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Schumm YR, Lederer-Ponzer N, Masello JF, Quillfeldt P. High prevalence of haemosporidian parasites in Eurasian jays. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:182. [PMID: 38622257 PMCID: PMC11018679 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08170-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Avian haemosporidians are vector-borne parasites, infecting a great variety of birds. The order Passeriformes has the highest average infection probability; nevertheless, some common species of Passeriformes have been rather poorly studied. We investigated haemosporidians in one such species, the Eurasian jay Garrulus glandarius (Corvidae), from a forest population in Hesse, Central Germany. All individuals were infected with at least one haemosporidian genus (overall prevalence: 100%). The most common infection pattern was a mixed Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon infection, whereas no Plasmodium infection was detected. Results on lineage diversity indicate a rather pronounced host-specificity of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon lineages infecting birds of the family Corvidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne R Schumm
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Naemi Lederer-Ponzer
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Juan F Masello
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, Republic of South Africa
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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2
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Filipe AM, Levytska V, Jalovecka M. Babesia divergens. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:271-272. [PMID: 38104025 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Filipe
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Viktoriya Levytska
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Jalovecka
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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3
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Cai Y, Xu B, Liu X, Yang W, Mo Z, Zheng B, Chen J, Hu W. Transmission risk evaluation of transfusion blood containing low-density Babesia microti. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1334426. [PMID: 38375363 PMCID: PMC10875030 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1334426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Babesia is a unique apicomplexan parasite that specifically invades and proliferates in red blood cells and can be transmitted via blood transfusion, resulting in transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. However, detecting Babesia in blood before transfusion has not received enough attention, and the risk of transfusing blood containing a low density of Babesia microti (B. microti) is unclear, possibly threatening public health and wellness. Purpose This study aimed to determine the lower detection limit of B. microti in blood and to evaluate the transmission risk of blood transfusion containing low-density B. microti. Methods Infected BALB/c mouse models were established by transfusing infected whole blood with different infection rates and densities of B. microti. Microscopic examination, nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested PCR), and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to evaluate the infection status of the mouse models. Meanwhile, the nested PCR detection limit of B. microti was obtained using pure B. microti DNA samples with serial concentrations and whole blood samples with different densities of B. microti-infected red blood cells. Thereafter, whole mouse blood with a B. microti density lower than that of the nested PCR detection limit and human blood samples infected with B. microti were transfused into healthy mice to assess the transmission risk in mouse models. The infection status of these mice was evaluated through microscopic examination, nested PCR tests, and ELISA. Results The mice inoculated with different densities of B. microti reached the peak infection rate on different days. Overall, the higher the blood B. microti density was, the earlier the peak infection rate was reached. The levels of specific antibodies against B. microti in the blood of the infected mice increased sharply during the first 30 days of infection, reaching a peak level at 60 days post-infection, and maintaining a high level thereafter. The nested PCR detection limits of B. microti DNA and parasite density were 3 fg and 5.48 parasites/μL, respectively. The whole blood containing an extremely low density of B. microti and human blood samples infected with B. microti could infect mice, confirming the transmission risk of transfusing blood with low-density B. microti. Conclusion Whole blood containing extremely low density of B. microti poses a high transmission risk when transfused between mice and mice or human and mice, suggesting that Babesia detection should be considered by governments, hospitals, and disease prevention and control centers as a mandatory test before blood donation or transfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchun Cai
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases at Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases at Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiufeng Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenwu Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziran Mo
- The institutes of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases at Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaxu Chen
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases at Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases at Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The institutes of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
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4
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Kim M, Rueda L, Packham A, Moore J, Wuertz S, Shapiro K. Molecular detection and viability discrimination of zoonotic protozoan pathogens in oysters and seawater. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 407:110391. [PMID: 37742524 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The presence of foodborne protozoan pathogens including Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia duodenalis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Cyclospora cayetanensis in commercial shellfish has been reported across diverse geographical regions. In the present study, a novel multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was validated to simultaneously detect and discriminate these four targeted parasites in oyster tissues including whole tissue homogenate, digestive gland, gills, and hemolymph, as well as seawater where shellfish grow. To differentiate viable and non-viable protozoan (oo)cysts, we further evaluated reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays through systematic laboratory spiking experiments by spiking not only dilutions of viable parasites but also mixtures of viable and non-viable parasites in the oyster tissues and seawater. Results demonstrate that multiplex PCR can detect as few as 5-10 (oo)cysts in at least one oyster matrix, as well as in 10 L of seawater. All parasites were detected at the lowest spiking dilution (5 (oo)cysts per extract) in hemolymph, however the probability of detection varied across the difference matrices tested for each parasite. RT-qPCR further discriminated viable from non-viable (heat-inactivated) C. parvum and T. gondii in seawater and hemolymph but did not perform well in other oyster matrices. This systematic spiking study demonstrates that a molecular approach combining multiplex PCR for sensitive and affordable screening of protozoan DNA and subsequent RT-qPCR assay for viability discrimination presents an important advance for accurately determining the risk of protozoal illness in humans due to consumption of contaminated shellfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minji Kim
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Lezlie Rueda
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Andrea Packham
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - James Moore
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bodega Marine Laboratory, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA; Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Stefan Wuertz
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 637551, Singapore; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NTU, Singapore 639798, Singapore; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Karen Shapiro
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Richins T, Houghton K, Barratt J, H. Sapp SG, Peterson A, Qvarnstrom Y. Comparison of two novel one-tube nested real-time qPCR assays to detect human-infecting Cyclospora spp. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0138823. [PMID: 37819113 PMCID: PMC10715049 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01388-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Human-infecting Cyclospora spp. cause gastrointestinal distress among healthy individuals contributing to morbidity and putting stress on the economics of countries and companies in the form of produce recalls. Accessible and easy-to-use diagnostic tools available to a wide variety of laboratories would aid in the early detection of possible outbreaks of cyclosporiasis. This, in turn, will assist in the timely traceback investigation to the suspected source of an outbreak by informing the smallest possible recall and protecting consumers from contaminated produce. This manuscript describes two novel detection methods with improved performance for the causative agents of cyclosporiasis when compared to the currently used 18S assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Richins
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parasitic Disease Branch, Atlanta, USA
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Joel Barratt
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parasitic Disease Branch, Atlanta, USA
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah G. H. Sapp
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parasitic Disease Branch, Atlanta, USA
| | - Anna Peterson
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parasitic Disease Branch, Atlanta, USA
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yvonne Qvarnstrom
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parasitic Disease Branch, Atlanta, USA
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Fonseca MS, Santos AJ, Mendonça MA, Rodamilans GM, Marques FS, Biondi I, Lira-da-Silva RM, Aburjaile FF, Sokolonski AR, Soares RP, Meyer R, Portela RW. Trypanosoma sp. infection in Boa constrictor snakes: morphological, hematological, clinical biochemistry, molecular, and phylogenetic characteristics. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:21. [PMID: 38072845 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08023-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
There are few reports of Trypanosoma in snakes, as well as little information about its pathogenicity in these animals. Thus, the present study aimed to characterize Trypanosoma found in Boa constrictor snakes, to verify the influence of the parasitism on hematological and clinical biochemistry parameters, and to perform a phylogenetic study of the isolates. Blood samples from sixty-one boas were analyzed for the presence of trypanosomatids and by hematological and clinical biochemistry assays. The flagellates that were found in this analysis were used for cell culture, morphometry, and molecular analysis. Later, molecular typing phylogenetic studies were performed. Nine positive animals (14.75%) were identified by microscopy analysis. The hematological results showed that parasitized animals presented significantly lower levels of packed cell volume, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. In the leukogram, eosinophils and heterophils counts were higher in parasitized animals. Considering the molecular analyses, the isolates presented a higher identity of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene fragments with Trypanosoma serpentis. The phylogenetic tree, using the GAPDH, clustered all isolates with T. serpentis and Trypanosoma cascavelli. This is the first description of T. serpentis parasitizing boas and of the clinical changes caused by trypanosomatid infection in snakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maisa S Fonseca
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Bahia State, Salvador, 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Anderson J Santos
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Bahia State, Salvador, 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Marcos A Mendonça
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Bahia State, Salvador, 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Gustavo M Rodamilans
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Bahia State, Salvador, 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Franciane S Marques
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Bahia State, Salvador, 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Ilka Biondi
- Laboratório de Animais Peçonhentos e Herpetologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Bahia State, Feira de Santana, 44036-960, Brazil
| | - Rejane M Lira-da-Silva
- Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia e Animais Peçonhentos da Bahia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia State, 40170-290, Brazil
| | - Flavia F Aburjaile
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ana R Sokolonski
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Bahia State, Salvador, 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo P Soares
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Roberto Meyer
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Bahia State, Salvador, 40110-100, Brazil
| | - Ricardo W Portela
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Bahia State, Salvador, 40110-100, Brazil.
