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Salant H, Nachum-Biala Y, Zivotofsky D, Tzur TE, Baneth G. Babesia negevi infection in dogs and response to treatment. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102282. [PMID: 37989015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102282] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is an important protozoan tick-borne disease associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia and caused by several different Babesia spp. Babesia negevi was first reported to infect dogs in the Middle East in 2020. This study describes the presentation, clinical signs, parasitemia levels quantified by molecular techniques, laboratory findings and treatment of dogs infected with B. negevi following the first description of this species. Clinical findings in the infected dogs, a 3-year old female and two 8-week old male and female pups, included extreme lethargy and pale mucous membranes, anemia and thrombocytopenia found in all three animals. Fever was present in the older female and icterus in the female pup. Babesia parasites resembling B. negevi were detected by microscopy of blood smears from the dogs. PCR of blood targeting the 18S rRNA and cox1 genes confirmed that babesiosis was caused by B. negevi and PCR targeting the Borrelia flagellin gene indicated co-infection with Borrelia persica in two dogs. Treatment of the dogs with imidocarb dipropionate resulted in clinical improvement and initial decrease in the B. negevi parasite load as detected by quantitative PCR in two dogs, however the female pup continued to deteriorate and died. The parasite load in the 3-year old female decreased from 43,451 parasites/µl blood pre-imidocarb dipropionate treatment to 803 parasites/µl within two weeks. In the surviving pup, it decreased from 3,293,538 parasites/µl pre-treatment to 20,092 parasites/µl after two weeks. Babesia negevi DNA was still recovered from blood samples by PCR despite repeated treatment with imidocarb dipropionate one-month post-treatment in the surviving pup and up to seven months post-treatment in the 3-year old female. Only treatment with atovaquone and azithromycin for ten days eliminated B. negevi in both dogs as confirmed by negative PCR two weeks later. In conclusion, treatment with imidocarb dipropionate was helpful for recovery from clinical disease but did not facilitate parasite elimination, and it is therefore recommended to treat canine B. negevi infection with the combination of atovaquone and azithromycin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Tsachi Even Tzur
- American Medical Laboratories, 37 Havazelet Hasharon Street, Herzlia, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Sgroi G, D’Alessio N, Auriemma C, Salant H, Gallo A, Riccardi MG, Alfano F, Rea S, Scarcelli S, Ottaviano M, De Martinis C, Fusco G, Lucibelli MG, Veneziano V. First molecular detection of Babesia vulpes and Babesia capreoli in wild boars from southern Italy. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1201476. [PMID: 37609054 PMCID: PMC10442169 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1201476] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Following the increase of wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Europe, a potential risk of emerging infections by vector-borne pathogens may occur. Despite this, the circulation of piroplasmid species in these ungulates is still a neglected topic, particularly in the Mediterranean basin. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of Babesia/Theileria spp. in wild boars from southern Italy to assess the epidemiological role of these ungulates in the circulation of piroplasmids. Methods By using a citizen science approach among hunters and veterinarians, wild boar spleen samples were collected in the Campania region (southern Italy) between 2016 and 2022. A combined semi-nested PCR/sequencing analysis targeting the V4 hyper-variable region of 18S rRNA was run to detect Babesia/Theileria spp. DNA. Results Out of 243 boars, 15 (i.e., 6.2, 95% CI: 3.4-9.9) tested positive to Babesia/Theileria spp., Babesia vulpes (n = 13, 5.3, 95% CI: 3.1-8.9) the most prevalent, followed by Babesia capreoli (n = 2, 0.8, 95% CI: 0.2-2.9). Three different B. vulpes sequence types were identified (i.e., ST1, ST2, ST3), with the most representative as ST1 (60%), and a single B. capreoli sequence type. No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) were found between the presence of the pathogens and boar age, sex, province and sample collection year. Discussion Data demonstrate for the first time the occurrence of B. vulpes and B. capreoli in wild boars, which may play a role in the biological cycle of piroplasmids. We emphasize the importance of monitoring these ungulates to prevent potential foci of infection. The engagement of hunters in epidemiological scientifically based surveys can constitute a technically sound control strategy of piroplasmids in a One Health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Nicola D’Alessio
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
- Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio—Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | - Clementina Auriemma
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Amalia Gallo
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Marita Georgia Riccardi
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Flora Alfano
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Simona Rea
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Stefano Scarcelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Ottaviano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio De Martinis
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Lucibelli
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio—Campania Region, Naples, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Šlapeta J, Halliday B, Dunlop JA, Nachum-Biala Y, Salant H, Ghodrati S, Modrý D, Harrus S. The “southeastern Europe” lineage of the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) identified as Rhipicephalus rutilus Koch, 1844: Comparison with holotype and generation of mitogenome reference from Israel. Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases 2023; 3:100118. [PMID: 37009554 PMCID: PMC10064234 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100118] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) in the southeastern Mediterranean region and the Middle East is difficult to identify due to the presence of multiple mitochondrial DNA haplogroup lineages. The purpose of this study was to clarify the identity of the "southeastern Europe" lineage of this tick species complex. Our research shows that female ticks of the "southeastern Europe" lineage correspond to the morphology of R. rutilus Koch, 1844 as found in type-material at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin in Germany. We characterised the complete mitogenomes of R. rutilus, R. turanicus Pomerantsev, 1940 and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) in order to improve our understanding of the phylogenetic relationships among species within the R. sanguineus (sensu lato) complex. The material associated with the morphology of R. rutilus was previously labelled as the "southeastern Europe" lineage and found in Israel and Egypt, including Lower Egypt and the Nile Delta, where the original type-material was collected. Based on the morphology, genetic identity, and geographical distribution of the species, we conclude that the name R. rutilus is correctly linked to the "southeastern Europe" lineage of R. sanguineus (sensu lato).
