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Figueiredo AM, Santín M, Köster PC, Dashti A, Maloney JG, Torres RT, Fonseca C, Mysterud A, Carvalho J, Hipólito D, Rossa M, Palmeira JD, González-Barrio D, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D. Molecular detection and characterization of Blastocystis in herbivore livestock species in Portugal. Vet Parasitol 2024; 327:110147. [PMID: 38364349 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110147] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a ubiquitous intestinal protist in humans and animals worldwide. The traditional livestock free-roaming raising system in rural communities increases the risk of infection with contact with a wider range of pathogens transmitted via the faecal-oral route associated with that wildlife-livestock-human interface. However, no studies have been conducted to determine the occurrence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in livestock in Portugal. Here, we collected 180 faecal samples from herbivore livestock (cattle, goats, horses, and sheep) in different regions of the country to investigate Blastocystis prevalence and subtype diversity using PCR and next-generation amplicon sequencing. Blastocystis was present in 40.6% (73/180; 95% CI: 33.31-48.11) of the samples (goats, 81.0%; sheep, 60.9%; cattle, 32.2%). None of the horse samples were Blastocystis-positive. Eighteen subtypes were detected (ST1-ST3, ST5-ST7, ST10, ST13, ST14, ST21, ST23-ST26, ST30, ST42-ST44). Mixed infections were detected in 97.3% of the Blastocystis-positive samples. Potentially zoonotic subtypes were identified in 75.0%, 96.4%, and 100% of the Blastocystis-positive specimens collected from cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. These results demonstrate that cattle, sheep, and goats harbour a high diversity of Blastocystis subtypes in the study regions. Importantly, our data provide novel molecular evidence strongly suggesting that some Blastocystis STs/ST subgroups may have differential host specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Figueiredo
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal; Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA.
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Spain; Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University (UAX), Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine, Alfonso X El Sabio University (UAX), Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Jenny G Maloney
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Rita T Torres
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fonseca
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal; ForestWISE - Collaborative Laboratory for Integrated Forest & Fire Management, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Atle Mysterud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, Norway
| | - João Carvalho
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Dário Hipólito
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal; Veterinary Biology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mariana Rossa
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Josman D Palmeira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Spain; CIBER Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Prakas P, Estruch J, Velarde R, Ilgūnas M, Šneideris D, Nicolás-Francisco O, Marco I, Calero-Bernal R. First report of Sarcocystis halieti (Apicomplexa) in bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus). Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:541-546. [PMID: 37556068 PMCID: PMC10811024 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10191-1] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
At least three Sarcocystis species (S. falcatula, S. halieti and S. wobeseri-like) have been detected infecting raptorial birds. By histopathology and PCR-sequencing of the ITS1 marker, S. halieti was detected in a bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) and a black kite (Milvus migrans) from the Catalonia region in North Spain. The 241 bp-long sequences obtained from the Sarcocystis organisms detected in both raptors showed 97.5-99.6% and 97.9-100% similarity with those of previously identified S. halieti; also, the phylogenetic trees generated placed the identified sequences together with other sequences of S. halieti available in GenBank. In sum, the description of the bearded vulture as a new intermediate host for S. halieti adds new insights on the complex epidemiology of the genus involving avian hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, 08412, Lithuania
| | - Josep Estruch
- Wildlife Ecology and Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Roser Velarde
- Wildlife Ecology and Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Mikas Ilgūnas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius, 08412, Lithuania
| | | | - Olga Nicolás-Francisco
- Forestal Catalana, Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda (Government of Catalonia), Lleida, 25595, Spain
| | - Ignasi Marco
- Wildlife Conservation Medicine group (WildCoM), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, SALUVET, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
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3
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Joeres M, Maksimov P, Höper D, Calvelage S, Calero-Bernal R, Fernández-Escobar M, Koudela B, Blaga R, Vrhovec MG, Stollberg K, Bier N, Sotiraki S, Sroka J, Piotrowska W, Kodym P, Basso W, Conraths FJ, Mercier A, Galal L, Dardé ML, Balea A, Spano F, Schulze C, Peters M, Scuda N, Lundén A, Davidson RK, Terland R, Waap H, de Bruin E, Vatta P, Caccio S, Ortega-Mora LM, Jokelainen P, Schares G. Genotyping of European Toxoplasma gondii strains by a new high-resolution next-generation sequencing-based method. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 43:355-371. [PMID: 38099986 PMCID: PMC10822014 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04721-7] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE A new high-resolution next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based method was established to type closely related European type II Toxoplasma gondii strains. METHODS T. gondii field isolates were collected from different parts of Europe and assessed by whole genome sequencing (WGS). In comparison to ME49 (a type II reference strain), highly polymorphic regions (HPRs) were identified, showing a considerable number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). After confirmation by Sanger sequencing, 18 HPRs were used to design a primer panel for multiplex PCR to establish a multilocus Ion AmpliSeq typing method. Toxoplasma gondii isolates and T. gondii present in clinical samples were typed with the new method. The sensitivity of the method was tested with serially diluted reference DNA samples. RESULTS Among type II specimens, the method could differentiate the same number of haplotypes as the reference standard, microsatellite (MS) typing. Passages of the same isolates and specimens originating from abortion outbreaks were identified as identical. In addition, seven different genotypes, two atypical and two recombinant specimens were clearly distinguished from each other by the method. Furthermore, almost all SNPs detected by the Ion AmpliSeq method corresponded to those expected based on WGS. By testing serially diluted DNA samples, the method exhibited a similar analytical sensitivity as MS typing. CONCLUSION The new method can distinguish different T. gondii genotypes and detect intra-genotype variability among European type II T. gondii strains. Furthermore, with WGS data additional target regions can be added to the method to potentially increase typing resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Joeres
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - P Maksimov
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - D Höper
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - S Calvelage
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - R Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - B Koudela
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - R Blaga
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - K Stollberg
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - N Bier
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department for Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-DIMITRA, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - J Sroka
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - W Piotrowska
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - P Kodym
- Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - W Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - F J Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - A Mercier
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - L Galal
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - M L Dardé
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - A Balea
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - F Spano
- Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - C Schulze
- Landeslabor Berlin-Brandenburg, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
| | - M Peters
- Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Westfalen, Standort Arnsberg, Arnsberg, Germany
| | - N Scuda
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
| | - A Lundén
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - R K Davidson
- Department of Animal Health, Welfare and Food Safety, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Tromsø, Norway
| | - R Terland
- Department of Analysis and Diagnostics, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ås, Norway
| | - H Waap
- Parasitology Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - E de Bruin
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Pathology Division, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - P Vatta
- Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - S Caccio
- Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - L M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Jokelainen
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - G Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
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Calero-Bernal R, Gennari SM, Cano S, Salas-Fajardo MY, Ríos A, Álvarez-García G, Ortega-Mora LM. Anti- Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in European Residents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies Published between 2000 and 2020. Pathogens 2023; 12:1430. [PMID: 38133313 PMCID: PMC10745778 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121430] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis has a major impact on animal and public health. Information regarding the seroprevalence of human Toxoplasma gondii infections from a European perspective has not yet been compiled to date. Thus, the present review summarized available resident data from the period 2000-2020. The overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was 32.1%, with great variability between countries (n = 30). The subgroup analysis identified different pooled prevalence data depending on the geographic area (p < 0.0001), target population (p = 0.0147), and serological diagnosis assays used (p = 0.0059). A high heterogeneity (I2 = 100%, p < 0.001; Q = 3.5e+05, d.f. = 135, p < 0.001) and degree of publication bias (Egger's test = 6.14, p < 0.001) were observed among the 134 studies considered. The occurrence of anti-T. gondii IgM, which was reported in 64.7% of studies, reached a pooled seroprevalence of 0.6%. In addition, among the eight main risk factors identified, "contact with soil", "consumption of undercooked beef", and "intake of unwashed vegetables" were the most significantly associated with infections. The fact that one-third of the European population has been exposed to T. gondii justifies extra efforts to harmonize surveillance systems and develop additional risk-factor analyses based on detailed source attribution assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.Y.S.-F.); (A.R.); (G.Á.-G.); (L.M.O.-M.)
| | - Solange María Gennari
- PhD Program in One Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santo Amaro, São Paulo 04829-300, SP, Brazil;
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Santiago Cano
- Computing Services, Research Support Center, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Martha Ynés Salas-Fajardo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.Y.S.-F.); (A.R.); (G.Á.-G.); (L.M.O.-M.)
| | - Arantxa Ríos
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.Y.S.-F.); (A.R.); (G.Á.-G.); (L.M.O.-M.)
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.Y.S.-F.); (A.R.); (G.Á.-G.); (L.M.O.-M.)
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.Y.S.-F.); (A.R.); (G.Á.-G.); (L.M.O.-M.)
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López-Ureña NM, Calero-Bernal R, Vázquez-Calvo Á, Sánchez-Sánchez R, Ortega-Mora LM, Álvarez-García G. A comparative study of serological tests used in the diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in small ruminants evidenced the importance of cross-reactions for harmonizing diagnostic performance. Res Vet Sci 2023; 165:105052. [PMID: 37864907 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105052] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a major foodborne zoonotic pathogen that can be transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat of small ruminants, among others. Serology has been suggested as an epidemiological indicator and several tests are available nowadays. However, there is no comparative study with the most used ones. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop and validate two in-house tests (Western blot -TgSALUVET WB- and ELISA -TgSALUVET ELISA 2.0-) and perform a comparative study including such tests and four commercial ELISA kits (IDScreen®, PrioCHECK®, Pigtype® and IDEXX). First, a specific pattern of recognition of immunodominant antigens by TgSALUVET WB was determined with serum panels of noninfected sheep and sheep infected with T. gondii or Neospora caninum. Next, TgSALUVET WB was used as a reference to preliminary validate TgSALUVET ELISA 2.0 using sera from sheep and goats naturally infected with T. gondii. Then, the abovementioned sheep serum panels were analyzed by all tests and subjected to TG-ROC analyses and agreement tests, and cross-reactivity with the anti-N. caninum IgGs was studied. All the techniques were accurate enough for the cutoff values initially suggested with all serum panels (Se and Sp ≥ 94%), except for PrioCHECK®, which showed 83% Sp. However, a cutoff readjustment improved their diagnostic performance. Additionally, cross-reactions between anti-N. caninum antibodies and T. gondii antigens were detected with all tests. Thus, a second cutoff readjustment was carried out and the use of both readjusted cutoff values is recommended to obtain comparable data and avoid false-positive results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia María López-Ureña
- SALUVET Research Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid 28040, Spain.
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET Research Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid 28040, Spain.
| | | | - Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET Research Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid 28040, Spain.
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET Research Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid 28040, Spain.
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET Research Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid 28040, Spain.
