Prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in sandpits of parks in Osaka city, Japan, with notes on the prevention of egg contamination by fence construction

Prevalence of intestinal parasites with molecular detection and identification of Giardia duodenalis in fecal samples of mammals, birds and zookeepers at Beni-Suef Zoo, Egypt

The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites from various species of mammals and birds housed in a zoological garden in Beni-Suef province, Egypt. A total of 77 fecal samples were collected from various primates (16), carnivores (7) and herbivores (54). Meanwhile, 123 fecal samples were collected from two Ostrichs (Struthio camelus), five Numida meleagris (Numida meleagris), twoIndian Peafowls (Pavo cristatus), two Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) 101 Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and 11 Swan Goose (Anser sygnoides). In addition, seven stool samples from zookeepers who had been in close contact with animals and birds were examined. Salt flotation and formol ether sedimentation techniques were applied for parasitological examination. Positive samples of Giardia cysts were preserved in alcohol and kept at 4 °C until DNA extraction. Parasitological findings revealed that 48.05% of zoo animals were infected with intestinal parasites; 11.69% were positive with helminths and 27.27% with protozoa, however 9.09% had mixed infection. It was found that 75%, 57.14% and 38.89% of primates, carnivores and herbivores respectively were infected with intestinal parasites. In Primates the most prevalent parasites were Giardia spp. (43.75%) then Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (12.5%), Entamoeba coli (12.5%) and Trichuris spp. (6.25%). For carnivores, Ancylostomatidae had the highest prevalence (42.86%) followed by Spirometra spp. (14.29%). Meanwhile, Eimeria spp. (20.37%) was the most prevalent parasite in herbivores, followed by Blantidium coli (7.41%) and Tricuris spp. (7.41%), then Toxocara spp. (3.70%). Furthermore, the prevalence of infection in zoo birds was 21.95%. The identified parasites were Eimeria spp., Giardia spp., Capillaria spp., Ascaridia spp., Isospora spp. and Sublura brumpti. Stool examination of zookeepers revealed the presence of G. doudenalis and E. histolytica/ dispar cysts. The gdh gene of G. duodenalis was successfully amplified from fecal samples of zoo mammalsand zookeepers. In conclusion, the application of preventive and control measures against the propagation of infectious intestinal parasites is essential to prevent the spread of these parasites among zoo animals or to humans.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-020-01341-2.

Parasitic infections detected by FLOTAC in zoo mammals from Warsaw, Poland

The aim of this study was to estimate the occurrence of intestinal parasites in groups of mammals kept in the Warsaw zoological garden (Poland). 71 pools of fecal samples were analyzed using the FLOTAC techniques. 48% of animals were positive and 47% of positivities showed multiple infections. Toxocara cati (71.4%) was found in felines; marsupials were infected with Coccidia (90%). Giardia spp. (24.0%), Blastocystis spp. (12.3%), Iodamoeba spp. (10.0%), Enterobius vermicularis (6.0%) and Entamoeba coli (3.3%) were found in primates. Gastrointestinal strongyles (60.5%) were prevalent in ruminants which resulted positive also to Coccidia (Eimeria spp. = 50.0%), Trichuris spp. (25.0%) and Nematodirus (14.0%). Strongyles (34.0%) were the most frequent parasites in monogastric herbivores, followed by Parascaris equorum (17.0%). None of the animals showed any symptom associated with gastrointestinal parasitic infections. According to our results the need to prevent, diagnose, control, and treat intestinal parasitism trough specific control programs is mandatory for animal welfare in order to limit the spread of parasitic infections in animals and humans.

Detection of Toxocara eggs in contaminated soil from various public places of Chennai city and detailed correlation with literature

Toxocarosis is one of the most prevalent human helminthosis caused by larvae of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, the most widely distributed nematode parasites of dogs and cats respectively. Soil is considered as the principal source of transmission of Toxocara infection to human beings. With increasing population of dogs and cats, soil contamination with ova or eggs of Toxocara can be detected in public and private locations of city backyards, playgrounds, streets, sand pits and so on, regardless of the season of the year. In this context the present study was carried out to estimate the extent of soil contamination with Toxocara eggs in public parks, playgrounds and few kennels situated in different parts of Chennai city. A total of 105 soil samples from 40 public places and 5 kennels were screened for the presence of parasitic eggs. Toxocara eggs were recovered from 5 soil samples indicating an overall prevalence rate of 4.75 %. Out of 80 samples collected from public places, three samples, one each from Mogappair, My lady park (Periamet) and Madras Veterinary College showed the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs indicating an overall prevalence of 3.75 per cent. Out of the 25 samples from 5 kennels, two samples one each from Tambaram and Thorappakkam kennels were positive for Toxocara eggs with prevalence of 8 per cent. Low prevalence of Toxocara eggs in soil samples of these areas can be attributed to the less population of pups, the carriers of adult worms and the active source of soil contamination. The progress made in ABC (animal birth control) programme carried out by both governmental and non-governmental organizations has contributed to reduction of birth rate in dogs and thereby reduced the chances of soil contamination with Toxocara eggs to a certain extent in Chennai city.

