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Wang Y, Zhang S, Li X, Nian Y, Liu X, Liu J, Yin H, Guan G, Wang J. A high-resolution melting approach for the simultaneous differentiation of five human babesiosis-causing Babesia species. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:299. [PMID: 37641091 PMCID: PMC10463647 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05839-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Six species of apicomplexan parasites of the genus Babesia, namely B. microti, B. divergens, B. duncani, B. motasi, B. crassa-like and B. venatorum, are considered to be the primary causal agents of human babesiosis in endemic areas. These six species possess variable degrees of virulence for their primary hosts. Therefore, the accurate identification of these species is critical for the adoption of appropriate therapeutic strategies. METHODS We developed a real-time PCR-high-resolution melting (qPCR-HRM) approach targeting 18S ribosomal RNA gene of five Babesia spp. based on melting temperature (Tm) and genotype confidence percentage values. This approach was then evaluated using 429 blood samples collected from patients with a history of tick bites, 120 DNA samples mixed with plasmids and 80 laboratory-infected animal samples. RESULTS The sensitivity and specificity of the proposed qPCR-HRM method were 95% and 100%, respectively, and the detection limit was 1-100 copies of the plasmid with the cloned target gene. The detection level depended on the species of Babesia analyzed. The primers designed in this study ensured not only the high interspecific specificity of our proposed method but also a high versatility for different isolates from the same species worldwide. Additionally, the Tm obtained from the prepared plasmid standard is theoretically suitable for identifying isolates of all known sequences of the five Babesia species. CONCLUSIONS The developed detection method provides a useful tool for the epidemiological investigation of human babesiosis and pre-transfusion screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu People’s Republic of China
- The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shangdi Zhang
- The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu People’s Republic of China
| | - Yueli Nian
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu People’s Republic of China
- The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyue Liu
- The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junlong Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 China
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinming Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu People’s Republic of China
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Asiag N, Chai O, Yodovner S, Ruggeri M, Rapaport K, Baneth G, Nachum-Biala Y, Konstantin L, Rojas A, Brenner O, Bruchim Y, Shamir MH. Evaluation of a treatment protocol in dogs with intraspinal spirocercosis. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022; 261:384-390. [PMID: 36476412 DOI: 10.2460/javma.22.09.0401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficiency and safety of a doramectin-based treatment protocol in dogs affected by intraspinal spirocercosis (Spirocerca lupi). ANIMALS Client-owned dogs that were admitted to a veterinary hospital during 2021 to 2022 with acute onset of neurological signs and diagnosed with intraspinal spirocercosis. All dogs underwent complete neurological evaluation, CSF analysis, PCR confirmation of CNS S lupi infection, and follow-up evaluation of at least 6 months. PROCEDURES Upon diagnosis, dogs were treated with doramectin at a dose of 400 μg/kg, SC, q 24 h for 3 consecutive days, followed by the same dose once a week for 6 weeks. Prednisone was administered at a dose of 1 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h and tapered every 3 days. Antimicrobial clindamycin was administered at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h for 7 days to reduce the risk of secondary spinal cord infection. Short- and long-term outcomes (1 week to 56 months) were recorded. RESULTS 8 dogs fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 7 of which presented with neurological deficits and 1 with cervical pain. Initiation of treatment was associated with stopping the deterioration in 7 of 8 dogs. Seven dogs improved and 6 recovered ambulation. One dog was euthanized due to lack of improvement. Six of the recovered dogs were still ataxic on the last follow-up examination at 6 to 56 months. No adverse effects of the drug were noted. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Frequent administration of doramectin was found to be safe and effective in preventing neurological deterioration in dogs with intraspinal spirocercosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimrod Asiag
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.,2Veterinary Specialist Referral Tipul Nimratz, Ben Shemen, Israel
| | - Orit Chai
- 2Veterinary Specialist Referral Tipul Nimratz, Ben Shemen, Israel
| | - Sapir Yodovner
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Marco Ruggeri
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Kira Rapaport
- 2Veterinary Specialist Referral Tipul Nimratz, Ben Shemen, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lilach Konstantin
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | | | - Yaron Bruchim
- 2Veterinary Specialist Referral Tipul Nimratz, Ben Shemen, Israel
| | - Merav H Shamir