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Salas-Fajardo MY, Benavides J, Azevedo A, Figueiras P, Monteiro M, Orge L, Mendonça P, Carvalho P, Waap H, Ortega-Mora LM, Calero-Bernal R. Fatal toxoplasmosis in a captive squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis) in Portugal. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:2363-2370. [PMID: 37474881 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10179-x] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
New World monkeys are especially vulnerable to develop severe clinical manifestations and succumb to acute toxoplasmosis. This study aimed to describe the histopathological findings and genotypic characterization of the Toxoplasma gondii strain involved in a lethal case occurring in a zoo-housed black-capped squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis) in Portugal. Cyst-like structures suggestive of Sarcocystidae parasites and acute injuries in liver and brain were observed by light microscopy examination. By immunohistochemistry, calprotectin, T. gondii antigen and Iba1 antigen had a positive signaling in lung, liver and brain tissues. Toxoplasma gondii B1, ITS1 and 529 repetitive element fragments amplifications together with the genotyping of 13 microsatellite markers confirmed a systemic T. gondii infection linked to a non-clonal type II strain. This description is consistent to the majority T. gondii strains circulating in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Ynés Salas-Fajardo
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, León, 24346, Spain
| | - Alexandre Azevedo
- Zoo de Lagos, Lagos, 8600-013, Portugal
- CIVG - Vasco da Gama Research Center / Vasco da Gama University School, Coimbra, 3020-210, Portugal
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Madalena Monteiro
- Pathology Laboratory, UEISPSA, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, Oeiras, 2780- 157, Portugal
| | - Leonor Orge
- Pathology Laboratory, UEISPSA, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, Oeiras, 2780- 157, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, 5000- 801, Portugal
| | - Paula Mendonça
- Pathology Laboratory, UEISPSA, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, Oeiras, 2780- 157, Portugal
| | - Paulo Carvalho
- Pathology Laboratory, UEISPSA, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, Oeiras, 2780- 157, Portugal
| | - Helga Waap
- Parasitology Laboratory, UEISPSA, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), I.P, Oeiras, 2780- 157, Portugal
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
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7
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López-Ureña NM, Calero-Bernal R, González-Fernández N, Blaga R, Koudela B, Ortega-Mora LM, Álvarez-García G. Optimization of the most widely used serological tests for a harmonized diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic pigs. Vet Parasitol 2023; 322:110024. [PMID: 37729831 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110024] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
The intake of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts through raw or undercooked pork meat is one of the main infection sources for humans. Thus, surveillance is recommended to control and prevent infection in domestic pigs. However, the lack of comparative studies hampers the updating of their performance and the comparison of seroprevalence data. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate three in-house tests and accomplish a comparative analysis of the most widely used serological tests employed in pigs. A panel of sera from pigs experimentally infected with either oocysts or tissue cysts from type II and III isolates (n = 158) was used to develop and validate a tachyzoite-based Western blot assay. Then, this technique was used as a reference to develop and preliminary validate a lyophilized tachyzoite-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and an immunofluorescence antibody test. Next, a comparative study of the three in-house tests and three widely used commercial ELISAs (IDScreen®, PrioCHECK™ and Pigtype®) was accomplished with the abovementioned sera together with an additional serum panel of pigs experimentally infected with oocysts from the type II isolate (n = 44) and a panel of naturally infected pigs (n = 244). The results obtained by the majority of the tests were regarded as reference, and data analyses included TG-ROC calculations and agreement tests. Finally, the kinetics of anti-T. gondii IgGs from experimentally infected pigs was analyzed. Excellent sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) values (≥ 93%) and moderate to near perfect agreement (k = 0.63-0.91) were observed using sera from experimental infections without requiring further readjustment, except for PrioCHECK (100% Se, 73% Sp). However, the Se of IDScreen® (87%) and TgSALUVET WB (71%) and the Sp of PrioCHECK (72%) were slightly or notably reduced when sera from naturally infected animals were analyzed, which also influenced the kappa values (k = 0.30-0.91). Cutoff readjustments increased the Se and Sp values to equal to or above 97% for all tests, except for TgSALUVET WB, which can be used as a reference for initial validation of tests, but it is not recommended for routine diagnosis. Seroconversion was recorded from two weeks post-infection by most of the tests, with significantly higher IgG levels in sera from pigs infected with the T. gondii type III vs. type II isolate. Again, differences regarding the test employed were observed. Differences in the diagnostic performance among tests evidenced the need to harmonize serological techniques to obtain comparable and reliable results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Radu Blaga
- Anses, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Bretislav Koudela
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
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Marandykina-Prakienė A, Butkauskas D, Gudiškis N, Juozaitytė-Ngugu E, Bagdonaitė DL, Kirjušina M, Calero-Bernal R, Prakas P. Sarcocystis Species Richness in Sheep and Goats from Lithuania. Vet Sci 2023; 10:520. [PMID: 37624307 PMCID: PMC10458481 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10080520] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Contradictory data is available on the intermediate host specificity of Sarcocystis spp. in farm animals. Therefore, the current work aimed at molecularly testing samples of sheep and goats reared in Lithuania to identify Sarcocystis species described in other intermediate hosts but suspected to be non-canonical parasites to these small ruminants. For this purpose, muscle samples from 47 domestic sheep and nine goats were examined. Sarcocystis species were identified using direct and nested PCR targeting cox1 and sequencing of positive amplified products. Along with the detection of the canonical Sarcocystis spp. in their respective intermediate hosts, the DNA of S. capracanis and S. morae was detected in sheep, although these species were previously thought to be specific to goats and deer, respectively. In addition, DNA from S. arieticanis and S. tenella was found in goats, even though these two species were believed to be sheep-specific. Notably, under light microscopy, only sarcocysts of S. capracanis specific to goats were observed. Thus, future research on the life cycle and host-specificity of Sarcocystis spp. examined is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Marandykina-Prakienė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.M.-P.); (D.B.); (N.G.); (E.J.-N.); (D.L.B.)
| | - Dalius Butkauskas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.M.-P.); (D.B.); (N.G.); (E.J.-N.); (D.L.B.)
| | - Naglis Gudiškis
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.M.-P.); (D.B.); (N.G.); (E.J.-N.); (D.L.B.)
| | - Evelina Juozaitytė-Ngugu
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.M.-P.); (D.B.); (N.G.); (E.J.-N.); (D.L.B.)
| | - Dovilė Laisvūnė Bagdonaitė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.M.-P.); (D.B.); (N.G.); (E.J.-N.); (D.L.B.)
| | - Muza Kirjušina
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes Street 1A, 5401 Daugavpils, Latvia;
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Complutense University, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.M.-P.); (D.B.); (N.G.); (E.J.-N.); (D.L.B.)
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9
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Dashti A, Köster PC, Bailo B, de Las Matas AS, Habela MÁ, Rivero-Juarez A, Vicente J, Serrano E, Arnal MC, de Luco DF, Morrondo P, Armenteros JA, Balseiro A, Cardona GA, Martínez-Carrasco C, Ortiz JA, Carpio AJ, Calero-Bernal R, González-Barrio D, Carmena D. Occurrence and limited zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Balantioides coli infections in free-ranging and farmed wild ungulates in Spain. Res Vet Sci 2023; 159:189-197. [PMID: 37148738 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.04.020] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Little information is currently available on the occurrence and molecular diversity of the enteric protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Balantioides coli in wild ungulates and the role of these host species as potential sources of environmental contamination and consequent human infections. The presence of these three pathogens was investigated in eight wild ungulate species present in Spain (genera Ammotragus, Capra, Capreolus, Cervus, Dama, Ovis, Rupicapra, and Sus) by molecular methods. Faecal samples were retrospectively collected from free-ranging (n = 1058) and farmed (n = 324) wild ungulates from the five Spanish bioregions. Overall infection rates were 3.0% (42/1382; 95% CI: 2.1-3.9%) for Cryptosporidium spp., 5.4% (74/1382; 95% CI: 4.2-6.5%) for G. duodenalis, and 0.7% (9/1382; 95% CI: 0.3-1.2%) for B. coli. Cryptosporidium infection was detected in roe deer (7.5%), wild boar (7.0%) and red deer (1.5%), and G. duodenalis in southern chamois (12.9%), mouflon (10.0%), Iberian wild goat (9.0%), roe deer (7.5%), wild boar (5.6%), fallow deer (5.2%) and red deer (3.8%). Balantioides coli was only detected in wild boar (2.5%, 9/359). Sequence analyses revealed the presence of six distinct Cryptosporidium species: C. ryanae in red deer, roe deer, and wild boar; C. parvum in red deer and wild boar; C. ubiquitum in roe deer; C. scrofarum in wild boar; C. canis in roe deer; and C. suis in red deer. Zoonotic assemblages A and B were detected in wild boar and red deer, respectively. Ungulate-adapted assemblage E was identified in mouflon, red deer, and southern chamois. Attempts to genotype samples positive for B. coli failed. Sporadic infections by canine- or swine-adapted species may be indicative of potential cross-species transmission, although spurious infections cannot be ruled out. Molecular evidence gathered is consistent with parasite mild infections and limited environmental contamination with (oo)cysts. Free-ranging wild ungulate species would not presumably play a significant role as source of human infections by these pathogens. Wild ruminants do not seem to be susceptible hosts for B. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Sánchez de Las Matas
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Habela
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Caceres, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Center for Biomedical Research Network in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Vicente
- SaBio Group, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Wildlife Environmental Pathology Service (SEFaS), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Maria C Arnal
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Patrocinio Morrondo
- INVESAGA Group, Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - José A Armenteros
- Council of Development, Territory Planning and the Environment of the Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, University of León, León, Spain; Animal Health Department, Mountain Livestock Institute (CSIC-University of León), León, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Animal Health Department, University of Murcia, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Antonio Ortiz
- Medianilla S.L., Department of Veterinary and Research, Benalup-Casas Viejas, Spain
| | - Antonio José Carpio
- Institute for Research on Hunting Resources, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Zoology, University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Center for Biomedical Research Network in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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10
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Joeres M, Cardron G, Passebosc-Faure K, Plault N, Fernández-Escobar M, Hamilton CM, O'Brien-Anderson L, Calero-Bernal R, Galal L, Luttermann C, Maksimov P, Conraths FJ, Dardé ML, Ortega-Mora LM, Jokelainen P, Mercier A, Schares G. A ring trial to harmonize Toxoplasma gondii microsatellite typing: comparative analysis of results and recommendations for optimization. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2023:10.1007/s10096-023-04597-7. [PMID: 37093325 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04597-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
A ring trial among five European laboratories was organized to reach consistency in microsatellite (MS) typing of the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Three sample sets were circulated and analyzed by each laboratory following a previously published method that is based on fragment length polymorphism of 15 MS markers. The first sample set compared typing results in general and focused on effects of DNA concentration; the second sample set focused on the polymorphic fingerprinting markers that can differentiate T. gondii strains within the same archetypal lineage; and the third set focused on non-archetypal genotypes. Methodological variations between laboratories, including the software programs used to determine MS fragment length, were collated using a questionnaire. Overall, lineage-level typing results reached a high level of agreement, especially in samples with the highest DNA concentrations. However, laboratory-specific differences were observed for particular markers. Major median differences in fragment length, of up to 6 base pairs, were related to the fluorophore used to label fragment-specific primers. In addition, primer pairs with identical sequences obtained from different suppliers resulted in fragments of differing length. Furthermore, differences in the way the sequencing profiles were assessed and interpreted may have led to deviating results in fragment length determination. Harmonization of MS typing, for example, by using the same fluorophores or by numerical adjustments applied to the fragment-lengths determined, could improve the uniformity of the results across laboratories. This is the first interlaboratory comparison, providing guidelines (added as a supplement) for the optimization of this technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Joeres
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - G Cardron
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - K Passebosc-Faure
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - N Plault
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - M Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - C M Hamilton
- The Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian, UK
| | - L O'Brien-Anderson
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - R Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - L Galal
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - C Luttermann
- Institute of Immunology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, -Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - P Maksimov
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - F J Conraths
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M L Dardé
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - L M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Jokelainen
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Mercier
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - G Schares
- Institute of Epidemiology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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11
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Colos-Arango A, Largo-de la Torre A, Calero-Bernal R, Miguel Ortega-Mora L, Regidor-Cerrillo J. Short-term culture adaptation of Toxoplasma gondii archetypal II and III field isolates affects cystogenic capabilities and modifies virulence in mice. Int J Parasitol 2023:S0020-7519(23)00074-7. [PMID: 37059167 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Most Toxoplasma gondii research has been carried out using strains maintained in the laboratory for long periods of time. Long-term passage in mice or cell culture influences T. gondii phenotypic traits such as the capability to produce oocysts in cats and virulence in mice. In this work, we investigated the effect of cell culture adaptation in the short term for recently obtained type II (TgShSp1 (Genotype ToxoDB#3), TgShSp2 (#1), TgShSp3 (#3) and TgShSp16 (#3)) and type III (#2) isolates (TgShSp24 and TgPigSp1). With this purpose, spontaneous and alkaline stress-induced cyst formation in Vero cells during 40 passages, from passage 10 (p10) to 50 (p50), and isolate virulence at p10 versus p50 were studied using a harmonized bioassay method in Swiss/CD1 mice. Toxoplasma gondii cell culture maintenance showed a drastic loss of spontaneous and induced production of mature cysts after ≈ 25-30 passages. The TgShSp1, TgShSp16 and TgShSp24 isolates failed to generate spontaneously formed mature cysts at p50. Limited cyst formation was associated with an increase in parasite growth and a shorter lytic cycle. In vitro maintenance also modified T. gondii virulence in mice at p50 with events of exacerbation, increasing cumulative morbidity for TgShSp2 and TgShSp3 isolates and mortality for TgShSp24 and TgPigSp1 isolates, or attenuation, with absence of mortality and severe clinical signs for TgShSp16, and better control of the infection with the lowest parasite and cyst burdens in lungs and brain for the TgShSp1 isolate. The present findings show deep changes in relevant phenotypic traits in laboratory-adapted T. gondii isolates and open new discussion about their use for inferring keys to parasite biology and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Colos-Arango
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Largo-de la Torre
- SALUVET-Innova S.L., Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET-Innova S.L., Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Vallejo R, Benavides J, Arteche-Villasol N, Sánchez-Sánchez R, Calero-Bernal R, Ferreras MC, Criado M, Pérez V, Ortega-Mora LM, Gutiérrez-Expósito D. Experimental infection of sheep at mid-pregnancy with archetypal type II and type III Toxoplasma gondii isolates exhibited different phenotypic traits. Vet Parasitol 2023; 315:109889. [PMID: 36753878 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109889] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a major cause of reproductive failure in small ruminants. Genotypic diversity of T. gondii strains has been associated with variations in phenotypic traits in in vitro and murine models. However, whether such diversity could influence the outcome of infection in small ruminants remains mostly unexplored. Here, we investigate the outcome of oral challenge in sheep at mid-pregnancy with 10 sporulated oocysts from three different T. gondii isolates belonging to archetypal II and III and selected according to their genetic and phenotypic variations shown in previous studies. Seventy-three pregnant sheep were divided in four groups: G1 infected with TgShSp1 isolate (type II, ToxoDB#3), G2 with TgShSp16 isolate (type II, ToxoDB#3), G3 with TgShSp24 isolate (type III, ToxoDB#2) and G4 of uninfected control sheep. Two different approaches were carried out within this study: (i) the outcome for the pregnancy after infection (n = 33) and (ii) the lesions and parasite tropism and burden at 14 and 28 days post infection (dpi) (n = 40). The onset of hyperthermia and seroconversion occurred one and two days later, respectively in G1 when compared to G2 and G3. However, sheep that suffered from reproductive failure, either by abortion, foetal dead at the time of euthanasia or stillbirth were similar among infected groups (50%, 40% and 47%, respectively). Histological lesions in placentomes and foetal tissues from euthanized animals from the second approach were only detected at 28 dpi and mainly in G1. At 14 dpi, T. gondii-DNA was only detected in G1 in the 11% of the placentomes. However, at 28 dpi the frequency of detection in placentomes was higher in G1 (96%) than in G2 and G3 (7% and 47%, respectively) besides in foetuses was lower in G2 (20%) than in G1 and G3 (100% and 87%, respectively). Regarding late abortions, stillbirths, and lambs of G1, G2 and G3, the frequency of microscopic lesions was similar between groups (79%, 78% and 67%, respectively) whereas T. gondii-DNA was evidenced in 100%, 55% and 100%, respectively. These recently obtained T. gondii isolates led to similar reproductive losses but intra- and inter-genotype variations in the rise of hyperthermia, dynamics of antibodies, frequency of lesions and parasite detection and distribution. Thus, the different phenotypic traits of the isolates could influence the outcome of the infection and mechanisms responsible for it, and further investigations are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Vallejo
- Animal Health Department, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain; Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, León 24346, Spain
| | - Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, León 24346, Spain.