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Yasur-Landau D, Genad O, Salant H, Dvir E, Mazuz ML, Baneth G. Comparison of multiplex copro PCR with coproscopy followed by PCR on recovered eggs for the detection of Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia spp. infection in dogs. Vet Parasitol 2023; 315:109885. [PMID: 36696840 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Echinococcosis and taeniasis are important helminth diseases that carry considerable impact on human and animal health. Domestic dogs and other canids are definitive hosts for several parasites of this group, including Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia multiceps, T. ovis, T. hydatigena and E. multilocularis. Detection of infection in dog populations is imperative for estimating the risk to susceptible humans and animals, and for its mitigation through prevention measures in dogs, other animals and humans. To date, identification of taeniid eggs, antigens or DNA in fecal samples are the most practical diagnostic modalities available for canine definitive hosts. Although widely used for this purpose, there is limited information comparing copro PCR and combined coproscopy-PCR protocols for the detection of taeniids. In the current study, a widely used multiplex PCR was performed on a large number of dog fecal samples using DNA extracted directly from feces. The samples were also tested by fecal flotation and coproscopy, eggs were isolated from microscopically-positive samples and extracted DNA was tested using the same multiplex PCR. The total number of taeniid positive samples detected using both methods was 46/317 (14.5%), including 10/317 (3.2%) E. granulosus positive samples. Both copro PCR and coproscopy have identified an equal number of samples as taeniid positive (n = 32). However, for the purpose of identification to species level, the copro PCR was significantly more sensitive than coproscopy followed by PCR on isolated eggs (sensitivity 0.7 vs. 0.41, p = 0.012), with 32/317 (10.1%) and 19/317 (6%) positive samples identified, respectively. The difference in identification of E. granulosus was highly apparent, as the majority of the E. granulosus positive samples (8/10) were detected by the copro PCR only. Coproscopy and egg PCR have identified 5/317 (1.6%) positive samples not detected by the copro PCR, including only a single sample (0.3%) positive for E. granulosus. Adding these positive samples to those identified by the copro PCR did not significantly improve the overall sensitivity (p = 0.074). Therefore, using both copro PCR and coproscopy in parallel may not be advantageous for taeniid detection and identification, at least until the egg PCR is further optimized and performs better. These results should be weighed against the different advantages that coproscopy based approach may offer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Yasur-Landau
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
| | - Or Genad
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Eran Dvir
- Department of Life Science, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee, 1220800, Israel.
| | - Monica L Mazuz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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Baneth G, Dvorkin A, Ben-Shitrit B, Kleinerman G, Salant H, Straubinger RK, Nachum-Biala Y. Infection and seroprevalence of Borrelia persica in domestic cats and dogs in Israel. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:102. [PMID: 35534871 PMCID: PMC9087918 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05223-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Relapsing fever borreliosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia, inflicting recurrent episodes of fever and spirochetemia in humans. Borrelia persica, the causative agent of relapsing fever in Israel, is prevalent over a broad geographic area that extends from India to Egypt. It is transmitted by the soft tick Ornithodoros tholozani and causes disease in humans as well as domestic cats and dogs. The goal of this study was to survey domestic dogs and cats in Israel for infection with B. persica. Methods Blood, sera and demographic and clinical data were collected from dogs and cats brought for veterinary care in central Israel. PCR followed by DNA sequencing was used to detect B. persica DNA in blood samples, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect antibodies reactive with B. persica antigens in sera from the same animals. This is the first serological survey of B. persica in dogs and the first survey for antibodies reactive with a relapsing fever Borrelia sp. in cats globally. Results Four of the 208 dogs (1.9%) and three of 103 cats (2.9%) sampled were positive by PCR for B. persica DNA, and 24 dogs (11.5%) and 18 cats (17.5%) were seropositive for B. persica antigen by ELISA. The ratio between PCR-positivity and seropositivity in both the dog and cat populations was 1:6. All four PCR-positive dogs and two of three PCR-positive cats were seronegative, suggesting a probable recent infection. Thrombocytopenia showed significant association with seropositivity in dogs (P = 0.003). In cats, anemia had a significant association with seropositivity (P = 0.0001), and thrombocytopenia was associated with the combined prevalence of seropositivity or PCR-positivity (P = 0.022). Conclusions Borrelia persica infection is more prevalent and widespread in domestic canine and feline populations in Israel than previously thought. Dogs and cats may play a role as reservoirs and sentinels for human infection. Precautions should be taken to prevent transfusion-transmitted infection between blood donor and recipient animals. Graphic Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Gad Baneth
- The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 761001, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Ann Dvorkin
- The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 761001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Bar Ben-Shitrit
- The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 761001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gabriela Kleinerman
- The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 761001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Harold Salant
- The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 761001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reinhard K Straubinger
- Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 761001, Rehovot, Israel
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Power RI, Calvani NED, Nachum-Biala Y, Salant H, Harrus S, Šlapeta J. Adaptation of gltA and ssrA assays for diversity profiling by Illumina sequencing to identify Bartonella henselae, B. clarridgeiae and B. koehlerae. J Med Microbiol 2021; 70. [PMID: 34296984 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Bartonellosis is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Bartonella. Mixed Bartonella infections are a well-documented phenomenon in mammals and their ectoparasites. The accurate identification of Bartonella species in single and mixed infections is valuable, as different Bartonella species have varying impacts on infected hosts.Gap Statement. Current diagnostic methods are inadequate at identifying the Bartonella species present in mixed infections.Aim. The aim of this study was to adopt a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approach using Illumina sequencing technology to identify Bartonella species and demonstrate that this approach can resolve mixed Bartonella infections.Methodology. We used Illumina PCR amplicon NGS to target the ssrA and gltA genes of Bartonella in fleas collected from cats, dogs and a hedgehog in Israel. We included artificially mixed Bartonella samples to demonstrate the ability for NGS to resolve mixed infections and we compared NGS to traditional Sanger sequencing.Results. In total, we identified 74 Ctenocephalides felis, two Ctenocephalides canis, two Pulex irritans and three Archaeopsylla e. erinacei fleas. Real-time PCR of a subset of 48 fleas revealed that twelve were positive for Bartonella, all of which were cat fleas. Sanger sequencing of the ssrA and gltA genes confirmed the presence of Bartonella henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae and Bartonella koehlerae. Illumina NGS of ssrA and gltA amplicons further confirmed the Bartonella species identity in all 12 flea samples and unambiguously resolved the artificially mixed Bartonella samples.Conclusion. The adaptation and multiplexing of existing PCR assays for diversity profiling via NGS is a feasible approach that is superior to traditional Sanger sequencing for Bartonella speciation and resolving mixed Bartonella infections. The adaptation of other PCR primers for Illumina NGS will be useful in future studies where mixed bacterial infections may be present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemonde Isabella Power
