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Surface Waters and Urban Brown Rats as Potential Sources of Human-Infective Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Vienna, Austria. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081596. [PMID: 34442675 PMCID: PMC8400309 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium and Giardia are waterborne protozoa that cause intestinal infections in a wide range of warm-blooded animals. Human infections vary from asymptomatic to life-threatening in immunocompromised people, and can cause growth retardation in children. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and diversity of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in urban surface water and in brown rats trapped in the center of Vienna, Austria, using molecular methods, and to subsequently identify their source and potential transmission pathways. Out of 15 water samples taken from a side arm of the River Danube, Cryptosporidium and Giardia (oo)cysts were detected in 60% and 73% of them, with concentrations ranging between 0.3-4 oocysts/L and 0.6-96 cysts/L, respectively. Cryptosporidium and Giardia were identified in 13 and 16 out of 50 rats, respectively. Eimeria, a parasite of high veterinary importance, was also identified in seven rats. Parasite co-ocurrence was detected in nine rats. Rat-associated genotypes did not match those found in water, but matched Giardia previously isolated from patients with diarrhea in Austria, bringing up a potential role of rats as sources or reservoirs of zoonotic pathogenic Giardia. Following a One Health approach, molecular typing across potential animal and environmental reservoirs and human cases gives an insight into environmental transmission pathways and therefore helps design efficient surveillance strategies and relevant outbreak responses.
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Marroquin SC, Eshar D, Browning GR, Herrin B. Diagnosis and successful treatment of Eimeria infection in a pair of pet domestic rats (Rattus norvegicus) with ponazuril. J Exot Pet Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jepm.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Jarquín-Díaz VH, Balard A, Jost J, Kraft J, Dikmen MN, Kvičerová J, Heitlinger E. Detection and quantification of house mouse Eimeria at the species level - Challenges and solutions for the assessment of coccidia in wildlife. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 10:29-40. [PMID: 31360634 PMCID: PMC6637263 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Detection and quantification of coccidia in studies of wildlife can be challenging. Therefore, prevalence of coccidia is often not assessed at the parasite species level in non-livestock animals. Parasite species – specific prevalences are especially important when studying evolutionary questions in wild populations. We tested whether increased host population density increases prevalence of individual Eimeria species at the farm level, as predicted by epidemiological theory. We studied free-living commensal populations of the house mouse (Mus musculus) in Germany, and established a strategy to detect and quantify Eimeria infections. We show that a novel diagnostic primer targeting the apicoplast genome (Ap5) and coprological assessment after flotation provide complementary detection results increasing sensitivity. Genotyping PCRs confirm detection in a subset of samples and cross-validation of different PCR markers does not indicate bias towards a particular parasite species in genotyping. We were able to detect double infections and to determine the preferred niche of each parasite species along the distal-proximal axis of the intestine. Parasite genotyping from tissue samples provides additional indication for the absence of species bias in genotyping amplifications. Three Eimeria species were found infecting house mice at different prevalences: Eimeria ferrisi (16.7%; 95% CI 13.2–20.7), E. falciformis (4.2%; 95% CI 2.6–6.8) and E. vermiformis (1.9%; 95% CI 0.9–3.8). We also find that mice in dense populations are more likely to be infected with E. falciformis and E. ferrisi. We provide methods for the assessment of prevalences of coccidia at the species level in rodent systems. We show and discuss how such data can help to test hypotheses in ecology, evolution and epidemiology on a species level. Flotation and PCR provide complementary results for Eimeria detection in house mice. Genotyping PCRs confirm detections. E. ferrisi, E. falciformis, and E. vermiformis infect natural populations of M. musculus. Double infections and preferentially infected tissues could be identified using qPCR. Potential virulence prevalence trade-off for Eimeria of house mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Hugo Jarquín-Díaz
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany.,Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Molecular Parasite-Host Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alice Balard
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany.,Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Molecular Parasite-Host Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jenny Jost
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Kraft
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mert Naci Dikmen
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jana Kvičerová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Emanuel Heitlinger
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany.,Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Molecular Parasite-Host Interactions, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
