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Chen M, Wang H, Li X, Guo Y, Lu Y, Zheng L, Liang G, Sui Y, Wang B, Dai H, Dong H, Zhang L. Molecular epidemiology of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from foxes and raccoon dogs in the Henan and Hebei provinces in China. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:53. [PMID: 38341563 PMCID: PMC10858577 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03883-6] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a zoonotic pathogen widely distributed in animals and humans. It can cause diarrhea and even death in immunocompromised hosts. Approximately 800 internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genotypes have been identified in E. bieneusi. Farmed foxes and raccoon dogs are closely associated to humans and might be the reservoir of E. bieneusi which is known to have zoonotic potential. However, there are only a few studies about E. bieneusi genotype identification and epidemiological survey in foxes and raccoon dogs in Henan and Hebei province. Thus, the present study investigated the infection rates and genotypes of E. bieneusi in farmed foxes and raccoon dogs in the Henan and Hebei provinces. RESULT A total of 704 and 884 fecal specimens were collected from foxes and raccoon dogs, respectively. Nested PCR was conducted based on ITS of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and then multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was conducted to analyze the genotypes. The result showed that infection rates of E. bieneusi in foxes and raccoon dogs were 18.32% and 5.54%, respectively. Ten E. bieneusi genotypes with zoonotic potential (NCF2, NCF3, D, EbpC, CHN-DC1, SCF2, CHN-F1, Type IV, BEB4, and BEB6) were identified in foxes and raccoon dogs. Totally 178 ITS-positive DNA specimens were identified from foxes and raccoon dogs and these specimens were then subjected to MLST analysis. In the MLST analysis, 12, 2, 7 and 8 genotypes were identified in at the mini-/ micro-satellite loci MS1, MS3, MS4 and MS7, respectively. A total of 14 multilocus genotypes were generated using ClustalX 2.1 software. Overall, the present study evaluated the infection of E. bieneusi in foxes and raccoon dogs in the Henan and Hebei province, and investigated the zoonotic potential of the E. bieneusi in foxes and raccoon dogs. CONCLUSIONS These findings expand the geographic distribution information of E. bieneusi' host in China and was helpful in preventing against the infection of E. bieneusi with zoonotic potential in foxes and raccoon dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China
| | - Haidong Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China
| | - Xinmiao Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China
| | - Yunan Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China
| | - Ying Lu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China
| | - Liping Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China
| | - Guoqing Liang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China
| | - Yuzhen Sui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China
| | - Bukang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China
| | - Hongyu Dai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China.
| | - Haiju Dong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China.
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China.
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Song P, Guo Y, Zuo S, Li L, Liu F, Zhang T, Dai H, Dong H. Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis in foxes and raccoon dogs and changes in the gut microbiota of infected female foxes in the Hebei and Henan Provinces in China. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:74. [PMID: 38155301 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08099-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Pentatrichomonas hominis (P. hominis) is a zoonotic parasite that affects a wide range of hosts, causing gastrointestinal diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of P. hominis among caged foxes and raccoon dogs and the effect of P. hominis on the gut microbiota in female foxes. A total of 893 fresh fecal samples were collected from the Hebei and Henan Provinces in China. P. hominis was screened based on 18S rRNA gene expression via nested PCR. The difference in the gut microbiota between nine P. hominis-positive and nine P. hominis-negative samples was investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The total prevalence of P. hominis infection in foxes and raccoon dogs was 31.7% (283/893). The prevalence rates of P. hominis infection were 28.2% (88/312) and 33.6% (195/581) in foxes and raccoon dogs, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all P. hominis strains detected in foxes and raccoon dogs in the present study were the zoonotic genotype CC1. Moreover, compared with those in the P. hominis-negative group, the diversity of the gut microbiota in the P. hominis-positive group was lower, and the abundance of Firmicutes and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) in the P. hominis-positive group were lower than those in the P. hominis-negative group. We speculate that these differences may be due to indigestion and diarrhea in infected female foxes. Overall, the present study evaluated the prevalence of P. hominis in foxes and raccoon dogs in the Henan and Hebei Provinces and revealed that P. hominis infection interrupted the diversity of the gut microbiota in female foxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengtao Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, No. 15 Longzihu University Area, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China
| | - Yunan Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, No. 15 Longzihu University Area, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China
| | - Shoujun Zuo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, No. 15 Longzihu University Area, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China
| | - Liangliang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, No. 15 Longzihu University Area, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China
| | - Fang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, No. 15 Longzihu University Area, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Dai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, No. 15 Longzihu University Area, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China.
| | - Haiju Dong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, No. 15 Longzihu University Area, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China.
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Freuling CM, Hlinak A, Schulze C, Sehl-Ewert J, Wysocki P, Szentiks CA, Schmitt K, Wohlsein P, Kluth G, Reinhardt I, Mettenleiter TC, Müller T. Suid alphaherpesvirus 1 of wild boar origin as a recent source of Aujeszky's disease in carnivores in Germany. Virol J 2023; 20:110. [PMID: 37264455 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02074-3] [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: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high susceptibility of carnivores to Suid Alphaherpesvirus 1 [SuAHV1, synonymous pseudorabies virus (PrV)], renders them inadvertent sentinels for the possible occurrence of Aujeszky's disease (AD) in domestic and wild swine populations. The aim of this study was to epidemiologically analyse the occurrence of PrV infections in domestic and wild animals in Germany during the last three decades and to genetically characterise the causative PrV isolates. METHODS PrV in dogs was detected using standard virological techniques including conventional and real time PCR, virus isolation or by immunohistochemistry. Available PrV isolates were characterized by partial sequencing of the open gC reading frame and the genetic traits were compared with those of archived PrV isolates from carnivores and domestic pigs from Germany before the elimination of AD in the domestic pig population. RESULTS During 1995 and 2022, a total of 38 cases of AD in carnivores, e.g. dogs and red foxes, were laboratory confirmed. Sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of PrV isolates established a strong connection between AD cases in carnivores and the occurrence of PrV infections in European wild boars in the end phase of and after elimination of AD from the domestic pig population. While PrV infections occur at low numbers but regularly in hunting dogs, interestingly, PrV was not observed in grey wolves in Germany. In none of 682 dead-found grey wolves and wolf-dog hybrids tested from Germany during 2006-2022 could PrV infection be detected by molecular means. CONCLUSIONS Although PrV has been eliminated from domestic pigs, spillover infections in domestic and wild carnivores should always be expected given the endemic presence of PrV in wild pig populations. Since detection of PrV DNA and virus in carnivores is sporadic even in areas with high seroprevalence of PrV in wild pigs, it may not reflect the full diversity of PrV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conrad M Freuling
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493, Greifswald- Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andreas Hlinak
- Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory, 15236, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
| | - Christoph Schulze
- Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory, 15236, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
| | - Julia Sehl-Ewert
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493, Greifswald- Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Patrick Wysocki
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, 17493, Greifswald- Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Claudia A Szentiks
- IZW - Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Schmitt
- Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz Saarland, 66115, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Peter Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gesa Kluth
- LUPUS - German Institute for Wolf Monitoring and Research, 02826, Görlitz, Germany
| | - Ilka Reinhardt
- LUPUS - German Institute for Wolf Monitoring and Research, 02826, Görlitz, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Müller
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493, Greifswald- Insel Riems, Germany.