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | | | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
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Rojas A, Morales-Calvo F, Salant H, Otranto D, Baneth G. Zoonotic Ocular Onchocercosis by Onchocerca lupi. Yale J Biol Med 2021; 94:331-341. [PMID: 34211352 PMCID: PMC8223538] [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: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The parasitic filarioid Onchocerca lupi causes ocular disease characterized by conjunctivitis and nodular lesions. This nematode was first described in 1967 in a wolf from Georgia, and since then cases of infection from dogs and cats with ocular onchocercosis and sporadically from humans also with subcutaneous and cervical lesions caused by O. lupi have been reported from the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Due to its zoonotic potential, this parasitic infection has gained attention in the past 20 years. Phylogenetic studies have highlighted the recent divergence of O. lupi from other Onchocerca spp. and the importance of domestication in the evolutionary history of this worm. Moreover, the finding of an O. lupi genotype associated with subclinical and mild infection in the Iberian Peninsula, raises important questions about the pathogenicity of this presently enigmatic parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Rojas
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Centro de Investigación en
Enfermedades Tropicales, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica,To whom all correspondence should be addressed:
Alicia Rojas, Laboratorio de Helmintología, Facultad de Microbiología,
Universidad de Costa Rica, Sede Rodrigo Facio, Montes de Oca, San José Costa
Rica, 11501-2060; Tel: +(506)2511-8645;
; ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2007-7198
| | - Fernando Morales-Calvo
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Centro de Investigación en
Enfermedades Tropicales, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy,Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University,
Hamedan, Iran
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Salant H, Nachum-Biala Y, Feinmesser B, Perelmutter M, Baneth G. Early onset of clinical leishmaniosis in a litter of pups with evidence of in utero transmission. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:326. [PMID: 34130703 PMCID: PMC8207771 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04824-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania infantum. Although usually transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, infection by vertical transmission and by blood transfusion have also been reported. Methods We describe the very early onset of clinical leishmaniosis, starting from 2 months of age, in a litter of pups born to an infected dam and sire. Seven pups from the litter of nine living in different households showed alopecic, exfoliative dermatitis and ulcerative cutaneous lesions. All pups and both parents were tested on at least one occasion both serologically, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the Leishmania ribosomal operon internal transcribed spacer 1 region and a short fragment of the kinetoplast minicircle; positive amplicons were sequenced. Results All nine pups were PCR positive for L. infantum verified by DNA sequencing, seven were positive by conjunctival, five by blood, four by lymph node, and one by skin PCR from an ulcerative lesion. Both pups with no clinical signs were seronegative, while five of the seven pups with dermatologic abnormalities were seropositive by ELISA. The sire had typical clinical dermatologic and visceral findings of CanL, was seropositive and PCR positive for L. infantum in the lymph node and fluid from the vas deferens tested after the testes were removed by castration. The dam was sub-clinically infected and seronegative, but positive by blood, lymph node and conjunctival PCR for L. infantum. Allopurinol administered to all clinically affected dogs resulted in clinical recovery. Conclusions Infection with L. infantum in both parents, the very early age of clinical onset among most of the pups, and the fact that the puppies were born and detected with signs of leishmaniosis in the winter, which is a season without sand fly activity in Israel, strongly suggest vertical transmission. Awareness of the possibility of vertical transmission of L. infantum and infection in littermates should be increased. It is recommended that littermates of young dogs with clinical leishmaniosis should be tested for sub-clinical infection as they may also be infectious to sand flies and thus to other dogs and to humans. Restricting the mating of infected bitches should also be considered to prevent the vertical transmission of the infection. Graphic abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | | | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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Salant H, Rojas A, Yardeny D, Brenner O, Schvartz G, Baneth G, Dvir E. Cutaneous habronemosis in horses: First molecular characterization of Habronema muscae in Israel. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 75:101608. [PMID: 33383475 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101608] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Draschia megastoma, Habronema microstoma, and Habronema muscae are the etiological agents of cutaneous habronemosis, commonly known as summer sores, an inflammatory cutaneous and ocular parasitic disease of horses and other equids transmitted by flies. Here, we describe a cluster of cutaneous habronemosis in five horses that showed single or multiple typical cutaneous ulcerative wounds located on the face, lower forelegs or hindquarters in Israel with the presence of typical "sulphur granules." All affected animals were confirmed by histopathological and/or molecular methods to be infected by H. muscae. This constitutes the first report of cutaneous habronemosis in Israel in which the causative nematode, H. muscae, was identified by molecular means. Cutaneous habronemosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in equids with cutaneous ulcerative lesions during the summer months, especially when affected animals are refractive to antibiotic treatment alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - A Rojas
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel; Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica; Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - D Yardeny
- Department of Animal Sciences, Tel Hai College, Upper Galilee, Israel
| | - O Brenner
- Department of Veterinary Resources, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - G Schvartz