Contamination, distribution and pathogenicity of Toxocara canis and T. cati eggs from sandpits in Tokyo, Japan

The contamination, distribution and pathogenicity of Toxocara canis and T. cati eggs in sandpits in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Japan, are described. A total of 34 sandpits were examined, 14 of which were contaminated with T. cati eggs, as assessed by the floatation method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Two naturally contaminated sandpits were investigated to determine the vertical and horizontal distribution of eggs, and an inverse relationship between the sand depth and number of eggs was observed. To examine the pathogenicity of the eggs, three ICR mice were inoculated with 300 eggs, which were recovered from sandpits. The mice exhibited eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and IgG antibody production in the sera after 3 weeks of infection. Most migrating larvae were recovered from carcasses, although three were found in the brains of two infected mice. These three larvae were determined to be T. canis by PCR, revealing that not only T. cati, but also T. canis eggs could be found in sandpits and, further, that eggs recovered from sandpits have the ability to invade a paratenic host.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for detection and discrimination of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati eggs directly from sand samples

We developed a novel and simple method, using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), for the detection and discrimination of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati eggs. The new method employs 4 steps: (1) concentration of Toxocara eggs in a small amount of sand; (2) dissolution of the proteinaceous membrane of eggs and simultaneously separation of them from the sand using NaClO treatment; (3) extraction of DNA using NaOH treatment; and (4) detection of T. canis / T. cati DNA using a LAMP assay. All these steps are fast, easy to perform, and do not require expensive equipment or reagents. The novel method was tested both experimentally and in a field study. In the laboratory, we could reliably detect as few as 3 T. canis eggs in artificially contaminated sand, if the experiment was repeated twice. In the field trial, we were able to detect T. cati DNA from 4 natural sandpits having moderate to heavy contamination, although not in a single lightly contaminated sandpit. All of the examined sandpits were found to be contaminated with eggs of T. cati, but none appeared to contain T. canis. Our new method could extract DNA from T. canis and T. cati eggs directly from sand samples as well as detect and distinguish these 2 species in a few easy steps, with markedly reduced time and expense.

Intestinal parasites in various animals at a zoo in Malaysia

A survey was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites from different groups of mammals housed in a zoological garden in Malaysia. A total of 197 faecal samples were collected randomly from various primates (99), hoofed mammals (70) and feline (28). It was discovered that 89.3% of feline, 54.5% of primates and 45.7% of hoofed mammals were infected with intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasites found in primates were Balantidium coli (19.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (14.1%), hookworm (10.1%), Trichuris spp. (5.1%), Ascaris (4.0%) and Blastocystis spp. (2.0%). For hoofed mammals, hookworm had the highest prevalence (34.3%) followed by Trichuris spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. (5.7%). Meanwhile, for feline, Toxocara cati was the most prevalent (64.3%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp. (14.3%), Spirometra spp. (7.1%), and hookworm (3.6%). Animals that were infected were all asymptomatic with low parasite load. Routine monitoring of the presence of parasites in animals kept in the zoo is imperative in assisting zoo management in the formulation and implementation of preventive and control measures against the spread of infectious parasitic diseases among animals within the zoo or to humans.

Soil contamination with ascarid eggs in playgrounds in Kirikkale, Turkey

Contamination of soil with feline and canine ascarid eggs in eight playgrounds in Kirikkale, Turkey was investigated monthly from February 2003 to January 2004. Dog faeces were also collected and all samples were examined using the zinc sulphate centrifugal flotation method. Eggs of Toxocara were observed in 5 of 8 (62.5%) of playgrounds examined and in 15.6% of 480 soil samples. The number of eggs varied from 1 to 11. Eggs were observed in soil samples collected in February, March to June, August and November, with embryonated eggs appearing in June and August. Eggs of Toxascaris leonina and Taenia spp. and oocysts of Isospora spp. were also found in 1.5%, 1.0% and 0.2% of soil samples, respectively. Of 26 samples of dog faeces collected, 7.7% were contaminated with Toxocara spp. and 11.5% with Taenia spp. The presence of Toxocara eggs in the city playgrounds and dog populations suggests a potential human health hazard due to toxocariasis.

Prevalence of fecal contamination in sandpits in public parks in Sapporo City, Japan

A total of 107 sandpits in public parks in Sapporo City were examined, 9 and 73 were contaminated with helminth eggs and fecal coliforms, respectively. Of the nine in which eggs were detected, eight were contaminated with Toxocara spp. and one with Capillaria spp. eggs. The contamination rate of sandpits of more than 30 m2 ranged from 43 to 50%, while in those 30 m2 or less it was between 73 and 92%. Although helminth eggs were evenly distributed throughout all layers of the sandpits, fecal coliforms were localized on the sandpit surfaces. Recovered Toxocara eggs were identified according to their size and surface structures, and almost all eggs were T. cati. Based on these results, and given the inherent habits of cats, measures to prevent their defecation in sandpits are needed, especially ones of smaller size.

An estimation of Toxocara canis prevalence in dogs, environmental egg contamination and risk of human infection in the Marche region of Italy

The human risk of infection with larvae of Toxocara canis was estimated in people from the Marche region of Italy. This region includes both urban and rural areas and its inhabitants frequently keep dogs for company, hunting, as guardians or shepherds. T. canis infection was diagnosed in 33.6% out of 295 dogs examined. Nearly half of the dogs (48.4%) living in rural areas were found T. canis positive, compared to about one-quarter of the dogs (26.2%) from urban areas. Analysis by provenance and role revealed the highest infection rate in rural hunting dogs (64.7%) and the lowest in urban companion dogs (22.1%). According to questionnaire data, the peridomestic environment, i.e. gardens and dog pens, is the most important defecation site in both rural and urban areas. Since over 40% of the dogs who defecate in dog pens are infected and 24% of urban and 47% of rural dogs who leave their droppings in the house surroundings harbour the parasite, it is clear that these environments may constitute sites of zoonotic risk. Our analysis of soil samples from 60 farms confirmed the high contamination level, revealing positive soil samples in more than half of the farms. Substantial egg contamination was also found in urban areas, as 3/6 parks examined were Toxocara spp. positive. Finally, our serological findings indicate that human infection actually occurs in the area: 7 out of 428 adults examined (1.6%) had very high levels of antibodies to T. canis antigen, suggesting a previous contact with the Larva migrans of the nematode.