- 1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Rinaldi L, Krücken J, Martinez-Valladares M, Pepe P, Maurelli MP, de Queiroz C, Castilla Gómez de Agüero V, Wang T, Cringoli G, Charlier J, Gilleard JS, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Advances in diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock and companion animals. Adv Parasitol 2022; 118:85-176. [PMID: 36088084 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock and companion animals has been neglected for years and there has been an historical underinvestment in the development and improvement of diagnostic tools, undermining the undoubted utility of surveillance and control programmes. However, a new impetus by the scientific community and the quickening pace of technological innovations, are promoting a renaissance of interest in developing diagnostic capacity for nematode infections in veterinary parasitology. A cross-cutting priority for diagnostic tools is the development of pen-side tests and associated decision support tools that rapidly inform on the levels of infection and morbidity. This includes development of scalable, parasite detection using artificial intelligence for automated counting of parasitic elements and research towards establishing biomarkers using innovative molecular and proteomic methods. The aim of this review is to assess the state-of-the-art in the diagnosis of helminth infections in livestock and companion animals and presents the current advances of diagnostic methods for intestinal parasites harnessing (i) automated methods for copromicroscopy based on artificial intelligence, (ii) immunodiagnosis, and (iii) molecular- and proteome-based approaches. Regardless of the method used, multiple factors need to be considered before diagnostics test results can be interpreted in terms of control decisions. Guidelines on how to apply diagnostics and how to interpret test results in different animal species are increasingly requested and some were recently made available in veterinary parasitology for the different domestic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
| | - J Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Martinez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - P Pepe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - M P Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - C de Queiroz
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3331 Hospital Drive, Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) Program University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, St Georges University, Grenada
| | - V Castilla Gómez de Agüero
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - T Wang
- Kreavet, Kruibeke, Belgium
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - J S Gilleard
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3331 Hospital Drive, Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) Program University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - G von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Porras-Silesky C, Fernández-Trejos L, Villalobos R, Montenegro VM, Rojas A. Subcutaneous spirocercosis in a dog from Costa Rica and first molecular confirmation of Spirocerca lupi in Central America. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 29:100695. [PMID: 35256122 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Spirocerca lupi is the etiological agent of spirocercosis in canids from tropics and subtropics in the world. This parasite can lead to life threatening complications, including the formation of fibro and osteosarcomas. A 5-year-old crossbreed Maltese dog from Costa Rica was presented to a veterinary clinic with two nodules in the subcutaneous tissues of the cervical region. One of the nodules resolved with intramuscular antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment. However, the other nodule persisted and became purulent. The content of the nodule was excised releasing two coiled 3-cm reddish worms. Identity of the specimens was confirmed by amplifying an 850 bp fragment of the 18S rDNA. The obtained sequence showed 99.96% similarities with S. lupi from Hungary. The present study highlights the need of veterinary clinicians' awareness towards nematode aberrant migrations, and the require of molecular studies to gain insight into the parasite's evolutionary history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Porras-Silesky
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Randall Villalobos
- Centro Médico Veterinario Dr. Villalobos, San Ramón. Alajuela, Costa Rica
| | - Víctor M Montenegro
- Laboratory of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional, Campus Benjamín Núñez. Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