| | - Noive Arteche-Villasol
- Animal Health Department, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain; Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, León 24346, Spain
| | - Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Ma Carmen Ferreras
- Animal Health Department, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain; Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, León 24346, Spain
| | - Miguel Criado
- Animal Health Department, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain; Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, León 24346, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Animal Health Department, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain; Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, León 24346, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
- Animal Health Department, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, León 24071, Spain; Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, León 24346, Spain
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13
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Castillo-Cuenca JC, Almería S, Calero-Bernal R, Fernández-Escobar M, Fraga J, Entrena-García A, Arias PC, Martínez-Moreno Á, García-Bocanegra I. Seroprevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic pigs intended for human consumption in Cuba. Zoonoses Public Health 2023; 70:125-133. [PMID: 36416370 PMCID: PMC10100425 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13010] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Domestic pigs are considered as one of the main intermediate hosts in the zoonotic transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in many countries. Serological and molecular studies are warranted to better understand the epidemiology and transmission patterns of this parasite worldwide. To date, seroepidemiological information on T. gondii in domestic pigs in Cuba is very scarce and there are no reports of T. gondii genotypes circulating in this country. Here, we aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and provide genetic characterization of the strains circulating in slaughtered pigs intended for human consumption in Central Cuba. Seroprevalence was determined in 450 serum samples from slaughtered pigs in Villa Clara province using ELISA. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 100 animals (22.2%, 95% CI: 18.5-26.2). Conventional PCR of the 529-bp marker of T. gondii was performed in hearts and diaphragm tissues of all ELISA-seropositive pigs. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in four animals. Further genetic characterization of the positive DNA samples was performed by multilocus PCR-RFLP and PCR-sequencing typing tools. Molecular analysis revealed four different genetic profiles that were combinations of type I, II, III and u-1 alleles, suggesting the circulation of non-clonal genotypes of T. gondii in domestic pigs in Cuba. Our results indicate that T. gondii is widely distributed in slaughtered pigs in this country, which might have important implications for public health. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on genetic characterization of T. gondii in Cuba. Although preliminary, the results suggest a high genetic diversity of T. gondii in the study region. Further studies based on parasite isolation are needed to definitively identify the genotypes circulating and characterize the virulence of strains detected in pigs in Cuba, and to assess the risk of zoonotic transmission from pork products in this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio César Castillo-Cuenca
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de Las Villas, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba
| | - Sonia Almería
- Division of Virulence Assessment, Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN), Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment (OARSA), Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Fraga
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", La Habana, Cuba
| | - Angel Entrena-García
- Departamento de Parasitología, Centro Nacional Para La Producción de Animales de Laboratorio (CENPALAB), La Habana, Cuba
| | - Pedro Casanova Arias
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", La Habana, Cuba
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Moreno
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Unidad de Parasitología, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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14
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Figueiredo AM, Dashti A, Santín M, Köster PC, Torres RT, Fonseca C, Mysterud A, Carvalho J, Sarmento P, Neves N, Hipólito D, Palmeira JD, Teixeira D, Lima C, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D. Occurrence and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in wild and domestic animal species in Portugal. Med Mycol 2023; 61:7028777. [PMID: 36746434 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad018] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The phylum Microsporidia encompasses a diverse group of obligate, intracellular, and spore-forming organisms able to infect a wide range of animal hosts. Among them, Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently reported species in humans and animals. Little is known about the presence and epidemiology of E. bieneusi in wildlife. We investigated E. bieneusi occurrence and genetic diversity in wild and domestic mammals, through molecular-detection methods, from different regions across Portugal. A total of 756 samples were collected from 288, 242, and 226 wild carnivores, wild ungulates, and domestic animals, respectively. Overall, eight specimens were E. bieneusi-positive (1.1%, 8/756) obtained from five wild (Iberian lynx, Iberian wolf, red fox, stone marten, and wild boar) and one domestic (sheep) host. Nucleotide sequence analysis identified four genotypes of E. bieneusi, Type IV, Wildboar3, BEB6, and PtEbIX. Three of those genotypes belong to Groups 1 (Type IV and Wildboar3) and 2 (BEB6), which are known to contain genotypes capable of infecting a variety of hosts, including humans, highlighting their public health importance. PtEbIX belongs to the dog-specific Group 11. This study represents the first, largest, and most comprehensive molecular-based epidemiology survey carried out in Portugal in wild and domestic animals to date and the first worldwide identification of E. bieneusi in wolf species. Our study showed that wild carnivores and ungulates may act as reservoirs of zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi, establishing their role in maintaining the sylvatic cycle of this parasite while representing a potential source of infection for humans and domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Figueiredo
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.,Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Bioscience, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1066 Blindern, NO-316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rita T Torres
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fonseca
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.,ForestWISE - Collaborative Laboratory for Integrated Forest & Fire Management, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Atle Mysterud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Bioscience, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1066 Blindern, NO-316 Oslo, Norway
| | - João Carvalho
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro Sarmento
- Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas. Direção Regional do Alentejo. Centro Polivalente da Casa do Lanternim. Rua D. Sancho II, n15 7750-350 Mértola, Portugal
| | - Nuno Neves
- Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas. Direção Regional do Alentejo. Centro Polivalente da Casa do Lanternim. Rua D. Sancho II, n15 7750-350 Mértola, Portugal
| | - Dário Hipólito
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josman D Palmeira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Daniela Teixeira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cátia Lima
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.,CIBER Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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15
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Largo-de la Torre A, Diezma-Díaz C, Calero-Bernal R, Atencia-Cibreiro G, Sánchez-Sánchez R, Ferre I, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Ortega-Mora LM. Archetypal type II and III Toxoplasma gondii oocysts induce different immune responses and clinical outcomes in experimentally infected piglets. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1021556. [PMID: 36341449 PMCID: PMC9631316 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1021556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock animals, such as swine, are an important source of Toxoplasma gondii in the human population. Currently, there is limited knowledge regarding the potential influence that the T. gondii genotype might exert on establishing infection in swine. Herein, we investigated the role of 2 T. gondii isolates, type II and III, representative of the genotypes circulating in Europe, in the immune responses and infection dynamics in piglets. Recently obtained oocysts (103) from the T. gondii field isolates TgShSp1 (type II, ToxoDB genotype #3) and TgShSp24 (type III, #2) were used for oral infection. Thirteen 50-day-old female piglets of the Landrace-Large White crossbreed were randomly allocated into three different groups: Group 1 (G1, n=5), inoculated with TgShSp1; Group 2 (G2, n=5), inoculated with TgShSp24; and Group 3 (G3, n=3), a non-infected control group. Clinical signs were monitored daily until 42 days post-infection (dpi) when piglets were euthanized. Blood samples were collected weekly to test the cellular immune response in parasite-stimulated peripheral blood and specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2, responses in sera. Parasite distribution and burden were evaluated in target tissues using a mouse bioassay and quantitative RT−PCR (qPCR). Apathy and a moderate decrease in feed consumption were observed in G1 and G2 piglets between 5 and 8 dpi, coinciding with fever (>40°C). G2 piglets had higher temperatures for a longer duration. Using mouse bioassay and qPCR, the detection frequency was higher in G2 vs. G1, and the highest parasite burdens in target tissues were also found in G2. Seroconversion was detected at 14 dpi in both infected groups, but higher antibody levels were observed in G2 piglets. Cytokine analyses revealed the production of IL-8, IL-1β and IFN-ɤ from 7 dpi in both infected groups. Moreover, IL-12 was produced from 7 dpi in G1 and from 14 dpi in G2. Levels of IL-8 were higher in G2, but IL-1β, IL-12 and IFN-ɤ were higher in G1 at 14 dpi. This cytokine profile reveals a predominant proinflammatory response that could be involved in limiting T. gondii infection in piglets, although it is more efficient against TgShSp1 type II-driven infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos Diezma-Díaz
- SALUVET-Innova, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET-Innova, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET-Innova, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Javier Regidor-Cerrillo, ; Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora,
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET-Innova, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Javier Regidor-Cerrillo, ; Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora,
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16
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Dashti A, Santín M, Köster PC, Bailo B, Ortega S, Imaña E, Habela MÁ, Rivero-Juarez A, Vicente J, Arnal MC, de Luco DF, Morrondo P, Armenteros JA, Balseiro A, Cardona GA, Martínez-Carrasco C, Ortiz JA, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D, González-Barrio D. Zoonotic Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in free-ranging and farmed wild ungulates in Spain. Med Mycol 2022; 60:6696380. [PMID: 36095135 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac070] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia comprises a diverse group of obligate, intracellular, and spore-forming parasites that infect a wide range of animals. Among them, Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently reported species in humans and other mammals and birds. Data on the epidemiology of E. bieneusi in wildlife is limited. Hence, E. bieneusi was investigated in eight wild ungulate species present in Spain (genera Ammotragus, Capra, Capreolus, Cervus, Dama, Ovis, Rupicapra, and Sus) by molecular methods. Faecal samples were collected from free-ranging (n = 1058) and farmed (n = 324) wild ungulates from five Spanish bioregions. The parasite was detected only in red deer (10.4%, 68/653) and wild boar (0.8%, 3/359). Enterocytozoon bieneusi infections were more common in farmed (19.4%, 63/324) than in wild (1.5%, 5/329) red deer. Eleven genotypes were identified in red deer, eight known (BEB6, BEB17, EbCar2, HLJD-V, MWC_d1, S5, Type IV, and Wildboar3) and three novel (DeerSpEb1, DeerSpEb2, and DeerSpEb3) genotypes. Mixed genotype infections were detected in 15.9% of farmed red deer. Two genotypes were identified in wild boar, a known (Wildboar3) and a novel (WildboarSpEb1) genotypes. All genotypes identified belonged to E. bieneusi zoonotic Groups 1 and 2. This study provides the most comprehensive epidemiological study of E. bieneusi in Spanish ungulates to date, representing the first evidence of the parasite in wild red deer populations worldwide. Spanish wild boars and red deer are reservoir of zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi and might play an underestimated role in the transmission of this microsporidian species to humans and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sheila Ortega
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Imaña
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Habela
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Caceres, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Joaquin Vicente
- SaBio Group, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - Maria C Arnal
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Patrocinio Morrondo
- INVESAGA Group, Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - José A Armenteros
- Council of Development, Territory Planning and the Environment of the Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, University of León, León, Spain.,Animal Health Department, Mountain Livestock Institute (CSIC-University of León), León, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Animal Health Department, University of Murcia, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Antonio Ortiz
- Medianilla S.L., Department of Veterinary and Research. Benalup-Casas Viejas, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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17
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Fernández-Escobar M, Giorda F, Mattioda V, Audino T, Di Nocera F, Lucifora G, Varello K, Grattarola C, Ortega-Mora LM, Casalone C, Calero-Bernal R. Toxoplasma gondii Genetic Diversity in Mediterranean Dolphins. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080909. [PMID: 36015030 PMCID: PMC9416038 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080909] [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: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii constitutes a major zoonotic agent but also has been frequently identified as an important cause of clinical disease (e.g., abortion, pneumonia, encephalitis) in wildlife; specifically, T. gondii has been associated with neurological disease in cetaceans. This study investigated the genetic diversity of T. gondii strains involved in infections in dolphins found stranded in the Mediterranean coastlines of Italy. Tissue samples from 16 dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba and Tursiops truncatus species) positive for T. gondii-DNA presence by PCR were examined by histology and subjected to further genetic characterization of strains detected by PCR-RFLP and multilocus PCR-sequencing assays. According to fully genotyped samples, the genotypes ToxoDB#3 (67%) and #2 (22%) were detected, the latter being reported for the first time in cetaceans, along with a mixed infection (11%). Subtyping by PCR-seq procedures provided evidence of common point mutations in strains from southwestern Europe. Despite evidence of T. gondii as a cause of neurological disease in dolphins, sources of infections are difficult to identify since they are long-living animals and some species have vast migration areas with multiple chances of infection. Finally, the genetic diversity of T. gondii found in the dolphins studied in the Mediterranean coastlines of Italy reflects the main genotypes circulating inland in the European continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Federica Giorda
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Virgina Mattioda
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Tania Audino
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Fabio Di Nocera
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lucifora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Katia Varello
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Carla Grattarola
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Casalone
- OIE Collaborating Centre for the Health of Marine Mammals, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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18
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Calero-Bernal R, Fernández-Escobar M, Katzer F, Su C, Ortega-Mora LM. Unifying Virulence Evaluation in Toxoplasma gondii: A Timely Task. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:868727. [PMID: 35573788 PMCID: PMC9097680 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.868727] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a major zoonotic pathogen, possess a significant genetic and phenotypic diversity that have been proposed to be responsible for the variation in clinical outcomes, mainly related to reproductive failure and ocular and neurological signs. Different T. gondii haplogroups showed strong phenotypic differences in laboratory mouse infections, which provide a suitable model for mimicking acute and chronic infections. In addition, it has been observed that degrees of virulence might be related to the physiological status of the host and its genetic background. Currently, mortality rate (lethality) in outbred laboratory mice is the most significant phenotypic marker, which has been well defined for the three archetypal clonal types (I, II and III) of T. gondii; nevertheless, such a trait seems to be insufficient to discriminate between different degrees of virulence of field isolates. Many other non-lethal parameters, observed both in in vivo and in vitro experimental models, have been suggested as highly informative, yielding promising discriminatory power. Although intra-genotype variations have been observed in phenotypic characteristics, there is no clear picture of the phenotypes circulating worldwide; therefore, a global overview of T. gondii strain mortality in mice is presented here. Molecular characterization has been normalized to some extent, but this is not the case for the phenotypic characterization and definition of virulence. The present paper proposes a baseline (minimum required information) for the phenotypic characterization of T. gondii virulence and intends to highlight the needs for consistent methods when a panel of T. gondii isolates is evaluated for virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Rafael Calero-Bernal, ; Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora,
| | - Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Frank Katzer
- Disease Control Department, Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Rafael Calero-Bernal, ; Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora,
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19
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Köster PC, Lapuente J, Pizarro A, Prieto-Pérez L, Pérez-Tanoira R, Dashti A, Bailo B, Muadica AS, González-Barrio D, Calero-Bernal R, Ponce-Gordo F, Carmena D. Presence and genetic diversity of enteric protists in captive and semi-captive non-human primates in côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Peru. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 17:26-34. [PMID: 34976722 PMCID: PMC8688894 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.12.004] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Little information is currently available on the occurrence and genetic diversity of pathogenic and commensal protist species in captive and semi-captive non-human primates (NHP) resident in zoological gardens or sanctuaries in low- and medium-income countries. In this molecular-based study, we prospectively collected individual faecal samples from apparently healthy NHP at the Abidjan Zoological Garden (AZG) in Côte d’Ivoire, the Tacugama Sanctuary (TS) in Sierra Leone, and the Quistococha Zoological Garden (QZG) in Peru between November 2018 and February 2020. We evaluated for the presence of pathogenic (Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Balantioides coli) and commensal (Entamoeba dispar, Troglodytella abrassarti) protist species using PCR methods and Sanger sequencing. Giardia duodenalis was the most prevalent species found (25.9%, 30/116), followed by Blastocystis sp. (22.4%, 26/116), and E. dispar (18.1%, 21/116). We detected E. bieneusi (4.2%, 1/24) and T. abrassarti (12.5%, 3/24) only on NHP from AZG. Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica, and B. coli were undetected at the three sampling sites investigated here. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of zoonotic sub-assemblages BIII (n = 1) in AZG and BIV (n = 1) in TS within G. duodenalis. We identified Blastocystis subtype ST3 (100%, 6/6) in AZG, ST1 (80.0%, 12/15), ST2 (6.7%, 1/15), and ST3 (13.3%, 2/15) in TS, and ST2 (80.0%, 4/5) and ST3 (20.0%, 1/5) in QZG. The only E. bieneusi isolate detected here was identified as zoonotic genotype CAF4. Our PCR-based data indicate that potentially pathogenic protist species including G. duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., E. bieneusi, and B. coli are present at variable rates in the three NHP populations investigated here. The identification of zoonotic genotypes within these species indicates that human-NHP transmission is possible, although the extent and directionality of these events need to be elucidated in future molecular surveys. Giardia and Blastocystis are highly prevalent in confined non-human primates. Diarrhoea-causing Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba histolytica were undetected. First description of Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotype CAF4 in non-human primates. Confined non-human primates harbour protist species with zoonotic potential. Cross-species (including human) transmission is possible in zoos and sanctuaries.