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Dubiec A, Atamas N, Ledwoń M. Very low prevalence of haemosporidian parasites in two species of marsh terns. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:3063-3075. [PMID: 37907627 PMCID: PMC10667446 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07997-y] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Vector-transmitted haemosporidians are among the most common parasites in birds, but our knowledge of the inter-specific patterns of infection rates and the parasite community composition is far from complete because of the unequal distribution of the screening effort across bird families and genera. To assess infection rates and the diversity of haemosporidians from the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon in marsh terns, which represent poorly explored in this regard genus of the family gulls, terns, and skimmers (Laridae), we screened two species: the Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) and the Black Tern (Chlidonias niger). We sampled these long-distance migratory birds on breeding grounds: the Whiskered Tern in south-central Poland and north-central Ukraine, and the Black Tern-in north-central Ukraine. We found that birds from both species were infected only sporadically, with prevalence at the population level not exceeding 3.4%. Only parasites from the genera Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon were detected. There was neither an inter-specific difference nor a difference between populations of the Whiskered Tern in infection rates. In total, we registered three lineages-one Plasmodium and two Leucocytozoon-that were previously recorded in other bird species, and two unidentified Plasmodium infections. One of the lineages (Leucocytozoon LARCAC02) represents a specialist parasite with the host range restricted to larids and geographic range restricted to Poland, and two others (Plasmodium SGS1 and Leucocytozoon CIAE02) represent generalist parasites with very broad host and geographic ranges. This study reinforces the existing evidence that terns host parasites from genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon only sporadically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dubiec
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wilcza 64, 00-679, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Natalia Atamas
- Department of Animal Monitoring and Conservation, Laboratory of Population Ecology, I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, B. Khmelnytskoho Str., 15, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine
| | - Mateusz Ledwoń
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Cracow, Poland
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Ali SH, Ismail MAM, El-Badry AA, Abu-Sarea EY, Dewidar AM, Hamdy DA. An Association Between Blastocystis Subtypes and Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Significant Different Profile from Non-cancer Individuals. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:752-763. [PMID: 35067864 PMCID: PMC8784229 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00508-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Blastocystis is a common enteric human parasite of non-conclusive pathogenicity which may be determined by subtype (ST) variation. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered one of the primary causes of cancer mortality. Blastocystis ST7 has been shown to reduce beneficial intestinal microbiota and may exacerbate CRC. This study assessed the possible association between Blastocystis STs and CRC in comparison to non-cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 200 fecal samples were obtained from CRC (100) and non-CRC (100) individuals attending Beni-Suef University Hospital, Egypt. Blastocystis was searched for in all samples using microscopy and culturing. Positive subculture samples were genetically sequenced and subtyped using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blastocystis STs were determined by sequencing and a phylogenetic tree was created. Related patient characteristics and tumor stages were analyzed for association with presence of Blastocystis. RESULTS Blastocystis was identified in 52% and 42% of CRC and non-cancer individuals, respectively. ST1, 2, and 3 were isolated from both cancer and non-cancer individuals; however, for the first time, ST7 was only isolated from CRC stool samples with significant association. Associated patient characteristics were evaluated as predictors. CONCLUSION Blastocystosis is highly prevalent in CRC patients, predominantly in the latest CRC grades and stages. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the identification of Blastocystis ST7 in CRC patients. To determine whether certain STs of Blastocystis are associated with CRC would require further research, including the role played by gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa H. Ali
- Department of Medical Parasitology, College of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| | - Mousa A. M. Ismail
- Department of Medical Parasitology, College of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ayman A. El-Badry
- Department of Microbiology-Medical Parasitology Section, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Enas Y. Abu-Sarea
- Department of Medical Parasitology, College of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| | - Ahmad M. Dewidar
- Department of Oncology, College of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| | - Doaa A. Hamdy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, College of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
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9
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Brustel J, Muramoto T, Fumimoto K, Ellins J, Pears CJ, Lakin ND. Linking DNA repair and cell cycle progression through serine ADP-ribosylation of histones. Nat Commun 2022; 13:185. [PMID: 35027540 PMCID: PMC8758696 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27867-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Although serine ADP-ribosylation (Ser-ADPr) by Poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerases is a cornerstone of the DNA damage response, how this regulates DNA repair and genome stability is unknown. Here, we exploit the ability to manipulate histone genes in Dictyostelium to identify that ADPr of the histone variant H3b at S10 and S28 maintains genome stability by integrating double strand break (DSB) repair with mitotic entry. Given the critical requirement for mitotic H3S10/28 phosphorylation, we develop separation of function mutations that maintain S10 phosphorylation whilst disrupting ADPr. Mechanistically, this reveals a requirement for H3bS10/28 ADPr in non-homologous end-joining by recruiting Ku to DSBs. Moreover, this also identifies H3bS10/S28 ADPr is critical to prevent premature mitotic entry with unresolved DNA damage, thus maintaining genome stability. Together, these data demonstrate how serine ADPr of histones coordinates DNA repair with cell cycle progression to maintain genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Brustel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Tetsuya Muramoto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazuki Fumimoto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jessica Ellins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Catherine J Pears
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas D Lakin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK.
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Lee SH, Chong ST, Kim HC, Klein TA, Park K, Lee J, Kim JA, Kim WK, Song JW. Surveillance and Molecular Identification of Borrelia Species in Ticks Collected at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea, 2018-2019. J Med Entomol 2022; 59:363-371. [PMID: 34642760 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens are contributing factors for the increased incidence of vector-borne diseases throughout the world, including Lyme borreliosis, one of the most prevalent spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group. The present study focused on the detection of Borrelia species from hard ticks collected at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea (ROK), using molecular and genotypic analyses. Tick-borne disease surveillance was conducted from January to December, 2018-2019. A total of 24,281 ticks (2 genera and 5 species) were collected from road-killed Korean Water deer (KWD) and by tick drag. Haemaphysalis longicornis (92.0%) was the most commonly collected species, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (4.9%), Ixodes nipponensis (3.1%), Haemaphysalis phasiana (0.07%), and Haemaphysalis japonica (<0.01%). The ospA gene sequences of Borrelia afzelii were detected in 12/529 pools of I. nipponensis. Three and one pools were positive for B. afzelii and Borrelia miyamotoi, respectively, using the 16s rRNA gene. None of the pools of Haemaphysalis ticks collected from KWD or by tick drag were positive for Borrelia species. I. nipponensis was collected throughout the year from KWD and from February to November by tick drag, suggesting that they were active throughout the year, and expanding the risk period for acquiring Lyme borreliosis and Borrelia relapsing fever in the ROK. This study assessed disease risk factors associated with the prevalence of Lyme disease in ticks collected from KWD and by tick drag using molecular analysis. These results provide an understanding and awareness into the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Borrelia species in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Ho Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Chong
- Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine, Medical Department Activity-Korea/65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281 (Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea), APO, AP, USA
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine, Medical Department Activity-Korea/65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281 (Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea), APO, AP, USA
| | - Terry A Klein
- Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine, Medical Department Activity-Korea/65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281 (Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea), APO, AP, USA
| | - Kyungmin Park
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jingyeong Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Ah Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Diseases Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Keun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Won Song
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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11
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Karakavuk M, Can H, Aldemir D, Döndüren Ö, Karakavuk T, Karakavuk E, Özdemir HG, Muz MN, Gürüz AY, Döşkaya M. Presence of Neospora caninum DNA of Wild Birds from Turkey. Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2021; 45:231-236. [PMID: 34889187 DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2021.69188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neospora caninum is a protozoon parasite that has a worldwide distribution and mainly causes abortion in cattle and current serological evidence shows that the disease may be also zoonotic. Wild birds play a role as a reservoir of the disease in nature. The study aimed to determine the prensence of N. caninum in wild birds. METHODS In this study, the presence of neosporosis in wild birds (n=55) including 22 different species found in the western side of Turkey, was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, PCR positive samples were confirmed by sequencing, BLAST, and phylogenetic analysis using MEGA7. RESULTS Obtained results showed that the presence of N. caninum DNA was 5.45% (3/55) in brain-heart homogenates wild birds. The bird species which were found positive for N. caninum were little owl (Athene noctua), common buzzard (Buteo buteo), and little tern (Sternula albifrons). According to phylogenetic analysis and BLAST, all samples were compatible with reference N. caninum isolates. CONCLUSION To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first study detecting N. caninum in little tern. In future studies, it may be interesting to investigate the prevalence of N. caninum in other wild animals to elucidate the transmission properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University, Ödemiş, Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Section of Molecular Biology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Duygu Aldemir
- İzmir Natural Life Park Branch Directorate, Municipality of İzmir, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ömer Döndüren
- The Protection and Development Union of İzmir Bird Paradise, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | | | | | - Mustafa Necati Muz
- Namık Kemal University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
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12
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Bettadapur A, Hunter SS, Suleiman RL, Ruyechan MC, Huang W, Barbieri CG, Miller HW, Tam TSY, Settles ML, Ralston KS. Establishment of quantitative RNAi-based forward genetics in Entamoeba histolytica and identification of genes required for growth. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010088. [PMID: 34843592 PMCID: PMC8716031 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010088] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
While Entamoeba histolytica remains a globally important pathogen, it is dramatically understudied. The tractability of E. histolytica has historically been limited, which is largely due to challenging features of its genome. To enable forward genetics, we constructed and validated the first genome-wide E. histolytica RNAi knockdown mutant library. This library allows for Illumina deep sequencing analysis for quantitative identification of mutants that are enriched or depleted after selection. We developed a novel analysis pipeline to precisely define and quantify gene fragments. We used the library to perform the first RNAi screen in E. histolytica and identified slow growth (SG) mutants. Among genes targeted in SG mutants, many had annotated functions consistent with roles in cellular growth or metabolic pathways. Some targeted genes were annotated as hypothetical or lacked annotated domains, supporting the power of forward genetics in uncovering functional information that cannot be gleaned from databases. While the localization of neither of the proteins targeted in SG1 nor SG2 mutants could be predicted by sequence analysis, we showed experimentally that SG1 localized to the cytoplasm and cell surface, while SG2 localized to the cytoplasm. Overexpression of SG1 led to increased growth, while expression of a truncation mutant did not lead to increased growth, and thus aided in defining functional domains in this protein. Finally, in addition to establishing forward genetics, we uncovered new details of the unusual E. histolytica RNAi pathway. These studies dramatically improve the tractability of E. histolytica and open up the possibility of applying genetics to improve understanding of this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhila Bettadapur
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Samuel S. Hunter
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Rene L. Suleiman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Maura C. Ruyechan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Wesley Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | | | - Hannah W. Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Tammie S. Y. Tam
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew L. Settles
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Katherine S. Ralston
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
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Nemati S, Zali MR, Johnson P, Mirjalali H, Karanis P. Molecular prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. in Asia and in Australia. J Water Health 2021; 19:687-704. [PMID: 34665764 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2021.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a prevalent protozoan parasite reported in humans, animals, and environmental samples. Over the past decade, numerous studies have investigated the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. alongside with its genetic and biochemical features. However, studies on subtype distribution of this protozoan in humans, animals, and environmental samples represent the potential transmission routes. In this review, we evaluated studies performed in Asian countries and in Australia to provide an overview of environmental factors on the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. among humans, animals, and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Nemati
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail:
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Paul Johnson
- Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Nicosia University Medical School, Nicosia 2408, Cyprus
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail:
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Nicosia University Medical School, Nicosia 2408, Cyprus; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Divis PCS, Hu TH, Kadir KA, Mohammad DSA, Hii KC, Daneshvar C, Conway DJ, Singh B. Efficient Surveillance of Plasmodium knowlesi Genetic Subpopulations, Malaysian Borneo, 2000-2018. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 26:1392-1398. [PMID: 32568035 PMCID: PMC7323547 DOI: 10.3201/eid2607.190924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Population genetic analysis revealed that Plasmodium knowlesi infections in Malaysian Borneo are caused by 2 divergent parasites associated with long-tailed (cluster 1) and pig-tailed (cluster 2) macaques. Because the transmission ecology is likely to differ for each macaque species, we developed a simple genotyping PCR to efficiently distinguish between and survey the 2 parasite subpopulations. This assay confirmed differences in the relative proportions in areas of Kapit division of Sarawak state, consistent with multilocus microsatellite analyses. Analyses of 1,204 human infections at Kapit Hospital showed that cluster 1 caused approximately two thirds of cases with no significant temporal changes from 2000 to 2018. We observed an apparent increase in overall numbers in the most recent 2 years studied, driven mainly by increased cluster 1 parasite infections. Continued monitoring of the frequency of different parasite subpopulations and correlation with environmental alterations are necessary to determine whether the epidemiology will change substantially.
