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Ryoo S, Jung BK, Hong S, Shin H, Song H, Kim HS, Ryu JY, Sohn WM, Hong SJ, Htoon TT, Tin HH, Chai JY. Standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris trichiura in the feces of schoolchildren in the Yangon Region, Myanmar: Morphological and molecular analyses. Parasites Hosts Dis 2023; 61:317-324. [PMID: 37648238 PMCID: PMC10471467 DOI: 10.3347/phd.23059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris trichiura were found in the feces of schoolchildren in Yangon, Myanmar during epidemiological surveys and mass deworming with albendazole in 2017-2019. The standard-sized eggs were identified as those of T. trichiura, but it was necessary to exclude the possibility of the large-sized eggs belonging to Trichuris vulpis, a dog whipworm. We conducted morphological and molecular studies to determine the species of the 2 types of Trichuris eggs. Individual eggs of both sizes were isolated from Kato-Katz fecal smears (n=20) and mechanically destroyed using a 23G injection needle. Nuclear DNA was extracted, and the 18S rRNA region was sequenced in 15 standard-sized eggs and 15 large-sized eggs. The average size of standard-sized eggs (T. trichiura) was 55.2×26.1 μm (range: 51.7-57.6×21.3-28.0 μm; n=97), whereas the size of large-sized eggs was 69.3×32.0 μm (range: 65.1-76.4×30.1-34.5 μm; n=20), slightly smaller than the known size of T. vulpis. Regarding standard-sized eggs, the 18S rRNA nucleotide sequences exhibited 100% homology with T. trichiura deposited in GenBank and 88.6-90.5% homology with T. vulpis. Regarding large-sized eggs, the nucleotide sequences showed 99.8-100% homology with T. trichiura in GenBank and 89.6-90.7% homology with T. vulpis. Both standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris spp. found in Myanmar schoolchildren during 2017-2019 were morphologically and molecularly confirmed to belong to T. trichiura. The conversion of eggs from smaller to large sizes might be due to anthelmintic treatments with albendazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungwan Ryoo
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649,
Korea
| | - Bong-Kwang Jung
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649,
Korea
| | - Sooji Hong
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649,
Korea
| | - Hyejoo Shin
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649,
Korea
| | - Hyemi Song
- MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649,
Korea
| | - Hyun-Seung Kim
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07572,
Korea
| | - Jin-Youp Ryu
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07572,
Korea
| | - Woon-Mok Sohn
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727,
Korea
| | - Sung-Jong Hong
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012,
Korea
| | - Thi Thi Htoon
- National Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon 11191,
Myanmar
| | - Htay Htay Tin
- National Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon 11191,
Myanmar
| | - Jong-Yil Chai
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080,
Korea
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Hayes B, Wiseman S, Snyder DE. Field study to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a novel orally administered combination drug product containing milbemycin oxime and lotilaner (Credelio ® Plus) against natural intestinal nematode infections in dogs presented as veterinary patients in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:258. [PMID: 34001223 PMCID: PMC8127225 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04766-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A randomised, blinded, positive controlled, multicentre, Good Clinical Practice-compliant, pivotal field study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new combination of lotilaner + milbemycin oxime tablets (Credelio® Plus; Elanco Animal Health) administered orally to client-owned dogs naturally infected with intestinal nematodes. METHODS Client-owned dogs presenting to veterinary clinics from households in France, Hungary and Germany were screened for intestinal nematodes. Dogs with an initial positive faecal egg count that was subsequently confirmed with a follow-up faecal examination to demonstrate the presence of naturally occurring mixed or mono-infections with Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis or Ancylostoma caninum were enrolled on Day 0 into the study. Households were randomised in an approximately 2:1 ratio to receive either an investigational product (IP; Credelio Plus tablets) or control product (CP; Nexgard Spectra® tablets) as treatment. Dogs were administered the IP (n = 278) or CP (n = 117) once on Day 0 at a dose rate of 0.75-1.56 mg/kg bodyweight milbemycin oxime and 20.0-41.5 mg/kg bodyweight lotilaner (IP) or as recommended (CP). Effectiveness of the IP and CP treatments was based on the post-treatment reduction in geometric mean faecal egg counts on Day 8 (range Day 7-10) after treatment as compared to their pre-treatment nematode faecal egg counts. RESULTS Geometric mean (GM) faecal egg counts for T. canis, A caninum and T. vulpis were reduced by ≥ 97.2% in the Credelio Plus group and by ≥ 95.3% in the afoxolaner + milbemycin oxime group. There were insufficient data to calculate a percentage reduction in GM faecal egg counts between Day 0 and Day 8 for T. leonina due to low prevalence. Credelio Plus was well tolerated in this field study. Of the 355 total doses administered, 82.3% were accepted free choice in the IP group compared to 80.8% in the CP group. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated effectiveness (≥ 97.2% reduction), safety and tablet acceptance of a combination of milbemycin oxime and lotilaner (Credelio Plus) administered orally to dogs with natural intestinal infections of T. canis, A. caninum and T. vulpis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad Hayes
- Elanco Animal Health, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 9XA, UK
| | - Scott Wiseman
- Elanco Animal Health, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 9XA, UK
| | - Daniel E Snyder
- Daniel E. Snyder DVM PhD Consulting, LLC, Indianapolis, IN, 46229, USA.