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Arzabe AA, Simonetti JA. Innocent Until Proven Guilty: Systematic Review of the Effect of Livestock on South American Wild Canid Parasites. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:577-81. [PMID: 35000114 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00500-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Livestock is regarded as a source of parasites to wildlife populations, but no assessment of the nature and magnitude of parasite transmission from livestock to South American canids is available. METHODS Here we systematically reviewed articles that evaluate protozoa, helminths and arthropods in wild canids living in areas with and without the presence of livestock. RESULTS There is an unbalanced study effort which precludes proper testing of the assumption that livestock increase the incidence and prevalence of parasites in wild canids. Most of the parasites reported are shared with domestic carnivores. CONCLUSION Available information strongly suggests that the role played by livestock and their associated dogs on wild canid parasitism should be re-evaluated.
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Gomes-de-Sá S, Santos-Silva S, Moreira ADS, Barradas PF, Amorim I, Cardoso L, Mesquita JR. Dirofilaria immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia in Iberian wolves and red foxes from Portugal. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:119. [PMID: 35527260 PMCID: PMC9082910 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05170-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dirofilaria immitis is a parasitic nematode endemic in the Mediterranean countries, which causes cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in wild and domestic animals. Despite being recognized hosts of D. immitis, wild carnivores such as wolves and foxes are frequently disregarded when considering a potential role in the transmission of these zoonotic nematodes. In Portugal, studies available regarding D. immitis circulation are scarce, likely underestimating its relevance. To add knowledge on this, we sought to assess Iberian wolves (Canis lupus signatus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from northern Portugal for D. immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia. Methods Blood samples from 42 Iberian wolves and 19 red foxes were collected, during 2010–2012, in Peneda-Gerês National Park. Antigenemia was searched for by rapid antigen detection test kits (Uranotest Dirofilaria ®). Microfilaremia was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nucleic acids were extracted from blood using QIAamp® DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen), and DNA was screened for the presence of microfilaria using a conventional PCR targeting the 5.8S-internal transcribed spacer 2–28S regions, followed by bidirectional sequencing, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis and phylogenetic analysis. Results Three red foxes had antigenemia, with an occurrence of 15.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4–39.6), while showing no evidence for the presence of microfilaremia. No wolf samples presented evidence for D. immitis antigenemia. Nevertheless, two wolves were positive for D. immitis microfilaremia (4.8%; 95% CI 0.6–16.2%) as revealed by PCR and confirmed by bidirectional sequencing. Conclusions Although Dirofilaria microfilaremia in wolves does not necessarily correlate to an endangerment of the infected animal's health, positive individuals can act as a reservoir for further infection if the intermediate mosquito hosts are present. To the best of our knowledge, one single study had reported that wolves were suitable Dirofilaria hosts, but microfilaremia have never been reported. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Gomes-de-Sá
- ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Santos-Silva
- ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Patrícia Ferreira Barradas
- ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, Porto, Portugal.,Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Irina Amorim
- ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal.,Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - João R Mesquita
- ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, Porto, Portugal.,Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Bouchard É, Sharma R, Hernández-Ortiz A, Buhler K, Al-Adhami B, Su C, Fenton H, G-Gouin G, Roth JD, Rodrigues CW, Pamak C, Simon A, Bachand N, Leighton P, Jenkins E. Are foxes (Vulpes spp.) good sentinel species for Toxoplasma gondii in northern Canada? Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:115. [PMID: 35365191 PMCID: PMC8972674 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05229-3] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In changing northern ecosystems, understanding the mechanisms of transmission of zoonotic pathogens, including the coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is essential to protect the health of vulnerable animals and humans. As high-level predators and scavengers, foxes represent a potentially sensitive indicator of the circulation of T. gondii in environments where humans co-exist. The objectives of our research were to compare serological and molecular assays to detect T. gondii, generate baseline data on T. gondii antibody and tissue prevalence in foxes in northern Canada, and compare regional seroprevalence in foxes with that in people from recently published surveys across northern Canada. Methods Fox carcasses (Vulpes vulpes/Vulpes lagopus, n = 749) were collected by local trappers from the eastern (Labrador and Québec) and western Canadian Arctic (northern Manitoba, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories) during the winters of 2015–2019. Antibodies in heart fluid were detected using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in hearts and brains using a magnetic capture DNA extraction and real-time PCR assay. Results Antibodies against T. gondii and DNA were detected in 36% and 27% of foxes, respectively. Detection of antibodies was higher in older (64%) compared to younger foxes (22%). More males (36%) than females (31%) were positive for antibodies to T. gondii. Tissue prevalence in foxes from western Nunavik (51%) was higher than in eastern Nunavik (19%). At the Canadian scale, T. gondii exposure was lower in western Inuit regions (13%) compared to eastern Inuit regions (39%), possibly because of regional differences in fox diet and/or environment. Exposure to T. gondii decreased at higher latitude and in foxes having moderate to little fat. Higher mean infection intensity was observed in Arctic foxes compared to red foxes. Fox and human seroprevalence showed similar trends across Inuit regions of Canada, but were less correlated in the eastern sub-Arctic, which may reflect regional differences in human dietary preferences. Conclusions Our study sheds new light on the current status of T. gondii in foxes in northern Canada and shows that foxes serve as a good sentinel species for environmental circulation and, in some regions, human exposure to this parasite in the Arctic. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05229-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Émilie Bouchard
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. .,Research Group On Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
| | - Rajnish Sharma
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Adrián Hernández-Ortiz
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Kayla Buhler
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Batol Al-Adhami
- Centre for Food-Borne and Animal Parasitology, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Heather Fenton
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | | | - James D Roth
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Carla Pamak
- Nunatsiavut Research Centre, Nain, NL, Canada
| | - Audrey Simon
- Research Group On Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Nicholas Bachand
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Patrick Leighton
- Research Group On Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Emily Jenkins
