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Choi JH, Kim SL, Yoo DK, Yi MH, Oh S, Kim M, Yun S, Yong TS, Choe S, Lee JK, Kim JY. Metabarcoding of pathogenic parasites based on copro-DNA analysis of wild animals in South Korea. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30059. [PMID: 38707283 PMCID: PMC11066388 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30059] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Four species of dominant wild animals, namely, Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis, Hydropotes inermis argyropus, and Sus scrofa coreanus, are hosts of potential infectious agents, including helminths and protozoa. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the infectious agents present in these wild animals to monitor and control the spread of pathogens. In the present study, fecal samples from 51 wild animals were collected from the mountains of Yangpyeong, Hoengseong, and Cheongyang in South Korea and metabarcoding of the V9 region of the 18S rRNA gene was performed to identify various parasite species that infect these wild animals. Genes from nematodes, such as Metastrongylus sp., Strongyloides spp., Ancylostoma sp., and Toxocara sp., were detected in the fecal samples from wild animals. In addition, platyhelminthes, including Spirometra sp., Echinostomatidae gen. sp., Alaria sp., Neodiplostomum sp., and Clonorchis sp., and protozoa, including Entamoeba sp., Blastocystis sp., Isospora sp., Tritrichomonas sp., Pentatrichomonas sp., and Cryptosporidium sp., were detected. In the present study, various parasites infecting wild animals were successfully identified using metabarcoding. Our technique may play a crucial role in monitoring parasites within wild animals, especially those causing zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ho Choi
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, and Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Lim Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, and Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Kyun Yoo
- Division of Life Science, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-hee Yi
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, and Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Singeun Oh
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, and Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Myungjun Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, and Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohyeon Yun
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, and Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Tai-Soon Yong
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, and Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongjun Choe
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Koo Lee
- Division of Life Science, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Yeong Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, and Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
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Marchiori E, Obber F, Celva R, Marcer F, Danesi P, Maurizio A, Cenni L, Massolo A, Citterio CV, Cassini R. Comparing copromicroscopy to intestinal scraping to monitor red fox intestinal helminths with zoonotic and veterinary importance. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1085996. [PMID: 36713854 PMCID: PMC9878611 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1085996] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The red fox acts as reservoir for several helminthic infections which are of interest for both public and animal health. Huge efforts have been made for the assessment of the sensitivity of coprological tests for the detection of Echinococcus multilocularis, while less attention has been paid to other helminthic species. This study aimed at assessing the performance of two copromicroscopic techniques in the detection and prevalence estimation of gastrointestinal helminths in the red fox. Helminths were isolated from the small intestines of 150 red foxes from Bolzano province, Italy, with a scraping, filtration and counting technique (SFCT) and morphologically identified. Rectal contents were collected and submitted to simple flotation (FT) and, only for Taenids, a method based on the concentration of eggs and identification with multiplex PCR (CMPCR). Using SFCT as a reference standard, we estimated the sensitivity of the copromicroscopic tests. Three species of nematodes (namely, Toxocara canis, Uncinaria stenocephala and Pterygodermatites sp.) and five species of cestodes (E. multilocularis, Taenia crassiceps, T. polycantha, Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Mesocestoides sp.) were identified with SFCT, whereas eggs referable to the same taxa were detected with fecal diagnostics, except for Pterygodermatites sp. and Mesocestoides sp. The sensitivity of FT was low for all taxa, ranging from 9.8 to 36.3%, with lower values for Taeniidae. CMPCR was confirmed to perform better for the detection of Taeniidae eggs (23.5%) and the multiplex PCR on retrieved eggs was effective in the identification of the species. A meta-analysis of literature also suggested that our results are consistent with existing data, indicating that copromicroscopy tends to underestimate the prevalence of helminthic infections. The extent of such underestimation varies with taxon, being higher at high prevalence levels, in particular for cestodes. Irregular dynamics of egg shedding, and routine deep freezing of red fox feces may explain the frequency of false negatives with copromicroscopy. Low sensitivity of copromicroscopic tests should be accounted for when estimating prevalence and when defining the correct sample size for the detection of the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Marchiori
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy,*Correspondence: Erica Marchiori ✉
| | - Federica Obber
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Roberto Celva
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Federica Marcer
