutrophils, composed of DNA, citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3), and neutrophil elastase (NE). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation synchronizes with NETosis during G. duodenalis infection. Inhibitor experiments confirmed that G. duodenalis-induced NETs and ROS production depend on TLR2/4 signaling and require NADPH oxidase (NOX), ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK activation. This work identifies TLR2/4, NOX, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK pathways as key regulators of NETs/ROS coordination during G. duodenalis infection, providing the first evidence of G. duodenalis-triggered NETs in goats. The findings highlight NETs as critical components of anti-G. duodenalis immunity and suggest potential for NETs-targeted therapeutic strategies.

Prevalence and genetic diversity of Giardia duodenalis in sheep from large-scale farms in Southern Xinjiang, China

Giardia duodenalis is a significant zoonotic parasite. In this study, 767 fresh fecal samples were collected randomly from six large-scale sheep farms in Southern Xinjiang, China. Initially, G. duodenalis was screened using PCR at the SSU rRNA gene. Positive samples then underwent PCR amplification at the bg, gdh, and tpi genes. The prevalence of G. duodenalis in sheep was 17.5% (134/767), with the highest prevalence observed in the 3-6 months age group at 26.8% (56/209) and the lowest in the over 12 months age group at 6.8% (14/205). Among the 134 positive samples, only Assemblage E was identified. A total of 106, 92, and 98 sequences of G. duodenalis were obtained at the gdh, tpi, and bg genes, respectively. Fourteen isolates of G. duodenalis were successfully amplified at all three genes, resulting in nine G. duodenalis multilocus genotypes (MLG) named MLG E1-MLG E14, indicating high genetic diversity. In conclusion, G. duodenalis infection in sheep from large-scale farms is common in Southern Xinjiang, China, showing geographical regional distributions and genetic diversity.

Unveiling the presence and genotypic diversity of Giardia duodenalis on large-scale sheep farms: insights from the Henan and Ningxia Regions, China

BACKGROUND

The parasitic protozoan Giardia duodenalis is an important cause of diarrheal disease in humans and animals that can be spread by fecal-oral transmission through water and the environment, posing a challenge to public health and animal husbandry. Little is known about its impact on large-scale sheep farms in China. In this study we investigated G. duodenalis infection of sheep and contamination of the environment in large-scale sheep farms in two regions of China, Henan and Ningxia.

METHODS

A total of 528 fecal samples, 402 environmental samples and 30 water samples were collected from seven large-scale sheep farms, and 88 fecal samples and 13 environmental samples were collected from 12 backyard farms. The presence of G. duodenalis was detected by targeting the β-giardin (bg) gene, and the assemblage and multilocus genotype of G. duodenalis were investigated by analyzing three genes: bg, glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triphosphate isomerase (tpi).

RESULTS

The overall G. duodenalis detection rate was 7.8%, 1.4% and 23.3% in fecal, environmental and water samples, respectively. On the large-scale sheep farms tested, the infection rate of sheep in Henan (13.8%) was found to be significantly higher than that of sheep in Ningxia (4.2%) (P < 0.05). However, the difference between the rates of environmental pollution in Henan (1.9%) and Ningxia (1.0%) was not significant (P > 0.05). Investigations of sheep at different physiological stages revealed that late pregnancy ewes showed the lowest infection rate (1.7%) and that young lambs exhibited the highest (18.8%). Genetic analysis identified G. duodenalis belonging to two assemblages, A and E, with assemblage E being dominant. A total of 27 multilocus genotypes were identified for members of assemblage E.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that G. duodenalis is prevalent on large-scale sheep farms in Henan and Ningxia, China, and that there is a risk of environmental contamination. This study is the first comprehensive examination of the presence of G. duodenalis on large-scale sheep farms in China. Challenges posed by G. duodenalis to sheep farms need to be addressed proactively to ensure public health safety.