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Fernández-Escobar M, Schares G, Maksimov P, Joeres M, Ortega-Mora LM, Calero-Bernal R. Toxoplasma gondii Genotyping: A Closer Look Into Europe. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:842595. [PMID: 35402301 PMCID: PMC8984497 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.842595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a major zoonotic agent which may cause harmful effects mainly in pregnant and immunocompromised hosts. Despite many efforts on its genetic characterization, an entirely clear picture of the population structure in Europe has not been achieved yet. The present study aimed to summarize the available genotyping information and to map the distribution of circulating strains. There is consensus on type II T. gondii genotypes prevailing in Europe, but the absence of harmonization in the use of typing methods limits detailed knowledge. Standardized, high-end typing tools and integrative strategies are needed to fill the gaps and complete an accurate image of the T. gondii genetic population in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gereon Schares
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Maike Joeres
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Rafael Calero-Bernal,
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21
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Köster PC, Lapuente J, Dashti A, Bailo B, Muadica AS, González-Barrio D, Calero-Bernal R, Ponce-Gordo F, Carmena D. Enteric protists in wild western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) and humans in Comoé National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. Primates 2022; 63:41-49. [PMID: 34997384 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-021-00963-1] [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: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), a subspecies of the common chimpanzee, is currently listed as Critically Endangered. Human-driven habitat loss and infectious diseases are causing dramatic chimpanzee population declines and range contractions that are bringing these primates to the brink of extinction. Little information is currently available on the occurrence of diarrhoea-causing enteric protist species in chimpanzees in general, and in western chimpanzees in particular, or on the role of humans as a potential source of these infections. In this prospective molecular epidemiological study, we investigated the presence, genetic variability, and zoonotic potential of enteric protists in faecal samples from western chimpanzees (n = 124) and humans (n = 9) in Comoé National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. Parasite detection and genotyping were conducted by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. The protist species found in the chimpanzee samples were Entamoeba dispar (14.5%), Blastocystis sp. (11.3%), Giardia duodenalis (5.8%), Troglodytella abrassarti (2.5%) and Cryptosporidium hominis (0.8%). The protist species found in the human samples were G. duodenalis (22.2%) and Blastocystis sp. (11.1%). Entamoeba histolytica, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Balantioides coli were undetected in both chimpanzee and human samples. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of Blastocystis subtype (ST) 1 (alleles 4 and 8) and ST3 (allele 24) in chimpanzees, and ST3 (allele 52) in humans. ST1 allele 8 represents a chimpanzee-adapted Blastocystis genetic variant. Cross-species transmission of pathogenic enteric protists between chimpanzees and humans might be possible in Comoé National Park, although the frequency and extent of zoonotic events remain to be fully elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre of Microbiology, Carretera de Majadahonda a Pozuelo Km 2 Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Lapuente
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
- Comoé Chimpanzee Conservation Project (CCCP) Comoé National Park, Kakpin, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre of Microbiology, Carretera de Majadahonda a Pozuelo Km 2 Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre of Microbiology, Carretera de Majadahonda a Pozuelo Km 2 Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aly S Muadica
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre of Microbiology, Carretera de Majadahonda a Pozuelo Km 2 Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Licungo, 106 Quelimane, Zambézia, Mozambique
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre of Microbiology, Carretera de Majadahonda a Pozuelo Km 2 Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Ponce-Gordo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre of Microbiology, Carretera de Majadahonda a Pozuelo Km 2 Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
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22
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Köster PC, Martínez-Nevado E, González A, Abelló-Poveda MT, Fernández-Bellon H, de la Riva-Fraga M, Marquet B, Guéry JP, Knauf-Witzens T, Weigold A, Dashti A, Bailo B, Imaña E, Muadica AS, González-Barrio D, Ponce-Gordo F, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D. Intestinal Protists in Captive Non-human Primates and Their Handlers in Six European Zoological Gardens. Molecular Evidence of Zoonotic Transmission. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:819887. [PMID: 35059456 PMCID: PMC8763706 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.819887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the occurrence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of four protozoan (Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Giardia duodenalis), one stramenopile (Blastocystis sp.), one microsporidia (Enterocytozoon bieneusi), and two ciliate (Balantioides coli, Troglodytella abrassarti) intestinal parasite or commensal protist species in captive non-human primates (NHP) and their zookeepers from six European zoological gardens in France (n = 1), Germany (n = 1), and Spain (n = 4). Faecal samples from NHP (n = 454) belonging to 63 species within 35 genera and humans (n = 70) were collected at two sampling periods in each participating institution between October 2018-August 2021. Detection and species identification was accomplished by PCR and Sanger sequencing of the ssu rRNA and/or ITS genes. Sub-genotyping analyses using specific markers were conducted on isolates positive for G. duodenalis (gdh, bg, tpi) and Cryptosporidium spp. (gp60). Overall, 41.0% (186/454) and 30.0% (21/70) of the faecal samples of NHP and human origin tested positive for at least one intestinal protist species, respectively. In NHP, Blastocystis sp. was the most prevalent protist species found (20.3%), followed by G. duodenalis (18.1%), E. dispar (7.9%), B. coli and T. abrassarti (1.5% each), and Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi (0.9% each). Occurrence rates varied largely among NHP host species, sampling periods, and zoological institutions. The predominant protist species found in humans was Blastocystis sp. (25.7%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp. (2.9%), E. dispar (1.4%), and G. duodenalis (1.4%). Sequencing of PCR-positive amplicons in human and/or NHP confirmed the presence of Cryptosporidium in six isolates (C. hominis: 66.7%, C. parvum: 33.3%), G. duodenalis in 18 isolates (assemblage A: 16.7%, assemblage B: 83.3%), Blastocystis in 110 isolates (ST1:38.2%, ST2:11.8%, ST3: 18.2%, ST4: 9.1%, ST5: 17.3%, ST8: 2.7%, ST13: 0.9%), and E. bieneusi in four isolates (CM18: 75.0%, Type IV: 25.0%). Zoonotic transmission events involving Blastocystis ST1-ST4 were identified in four zoological institutions. Zoonotic transmission of C. hominis was highly suspected, but not fully demonstrated, in one of them. Monitoring of intestinal protist species might be useful for assessing health status of captive NHP and their zookeepers, and to identify transmission pathways of faecal-orally transmitted pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela C. Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Annika Weigold
- Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Garden, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Imaña
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aly S. Muadica
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Licungo, Zambézia, Mozambique
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Ponce-Gordo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis (SALUVET), Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
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23
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Rivero-Juárez A, Dashti A, Santín M, Köster PC, López-López P, Risalde MA, García-Bocanegra I, Gómez-Villamandos JC, Caballero-Gómez J, Frías M, Bailo B, Ortega S, Muadica AS, Calero-Bernal R, González-Barrio D, Rivero A, Briz V, Carmena D. Diarrhoea-causing enteric protist species in intensively and extensively raised pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Southern Spain. Part II: Association with Hepatitis E virus susceptibility. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e1172-e1178. [PMID: 34850588 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Enteropathogenic parasites can infect a wide range of mammals, including humans, supposing an important zoonotic risk. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging foodborne pathogen of increasing public health relevance, affecting both humans and animal populations. Because both microorganisms share faecal-oral transmission route they may constitute an excellent model to evaluate the interplay between them. Thus, we aim to evaluate the viral-parasite interactions at the enteric interface in swine. We included pigs of two different breeds farming in South Spain under different production systems. We compared the HEV prevalence by the presence of Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Balantioides coli, Blastocystis sp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in faecal samples. The HEV prevalence was 13.1 (62 out 475, 95% CI: 10.2-16.4). Those pigs infected with Cryptosporidium spp. showed a higher prevalence of HEV (30.8 vs. 12%; p = .012). In the same way, animals bearing E. bieneusi seem to have a higher rate of HEV infection (24.2 vs. 12.2%; p = .06). According to their location in the gut, animals bearing intracellular enteroparasites showed a higher HEV prevalence than those uninfected (29.6 vs. 12.7%; p = .038), meanwhile those carrying extracellular enteroparasites had a lower likelihood to be infected by HEV than those uninfected (12.1 vs. 23.1%; p = .071). Those animals bearing both types of enteroparasites showed a similar prevalence of HEV infection than those exhibiting negative for both (20.8 vs. 26.1%; p = .763). Our study provides evidence that intracellular and extracellular enteroparasites modulate the susceptibility to HEV infection in pigs. Meanwhile, the presence of extracellular enteroparasites shows a protective effect on the risk of HEV acquisition in swine, whereas intracellular enteroparasites seems to have the opposite effect, favouring the HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rivero-Juárez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro López-López
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - María A Risalde
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Animal Health and Zoonoses Research Group (GISAZ), Animal Pathology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary, Univeristy of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Animal Health and Zoonoses Research Group (GISAZ), Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - José Carlos Gómez-Villamandos
- Animal Health and Zoonoses Research Group (GISAZ), Animal Pathology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary, Univeristy of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Animal Health and Zoonoses Research Group (GISAZ), Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mario Frías
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sheila Ortega
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aly Salimo Muadica
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Licungo, Quelimane, Zambézia, Mozambique
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Verónica Briz
- Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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24
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Köster PC, Renelies-Hamilton J, Dotras L, Llana M, Vinagre-Izquierdo C, Prakas P, Sneideris D, Dashti A, Bailo B, Lanza M, Jiménez-Mejías A, Muñoz-García C, Muadica AS, González-Barrio D, Rubio JM, Fuentes I, Ponce-Gordo F, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D. Molecular Detection and Characterization of Intestinal and Blood Parasites in Wild Chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes verus) in Senegal. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113291. [PMID: 34828022 PMCID: PMC8614354 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113291] [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: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Western chimpanzees are currently listed as a Critically Endangered subspecies. Human encroachment has taken a toll on this great ape due to fragmented habitat and the exchange of pathogens. This epidemiological study investigated the occurrence and genetic diversity of intestinal and blood parasites in faecal samples from wild chimpanzees living in the Dindefelo Community Nature Reserve, Senegal. We paid special attention to potential human-driven sources of infection and transmission pathways. Potential diarrhoea-causing protist parasites (e.g., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica) were detected at low infection rates (and densities) or absent, whereas commensals (Entamoeba dispar) or protist of uncertain pathogenicity (Blastocystis sp.) were far more abundant. We detected Sarcocystis spp. in chimpanzee faeces. Blood protist parasites such as Plasmodium spp. and Trypanosoma brucei spp. (the etiological agents of malaria and sleeping sickness, respectively, in humans) were also found at low prevalences, but microfilariae of the nematode Mansonella perstans were frequently found. Molecular analyses primarily revealed host-adapted species/genotypes and an apparent absence of gastrointestinal clinical manifestations in infected chimpanzees. Zoonotic events of still unknown frequency and directionality may have taken part between wild chimpanzees and humans sharing natural habitats and resources. Abstract Wild chimpanzee populations in West Africa (Pan troglodytes verus) have dramatically decreased as a direct consequence of anthropogenic activities and infectious diseases. Little information is currently available on the epidemiology, pathogenic significance, and zoonotic potential of protist species in wild chimpanzees. This study investigates the occurrence and genetic diversity of intestinal and blood protists as well as filariae in faecal samples (n = 234) from wild chimpanzees in the Dindefelo Community Nature Reserve, Senegal. PCR-based results revealed the presence of intestinal potential pathogens (Sarcocystis spp.: 11.5%; Giardia duodenalis: 2.1%; Cryptosporidium hominis: 0.9%), protist of uncertain pathogenicity (Blastocystis sp.: 5.6%), and commensal species (Entamoeba dispar: 18.4%; Troglodytella abrassarti: 5.6%). Entamoeba histolytica, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Balantioides coli were undetected. Blood protists including Plasmodium malariae (0.4%), Trypanosoma brucei (1.3%), and Mansonella perstans (9.8%) were also identified. Sanger sequencing analyses revealed host-adapted genetic variants within Blastocystis, but other parasitic pathogens (C. hominis, P. malariae, T. brucei, M. perstans) have zoonotic potential, suggesting that cross-species transmission between wild chimpanzees and humans is possible in areas where both species overlap. Additionally, we explored potential interactions between intestinal/blood protist species and seasonality and climate variables. Chimpanzees seem to play a more complex role on the epidemiology of pathogenic and commensal protist and nematode species than initially anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela C. Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
| | - Justinn Renelies-Hamilton
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Laia Dotras
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal; (L.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Manuel Llana
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal; (L.D.); (M.L.)
| | | | - Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania; (P.P.); (D.S.)
| | | | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
| | - Marta Lanza
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
| | - Alejandra Jiménez-Mejías
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
| | - Carlota Muñoz-García
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
| | - Aly S. Muadica
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
- Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Licungo, Quelimane 106, Mozambique
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
| | - José M. Rubio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
| | - Isabel Fuentes
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
| | - Francisco Ponce-Gordo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis (SALUVET), Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.C.-B.); (D.C.)
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (M.L.); (A.J.-M.); (C.M.-G.); (A.S.M.); (D.G.-B.); (J.M.R.); (I.F.)
- Correspondence: (R.C.-B.); (D.C.)
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25
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Dashti A, Rivero-Juárez A, Santín M, George NS, Köster PC, López-López P, Risalde MA, García-Bocanegra I, Gómez-Villamandos JC, Caballero-Gómez J, Frías M, Bailo B, Ortega S, Muadica AS, Calero-Bernal R, González-Barrio D, Rivero A, Briz V, Carmena D. Diarrhoea-causing enteric protist species in intensively and extensively raised pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Southern Spain. Part I: Prevalence and genetic diversity. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e1051-e1064. [PMID: 34755463 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14388] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Numerous protist species are shared between humans and pigs. Among those, Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and Balantioides coli have a clear public and animal health significance. For others such as Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Blastocystis sp., their impact on animal health has not been fully established. Little information is currently available on the molecular diversity of these protists in swine populations. To fill this gap, we molecularly assessed G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., B. coli, Blastocystis sp. and E. bieneusi in faecal samples from Iberian and Large White pigs raised under different (intensive and/or extensive) management systems in southern Spain. A total of 151 extensively raised Iberian pigs, 140 intensively raised Iberian pigs, and 184 intensively raised Large White pigs were investigated. Blastocystis sp. was the agent most prevalently found (47.8%), followed by B. coli (45.5%), G. duodenalis (10.7%), E. bieneusi (6.9%), and Cryptosporidium spp. (5.5%). Blastocystis sp. was significantly less prevalent in intensively raised Iberian pigs (22.9%) than in their extensively raised counterparts (51.0%) or in intensively raised Large White pigs (64.1%). A significantly higher prevalence was found for G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and E. bieneusi in Large White pigs than Iberian pigs. Balantioides coli was similarly distributed (40.0-51.1%) in all three investigated swine populations. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of G. duodenalis assemblage E, two Cryptosporidium species (Cryptosporidium scrofarum and Cryptosporidium suis), B. coli (genotypes A and B), Blastocystis sp. (ST1, ST3, and ST5), and E. bieneusi (EbpA, EbpC, EbpD, O, and a novel genotype named PigSpEb2). Novel genotype PigSpEb2 was found alone or in combination with EbpA. Data suggest a widespread exposure to protist enteroparasites in domestic pig populations irrespectively of breed and raising management system. Many of the species/genotypes identified have a zoonotic potential and might represent a public health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juárez
- Infectious Diseases Unit. Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía. University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | - Nadja S George
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro López-López
- Infectious Diseases Unit. Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía. University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - María A Risalde
- Infectious Diseases Unit. Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía. University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Animal Health and Zoonoses Research Group (GISAZ), Animal Pathology and Toxicology Department, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Animal Health and Zoonoses Research Group (GISAZ), Animal Health Department, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Jose Carlos Gómez-Villamandos
- Animal Health and Zoonoses Research Group (GISAZ), Animal Pathology and Toxicology Department, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Infectious Diseases Unit. Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía. University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Animal Health and Zoonoses Research Group (GISAZ), Animal Health Department, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mario Frías
- Infectious Diseases Unit. Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía. University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sheila Ortega
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aly Salimo Muadica
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Licungo, Quelimane, Zambézia, Mozambique
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain.,Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Infectious Diseases Unit. Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía. University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Verónica Briz
- Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
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26
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Delgado-de Las Cuevas GE, Prakas P, Rudaitytė-Lukošienė E, García-Gil ML, Martínez-González M, Butkauskas D, Mowery JD, Dubey JP, Habela MA, Calero-Bernal R. First description of Sarcocystis species infecting Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia). Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2881-2886. [PMID: 34251515 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07239-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) is a North African native wild Caprinae, introduced in the 1970s in new territories such as Spain, the USA, and Mexico. Here, we describe Sarcocystis species in Barbary sheep. Sarcocysts were found in 19 out of 56 adult A. lervia in Southern Spain and characterized morphologically and molecularly. By light microscopy, sarcocysts had thin (< 1 μm) or thick (> 2 μm) walls. By transmission electron microscopy, sarcocysts with thick walls had Type 14 villar protrusions corresponding to S. tenella/S. capracanis of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) or goats (Capra hircus). Sarcocysts with thin walls had Type 7b villar protrusions that corresponded to S. arieticanis/S. hircicanis of domestic sheep or goats. Molecular analyses allowed the identification of only thick-walled Sarcocystis species. Six sarcocysts were assigned to S. tenella (99.2-100% and 95.6-100% sequence similarity within 18S rRNA and COI, respectively) and 19 sarcocysts were assigned to S. capracanis (98.5-99.8% and 97.9-99.0% sequence similarity within 18S rRNA and COI, respectively). Further studies are needed for taxonomic identification of sarcocysts in Barbary sheep because Sarcocystis species in sheep and goats are not cross transmissible despite morphological similarities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - María L García-Gil
- Spanish National Microscopy Centre, Av. Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Martínez-González
- Animal Health Department, University of Extremadura, Avda. Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - Joseph D Mowery
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
| | - Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 12, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
| | - Miguel A Habela
- Animal Health Department, University of Extremadura, Avda. Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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27
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González-Barrio D, Köster PC, Habela MA, Martín-Pérez M, Fernández-García JL, Balseiro A, Barral M, Nájera F, Figueiredo AM, Palacios MJ, Mateo M, Carmena D, Álvarez-García G, Calero-Bernal R. Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:3156-3166. [PMID: 34174029 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have unsuccessfully tried to unravel the definitive host of the coccidian parasite Besnoitia besnoiti. Cattle infections by B. besnoiti cause a chronic and debilitating condition called bovine besnoitiosis that has emerged in Europe during the last two decades, mainly due to limitations in its control associated with the absence of vaccines and therapeutical tools. Although the exact transmission pathways of B. besnoiti is currently unknown, it is assumed that the parasite might have an indirect life cycle with a carnivore as definitive host. Current lack of studies in wildlife might underestimate the importance of free-living species in the epidemiology of B. besnoiti. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess the presence of Besnoitia spp. in free-ranging mesocarnivores in Spain. DNA was searched by PCR on faeces collected from wild carnivores as a first approach to determine which species could be considered as potential definitive host candidates in further research. For this purpose, a total of 352 faecal samples from 12 free-living wild carnivore species belonging to the Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Procyonidae and Viverridae families were collected in seven Spanish regions. PCR testing showed that Besnoitia spp. DNA was present in four faecal samples from red foxes collected in western Spain, an area with the greatest density of extensively reared cattle and associated with high incidence of bovine besnoitiosis in the country. To date, this is the first report of a B. besnoiti-like sequence (99.57% homology) from carnivore faeces in a worldwide context. Red foxes might contribute to the epidemiology of B. besnoiti, although further studies, mostly based on bioassay, would be needed to elucidate the accuracy and extent of these interesting findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- David González-Barrio
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,SaBio Working Group, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Habela
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Manuel Martín-Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Jose L Fernández-García
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, University of León, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Finca Marzanas, Grulleros, León, Spain
| | - Marta Barral
- NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Fernando Nájera
- Directorate-General for Environment, Regional Government of Extremadura, Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Ana M Figueiredo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.,Department of Bioscience & CEES, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Jesus Palacios
- Directorate-General for Environment, Regional Government of Extremadura, Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Marta Mateo
- Veterinary Faculty, Alfonso X El Sabio University, Avenida Universidad 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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28
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Fernández-Escobar M, Calero-Bernal R, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Vallejo R, Benavides J, Collantes-Fernández E, Ortega-Mora LM. In vivo and in vitro models show unexpected degrees of virulence among Toxoplasma gondii type II and III isolates from sheep. Vet Res 2021; 52:82. [PMID: 34112256 PMCID: PMC8194156 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00953-7] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic agent with high genetic diversity, complex epidemiology, and variable clinical outcomes in animals and humans. In veterinary medicine, this apicomplexan parasite is considered one of the main infectious agents responsible for reproductive failure in small ruminants worldwide. The aim of this study was to phenotypically characterize 10 Spanish T. gondii isolates recently obtained from sheep in a normalized mouse model and in an ovine trophoblast cell line (AH-1) as infection target cells. The panel of isolates met selection criteria regarding such parameters as genetic diversity [types II (ToxoDB #1 and #3) and III (#2)], geographical location, and sample of origin (aborted foetal brain tissues or adult sheep myocardium). Evaluations of in vivo mortality, morbidity, parasite burden and histopathology were performed. Important variations between isolates were observed, although all isolates were classified as “nonvirulent” (< 30% cumulative mortality). The isolates TgShSp16 (#3) and TgShSp24 (#2) presented higher degrees of virulence. Significant differences were found in terms of in vitro invasion rates and tachyzoite yield at 72 h post-inoculation (hpi) between TgShSp1 and TgShSp24 isolates, which exhibited the lowest and highest rates, respectively. The study of the CS3, ROP18 and ROP5 loci allelic profiles revealed only type III alleles in ToxoDB #2 isolates and type II alleles in the #1 and #3 isolates included. We concluded that there are relevant intra- and inter-genotype virulence differences in Spanish T. gondii isolates, which could not be inferred by genetic characterization using currently described molecular markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET-Innova S.L., Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Esther Collantes-Fernández
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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29
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Hatam-Nahavandi K, Calero-Bernal R, Rahimi MT, Pagheh AS, Zarean M, Dezhkam A, Ahmadpour E. Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic and wild felids as public health concerns: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9509. [PMID: 33947922 PMCID: PMC8097069 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89031-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [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: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Felidae as definitive hosts for Toxoplasma gondii play a major role in transmission to all warm-blooded animals trough oocysts dissemination. Therefore the current comprehensive study was performed to determine the global status of T. gondii infection in domestic and wild felids aiming to provide comprehensive data of interest for further intervention approaching the One Health perspective. Different databases were searched by utilizing particular key words for publications related to T. gondii infecting domestic and wild feline host species, worldwide, from 1970 to 2020. The review of 337 reports showed that the seroprevalence of T. gondii in domestic cats and wild felids was estimated in 37.5% (95% CI 34.7-40.3) (I2 = 98.3%, P < 0.001) and 64% (95% CI 60-67.9) (I2 = 88%, P < 0.0001), respectively. The global pooled prevalence of oocysts in the fecal examined specimens from domestic cats was estimated in 2.6% (95% CI 1.9-3.3) (I2 = 96.1%, P < 0.0001), and that in fecal samples from wild felids was estimated in 2.4% (95% CI 1.1-4.2) (I2 = 86.4%, P < 0.0001). In addition, from 13,252 examined soil samples in 14 reviewed studies, the pooled occurrence of T. gondii oocysts was determined in 16.2% (95% CI 7.66-27.03%). The observed high rates of anti-T. gondii antibodies seroprevalence levels and oocyst excretion frequency in the felids, along with soil (environmental) contamination with oocysts may constitute a potential threat to animal and public health, and data will result of interest in further prophylaxis programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- grid.4795.f0000 0001 2157 7667SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mohammad Taghi Rahimi
- grid.444858.10000 0004 0384 8816Center for Health Related Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Abdol Sattar Pagheh
- grid.411701.20000 0004 0417 4622Infectious Diseases Research Canter, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Mehdi Zarean
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Asiyeh Dezhkam
- School of Medicine, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- grid.412888.f0000 0001 2174 8913Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ,grid.412888.f0000 0001 2174 8913Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ,grid.412888.f0000 0001 2174 8913Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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30