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Patrizia Danesi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Anna Maurizio
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Lucia Cenni
- Ethology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Massolo
- Ethology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy,Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | | | - Rudi Cassini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy
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Krupińska M, Antolová D, Tołkacz K, Szczepaniak K, Strachecka A, Goll A, Nowicka J, Baranowicz K, Bajer A, Behnke JM, Grzybek M. Grassland versus forest dwelling rodents as indicators of environmental contamination with the zoonotic nematode Toxocara spp. Sci Rep 2023; 13:483. [PMID: 36627309 PMCID: PMC9832041 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23891-6] [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: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Small mammals are suspected of contributing to the dissemination of Toxocara canis and helping with the parasite survival during periods when there is a temporary absence of suitable definitive hosts. While the primary aim of the current study was the assessment of seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. infections in wild rodents in Poland, we also explored the role of intrinsic (sex, age) and extrinsic factors (study site) influencing dynamics of this infection to ascertain whether grassland versus forest rodents play a greater role as indicators of environmental contamination with T. canis. We trapped 577 rodents belonging to four species (Myodes glareolus, Microtus arvalis, Microtus agrestis, Alexandromys oeconomus) in north-eastern Poland. Blood was collected during the parasitological examination, and serum was frozen at - 80 °C until further analyses. A bespoke enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect antibodies against Toxocara spp. We found Toxocara spp. antibodies in the sera of all four rodent species with an overall seroprevalence of 2.8% [1.9-4.1%]. There was a significant difference in seroprevalence between vole species, with the grassland species (M. arvalis, M. agrestis and A. oeconomus) showing a 16-fold higher seroprevalence (15.7% [8.7-25.9%]) than the forest-dwelling M. glareolus (0.98% [0.5-1.8%]). We hypothesise that the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. differs between forest and grassland rodents because of the higher contamination of grasslands by domestic dogs and wild canids. Our results underline the need for wide biomonitoring of both types of ecosystems to assess the role of rodents as indicators of environmental contamination with zoonotic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Krupińska
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Medical University of Gdansk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B, 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
| | | | - Katarzyna Tołkacz
- University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Aleksander Goll
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Medical University of Gdansk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B, 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Joanna Nowicka
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Medical University of Gdansk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B, 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Karolina Baranowicz
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Medical University of Gdansk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B, 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
| | | | | | - Maciej Grzybek
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Medical University of Gdansk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B, 81-519, Gdynia, Poland.
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Tedeschi L, Biancolini D, Capinha C, Rondinini C, Essl F. Introduction, spread, and impacts of invasive alien mammal species in Europe. Mamm Rev 2022; 52:252-266. [PMID: 35875182 PMCID: PMC9299096 DOI: 10.1111/mam.12277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Biological invasions have emerged as one of the main drivers of biodiversity change and decline, and numbers of species classed as alien in parts of their ranges are rapidly rising. The European Union established a dedicated regulation to limit the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS), which is focused on the species on a Union List of IAS of particular concern. However, no previous study has specifically addressed the ecology of invasive alien mammals included on the Union List.We performed a systematic review of published literature on these species. We retrieved 262 publications dealing with 16 species, and we complemented these with the most up-to-date information extracted from global databases on IAS.We show that most of the study species reached Europe as pets and then escaped from captivity or were intentionally released. On average each year in the period 1981-2020, 1.2 species were recorded for the first time as aliens in European countries, and most species are still expanding their alien ranges by colonising neighbouring territories. France is the most invaded nation, followed by Germany, Italy, and the Russian Federation, and the muskrat Ondatra zibethicus, the American mink Neovison vison, and the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides are the most widespread species, having invaded at least 27 countries each. Invasive mammals of European Union concern are threatening native biodiversity and human well-being: worryingly, 81% of the 16 study species are implicated in the epidemiological cycle of zoonotic pathogens.Containing secondary spread to further countries is of paramount importance to avoid the establishment of new populations of invasive mammals and the related impacts on native communities, ecosystem services, and human health.We present a compendium on the ecology and impacts of invasive mammals of European Union concern. It can be used to assist environmental policies, identify and subsequently fill knowledge gaps, and inform stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Tedeschi