Zoonotic pathogens in wild muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and domestic sheep (Ovis aries) from Greenland

The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Erysipelothrix in muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and sheep (Ovis aries) from Greenland. In 2017 and 2018, faecal samples were collected from wild muskoxen from three distinct populations (Zackenberg, Kangerlussuaq, and Ivittuut) and from domestic sheep from southwest Greenland. Blood samples were collected from muskoxen from Kangerlussuaq and Ivittuut and from sheep. Faecal samples were tested for specific DNA of G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp., and blood samples were tested for antibodies against T. gondii and Erysipelothrix. The estimated prevalence of G. duodenalis was 0% (0/58), 17% (7/41) and 0% (0/55) in muskoxen from Zackenberg, Kangerlussuaq and Ivittuut, respectively, and 37% (16/43) in sheep. The estimated prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 0% (0/58), 2% (1/41), 7% (4/55) in muskoxen from Zackenberg, Kangerlussuaq, Ivittuut, respectively, and 2% (1/43) in sheep. Neither Giardia nor Cryptosporidium were detected in winter samples (0/78). Of the positive samples, Giardia from one muskox sample only was successfully typed as G. duodenalis assemblage A, and Cryptosporidium from two muskoxen was successfully typed as C. parvum, subtype IIdA20G1e. The estimated T. gondii seroprevalence was 2% (1/44) and 0% (0/8) in muskoxen from Kangerlussuaq and Ivittuut, respectively, and 1% (1/155) in sheep. The estimated Erysipelothrix seroprevalence was 2% (1/45) and 13% (1/8) in muskoxen from Kangerlussuaq and Ivittuut, respectively, and 7% (10/150) in sheep. The results of this study add to the scarce knowledge on zoonotic pathogens in the Arctic.

Prevalence and multi-locus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in rabbits from Shaanxi province in northwestern China

Giardia duodenalis is an important parasite with veterinary and public health significance worldwide. The presence and zoonotic assemblages of G. duodenalis have previously been reported in rabbits. In this study, to understand the infection status of G. duodenalis in rabbits from Shaanxi province, a total of 537 fecal samples were collected from two breeds of rabbits in four age groups (<30 days, 31–90 days, 91–200 days and >200 days) from four geographical origins (Fengxiang, Yangling, Tongchuan, and Shanyang). The presence of G. duodenalis in these samples was assessed using molecular assays based on beta-giardin (bg). The glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) loci were then amplified in the bg-positive samples for multi-locus genotype (MLG) analysis. The total prevalence of G. duodenalis in these rabbits was 3.54% (19/537). Giardia duodenalis infection was found in both breeds of rabbits, and in all farms and age groups, but with no statistically significant differences related to these factors (p > 0.05). Two assemblages, including B and E, were identified, with the former the predominant assemblage detected in both breeds, and in all age groups and farms. Sequence analysis revealed 2 (named as rbg1-2), 1 (named as rtpi1), and 2 (named as rgdh1-2) haplotypes at the gene loci of bg, tpi, and gdh, respectively, forming a multilocus genotype (MLG) of assemblage B (rbg1, rtpi1, and rgdh1). These findings reveal the significant zoonotic potential and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis in rabbits in Shaanxi Province, PR China.

Nano amphotericin B: a good anti-leishmanial drug with effect on cathelicidin gene expression

Protozoan parasites, such as Leishmania major (L. major), remained as a global health problem of the current century. Leishmania major is a major cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in developed and developing countries. Traditionally, amphotericin B is prescribed as an alternative drug, while first-line drugs failed. Some active proteins of the innate immune system such as cathelicidins try to inhibit infection Via several proposed mechanisms. Here this research aimed to not only determine the anti-leishmanial activity of nano amphotericin B but also to evaluate which anti-leishmanial drug can induce the cathelicidin gene expression. Both promastigote and amastigote stages of L. major were exposed to various concentrations of nano amphotericin B, amphotericin B and finally compared to glucan time as standard drug for CL treatment. For the gene expression of cathelicidin, macrophages were exposed to the same concentration of anti-leishmanial drugs. The findings demonstrated that nano amphotericin B was more effective at all concentrations than amphotericin B. Additionally, among tested anti-leishmanial drugs, nano amphotericin B has more potency to induce the cathelicidin gene expression in macrophages cells. The findings revealed that nano amphotericin B has potential as an effective anti-leishmanial drug against CL caused by L. major parasites.