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15
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Seo MG, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Diversity and genotypic analysis of tick-borne pathogens carried by ticks infesting horses in Korea. Med Vet Entomol 2021; 35:213-218. [PMID: 32989737 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12483] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ticks account for an extensive range of health and welfare issues in horses. In addition, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) limit global animal trading and equine sporting events. Here, we assess the prevalence, co-infectivity and risk factors of TBPs in horse ticks in Korea. A total of 245 hard ticks, including 103 male and 142 female adults, were obtained from horses on Jeju Island during the spring to autumn seasons of 2013-2019. All collected ticks were identified as adult Haemaphysalis longicornis. We screened and analyzed each tick for the presence of several TBPs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Among the 245 ticks, we detected genes for three TBPs, Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii (22.9%), Ehrlichia canis (0.4%) and Theileria luwenshuni (0.4%), while Anaplasma spp. was not detected. TBPs were most prevalent in ticks harvested during the autumn season, and more abundant in the female than male adults. This is the first report of the genera Ehrlichia, Rickettsia and Theileria in horse ticks in Korea. TBPs in horse ticks are likely a reservoir for zoonotic transmission to other animals, including humans. Our findings demonstrate the need for further understanding of the prevalence and epidemiology of TBPs in wild and domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-G Seo
- Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea
| | - O-D Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - D Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
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16
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Valkiūnas G, Ilgūnas M, Bukauskaitė D, Duc M, Iezhova TA. Description of Haemoproteus asymmetricus n. sp. (Haemoproteidae), with remarks on predictability of the DNA haplotype networks in haemosporidian parasite taxonomy research. Acta Trop 2021; 218:105905. [PMID: 33775628 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Haemoproteus species (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) are cosmopolitan blood parasites, which have been neglected for over 100-years, but attracted attention recently due to reports of severe and even lethal haemoproteosis in birds and vectors. Approximately 150 species of avian Haemoproteus have been described and named, but molecular data suggest that hundreds of independently evolving molecular lineages might occur, indicating the existence of a remarkable undescribed species diversity. It is timely to develop a methodology, which allow the application of available genetic data in taxonomy of haemosporidians on species levels. This study aimed to test a hypothesis suggesting that DNA haplotype networks might aid in targeting genetically distinct, but still undescribed parasites, and might be used to direct taxonomic studies on haemosporidian species levels. Mainly, we tested a prediction that the lineage hTUPHI01, a common Haemoproteus parasite of Turdus philomelos, might be a new species, which is morphologically similar and genetically closely related to the parasites of Haemoproteus minutus group. Blood samples of T. philomelos naturally infected with this parasite lineage were collected and studied using microscopic examination of blood films and PCR-based methods. Haemoproteus asymmetricus n. sp. was found in this bird, described and characterised molecularly using partial cytochrome b (cytb) sequences. The new species shared some features with parasites of the H. minutus group, as was predicted by the DNA haplotype network. Due to the visualisation of closely related lineages as well as the evaluation of their host and geographic distributions, DNA haplotype networks can be recommended as the helpful methodology, able to direct and speed practical work on parasite species taxonomy and pathogen biodiversity. The combined molecular phylogenetic and morphological approaches showed that the well-supported clades in Bayesian phylogenetic trees based on the partial cytb gene sequences contain morphologically remarkably different Haemoproteus parasite species, which however, share some basic biological features. Phylogenetic analysis can be used for prediction of these basic features in still undescribed parasites. This study calls for further fusion of advanced molecular and microscopy approaches for better understanding haemosporidian parasite biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikas Ilgūnas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 08412, Lithuania
| | | | - Mélanie Duc
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 08412, Lithuania
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McDaniels JM, Huckaby AC, Carter SA, Lingeman S, Francis A, Congdon M, Santos W, Rathod PK, Guler JL. Extrachromosomal DNA amplicons in antimalarial-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Microbiol 2021; 115:574-590. [PMID: 33053232 PMCID: PMC8246734 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Extrachromosomal (ec) DNAs are genetic elements that exist separately from the genome. Since ecDNA can carry beneficial genes, they are a powerful adaptive mechanism in cancers and many pathogens. For the first time, we report ecDNA contributing to antimalarial resistance in Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent human malaria parasite. Using pulse field gel electrophoresis combined with PCR-based copy number analysis, we detected two ecDNA elements that differ in migration and structure. Entrapment in the electrophoresis well and low susceptibility to exonucleases revealed that the biologically relevant ecDNA element is large and complex in structure. Using deep sequencing, we show that ecDNA originates from the chromosome and expansion of an ecDNA-specific sequence may improve its segregation or expression. We speculate that ecDNA is maintained using established mechanisms due to shared characteristics with the mitochondrial genome. Implications of ecDNA discovery in this organism are wide-reaching due to the potential for new strategies to target resistance development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam C. Huckaby
- Department of BiologyUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVAUSA
| | | | | | - Audrey Francis
- Department of BiologyUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVAUSA
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer L. Guler
- Department of BiologyUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVAUSA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International HealthDepartment of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVAUSA
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18
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Capone D, Chigwechokha P, de los Reyes FL, Holm RH, Risk BB, Tilley E, Brown J. Impact of sampling depth on pathogen detection in pit latrines. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009176. [PMID: 33651818 PMCID: PMC7954291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) is increasingly used to provide decision makers with actionable data about community health. WBE efforts to date have primarily focused on sewer-transported wastewater in high-income countries, but at least 1.8 billion people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) use onsite sanitation systems such as pit latrines and septic tanks. Like wastewater, fecal sludges from such systems offer similar advantages in community pathogen monitoring and other epidemiological applications. To evaluate the distribution of enteric pathogens inside pit latrines-which could inform sampling methods for WBE in LMIC settings unserved by sewers-we collected fecal sludges from the surface, mid-point, and maximum-depth of 33 pit latrines in urban and peri-urban Malawi and analyzed the 99 samples for 20 common enteric pathogens via multiplex quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Using logistic regression adjusted for household population, latrine sharing, the presence of a concrete floor or slab, water source, and anal cleansing materials, we found no significant difference in the odds of detecting the 20 pathogens from the mid-point (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 1.1; 95% confidence interval = 0.73, 1.6) and surface samples (aOR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.54, 1.2) compared with those samples taken from the maximum depth. Our results suggest that, for the purposes of routine pathogen monitoring, pit latrine sampling depth does not strongly influence the odds of detecting enteric pathogens by molecular methods. A single sample from the pit latrines' surface, or a composite of surface samples, may be preferred as the most recent material contributed to the pit and may be easiest to collect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Capone
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Petros Chigwechokha
- Directorate of Research, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Francis L. de los Reyes
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rochelle H. Holm
- Centre of Excellence in Water and Sanitation, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu, Malawi
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Benjamin B. Risk
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Tilley
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Joe Brown
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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Ok JH, Jeong HJ, Lee SY, Park SA, Noh JH. Shimiella gen. nov. and Shimiella gracilenta sp. nov. (Dinophyceae, Kareniaceae), a Kleptoplastidic Dinoflagellate from Korean Waters and its Survival under Starvation. J Phycol 2021; 57:70-91. [PMID: 32880944 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A small dinoflagellate, ~13 μm in cell length, was isolated from Jinhae Bay, Korea. Light microscopy showed that it was similar to the kleptoplastidic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium gracilentum nom. inval. rDNA sequences were obtained and its anatomy and morphology described using light and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that it belonged to the family Kareniaceae. However, its large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences were 5.2-9.5% different from those of the other five genera in the family, and its clade was clearly divergent from that of each genus. Its overall morphology was different from those of the other five genera in the family and from Gymnodinium. Unlike Gymnodinium, this dinoflagellate did not have a horseshoe-shaped apical groove, nuclear envelope chambers, or a nuclear fibrous connective (NFC). It had an apical line of narrow amphiesmal vesicles and an elongated apical furrow crossing the apex. Cells were covered with polygonal amphiesmal vesicles arranged in 16 rows. Starved cells did not contain their own plastids, eyespots, pyrenoids, peridinin, or fucoxanthin. However, they could survive without added prey for approximately one month using chloroplasts from the cryptophyte prey Teleaulax amphioxeia, indicating kleptoplastidy. Because this taxon is genetically distinct at the generic rank from the other genera in Kareniaceae, it is placed in Shimiella gen. nov., and because G. gracilentum was invalid, the new bionomial S. gracilenta sp. nov. is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hee Ok
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Hae Jin Jeong
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
- Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Sung Yeon Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Sang Ah Park
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Noh
- Marine Ecosystem and Biological Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Busan, 49111, Korea
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de Melo GB, Bosqui LR, da Costa IN, de Paula FM, Gryschek RCB. Current status of research regarding Blastocystis sp., an enigmatic protist, in Brazil. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2021; 76:e2489. [PMID: 34231705 PMCID: PMC8240786 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2021/e2489] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Blastocystis sp. in Brazilian studies over a period of years (2000-2020), as well as point out relevant aspects of this enigmatic organism. We performed a literature search using six sources of international databases. The data were divided into diagnostic by parasitological and molecular techniques, and relevant aspects. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 52 studies were included in the final analysis. The occurrence of Blastocystis sp. in Brazil ranged from 0.5% to 86.6%, as determined using parasitological techniques. The highest occurrence was in the North (27.3%) and the lowest, in the Midwest region (13.4%). In Brazil, most studies have employed molecular techniques and are concentrated in the Southeast region. The Blastocystis sp. subtype ST3 had the highest average positivity, followed by ST1 and ST2. These findings represent a panorama that reflects the reality of Brazil; thus, we believe that the effectiveness of parasitological diagnosis should be considered with regard to making an appropriate choice of technique for detecting Blastocystis sp. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of further studies in the context of molecular epidemiology with regard to this genus. Blastocystis sp. is not well understood yet, and very little information regarding this genus is available; hence, further research regarding this genus is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gessica Baptista de Melo
- Laboratorio de Investigacao Medica (LIM06-Laboratorio de Imunopatologia da Esquistossome), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- Secao de Helmintologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical (IMT), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Larissa Rodrigues Bosqui
- Laboratorio de Imunoparasitologia das Doencas Negligenciadas e Cancer, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR, BR
| | - Idessania Nazareth da Costa
- Laboratorio de Imunoparasitologia das Doencas Negligenciadas e Cancer, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR, BR
| | - Fabiana Martins de Paula
- Laboratorio de Investigacao Medica (LIM06-Laboratorio de Imunopatologia da Esquistossome), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- Secao de Helmintologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical (IMT), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | - Ronaldo Cesar Borges Gryschek
- Laboratorio de Investigacao Medica (LIM06-Laboratorio de Imunopatologia da Esquistossome), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- Secao de Helmintologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical (IMT), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
