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Haleche I, Guilane A, Boutellis A, Medrouh B, Saidi F, Kernif T, Ziam H. Microscopic and molecular prevalence and associated risk factors with Toxocara and Blastocystis infection in dogs and cats in Mitidja, Algeria. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:216. [PMID: 38771352 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08240-y] [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] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Domestic dogs and cats can serve as a source of environmental contamination with Toxocara spp. and Blastocystis spp., and this represents a neglected public and veterinary health problem. We assessed the microscopic and molecular prevalence of these species in a locality in Algeria and identified the associated risk factors. The faeces of 225 dogs and 78 cats were collected in Mitidja between March and July 2022. The samples were analysed by coproscopy and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) and Small Subunit Ribosomal (SSU-RNA) of T. canis and Blastocystis spp. respectively. The overall microscopic prevalence of Toxocara spp. in dogs and cats was 9.78 ± 1.98% and 12.82 ± 7.42%, respectively. The rate of Blastocystis spp. was 15.11 ± 2.39% and 15.38 ± 4.08% in dogs and cats, respectively while the molecular prevalence of T. canis in dogs was 4.89 ± 1.44% and in cats 1.28 ± 1.27%; the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. was 41.78 ± 3.29% and 34.62 ± 5.39% in dogs and cats, respectively. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses identified the presence of the H1 subtype of T. canis in dogs, and the ST1 subtype of Blastocystis in dogs and cats. Dogs with clinical signs were more likely to be infected with T. canis (OR 6.039, P < 0.05) than healthy dogs. This study demonstrates that dogs and cats are carriers of Toxocara spp. and Blastocystis spp. and are therefore a source of environmental contamination. Veterinarians and human health professionals should work together to implement control strategies as part of a "One Health" approach to improving animal health and reducing the risk of transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikram Haleche
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment and Health, University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-epidemiology and Population Genetics, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Dely Brahim, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Asma Guilane
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-epidemiology and Population Genetics, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Dely Brahim, Algiers, Algeria
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Environnement: Interaction, Génome, Faculté des Sciences Biologiques, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene, Alger, Algeria
| | - Amina Boutellis
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Environnement: Interaction, Génome, Faculté des Sciences Biologiques, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene, Alger, Algeria
| | - Bachir Medrouh
- Center of Research in Agro-Pastoralism, 17000, Djelfa, Algeria
| | - Fairouz Saidi
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment and Health, University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria
| | - Tahar Kernif
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-epidemiology and Population Genetics, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Dely Brahim, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Hocine Ziam
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment and Health, University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria.
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Bauer C, Lider LA, Ussenbayev AE, Seitkamzina DM, Zhanabayev AA, Maksimov P, Knaus M. Toxascaris leonina in dogs - A nematode species of high prevalence in some regions of Eurasia. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 48:100986. [PMID: 38316504 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.100986] [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] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
A recent meta-analysis of studies from around the world had shown a global prevalence of Toxascaris leonina in stray dogs of about 7%. However, studies from Eurasian regions, where higher percentages of positive dogs were often found, were under-represented in this meta-analysis. This prompted the present study. Its main objective was to examine free-roaming dogs from the capital city of Kazakhstan to obtain information on the current occurrence of T. leonina egg shedding compared to Toxocara spp. Faecal samples from 500 free-roaming dogs from the city of Astana and its suburbs were collected 1-2 days after admission to the municipal animal shelter during three time periods (May to October 2019, September 2020, and April 2021). Samples were examined by a saline flotation method. Nematode egg-positive samples were subjected to a modified McMaster method to determine the number of eggs per gram of faeces (EPG). Toxascaris leonina eggs were found in 53.8% and Toxocara spp. eggs in 14.8% of the dogs examined. The prevalence of T. leonina egg shedding was significantly associated with age class but not with sex: dogs aged between 6 months and 2 years were more likely to be T. leonina egg positive than puppies. The intensity of T. leonina egg shedding was also age dependent: dogs aged between 6 months and 2 years had significantly higher EPGs compared to younger or older animals. In contrast, the prevalence of Toxocara spp. egg shedding was associated with both age class and sex: dogs older than 2 years were less likely to shed Toxocara spp. eggs than puppies, and females were less likely to be Toxocara spp. egg positive compared to males. The present results confirm those of other studies in Eurasian regions. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the global prevalence of T. leonina infection has been underestimated and should be revised accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bauer
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical Research University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry Technology, 62 Zhenis Avenue, 010011 Astana, Kazakhstan.