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Quillfeldt P, Romeike T, Masello JF, Reiner G, Willems H, Bedolla-Guzmán Y. Molecular survey of coccidian infections of the side-blotched lizard Uta stansburiana on San Benito Oeste Island, Mexico. Parasite 2018; 25:43. [PMID: 30109981 PMCID: PMC6092949 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2018043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood parasites are found in many vertebrates, but the research on blood parasites of lizards is still at its onset. We analyzed blood samples from side-blotched lizards Uta stansburiana from San Benito Oeste Island, Mexico, to test for the presence of hemoparasites. We found a high prevalence (23 out of 27 samples) of a blood parasite of the genus Lankesterella (Coccidia, Eimeriorina, Lankesterellidae) according to phylogenetic analyses of the parasite 18S rRNA gene. Similar parasites (97-99% similarity) have recently been described for Uta stansburiana from California. The parasite 18S rRNA gene showed high variability, both within San Benito and compared to California. The next closest matches of the parasite DNA with 97-98% similarity included a range of different genera (Lankesterella, Schellackia, Eimeria, Isospora and Caryospora). A high uncertainty in the deeper branches of the phylogenetic trees, and many missing links in genetic network analysis, were in line with previous suggestions that the coccidians are an understudied group with large knowledge gaps in terms of their diversity and taxonomy. Further studies are needed to resolve the evolutionary relationships within the Eimeriorina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Quillfeldt
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Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 35392
Giessen Germany
| | - Tanja Romeike
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Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 35392
Giessen Germany
| | - Juan F. Masello
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Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 35392
Giessen Germany
| | - Gerald Reiner
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Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Justus Liebig University Giessen Frankfurter Str. 112 35392
Giessen Germany
| | - Hermann Willems
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Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Justus Liebig University Giessen Frankfurter Str. 112 35392
Giessen Germany
| | - Yuliana Bedolla-Guzmán
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Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 35392
Giessen Germany
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Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas, A.C. Moctezuma 836, Zona Centro 22800 Ensenada Baja California Mexico
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DIAGNOSIS AND SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OFEIMERIAINFECTION IN A GROUP OF ZOO-KEPT BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOGS (CYNOMYS LUDOVICIANUS). J Zoo Wildl Med 2015; 46:367-9. [DOI: 10.1638/2014-0130r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Austen JM, Friend JA, Yang R, Ryan UM. Further characterisation of two Eimeria species (Eimeria quokka and Eimeria setonicis) in quokkas (Setonix brachyurus). Exp Parasitol 2014; 138:48-54. [PMID: 24508502 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The identification and characterisation of novel Eimeria species has largely been based on sporulated oocyst and sporocyst morphology, the host species and the geographical range. Variation in the size and shape of Eimeria oocysts across their host range however, make the identification and characterisation of novel species using traditional methodologies alone problematic. The use of molecular markers and phylogenetic analysis has greatly advanced our ability to characterise Eimeria species and has recently been applied to understand evolutionary relationships among Eimeria species from Australian marsupials. In the present study, Eimeria species isolated from quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) captured from Two Peoples Bay, Bald Island and Rottnest Island, Western Australia, were morphologically identified as Eimeria quokka and Eimeria setonicis. Both Eimeria species were identified as being polymorphic in nature with regards to sporulated oocyst and sporocyst morphometrics. Phylogenetic analysis using 18S rRNA and COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) genes, grouped E. quokka and E. setonicis within the Eimeria marsupial clade together with Eimeria trichosuri from brushtail possums, Eimeria macropodis from tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) and several unidentified macropod Eimeria species from western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus). This study is the first to characterise E. quokka and E. setonicis by molecular analysis, enabling more extensive resolution of evolutionary relationships among marsupial-derived Eimeria species.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Austen
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
| | - J A Friend
- Department of Parks and Wildlife, 120 Albany Highway, Albany, Western Australia 6330, Australia
| | - R Yang
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - U M Ryan
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
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Power ML, Richter C, Emery S, Hufschmid J, Gillings MR. Eimeria trichosuri: phylogenetic position of a marsupial coccidium, based on 18S rDNA sequences. Exp Parasitol 2009; 122:165-8. [PMID: 19248779 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2008] [Revised: 02/12/2009] [Accepted: 02/13/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Eimeria suggests that parasite and host have coevolved over broad evolutionary timescales. Here we extend this analysis by determining the 18S rDNA gene sequence of the marsupial coccidium, Eimeria trichosuri, and assessing its phylogenetic position relative to Eimeria from birds, reptiles and placental mammals. This analysis placed E. trichosuri clones in a clade that diverged before the major clade comprising species from placental mammals. The position of E.trichosuri is consistent with host phylogeny where marsupials represent an ancient evolutionary line that predates the placental mammal line.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Power
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia.