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Arzabe AA, Retamal P, Simonetti JA. Livestock guarding dogs have minor effects on the parasite burden of wild carnivores. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3993-3999. [PMID: 34694516 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07348-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Livestock guarding dogs are increasingly used to reduce carnivore-livestock conflicts, but no information is available to determine any adverse effects that these dogs may have on the health of wild carnivores. We assessed differences in prevalence, richness and severity of parasites in chilla fox (Lycalopex griseus) populations associated with livestock guarding dogs, which were routinely dewormed. We also evaluated whether the parasite assemblages of herding dogs, which were not dewormed, and chilla foxes were more similar in the presence of livestock guarding dogs. Scats of L. griseus and herding dogs were collected and screened for parasite eggs in areas with and without livestock guarding dogs to determine differences in prevalence, richness, intensity and parasite aggregation. We did not find any association between livestock guarding dogs and differences in parasite richness or prevalence of parasites. The intensity of parasites was higher among foxes positive to parasites when LGDs were present. A lower proportion of foxes with low parasite burdens occurred in areas with LGDs compared to areas without LGDs, but this difference was not significant at the population level. Our findings show the need to continue studying the effects of livestock guarding dogs on the health of wildlife with larger sample sizes and more locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel A Arzabe
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Silvoagropecuarias y Veterinarias, Campus Sur Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11315, La Pintana, 8820808, Santiago, CP, Chile. .,Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, 7800003, Santiago, CP, Chile.
| | - Patricio Retamal
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, 8820808, Santiago, CP, Chile
| | - Javier A Simonetti
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Ñuñoa, 7800003, Santiago, CP, Chile.,Asociación Kauyeken, Santiago & Isla Riesco, km 35 Ruta Y-560, Isla Riesco, 6240000, Magallanes, CP, Chile
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Bagó F, Hoelzl F, Knauer F, Kübber-Heiss A, Smith S. Rapid and Reliable Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis from Faeces Using Droplet Digital PCR. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:553-559. [PMID: 33346906 PMCID: PMC8166707 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-020-00325-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Alveolar echinococcosis is a severe helminthic disease in humans caused by larvae of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. Austria is considered an endemic area with hotspots having up to 45% prevalence (Bagó et al. in Proceedings of the Zoo and Wildlife Health Conference 2019, Berlin, p. 91, 2019). At our facility, we have registered a notifiable increase of animals submitted for the diagnosis of E. multilocularis since 2016. Therefore, we investigated high throughput diagnostic methods to provide rapid and reliable results in comparison with our current method. Methods We have developed and compared a novel method of detection using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) combined with previous target specific extraction according to Maas et al. (Vet Parasitol 230:20–24, 2016), with our current macroscopic method “Shaking in a Vessel Technique” (SVT) by Duscher et al. (Parasitol Res 95(1):40–42, 2005). We investigated 77 wild canids (72 red foxes, 5 golden jackals) using both methods. The data were analyzed using a non-Bayesian approach, applying bootstrapping to create confidentiality intervals. Results Sensitivity for droplet digital PCR was 90.51% with the 95% credibility interval ranging from 82.50 to 96.92%, whereas mean sensitivity for SVT was 92.04% with a 95% credibility interval ranging from 84.75% to 98.36%. Additionally, a non-linear regression similar to R2 could be pointed out between the counted worms and the results gathered from ddPCR. Conclusion Magnetic capture extraction followed by ddPCR shows strong potential as a high throughput method for diagnosing E. multilocularis prevalence in diverse canid populations as well as infection intensities of individual animals, giving valuable epidemiological insights of the distribution amongst wild canids as an alternative to conventional qPCR or macroscopic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Bagó
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Vetmeduni Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Franz Hoelzl
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Vetmeduni Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Felix Knauer
- Conservation Medicine Unit, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Vetmeduni Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Kübber-Heiss
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Vetmeduni Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Steve Smith
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department for Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Vetmeduni Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
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Sgroi G, Iatta R, Veneziano V, Bezerra-Santos MA, Lesiczka P, Hrazdilová K, Annoscia G, D'Alessio N, Golovchenko M, Rudenko N, Modrý D, Otranto D. Molecular survey on tick-borne pathogens and Leishmania infantum in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from southern Italy. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101669. [PMID: 33578255 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been recognised to harbour and transmit a wide range of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including those of zoonotic concern. To investigate the prevalence and the distribution of TBPs and of Leishmania infantum in foxes (n = 244), spleen samples were collected within the frame of a multi-regional wildlife health surveillance program in Italy. A combined PCR/sequencing approach was performed for the detection of Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Borrelia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Hepatozoon spp. and L. infantum DNA. Overall, 146 foxes (59.8 %, 95 % CI: 53.6-65.8) tested positive for at least one pathogen with Hepatozoon canis being the most prevalent (i.e., n = 124; 50.8 %, 95 % CI: 44.6-57.0), followed by Babesia vulpes (n = 20; 8.2 %, 95 % CI: 5.4-12.3), different spirochete species from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex (n = 9; 3.7 %, 95 % CI: 1.9-6.9), Ehrlichia canis and L. infantum (n = 7; 2.9 % each, 95 % CI: 1.4-5.8), Anaplasma platys (n = 4; 1.6 %, 95 % CI: 0.6-4.1), Anaplasma phagocytophilum ecotype I and Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (n = 3; 1.2 % each, 95 % CI: 0.4-3.5). All samples scored negative for Babesia canis and Borrelia miyamotoi. This study revealed the presence of spirochetes from B. burgdorferi s.l. complex, Ca. Neoehrlichia sp., A. platys and A. phagocytophilum ecotype I in red fox population from Italy, underling the necessity to monitoring these carnivores, mainly because they live in contact with dogs and humans. Data on the tick fauna circulating on wildlife species will complement information herein obtained, instrumentally to establish preventive strategies for minimizing the risk of infection for animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio, Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Paulina Lesiczka
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Center, Charles University, alej Svobody 1655/76, 32300, Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Giada Annoscia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Maryna Golovchenko
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Natalie Rudenko
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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10