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - G Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - E Dvir
- Department of Animal Sciences, Tel Hai College, Upper Galilee, Israel
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Salant H, Kuzi S, Navarro D, Baneth G. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis in dogs in Israel. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 73:101548. [PMID: 32947251 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Three hundred and two stool samples were collected from municipal shelters and owned dogs in different geographical locations in Israel from December 2016 to September 2017 and examined for Giardia and assemblage type by PCR targeting the 18S rRNA and β-giardin genes. Overall Giardia prevalence was 24.5 % (74/30). Giardia prevalence was 1.9-fold higher in dogs ≤ 6 months old compared to > 6 ≤ 12 months old and older dogs [25/61 (41 %), 18/73 (24.6 %) and 31/166 (18.7 %), respectively, (p = 0.001)], 2.3-fold higher in winter [32/90 (35.5 %)] compared to its prevalence during autumn [15/60 (25 %)], spring [10/62 (16.1 %)] and summer [17/89 (19.1 %), p = 0.003)], and 2.7-fold more frequent among diarrheic dogs [23/43 (53.4 %)] compared to those with formed stools [51/253 (20.1 %)], (p = 0.001)]. The Giardia sp. assemblages detected were C and D. Higher infection rates in young, diarrheic dogs, sampled during winter, and housed in municipal shelters, indicates the need for targeted preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Sharon Kuzi
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Danielle Navarro
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
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Salant H, Yasur-Landau D, Rojas A, Otranto D, Mazuz ML, Baneth G. Troglostrongylus brevior is the dominant lungworm infecting feral cats in Jerusalem. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3443-3450. [PMID: 32813040 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06852-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Feline lungworms infect the respiratory tract of wild and domestic cats, causing infection often associated with clinical disease. Until recently, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus has been considered the most relevant species of lungworm, while Troglostrongylus brevior was considered of less significance. Fecal samples of feral cats from Jerusalem, Israel, collected over a year, were examined for first stage lungworm larvae (L1) using the Baermann method. Positive samples were morphologically identified, and their species identity was molecularly confirmed. Forty of 400 (10.0%) cats were lungworm-positive, of which 38/40 (95.0%) shed Troglostrongylus brevior and 6/40 (15.0%) shed Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Four cats (10.0%) had mixed infections with both lungworm species. L1 shedding was associated with clinical respiratory signs in 11 (19.0%) T. brevior shedding cats of a total of 58 cats manifesting respiratory signs, while 23/342 (6.7%) cats without respiratory signs were L1-positive (p = 0.006). Non-respiratory clinical signs were also found to be more prevalent in L1 shedders (p = 0.012). A young kitten ≤ 4 weeks of age shed T. brevior L1 larvae. DNA sequences of both lungworm species using the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) locus were > 99% similar to other sequences deposited in GenBank, suggesting that T. brevior and A. abstrusus ITS2 sequences are both highly conserved. In conclusion, L1 shedding in feral cats from Jerusalem were mostly caused by T. brevior with only a small proportion involving A. abstrusus, different from many studies from other geographical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - D Yasur-Landau
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - A Rojas
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - D Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - M L Mazuz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - G Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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12
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Abramo F, Lia RP, Tarallo VD, Salant H, Brianti E, Baneth G, Otranto D. Transmammary transmission of Troglostrongylus brevior feline lungworm: a lesson from our gardens. Vet Parasitol 2020; 285:109215. [PMID: 32862125 PMCID: PMC7428694 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109215] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Transmammary transmission of Troglostrongylus brevior in domestic cats is suggested. Snails, rats and lizards play a role in the epidemiology of this feline lungworm. Observational parasitology is important in studying events that may occur in small ecological niches around us.
Feline lungworms such as Aerulostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior are snail-borne pathogens causing respiratory disease in domestic cats. Paratenic hosts such as rodents and reptiles have also been implicated in the epidemiology of these parasites. Although A. abstrusus has been recognized for a long time as the most prevalent lungworm among cats worldwide, T. brevior is of major concern in kittens. Bearing in mind that disease due to T. brevior occurs mainly in pediatric patients younger than 6 months of age, the diagnosis of this parasite in two kittens presenting severe respiratory disease from the garden of one of the authors inspired us to investigate the potential routes of transmission for T. brevior in domestic cats. Of the three queens (A, B and C) that delivered kittens (n = 8), only cat A was positive for T. brevior, presenting her two kittens severe respiratory clinical signs, which lead to the exitus in one of them, 18 days of age. In addition, three kittens, the offspring of queen B, turned to be positive at the coprological examination after suckling from queen A, whereas those from queen C (that suckled only on their own mother) remained negative. A series of coprological, histological and molecular tests were conducted to confirm the presence of T. brevior in the patients as well as in the other cats cohabiting the same garden. Adult nematodes were retrieved from the trachea and bronchi of the dead kitten (kitten 1A), and larvae at the histology of the lung and liver parenchyma associated with bronco pneumonitis and lymphocytic pericholangitis, respectively. Cornu aspersum (n = 60), Eobania vermiculata (n = 30) snails (intermediate hosts) as well as lizards and rats (potential paratenic hosts) were collected from the same garden and processed through tissue digestion and molecular detection. Troglostrongylus brevior larvae were recovered through tissue digestion from two C. aspersum (3.33 %) and it was confirmed by PCR-sequencing approach, which also detected T. brevior DNA in the liver and lungs of one rat and in the coelomatic cavity of one gecko lizard. During the COVID-19 lockdown, when scientists spent more time at home, we grasp the opportunity to decipher T. brevior biology and ecology starting in a small ecological niche, such as the garden of our house. Data herein presented led us to suggest: i) the transmammary transmission of T. brevior in domestic cats; ii) the role of intermediate and paratenic hosts (including reptiles) in the epidemiology of the infection which they transmit; as well as iii) the importance of observational parasitology in studying any event that certainly occurs in small ecological niches, as it could be in our home gardens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Francesca Abramo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy; Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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13
