Dog blood parasite infection in upland and lowland communities of northern Thailand: The role of environment and care of dog owners

Dogs play an important role as hosts and reservoirs for many zoonotic diseases. Ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and hepatozoonosis are a group of canine vector-borne diseases that can be transmitted via ectoparasites from dog to dog and also from dog to humans. This study focused on three main blood parasites of dog (i.e., Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Hepatozoon spp.) among two different landscape types of eight villages of Santhong Sub-district, Nan Province, Thailand. In this study, 149 dogs were surveyed and blood samples were collected. Blood parasite infections in dogs were assessed using molecular detection approach. Babesia canis vogeli, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis were detected with prevalence of infection at 10.7%, 8.1%, 3.4% and 0.7%, respectively. In terms of landscape type, prevalence of overall blood parasites, particularly Babesia spp. infections were higher in dogs living in upland forested areas (28.3%) compared to dogs from lowland agricultural areas (12.3%). Data obtained from the questionnaires on perceptions of dog owners showed that dogs raised all the time outside owner's house, and those dogs whose owners have never bathed and cleaned were more likely to be exposed to blood parasites. As infected dogs could play an important role as reservoirs of the blood parasites, attitude of dog owners may affect public health in terms of zoonotic disease transmission. Effective control measures and surveillance program of arthropod vectors and blood parasite infection in dogs still need to be advocated to minimize zoonotic disease transmission.

Zoonotic bacterial and parasitic intestinal pathogens in foxes, raccoons and other predators from eastern Germany

In this study, we investigated faecal specimens from legally hunted and road-killed red foxes, raccoons, raccoon dogs, badgers and martens in Germany for parasites and selected zoonotic bacteria. We found that Baylisascaris procyonis, a zoonotic parasite of raccoons, had spread to northeastern Germany, an area previously presumed to be free of this parasite. We detected various pathogenic bacterial species from the genera Listeria, Clostridium (including baratii), Yersinia and Salmonella, which were analysed using whole-genome sequencing. One isolate of Yersinia enterocolitica contained a virulence plasmid. The Salmonella Cholerasuis isolate encoded an aminoglycoside resistance gene and a parC point mutation, conferring resistance to ciprofloxacin. We also found tetracycline resistance genes in Paeniclostridium sordellii and Clostridium baratii. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the isolates were polyclonal, indicating the absence of specific wildlife-adapted clones. Predators, which scavenge from various sources including human settlements, acquire and spread zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, their role should not be overlooked in the One Health context.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in pet cats in Henan Province, central China

Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis often infect humans, cats, and other mammals, causing diarrhea and being responsible for numerous outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne infections worldwide. The rapid increase in the number of pet cats poses a substantial public health risk. However, there were few reports about the infection of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis infections in pet cats in Henan Province, central China. Thus, to understand the prevalence and genetic distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in pet cats, and to evaluate the zoonotic potential, possible transmission routes and public health implications of isolates, fecal samples (n = 898) were randomly collected from pet cats in 11 cities in Henan Province, central China. Nested PCR based on the SSU rRNA gene and bg gene was used to the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, respectively. The prevalence was 0.8 % (7/898) and 2.0 % (18/898) for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis respectively. Additionally, the Cryptosporidium spp. positive isolates were identified as C. parvum subtype IIdA19G1 by gp60 gene. In the present study, the IIdA19G1 subtype was discovered in pet cats for the first time in China, enriching the information on the host type and geographical distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. in China. For G. duodenalis, a total of 18 G. duodenalis positive samples were identified, belonging to four assemblages: a zoonotic assemblage A1 (4/898), three host-specific assemblages C (8/898), D (5/898), and F (1/898). Interestingly, we found that pet cats infected with Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis are more likely to experience emaciation symptoms compared to the negative group. More importantly, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis detected in the present study were low, but the subtype IIdA19G1 of Cryptosporidium spp. and the assemblages A1, C, D, and F of G. duodenalis have the potential for zoonotic transmission. Thus, we should focus on preventing and controlling the risk of cross-species transmission that may occur in pet cats in Henan Province.

Dermacentor (Indocentor) auratus Supino 1897: Potential geographic range, and medical and veterinary significance

Dermacentor (Indocentor) auratus Supino, 1897 occurs in many regions of Southeast Asia and South Asia. In many regions of Southeast Asia and South Asia, targeted tick sampling and subsequent screening of collected D. auratus ticks have detected pathogenic bacteria and viruses in D. auratus. These disease-causing pathogens that have been detected in D. auratus include Anaplasma, Bartonella, Borrelia, Rickettsia (including spotted fever group rickettsiae), African swine fever virus, Lanjan virus, and Kyasanur forest disease virus. Although D. auratus predominantly infests wild pigs, this tick is also an occasional parasite of humans and other animals. Indeed, some 91 % of human otoacariasis cases in Sri Lanka were due to infestation by D. auratus. With the propensity of this tick to feed on multiple species of hosts, including humans, and the detection of pathogenic bacteria and viruses from this tick, D. auratus is a tick of medical, veterinary, and indeed zoonotic concern. The geographic range of this tick, however, is not well known. Therefore, in the present paper, we used the species distribution model, BIOCLIM, to project the potential geographic range of D. auratus, which may aid pathogen and tick-vector surveillance. We showed that the potential geographic range of D. auratus is far wider than the current geographic distribution of this tick, and that regions in Africa, and in North and South America seem to have suitable climates for D. auratus. Interestingly, in Southeast Asia, Borneo and Philippines also have suitable climates for D. auratus, but D. auratus has not been found in these regions yet despite the apparent close proximity of these regions to Mainland Southeast Asia, where D. auratus occurs. We thus hypothesize that the geographic distribution of D. auratus is largely dependent on the movement of wild pigs and whether or not these wild pigs are able to overcome dispersal barriers. We also review the potential pathogens and the diseases that may be associated with D. auratus and provide an updated host index for this tick.