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Wei XY, Gao Y, Lv C, Wang W, Chen Y, Zhao Q, Gong QL, Zhang XX. The global prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii among foxes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Microb Pathog 2020; 150:104699. [PMID: 33383150 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most successful intracellular protozoan parasites in the world, which can infect most warm-blooded animals including foxes in the world and cause toxoplasmosis. This is the first meta-analysis to assess the overall prevalence and potential risk factors of T. gondii among foxes in the world. Relevant studies were comprehensively collected from ScienceDirect, Springer-Link, PubMed, VIP Chinese Journal Databases (VIP), WanFang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. The random-effect model was used to calculate pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and analyzed data were from 20 countries. The pooled T. gondii prevalence in foxes was estimated to be 39.6%. T. gondii has the highest prevalence in North America (51.2%), and lowest in Asia (8.3%). The prevalence in the sub-group after 2006 (44.7%) was lower than 2006 or before (48.5%). The prevalence in female foxes was 46.1%, which was higher than that in male foxes (19.7%). In species subgroup, red fox has the highest prevalence (46.8%). Wild foxes have a higher rate of infection (40.8%) than captive foxes (8.4%). Genotype Ⅱ of T. gondii is the most prevalent in foxes. We also evaluated the effects of geographical and climate variables on pooled prevalence of T. gondii in foxes. Our research indicated that toxoplasmosis widely existed in the world. The investigation of T. gondii infection in wild animals can provide an estimate of environmental pollution and T. gondii circulation in the ecosystem. It is essential for us to prevent and control T. gondii infection in foxes in order to reduce the risk of human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yu Wei
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China
| | - Yang Gao
- Chongqing Auleon Biological Co Ltd, Rongchang, Chongqing, 402460, PR China; The Key Sericultural Laboratory of Agricultural Ministry, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China
| | - Chuang Lv
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co Ltd, Qingdao, 266100, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China
| | - Yu Chen
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China
| | - Quan Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130118, PR China
| | - Qing-Long Gong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130118, PR China.
| | - Xiao-Xuan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266109, PR China
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11
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH. Recent epidemiologic and clinical Toxoplasma gondii infections in wild canids and other carnivores: 2009-2020. Vet Parasitol 2020; 290:109337. [PMID: 33476902 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the prevalence of clinical and subclinical infections, epidemiology, diagnosis, and genetic diversity of T. gondii in wild canids and other carnivores for the past decade. Seroprevalence estimates of T. gondii worldwide were tabulated for each host. Seroprevalence in wild foxes was very high compared with farmed Arctic foxes. Economic and public health aspects of some of the carnivore species raised for fur and meat (raccoon dogs, mink) are discussed. Diagnostic efficacies of different serological methods and PCR methods are discussed. Clinical toxoplasmosis was observed mainly in carnivores concurrently infected with immunosuppressive Canine Distemper Virus infection. Abortion and blindness were noted in mink. Genetic diversity of isolates using DNA derived from 162 (89 viable T. gondii isolates and 73 DNA extracted from tissues) of wild carnivores from several countries is discussed. However, 69 of the 162 T. gondii isolates were strains from USA and these were genetically diverse with predominance of ToxoDB genotypes #4 and #5 (haplogroup 12). Only limited information is available concerning genotyping of T. gondii isolates from other countries; none of the 93 T. gondii isolates from other countries (Brazil, China, France, Grenada) were haplogroup 12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA.
| | - Fernando H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
| | - Camila K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
| | - Oliver C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
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12
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Gillis-Germitsch N, Müller S, Gori F, Schnyder M. Capillaria boehmi (syn. Eucoleus boehmi): Challenging treatment of a rarely diagnosed nasal nematode in dogs and high prevalence in Swiss foxes. Vet Parasitol 2020; 281:109103. [PMID: 32299042 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Despite morphological differences of eggs and adults, Capillaria boehmi infections have been occasionally misdiagnosed as C. aerophila infections in the past. Capillaria boehmi is found in the nasal and paranasal sinuses of wild canids and dogs, which may suffer from nasal discharge, sneezing, epistaxis and, importantly, their scent can be impaired. In this study we present three challenging cases of nasal capillariosis in dogs, report and review the variable success of anthelmintic treatments and investigate C. boehmi prevalence in Swiss red foxes, considered as potential wild life reservoir. Out of two females and one male dog (all scent hounds, aged 3-9 years and weighing 19-31 kg), two dogs were previously coproscopically misdiagnosed with Trichuris infections. Two dogs showed clinical signs such as sneezing, coughing and impaired scent. From one dog adult living C. boehmi were obtained by nasal lavage. The identity of worms and eggs of all three dogs were genetically confirmed (18S rRNA, 100 % identity in 578 base pairs). Dogs 1-3 were followed-up for overall 54, 8, and 67 months, respectively. All dogs repeatedly excreted C. boehmi eggs in faecal samples despite treatments with the following compounds, in various dosage and retreatment protocols: fenbendazole, milbemycin oxime (orally), moxidectin/imidacloprid/ (spot-on) and levamisole (intramuscularly). The different anthelmintic compounds showed variable success regarding their effect on clinical outcome and on stopping egg excretion. Reinfections due to a contaminated environment could not be fully excluded. In winter 2016 and 2017, 218 foxes from the canton of Zurich, Switzerland, were examined. Tissues of nasal and paranasal sinuses were investigated for adult Capillaria specimens and eggs. We describe for the first time C. boehmi infections in Switzerland, observing a high prevalence (190/218, 87.2 %). Overall, 107 of 126 adults (84.9 %, 95 % Confidence Interval, CI: 77.5-90.7 %) and 83 of 92 youngsters (90.2 %, CI: 82.2-95.4 %) were infected. The presence of C. boehmi did not correlate with age (P = 0.209), but correlated significantly with sex: male foxes (102 of 107, 95.3 %, CI: 89.4-98.5 %) were significantly (P = 0.001) more often infected than females (88 of 111, 79.3 %, CI: 70.5-86.4 %). Worm burden ranged from 1 to 72 adult specimens (geometric mean: 5.7). In conclusion, C. boehmi infections can be mis- and/or underdiagnosed in dogs. Appropriate anthelmintic treatments, preventing coprophagia and egg contamination of the surroundings and performing coproscopic controls after treatments are fundamental aspects. Potentially, nasal washing may represent an auxiliary alternative. However, the successful elimination of C. boehmi infections in dogs remains challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Gillis-Germitsch
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Gori
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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13
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Abstract
This review covers reports on prevalence Toxocara in dogs from 2000 to the present and views of the veterinary community as to the importance of it as a zoonosis within Australia. The contamination of soils in public areas with eggs of this parasite seems overall to be minimal for reasons related to required collection of faeces from pets and the use of routine deworming and combination dewormers associated with heartworm prevention. The potential of other canid hosts being sources of eggs is likely common, especially with the increasing red fox and wild dog populations in more urbanized environs. Human associated disease, e.g., visceral and ocular larva migrans, is reported very rarely in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Jenkins
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.