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Modrý D, Petrzelková K, Jirků M, Koubek P. Two new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Gerbilliscus guineae Thomas (Rodentia: Gerbillinae) in the Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal. Syst Parasitol 2008; 71:223-8. [PMID: 18815901 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-008-9150-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2008] [Revised: 05/22/2008] [Accepted: 07/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We describe two new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 from the gerbiline rodent Gerbilliscus guineae in the Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal. Faecal examination of samples revealed the presence of sporulated oöcysts of two eimerian coccidia, both possessing an oöcyst residuum. Eimeria permira n. sp. is remarkable in terms of oöcyst size and oöcyst wall texture. Sporulated oöcysts are ellipsoidal, 45.8 (42-50) x 32.5 (31-38) mum; the oöcyst wall is 3-4 mum thick, composed of three layers, with the outer layer sheathed by rough granular material; and the sporocysts are broadly ellipsoidal, 15.4 (15-16) x 11 and with a Stieda body present. Oöcysts of Eimeria gerbillisci n. sp. are subspherical, 22.5 (19.5-24) x 18.8 (16.5-20) mum, with a colourless, faintly granulated oöcyst wall 1.5 thick; and the sporocysts are 10.1 (10-12) x 6.7 (6-8), broadly ellipsoidal and often somewhat pointed towards both ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Modrý
- Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého 1-3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.
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9
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Kvicerová J, Ptácková P, Modrý D. Endogenous development, pathogenicity and host specificity of Eimeria cahirinensis Couch, Blaustein, Duszynski, Shenbrot and Nevo, 1997 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Acomys dimidiatus (Cretzschmar 1826) (Rodentia: Muridae) from the Near East. Parasitol Res 2006; 100:219-26. [PMID: 17048006 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-006-0251-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2006] [Accepted: 06/01/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Eimeria cahirinensis Couch et al. 1997 was found in faecal samples of Acomys dimidiatus from three different localities in the Near East. Twenty-two of 104 (21%) A. dimidiatus trapped on both the south- and north-facing slopes of "Evolution Canyon", Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel in August 2001 and 2002 were infected with E. cahirinensis. Oocysts were also obtained from a single individual of A. dimidiatus trapped in Wadi Ramm, Jordan in the summer of 1999. Laboratory-reared spiny mice (Acomys spp.) were inoculated to determine the prepatent and patent period, sporulation time, site of infection, immunogenicity, pathogenicity, pathology and morphology of endogenous stages of E. cahirinensis. Both asexual and sexual stages were localised in the apical part of duodenal and jejunal villi. An experimental inoculation of representatives of several rodent genera revealed the host range of E. cahirinensis to be limited to the genus Acomys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Kvicerová
- Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého 1-3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Asmundsson IM, Duszynski DW, Campbell JA. Seven new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from colubrid snakes of Guatemala and a discussion of what to call ellipsoid tetrasporocystic, dizoic coccidia of reptiles. Syst Parasitol 2006; 64:91-103. [PMID: 16612656 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-005-9022-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2005] [Accepted: 08/26/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
During a survey of Guatemalan herpetofauna in the summers of 1998-2000, 29 presumed new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 were found, seven of which have a distinct elongate-ellipsoidal shape (L/W ratio >or= 1.7) and are described herein. Six of the seven new species are similar in oöcyst length, width and L/W ratio and sporocyst length, width and L/W ratio, lack a micropyle, oöcyst residuum, Stieda body, sub-- and parastieda bodies, have a polar granule and sporocyst residuum, and their sporocysts appear to have dehiscence sutures. The seventh is slightly smaller and has sporocysts with a Stieda body. The new species are: E. coniophanes n. sp - whose sporulated oöcysts from Coniophanes fissidens are 29.2x14.9 (27-31x13-16) microm, with sporocysts 10.0 x 7.8 microm; E. coniophis n. sp. -from Conophis lineatus are 32.0x16.5 (30-34x14-18) microm, with sporocysts 10.2 x 8.9microm; E. dryomarchoni n. sp. - from Drymarchon corais are 32.2x17.7 (31-34x17-19) microm, with sporocysts 10.7 x 8.6 microm; E. leptophis n. sp. - from Leptophis mexicanus are 29.5x17.0 (28-31x16-18) microm, with sporocysts 10.0 x 9.1 microm; E. oxybelis n. sp. - from Oxybelis aeneus are 31.8x16.5 (29-33x15-18) microm, with sporocysts 10.3 x 8.8 microm; and E. scaphiodontophis n. sp. - from Scaphiodontophis annulatus are 30.0x15.3 (28-33x14-16) microm, with sporocysts 9.9 x 7.9 microm. Sporulated oöcysts of E. siboni n. sp. from Sibon nebulata are 24.3x14.2 (21-27x13-16) microm, with sporocysts 10.0 x 7.1 microm and with a Stieda body. We conclude that until all aspects of each life-cycle are known, it is prudent at this time to name all tetrasporocystic dizoic coccidia from snakes as members of Eimeria rather than place some of them in Choleoeimeria Paperna & Landsberg, 1989.