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Ježková J, Prediger J, Holubová N, Sak B, Konečný R, Feng Y, Xiao L, Rost M, McEvoy J, Kváč M. Cryptosporidium ratti n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in brown rats ( Rattus norvegicus) in the Czech Republic. Parasitology 2021; 148:84-97. [PMID: 32981543 PMCID: PMC11010154 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020001833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The diversity and biology of Cryptosporidium that is specific for rats (Rattus spp.) are not well studied. We examined the occurrence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequencing targeting the small subunit rDNA (SSU), actin and HSP70 genes. Out of 343 faecal samples tested, none were positive by microscopy and 55 were positive by PCR. Sequence analysis of SSU gene revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium muris (n = 4), C. andersoni (n = 3), C. ryanae (n = 1), C. occultus (n = 3), Cryptosporidium rat genotype I (n = 23), Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV (n = 16) and novel Cryptosporidium rat genotype V (n = 5). Spherical oocysts of Cryptosporidium rat genotype I obtained from naturally-infected rats, measuring 4.4-5.4 μm × 4.3-5.1 μm, were infectious to the laboratory rats, but not to the BALB/c mice (Mus musculus) nor Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). The prepatent period was 3 days post infection and the patent period was longer than 30 days. Naturally- and experimentally-infected rats showed no clinical signs of disease. Percentage of nucleotide similarities at the SSU, actin, HSP70 loci between C. ratti n. sp. and the rat derived C. occultus and Cryptosporidium rat genotype II, III, IV, and V ranged from 91.0 to 98.1%. These genetic variations were similar or greater than that observed between closely related species, i.e. C. parvum and C. erinacei (93.2-99.5%). Our morphological, genetic and biological data support the establishment of Cryptosporidium rat genotype I as a new species, Cryptosporidium ratti n. sp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ježková
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 37005České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Prediger
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 37005České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Holubová
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 37005České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Bohumil Sak
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Konečný
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 37005České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou510642, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou510642, Guangdong, China
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou510642, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou510642, Guangdong, China
| | - Michael Rost
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 37005České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - John McEvoy
- Microbiological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, 1523 Centennial Blvd, Van Es Hall, Fargo, ND58102, USA
| | - Martin Kváč
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 37005České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Su C. Epidemiologic significance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in turkeys, ducks, ratites and other wild birds: 2009-2020. Parasitology 2021; 148:1-30. [PMID: 33070787 PMCID: PMC11010194 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020001961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Wild and domestic avian species are important in the epidemiology of T. gondii infections because felids prey on them and excrete millions of oocysts in the environment, disseminating the infection. Herbivorous birds are also excellent sentinels of environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts because they feed on the ground. Toxoplasma gondii infections in birds of prey reflect infections in intermediate hosts. Humans can become infected by consuming undercooked avian tissues. Here, the authors reviewed prevalence, persistence of infection, clinical disease, epidemiology and genetic diversity of T. gondii strains isolated from turkeys, geese, ducks, ratites and avian species (excluding chickens) worldwide 2009-2020. Genetic diversity of 102 T. gondii DNA samples isolated worldwide is discussed. The role of migratory birds in dissemination of T. gondii infection is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. P. Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - F. H. A. Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - C. K. Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - O. C. H. Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD20705-2350, USA
| | - C. Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN37996-0845, USA
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Tomé B, Maia J, Perera A, Carranza S, Vasconcelos R. Parasites in a hotspot: diversity and specificity patterns of apicomplexans infecting reptiles from the Socotra Archipelago. Parasitology 2021; 148:42-52. [PMID: 33070783 PMCID: PMC11010208 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020002000] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Although parasites represent a major component of biodiversity, they remain poorly assessed, especially in remote regions. In this study, we screened 461 reptiles from Socotra, the largest and most biologically diverse archipelago in Arabia. Using 18S rRNA primers, we detected various apicomplexan parasites, namely haemogregarines, sarcocystids and eimeriids. Haemogregarines were the most common and genetically diverse, followed by sarcocystids (genus Sarcocystis) and eimeriids (genera Isospora and Lankesterella). All were related to parasites of other reptiles, including species from Arabia, Northern Africa and Asia. Like their 29 endemic reptile hosts, almost all Socotran parasites presented high genetic divergence and ecological differences from those found elsewhere, and probably represent undescribed endemic species. Among hosts, skinks were the most parasitized, which contrasted with similar studies from other areas, probably due to their more generalist diet and habitat use. As expected due to its high species richness, geckos harboured the highest parasite diversity in the archipelago. Parasite diversity also seemed to be correlated to island size, as the largest island harboured most haplotypes. This study emphasizes the importance of screening parasites in wild hosts from remote regions and of considering host ecology to understand disease transmission across taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Tomé
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Maia
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- IBE, Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Perera
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Salvador Carranza
- IBE, Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Vasconcelos
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- IBE, Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain
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Vaselek S, Oguz G, Ayhan N, Ozbel Y, Kadriaj P, Ćupina AI, Velo E, Muja N, Baymak D, Alishani M, Toz S, Nalcaci M, Sherifi K, Charrel R, Alten B, Petrić D. Sandfly surveillance and investigation of Leishmania spp. DNA in sandflies in Kosovo. Med Vet Entomol 2020; 34:394-401. [PMID: 32438501 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12451] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, leishmaniasis seems to be re-emerging in Balkan countries. There are serious implications that Kosovo is a visceral leishmaniasis endemic region with autochthonous transmission; nevertheless, surveillance of vectors, reservoirs or the disease is not yet established. Gaining knowledge about sandfly vector species is a prerequisite for the development of a monitoring and control plan in the future. After a long gap in research of over 70 years, sandfly studies in Kosovo were resumed in 2014. During this presence/absence study, nine sandfly species were detected: Phlebotomus papatasi, Ph. perfiliewi, Ph. tobbi, Ph. neglectus, Ph. simici, Ph. balcanicus, Ph. alexandri, Ph. mascittii and Sergentomyia minuta. Three species are new with regard to the fauna of Kosovo - Ph. alexandri, Ph. balcanicus and Ph. mascittii. Besides increased diversity, changes in the number of collected specimens and distribution range of species were recorded, with Ph. neglectus being the most dominant species with the widest distribution. Testing of randomly chosen females for Leishmania spp. DNA resulted the in detection of L. tropica in a specimen of Ph. neglectus. The presence of numerous vector species in the sandfly fauna of Kosovo pose a threat for the re-emergence of vector-borne diseases. Therefore, continuous surveillance is recommended with regular updates on vector distribution and abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Vaselek
- Laboratory for Medical Entomology, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - G Oguz
- VERG Laboratory, Ecology Division, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey
| | - N Ayhan
- Unité des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
| | - Y Ozbel
- Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - P Kadriaj
- Control of Infectious Diseases Department, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - A I Ćupina
- Laboratory for Medical Entomology, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - E Velo
- Control of Infectious Diseases Department, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - N Muja
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Department of Biology, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - D Baymak
- Kosovo National Institute of Public Health, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - M Alishani
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - S Toz
- Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - M Nalcaci
- Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - K Sherifi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - R Charrel
- Unité des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
| | - B Alten
- VERG Laboratory, Ecology Division, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey
| | - D Petrić
- Laboratory for Medical Entomology, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
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Pombi M, Giacomi A, Barlozzari G, Mendoza-Roldan J, Macrì G, Otranto D, Gabrielli S. Molecular detection of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae in human blood and Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Sergentomyia minuta: unexpected host-parasite contacts. Med Vet Entomol 2020; 34:470-475. [PMID: 32710462 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The detection of atypical Kinetoplastida in vertebrate hosts and vectors might suggest unexpected host-parasite contacts. Aside to major vectors of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Italy (e.g. Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus perfiliewi), the sand fly fauna also includes Sergentomyia minuta, herpetophilic and proven vector of Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae, in which records of blood meal on mammals and detection of L. infantum DNA are increasing. This study was conducted in Central Italy aiming to molecularly detect potential atypical Leishmania host-vector contacts. Detection of Leishmania spp. DNA was performed by polymerase chain reaction (SSU rRNA, ITS1 targets) on field-collected sand fly females (N = 344), blood samples from humans (N = 185) and dogs (N = 125). Blood meal identification was also performed on engorged sand flies. Leishmania spp. DNA was found in 13.1% sand flies, 3.7% humans and 14.4% dogs. Sequence analysis identified L. infantum in S. minuta (4.4%), P. perniciosus (9.1%), humans (2.2%) and dogs (14.4%). Leishmania tarentolae was detected in S. minuta (12.6%), P. perfiliewi (6.6%) and human (1.6%) samples. Of 28 S. minuta examined for blood meal, 3.6 and 21.4% scored positive for human and lizard DNA, respectively. These results indicate the importance of one-health approach to explore new potential routes of transmission of leishmaniasis involving S. minuta.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pombi
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - A Giacomi
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - G Barlozzari
- Department of Direzione Operativa Sierologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, Rome, Italy
| | - J Mendoza-Roldan
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - G Macrì
- Department of Direzione Operativa Sierologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, Rome, Italy
| | - D Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - S Gabrielli
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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Popruk N, Prasongwattana S, Mahittikorn A, Palasuwan A, Popruk S, Palasuwan D. Prevalence and Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis Infection in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Thailand. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17238877. [PMID: 33260351 PMCID: PMC7730192 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238877] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major global public health problem with an increasing prevalence. DM increases the risk of infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. We examined the prevalence, subtypes, and risk factors of Blastocystis infection in patients with and without DM in central Thailand. Stool samples and questionnaires were obtained from 130 people in the DM group and 100 people in the non-DM group. Blastocystis infection was identified via a nested polymerase chain reaction and subtyped via sequencing of the partial small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Analysis of potential risk factors was conducted via binary logistic regression. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection was 10.8%, including rates of 9% and 12.3% in the non-DM and DM groups, respectively. The most prevalent subtype was ST3, followed by ST1, and ST4. Factors that potentially increased the risk of Blastocystis infection include patients being >65 years old, the presence of DM, a DM duration of ≥10 years, a low level of education, and animal ownership. In conclusion, this is the first study of Blastocystis infection in DM, and a high prevalence was found among this population. Therefore, health education promoting sanitation and hygiene is necessary to reduce and prevent infection in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noppon Popruk
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Satakamol Prasongwattana
- Department of Nursing, Bang Pa-in Hospital, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13160, Thailand;
| | - Aongart Mahittikorn
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Attakorn Palasuwan
- Oxidation in Red Cell Disorders Research Unit, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Supaluk Popruk
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (D.P.); Tel.: +662-3549-100 (S.P.); +662-2181-541 (D.P.)