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Mohtasebi S, Teimouri A, Abbaszadeh Afshar MJ, Mobedi I, Abbasian H, Totonchian N, Mowlavi G. First report of Spirocerca lupi larva in dung beetles (Scarabaeus armeniacus) in the central region of Iran: A morphological and molecular identification. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 77:101671. [PMID: 34049036 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Dung beetles as detritivores insects, naturally use feces of vertebrates as foods and reproduction beds. This leads to frequent contacts between dung beetles and parasitic helminths. The current study was carried out to assess infections of dung beetles with larval stages of helminths in rural areas of Taleqan County, Alborz Province, Iran. A total number of 200 dung beetles were collected randomly in June 2017 from the highlands of Taleqan County. Beetles were dissected in normal saline and carefully studied using a stereomicroscope. Morphological characteristics of the recovered larvae were drawn using a camera lucida equipped microscope at 400× magnification. Then, genomic DNAs of the recovered larvae extracted and PCR amplifications of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were carried out and the amplicons were sequenced. All collected dung beetles identified as Scarabaeus armeniacus from the Scarabaeidae family (55.5 % were male and 44.5 % female). Three females of the beetles have been found to be naturally infected with the third stage larvae of Spirocerca lupi. The average length and width of the larvae were 2.95 (2.81-3.15; CI 95 %) and 0.12 (0.1-0.15; CI 95 %) mm, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis showed that S. lupi belonged to a clade within the Spirocercidae family. In the current study, S. armeniacus introduced as a potential biological vector for transmission of S. lupi to vertebrates in the region. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on the larval stages of S. lupi in S. armeniacus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Mohtasebi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aref Teimouri
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh Afshar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Iraj Mobedi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Abbasian
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Gholamreza Mowlavi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Brumfield KD, Cotruvo JA, Shanks OC, Sivaganesan M, Hey J, Hasan NA, Huq A, Colwell RR, Leddy MB. Metagenomic Sequencing and Quantitative Real-Time PCR for Fecal Pollution Assessment in an Urban Watershed. Front Water 2021; 3:626849. [PMID: 34263162 PMCID: PMC8274573 DOI: 10.3389/frwa.2021.626849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microbial contamination of recreation waters is a major concern globally, with pollutants originating from many sources, including human and other animal wastes often introduced during storm events. Fecal contamination is traditionally monitored by employing culture methods targeting fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), namely E. coli and enterococci, which provides only limited information of a few microbial taxa and no information on their sources. Host-associated qPCR and metagenomic DNA sequencing are complementary methods for FIB monitoring that can provide enhanced understanding of microbial communities and sources of fecal pollution. Whole metagenome sequencing (WMS), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and culture-based FIB tests were performed in an urban watershed before and after a rainfall event to determine the feasibility and application of employing a multi-assay approach for examining microbial content of ambient source waters. Cultivated E. coli and enterococci enumeration confirmed presence of fecal contamination in all samples exceeding local single sample recreational water quality thresholds (E. coli, 410 MPN/100 mL; enterococci, 107 MPN/100 mL) following a rainfall. Test results obtained with qPCR showed concentrations of E. coli, enterococci, and human-associated genetic markers increased after rainfall by 1.52-, 1.26-, and 1.11-fold log10 copies per 100 mL, respectively. Taxonomic analysis of the surface water microbiome and detection of antibiotic resistance genes, general FIB, and human-associated microorganisms were also employed. Results showed that fecal contamination from multiple sources (human, avian, dog, and ruminant), as well as FIB, enteric microorganisms, and antibiotic resistance genes increased demonstrably after a storm event. In summary, the addition of qPCR and WMS to traditional surrogate techniques may provide enhanced characterization and improved understanding of microbial pollution sources in ambient waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle D. Brumfield
- Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
- University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | | | - Orin C. Shanks
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincin nati, OH, United States
| | - Mano Sivaganesan
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincin nati, OH, United States
| | - Jessica Hey
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincin nati, OH, United States
| | - Nur A. Hasan
- University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Anwar Huq
- Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Rita R. Colwell
- Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
- University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
- CosmosID Inc., Rockville, MD, United States
- Correspondence: Rita R. Colwell , Menu B. Leddy
| | - Menu B. Leddy
- Essential Environmental and Engineering Systems, Huntington Beach, CA, United States
- Correspondence: Rita R. Colwell , Menu B. Leddy