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Giorda F, Romani-Cremaschi U, Marsh AE, Grattarola C, Iulini B, Pautasso A, Varello K, Berio E, Gazzuola P, Marsili L, Di Francesco CE, Goria M, Verna F, Audino T, Peletto S, Caramelli M, Fernández-Escobar M, Sierra E, Fernández A, Calero-Bernal R, Casalone C. Evidence for Unknown Sarcocystis-Like Infection in Stranded Striped Dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Ligurian Sea, Italy. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051201. [PMID: 33922074 PMCID: PMC8143450 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051201] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Two stranded striped dolphins presented meningoenchepalitic lesions associated with the presence of unknown protozoan tissue cysts. The present study aimed at fully characterizing these previously undescribed parasites. Light microscopy re-examination of affected CNS areas showed high numbers of tissue cysts with morphological features resembling those of Sarcocystis species. Tissue cyst bradyzoites positively stained when labeled with polyclonal antisera but cross-reactivity could not be precluded. Sarcocystis sp. sequences with high homology to species infecting livestock were amplified by means of PCR from myocardial and muscle tissues. This is the first report of Sarcocystis-like tissue cysts in the cerebral tissue of stranded cetaceans with muscular sarcocystosis in Mediterranean dolphins. The obtained results may suggest a land-to-sea cycling of Apicomplexan parasites in this region and the need for further investigations in order to foster marine mammal conservation. Abstract Two striped dolphins (SD1, SD2), stranded along the Ligurian coast of Italy, were diagnosed with a nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis associated with previously undescribed protozoan tissue cysts. As tissue cysts were morphologically different from those of Toxoplasma gondii, additional histopathological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and biomolecular investigations were performed, aiming to fully characterize the organism. Histopathology revealed the presence of large Sarcocystis-like tissue cysts, associated with limited inflammatory lesions in all CNS areas studied. IHC was inconclusive, as positive staining with polyclonal antisera did not preclude cross-reaction with other Sarcocystidae coccidia. Applied to each animal, 11 different PCR protocols precluded a neural infection by Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis falcatula, Hammondia hammondi, and Neospora caninum. T. gondii coinfection was confirmed only in dolphin SD2. Sarcocystis sp. sequences, showing the highest homology to species infecting the Bovidae family, were amplified from SD1 myocardium and SD2 skeletal muscle. The present study represents the first report of Sarcocystis-like tissue cysts in the brain of stranded cetaceans along with the first description of Sarcocystis sp. infection in muscle tissue of dolphins from the Mediterranean basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Giorda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
- Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (A.F.)
| | | | - Antoinette E. Marsh
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Carla Grattarola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Barbara Iulini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Alessandra Pautasso
- Department of Prevention, Local Veterinary Services (ASL1 Imperiese), Via Aurelia Ponente 97, Bussana di Sanremo, 18038 Imperia, Italy;
| | - Katia Varello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Enrica Berio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Paola Gazzuola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Letizia Marsili
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell’Ambiente, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Cristina E. Di Francesco
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Strada Provinciale 18 Località Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Maria Goria
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Federica Verna
- Department of Prevention, Local Veterinary Services, Via Conte Verde 125, 35040 Asti, Italy;
| | - Tania Audino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Simone Peletto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Maria Caramelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.-E.); (R.C.-B.)
| | - Eva Sierra
- Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.-E.); (R.C.-B.)
| | - Cristina Casalone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy; (F.G.); (C.G.); (B.I.); (K.V.); (E.B.); (P.G.); (M.G.); (T.A.); (S.P.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence:
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31
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Köster PC, Dashti A, Bailo B, Muadica AS, Maloney JG, Santín M, Chicharro C, Migueláñez S, Nieto FJ, Cano-Terriza D, García-Bocanegra I, Guerra R, Ponce-Gordo F, Calero-Bernal R, González-Barrio D, Carmena D. Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Protist Parasites in Captive Non-Human Primates, Zookeepers, and Free-Living Sympatric Rats in the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre, Southern Spain. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:700. [PMID: 33807707 PMCID: PMC8035673 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Little information is currently available on the epidemiology of parasitic and commensal protist species in captive non-human primates (NHP) and their zoonotic potential. This study investigates the occurrence, molecular diversity, and potential transmission dynamics of parasitic and commensal protist species in a zoological garden in southern Spain. The prevalence and genotypes of the main enteric protist species were investigated in faecal samples from NHP (n = 51), zookeepers (n = 19) and free-living rats (n = 64) by molecular (PCR and sequencing) methods between 2018 and 2019. The presence of Leishmania spp. was also investigated in tissues from sympatric rats using PCR. Blastocystis sp. (45.1%), Entamoeba dispar (27.5%), Giardia duodenalis (21.6%), Balantioides coli (3.9%), and Enterocytozoon bieneusi (2.0%) (but not Troglodytella spp.) were detected in NHP. Giardia duodenalis (10.5%) and Blastocystis sp. (10.5%) were identified in zookeepers, while Cryptosporidium spp. (45.3%), G. duodenalis (14.1%), and Blastocystis sp. (6.25%) (but not Leishmania spp.) were detected in rats. Blastocystis ST1, ST3, and ST8 and G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AII were identified in NHP, and Blastocystis ST1 in zookeepers. Giardia duodenalis isolates failed to be genotyped in human samples. In rats, four Cryptosporidium (C. muris, C. ratti, and rat genotypes IV and V), one G. duodenalis (assemblage G), and three Blastocystis (ST4) genetic variants were detected. Our results indicate high exposure of NHP to zoonotic protist species. Zoonotic transmission of Blastocysts ST1 was highly suspected between captive NHP and zookeepers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela C. Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (A.S.M.); (C.C.); (S.M.); (F.J.N.)
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (A.S.M.); (C.C.); (S.M.); (F.J.N.)
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (A.S.M.); (C.C.); (S.M.); (F.J.N.)
| | - Aly S. Muadica
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (A.S.M.); (C.C.); (S.M.); (F.J.N.)
- Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Licungo, Quelimane 106, Zambézia, Mozambique
| | - Jenny G. Maloney
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA; (J.G.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA; (J.G.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Carmen Chicharro
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (A.S.M.); (C.C.); (S.M.); (F.J.N.)
| | - Silvia Migueláñez
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (A.S.M.); (C.C.); (S.M.); (F.J.N.)
| | - Francisco J. Nieto
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (A.S.M.); (C.C.); (S.M.); (F.J.N.)
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Department of Animal Health, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain; (D.C.-T.); (I.G.-B.)
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Department of Animal Health, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain; (D.C.-T.); (I.G.-B.)
| | - Rafael Guerra
- Veterinary Services, Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;
| | - Francisco Ponce-Gordo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (A.S.M.); (C.C.); (S.M.); (F.J.N.)
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.C.K.); (A.D.); (B.B.); (A.S.M.); (C.C.); (S.M.); (F.J.N.)
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Díaz-Sánchez S, Fernández AM, Habela MA, Calero-Bernal R, de Mera IGF, de la Fuente J. Microbial community of Hyalomma lusitanicum is dominated by Francisella-like endosymbiont. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101624. [PMID: 33418339 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101624] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Exploring tick associations with complex microbial communities and single-microbial partners, especially intracellular symbionts, has become crucial to understand tick biology. Of particular interest are the underlying interactions with biological consequences i.e. tick fitness, vector competence. In this study, we first sequenced the 16S rRNA bacterial phylogenetic marker in adult male ticks of Hyalomma lusitanicum collected from 5 locations in the province of Cáceres to explore the composition of its microbial community. Overall, 16S rRNA sequencing results demonstrated that the microbial community of H. lusitanicum is mostly dominated by Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) (ranging from 52% to 99% of relative abundance) suggesting it is a key taxon within the microbial community and likely a primary endosymbiont. However, further research is required to explore the mechanisms underlying the interaction between FLEs and H. lusitanicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Díaz-Sánchez
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Alberto Moraga Fernández
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Miguel A Habela
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- Animal Health Department, University of Extremadura, Avda. Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain; SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel G Fernández de Mera
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Fernández-Escobar M, Calero-Bernal R, Benavides J, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Guerrero-Molina MC, Gutiérrez-Expósito D, Collantes-Fernández E, Ortega-Mora LM. Correction to: Isolation and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in Spanish sheep flocks. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:545. [PMID: 33143738 PMCID: PMC7640693 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04423-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
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Fernández-Escobar M, Calero-Bernal R, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Vallejo R, Benavides J, Collantes-Fernández E, Ortega-Mora LM. Isolation, Genotyping, and Mouse Virulence Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii From Free Ranging Iberian Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:604782. [PMID: 33330725 PMCID: PMC7714755 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.604782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to isolate and perform molecular and phenotypic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii strains infecting Iberian pigs bred under semi-free conditions and destined for human consumption. Blood and heart tissue samples from 361 fattening pigs from 10 various herds selected in the main areas of Iberian pig production were collected at a slaughterhouse; the sera were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies using a commercial indirect ELISA kit, and a mouse bioassay was carried out using heart muscle of seropositive individual representatives from each geographical location. Seventy-nine (21.9%) of the 361 animals tested positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies according to the serology test. Fifteen samples of myocardial tissue were subjected to bioassay and 5 isolates (TgPigSp1 to TgPigSp5) were obtained. The isolates were characterized by using 11 PCR-RFLP genetic markers; three isolates had a ToxoDB #3 genotype (3/5) and two isolates had a ToxoDB #2 genotype (2/5). The TgPigSp1 and TgPigSp4 isolates were selected for virulence in mice characterization as instances of each different RFLP-genotype found. The TgPigSp1 isolate (#2 genotype) was virulent in mice with notable cumulative mortality (87.5%) and morbidity rates (100%); the TgPigSp4 (#3) was nonvirulent and triggered mild clinical signs in 42.1% of seropositive mice. Infection dynamics and organ distribution of both isolates were analyzed; the data revealed significant differences, including substantially higher parasite load in the lung during the acute phase of infection, in mice infected with TgPigSp1 than in the case of TgPigSp4 (median parasite load 7.6 vs. 0 zoites/mg, respectively; p < 0.05). Furthermore, degrees of severity of detected histopathological lesions appeared to be related to higher parasite burdens. Taking into account the unexpectedly high mortality rate and parasite load associated with the clonal genotype III, which is traditionally considered nonvirulent in mice, the need for further investigation and characterization of the T. gondii strains circulating in any host in Europe is emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis (SALUVET) Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis (SALUVET) Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET-innova S.L., Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Vallejo
- Mountain Livestock Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad de León (CSIC-ULE), León, Spain
| | - Julio Benavides
- Mountain Livestock Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad de León (CSIC-ULE), León, Spain
| | - Esther Collantes-Fernández
- Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis (SALUVET) Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis (SALUVET) Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Moraga-Fernández A, Ruiz-Fons F, Habela MA, Royo-Hernández L, Calero-Bernal R, Gortazar C, de la Fuente J, Fernández de Mera IG. Detection of new Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus genotypes in ticks feeding on deer and wild boar, Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:993-1000. [PMID: 32738065 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is the causative agent of the severe tick-borne, often fatal, zoonotic Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), which is widely distributed worldwide. The CCHFV transmission to humans occurs through tick bite, crushing of engorged ticks or contact with infected host blood. Previously, CCHFV genotype Africa III was reported in Spain. Given the emergence of CCHF and the role of ticks in pathogen maintenance and transmission, we investigated the presence and genotype identity of the virus in tick species parasitizing abundant wild host species in south-western Spain. A total of 613 adult ticks were collected from hunter-harvested wild ungulates in twenty locations throughout south-western Spain. Ticks were identified, nucleic acids were extracted, RNA was analysed by a nested RT-PCR targeting CCHFV S segment, and the amplicons were sequenced. According to the 212-bp sequence amplified, the presence of CCHFV human genotype Europe V was detected in Hyalomma lusitanicum and Dermacentor marginatus ticks collected from red deer, fallow deer and Eurasian wild boar in different locations from south-western Spain. Genotype Africa IV was also detected in a H. lusitanicum tick collected from a red deer. The detection of CCHFV in different tick species collected from various wild hosts and localities provided strong evidence of widespread CCHFV presence in the region, suggesting that the circulation of the virus in Spain requires more attention. Additionally, the identification of the CCHFV genotype Europe V in ticks suggested that its introduction in Spain was probably from Eastern Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Moraga-Fernández
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Fons
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Miguel A Habela
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Lara Royo-Hernández
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Gortazar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain.,Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