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14
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Potkonjak A, Rojas A, Gutiérrez R, Nachum-Biala Y, Kleinerman G, Savić S, Polaček V, Pušić I, Harrus S, Baneth G. Molecular survey of Dirofilaria species in stray dogs, red foxes and golden jackals from Vojvodina, Serbia. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 68:101409. [PMID: 31881413 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.101409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in dogs and other carnivores is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, while Dirofilaria repens usually causes a subcutaneous infection. The importance of red foxes and golden jackals in the epidemiology of dirofilariosis remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional molecular survey of Dirofilaria species in stray dogs, red foxes and golden jackals from the endemic region of Vojvodina, Serbia, in order to determine and update data on their prevalence and provide insight into the epidemiological importance of wild canids. A total of 59 blood samples from stray dogs, 94 from red foxes and 32 from golden jackals were collected and screened by real-time PCR targeting a 115-bp fragment of the mitochondrial 12S gene of filarioids and by conventional PCR assay targeting a 484-524-bp fragment of 5.8S-ITS2-28S locus of filarioids. The cross-sectional molecular survey detected the filarioid mitochondrial 12S gene fragment in stray dogs (27.1 %), red foxes (8.5 %) and golden jackals (6.3 %) in the same endemic region of Vojvodina, Serbia. Only D. immitis was detected in stray dogs, while both D. immitis and D. repens were detected in populations of red foxes and golden jackals. These results outline a possible interaction of D. immitis infection between the dog population and the wild canid populations, while D. repens was found to circulate mostly in golden jackals and red foxes populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Potkonjak
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Ricardo Gutiérrez
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Gabriela Kleinerman
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Sara Savić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute 'Novi Sad', Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | | | - Ivan Pušić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute 'Novi Sad', Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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15
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Kotwa JD, Jardine CM, Berke O, Pearl DL, Mercer NJ, Peregrine AS. Prevalence and distribution of Dirofilaria immitis infection in wild canids in southern Ontario. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2019; 18:100349. [PMID: 31796196 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Wild canids represent a potential reservoir host for Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs in Ontario. Since wild canids are not protected by chemoprophylaxis, understanding the epidemiology of D. immmitis in these populations may help elucidate the background risk of infection for dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of D. immitis infection in wild canids across southern Ontario. From February 2016 to March 2017, 290 wild canid carcasses (273 coyotes and 17 foxes) were collected from across the region and assessed for the presence of D. immitis at the time of necropsy. Overall, D. immitis infection was identified in 4.8% (95% CI 2.8-8.0%) of these wild canid carcasses. Among coyotes, 5.1% (95% CI 3.0-8.5%) were positive; no evidence of D. immitis was found in the 17 foxes. Dirofilaria immitis infections in wild canids were detected in two regions of southern Ontario: 12 of the 14 D. immitis infections were detected in the south-western region and two were detected in the eastern region. Our findings provide preliminary insights into the prevalence and geographical distribution of D. immitis in coyotes and foxes in southern Ontario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon D Kotwa
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Claire M Jardine
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Olaf Berke
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - David L Pearl
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicola J Mercer
- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Guelph, Ontario N1G 0E1, Canada
| | - Andrew S Peregrine
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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16
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Otranto D, Iatta R, Baneth G, Cavalera MA, Bianco A, Parisi A, Dantas-Torres F, Colella V, McMillan-Cole AC, Chomel B. High prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in domestic and wild carnivores in Iraq. Acta Trop 2019; 197:105058. [PMID: 31185223 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105058] [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: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) of domestic and wild carnivores are of major public health concern both in industrialized and developing countries, especially in poor socioeconomic settings. War-torn areas specifically suffer from absence of veterinary surveillance of VBDs, resulting in lack of scientific knowledge on this topic. To investigate occurence and prevalence of several vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in some carnivore species from Iraq, blood samples (n = 397) were obtained from 190 canids [97 stray dogs (Canis familiaris), 55 jackals (Canis aureus) and 38 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)] and 207 stray cats (Felis catus) collected during a feral animal control and zoonotic disease surveillance program in several United States military bases in Iraq. The presence of Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Dirofilaria spp. and Leishmania spp. DNA was molecularly investigated. Out of 397 animals tested, 176 (44.3%; 95% CI: 39.5-49.2%) were positive for at least one pathogen with the highest prevalence in foxes (73.7%; 95% CI: 58-85%), followed by jackals (54.5%; 95% CI: 41.5-67%), dogs (38.1%; 29.1-48.1%) and cats (39.1%; 95% CI: 32.7-45.9%). Up to five pathogens were diagnosed in dogs. Hepatozoon canis was the most prevalent VBP in jackals (49.1%; 95% CI: 36.4-61.9%), foxes (47.3%; 95% CI: 32.5-62.7%) and dogs (33%; 95% CI: 24.4-42.8%), whereas Hepatozoon felis was the only species detected in cats (39.1%; 95% CI: 32.7-45.9%). A species of Babesia related to but different from Babesia lengau and designated as Babesia sp. MML was detected in six foxes (15.8%; 95% CI: 7.4-30.4%) and in one jackal (1.8%; 95% CI: 0.3-9.6%). This finding suggested the existence of a new species in the genus Babesia as inferred by molecular and phylogenetical analysis. Further, Babesia vulpes was identified only in two foxes (5.3%; 95% CI: 1.5-17.3%). All samples were negative for Leishmania spp. and Ehrlichia spp. Co-infection with H. canis and Babesia spp. was the most prevalent (5/176, 2.8%, i.e., 4 foxes and 1 jackal), followed by H. canis and Dirofilaria immitis (1/176, 1.3%, i.e., in 1 jackal), H. canis and Dirofilaria repens or Acanthocheilonema reconditum (1/176, 1.3%, i.e., in one dog, each). Data presented fill gaps into knowledge of VBPs in dogs, cats and wild canids in Iraq, indicating that different pathogens circulate amongst animal populations living in the same areas, possibly sharing the same tick vectors. Large-scale surveys are urgently needed to further assess VBPs distribution in Iraq and establish preventative strategies in domestic animals to minimize the risk of infection for animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Italy.
