Comparative efficacy of ivermectin and fenbendazole against ancylostomiasis in dogs

The present experiment was carried out to assess the comparative efficacy of ivermectin and fenbendazole individually for anthelmintic therapy for the hookworm infested dogs. Dogs presented to the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine or Veterinary Clinical Complex, Bhubaneswar were randomly screened for Ancylostoma caninum infection and the positive dogs were selected for the therapeutic trial Faecal samples were collected randomly from presented dogs immediately after defaecation or from the rectum directly using a faecal scoop. The collected sample was examined by floatation technique to detect the positive cases of Ancylostoma caninum infection. The dogs with normal clinical parameters and no eggs or ova in the faeces were included in in group 1 (n = 12). Dogs with faecal sample positive for Ancylostoma caninum ova were recruited for the comparative study (n = 24) which were grouped into two groups consisting of 12 dogs in each (group 2 and 3). Group 2 dogs (n = 12) were treated with ivermectin at 200 µg/kg body weight once orally repeated after 15 days with proper supportive therapy each time. Group 3 (n = 12) were treated with fenbendazole at 50 mg/kg body weight once orally repeated after 15 days with proper supportive therapy each time. Haematological examinations and serum biochemical tests were carried out in all groups each time on day 0, 15 and 30 of the experiment. The therapeutic efficacy of both the drugs was calculated on the basis of number of animals found free of Ancylostoma infection as determined by reduction in EPG count of the faeces of the group following the treatment. The reduction in eggs per gram (EPG) count on day 15 and day 30 was more significant in group 2 than group 3. The mean EPG count reduced significantly to 24.17 ± 11.44 on day 15 from day 0 level of 1650.00 ± 247.25 in fenbendazole-treated dogs. On day 30, the mean value further reduced to become nil.The 15th day after treatment, mean (± SE) value of protein, albumin and globulin was changed to 5.63 ± 0.12, 2.64 ± 0.12 and 2.99 ± 0.15 g/dl, respectively. The 30th day after treatment, the values were 6.23 ± 0.14, 3.20 ± 0.18 and 3.03 ± 0.21 g/dl, respectively. The total protein and albumin values were significantly changed from day 0 level in group 2 and 3 by 15th day and 30th day, respectively, at 1% level of significance. Following treatment with ivermectin, the 15th day haematological values increased significantly at 1% level (P < 0.01) of significance. There was significant increase in the values at 1% level on the 30th day compared to day 0 and the mean values were non-significantly comparable to the healthy control group except PCV and TEC.

Unbalanced relationships: insights into the interaction between gut microbiota, geohelminths, and schistosomiasis

Hosts and their microbiota and parasites have co-evolved in an adaptative relationship since ancient times. The interaction between parasites and intestinal bacteria in terms of the hosts' health is currently a subject of great research interest. Therapeutic interventions can include manipulations of the structure of the intestinal microbiota, which have immunological interactions important for modulating the host's immune system and for reducing inflammation. Most helminths are intestinal parasites; the intestinal environment provides complex interactions with other microorganisms in which internal and external factors can influence the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Moreover, helminths and intestinal microorganisms can modulate the host's immune system either beneficially or harmfully. The immune response can be reduced due to co-infection, and bacteria from the intestinal microbiota can translocate to other organs. In this way, the treatment can be compromised, which, together with drug resistance by the parasites makes healing even more difficult. Thus, this work aimed to understand interactions between the microbiota and parasitic diseases caused by the most important geohelminths and schistosomiasis and the consequences of these associations.

A Case of Zoonotic Ancylostoma ceylanicum Infection in a Suburban Area of Selangor, Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

The animal hookworm, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, is a dominant hookworm species of dogs and cats. However, it has increasingly been found infecting humans in Southeast Asia.

PURPOSE

We report an autochthonous case of A. ceylanicum in a suburban area of Selangor, Malaysia. A 66-year-old Indian lady who is an avid gardener presented with chronic diarrhea of 4 months' duration.

METHODS

The patient was examined clinically and colonoscopy was performed. Adult parasites obtained via colonoscopy were subjected to microscopy and molecular investigations.

RESULTS

Clinical examinations were unremarkable, and blood investigation revealed normochromic normocytic anemia. Stool occult blood was positive but negative for ova, cyst and adult parasites. Colonoscopy performed showed multiple diverticulae and worm infestation from the terminal ileum to sigmoid colon. Morphological examination on the adult worms showed the specific characteristics of Ancylostoma species. Molecular investigations further confirmed the nematode as Ancylostoma ceylanicum. She was treated with albendazole 400 mg daily for 3 days with symptomatic improvements sustained 3 months later. It is suspected that the patient had ingested or contacted soil contaminated with filariform larvae while gardening.

CONCLUSION

Information on the A. ceylanicum infection in humans, especially in urban and suburban areas, is limited, necessitating further epidemiological and clinical studies.

Hookworm infection in central China: morphological and molecular diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Necator americanus is one of the major etiological agents of human ancylostomiasis. Historically, the epidemiology of ancylostomiasis in Henan Province of central China and the molecular characteristics of N. americanus have been poorly understood.

METHODS

In this study, we report a case of ancylostomiasis in Zhengzhou city of Henan Province. We also review the epidemiology of ancylostomiasis in Henan Province from 1949 to 2020. In addition, the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of one clinical isolate is fully characterized using Illumina sequencing. All available mt genomes of hookworms in GenBank were included to reconstruct the phylogeny using both maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods.

RESULTS

A total of three worms were collected from the patient. These worms were identified as N. americanus based on morphological characteristics as well as confirmed by genotyping with the barcoding gene cox1. Although ancylostomiasis cases have dropped substantially in recent years, hookworm infection is still a public health problem in underdeveloped areas and remote rural areas in Henan Province. The mt genome features of the N. americanus contained 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a major non-coding region. The nad1 gene showed high sequence variability among isolates, which is worth considering for future genetic studies of N. americanus. Phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of hookworm isolates from different hosts and distinct geographical locations.

CONCLUSIONS

The mt genome of N. americanus presented here will serve as a useful data set for studying population genetics and phylogenetic relationships of hookworms. Positive measures for preventing and controlling ancylostomiasis are required by both health services and individuals in Henan Province.

Making the Difference in Occupational Health: Three Original and Significant Cases Presented at ICOH Congresses in the 20th Century

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to illustrate the historical role of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) congresses as an arena where national and international occupational medicine can dialogue and as the first example of scientific transferability of the research and prevention results that have had such an impact on global public health.

METHODS

We used the ICOH Heritage Repository, in which ICOH congress proceedings (from the first congress in Milan in 1906 to the last congress, held in Dublin in 2018), are organised in an orderly way, updated and easily accessible according to open access logic.

RESULTS

We describe studies by three physicians who submitted significant scientific work to ICOH congresses, one on the battle against ancylostomiasis (Volante, 1906), the second (Quarelli, 1928) on carbon disulphide poisoning, and the third (Viola, 1969) on the carcinogenicity of vinyl chloride monomer. Priority is given to Italian cases, on account of the authors' obvious familiarity with the issues.

CONCLUSION

The visibility offered in ICOH conferences and their published proceedings has boosted the international spread of their findings, contributing to the scientific transferability of the research results and influencing the development of policies and prevention interventions that have had a great impact on global public health.