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Fernández-Escobar M, Calero-Bernal R, Benavides J, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Guerrero-Molina MC, Gutiérrez-Expósito D, Collantes-Fernández E, Ortega-Mora LM. Isolation and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in Spanish sheep flocks. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:396. [PMID: 32758283 PMCID: PMC7404076 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04275-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is a major cause of abortion in small ruminants and presents a zoonotic risk when undercooked meat containing cysts is consumed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic diversity among the T. gondii strains circulating in ovine livestock in Spain. Methods Selected samples collected from abortion outbreaks due to toxoplasmosis (n = 31) and from chronically infected adult sheep at slaughterhouses (n = 50) in different Spanish regions were bioassayed in mice, aiming at parasite isolation. In addition, all original clinical samples and the resulting isolates were genotyped by multi-nested PCR-RFLP analysis of 11 molecular markers and by PCR-DNA sequencing of portions of the SAG3, GRA6 and GRA7 genes. Results As a result, 30 isolates were obtained from 9 Spanish regions: 10 isolates from abortion-derived samples and 20 isolates from adult myocardial tissues. Overall, 3 genotypes were found: ToxoDB#3 (type II PRU variant) in 90% (27/30) of isolates, ToxoDB#2 (clonal type III) in 6.7% (2/30), and ToxoDB#1 (clonal type II) in 3.3% (1/30). When T. gondii-positive tissue samples (n = 151) were directly subjected to RFLP genotyping, complete restriction profiles were obtained for 33% of samples, and up to 98% of the specimens belonged to the type II PRU variant. A foetal brain showed a clonal type II pattern, and four specimens showed unexpected type I alleles at the SAG3 marker, including two foetal brains that showed I + II alleles as co-infection events. Amplicons of SAG3, GRA6 and GRA7 obtained from isolates and clinical samples were subjected to sequencing, allowing us to confirm RFLP results and to detect different single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Conclusions The present study informed the existence of a predominant type II PRU variant genotype (ToxoDB#3) infecting domestic sheep in Spain, in both abortion cases and chronic infections in adults, coexisting with other clonal (ToxoDB#1 and ToxoDB#2), much less frequent genotypes, as well as polymorphic strains as revealed by clinical sample genotyping. The use of multilocus sequence typing aided in accurately estimating T. gondii intragenotype diversity. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), 24346, León, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET-innova S.L, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Cristina Guerrero-Molina
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Esther Collantes-Fernández
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Fernández-Escobar M, Millán J, Chirife AD, Ortega-Mora LM, Calero-Bernal R. Molecular survey for cyst-forming coccidia (Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp.) in Mediterranean periurban micromammals. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2679-2686. [PMID: 32588173 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06777-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Rodents and other micromammals constitute important reservoirs of infectious diseases; their role in the life cycle of apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Sarcocystis spp. still needs clarification. In the present study, we analyzed by PCR and Sanger sequencing methods the presence of specific parasite DNA within brain and heart tissues of 313 individuals of five synanthropic small mammal species (Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus spretus, M. musculus, Rattus rattus, and Crocidura russula) collected in Barcelona metropolitan area (NE Spain). In addition, PCR-RFLP and microsatellites were also used as tools for genotypic characterization of T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. Specific DNA of T. gondii, N. caninum, and Sarcocystis spp. was detected in 0.3% (n = 1), 1.3% (n = 4), and 3.8% (n = 12) of the animals, respectively. No mixed infections were observed. Crocidura russula stood out as the main host for Sarcocystis spp. Toxoplasma gondii-specific DNA detected in a house rat was genetically characterized by PCR-RFLP, presenting type II and III alleles (SAG1 [II], SAG3 [II], GRA6 [II], c22-8 [III], Apico [III]). Also, unsuccessful DNA sequencing and microsatellite typing were attempted in N. caninum-positive samples, which suggested a lack of PCR specificity and open avenues to speculate the host competence of rodents for N. caninum. Likewise, Sarcocystis spp. identity was studied by alignment and phylogenetic analyses of cox1 and 28S rRNA sequences from the 14 positive samples. It resulted in at least three unknown organisms closely similar (95.7-100% cox1-sequence homology) to Sarcocystis pantherophisi from the Eastern rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) (KU891603), suggesting together with 28S rRNA sequences analyses, three Sarcocystis sp. with a life cycle conformed by rodents as intermediate host (IH) and snakes as definitive hosts (DH) infecting the periurban micromammals surveyed. Prevalence figures found in this first survey carried out in Spain agree with other international studies focused on periurban areas. Further surveys should be conducted in farms and their surroundings in order to unravel the role of wild micromammals in the epidemiology of such protozoan parasites affecting our livestock, and therefore human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Fernández-Escobar
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.,Fundación ARAID, Avda. de Ranillas, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Dashti A, Rivero-Juarez A, Santín M, López-López P, Caballero-Gómez J, Frías-Casas M, Köster PC, Bailo B, Calero-Bernal R, Briz V, Carmena D. Enterocytozoon bieneusi (Microsporidia): Identification of novel genotypes and evidence of transmission between sympatric wild boars (Sus scrofa ferus) and Iberian pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Southern Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:2869-2880. [PMID: 32500974 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidia is a phylum of obligate emergent intracellular protist-like fungi pathogens that infect a broad range of hosts including vertebrates and invertebrates. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common cause of microsporidiosis in humans, affecting primarily immunosuppressed patients but also reported in immunocompetent individuals. Epidemiological information on the presence and molecular diversity of E. bieneusi in livestock and wildlife in Spain is limited. Therefore, the occurrence of this microsporidia was investigated in sympatric extensively reared Iberian pigs (n = 186) and free ranging wild boars (n = 142) in the province of Córdoba, Southern Spain. Forty-two Iberian pigs (22.6%) and three wild boars (2.1%) were found E. bieneusi positive by PCR. In Iberian pigs, occurrence of E. bieneusi was significantly higher in sows than in fattening pigs (31.6% vs. 11.4%; p = .001). Five genotypes were identified in Iberian pigs, four previously reported (EbpA, PigEb4, O, Pig HN-II) and a novel genotype (named PigSpEb1), while only two genotypes were identified in wild boars, EbpA and novel genotype PigSpEb1. All five genotypes identified belong to Group 1 suggesting zoonotic potential. This study constitutes the first report on the occurrence and molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in Iberian pigs and wild boars. The identification of two genotypes with zoonotic potential in sympatric Iberian pigs and wild boars suggests that E. bieneusi can be potentially transmitted between those two hosts, but also implies that they may act as natural sources of microsporidia infection to other hosts including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Pedro López-López
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mario Frías-Casas
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Verónica Briz
- Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
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Nájera F, de Lucas-Veguillas J, Vela Á, López-Fernández M, Martínez-Martínez P, Mata-Huete M, Cáceres-Urones J, Annoscia G, Otranto D, Calero-Bernal R. First report of Thelazia callipaeda in a free-ranging Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) from Spain. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2347-2350. [PMID: 32488623 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06735-y] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) is a vector-borne zoonotic eyeworm able to infect a broad spectrum of carnivores. Here, we describe the first case of bilateral infection by T. callipaeda in the eyes of an adult female Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) in central Spain. Nematodes collected were morphologically identified (n = 42), and two specimens were molecularly characterized. At the sequence analysis of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene, T. callipaeda haplotype 1 (the only haplotype circulating in Europe) was detected. The role of the Iberian wolf as a natural reservoir for T. callipaeda in the life cycle of this emerging zoonosis and the implications in conservation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Nájera
- Asistencia Técnica de la Dirección General del Medio Natural y Desarrollo Sostenible de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza del Cardenal Siliceo s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain.,Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús de Lucas-Veguillas
- Seccion de Vida Silvestre, Delegacion Provincial de Desarrollo Sostenible de Guadalajara, Avenida del Ejercito 10, 19004, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Ángel Vela
- Seccion de Vida Silvestre, Delegacion Provincial de Desarrollo Sostenible de Guadalajara, Avenida del Ejercito 10, 19004, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Manuel López-Fernández
- Asistencia Técnica de la Dirección General del Medio Natural y Desarrollo Sostenible de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza del Cardenal Siliceo s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - Pedro Martínez-Martínez
- Asistencia Técnica de la Dirección General del Medio Natural y Desarrollo Sostenible de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza del Cardenal Siliceo s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - Manuel Mata-Huete
- Asistencia Técnica de la Dirección General del Medio Natural y Desarrollo Sostenible de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza del Cardenal Siliceo s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - Javier Cáceres-Urones
- Asistencia Técnica de la Dirección General del Medio Natural y Desarrollo Sostenible de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza del Cardenal Siliceo s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - Giada Annoscia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, S.P. per Casamassima Km. 3, 70010, Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, S.P. per Casamassima Km. 3, 70010, Bari, Valenzano, Italy.,Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Felestin Sq., Hamedan, Iran
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Rivero-Juarez A, Dashti A, López-López P, Muadica AS, Risalde MDLA, Köster PC, Machuca I, Bailo B, de Mingo MH, Dacal E, García-Bocanegra I, Saugar JM, Calero-Bernal R, González-Barrio D, Rivero A, Briz V, Carmena D. Protist enteroparasites in wild boar (Sus scrofa ferus) and black Iberian pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) in southern Spain: a protective effect on hepatitis E acquisition? Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:281. [PMID: 32493465 PMCID: PMC7271453 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04152-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have independently evaluated the occurrence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and enteroparasites in swine, but no surveys have been conducted to jointly assess the prevalence and genetic diversity of enteroparasites in pigs and wild boars, their sympatric transmission between hosts, and their potential interaction with HEV. METHODS We prospectively collected serum and faecal samples from black Iberian domestic pigs and wild boars from southern Spain between 2015‒2016. We evaluated for HEV in serum and faeces, and for the presence of enteroparasites (Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis sp., Neobalantidium coli and Strongyloides spp.) in the same faecal samples. The prevalence of each intestinal parasite species was calculated. RESULTS A total of 328 animals (56.7% black Iberian pigs and 43.3% wild boars) were included in the study. The overall global prevalence of HEV in serum was 16.8%. The overall global prevalence of each enteroparasite species was 19.5% for G. duodenalis, 8.2% for Cryptosporidium spp., 41.8% for Blastocystis sp., 31.4% for N. coli, and 8.8% for Strongyloides spp. HEV-infected animals showed a significantly lower prevalence of G. duodenalis (3.2 vs 20%; P = 0.002) and Blastocystis sp. (38.7 vs 80%; P < 0.001) than those uninfected by HEV. Animals carrying G. duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. infections showed a significantly lower rate of HEV infection than those not harbouring these enteroparasites (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study found a high prevalence of enteroparasites in black Iberian pigs and wild boars in southern Spain, suggesting a sympatric co-transmission of some of the species investigated. It is suggested that extracellular G. duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. might have a protective effect on HEV acquisition in swine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Pedro López-López
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Aly Salimo Muadica
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Maria de los Angeles Risalde
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Compared Pathological Anatomy, University of Córdoba, Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pamela C. Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Isabel Machuca
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Marta Hernández de Mingo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Elena Dacal
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - José M. Saugar
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Verónica Briz
- Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid Spain
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Rudaitytė-Lukošienė E, Delgado de Las Cuevas GE, Prakas P, Calero-Bernal R, Martínez-González M, Strazdaitė-Žielienė Ž, Servienė E, Habela MA, Butkauskas D. Sarcocystis spp. diversity in the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Lithuania and Spain. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1363-1370. [PMID: 31927621 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06603-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) has been identified as an intermediate host for six known Sarcocystis species, S. capreolicanis, S. entzerothi, S. gracilis, S. linearis, S. oviformis, and S. silva. In this study, we identified Sarcocystis species in the diaphragm and tongue muscles from the Lithuanian and Spanish roe deer, respectively, on the basis of a microscopic examination and DNA analysis. A total of 43 and 27 sarcocysts were isolated and characterized from the Lithuanian and Spanish roe deer, respectively. Overall six Sarcocystis species were identified in roe deer from Lithuania, and only three of them, S. gracilis, S. linearis, and S. silva were found to have infecting animals from Spain. The current paper represents first molecular results of Sarcocystis species in the Spanish roe deer. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy examination revealed specific wall structure of sarcocysts studied, S. linearis was characterized by ribbon-like villar protrusions (vp) (type 8a), and S. oviformis was distinguished by elongated vp resembling spades or mushroom-like structures (type 39). Based on 18S rDNA and cox1 sequences, Sarcocystis species from the roe deer showed considerable intraspecific genetic variability. However, similar values of intraspecific genetic variation were estimated at both genes analysed. The highest variability was observed for S. capreolicanis and S. linearis in both genes and for S. silva at cox1. Consequently, the level of genetic variability of Sarcocystis from the roe deer varied depending on species rather than on gene analysed or geographical area.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rudaitytė-Lukošienė
- Nature Research Centre, Institute of Ecology, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | | | - P Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Institute of Ecology, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - R Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Martínez-González
- Animal Health Department, University of Extremadura, Avda. Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Ž Strazdaitė-Žielienė
- Nature Research Centre, Institute of Ecology, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - E Servienė
- Nature Research Centre, Institute of Ecology, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - M A Habela
- Animal Health Department, University of Extremadura, Avda. Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | - D Butkauskas
- Nature Research Centre, Institute of Ecology, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
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42
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Calero-Bernal R, Horcajo P, Hernández M, Ortega-Mora LM, Fuentes I. Absence of Neospora caninum DNA in Human Clinical Samples, Spain. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:1226-1227. [PMID: 31107232 PMCID: PMC6537714 DOI: 10.3201/eid2506.181431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Low antibody titers to Neospora caninum have been reported in humans, but infection has not been confirmed. We used N. caninum-specific PCR to test 600 clinical samples from patients with toxoplasmosis signs but Toxoplasma gondii-negative PCR results. We did not detect N. caninum DNA, demonstrating it is an unlikely opportunistic zoonotic agent.