| | - Duangdao Palasuwan
- Oxidation in Red Cell Disorders Research Unit, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (D.P.); Tel.: +662-3549-100 (S.P.); +662-2181-541 (D.P.)
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Matlani M, Kumar A, Singh V. Assessing the in vitro sensitivity with associated drug resistance polymorphisms in Plasmodium vivax clinical isolates from Delhi, India. Exp Parasitol 2020; 220:108047. [PMID: 33221328 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The drug resistance of Plasmodium vivax in clinical cases remains largely unknown till date because of the difficulty in diagnosing the resistant P. vivax strains. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of mutant alleles in drug resistance genes viz P. vivax multi-drug resistance (pvmdr-1), chloroquine resistance transporter (pvcrt-o), dihydrofolate reductase (pvdhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (pvdhps) along with in vitro chloroquine (CQ) sensitivity in P. vivax clinical isolates. During August-October 2017 a total of 86 samples of the febrile patients were screened and 31 samples were found to be positive for P. vivax in Safdarjung hospital, New Delhi. Sequence genotyping of the drug resistance genes was carried out in these P. vivax samples and in vitro CQ susceptibility for 23 isolates was determined by the schizont maturation assay (SMA). The CQ inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for the clinical isolates was found to be in the range of 25.6-176.7 nM. All the 31 clinical isolates analyzed for pvmdr-1 gene, showed mutant alleles and in only two isolates novel mutations at 861 and 898 codons were observed. Sequence analysis of pvcrt-o, pvdhfr and pvdhps genes revealed wild type genotypes in all the 31 studied isolates. The presence of mutations in pvmdr-1 gene and the increase in the CQ IC50 value indicates the possibility of shift in drug tolerance where CQ with primaquine (PQ) is still the first line of treatment for P. vivax malaria in the country. The regular molecular surveillance in P. vivax would provide useful information for the policy makers of the malaria control programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Matlani
- Department of Microbiology,Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Cell Biology Laboratory and Malaria Parasite Bank, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Vineeta Singh
- Cell Biology Laboratory and Malaria Parasite Bank, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India.
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Ford A, Kepple D, Abagero BR, Connors J, Pearson R, Auburn S, Getachew S, Ford C, Gunalan K, Miller LH, Janies DA, Rayner JC, Yan G, Yewhalaw D, Lo E. Whole genome sequencing of Plasmodium vivax isolates reveals frequent sequence and structural polymorphisms in erythrocyte binding genes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008234. [PMID: 33044985 PMCID: PMC7581005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax malaria is much less common in Africa than the rest of the world because the parasite relies primarily on the Duffy antigen/chemokine receptor (DARC) to invade human erythrocytes, and the majority of Africans are Duffy negative. Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in the reporting of P. vivax cases in Africa, with a high number of them being in Duffy negative individuals, potentially indicating P. vivax has evolved an alternative invasion mechanism that can overcome Duffy negativity. Here, we analyzed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and copy number variation (CNV) in Whole Genome Sequence (WGS) data from 44 P. vivax samples isolated from symptomatic malaria patients in southwestern Ethiopia, where both Duffy positive and Duffy negative individuals are found. A total of 123,711 SNPs were detected, of which 22.7% were nonsynonymous and 77.3% were synonymous mutations. The largest number of SNPs were detected on chromosomes 9 (24,007 SNPs; 19.4% of total) and 10 (16,852 SNPs, 13.6% of total). There were particularly high levels of polymorphism in erythrocyte binding gene candidates including merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) and merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3.5, MSP3.85 and MSP3.9). Two genes, MAEBL and MSP3.8 related to immunogenicity and erythrocyte binding function were detected with significant signals of positive selection. Variation in gene copy number was also concentrated in genes involved in host-parasite interactions, including the expansion of the Duffy binding protein gene (PvDBP) on chromosome 6 and MSP3.11 on chromosome 10. Based on the phylogeny constructed from the whole genome sequences, the expansion of these genes was an independent process among the P. vivax lineages in Ethiopia. We further inferred transmission patterns of P. vivax infections among study sites and showed various levels of gene flow at a small geographical scale. The genomic features of P. vivax provided baseline data for future comparison with those in Duffy-negative individuals and allowed us to develop a panel of informative Single Nucleotide Polymorphic markers diagnostic at a micro-geographical scale. Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread parasite species that causes malaria in humans. Although it occurs in Africa as a member of a mix of Plasmodium species, P. vivax is dominant in other parts of the world outside of Africa (e.g., Brazil). It was previously thought that most African populations were immune to P. vivax infections due to the absence of Duffy antigen chemokine receptor (DARC) gene expression required for erythrocyte invasion. However, several recent reports have indicated the emergence and potential spread of P. vivax across human populations in Africa. Compared to Southeast Asia and South America where P. vivax is highly endemic, data on polymorphisms in erythrocyte binding gene candidates of P. vivax from Africa is limited. Filling this knowlege gap is critical for identifying functional genes in erythrocyte invasion, biomarkers for tracking the P. vivax isolates from Africa, as well as potential gene targets for vaccine development. This paper examined the level of genetic polymorphisms in a panel of 43 potential erythrocyte binding protein genes based on whole genome sequences and described transmission patterns of P. vivax infections from different study sites in Ethiopia based on the genetic variants. Our analyses showed that chromosomes 9 and 10 of the P. vivax genomes isolated in Ethiopia had the most high-quality genetic polymorphisms. Among all erythrocyte binding protein gene candidates, the merozoite surface proteins 1 and merozoite surface protein 3 showed high levels of polymorphism. MAEBL and MSP3.8 related to immunogenicity and erythrocyte binding function were detected with significant signals of positive selection. The expansion of the Duffy binding protein and merozoite surface protein 3 gene copies was an independent process among the P. vivax lineages in Ethiopia. Various levels of gene flow were observed even at a smaller geographical scale. Our study provided baseline data for future comparison with P. vivax in Duffy negative individuals and help develop a panel of genetic markers that are informative at a micro-geographical scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Ford
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AF); (GY); (EL)
| | - Daniel Kepple
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States of America
| | - Beka Raya Abagero
- Tropical Infectious Disease Research Center, Jimma University, Ethiopia
| | - Jordan Connors
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States of America
| | - Richard Pearson
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United States of America
| | - Sarah Auburn
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Sisay Getachew
- College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Colby Ford
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States of America
| | - Karthigayan Gunalan
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, United States of America
| | - Louis H. Miller
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Bethesda, United States of America
| | - Daniel A. Janies
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States of America
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 OXY, United Kingdom
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, University of California at Irvine, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AF); (GY); (EL)
| | | | - Eugenia Lo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AF); (GY); (EL)
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Wójcik-Fatla A, Sroka J, Zając V, Sawczyn-Domańska A, Kloc A, Zwoliński J, Kłapeć T, Studzińska MB, Chmura R, Dutkiewicz J. Potential sources of infection with selected zoonotic agents in the veterinary work environment - pilot studies. Ann Agric Environ Med 2020; 27:146-150. [PMID: 32208594 DOI: 10.26444/aaem/115363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE The problem of occupational biohazards is very important, especially in the field of agriculture and in human and veterinary medicine. The aim of the study was to determine the potential sources of infection in veterinary professionals with selected zoonotic agents, including: Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia duodenalis, Leptospira spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Coxiella burnetii. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 50 air samples from barns, piggeries and veterinary surgeries were examined for the presence of Leptospira spp. and C. burnetii DNA. Serum samples of 86 pigs and 80 cows were tested for the presence of antibodies to Leptospira spp. and to phase I and II C. burnetii antigens. Serum of 70 cats were tested for the presence of antibodies to T. gondii and 65 samples of cat faeces for the presence of T. gondii oocysts. The presence of G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. were examined in 50 of dog faeces and 50 of bovine faeces samples. RESULTS DNA of Leptospira spp. was detected in 2 air samples from the piggeries (4%). C. burnetii DNA was not found in any sample. Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were detected in 51 (59.3%) of examined pigs. Neither anti-Leptospira spp. nor anti-C. burnetii antibodies were found among samples of bovine serum. Anti-T. gondii antibodies was found in 52 cat serum samples (74.3%). Among samples of cat faeces, no T. gondii oocysts were detected. In one sample of cattle stool (2%), G. duodenalis was detected and in another (2%) - Cryptosporidium spp. G. duodenalis was detected in 7 samples (14%) and Cryptosporidium spp. in 2 samples (2%) of dog faeces. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate the potential risk of infection with Leptospira spp. in veterinarians working with pigs. Veterinarians could be also be at risk of infection with T. gondii and G. duodenalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Wójcik-Fatla