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Baneth G, Nachum-Biala Y, Zuberi A, Zipori-Barki N, Orshan L, Kleinerman G, Shmueli-Goldin A, Bellaiche M, Leszkowicz-Mazuz M, Salant H, Yasur-Landau D. Leishmania infection in cats and dogs housed together in an animal shelter reveals a higher parasite load in infected dogs despite a greater seroprevalence among cats. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:115. [PMID: 32192533 PMCID: PMC7083040 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3989-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An outbreak of leishmaniosis was studied in cats and dogs housed together with no separation in an animal shelter in Israel. Methods The study included recording of clinical signs, serology for Leishmania infection by ELISA, PCR of blood for Leishmania DNA by ITS1 HRM and kDNA PCR, parasite quantification, and trapping of sand flies around the shelter. Results Thirty-seven % (22/60) of the dogs and 75% (50/67) of the cats were seropositive to L. infantum with a significantly higher seropositivity rate in the cat population (χ2 = 42.160, P < 0.0001). Twenty-five percent (15/60) of the dogs were positive for Leishmania by blood PCR, 12% by the Leishmania ITS1 HRM PCR and 22% by kDNA PCR. Of the cats, 16% (11/67) were positive by kDNA PCR and none by ITS1 HRM PCR. All the PCR-positive animals were infected by L. infantum verified by DNA sequencing and there was no significant difference between the PCR-positivity in the dog and cat populations. Altogether, 43% (26/60) of the dogs and 79% (53/67) of the cats were positive by serology or PCR for L. infantum. The average Leishmania parasite load in the blood of PCR-positive dogs (42,967 parasites/ml) was significantly higher than in PCR-positive cats (1259 parasites/ml) (t(12) = 2.33, P = 0.037). Dogs that were positive by the Leishmania ITS1 HRM PCR and kDNA PCR had significantly higher parasite loads than dogs positive only by the kDNA PCR (t(11) = − 3.186580, P < 0.009). No significant effect was found for FIV seropositivity on Leishmania infection in the cats (χ2 = 0.506, P = 0.777). A higher percentage of Leishmania-positive dogs showed clinical signs compatible with leishmaniosis compared to Leishmania-positive cats (100 vs 52.8%, χ2 =15.242, P < 0.0001). Phlebotomus perfiliewi, a proven vector of L. infantum, comprised 92% of trapped sand flies. Conclusions Comparisons of populations of cats and dogs exposed to sand flies and L. infantum under the same conditions indicated that although a high rate of exposure was detected in cats as manifested by a significantly greater degree of seropositivity, dogs had significantly higher blood parasite loads, and were likely to be more infectious to sand flies than cats.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Adam Zuberi
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nirit Zipori-Barki
- The Israeli Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Israeli Ministry of Agriculture, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Laor Orshan
- Central Laboratories Jerusalem, The Israeli Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Gabriela Kleinerman
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ayelet Shmueli-Goldin
- The Israeli Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Israeli Ministry of Agriculture, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Michel Bellaiche
- The Israeli Veterinary Services and Animal Health, Israeli Ministry of Agriculture, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | | | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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14
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Yasur-Landau D, Salant H, Levin-Gichon G, Botero-Anug AM, Zafrany A, Mazuz ML, Baneth G. Urinary incontinence associated with Mesocestoides vogae infection in a dog. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:1039-1044. [PMID: 30685781 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06216-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Peritoneal larval cestodiasis caused by Mesocestoides spp. is a rare infection in dogs. A 6-year-old female dog was presented for veterinary care with urinary incontinence which started 1 year earlier. After performing hematology, ultrasound, and computerized tomography, an exploratory laparotomy revealed canine peritoneal larval cestodiasis (CPLC) with the presence of Mesocestoides vogae (syn. Mesocestoides corti) tetrathyridia confirmed by morphological identification and PCR and DNA sequencing. Parasitic cysts were found around the urinary bladder and appeared to inhibit its normal function. An initial treatment with 5 mg/kg praziquantel subcutaneously every 2 weeks for four treatments failed to alleviate the clinical signs, and only treatment with fenbendazole at 100 mg/kg P.O. twice daily for 28 days was associated with the disappearance of ascites and regaining of urinary control. This is the first report of CPLC associated with urinary incontinence in dogs and the first description of this cyclophyllidean cestode in dogs in Israel.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Yasur-Landau
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 76100, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - G Levin-Gichon
- Hahistadrut Veterinary Clinic, 60 Histadrut Street, Holon, Israel
| | | | - A Zafrany
- Knowledge Farm Specialist's Referral Center, Beit Berl, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - M L Mazuz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - G Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 76100, Rehovot, Israel
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15
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Hornok S, Baneth G, Grima A, Takács N, Kontschán J, Meli M, Suter V, Salant H, Farkas R, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Molecular investigations of cat fleas ( Ctenocephalides felis) provide the first evidence of Rickettsia felis in Malta and Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis in Israel. New Microbes New Infect 2018; 25:3-6. [PMID: 29988839 PMCID: PMC6031890 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia felis, the causative agent of flea-borne spotted fever, occurs on all continents except Antarctica, owing to the cosmopolitan distribution of its cat flea vector. In this study, cat fleas were collected in two countries where the occurrence of R. felis was either unknown (Malta) or where accurate prevalence data were lacking (Israel). Altogether 129 fleas were molecularly analysed for the presence of rickettsial DNA. On the basis of three genetic markers, R. felis was identified in 39.5% (15/38) of the cat fleas from Malta. Sequences showed 100% identity to each other and to relevant sequences in GenBank. Among the 91 cat fleas from Israel, two (2.2%) contained the DNA of Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis. Phylogenetically, the R. felis and Candidatus R. senegalensis identified here clustered separately (with high support) but within one clade, which was a sister group to that formed by the typhus group and spotted fever group rickettsiae. This is the first record of R. felis in Malta and of Candidatus R. senegalensis outside its formerly reported geographical range including Africa, Asia and North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - G. Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Yehoshua Hankin, Israel
| | - A. Grima
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - N. Takács
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - J. Kontschán
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - M.L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - V. Suter
- Clinical Laboratory and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - H. Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Yehoshua Hankin, Israel
| | - R. Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - R. Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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16