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43
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Negredo A, Habela MÁ, Ramírez de Arellano E, Diez F, Lasala F, López P, Sarriá A, Labiod N, Calero-Bernal R, Arenas M, Tenorio A, Estrada-Peña A, Sánchez-Seco MP. Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Enzootic Focus, Spain, 2011-2015. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:1177-1184. [PMID: 31107219 PMCID: PMC6537724 DOI: 10.3201/eid2506.180877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During 2011–2015, we conducted a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) survey in captured ticks that were feeding mainly on wild and domestic ungulates in Spain, where presence of this virus had been reported previously. We detected CCHFV RNA in Hyalomma lusitanicum and H. marginatum ticks for 3 of the 5 years. The rate of infected ticks was 2.78% (44/1,579), which was similar to those for other countries in Europe with endemic foci for CCHFV (Kosovo, Bulgaria, and Albania). These data confirm the established spread of CCHFV into western Europe. Phylogenetic study of the small RNA segment showed Africa-3 clade as the only genotype identified, although we observed cocirculation of genetic variants during 2011 and 2015. We could not rule out genetic reassortments because of lack of sequence data for the medium and large RNA segments of the virus genome.
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44
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Calero-Bernal R, Santín M, Maloney JG, Martín-Pérez M, Habela MA, Fernández-García JL, Figueiredo A, Nájera F, Palacios MJ, Mateo M, Balseiro A, Barral M, Lima-Barberoi JF, Köster PC, Carmena D. Blastocystis sp. Subtype Diversity in Wild Carnivore Species from Spain. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2019; 67:273-278. [PMID: 31691450 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence and molecular diversity of the stramenopile eukaryote Blastocystis sp. was investigated by PCR and sequencing (Sanger and NGS) methods in 380 faecal specimens of free-living carnivores in Spain. Blastocystis sp. was confirmed in 1.6% (6/380) of the specimens analysed. Two samples from a common genet and a fox were successfully subtyped as ST7 by Sanger. Using NGS, ST14 was found in a fox and a European polecat, ST7 in a fox, and two additional foxes presented mixed infections of ST1/ST2/ST4 and ST1/ST2/ST7, respectively. Wild carnivore species could act as carriers of zoonotic Blastocystis subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, 20705, USA
| | - Jenny G Maloney
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, 20705, USA
| | - Manuel Martín-Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Av. de la Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Miguel A Habela
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Av. de la Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - José L Fernández-García
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Av. de la Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Ana Figueiredo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando Nájera
- Directorate-General for Environment, Regional Government of Extremadura, Luis Jacinto Ramallo García s/n, 06800, Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
| | - María J Palacios
- Directorate-General for Environment, Regional Government of Extremadura, Luis Jacinto Ramallo García s/n, 06800, Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Marta Mateo
- Veterinary Faculty, Alfonso X El Sabio University, Avenida Universidad 1, 28691, Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, University of León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24007, León, Spain
| | - Marta Barral
- Department of Animal Health, Basque Institute of Agricultural Research and Development (NEIKER), Berreaga 1, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - José F Lima-Barberoi
- SaBio Working Group, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain.,SABIOTec Spin Off, Camino de Moledores s/n, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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45
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Delgado de las Cuevas GE, Prakas P, Strazdaitė-Žielienė Ž, Martínez-González M, Rudaitytė-Lukošienė E, Butkauskas D, Servienė E, Habela MA, Calero-Bernal R. Sarcocystis morae (Apicomplexa) in Fallow Deer (Dama dama) from Spain: Ultrastructure and New Host Record. J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/19-56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo E. Delgado de las Cuevas
- Parasitology Section, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Manuel Martínez-González
- Parasitology Section, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | | | | | - Elena Servienė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Miguel A. Habela
- Parasitology Section, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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46
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de Las Cuevas GED, Prakas P, Strazdaitė-Žielienė Ž, Martínez-González M, Rudaitytė-Lukošienė E, Butkauskas D, Servienė E, Habela MA, Calero-Bernal R. Sarcocystis morae (Apicomplexa) in Fallow Deer ( Dama dama) from Spain: Ultrastructure and New Host Record. J Parasitol 2019; 105:813-815. [PMID: 31660793] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Sarcocystis are frequently found infecting members of the family Cervidae. Although Sarcocystis species are generally host specific for their intermediate hosts, species in cervids appear to be less host specific. Here, we report fallow deer (Dama dama) as a new host for Sarcocystis morae, originally described from the red deer (Cervus elaphus). Tongues of 69 legally hunted animals in Spain were tested for sarcocysts, and the species were characterized by light microscopy, ultrastructurally and molecularly. Sarcocysts were identified in 66.7% of D. dama. Sarcocysts had thin (<2 μm thick) cyst wall with hair-like villar protrusions bifurcated at their tips resembling type 8a. Genetic sequences obtained for 18S rRNA and COI reached 99.6-100% and 97.9-98.7% similarity, respectively, to those of S. morae from the red deer. The present study provides new data concerning lower level of host specificity within Sarcocystis genus for cervids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo E Delgado de Las Cuevas
- Parasitology Section, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Manuel Martínez-González
- Parasitology Section, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | | | | | - Elena Servienė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Miguel A Habela
- Parasitology Section, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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47
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Dashti A, Santín M, Cano L, de Lucio A, Bailo B, de Mingo MH, Köster PC, Fernández-Basterra JA, Aramburu-Aguirre J, López-Molina N, Fernández-Crespo JC, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D. Occurrence and genetic diversity of Enterocytozoon bieneusi (Microsporidia) in owned and sheltered dogs and cats in Northern Spain. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2979-2987. [PMID: 31435764 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06428-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an obligate intracellular protist-like fungi parasite that infects numerous mammal hosts including humans, raising concerns of zoonotic transmission. There is little information available on the presence and diversity of E. bieneusi genotypes in companion animals. Here, we determined the occurrence and genetic diversity of E. bieneusi in domestic dogs and cats from Northern Spain. A total of 336 genomic DNA samples extracted from canine (n = 237) and feline (n = 99) faecal specimens were retrospectively investigated. The presence of E. bieneusi was assessed by PCR of the rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene. The parasite was detected in 3.0% (3/99) and 0.8% (2/237) of the cats and dogs examined, respectively. All three feline positive samples were from stray cats living in an urban setting, whereas the two canine samples were from owned dogs living in rural areas. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of two genotypes in dogs, BEB6 and PtEb IX, and two genotypes in cats, D and Peru11. The identification of Peru11 in a cat and BEB6 in a dog constitutes the first report of those genotypes in such hosts as well as first report in Spain. This is also the first evidence of genotype D in cats and PtEb IX in dogs in Spain. Three out of the four genotypes, BEB6, D and Peru11, have been previously reported as human pathogens and are potentially zoonotic indicating that dogs and cats need to be considered potential sources of human infection and environmental contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Lourdes Cano
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aida de Lucio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Hernández de Mingo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A Fernández-Basterra
- Department of Social Policy and Public Health, City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Juan Aramburu-Aguirre
- Department of Social Policy and Public Health, City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Nuria López-Molina
- Department of Social Policy and Public Health, City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Juan C Fernández-Crespo
- Sub-direction of Public Health of Álava, Department of Health, Basque Government, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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48
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Prakas P, Kirillova V, Calero-Bernal R, Kirjušina M, Rudaitytė-Lukošienė E, Habela MÁ, Gavarāne I, Butkauskas D. Sarcocystis species identification in the moose (Alces alces) from the Baltic States. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:1601-1608. [PMID: 30895383 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06291-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Various muscle tissue samples from 60 moose (Alces alces) in the Baltic region were examined for Sarcocystis species. Sarcocysts were detected in 49 out of 60 (81.7%) moose investigated. Six species, Sarcocystis alces, Sarcocystis hjorti, Sarcocystis linearis, Sarcocystis silva, Sarcocystis ovalis, and Sarcocystis sp., were identified using light microscopy (LM), and DNA sequence analysis (cox1 and 18S rDNA). Sarcocysts of S. alces, S. ovalis, and S. hjorti were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM); sarcocyst walls of S. alces, S. ovalis, and S. hjorti were type 25, type 24, and type 7a, respectively. Sarcocystis linearis previously found in roe deer and red deer was also shown to use moose as an intermediate host for the first time. The unknown Sarcocystis sp. was rare and might employ another main intermediate host. Phylogenetic results demonstrated that Sarcocystis sp. was most closely related to Sarcocystis tarandivulpes, using canids as definitive hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Viktorija Kirillova
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes Street 1A, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Complutense University, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Muza Kirjušina
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes Street 1A, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia
| | | | - Miguel Ángel Habela
- Animal Health Department, University of Extremadura, Avda. Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Inese Gavarāne
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes Street 1A, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia
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Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is caused by the globally distributed protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (phylum Apicomplexa); the disease can be clinically important for almost all homeothermic animals, including birds and humans. Toxoplasmosis course involves general clinical signs, such as fever, anorexia, or dyspnea, and more specific signs with neural, respiratory, cutaneous, or ocular involvement. Because of the wide range of clinical signs, the diagnosis in domestic and pet animals can be complicated. Hence, this review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of some scarcely discussed aspects of toxoplasmosis, such as ocular and cutaneous manifestations, congenital infections, influence of T. gondii genotype on clinical toxoplasmosis, and recent findings regarding differential diagnosis. This review could be of special interest to clinicians and researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Calero-Bernal
- Saluvet Group, Department of Animal Health, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Solange M. Gennari
- Program of Master's in Animal Medicine and Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Kirillova V, Prakas P, Calero-Bernal R, Gavarāne I, Fernández-García JL, Martínez-González M, Rudaitytė-Lukošienė E, Martínez-Estéllez MÁH, Butkauskas D, Kirjušina M. Identification and genetic characterization of Sarcocystis arctica and Sarcocystis lutrae in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Baltic States and Spain. Parasit Vectors 2018. [PMID: 29530098 PMCID: PMC5848442 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2694-y] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Typically, carnivores serve as definitive hosts for Sarcocystis spp. parasites; currently, their role as intermediate hosts is being elucidated. The present study aimed to identify and molecularly characterize Sarcocystis cysts detected in striated muscle of red foxes from different populations in Latvia, Lithuania and Spain. Methods Muscle samples from 411 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 269 racoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) from Latvia, 41 red foxes from Lithuania and 22 red foxes from Spain were examined for the presence of Sarcocystis sarcocysts by light microscopy (LM). Sarcocystis spp. were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular biology techniques. Results Sarcocystis cysts were detected in 11/411 (2.7%) Latvian, 3/41 (7.3%) Lithuanian, and 6/22 (27.3%) Spanish red foxes, however, cysts were not observed in the muscles of racoon dogs. Based on LM, TEM, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, ITS1, cox1 and rpoB sequences, Sarcocystis arctica and Sarcocystis lutrae cysts were identified in red fox muscles from Latvia and Lithuania, whereas only S. arctica was detected in Spain. The 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and ITS1 sequences from the 21 isolates of S. arctica from Latvia, Lithuania and Spain were identical. By contrast, two and four haplotypes were determined based on mtDNA cox1 and apicoplast rpoB sequences, respectively. Polymorphisms were not detected between the two isolates of S. lutrae from Latvia and Lithuania. Based on phylogenetic results, S. arctica and S. lutrae were most closely related to Sarcocystis spp. using predatory mammals as intermediate hosts and to Sarcocystis species with a bird-bird life-cycle. Conclusions Based on current knowledge, the red fox and Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) could act as intermediate host for the same two Sarcocystis species. Molecular results suggest the existence of two genetic lineages of S. arctica, and such divergence relies on its geographical distribution but not on their intermediate host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktorija Kirillova
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes street 1A, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia.
| | - Petras Prakas
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- Parasitology Section, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain.,SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inese Gavarāne
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes street 1A, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia.,VPP AgroBioRes RISKI, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Lejupes street 3, Riga, LV-1076, Latvia
| | - José Luis Fernández-García
- Parasitology Section, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Manuel Martínez-González
- Parasitology Section, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad s/n, 10071, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Eglė Rudaitytė-Lukošienė
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Dalius Butkauskas
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Muza Kirjušina
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes street 1A, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia.,VPP AgroBioRes RISKI, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Lejupes street 3, Riga, LV-1076, Latvia
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