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Gad Baneth
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maria Alfonsa Cavalera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Angelica Bianco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Puglia e della Basilicata, 70017, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Parisi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Puglia e della Basilicata, 70017, Bari, Italy
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), 50670-420, Recife, Brazil
| | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Italy; Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 3010, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Bruno Chomel
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 95616, Davis, CA, USA
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17
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Otero-Abad B, Armua-Fernandez MT, Deplazes P, Torgerson PR, Hartnack S. Latent class models for Echinococcus multilocularis diagnosis in foxes in Switzerland in the absence of a gold standard. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:612. [PMID: 29258612 PMCID: PMC5737983 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2562-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Europe the principal definitive host for Echinococcus multilocularis, causing alveolar echinococcosis in humans, is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Obtaining reliable estimates of the prevalence of E. multilocularis and relevant risk factors for infection in foxes can be difficult if diagnostic tests with unknown test accuracies are used. Latent-class analysis can be used to obtain estimates of diagnostic test sensitivities and specificities in the absence of a perfect gold standard. Samples from 300 foxes in Switzerland were assessed by four different diagnostic tests including necropsy followed by sedimentation and counting technique (SCT), an egg-PCR, a monoclonal and a polyclonal copro-antigen ELISA. Information on sex, age and presence of other cestode species was assessed as potential covariates in the Bayesian latent class models. Different Bayesian latent-class models were run, considering dichotomized test results and, additionally, continuous readings resulting in empirical ROC curves. Results The model without covariates estimated a true parasite prevalence of 59.5% (95% CI: 43.1–66.4%). SCT, assuming a specificity of 100%, performed best among the four tests with a sensitivity of 88.5% (95% CI: 82.7–93.4%). The egg-PCR showed a specificity of 93.4% (95% CI: 87.3–99.1%), although its sensitivity of 54.8% was found moderately low (95% CI: 48.5–61.0%). Relatively higher sensitivity (63.2%, 95% CI: 55.3–70.8%) and specificity (70.0%, 95% CI: 60.1–79.4%) were estimated for the monoclonal ELISA compared to the polyclonal ELISA with a sensitivity and specificity of 56.0% (95% CI: 48.0–63.9%) and 65.9% (95% CI: 55.8–75.6%), respectively. In the Bayesian models, adult foxes were found to be less likely infected than juveniles. Foxes with a concomitant cestode infection had double the odds of an E. multilocularis infection. ROC curves following a Bayesian approach enabled the empirical determination of the best cut-off point. While varying the cut-offs of both ELISAs, sensitivity and specificity of the egg-PCR and SCT remained constant in the Bayesian latent class models. Conclusions Adoption of a Bayesian latent class approach helps to overcome the absence of a perfectly accurate diagnostic test and gives a more reliable indication of the test performance and the impact of covariates on the prevalence adjusted for diagnostic uncertainty. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-017-2562-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belen Otero-Abad
- Section of Veterinary Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Teresa Armua-Fernandez
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte - Salto- Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, 50000, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Peter Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paul R Torgerson
- Section of Veterinary Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Hartnack
- Section of Veterinary Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Woolsey ID, Webster P, Thamsborg S, Schnyder M, Monrad J, Kapel CMO. Repeated inoculations with the lung and heartworm nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum result in increasing larval excretion and worm burden in the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2017; 6:139-145. [PMID: 28725552 PMCID: PMC5502791 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The French heartworm Angiostongylus vasorum is found in European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and dog populations, where it appears to be spreading geographically. Once introduced into new areas, it establishes in local fox populations, typically to over 50% prevalence in a few years. High susceptibility and constant excretion of first stage larvae (L1) by the definitive hosts are prerequisites for sustaining high parasite biomass in a particular habitat. The present study explores the hypothesis that repeated ingestion of gastropods in nature will result in accumulation of adult worms and elevated excretion of L1 in feces. Experimentally infected foxes were subsequently inoculated via stomach tube once (9 weeks post initial inoculation) or twice (9 and 13 weeks post inoculation (wpi)) with 100 third stage A. vasorum larvae (L3) previously isolated from aquatic snails infected with L1 from a naturally infected dog. Despite large variation in fecal larval excretion for the individual animals within the groups, excretion of L1 was significantly higher in foxes twice inoculated as compared to foxes inoculated only once. With an outlier in the once inoculated group removed, excretion became significantly higher in the three times inoculated group. Establishment of adult worms varied and only a trend to higher worm burdens was found in the group of foxes inoculated three times. However, this became significant with the same single outlier removed. Overall, it appears that protective immunity to A. vasorum does not appear to occur in V. vulpes with animals exhibiting high infection intensities without obvious clinical signs. The increasing larval excretion in foxes being repeatedly exposed to A. vasorum L3 support the hypothesis that foxes under natural conditions may repeatedly ingest infected gastropods and remain a source of environmental contamination for several months, potentially contributing to the establishment of endemic foci through increasing L1 excretion. Foxes were experimentally infected with 100 Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae (L3). Two groups were later challenged once or twice. Increasing larval counts linked to time post infection and repeated inoculation. Data suggests role of foxes in rapid establishment of the parasite in new areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian David Woolsey
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - P Webster
- Parasitology and Aquatic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - S Thamsborg
- Parasitology and Aquatic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jesper Monrad
- Parasitology and Aquatic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - C M O Kapel
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Kellnerová K, Holubová N, Jandová A, Vejčík A, McEvoy J, Sak B, Kváč M. First description of Cryptosporidium ubiquitum XIIa subtype family in farmed fur animals. Eur J Protistol 2017; 59:108-113. [PMID: 28482327 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in farmed fur animals in the Czech Republic and Poland. A total of 480 faecal samples were collected from fur animals, including 300 American mink (Mustela vison), 60 silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 50 long-tailed chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera), and 70 nutrias (Myocastor coypus), at 14 farms. Samples were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium using microscopy (following aniline-carbol-methyl violet staining) and sequence analysis of PCR amplified products. Three mink and two chinchillas from two different farms tested positive for Cryptosporidium ubiquitum DNA. The presence of C. ubiquitum DNA was not associated with diarrhoea. Subtyping of C. ubiquitum isolates by sequence analysis of the 60-kDa glycoprotein gene showed that isolates belonged to the XIIa subtype family, which was previously restricted to humans and ruminants. This suggests that C. ubiquitum subtype XIIa has a broader host range than previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klára Kellnerová