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Bigal E, Morick D, Scheinin AP, Salant H, Berkowitz A, King R, Levy Y, Melero M, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM, Goffman O, Hadar N, Roditi-Elasar M, Tchernov D. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in three common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus); A first description from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Vet Parasitol 2018; 258:74-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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17
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Hornok S, Beck R, Farkas R, Grima A, Otranto D, Kontschán J, Takács N, Horváth G, Szőke K, Szekeres S, Majoros G, Juhász A, Salant H, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Stanko M, Baneth G. High mitochondrial sequence divergence in synanthropic flea species (Insecta: Siphonaptera) from Europe and the Mediterranean. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:221. [PMID: 29609620 PMCID: PMC5879554 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2798-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adult fleas are haematophagous ectoparasites of warm-blooded vertebrates, particularly mammals. Among them, the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) and the human flea (Pulex irritans) have high veterinary-medical significance, owing to their cosmopolitan distribution and role in the transmission of important vector-borne pathogens. While the taxonomy of Ct. felis has been investigated on a morphological basis during the past decades, its molecular-phylogenetic analyses have been only recently conducted. This study expands the knowledge on Ct. felis from hitherto less studied geographical regions, and includes representatives from additional flea families, less investigated with molecular approaches. Methods Fleas were collected in four countries of the Mediterranean Basin (Croatia, Italy, Malta and Israel), as well as in Hungary, from domestic and wild carnivores, rodents and humans. The DNA extracts of representative fleas (n = 148), belonging to ten species of eight genera, were used for PCR amplification of part of their cytochrome c oxidase subunits 1, 2 (cox1, cox2) and 18S rRNA genes, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Results The majority (65.6%) of Ct. felis felis cox2 sequences showed 99.4–100% similarity to each other (haplogroup A), whereas those from Malta and Israel had 98.1–98.7% sequence similarity (haplogroup B), and a third sequence from Israel (haplotype C) had as low as 96.3% sequence similarity in comparison with a reference sequence from group “A”. Except for the shape of the head, no consistent morphological differences (e.g. in chaetotaxy) were found between haplogroups “A” and “C”. Haplotypes of Ct. canis were genetically more homogenous, with 99.6–100% sequence similarity to each other. However, when P. irritans collected from humans was compared to those from three species of wild carnivores, these only had 96.6% cox2 similarity. The mouse flea, Leptopsylla segnis and the northern rat flea, Nosopsyllus fasciatus were both shown to have haplotypes with low intraspecific cox2 similarities (96.2 and 94.4%, respectively). Taken together, differences between mitochondrial lineages within four flea species exceeded that observed between two Chaetopsylla spp. (which had 97.3% cox2 similarity). The topologies of cox1 and cox2 phylogenetic trees were in line with relevant sequence comparisons. Conversely, 18S rRNA gene analyses only resolved differences above the species level. Conclusions Ctenocephalides felis felis, P. irritans, L. segnis and N. fasciatus were shown to have such a high level of mitochondrial gene heterogeneity, that the uniformity of these flea taxa should be reconsidered. Although the present results are limited (especially in the case of L. segnis and N. fasciatus), there appears to be no geographical or host restriction, which could explain the divergence of these genetic lineages. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2798-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Relja Beck
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Grima
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Jenő Kontschán
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Takács
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Krisztina Szőke
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Szekeres
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Majoros
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alexandra Juhász
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michal Stanko
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
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Aroch I, Baneth G, Salant H, Nachum-Biala Y, Berkowitz A, Shamir M, Chai O. Neospora caninum and Ehrlichia canis co-infection in a dog with meningoencephalitis. Vet Clin Pathol 2018; 47:289-293. [PMID: 29406569 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
An 8-year-old mixed-breed dog was presented for acute, progressive weakness and ataxia, inappetence, and weight loss. The patient was mentally normal, but nonambulatory, with a right head tilt, right positional ventral strabismus, and slight head tremors. A neurologic lesion was localized to the cerebellum and right brainstem. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed a markedly increased protein concentration and mixed pleocytosis, with eosinophil predominance (44%), intracytoplasmic inclusions within eosinophils, consistent with Ehrlichia canis (E canis) morulae, and Toxoplasma gondii (T gondii) or Neospora caninum (N caninum) tachyzoites within eosinophils and monocytes. A serum indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was positive for N caninum (titer 1:12 800) and negative for T gondii. Both blood and CSF PCR results were N caninum- and E canis-positive and T gondii- and Anaplasma phagocytophilum-negative, and blood PCR, but not CSF PCR, was Hepatozoon canis-positive. The dog was treated for 30 days with clindamycin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, doxycycline, prednisone, and cephalosporin, but did not improve neurologically, and was euthanized. Brain histopathology showed moderate multifocal, subacute meningoencephalitis with necrosis and gliosis. The neurologic disease was mostly attributed to central nervous system (CNS) neosporosis, with the possible contribution of ehrlichiosis, which was likely a manifestation of blood-brain barrier disruption. Hepatozoonosis was probably a result or cause of underlying immunosuppression. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CNSN caninum and E canis co-infection detected by both CSF PCR and cytology and E canis morulae identified within CSF eosinophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itamar Aroch
- 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
| | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Asaf Berkowitz
- Department of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Merav Shamir
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Orit Chai
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Salant H, Hamburger J, Spira D, David AB, Schwan EV. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in poultry kept under different housing conditions in Israel. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2016; 5:34-36. [PMID: 31014535 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.09.003] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence survey was conducted in poultry flocks kept under different housing systems in Israel. The seroprevalence rates were 35.4% (46/130) in battery-raised chicken egg-layers from Jerusalem which were first raised on the ground, 12.5% (19/152) in free-range chickens from various locations of the country and 9% (4/45) in turkeys from the north. However, all broilers (50) and chicken breeding stock (58) kept under high biosecurity conditions in Jerusalem were found to be T. gondii seronegative. It is concluded that high biosecurity conditions prevent contamination with oocysts by rendering premises inaccessible to cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Salant