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de Aguiar I, García R, Madriz D, Alfaro-Alarcón A, Montenegro VM, Aizenberg I, Baneth G, Rojas A. Esophageal spirocercosis with pulmonary egg deposition and secondary hypertrophic osteopathy in a dog from Costa Rica. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2020; 23:100510. [PMID: 33678365 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Spirocerca lupi is the etiologic agent of spirocercosis in canids from the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. A 1-year-old dog was presented with weight loss and diarrhea. Upon examination, thickened limbs, a mass in the lung's right middle lobe and an esophageal mass were found. The pulmonary mass aspirate revealed S. lupi eggs surrounded by a purulent infiltrate. Limb bone biopsies showed irregular mineralization and cartilaginous metaplasia. Treatment with doramectin resolved the initial clinical signs. However, regurgitation was reported 5 months later. Therefore, the dog received additional doramectin and later vomited a worm morphologically consistent with a S. lupi adult. Herein we report the esophageal migration of S. lupi with egg deposition to the lung parenchyma, accompanied by secondary hypertrophic osteopathy. This report highlights the presence of S. lupi in Costa Rica and the importance of including this parasite as a differential diagnosis when compatible signs are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Madriz
- Hospital Veterinario de Pequeñas Especies de la Escuela de Medicina y Cirugía Veterinaria San Francisco de Asís, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Alejandro Alfaro-Alarcón
- Departamento de Patología, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Víctor M Montenegro
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Campus Benjamín Núñez, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Itzhak Aizenberg
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
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Gama A, Rojas A, Pires I, Coutinho T, Seixas F, Silva F, Lopes AP, Cardoso L, Baneth G. First report of Spirocerca vulpis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Portugal. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3109-3112. [PMID: 32643084 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06794-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have described Spirocerca lupi-like nematodes in the stomach of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Europe. A phylogenetic analysis of those specimens using mitochondrial DNA and their morphological reexamination allowed their characterization as a different species, Spirocerca vulpis. Between the years of 2010 and 2017, roundworms were collected from seven red foxes of northeastern Portugal found at necropsy with nodular lesions on their stomach wall. Histopathological analysis of four foxes revealed granulomatous lesions of the gastric nodules. On morphological assessment, by light microscopy, nematodes revealed the presence of six triangular teeth-like buccal capsule structures, which are absent in S. lupi. Polymerase chain reaction was run to amplify a 551 bp partial fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. Sequences were 99% similar to S. vulpis (85% coverage) of red foxes from Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina, 99% similar (99% coverage) to sequences of Spirocerca sp. of red foxes from Denmark and 93% similar (99% coverage) to S. lupi from South Africa. This is the first report of S. vulpis in foxes or any other host from Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelina Gama
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Isabel Pires
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Teresa Coutinho
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Seixas
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Filipe Silva
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana Patrícia Lopes
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Arbabi M, Hooshyar H, Lotfinia M, Bakhshi MA. Molecular detection of Trichostrongylus species through PCR followed by high resolution melt analysis of ITS-2 rDNA sequences. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 236:111260. [PMID: 31958470 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Polymerase chain reaction followed by high resolution melting (PCR-HRM) analysis is a simple, rapid and accurate method for molecular detection of various nematode species. The objective of the present study was, for the first time, to develop a PCR-HRM assay for the detection of various animal Trichostrongylus spp. A pair of primers targeting the ITS-2 rDNA region of the Trichostrongylus spp. was designed for the development of the HRM assay. DNA samples were extracted from 30 adult worms of Trichostrongylus spp., the ITS-2-rDNA region was amplified using PCR, and the resultant products were sequenced and characterized. Afterwards, the PCR-HRM analysis was conducted to detect and discriminate Trichostrongylus spp. Molecular sequence analysis revealed that 24, 4, and 1 of the samples were T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus and T. capricola, respectively. Results from PCR-HRM indicated that complete agreement was relatively found between speciation by HRM analysis and DNA sequencing for the detection of Trichostrongylus species. The PCR-HRM analysis method developed in the present study is fast and low-cost; the method can be comparable with other molecular detection techniques, representing a reliable tool for the identification of various species within the Trichostrongylus genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Arbabi
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Core Research Lab, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
| | - Hossein Hooshyar
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Majid Lotfinia
- Physiology Research Center, Basic Sciences Research Institute, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Core Research Lab, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mohamad Ali Bakhshi