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George S, Geldhof P, Albonico M, Ame SM, Bethony JM, Engels D, Mekonnen Z, Montresor A, Hem S, Tchuem-Tchuenté LA, Huong NT, Kang G, Vercruysse J, Levecke B. The molecular speciation of soil-transmitted helminth eggs collected from school children across six endemic countries. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2020; 110:657-663. [PMID: 28100811 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trw078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs; Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworms) is traditionally based on the demonstration of eggs in stool using microscopic techniques. While molecular techniques are more appropriate to speciate STH species they are seldom applied. In this study we speciated STH eggs from stool using molecular techniques to gain insights into the distribution of both human and animal STH species in the human host. METHODS We speciated 207 STH egg isolates from stool collected during the baseline survey of six drug efficacy trials conducted in Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Vietnam applying a PCR - restriction fragment length polymorphisms based approach. RESULTS DNA of Ascaris was detected in 71 (34.3%) samples, of which all were identified as the human roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. In 87 (42.0%) samples, DNA of Trichuris spp. was found and further speciation demonstrated the presence of the human Trichuris trichiura (100%) and the canine Trichuris vulpis (n=7; 8.0%; in Cameroon only). Hookworms were identified in 104 (50.2%) samples, with Necator americanus (n=73; 70.2%) being the predominant species followed by Ancylostoma duodenale (n=40; 38.5%). CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that STH infections in humans are predominantly caused by human STH species. They also suggest that zoonotic transmission occurs on a local scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh George
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.,Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Peter Geldhof
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Marco Albonico
- Center for Tropical Diseases, Sacro Cuore Hospital - WHO Collaborating Centre on strongyloidiasis and other intestinal parasitic infections, Negrar, Italy.,University of Torino, Italy
| | - Shaali M Ame
- Public Health Laboratory, Ivo de Carneri, Chake-chake, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Jeffrey M Bethony
- Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, USA
| | - Dirk Engels
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Zeleke Mekonnen
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Pathology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Antonio Montresor
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sopheak Hem
- Clinical Laboratory, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | - Nguyen Thu Huong
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Gagandeep Kang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Jozef Vercruysse
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Savadelis MD, Evans CC, Mabry KH, LeFavi LN, Klink BD, von Simson C, Moorhead AR. Canine gastrointestinal nematode transmission potential in municipal dog parks in the southeast United States. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2019; 18:100324. [PMID: 31796199 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Monthly canine parasite prophylactic products prevent not only adult heartworm infection, but also patent infections with specific gastrointestinal parasites. While most monthly products control and treat certain hookworm and roundworm infections, fewer are labeled for whipworm (Trichuris vulpis). Therefore, we hypothesized that fecal samples collected from municipal dog parks will have a greater prevalence of whipworm eggs compared to hookworm and roundworm eggs. In this study, canine fecal samples were collected from municipal dog parks in three southeastern states, with up to 20 fecal samples were collected from each park. A total of 200 fecal samples were obtained from dog parks in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. All fecal samples were examined for the presence of gastrointestinal helminths by a simple centrifugal flotation using sheather's sugar flotation solution. Of the 200 samples collected, 27% were positive for gastrointestinal helminths by fecal flotation. Of these infected fecal samples, 8.5%, 17%, and 1.5% contained whipworm, hookworm, and roundworm, respectively. However, the majority of hookworm-positive samples were collected from one park, whereas whipworm and roundworm samples were collected from multiple parks. These results could indicate that dogs are at risk of infection by all three parasites at dog parks, and that preventive strategies may need to be tailored not only to the specific region, but to specific infected dog parks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly D Savadelis
- University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA, USA.
| | | | - Kristen H Mabry
- University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Leanne N LeFavi
- University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA, USA.
| | | | | | - Andrew R Moorhead
- University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA, USA.