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - J Hamburger
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - D Spira
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - E V Schwan
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
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Kamani J, Baneth G, Gutiérrez R, Nachum-Biala Y, Salant H, Mumcuoglu KY, Harrus S. Molecular screening of Ctenocephalides felis fleas collected from stray cats in the Jerusalem District, Israel, for Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2016; 1-2:59-64. [PMID: 31018411 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.04.001] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Four hundred and sixty seven Ctenocephalides felis fleas removed from 185 feral cats living in residential areas of Jerusalem, Israel, were screened for bacterial infections of public health importance. The fleas were screened for bartonellae, rickettsiae and Coxiella burnetii by PCR and sequencing. Bartonella DNA was detected in 156 individual fleas collected from 91 of the 185 (49.2%) cats. DNA of Bartonella clarridgeiae, Bartonella henselae and Bartonella koehlerae was detected in 112/467 (24%), 29/467 (6.2%) and 15/467 (3.2%), respectively, indicating a significantly different distribution (P<0.00001) of these Bartonella spp. among the fleas. However, no differences were observed between female and male fleas in their Bartonella-infection status (P>0.05). Ninety one individual cats carried fleas infected with 1 to 3 Bartonella species. No differences were found between fleas collected from male and female, pregnant and non-pregnant or young, juvenile and adult cats. Interestingly, a significant association was observed between the clinical status of the cat hosts (apparently healthy versus sick) and the carriage of Bartonella-positive fleas. One of the 467 (0.2%) fleas was positive for Rickettsia felis DNA and no other Rickettsia spp. or C. burnetii DNA were detected. Our findings indicate a relatively high prevalence of Bartonella spp. known to be human pathogens, and low prevalence of R. felis in fleas from the Jerusalem district cats, highlighting the abundance and importance of bartonellae for public health in this urban region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Kamani
- Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), PMB 01 Vom Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ricardo Gutiérrez
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Harold Salant
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Kosta Y Mumcuoglu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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Salant H, Mazuz M, Savitsky I, Nasereddin A, Blinder E, Baneth G. Neospora caninum in crows from Israel. Vet Parasitol 2015; 212:375-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Nasereddin A, Risheq A, Harrus S, Azmi K, Ereqat S, Baneth G, Salant H, Mumcuoglu KY, Abdeen Z. Bartonella species in fleas from Palestinian territories: prevalence and genetic diversity. J Vector Ecol 2014; 39:261-270. [PMID: 25424254 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Bartonellosis is an infectious bacterial disease. The prevalence and genetic characteristics of Bartonella spp. in fleas of wild and domestic animals from Palestinian territories are described. Flea samples (n=289) were collected from 121 cats, 135 dogs, 26 hyraxes and seven rats from northern (n=165), central (n=113), and southern Palestinian territories (n=11). The prevalent flea species were: Ctenocephalides felis (n=119/289; 41.2%), Ctenocephalides canis (n=159/289; 55%), and Xenopsylla sp. (n=7/289; 2.4%). Targeting the Intergenic Transcribed Spacer (ITS) locus, DNA of Bartonella was detected in 22% (64/289) of all fleas. Fifty percent of the C. felis and 57% of the Xenopsylla sp. contained Bartonella DNA. DNA sequencing showed the presence of Bartonella clarridgeiae (50%), Bartonella henselae (27%), and Bartonella koehlerae (3%) in C. felis. Xenopsylla sp. collected from Rattus rattus rats were infected with Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella elizabethae, and Bartonella rochalimae. Phylogenetic sequence analysis using the 16S ribosomal RNA gene obtained four genetic clusters, B. henselae and B. koehlerae as subcluster 1, B. clarridgeiae as cluster 2, while the rat Bartonella species (B. tribocorum and B. elizabethae) were an outgroup cluster. These findings showed the important role of cat and rat fleas as vectors of zoonotic Bartonella species in Palestinian territories. It is hoped that this publication will raise awareness among physicians, veterinarians, and other health workers of the high prevalence of Bartonella spp. in fleas in Palestinian territories and the potential risk of these pathogens to humans and animals in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nasereddin
- Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute (ANAHRI), Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestinian Authority.
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Salant H, Mumcuoglu KY, Baneth G. Ectoparasites in urban stray cats in Jerusalem, Israel: differences in infestation patterns of fleas, ticks and permanent ectoparasites. Med Vet Entomol 2014; 28:314-318. [PMID: 24191942 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Revised: 08/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In a period cross-sectional study performed to examine ectoparasites on 340 stray cats in Jerusalem, Israel, 186 (54.7%) were infested with the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), 49 (14.4%) with the cat louse, Felicola subrostratus (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae), 41 (12.0%) with the ear mite, Otodectes cynotis (Astigmata: Psoroptidae), three (0.9%) with the fur mite, Cheyletiella blakei (Trobidiformes: Cheyletidae), two (0.6%) with the itch mite Notoedres cati (Astigmata: Sarcoptidae), and 25 (7.3%) with ticks of the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Ixodida: Ixodidae), Rhipicephalus turanicus or Haemaphysalis adleri (Ixodida: Ixodidae). A higher number of flea infestations was observed in apparently sick cats (P < 0.05) and in cats aged < 6 months (P < 0.05). The proportion of flea-infested cats (P < 0.01), as well as the number of fleas per infested cat (P < 0.01), was higher in autumn than in other seasons. By contrast with findings in cats with flea infestations, rates of infestation with ticks were higher amongst cats with clinical signs (P < 0.01) and cats aged ≥ 6 months (P < 0.05). The high rates of ectoparasite infestation in the cats studied constitute a risk for the spread of vector-borne infections of zoonotic and veterinary importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Salant
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