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Affiliation(s)
- I M Asmundsson
- Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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Modrý D, Jirků M, Sumbera R. THREE NEW SPECIES OF EIMERIA (APICOMPLEXA: EIMERIIDAE) FROM THE SILVERY MOLE RAT HELIOPHOBIUS ARGENTEOCINEREUS PETERS, 1846 (RODENTIA: BATHYERGIDAE) FROM MALAWI. J Parasitol 2005; 91:1200-3. [PMID: 16419767 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3468.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Three species of Eimeria Schneider are described from feces of the African bathyergid rodent, Heliophobius argenteocinereus, from Malawi. Oocysts of Eimeria heliophobii n. sp. are broadly ellipsoidal; 27.9 (22-31) x 22.3 (18-24.5) microm with a brownish, heavily pitted oocyst wall, and vacuolar oocyst residuum. Sporocysts are oval, 12.8 (12-14) x 8.4 (8-9) microm with Stieda and substieda bodies. Eimeria nafuko n. sp. has subspherical oocysts; 15.5 (15-16) x 12.8 (12-13) microm with a smooth, colorless oocyst wall. Sporocysts are oval, 9.2 (9-10) x 5.3 (5-6) microm, with a small Stieda body; the substieda body is not visible. Oocysts of Eimeria yamikamiae n. sp. are broadly ellipsoidal to subspherical; 20.8 (19-22) x 17.5 (15.5-19) microm, with slightly yellowish, very faintly pitted oocyst wall. The majority of oocysts contained a single spherical vesicular oocyst residuum and numerous very small granules. Sporocysts are oval, 10.7 (10-11) x 6.8. (6-7) microm, with a dome -like Stieda body and a subspherical to lentil-like substieda body. Typically, infected rodents shed oocysts of more than 1 species of Eimeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Modrý
- Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Morrison DA, Bornstein S, Thebo P, Wernery U, Kinne J, Mattsson JG. The current status of the small subunit rRNA phylogeny of the coccidia (Sporozoa). Int J Parasitol 2004; 34:501-14. [PMID: 15013740 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2003.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2003] [Revised: 10/29/2003] [Accepted: 11/10/2003] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
There is no current comprehensive assessment of the molecular phylogeny of the coccidia, as all recently published papers either deal with subsets of the taxa or sequence data, or provide non-robust analyses. Here, we present a comprehensive and consistent phylogenetic analysis of the available data for the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence, including a number of taxa not previously studied, based on a Bayesian tree-building analysis and the covariotide model of evolution. The assumptions of the analysis have been rigorously tested, and the benefits and limitations highlighted. Our results provide support for a number of prior conclusions, including the monophyly of the families Sarcocystidae (cyst-forming coccidia) and Eimeriidae (oocyst-forming coccidia), but with bird-host Isospora species in the Eimeriidae and mammal-host species in the Sarcocystidae. However, it is clear that a number of previously reported relationships are dependent on the evolutionary model chosen, such as the placements of Goussia janae, Lankesterella minimia and Caryospora bigenetica. Our results also confirm the monophyly of the subfamilies Toxoplasmatinae and Sarcocystinae, but only some of the previously reported groups within these subfamilies are supported by our analysis. Similarly, only some of the previously reported groups within the Eimeriidae are supported by our analysis, and the genus Eimeria is clearly paraphyletic. There are unambiguous patterns of host-parasite relationship within the coccidia, as most of the well-supported groups have a consistent and restricted range of hosts, with the exception of the Toxoplasmatinae. Furthermore, the previously reported groups for which we found no support all have a diverse range of unrelated hosts, confirming that these are unlikely to be natural groups. The most interesting unaddressed questions may relate to Isospora, which has the fewest available sequences and host-parasite relationships apparently not as straightforward as elsewhere within the suborder.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Morrison
- Department of Parasitology (SWEPAR), National Veterinary Institute and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden.