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Mohd-Shaharuddin N, Lim YAL, Hassan NA, Nathan S, Ngui R. Molecular characterization of Trichuris species isolated from humans, dogs and cats in a rural community in Peninsular Malaysia. Acta Trop 2019; 190:269-272. [PMID: 30500371 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) are soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) that causing trichuriasis in human. Trichuris vulpis, a canine whipworm has also been reported occasionally in humans. However, an overlapping dimension in the morphology and due to limited external characters between both species may lead to the potential for misidentification. Although there has been an extensive study on the distribution of whipworm in both human and animal hosts, little is known about the molecular epidemiology of Trichuris species in both hosts. To investigate to characterize the whipworm species and to determine the genetic relationship between species infecting both humans and animals, we sequenced the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) regions of Trichuris egg isolated from humans, dogs and cats in a rural community in Malaysia. A total of 524 fresh fecal samples were collected from humans and animals. The overall prevalence of Trichuris was 59.9% as determined by microscopy examination. The molecular analysis showed that 98.7% were identified as T. trichiura in the human fecal sample. Interestingly, 1.3% were identified as T. vulpis. As for animal fecal sample, 56.8% and 43.2% were identified as T. trichiura and T. vulpis, respectively. Phylogenetic and sequence analysis demonstrated that T. trichiura isolates were genetically distinct from T. vulpis isolates from both hosts. This finding implies that companion animals can be a reservoir and mechanical transmitter for T. trichiura infection in human and also highlighting the possible zoonotic potential of T. vulpis. This finding may also suggest that cross-transmission between humans and animal hosts in sympatric setting may be a source of infection in both hosts. More studies are needed to better understand the transmission dynamic and public health significance of Trichuris infection in both hosts.
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Adolph C, Barnett S, Beall M, Drake J, Elsemore D, Thomas J, Little S. Diagnostic strategies to reveal covert infections with intestinal helminths in dogs. Vet Parasitol 2017; 247:108-112. [PMID: 29080756 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal helminths are common in dogs in the United States, particularly non-treated dogs in animal shelters, but surveys by fecal flotation may underestimate their prevalence. To determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths and evaluate the ability of fecal flotation and detection of nematode antigen to identify those infections, contents of the entire gastrointestinal tract of 97 adult (>1year) dogs previously identified for humane euthanasia at two animal control shelters in northeastern Oklahoma, USA, were screened. All helminths recovered were washed in saline and fixed prior to enumeration and identification to genus and species. Fecal samples from each dog were examined by passive sodium nitrate (SG 1.33) and centrifugal sugar solution (SG 1.25) flotation. Fecal antigen detection assays were used to confirm the presence of nematode antigen in frozen fecal samples from 92 dogs. Necropsy examination revealed Ancylostoma caninum in 45/97 (46.4%), Toxocara canis in 11/97 (11.3%), Trichuris vulpis in 38/97 (39.2%), Dipylidium caninum in 48/97 (49.5%), and Taenia sp. in 7/97 (7.2%) dogs. Passive fecal flotation identified 38/45 (84.4%) A. caninum, 6/11 (54.5%) T. canis, 26/38 (68.4%) T. vulpis, 2/48 (4.2%) D. caninum, and 1/7 (14.3%) Taenia sp. infections, while centrifugal flotation combined with antigen detection assays identified A. caninum in 97.7% (43/44), T. canis in 77.8% (7/9), and T. vulpis in 83.3% (30/36) of infected dogs based on necropsy recovery of nematodes. Taken together, these data indicate that detection of nematode antigen is a useful adjunct to microscopic examination of fecal samples for parasite eggs, and that this approach can improve diagnostic sensitivity for intestinal nematode infections in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Adolph
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA; Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jennifer Thomas
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Susan Little
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
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Rehbein S, Dorr P, Bowman DD, Crafford D, Kusi I, Postoli R, Yoon S, Chester ST, Dollhofer D, Visser M, Larsen DL. Efficacy of afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewable tablets against naturally acquired intestinal nematodes in dogs. Vet Parasitol 2016; 217:29-35. [PMID: 26827857 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of oral afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime combination chewable tablets (NexGard Spectra, Merial) against naturally acquired intestinal nematode infections in dogs was evaluated in six negative control, blinded studies including a total of 114 dogs. Dogs were selected based on a pre-treatment fecal examination indicating patent infections with hookworms (two studies), Toxocara or Toxascaris ascarids (one study each) or Trichuris whipworms (two studies). In each study, dogs were assigned to blocks of two animals each, based on decreasing pre-treatment body weight and were randomly allocated to one of two groups consisting of eight, nine or 10 dogs: untreated (control) or treated with the combination chewable tablet formulation. Chewable tablets were combined to provide doses of actives as close as possible to the minimum effective dose of afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime, i.e., 2.5 mg/kg body weight and 0.5 mg/kg body weight, respectively, once on Day 0. For parasite recovery and count, dogs were euthanized humanely and necropsied seven or eight days after treatment. A single treatment with afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewable tablets provided 94.8% and 90.9% efficacy against adult Ancylostoma braziliense and A. caninum, respectively, 97.8% and 99.4% efficacy against adult Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina, respectively, and ≥98.3% efficacy against adult Trichuris vulpis. Compared to untreated controls, nematode counts of the treated dogs were significantly reduced (F-test; p<0.002). In addition, analysis of the pooled data across studies revealed that treatment with afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewable tablets reduced adult Uncinaria stenocephala burdens by 74.9% (p=0.002). All dogs tolerated the treatment well based on clinical observations post-treatment and daily clinical observations. No adverse experiences or other clinical problems related to the treatment were observed throughout the studies. The results of this series of controlled studies demonstrated high efficacy and excellent acceptability and safety of the afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewable tablets when administered for treatment of a broad range of canine intestinal nematode infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Rehbein
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany.