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Sroka
- Department of Parasitology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Violetta Zając
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Sawczyn-Domańska
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Kloc
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Zwoliński
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Teresa Kłapeć
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Maria Bernadeta Studzińska
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland
| | - Robert Chmura
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Dutkiewicz
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
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Silva Pereira S, de Almeida Castilho Neto KJG, Duffy CW, Richards P, Noyes H, Ogugo M, Rogério André M, Bengaly Z, Kemp S, Teixeira MMG, Machado RZ, Jackson AP. Variant antigen diversity in Trypanosoma vivax is not driven by recombination. Nat Commun 2020; 11:844. [PMID: 32051413 PMCID: PMC7015903 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14575-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
African trypanosomes (Trypanosoma) are vector-borne haemoparasites that survive in the vertebrate bloodstream through antigenic variation of their Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG). Recombination, or rather segmented gene conversion, is fundamental in Trypanosoma brucei for both VSG gene switching and for generating antigenic diversity during infections. Trypanosoma vivax is a related, livestock pathogen whose VSG lack structures that facilitate gene conversion in T. brucei and mechanisms underlying its antigenic diversity are poorly understood. Here we show that species-wide VSG repertoire is broadly conserved across diverse T. vivax clinical strains and has limited antigenic repertoire. We use variant antigen profiling, coalescent approaches and experimental infections to show that recombination plays little role in diversifying T. vivax VSG sequences. These results have immediate consequences for both the current mechanistic model of antigenic variation in African trypanosomes and species differences in virulence and transmission, requiring reconsideration of the wider epidemiology of animal African trypanosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Silva Pereira
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
| | - Kayo J G de Almeida Castilho Neto
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Craig W Duffy
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
| | - Peter Richards
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
| | - Harry Noyes
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Moses Ogugo
- Livestock Genetic Programme, International Livestock Research Institute, 30709 Naivasha Road, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Zakaria Bengaly
- International Research Centre for Livestock Development in the Sub-humid Zone (CIRDES), No. 559, rue 5-31 angle, Avenue du Gouverneur Louveau, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Steve Kemp
- Livestock Genetic Programme, International Livestock Research Institute, 30709 Naivasha Road, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marta M G Teixeira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Avenue Professor Lineu Prestes, 1374 Cidade Universitaria, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Z Machado
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrew P Jackson
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK.
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Acosta-Jamett G, Martínez-Valdebenito C, Beltrami E, Silva-de La Fuente MC, Jiang J, Richards AL, Weitzel T, Abarca K. Identification of trombiculid mites (Acari: Trombiculidae) on rodents from Chiloé Island and molecular evidence of infection with Orientia species. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007619. [PMID: 31971956 PMCID: PMC6999909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scrub typhus is an emerging vector-borne zoonosis, caused by Orientia spp. and transmitted by larvae of trombiculid mites, called chiggers. It mainly occurs within a region of the Asia-Pacific called the tsutsugamushi triangle, where rodents are known as the most relevant hosts for the trombiculid vector. However, the reservoir(s) and vector(s) of the scrub typhus outside Asia-Pacific are unknown. The disease has recently been discovered on and is considered endemic for Chiloé Island in southern Chile. The aim of the present work was to detect and determine the prevalence of chiggers on different rodent species captured in probable sites for the transmission of orientiae responsible for scrub typhus on Chiloé Island in southern Chile and to molecularly examine collected chiggers for the presence of Orientia DNA. Methodology/Principal findings During the austral summer 2018, rodents were live-trapped in six sites and examined for chigger infestation. All study sites were rural areas on Chiloé Island, previously identified as probable localities where human cases acquired the scrub typhus. During a total of 4,713 trap-nights, 244 rodents of seven species were captured: the most abundant was Abrothrix olivacea. Chiggers were detected on all seven rodent species with a 55% prevalence rate. Chiggers showed low host specificity and varied according to site specific host abundance. Three genera of trombiculids were identified. Herpetacarus was the most abundant genus (93%), prevalent in five of the six sites. Infestation rates showed site specific differences, which were statistically significant using a GLM model with binomial errors. Molecular analyses proved that 21 of 133 (15.8%) mite pools were positive for Orientia species, all of them belonged to the genus Herpetacarus. Conclusions/Significance This study firstly reports the presence of different rodent-associated chigger mites positive for Orientia sp., in a region endemic for scrub typhus in southern Chile. Herpetacarus and two other genera of mites were found with high infestation rates of rodents in sites previously identified as probable exposure of scrub typhus cases. A substantial percentage of mite pools were positive for Orientia DNA, suggesting that chigger mites serve as vectors and reservoirs of this emerging zoonosis in South America. Scrub typhus is a chigger-transmitted zoonotic infection caused by Orientia species, which is endemic to the tsutsugamushi triangle in Asia-Pacific region. Recently, a focus of scrub typhus in South America has been confirmed on Chiloé Island in southern Chile. However, the vectors of scrub typhus in this region remain unknown. We undertook a survey to study the presence of chiggers on different rodent species in areas identified as probable sites of exposure to scrub typhus on Chiloé Island. The study showed that 55% of rodents were infested by trombiculids. Three mite genera were identified, of which Herpetacarus was the most abundant. Chiggers showed low host specificity, but spatial differences. Using molecular techniques, the trombiculid mites were found to be infected with Orientia species. These findings suggest that chigger mites play a role in the life cycle and transmission of this emerging infectious disease in Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Acosta-Jamett
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Constanza Martínez-Valdebenito
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátricas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Infectología y Virología Molecular, Red Salud UC–Christus, Santiago, Chile
| | - Esperanza Beltrami
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Escuela de Graduados, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - María Carolina Silva-de La Fuente
- Departamento de Ciencias Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ju Jiang
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, United States of America
| | - Allen L. Richards
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Thomas Weitzel
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Hantavirus and Zoonoses Program, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (TW); (KA)
| | - Katia Abarca
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátricas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (TW); (KA)
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Abstract
Using PCR and sequencing, we found Plasmodium knowlesi in the malaria vector Anopheles sundaicus mosquito collected from Katchal Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. We cannot rule out natural transmission of this parasite to humans through this mosquito species. An in-depth investigation is needed to prevent disease outbreaks.
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Calero-Bernal R, Horcajo P, Hernández M, Ortega-Mora LM, Fuentes I. Absence of Neospora caninum DNA in Human Clinical Samples, Spain. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:1226-1227. [PMID: 31107232 PMCID: PMC6537714 DOI: 10.3201/eid2506.181431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Low antibody titers to Neospora caninum have been reported in humans, but infection has not been confirmed. We used N. caninum-specific PCR to test 600 clinical samples from patients with toxoplasmosis signs but Toxoplasma gondii-negative PCR results. We did not detect N. caninum DNA, demonstrating it is an unlikely opportunistic zoonotic agent.
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Pisano SRR, Ryser-Degiorgis MP, Rossi L, Peano A, Keckeis K, Roosje P. Sarcoptic Mange of Fox Origin in Multiple Farm Animals and Scabies in Humans, Switzerland, 2018. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:1235-1238. [PMID: 31107228 PMCID: PMC6537710 DOI: 10.3201/eid2506.181891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fox-derived Sarcoptes scabiei mites caused an outbreak of mange on a farm in Switzerland in 2018. Pruritic skin lesions suggestive of S. scabiei mite infestation developed in 4 humans who had direct contact with affected farm animals but not foxes. Sarcoptic mange is continuously spreading; such outbreaks affecting humans could start occurring more frequently.