- Global Mammal Assessment ProgrammeDepartment of Biology and BiotechnologiesSapienza University of RomeViale dell’Università 32Rome00185Italy
- BioInvasions, Global Change, Macroecology‐GroupDepartment of Botany and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of ViennaRennweg 14Vienna1030Austria
| | - Dino Biancolini
- Global Mammal Assessment ProgrammeDepartment of Biology and BiotechnologiesSapienza University of RomeViale dell’Università 32Rome00185Italy
| | - César Capinha
- Centro de Estudos GeográficosInstituto de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território – IGOTUniversidade de LisboaRua Branca Edmée Marques, Cidade Universitária1600‐276LisboaPortugal
| | - Carlo Rondinini
- Global Mammal Assessment ProgrammeDepartment of Biology and BiotechnologiesSapienza University of RomeViale dell’Università 32Rome00185Italy
| | - Franz Essl
- BioInvasions, Global Change, Macroecology‐GroupDepartment of Botany and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of ViennaRennweg 14Vienna1030Austria
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Pilarczyk BM, Tomza-Marciniak AK, Pilarczyk R, Rząd I, Bąkowska MJ, Udała JM, Tylkowska A, Havryliak V. Infection of Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) from Northern Poland with Gastrointestinal Parasites as a Potential Threat to Human Health. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051277. [PMID: 35268368 PMCID: PMC8910989 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determinate the prevalence and intensity of infection of raccoon dogs with internal parasites, with a particular emphasis on particular species of helminths known to be dangerous to humans. A total of 96 raccoon dogs were obtained from hunters from September 2018 to October 2021. The digestive tract was taken for examination. The parasitological examination was performed using the dissection methods. The extensity of infection with all internal parasites was 60.3%. The following parasites were found in the tested animals: Echinococcus multilocularis (in 10.42% of animals), Toxocara canis (18.75%), Alaria alata (25.0%), Taenia spp. (19.79%), Uncinaria stenocephala (27.08%), Mesocestoides spp. (54.17%) and Dipylidium caninum (6.25%). The highest mean intensity of infection was demonstrated by A. alata and E. multilocularis then by Mesocestoides spp. This study showed that the raccoon dog from northern Poland is a reservoir host of zoonotic pathogens, such as E. multilocularis, Toxocara canis and Alaria alata. Although the role of the racoon dog as a final host of the life cycle of E. multilocularis is considered of less importance than that of the red fox, this species may increase the risk of echinococcosis in humans, mainly due to its growing population in northern Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogumiła M Pilarczyk
- Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka K Tomza-Marciniak
- Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Renata Pilarczyk
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Izabella Rząd
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Szczecin, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Małgorzata J Bąkowska
- Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Jan M Udała
- Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Tylkowska
- Department of Animal Environment Biology, Faculty of Animal Breeding, Bioengineering and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Viktoriia Havryliak
- Department of Technology of Biologically Active Substances, Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 79000 Lviv, Ukraine
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Buńkowska-Gawlik K, Hildebrand J, Popiołek M, Merta D, Perec-Matysiak A. Copro-Molecular Identification of Tapeworms in Introduced Invasive Carnivores in Poland. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020110. [PMID: 35215054 PMCID: PMC8876669 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The raccoon (Procyon lotor) and the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were introduced to Europe and, in the past decades, their populations have increased and adapted to synanthropic environments across Europe. In view of their possible further spread in Europe, the invasive species should be examined as potential reservoirs for helminths, including tapeworms. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and diversity of tapeworms in introduced wild carnivores in Poland by identifying cestode species based on copro-DNA analysis. A total of 214 individual fecal samples from non-native invasive carnivores, i.e., raccoons and raccoon dogs, and additionally 47 samples from native carnivores, i.e., European badgers (Meles meles), were analyzed for the presence of cestodes. PCR analysis of fecal samples targeting a fragment of mitochondrial (mt) 12S rRNA gene revealed the presence of cestode DNA in 19 of 103 (18.4%) raccoons, in 13 of 111 (11.7%) raccoon dogs and in 23 of 47 (48.9%) badgers. Sequence analysis demonstrated the presence of Mesocestoides litteratus in raccoons and raccoon dogs, while Mesocestoides lineatus was identified only in two samples derived from raccoon dogs. Moreover, in this study, Atriotaenia incisa was for the first time molecularly characterized by using fragments of mt 12S rRNA gene, and the DNA of this cestode species was detected in the fecal samples of all the examined host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Buńkowska-Gawlik
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (J.H.); (M.P.); (A.P.-M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Joanna Hildebrand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (J.H.); (M.P.); (A.P.-M.)
| | - Marcin Popiołek
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (J.H.); (M.P.); (A.P.-M.)
| | - Dorota Merta
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Kraków, 30-084 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Perec-Matysiak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (J.H.); (M.P.); (A.P.-M.)