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Shields JM, Olson BH. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method for detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis in environmental waters without microscopic confirmation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003; 69:4662-9. [PMID: 12902255 PMCID: PMC169151 DOI: 10.1128/aem.69.8.4662-4669.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed an alternative nested-PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) protocol for the detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis in environmental samples that obviates the need for microscopic examination. The RFLP method, with the restriction enzyme AluI, differentiates the amplified target sequence from C. cayetanensis from those that may cross-react. This new protocol was used to reexamine a subset (121 of 180) of surface water samples. Samples previously positive when the CYCF3E and CYCR4B primers (33) and RFLP with MnlI (20) were used were also PCR positive with the new primers; however, they were RFLP negative. We verified, by sequencing these amplicons, that while two were most likely other Cyclospora species, they were not C. cayetanensis. We can detect as few as one oocyst seeded into an autoclaved pellet flocculated from 10 liters of surface water. This new protocol should be of great use for environmental microbiologists and public health laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan M Shields
- Department of Environmental Analysis and Design, School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-7070, USA
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Tenter AM, Barta JR, Beveridge I, Duszynski DW, Mehlhorn H, Morrison DA, Thompson RCA, Conrad PA. The conceptual basis for a new classification of the coccidia. Int J Parasitol 2002; 32:595-616. [PMID: 11943232 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(02)00021-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
At the joint meeting of the 8th International Coccidiosis Conference and the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Society for Parasitology in Palm Cove, Australia, in July 2001, a Controversial Roundtable was held on 'New classification of coccidia'. The aim of this Roundtable was to stimulate and encourage discussion and debate on current classification schemes for the group of parasitic protozoa known as the eimeriid coccidia. In the past, such classifications have been based only on phenotypic characters such as morphology, ultrastructure, life cycles, and host specificity. However, over the past 10-15 years, molecular phylogenetic studies on taxa of the eimeriid coccidia have revealed that several of the families, subfamilies, and genera that have been erected based on non-molecular characters are paraphyletic. Therefore, this Roundtable was an important forum for initial discussions on how a new and more comprehensive classification of the eimeriid coccidia, which takes into consideration both phenotypic and molecular characters, can be devised. The stimulus came from invited speakers who gave introductions into selected areas of taxonomy and classification. Following these introductions, a more general discussion with the audience addressed potential steps that may be taken in future work. This review is the immediate outcome of the Roundtable. It describes advantages and disadvantages of the use of phenotypic or molecular characters as the base for taxonomic schemes for eimeriid coccidia. It gives specific examples for drawbacks of current classifications based only on phenotypic characters as well as potential pitfalls associated with the use of only molecular phylogenies. It addresses current controversies as well as rules of taxonomy and nomenclature relevant for the eimeriid coccidia. Finally, it recommends the establishment of an international group of scientists to meet on a regular basis, stimulate further discussions, and give direction on how the final goal, i.e. a proposal for a revised, and widely accepted, classification of the eimeriid coccidia, may be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid M Tenter
- Institut für Parasitologie, Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Bünteweg 17, D-30559, Hannover, Germany.
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