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35
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Javanmard E, Rahimi HM, Niyyati M, Aghdaei HA, Sharifdini M, Mirjalali H, Zali MR, Karanis P. Molecular analysis of Blastocystis sp. and its subtypes from treated wastewater routinely used for irrigation of vegetable farmlands in Iran. J Water Health 2019; 17:837-844. [PMID: 31638033 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2019.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Treated wastewater samples were collected, filtered using sterile 47-mm cellulose nitrate membrane and DNA extracted from the filtered materials. The presence of Blastocystis sp. was confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the SSU rRNA gene of Blastocystis sp. in 5/12 of samples. Based on the subtype analysis after sequencing, 2, 2 and 1 of ST2, ST6 and ST8 were detected among the isolates, respectively. Furthermore, both ST6s were allele 139, alleles 11 and 138 were identified in ST2 and the only ST8 was allele 95. The phylogenetic tree showed that one of ST2 was clustered together with those ST2 that were already reported from humans and animals. The presence of Blastocystis sp. in treated wastewater can indicate the potential role of this type of water for irrigation in the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to downstream farmlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Javanmard
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail:
| | - Hanieh Mohammad Rahimi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail:
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meysam Sharifdini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail:
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Roegner AF, Daniels ME, Smith WA, Gottdenker N, Schwartz LM, Liu J, Campbell A, Fiorello CV. Giardia Infection and Trypanosoma Cruzi Exposure in Dogs in the Bosawás Biosphere Reserve, Nicaragua. Ecohealth 2019; 16:512-522. [PMID: 31414319 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-019-01434-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 07/14/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Indigenous Mayangna and Miskitu inhabit Nicaragua's remote Bosawás Biosphere Reserve, located in the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region. They are sedentary horticulturists who supplement their diet with wild game, hunting with the assistance of dogs. To test whether hunting dogs increased the risk of human exposure to protozoal zoonotic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), we sampled dogs from three communities varying in population size and level of contact with other communities. We screened dog feces (n = 58) for Giardia and Cryptosporidium DNA and sera (n = 78) for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies and DNA. Giardia DNA was detected in 22% (13/58) of samples; sequencing revealed the presence of both zoonotic genotypes (assemblages A and B) and dog-specific genotypes (assemblages C and D). Giardia shedding was associated with community and age. Older dogs and those in the two, more accessible communities had greater odds of shedding parasites. Seroprevalence of T. cruzi antibodies, indicating prior exposure, was 9% (7/78). These results contribute to the limited literature on NTDs in indigenous populations, and suggest hunting dogs can both serve as sentinels of environmental NTDs and pose zoonotic risk for their owners and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber F Roegner
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Miles E Daniels
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Woutrina A Smith
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Gottdenker
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Laura M Schwartz
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - James Liu
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- The Turtle Conservancy, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amanda Campbell
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Christine V Fiorello
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
- Albuquerque BioPark, 2000 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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Garcia HA, Rangel CJ, Ortíz PA, Calzadilla CO, Coronado RA, Silva AJ, Pérez AM, Lecuna JC, García ME, Aguirre AM, Teixeira MMG. Zoonotic Trypanosomes in Rats and Fleas of Venezuelan Slums. Ecohealth 2019; 16:523-533. [PMID: 31583491 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-019-01440-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Rattus spp. are reservoirs of many human zoonoses, but their role in domestic transmission cycles of human trypanosomiasis is underestimated. In this study, we report trypanosome-infected Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus in human dwellings in slums neighboring Maracay, a large city near Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Blood samples of R. norvegicus and R. rattus examined by PCR and FFLB (fluorescent fragment length barcoding) revealed a prevalence of 6.3% / 31.1% for Trypanosoma lewisi (agent of rat- and flea-borne human emergent zoonosis), and 10.5% / 24.6% for Trypanosoma cruzi (agent of Chagas disease). Detection in flea guts of T. lewisi (76%) and, unexpectedly, T. cruzi (21.3%) highlighted the role of fleas as carriers and vectors of these trypanosomes. A high prevalence of rats infected with T. lewisi and T. cruzi and respective flea and triatomine vectors poses a serious risk of human trypanosomiasis in Venezuelan slums. Anthropogenic activities responsible for growing rat and triatomine populations within human dwellings drastically increased human exposure to trypanosomes. This scenario has allowed for the reemergence of Chagas disease as an urban zoonosis in Venezuela and can propitiate the emergence of atypical T. lewisi infection in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herakles A Garcia
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II - Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05508-000, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela.
| | - Carlos J Rangel
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Paola A Ortíz
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II - Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Carlos O Calzadilla
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Raul A Coronado
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Arturo J Silva
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Arlett M Pérez
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Jesmil C Lecuna
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Maria E García
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Aixa M Aguirre
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Marta M G Teixeira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas II - Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05508-000, Brazil
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Abstract
In southeastern Venezuela, malaria cases have increased since 2013. We found that 46% of 352 blood samples from symptomatic patients in 1 municipality tested positive for Plasmodium spp. In addition, the number of cases increased by 10 times in 4 years (2014–2017) and by 3 times in 1 year (2016–2017).
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Smith PK, Sen MG, Fisher PR, Annesley SJ. Modelling of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis Type 2 in Dictyostelium discoideum Suggests That Cytopathological Outcomes Result from Altered TOR Signalling. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050469. [PMID: 31100984 PMCID: PMC6562681 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses comprise a group of neurodegenerative disorders with similar clinical manifestations whose precise mechanisms of disease are presently unknown. We created multiple cell lines each with different levels of reduction of expression of the gene coding for the type 2 variant of the disease, Tripeptidyl peptidase (Tpp1), in the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum. Knocking down Tpp1 in Dictyostelium resulted in the accumulation of autofluorescent material, a characteristic trait of Batten disease. Phenotypic characterisation of the mutants revealed phenotypic deficiencies in growth and development, whilst endocytic uptake of nutrients was enhanced. Furthermore, the severity of the phenotypes correlated with the expression levels of Tpp1. We propose that the phenotypic defects are due to altered Target of Rapamycin (TOR) signalling. We show that treatment of wild type Dictyostelium cells with rapamycin (a specific TOR complex inhibitor) or antisense inhibition of expression of Rheb (Ras homologue enriched in the brain) (an upstream TOR complex activator) phenocopied the Tpp1 mutants. We also show that overexpression of Rheb rescued the defects caused by antisense inhibition of Tpp1. These results suggest that the TOR signalling pathway is responsible for the cytopathological outcomes in the Dictyostelium Tpp1 model of Batten disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige K Smith
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Melodi G Sen
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Paul R Fisher
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Sarah J Annesley
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Melbourne, Australia.
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Bachand N, Ravel A, Leighton P, Stephen C, Ndao M, Avard E, Jenkins E. Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in terrestrial and marine wildlife harvested for food in Nunavik, Canada. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:155. [PMID: 30944016 PMCID: PMC6448294 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3408-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoan parasite, infects mammals and birds worldwide. Infection in humans is often asymptomatic, though illnesses can occur in immunocompromised hosts and the fetuses of susceptible women infected during pregnancy. In Nunavik, Canada, 60% of the Inuit population has measurable antibodies against T. gondii. Handling and consumption of wildlife have been identified as risk factors for exposure. Serological evidence of exposure has been reported for wildlife in Nunavik; however, T. gondii has not been detected in wildlife tissues commonly consumed by Inuit. METHODS We used a magnetic capture DNA extraction and real-time PCR protocol to extract and amplify T. gondii DNA from large quantities of tissues (up to 100 g) of 441 individual animals in Nunavik: 166 ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus), 156 geese (Branta canadensis and Chen caerulescens), 61 ringed seals (Pusa hispida), 31 caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and 27 walruses (Odobenus rosmarus). RESULTS DNA from T. gondii was detected in 9% (95% CI: 3-15%) of geese from four communities in western and southern Nunavik, but DNA was not detected in other wildlife species including 20% (95% CI: 12-31%) of ringed seals and 26% (95% CI: 14-43%) of caribou positive on a commercial modified agglutination test (MAT) using thawed heart muscle juice. In geese, tissue parasite burden was highest in heart, followed by brain, breast muscle, liver and gizzard. Serological results did not correlate well with tissue infection status for any wildlife species. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection, quantification, and characterization of DNA of T. gondii (clonal lineage II in one goose) from wildlife harvested for food in Nunavik, which supports the hypothesis that migratory geese can carry T. gondii into Nunavik where feline definitive hosts are rare. This study suggests that direct detection methods may be useful for detection of T. gondii in wildlife harvested for human consumption and provides data needed for a quantitative exposure assessment that will determine the risk of T. gondii exposure for Inuit who harvest and consume geese in Nunavik.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Bachand
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7H 5B4 Canada
- Groupe de Recherche en épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2 Canada
| | - André Ravel
- Groupe de Recherche en épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2 Canada
| | - Patrick Leighton
- Groupe de Recherche en épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2 Canada
| | - Craig Stephen
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7H 5B4 Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5B4 Canada
| | - Momar Ndao
- National Reference Centre for Parasitology, J.D. MacLean Tropical Diseases Centre, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Ellen Avard
- Nunavik Research Center, Makivik Corporation, Kuujjuaq, Canada
| | - Emily Jenkins
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7H 5B4 Canada
- Groupe de Recherche en épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique, Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2 Canada
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Brunn A, Fisman DN, Sargeant JM, Greer AL. The Influence of Climate and Livestock Reservoirs on Human Cases of Giardiasis. Ecohealth 2019; 16:116-127. [PMID: 30350000 PMCID: PMC6430827 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-018-1385-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Giardia duodenalis is an intestinal parasite which causes diarrhoeal illness in people. Zoonotic subtypes found in livestock may contribute to human disease occurrence through runoff of manure into multi-use surface water. This study investigated temporal associations among selected environmental variables and G. duodenalis occurrence in livestock reservoirs on human giardiasis incidence using data collected in the Waterloo Health Region, Ontario, Canada. The study objectives were to: (1) evaluate associations between human cases and environmental variables between 1 June 2006 and 31 December 2013, and (2) evaluate associations between human cases, environmental variables and livestock reservoirs using a subset of this time series, with both analyses controlling for seasonal and long-term trends. Human disease incidence exhibited a seasonal trend but no annual trend. A Poisson multivariable regression model identified an inverse association with water level lagged by 1 month (IRR = 0.10, 95% CI 0.01, 0.85, P < 0.05). Case crossover analysis found varying associations between lagged variables including livestock reservoirs (1 week), mean air temperature (3 weeks), river water level (1 week) and flow rate (1 week), and precipitation (4 weeks). This study contributes to our understanding of epidemiologic relationships influencing human giardiasis cases in Ontario, Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Brunn
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - David N Fisman
- Department of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jan M Sargeant
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
- Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Arrell Food Institute, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Amy L Greer
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
- Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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Fotakis EA, Giantsis IA, Avgerinou A, Kourtidis S, Agathaggelidou E, Kapoula C, Dadakou G, Vontas J, Chaskopoulou A. Identification of Leishmania Species in Naturally Infected Sand Flies from Refugee Camps, Greece. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:361-364. [PMID: 30346269 PMCID: PMC6346468 DOI: 10.3201/eid2502.181359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
High infection rates of Leishmania donovani and L. tropica were detected in Phlebotomus spp. sand flies collected from refugee camps in Greece, indicating increased risk of infection among local populations. Detection and treatment of leishmaniasis, community education, and vector control are essential measures to prevent pathogen transmission and protect public health.