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Holubová
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Jandová
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Antonín Vejčík
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - John McEvoy
- Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Bohumil Sak
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kváč
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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20
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Miller AL, Olsson GE, Sollenberg S, Skarin M, Wahlström H, Höglund J. Support for targeted sampling of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) feces in Sweden: a method to improve the probability of finding Echinococcus multilocularis. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:613. [PMID: 27899131 PMCID: PMC5129611 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1897-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Localized concentrations of Echinococcus multilocularis eggs from feces of infected red fox (Vulpes vulpes) can create areas of higher transmission risk for rodent hosts and possibly also for humans; therefore, identification of these areas is important. However, in a low prevalence environment, such as Sweden, these areas could be easily overlooked. As part of a project investigating the role of different rodents in the epidemiology of E. multilocularis in Sweden, fox feces were collected seasonally from rodent trapping sites in two regions with known parasite status and in two regions with unknown parasite status, 2013–2015. The aim was to evaluate background contamination in rodent trapping sites from parasite eggs in these regions. To maximize the likelihood of finding fox feces positive for the parasite, fecal collection was focused in habitats with the assumed presence of suitable rodent intermediate hosts (i.e. targeted sampling). Parasite eggs were isolated from feces through sieving-flotation, and parasite species were then confirmed using PCR and sequencing. Results Most samples were collected in the late winter/early spring and in open fields where both Arvicola amphibius and Microtus agrestis were captured. Fox feces positive for E. multilocularis (41/714) were found within 1–3 field collection sites within each of the four regions. The overall proportion of positive samples was low (≤5.4%) in three regions, but was significantly higher in one region (22.5%, P < 0.001). There was not a significant difference between seasons or years. Compared to previous national screenings, our sampling strategy identified multiple E. multilocularis positive feces in all four regions, including the two regions with previously unknown parasite status. Conclusions These results further suggest that the distribution of E. multilocularis is highly aggregated in the environment and provide support for further development of a targeted sampling strategy. Our results show that it was possible to identify new areas of high contamination in low endemic environments. After further elaboration, such a strategy may be particularly useful for countries designing surveillance to document freedom from disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1897-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Miller
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7036, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden.
| | - Gert E Olsson
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, 901 83, Sweden
| | - Sofia Sollenberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7036, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
| | - Moa Skarin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7036, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
| | - Helene Wahlström
- Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Zoonosiscenter, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, 751 89, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7036, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
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Robertson LJ, Troell K, Woolsey ID, Kapel CMO. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and mushrooms as transmission vehicles for Echinococcus multilocularis in Europe: inferences and concerns from sample analysis data from Poland. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2485-8. [PMID: 26987642 PMCID: PMC4863902 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5015-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fresh fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, and other fresh produce are recognised as important vehicles of infection for several foodborne parasites, particularly those with a faecal-oral transmission route and robust environmental transmission stages. Nevertheless, analysis of such foods for parasite transmission stages, even during outbreaks, tends to show only low contamination. Echinococcus multilocularis is considered one of the most important foodborne parasites, but there are few studies in which fresh produce or like foods collected in their natural habitat is analysed for contamination with E. multilocularis eggs. In this article, we question a recent study from Poland reporting over 23 % of fresh berries, vegetables, and mushroom being highly contaminated with E. multilocularis eggs. In particular, it appears unlikely that 20 % of raspberries, which are elevated from ground level, should be exposed to faecal contamination. Additionally, the similar egg contamination of vegetation in forest and plantation environments is surprising considering the preference of the parasite's most competent intermediate hosts for the latter environment. Furthermore, a lack of specific temporal information is concerning due to the varying infection pressure (and therefore environmental contamination) occurring in definitive hosts over the course of the year. Several important aspects of the study seem to us to have been neglected, and we are concerned that the published data might, if not questioned, lead to incorrect interpretation, and unnecessary losses in the agricultural sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy J Robertson
- Parasitology, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 8146 Dep., 0033, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Karin Troell
- Section of Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute, SE-751 89, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ian David Woolsey
- Section of Organismal Biology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Christian M O Kapel
- Section of Organismal Biology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Korou LM, Tasioudi KE, Tzani M, Konstantinidis A, Plevraki A, Iliadou P, Kostoglou P, Kaimaras D, Doudounakis S, Mangana-Vougiouka O. Evaluation of the first oral rabies vaccination campaign of the red foxes in Greece. Vaccine 2015; 34:41-8. [PMID: 26616552 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Following the late 2012 recurrence of rabies in wild foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central and north-western Greece, the first oral fox vaccination campaign co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the Greek state budget, was implemented. Initially, it involved 24 regional units of the Greek territory during the period October-December 2013. Vaccine-baits were aerially distributed by fixed-wing aircrafts. Vaccines were scattered along parallel flight paths 500m apart in order to optimize aerial missions and achieve homogeneous distribution. A geographical information system was used to objectively evaluate bait distribution. This system identified areas of inadequate bait density that would require additional flights. A total number of 1,504,821 baits were distributed covering an area of 54,584.29km(2). To assess the effectiveness of oral vaccination campaign a monitoring program was introduced, which entailed examination of serum samples and canine teeth derived from red foxes collected in the field. The laboratory analysis revealed 60% seropositivity and detection of tetracycline biomarker in 70% of the foxes tested.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstantia E Tasioudi