| | - Paul Dorr
- Merial, Inc., Missouri Research Center, 6498 Jade Road, Fulton, MO 65251, USA
| | - Dwight D Bowman
- Cheri Hill Kennel & Supply, Inc., 17190 Polk Road, Stanwood, MI, USA
| | - Dionne Crafford
- ClinVet International (Pty) Ltd., Uitsig Road, Bainsvlei, 9321 Bloemfontein, South Africa; University of Johannesburg, c/o Kingsway and University Road, Aucklandpark, Jonannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ilir Kusi
- Universiteti Bujqësor, Fakulteti i Mjekësisë Veterinare, Kodër Kamëz, Tirana, Albania
| | - Rezart Postoli
- Universiteti Bujqësor, Fakulteti i Mjekësisë Veterinare, Kodër Kamëz, Tirana, Albania
| | - Stephen Yoon
- Merial, Inc., 3239 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096, USA
| | | | - Doris Dollhofer
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Martin Visser
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Diane L Larsen
- Merial, Inc., 3239 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096, USA
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Márquez-Navarro A, García-Bracamontes G, Alvarez-Fernández BE, Ávila-Caballero LP, Santos-Aranda I, Díaz-Chiguer DL, Sánchez-Manzano RM, Rodríguez-Bataz E, Nogueda-Torres B. Trichuris vulpis (Froelich, 1789) infection in a child: a case report. Korean J Parasitol 2012; 50:69-71. [PMID: 22451737 PMCID: PMC3309054 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2012.50.1.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 11/02/2011] [Revised: 12/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We present a human infection with the canine whipworm, Trichuris vulpis, in a child suffering from rhinitis with a diagnosis of rhinitis. T. vulpis eggs resemble those of T. trichiura but they can be differentiated based on their morphological features and egg size, using micrometry with an ocular micrometer. T. vulpis eggs measured an average of 90 µm by 44 µm (range 86-99 µm by 38-47 µm). Prevalence of hookworms (28.1%), Toxocara canis (11.8%), and Trichuris vulpis (3.5%) was found in 292 fecal samples of dogs collected at the peri-domicile, which showed that the risk of infection was not only fortuitous. The treatment of canine whipworm infections is similar to that of T. trichiura infection. We recommend differentiation of the 2 species for their epidemiological and prevention implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Márquez-Navarro
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas-IPN, México DF, 11340, México
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Tarsitano E, Greco G, Decaro N, Nicassio F, Lucente MS, Buonavoglia C, Tempesta M. Environmental monitoring and analysis of faecal contamination in an urban setting in the city of Bari (Apulia region, Italy): health and hygiene implications. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2010; 7:3972-86. [PMID: 21139871 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7113972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2010] [Revised: 10/30/2010] [Accepted: 11/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have been conducted in Italy to quantify the potential risk associated with dynamics and distribution of pathogens in urban settings. The aim of this study was to acquire data on the environmental faecal contamination in urban ecosystems, by assessing the presence of pathogens in public areas in the city of Bari (Apulia region, Italy). To determine the degree of environmental contamination, samples of dog faeces and bird guano were collected from different areas in the city of Bari (park green areas, playgrounds, public housing areas, parkways, and a school). A total of 152 canine faecal samples, in 54 pools, and two samples of pigeon guano from 66 monitored sites were examined. No samples were found in 12 areas spread over nine sites. Chlamydophila psittaci was detected in seven canine and two pigeon guano samples. Salmonella species were not found. On the other hand, four of 54 canine faecal samples were positive for reovirus. Thirteen canine faecal samples were positive for parasite eggs: 8/54 samples contained Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina eggs and 5/54 samples contained Ancylostoma caninum eggs. Our study showed that public areas are often contaminated by potentially zoonotic pathogens.
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