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Tylkowska A, Pilarczyk B, Tomza-Marciniak A, Pilarczyk R. The prevalence of intestinal nematodes among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in north-western Poland. Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:19. [PMID: 33952322 PMCID: PMC8100824 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00584-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and Australia. The presence of nematode-infected foxes in urbanized areas increases the risk of transmission of nematodes to domestic dogs and thus, to humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and species composition of intestinal nematodiasis in red foxes in Western Pomerania, a province in north-western Poland. The intestinal contents of 620 red foxes killed during a government reduction shooting programme were examined for adult nematodes using the sedimentation and counting technique (SCT). Results Intestinal nematodes, including Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Uncinaria stenocephala and Trichuris vulpis, were found in 77.3% (95% CI 73.8–80.4%) of the examined foxes with a mean infection burden of 20.1 nematode per animal. Male and female foxes had similar infection burdens. Conclusions The nematodes are present in high prevalence and intensity among foxes in north-western Poland. Furthermore, this high prevalence of nematodes in foxes may likely constitute a health risk to humans and domestic animals due to increasing fox densities in urban and periurban areas.
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Distribution of Parasitic Helminths in the Small Intestine of the Red Fox ( Vulpes vulpes). Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060477. [PMID: 32560133 PMCID: PMC7350372 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyze the distribution of the main groups of parasitic helminths within the small intestine of the red fox on the example of animals coming from eastern Poland. Two hundred and sixteen red foxes shot in eastern Poland were used in the investigation. Before examination, each small intestine was divided into three equal parts: anterior (A), middle (M), and posterior (P). Each part was examined separately with the sedimentation and counting technique. Six different types of intestinal parasites were detected: Alaria alata (78.7%), Mesocestoides spp. (78.2%), hookworms (72.7%), Taenia spp. (53.2%), Toxocara/Toxascaris (43.1%), and Echinococcus multilocularis (18.5%). Alaria alata was most often found in A and in the only-A variant. Taenia spp. and Toxocara/Toxascaris occurred often in A and were the second (after A. alata) parasites in terms of frequency occurring in the only-A variant. Mesocestoides spp. was most commonly located in M. Parasites with predilection sites located mainly in M and P were E. multilocularis and hookworms. In all parasite species, the variant covering the entire intestine (A + M + P) was found in samples with a higher intensity compared to variants limited to one or two fragments. Our investigation, as one of the few of its type, conducted a comprehensive analysis of the distribution of intestinal helminths in the small intestine of the red fox. It showed significant differences in the distribution of parasitic helminths in the small intestine of the red fox. Determining typical predilection sites for parasites in the intestine can be helpful in creating effective diagnostic methods.