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Salant H, Abbasi I, Hamburger J. The development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method (LAMP) for Echinococcus granulosus [corrected] coprodetection. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2012; 87:883-7. [PMID: 22987649 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.12-0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detection of Echinococcus granulosus infection, which proved very sensitive and specific for identification of infected dogs. We have now developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, which amplifies the same genomic repeated sequences of E. granulosus for coprodetection. This assay enabled detection of a single egg in fecal samples and showed high species specificity for E. granulosus with no cross-amplification of DNA from closely related helminths, including Echinococcus multilocularis. Because the method does not require thermocycling for DNA amplification, or electrophoresis for amplicon detection, it can potentially be used for premortem identification of E. granulosus-infected dogs to enable large-scale surveys in endemic countries where highly specialized equipment to undertake PCR analysis is rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Salant
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Salant H, Spira DT, Hamburger J. A comparative analysis of coprologic diagnostic methods for detection of Toxoplama gondii in cats. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010; 82:865-70. [PMID: 20439968 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative role of transmission of Toxoplasma gondii infection from cats to humans appears to have recently increased in certain areas. Large-scale screening of oocyst shedding in cats cannot rely on microscopy because oocyst identification lacks sensitivity and specificity, or on bioassays, which require test animals and weeks before examination. We compared a sensitive and species-specific coprologic-polymerase chain reaction (copro-PCR) for detection of T. gondii infected cats with microscopy and a bioassay. In experimentally infected cats followed over time, microscopy was positive occasionally, and positive copro-PCR and bioassay results were obtained continuously from days 2 to 24 post-infection. The copro-PCR is at least as sensitive and specific as the bioassay and is capable of detecting infective oocysts during cat infection. Therefore, this procedure can be used as the new gold standard for determining potential cat infectivity. Its technologic advantages over the bioassay make it superior for large-scale screening of cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Salant
- Department of Parasitology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, PO Box 12272, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
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Salant H, Weingram T, Spira D, Eizenberg T. An outbreak of Toxoplasmosis amongst squirrel monkeys in an Israeli monkey colony. Vet Parasitol 2009; 159:24-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2008] [Revised: 09/16/2008] [Accepted: 10/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Nasereddin A, Salant H, Abdeen Z. Feline leishmaniasis in Jerusalem: Serological investigation. Vet Parasitol 2008; 158:364-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2008] [Revised: 07/16/2008] [Accepted: 09/15/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Salant H, Markovics A, Spira DT, Hamburger J. The development of a molecular approach for coprodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii. Vet Parasitol 2007; 146:214-20. [PMID: 17395378 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2006] [Revised: 02/15/2007] [Accepted: 02/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Copro-diagnostic methods for Toxoplasma gondii infected cats have been traditionally based on the identification of oocysts by light microscopy or by bioassays. The first method is not sensitive and also unable to differentiate between Toxoplasma oocysts from other coccidian parasites in cats, and the second is cumbersome, time consuming and expensive. We have adapted a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect T. gondii oocyst DNA in fecal samples. Oocysts were successfully disrupted by freeze thawing coupled with mechanical means, and DNA extraction was subsequently accomplished. The test, based on amplifying a 529 bp repeated sequence, proved sensitive for detecting 1-2 oocysts in 200 microg of stool sample. The test specificity was established by showing that DNA from other cat coccidia tested negative. Specificity was reconfirmed by Southern hybridization of the PCR products with a specific probe. Of 122 stool samples from Jerusalem cats surveyed for the presence of Toxoplasma oocysts, 11 were found positive by PCR while none was detected by microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Salant
- Department of Parasitology, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
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Salant H, Spira DT. A cross-sectional survey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in Jerusalem cats. Vet Parasitol 2004; 124:167-77. [PMID: 15381297 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2003] [Revised: 07/08/2004] [Accepted: 07/08/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional seroprevalence study of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies was performed in Jerusalem domestic and stray cats. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) immunodiagnostic technique was used and results analyzed according to specific variables. The overall seroprevalence was 16.8%. After an initial high seroprevalence of 29.7% in kittens after 1-10 days of age, average positive titers dropped to a low of 7.0% at ages 11-60 days. Thereafter, average positivity increased continuously and was observed in 50% of cats more than 5 years of age (P = 0.0081). Toxoplasma seroprevalence was highest in the month of summer (25.1%, P < 0.0001); domestic indoor cats had a higher seropositivity (39.0%) than stray cats (14.2%, P = 0.0004). On average, cats from the mainly Arab inhabited areas of Jerusalem showed a higher positive seroprevalence to Toxoplasma than Jewish inhabited areas (34.1% and 16.0%, respectively, P = 0.0032). There were no significant differences in positivity rates between sexes, and between rates of those with the presence/absence of clinical symptoms similar to those of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Salant
- Department of Parasitology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, P.O. Box 12272, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
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Dubey JP, Salant H, Sreekumar C, Dahl E, Vianna MCB, Shen SK, Kwok OCH, Spira D, Hamburger J, Lehmann TV. High prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in a commercial flock of chickens in Israel, and public health implications of free-range farming. Vet Parasitol 2004; 121:317-22. [PMID: 15135872 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2003] [Revised: 03/01/2004] [Accepted: 03/04/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Little is known of the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in commercially raised chickens. In the present study, the prevalence of T. gondii in 96 free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus) from a commercial farm in Israel was assessed. Blood, heart, and brain from each chicken were examined for T. gondii infection. Antibodies to T. gondii, assayed with the modified agglutination test (MAT > or = 1:5), were found in 45 of the 96 chickens. Hearts and brains of seropositive (MAT > or = 1:5) chickens were bioassayed in mice. Additionally, hearts and brains of 51 seronegative (MAT < 1:5) chickens were bioassayed in two T. gondii-free cats. T. gondii was isolated from 19 of the 45 (42.2%) seropositive chickens by bioassay in mice. Both the cats fed tissues pooled from seronegative chickens shed T. gondii oocysts. Tachyzoites and tissue cysts of all 21 isolates of T. gondii from chickens were avirulent for mice. Seventeen of the 19 isolates genotyped were found to be type II, and 2 were type III. Understanding of the sources of infection on such farms could be the key to the development of better prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
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