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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Brenner OJ, Botero-Anug AM, Rojas A, Hahn S, Baneth G. Aberrant Mesenteric Migration of Spirocerca lupi Larvae Causing Necrotizing Eosinophilic Arteritis, Thrombosis, and Intestinal Infarction in Dogs. Vet Pathol 2019; 57:281-285. [PMID: 31763954 DOI: 10.1177/0300985819887531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This report presents a novel canine condition in 32 dogs in which aberrant migration of Spirocerca lupi larvae through mesenteric arteries, instead of gastric arteries, led to small or large intestinal infarction. This form of spirocercosis was first recognized in Israel in 2013 and is currently ongoing. Typical clinical signs were anorexia and weakness of 3 to 4 days and, less frequently, vomiting and diarrhea, followed by collapse, bloody diarrhea, and severe vomiting. Exploratory laparotomy showed 1 or more infarcted and often perforated intestinal segments in all cases. Microscopically, there was intestinal mucosal to transmural coagulative necrosis and mesenteric multifocal necrotizing eosinophilic arteritis, thrombosis, hemorrhage, and early fibroplasia. Third-stage S. lupi larvae were identified by morphologic features in 9 of 32 (28%) cases, and the species was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction in 4 cases. Nearly 50% of the dogs had been receiving prophylactic therapy, which did not prevent this form of spirocercosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ori Jacob Brenner
- Department of Veterinary Resources, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Alicia Rojas
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shelley Hahn
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Rojas A, Dvir E, Baneth G. Insights on Spirocerca lupi, the Carcinogenic Dog Nematode. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:52-63. [PMID: 31734099 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Spirocerca lupi is a nematode transmitted by dung beetles that infects domestic and wild canids in tropical and subtropical regions and is associated with neoplasia. It produces a distinctive pathology with the formation of esophageal nodules classified as inflammatory, preneoplastic, or neoplastic with metastasis to distant organs. Aberrant central nervous system migration of this nematode is also responsible for severe neurological manifestations. Reports of spirocercosis have increased over the last two decades showing spread of this canine helminth in five continents. S. lupi from different geographical locations is genetically distinct with two genotypes, genotype I from Africa, Asia, and Australia, and genotype II from Europe, and recently separated from Spirocerca vulpis, a new species described in red foxes from Europe.
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Ruggeri M, Rojas A, Chai O, Purzyc H, Hanael E, Rapoport K, Barnoon I, Konstantin L, Baneth G, Shamir MH. Detection of Intraspinal Spirocerca lupi in Canine Cerebrospinal Fluid by Polymerase Chain Reaction. J Comp Pathol 2019; 170:105-112. [PMID: 31375154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2019.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant migration of Spirocerca lupi into the spinal cord is an important cause of severe progressive neurological dysfunction in dogs. Although early diagnosis is essential to prevent deterioration, ante-mortem diagnosis of this condition remains challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection of the 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) S. lupi gene in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of presumptively-affected dogs using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Dogs with a non-compressive spinal cord lesion, pleocytosis with presence of eosinophils in the CSF and a characteristic clinical presentation were included. CSF samples from eight dogs were available for the study, of which seven were definitively diagnosed with intraspinal spirocercosis by PCR of either the CSF samples (6/7) or tissue samples obtained at necropsy examination (3/7), or both (2/7). Of these seven positive cases, only one dog had a negative CSF PCR, indicating a sensitivity of 86% for detecting nematode DNA in the CSF of infected dogs using this PCR protocol. The nematode DNA sequences obtained from the CSF of six dogs and the spinal cord tissue of three dogs were 98-100% identical to the publicly available sequences of S. lupi, confirming the diagnosis. These findings indicate that PCR targeting the 18S rDNA of S. lupi in CSF is useful for the ante-mortem diagnosis of canine intraspinal spirocercosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ruggeri
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot
| | - A Rojas
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot
| | - O Chai
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot
| | - H Purzyc
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot
| | - E Hanael
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot
| | - K Rapoport
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot
| | - I Barnoon
- VetNeuro, Veterinary Specialist Referral Centre Knowledge Farm, Beit Berl, Israel
| | - L Konstantin
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot
| | - G Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot
| | - M H Shamir
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PO Box 12, Rehovot.