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Kołodziej-Sobocińska M, Dvorožňáková E, Hurníková Z, Reiterová K, Zalewski A. Seroprevalence of Echinococcus spp. and Toxocara spp. in Invasive Non-native American Mink. ECOHEALTH 2020; 17:13-27. [PMID: 31989366 PMCID: PMC7109198 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-020-01470-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Invasive non-native species can become reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens and cause their spread during colonization, increasing the risk of zoonoses transmission to both wild hosts and humans. American mink (Neovison vison) are considered an important invasive mammal species responsible for carrying endoparasites. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of feral American mink as a possible transmission vector of Echinococcus spp. and Toxocara spp. in wildlife. We analysed the frequency of American mink exposure to both parasites, the spatial distribution in Poland, and the variability over time on the basis of specific antibody presence using ELISA and Western blot. Alimentary tract analyses revealed that American mink do not serve as definitive hosts for these parasites. Altogether, 1100 American mink were examined. The average seropositivity for American mink was 14.2% for echinococcosis and 21.7% for toxocarosis; dual-seropositivity was detected in only 6.0%. Seroprevalence of both parasites differed between study sites and significantly increased over time in Toxocara spp. Thus, our study revealed that free-living American mink are exposed to parasites and likely to be involved in the maintenance of both Echinococcus spp. and Toxocara spp. in the wild as paratenic hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emília Dvorožňáková
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Zuzana Hurníková
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Katarína Reiterová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Andrzej Zalewski
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
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Experimental Infection with T. Canis and T. Leonina in Farm Mink ( Neovison Vison). J Vet Res 2019; 63:197-203. [PMID: 31276059 PMCID: PMC6598188 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2019-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Farm mink (Neovison vison) can be naturally exposed to T. canis and T. leonina pathogens on the farm. If mink were hosts, it would imply some veterinary public health as well as animal welfare issues. For this reason, the aim of the study was to determine whether mink might be definitive or paratenic hosts of these parasites. Material and Methods Four groups of mink were infected with both parasite species using larvated eggs or feed containing mouse tissue previously infected with the parasites. Following inoculation, the infections were monitored in vivo by faecal examination for 14 weeks p.i., and then western blotting and ELISA were performed. Results Coprology did not reveal any canine roundworm eggs, neither were nematodes found in mink intestines during post mortem examination. The specific IgG antibodies recognising excretory/secretory (ES) antigens of both parasite species were identified in mink sera. Single T. leonina tissue larvae were found in digested organs. Conclusions Our results confirm that farm mink may contribute both T. canis and T. leonina infections. It was proved that farm mink were not their definitive hosts, and therefore mink faeces need not be considered a source of canine roundworm eggs in any soil it fertilises. Nonetheless, as farm mink may be a paratenic host for both parasite species, this may have some impact on the health and welfare of infected animals.
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Karamon J, Dąbrowska J, Kochanowski M, Samorek-Pieróg M, Sroka J, Różycki M, Bilska-Zając E, Zdybel J, Cencek T. Prevalence of intestinal helminths of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central Europe (Poland): a significant zoonotic threat. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:436. [PMID: 30055657 PMCID: PMC6064108 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3021-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is widely distributed in the world; in central Europe, it is the most numerous wild species of the family Canidae. It can play the role of a definitive host for many intestinal parasites, including zoonotic helminths. Poland, with its geographical location (central Europe), is an interesting area for parasitological investigations of this species. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the prevalence of intestinal helminths in red foxes in different regions of Poland. METHODS Intestines of 473 red foxes from four different regions were examined using the sedimentation and counting technique (SCT). In addition, 344 samples of faeces were examined using flotation. RESULTS Overall, intestinal helminths were found in 98.9% of red foxes. The average prevalence of detected parasites was as follows: Mesocestoides spp. (84.1%); hookworms (67.9%); Alaria alata (61.5%); Toxocara/Toxascaris (49.5%); Taenia spp. (42.5%); Echinococcus multilocularis (25.6%); and Trichuris vulpis (2.3%). The prevalence of the majority of parasite species was similar in each region. Significant differences between regions were observed in the case of E. multilocularis: a low prevalence in the south-western and northern regions (0% and 0.9%, respectively) and a high prevalence in the south-east and northeast (39.3% and 42.7%, respectively). In the case of A. alata, important differences were found between northern (96.5% and 93.7% in northern and northeast regions, respectively) and southern regions (15.2% and 24.7% for south-western and south-east regions, respectively). The percentage of positive samples obtained with coproscopic examination (except for Trichuris) was significantly lower than that obtained with SCT. Analysis of the prevalence estimated in individual regions with the use of both methods (flotation and SCT) showed a high correlation for all parasite species (except for Mesocestoides spp.). The flotation method also allowed us to detect the eggs of the lung nematode Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) (76.2% of positive foxes). CONCLUSIONS This study showed a very high percentage of red foxes infected with intestinal helminths in different parts of Poland. Depending on the location, some differences were observed regarding the prevalence of dangerous zoonotic parasites, which should be considered in the assessment of infection risk for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Karamon
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland.
| | - Joanna Dąbrowska
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Maciej Kochanowski
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | | | - Jacek Sroka
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Mirosław Różycki
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Ewa Bilska-Zając
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Jolanta Zdybel
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
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