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Sardarian K, Maghsood AH, Farimani M, Hajiloii M, Saidijam M, Farahpour M, Mahaki H, Zamani A. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii B1 gene in placenta does not prove congenital toxoplasmosis. Hum Antibodies 2019; 27:31-35. [PMID: 30103311 DOI: 10.3233/hab-180346] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital toxoplasmosis is an important disease that occurs when pregnant women become infected with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of T. gondii B1 gene in placental tissues of IgM seronegative women. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this research, chronic toxoplasmosis was identified through examination of blood samples in a group of pregnant women by anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM ELISA and nested-PCR techniques. IgG avidity test was used to estimate the onset of infection in some pregnant women with chronic infection. After delivery, some umbilical cord and neonatal blood were tested by anti-Toxoplasma IgM ELISA, and also the B1 gene of T. gondii was investigated in their placental tissue by nested-PCR. Some factors such as blood sampling time and some clinical symptoms experienced during pregnancy were recorded. RESULTS One hundred and sixty seven out of 653 (25.6%) pregnant women were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG. Of them, 165 (98.8%) were negative for anti-T. gondii IgM. Six out of 10 (60%) placental tissues from IgG seropositive, IgM seronegative women were positive for T. gondii B1 gene, while anti-Toxoplasma IgM was negative in the umbilical cord and neonatal blood samples. The results of IgG avidity test showed low avidity in one and high avidity in two women's samples. The B1 gene was not found in the blood samples of any of the six mothers. The most symptoms experienced during pregnancy were headache and nausea. CONCLUSION The detection of B1 gene in placental tissues of the healthy newborn infants reiterates that presence of T. gondii in the placenta does not always result in congenital toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khosro Sardarian
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Maghsood
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Marzieh Farimani
- Endometrium and Endometriosis Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hajiloii
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Massoud Saidijam
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Manizheh Farahpour
- Fatemieh Hospital, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Hanieh Mahaki
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Alireza Zamani
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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Barçante TA, de Souza MV, Fernandes ACB, Barçante JMDP. Use of the polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of American tegumentary leishmaniasis. An Bras Dermatol 2019; 94:113-114. [PMID: 30726480 PMCID: PMC6360963 DOI: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20197929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Zhu L, Tripathi J, Rocamora FM, Miotto O, van der Pluijm R, Voss TS, Mok S, Kwiatkowski DP, Nosten F, Day NPJ, White NJ, Dondorp AM, Bozdech Z. The origins of malaria artemisinin resistance defined by a genetic and transcriptomic background. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5158. [PMID: 30514877 PMCID: PMC6279830 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07588-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The predisposition of parasites acquiring artemisinin resistance still remains unclear beyond the mutations in Pfk13 gene and modulation of the unfolded protein response pathway. To explore the chain of casualty underlying artemisinin resistance, we reanalyze 773 P. falciparum isolates from TRACI-study integrating TWAS, GWAS, and eQTL analyses. We find the majority of P. falciparum parasites are transcriptomically converged within each geographic site with two broader physiological profiles across the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). We report 8720 SNP-expression linkages in the eastern GMS parasites and 4537 in the western. The minimal overlap between them suggests differential gene regulatory networks facilitating parasite adaptations to their unique host environments. Finally, we identify two genetic and physiological backgrounds associating with artemisinin resistance in the GMS, together with a farnesyltransferase protein and a thioredoxin-like protein which may act as vital intermediators linking the Pfk13 C580Y mutation to the prolonged parasite clearance time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Jaishree Tripathi
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | | | - Olivo Miotto
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Genomics and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Rob van der Pluijm
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Till S Voss
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, 4051, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, 4001, Switzerland
| | - Sachel Mok
- Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, 10027, USA
| | - Dominic P Kwiatkowski
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Genomics and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - François Nosten
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, 63110, Thailand
| | - Nicholas P J Day
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Nicholas J White
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Arjen M Dondorp
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Zbynek Bozdech
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
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Singh A, Vancura A, Woycicki RK, Hogan DJ, Hendrick AG, Nowacki M. Determination of the presence of 5-methylcytosine in Paramecium tetraurelia. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206667. [PMID: 30379964 PMCID: PMC6209305 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
5-methylcytosine DNA methylation regulates gene expression and developmental programming in a broad range of eukaryotes. However, its presence and potential roles in ciliates, complex single-celled eukaryotes with germline-somatic genome specialization via nuclear dimorphism, are largely uncharted. While canonical cytosine methyltransferases have not been discovered in published ciliate genomes, recent studies performed in the stichotrichous ciliate Oxytricha trifallax suggest de novo cytosine methylation during macronuclear development. In this study, we applied bisulfite genome sequencing, DNA mass spectrometry and antibody-based fluorescence detection to investigate the presence of DNA methylation in Paramecium tetraurelia. While the antibody-based methods suggest cytosine methylation, DNA mass spectrometry and bisulfite sequencing reveal that levels are actually below the limit of detection. Our results suggest that Paramecium does not utilize 5-methylcytosine DNA methylation as an integral part of its epigenetic arsenal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Singh
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 1, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Adrienne Vancura
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rafal K. Woycicki
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel J. Hogan
- Tocagen Incorporated, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Alan G. Hendrick
- Storm Therapeutics Limited, Moneta Building, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mariusz Nowacki
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Shin JH, Lee SE, Kim TS, Ma DW, Cho SH, Chai JY, Shin EH. Development of Molecular Diagnosis Using Multiplex Real-Time PCR and T4 Phage Internal Control to Simultaneously Detect Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, and Cyclospora cayetanensis from Human Stool Samples. Korean J Parasitol 2018; 56:419-427. [PMID: 30419727 PMCID: PMC6243187 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2018.56.5.419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to develop a new multiplex real-time PCR detection method for 3 species of waterborne protozoan parasites (Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, and Cyclospora cayetanensis) identified as major causes of traveler's diarrhea. Three target genes were specifically and simultaneously detected by the TaqMan probe method for multiple parasitic infection cases, including Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein for C. parvum, glutamate dehydrogenase for G. lamblia, and internal transcribed spacer 1 for C. cayetanensis. Gene product 21 for bacteriophage T4 was used as an internal control DNA target for monitoring human stool DNA amplification. TaqMan probes were prepared using 4 fluorescent dyes, FAMTM, HEXTM, Cy5TM, and CAL Fluor Red® 610 on C. parvum, G. lamblia, C. cayetanensis, and bacteriophage T4, respectively. We developed a novel primer-probe set for each parasite, a primer-probe cocktail (a mixture of primers and probes for the parasites and the internal control) for multiplex real-time PCR analysis, and a protocol for this detection method. Multiplex real-time PCR with the primer-probe cocktail successfully and specifically detected the target genes of C. parvum, G. lamblia, and C. cayetanensis in the mixed spiked human stool sample. The limit of detection for our assay was 2×10 copies for C. parvum and for C. cayetanensis, while it was 2×103 copies for G. lamblia. We propose that the multiplex real-time PCR detection method developed here is a useful method for simultaneously diagnosing the most common causative protozoa in traveler's diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hun Shin
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Sang-Eun Lee
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju 28159, Korea
| | - Tong Soo Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Da-Won Ma
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju 28159, Korea
| | - Shin-Hyeong Cho
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju 28159, Korea
| | - Jong-Yil Chai
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Shin
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Korea
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Gallant JP, Lima-Cordón RA, Justi SA, Monroy MC, Viola T, Stevens L. The role of natural selection in shaping genetic variation in a promising Chagas disease drug target: Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase. Infect Genet Evol 2018; 62:151-159. [PMID: 29684709 PMCID: PMC6196115 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Rational drug design creates innovative therapeutics based on knowledge of the biological target to provide more effective and responsible therapeutics. Chagas disease, endemic throughout Latin America, is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite. Current therapeutics are problematic with widespread calls for new approaches. Researchers are using rational drug design for Chagas disease and one target receiving considerable attention is the T. cruzi trans-sialidase protein (TcTS). In T. cruzi, trans-sialidase catalyzes the transfer of sialic acid from a mammalian host to coat the parasite surface membrane and avoid immuno-detection. However, the role of TcTS in pathology variance among and within genetic variants of the parasite is not well understood despite numerous studies. Previous studies reported the crystalline structure of TcTS and the TS protein structure in other trypanosomes where the enzyme is often inactive. However, no study has examined the role of natural selection in genetic variation in TcTS. To understand the role of natural selection in TcTS DNA sequence and protein variation, we examined a 471 bp portion of the TcTS gene from 48 T. cruzi samples isolated from insect vectors. Because there may be multiple parasite genotypes infecting one insect and there are multiple copies of TcTS per parasite genome, all 48 sequences had multiple polymorphic bases. To resolve these polymorphisms, we examined cloned sequences from two insect vectors. The data are analyzed to understand the role of natural selection in shaping genetic variation in TcTS and interpreted in light of the possible role of TcTS as a drug target. The analysis highlights negative or purifying selection on three amino acids previously shown to be important in TcTS transfer activity. One amino acid in particular, Tyr342, is a strong candidate for a drug target because it is under negative selection and amino acid substitutions inactivate TcTS transfer activity. AUTHOR SUMMARY: Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted to humans and other mammals primarily by Triatomine insects. Being endemic in many South and Central American countries and affecting millions of people the need for new more effective and safe therapies is evident. Here, we examine genetic variation and natural selection on DNA (471 bp) and amino acid (157 aa) sequence data of the T. cruzi trans-sialdiase (TcTS) protein, often suggested as a candidate for rational drug design. In our surveyed region of the protein there were five amino acid residues that have been shown to be integral to the function of TcTS. We found that three were under strong negative selection making them ideal candidates for drug design; however, one was under balancing selection and should be avoided as a drug target. Our study provides new information into identifying potential targets for a new Chagas drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P Gallant
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. United States
| | | | - Silvia A Justi
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Maria Carlota Monroy
- Biology School, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Toni Viola
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Lori Stevens
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. United States.
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Leelayoova S, Siripattanapipong S, Mungthin M. Visceral Leishmaniasis in Traveler to Guyana Caused by Leishmania siamensis, London, UK. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 24:1600-1601. [PMID: 30016250 PMCID: PMC6056122 DOI: 10.3201/eid2408.180192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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