| | - Lyudmila A Lider
- S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical Research University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry Technology, 62 Zhenis Avenue, 010011 Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Altay E Ussenbayev
- S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical Research University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry Technology, 62 Zhenis Avenue, 010011 Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Dinara M Seitkamzina
- S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical Research University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry Technology, 62 Zhenis Avenue, 010011 Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Asylbek A Zhanabayev
- S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical Research University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry Technology, 62 Zhenis Avenue, 010011 Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Knaus
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany
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Cai W, Zhu Y, Wang F, Feng Q, Zhang Z, Xue N, Xu X, Hou Z, Liu D, Xu J, Tao J. Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Zoo Animals and Phylogenetic Characterization of Toxascaris leonina (Linstow, 1902) and Baylisascaris transfuga (Rudolphi, 1819) in Jiangsu Province, Eastern China. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:375. [PMID: 38338018 PMCID: PMC10854492 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The burden of gastrointestinal parasites in zoo animals has serious implications for their welfare and the health of veterinarians and visitors. Zhuyuwan Zoo is located in the eastern suburb of Yangzhou city in eastern China, in which over 40 species of zoo animals are kept. In order to understand the infection status of GI parasites in Zhuyuwan Zoo, a total of 104 fresh fecal samples collected randomly from birds (n = 19), primates (n = 19), and non-primate mammals (n = 66) were analyzed using the saturated saline flotation technique and nylon sifter elutriation and sieving method for eggs/oocysts, respectively. Two Ascaris species were molecularly characterized. The results showed that the overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 42.3% (44/104). The parasitic infection rate in birds, primates, and non-primate mammals were 26.3% (5/19), 31.6% (6/19), and 50.0% (33/66), respectively. A total of 11 species of parasites were identified, namely, Trichostrongylidae, Capillaria sp., Trichuris spp., Strongyloides spp., Amidostomum sp., Toxascaris leonina, Baylisascaris transfuga, Parascaris equorum, Paramphistomum spp., Fasciola spp., and Eimeria spp. Paramphistomum spp. eggs were first detected from the captive Père David's deer, and Fasciola spp. eggs were first reported from sika deer in zoo in China. A sequence analysis of ITS-2 and cox1 showed that the eggs isolated from the African lion (Panthera leo Linnaeus, 1758) were T. leonina, and the eggs from the brown bear (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758) were B. transfuga. The public health threat posed by these potential zoonotic parasitic agents requires attention. These results lay a theoretical foundation for prevention and control of wild animal parasitic diseases at zoos in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.W.); (Q.F.); (Z.Z.); (N.X.); (Z.H.); (D.L.); (J.X.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.W.); (Q.F.); (Z.Z.); (N.X.); (Z.H.); (D.L.); (J.X.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Feiyan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.W.); (Q.F.); (Z.Z.); (N.X.); (Z.H.); (D.L.); (J.X.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Qianqian Feng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.W.); (Q.F.); (Z.Z.); (N.X.); (Z.H.); (D.L.); (J.X.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhizhi Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.W.); (Q.F.); (Z.Z.); (N.X.); (Z.H.); (D.L.); (J.X.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Nianyu Xue
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.W.); (Q.F.); (Z.Z.); (N.X.); (Z.H.); (D.L.); (J.X.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xun Xu
- Yangzhou Zhuyuwan Zoo, Yangzhou 225009, China;
| | - Zhaofeng Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.W.); (Q.F.); (Z.Z.); (N.X.); (Z.H.); (D.L.); (J.X.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.W.); (Q.F.); (Z.Z.); (N.X.); (Z.H.); (D.L.); (J.X.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jinjun Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.W.); (Q.F.); (Z.Z.); (N.X.); (Z.H.); (D.L.); (J.X.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jianping Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.C.); (Y.Z.); (F.W.); (Q.F.); (Z.Z.); (N.X.); (Z.H.); (D.L.); (J.X.)
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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Holland CV. A walk on the wild side: A review of the epidemiology of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati in wild hosts. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 22:216-228. [PMID: 37964985 PMCID: PMC10641444 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Toxocara species are cosmopolitan nematode parasites of companion, domestic and wild hosts. Of the 26 known species of Toxocara, only Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati are definitively zoonotic. The significance of wild carnivores as definitive hosts of T. canis and T. cati respectively, has received far less attention compared to domestic dogs and cats. Complex environmental changes have promoted increasing contact between wildlife, domestic animals and humans that can enhance the risk of pathogen spillover. This review lists a total of 19 species of wild canid host that have been shown to act as definitive hosts for T. canis and a total of 21 species of wild felid host. In general, the number of publications focusing on felid host species is fewer in number, reflecting the general paucity of data on T. cati. The wild canids that have received the most attention in the published literature include the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), the wolf (Canis lupus), and the golden jackal (Canis aureus). The wild felid species that has received the most attention in the published literature is the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). Some non-canid and non-felid hosts also act as definitive hosts of Toxocara species. Certainly, red foxes would appear to be the most significant wild species in terms of their potential to transmit Toxocara to domestic dogs and humans via environmental contamination. This can be explained by their increasing population densities, encroachment into urban areas and their dietary preferences for a wide range of potential paratenic hosts. However, a major challenge remains to assess the relative importance of wild hosts as contributors to environmental contamination with Toxocara ova. Furthermore, one major constraint to our understanding of the significance of wildlife parasitism is a lack of access to samples, particularly from rare host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia V. Holland
- Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Attia MM, Mosallam T, Samir O, Ali A, Samir A. Toxascaris leonina infected domestic cat ( Felis catus) in Egypt; PCR-based molecular characterization of nematode eggs: a potential hazards to human health. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:843-849. [PMID: 38009147 PMCID: PMC10667188 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01631-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This molecular-epidemiological study was conducted in several locations in Cairo and Giza Governorates in domestic cats (Felis catus) to detect the most common intestinal helminths in feces and molecularly characterize this nematode. So, three hundred domestic cats were admitted to different clinics around Cairo and Giza Governorates with severe diarrhea, even watery, between January 2023 and April 2023. The ages of the cats ranged from 1 to 2.5 years old. Blood, sera, and urine samples were collected for further investigation of the health condition of the animals. Toxascaris leonina was the major intestinal parasite found in cat stools, with a prevalence rate of 5% (15 cats). Toxascaris leonina (T. leonina) eggs had oval elliptical surfaces and thick cuticles. An embryo was located inside the smooth outer shell wall of the shell. The animals suffer from normocytic normochromic anemia with leukocytosis, relative lymphocytosis, and thrombocytopenia. The amplification of the ITS-rDNA region from the ascaridoid nematodes was successfully performed using NC5 and NC2 primers. The PCR product of the ITS-rDNA fragment was sequenced and yielded 860 bp. The accession number of the sequenced ITS-rDNA region was OQ735413, submitted to Gene Bank, and based on the blast analysis of NCBI, the current ascaridoid nematode proved to be genetically related to the family Ascarididae and identified as T. leonina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa M. Attia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211 Egypt
| | - Tarek Mosallam
- Animal Reproductive Research Institute, Haram, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ojena Samir
- LeptoVet Lab for Veterinary Diagnostic Services, Garden City, Egypt
| | - Aisha Ali
- LeptoVet Lab for Veterinary Diagnostic Services, Garden City, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Samir
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211 Egypt
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Cháves-González LE, Morales-Calvo F, Mora J, Solano-Barquero A, Verocai GG, Rojas A. What lies behind the curtain: Cryptic diversity in helminth parasites of human and veterinary importance. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2022; 2:100094. [PMID: 35800064 PMCID: PMC9253710 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2022.100094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Parasite cryptic species are morphologically indistinguishable but genetically distinct organisms, leading to taxa with unclear species boundaries. Speciation mechanisms such as cospeciation, host colonization, taxon pulse, and oscillation may lead to the emergence of cryptic species, influencing host-parasite interactions, parasite ecology, distribution, and biodiversity. The study of cryptic species diversity in helminth parasites of human and veterinary importance has gained relevance, since their distribution may affect clinical and epidemiological features such as pathogenicity, virulence, drug resistance and susceptibility, mortality, and morbidity, ultimately affecting patient management, course, and outcome of treatment. At the same time, the need for recognition of cryptic species diversity has implied a transition from morphological to molecular diagnostic methods, which are becoming more available and accessible in parasitology. Here, we discuss the general approaches for cryptic species delineation and summarize some examples found in nematodes, trematodes and cestodes of medical and veterinary importance, along with the clinical implications of their taxonomic status. Lastly, we highlight the need for the correct interpretation of molecular information, and the correct use of definitions when reporting or describing new cryptic species in parasitology, since molecular and morphological data should be integrated whenever possible. Cryptic diversity has been described in helminths of human and animal importance. Cryptic species are morphologically indistinguishable but genetically distinct organisms. These entities emerge by different evolutionary and speciation mechanisms. Analysis of molecular and morphological data is needed for cryptic species delimitation. Cryptic diversity may affect pathogenicity, virulence and drug resistance of helminths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Enrique Cháves-González
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Fernando Morales-Calvo
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Javier Mora
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Alberto Solano-Barquero
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Guilherme G. Verocai
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Corresponding author. Twitter icon
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Li H, Liu Y, Wang C, Li Y, Chen Y, Wang L, Zhou X, Xie Y. The complete mitogenome of Toxascaris leonina from the Siberian tiger ( Panthera tigris altaica). MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES 2021; 6:1416-1418. [PMID: 33948494 PMCID: PMC8057085 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1911713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Toxascaris leonina is a polyxenical parasite and commonly found in canids and felids. In this study, we used the Illumina high throughput sequencing and assembly to determine the complete mitogenome of a representative of this parasite from the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica). The genome was 14,248 bp in size and encoded 12 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and two ribosomal RNAs. Phylogeny showed that two canid (dog)-originated T. leonina were phylogenetically distinct from two felid-originated T. leonina (tiger isolate and cheetah isolate), suggesting at least two distinct subclades of T. leonina infecting these hosts and supporting once again that T. leonina represents a species complex. Furthermore, four isolates of T. leonina grouped together and were more closely related to other species from the family Ascarididae than species of families Toxocaridae, Anisakidae and Ascaridiidae, demonstrating phylogenetic stability of these paraphyletic groups characterized in this study. These cumulative mitochondrial DNA data provide a better understanding of phylogenetic relationships of this polyxenical and zoonotic roundworm species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Li
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunjian Liu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengdong Wang
- China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda, Wolong, China
| | - Yingxin Li
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yijun Chen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lidan Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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