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13
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Geva N, Štrkolcová G. Spirocercosis in Dogs in Israel. Folia Veterinaria 2019; 63:8-14. [DOI: 10.2478/fv-2019-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Spirocerca lupi is a nematode causing spirocercosis disease that affects mostly carnivores and especially canidae. The life cycle of S. lupi includes a coprophagous beetle as an obligatory intermediate host and a variety of facultative paratenic hosts. In Israel, spirocercosis is considered to be a serious condition with a variety of clinical signs comprising a great risk to canine populations. The diagnosis at an early infective stage is unreliable and the vast majority of infected dogs are diagnosed only when the disease has advanced. In advanced stages of the disease, treatment is difficult and there is a high risk for complications. A study was carried out to compare the prevalence of S. lupi in the central region of Israel with a previous investigation and by that consequently try to estimate the efficacy of preventative treatment used nowadays in Israel. The study was done by the use of two different methods: looking for the infective larvae (L3) in the main intermediate host in Israel, Ontophagus sellatus, and searching for the eggs of S. lupi by performing flotation methods on faecal samples. Beetles and faecal samples were collected from four different locations in the winter and summer of 2017, 2018, and 2019. According to the literature review and collection of data from case studies, the prevalence of spirocercosis is increasing in Israel, despite the negative results from the dissections of beetles and faecal samples.
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HOSSEINI-SAFA A, ROKNI MB, MOSAWI SH, HEYDARIAN P, AZIZI H, DAVARI A, ARYAIEPOUR M. High-Resolution Melting Analysis as an Appropriate Method to Differentiate between Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. Iran J Public Health 2019; 48:501-507. [PMID: 31223578 PMCID: PMC6570811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fasciolosis is a shared disease between humans and livestock caused by hepatic trematodes; Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. Differentiate between the two species of this genus is essential. High-Resolution Melting (HRM) Analysis represents a new approach to this issue. This method can be performed right after termination of Real-Time PCR. This technique has not been used for identification of adult F. hepatica and F. gigantica genotypes. The aim of this study was to determine Fasciola species by using HRM in isolates taken from Iran, respectively. METHODS Ninety-three Fasciola spp. samples were collected from infected slaughtered animals in different regions of Iran, including North West (Ardebil Province) and South East (Zahedan Province) during 2016. Genomic DNA from the samples was extracted using a DNA extraction kit and then after Real-Time PCR amplification, HRM was done. RESULTS Overall, 59 and 34 isolates were identified as F. hepatica and F. gigantica, respectively. The percentages of each species from animals were as follows: sheep (F. hepatica, 80.39% and F. gigantica, 19.61%), cattle (F. hepatica, 42.85% and F. gigantica, 57.15%). CONCLUSION HRM technique developed in the present study is a powerful, rapid and sensitive technique for epidemiological survey and molecular identification between F. hepatica and F. gigantica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad HOSSEINI-SAFA
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Bagher ROKNI
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sayed Hussain MOSAWI
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Khatam Al-Nabieen University, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Peyman HEYDARIAN
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Hakim AZIZI
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Afshin DAVARI
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojgan ARYAIEPOUR
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Corresponding Author:
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Rojas A, Dvir E, Farkas R, Sarma K, Borthakur S, Jabbar A, Markovics A, Otranto D, Baneth G. Phylogenetic analysis of Spirocerca lupi and Spirocerca vulpis reveal high genetic diversity and intra-individual variation. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:639. [PMID: 30547850 PMCID: PMC6295112 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3202-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spirocerca lupi is a parasitic nematode of canids that can lead to a severe and potentially fatal disease. Recently, a new species, Spirocerca vulpis, was described from red foxes in Europe, suggesting a high genetic diversity of the Spirocerca spp. infecting canids. The genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships of S. lupi collected from naturally-infected domestic dogs from Australia, Hungary, Israel, Italy, India and South Africa, and S. vulpis from red foxes from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy and Spain, was studied using mitochondrial and rDNA markers. Results A high intra-individual variation was found in the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) locus in all Spirocerca spp., ranging between 0.37–2.84%, with up to six haplotypes per specimen. In addition, a combination of phylogenetic and haplotype analyses revealed a large variability between S. lupi specimens collected from different geographical locations using the ITS1 (0.37–9.33%) and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene (1.42–6.74%). This genetic diversity led to the identification of two S. lupi genotypes circulating among dogs (PTP support > 0.829), including genotype 1 found in S. lupi from Australia, India, Israel and South Africa, and genotype 2 represented by specimens from Hungary and Italy. These genotypes presented pairwise nucleotide distances of 0.14%, 8.06% and 6.48 ± 0.28% in the small rDNA subunit (18S), ITS1 and cox1 loci, respectively. Additionally, Nei’s genetic distance in the ITS1 showed a further subdivision of genotype 1 worms into 1A (Israel and South Africa) and 1B (Australia and India). A morphological analysis of the anterior and posterior extremities of genotype 1 and genotype 2 worms using scanning electron microscopy did not show any differences between the specimens, contrary to the morphological differences between S. lupi and S. vulpis. Conclusions These findings demonstrate the high genetic variability among Spirocerca spp. from different geographical locations, thereby expanding our understanding of the epidemiology, evolution and phylogenetic variability within the genus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3202-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Rojas
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eran Dvir
- Department of Animal Sciences, Tel-Hai Academic College, Upper Galilee, Israel
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kalyan Sarma
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Mizoram, India
| | - Sonjoy Borthakur
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Mizoram, India
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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Rojas A, Sanchis-Monsonís G, Alić A, Hodžić A, Otranto D, Yasur-Landau D, Martínez-Carrasco C, Baneth G. Spirocerca vulpis sp. nov. (Spiruridae: Spirocercidae): description of a new nematode species of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (Carnivora: Canidae). Parasitology 2018; 145:1917-28. [PMID: 29781422 DOI: 10.1017/S0031182018000707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported nematodes of the Spirocercidae family in the stomach nodules of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) described as Spirocerca sp. or Spirocerca lupi (Rudolphi, 1819). We characterized spirurid worms collected from red foxes and compared them to S. lupi from domestic dogs by morphometric and phylogenetic analyses. Nematodes from red foxes differed from S. lupi by the presence of six triangular teeth-like buccal capsule structures, which are absent in the latter. Additionally, in female worms from red foxes, the distance of the vulva opening to the anterior end and the ratio of the glandular-to-muscular oesophagus lengths were larger than those of S. lupi (P < 0.006). In males, the lengths of the whole oesophagus and glandular part, the ratio of the glandular-to-muscular oesophagus and the comparison of the oesophagus to the total body length were smaller in S. lupi (all P < 0.044). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that S. lupi and the red foxes spirurid represent monophyletic sister groups with pairwise nucleotide distances of 9.2 and 0.2% in the cytochrome oxidase 1 and 18S genes, respectively. Based on these comparisons, the nematodes from red foxes were considered to belong to a separate species, for which the name Spirocerca vulpis sp. nov. is proposed.