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Rickettsial and Exotic Diseases, Athens Veterinary Center, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Myrsini Tzani
- Animal Health Directorate, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Peristera Iliadou
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Rickettsial and Exotic Diseases, Athens Veterinary Center, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Petroula Kostoglou
- Animal Health Directorate, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Kaimaras
- Directorate of Technical Studies, Structures and Topography, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Doudounakis
- Animal Health Directorate, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga Mangana-Vougiouka
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Diagnostics, FMD, Virological, Rickettsial and Exotic Diseases, Athens Veterinary Center, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Athens, Greece
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Lledó L, Giménez-Pardo C, Saz JV, Serrano JL. Wild Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as Sentinels of Parasitic Diseases in the Province of Soria, Northern Spain. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015; 15:743-9. [PMID: 26565688 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Four hundred red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were examined for ecto- (arthropods) and endoparasites (Leishmania spp., Trichinella spp., and intestinal parasites). Different species of flea (total prevalence, 40.50%), tick (16.25%), mite (7.25%), and fly (1.50%) were identified. The most prevalent flea was Pulex irritans (found on 29% of the foxes); the most prevalent tick, mite, and fly were Ixodes canisuga (on 5%), Sarcoptes scabiei (on 5.25%), and Hippobosca equina (on 1%), respectively. The endoparasites identified included Leishmania spp. (found in 12% of the foxes), Trichinella spp. (in 15.5%, with T. britovi the most prevalent species in 15.25%), Cestoda (in 72.75%, with Mesocestoides spp. the most prevalent in 69.50%), and intestinal ascarids (in 73.25%, with Ancylostoma caninum the most prevalent in 12.50%). No animal was free of parasites. The present results suggest that foxes can act as sentinels of diseases transmitted by ecto- and endoparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Lledó
- 1 Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Alcalá University , Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Consuelo Giménez-Pardo
- 1 Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Alcalá University , Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Vicente Saz
- 1 Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Alcalá University , Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Serrano
- 2 Territorial Health and Social Welfare Service of the Junta de Castilla y León , Soria, Spain
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Mascarelli PE, Elmore SA, Jenkins EJ, Alisauskas RT, Walsh M, Breitschwerdt EB, Maggi RG. Vector-borne pathogens in arctic foxes, Vulpes lagopus, from Canada. Res Vet Sci 2014; 99:58-9. [PMID: 25596149 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2014.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Because of the relatively low biodiversity within arctic ecosystems, arctic foxes, Vulpes lagopus, could serve as sentinels for the study of changes in the ecology of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens. The objective of this study was to determine the molecular prevalence of 5 different genera of vector borne pathogens (Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Hemotropic Mycoplasma spp.) using blood collected from 28 live-trapped arctic foxes from the region of Karrak Lake, Nunavut, Canada. Bartonella henselae (n = 3), Mycoplasma haemocanis (n = 1), Ehrlichia canis (n = 1), and an Anaplasma sp. (n = 1) DNA were PCR amplified and subsequently identified by sequencing. This study provides preliminary evidence that vector borne pathogens, not typically associated with the arctic ecosystem, exist at low levels in this arctic fox population, and that vector exposure, pathogen transmission dynamics, and changes in the geographic distribution of pathogens over time should be investigated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia E Mascarelli
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory (IPRL), Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC, USA
| | - Stacey A Elmore
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N EB4, Canada
| | - Emily J Jenkins
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N EB4, Canada
| | - Ray T Alisauskas
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Mary Walsh
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory (IPRL), Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC, USA
| | - Edward B Breitschwerdt
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory (IPRL), Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC, USA
| | - Ricardo G Maggi
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory (IPRL), Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NC, USA.
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Jenkins DJ, Urwin NA, Williams TM, Mitchell KL, Lievaart JJ, Armua-Fernandez MT. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and wild dogs (dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) and dingo/domestic dog hybrids), as sylvatic hosts for Australian Taenia hydatigena and Taenia ovis. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2014; 3:75-80. [PMID: 25161904 PMCID: PMC4142264 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2014.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Foxes (n = 499), shot during vertebrate pest control programs, were collected in various sites in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales (NSW) and Western Australia (WA). Wild dogs (dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) and their hybrids with domestic dogs) (n = 52) captured also as part of vertebrate pest control programs were collected from several sites in the ACT and NSW. The intestine from each fox and wild dog was collected, and all Taenia tapeworms identified morphologically were collected and identified to species based on the DNA sequence of the small subunit of the mitochondrial ribosomal RNA (rrnS) gene. Taenia species were recovered from 6.0% of the ACT/NSW foxes, 5.1% of WA foxes and 46.1% of ACT/NSW wild dogs. Taenia ovis was recovered from two foxes, 1/80 from Jugiong, NSW and 1/102 from Katanning, WA. We confirm from rrnS sequences the presence of T. ovis in cysts from hearts and diaphragms and T aenia hydatigena in cysts from livers of sheep in Australia. T. ovis was not recovered from any of the wild dogs examined but T. hydatigena were recovered from 4(8.3%) wild dogs and a single fox. With foxes identified as a definitive host for T. ovis in Australia, new control strategies to stop transmission of T. ovis to sheep need to be adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Jenkins
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +61 2 6933 4179.
| | - Nigel A.R. Urwin
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Thomas M. Williams
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Kate L. Mitchell
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Jan J. Lievaart
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
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