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Segev G, Rojas A, Lavy E, Yaffe M, Aroch I, Baneth G. Evaluation of a spot-on imidacloprid-moxidectin formulation (Advocate®) for the treatment of naturally occurring esophageal spirocercosis in dogs: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:127. [PMID: 29506575 PMCID: PMC5838953 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2731-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dogs are the definitive hosts of Spirocerca lupi. Spirocercosis is treated by prolonged avermectin administration by injection or daily oral doses. In this prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial, the efficacy of imidacloprid and moxidectin spot-on formulation (Advocate®) was compared to injectable doramectin (Dectomax®). Dogs diagnosed with benign esophageal spirocercosis were divided randomly into doramectin (400 μg/kg IM) or moxidectin and imidacloprid spot-on (2.5–6.25 mg/kg and 10–25 mg/kg, respectively) groups and treated weekly for 12 consecutive weeks. Dogs were followed for 20 weeks by physical examination, owners’ questionnaire, blood work, fecal floatation, PCR and endoscopy. Results All the doramectin group dogs (n = 10) completed the treatment and follow-up, and the disease had completely resolved in all by week 12. Of the Advocate® group (n = 10), four had complete resolution at week 12, four had partial resolution, one dog did not respond to treatment, and one dog was switched to the doramectin protocol on week 5 due to persistent severe clinical signs. PCR analysis was more sensitive in detecting S. lupi eggs compared to fecal floatation. Discrepancies were detected on 22 occasions, of which on 20 occasions, the PCR was positive while fecal floatation was negative, and only on two occasions the PCR results were negative while fecal flotation was positive. Conclusions The present results indicate that weekly Advocate® spot-on administration may be effective for treating benign esophageal spirocercosis, but is less effective than the currently used injectable doramectin therapy at the dose and duration used herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilad Segev
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eran Lavy
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Marganit Yaffe
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Itamar Aroch
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
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Chai O, Yas E, Brenner O, Rojas A, Konstantin L, Klainbart S, Shamir MH. Clinical characteristics of Spirocerca lupi migration in the spinal cord. Vet Parasitol 2018; 253:16-21. [PMID: 29604997 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Spirocerca lupi is a nematode infecting dogs mostly in tropical and subtropical areas. Although its typical target is the esophageal wall, aberrant migration is not uncommon, including migration of unknown incidence into the spinal cord. While successful treatment of intraspinal S. lupi (ISSL) infection depends on early diagnosis, tools for definitive ante-mortem diagnosis are unavailable. We therefore aimed at characterizing clinical signs and clinical pathology findings of ISSL in dogs. For that, we analyzed medical records of dogs hospitalized in 2005-2016 presenting with neurological signs consistent with ISSL, which were diagnosed definitively post-mortem. Retrieved information included signalment, medical history, chief complaint, physical and neurological evaluation, neuroanatomical localization at presentation, clinical pathology, imaging findings, treatment, outcome and post-mortem findings. Ten midsize to large breed dogs were included, 7 of which had received prophylactic treatment. In all 10 dogs, onset was acute and neurological deterioration until presentation (2 h-6 d) was fast. Neurological examination localized the lesions within the spinal cord and paresis or paralysis was asymmetric in all dogs. Spinal pain was documented in 9/10 dogs. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was abnormal in all dogs and was characterized by pleocytosis in 8/10, whereas cytology revealed the presence of eosinophils in all dogs. Advanced imaging excluded spinal cord compression in all dogs tested. Post-mortem examination detected spinal cord migration tract in all cases. Nematodes were found in the spinal cord parenchyma (8/10) or adjacent to it (2/10) in all dogs. A larva was found in the subarachnoid space of one dog and an adult nematode in the thoracic intervertebral artery of another. Esophageal nodules were found in 5/10 dogs. These findings suggest that the combination of sudden onset of acute asymmetric paresis accompanied by pain, presence of eosinophils in the CSF and lack of compressive lesion may serve as sufficient evidence for tentative diagnosis of ISSL in endemic areas.
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