Immunological and molecular evaluation of zoonotic metacercarial infection in freshwater fish: A cross-sectional analysis

Improperly cooked fish, carrying active metacercariae (MCs), can pose a significant risk for transmitting fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FBZTs) to human consumers. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of FBZTs by conducting a comprehensive cross-sectional analysis involving various fish species, such as Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), and red-belly tilapia (Tilapia zillii). These fish specimens were collected from distinct Egyptian governorates, specifically Giza, Kafr al-Shaykh, and Fayoum. The recovered flukes from experimentally infected domestic pigeons were identified as Prohemistomum vivax, Haplorchis pumilio, and Pygidiopsis genata based on morphological features. Furthermore, the identity of the retrieved adult flukes was confirmed using three species-specific primers for PCR amplification and sequencing analysis of the ITS rDNA region and have been deposited in GenBank with the following accession numbers: P. vivax (OR291421.1 and OR291422.1), P. genata (OP099561.1), and H. pumilio (OM439581.1-OP090510.1). Quantitative real-time PCR targeting the immunological genes Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin-1 (IL-1Β) was employed to compare the cellular immune response between infected with EMCs and uninfected O. niloticus. The results indicated a significant increase in TNF- and IL-1Β levels in FBZTs-infected vs un-infected fishes. Importantly, the presence of adult flukes and EMCs led to substantial histological alterations in both experimentally infected pigeons and naturally infected fish tissues. These changes included the necrosis of fish muscle bundles and a pronounced inflammatory reaction with muscular necrosis in the digestive tracts of experimentally infected pigeons.

Awareness of parasitic zoonotic diseases among pet owners in Cairo, Egypt

Egyptians are becoming more interested in owning and raising pets; however, most of them lack essential awareness about the risk of zoonotic parasites that could be transmitted. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the degree of awareness Egyptian pet owners possess concerning zoonotic parasitic diseases, the risk of transmission, and preventative measures. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an e-survey. Among 246 pet owners, 64.2% (158) were females, and 67.9% (167) belonged to the 20-30 age group. The majority, 78.9% (194), were raising cats. Only 13.8% (34) visited the veterinarian regularly, with significantly higher results among dog owners (p < 0.05). Only 31.3% (77) participants were regularly deworming their pets, and 19.9% (49) were giving their pets prophylaxis against ectoparasites, with significantly higher results among those who visited the veterinarian regularly (p < 0.0001) and among dog owners (p < 0.05). Only 54.1% (133) had heard about the term "zoonoses" before, and about 8.9% (22) of participants showed a history of zoonotic parasitic diseases, with significantly higher results among those who allowed their animals to play with other animals of neighbors and friends (p < 0.05). The obtained results concluded that the surveyed group had a relatively good degree of knowledge regarding pets as a source of zoonotic illness; raising pet owners' awareness regarding the importance of routine medical examinations and minimizing the contact of pets with other stray animals is essential.

Landscape drives zoonotic malaria prevalence in non-human primates

Zoonotic disease dynamics in wildlife hosts are rarely quantified at macroecological scales due to the lack of systematic surveys. Non-human primates (NHPs) host Plasmodium knowlesi, a zoonotic malaria of public health concern and the main barrier to malaria elimination in Southeast Asia. Understanding of regional P. knowlesi infection dynamics in wildlife is limited. Here, we systematically assemble reports of NHP P. knowlesi and investigate geographic determinants of prevalence in reservoir species. Meta-analysis of 6322 NHPs from 148 sites reveals that prevalence is heterogeneous across Southeast Asia, with low overall prevalence and high estimates for Malaysian Borneo. We find that regions exhibiting higher prevalence in NHPs overlap with human infection hotspots. In wildlife and humans, parasite transmission is linked to land conversion and fragmentation. By assembling remote sensing data and fitting statistical models to prevalence at multiple spatial scales, we identify novel relationships between P. knowlesi in NHPs and forest fragmentation. This suggests that higher prevalence may be contingent on habitat complexity, which would begin to explain observed geographic variation in parasite burden. These findings address critical gaps in understanding regional P. knowlesi epidemiology and indicate that prevalence in simian reservoirs may be a key spatial driver of human spillover risk.

First molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes from domestic animals (sheep and cattle) and their animal-keepers in Ilam, western Iran: A zoonotic concern

A total of 360 fecal samples were randomly collected from 150 cattle, 150 sheep, and 60 humans (30 people with close animal contact and 30 individuals without close animal contact) at 10 farms in Ilam, western Iran from June 2022 to August 2023. All samples were directly examined for Blastocystis by zinc sulfate flotation, followed by microscopic observation. Positive samples were further subtyped using conventional PCR and sequencing methods. A mean prevalence of 5.3% (16/300) was estimated for Blastocystis infection among examined animals, with 6% and 4.7% for cattle and sheep, respectively. Among the people who had close and non-close animal contact, 16.7% (5/30) and 3.3% (1/30) were infected with Blastocystis, respectively (p < 0.05). All 22 positive samples were successfully sequenced at the SSU rRNA locus. Accordingly, Blastocystis isolates infecting domestic animals in Ilam belonged to the four STs (ST1-ST3, and ST10). Of the 16 animal isolates, nine sequences (four ST10, three ST3, and two ST1) were related to cattle, and seven sequences (three ST10, two ST3, and two ST2) were isolated from sheep. Among the six human isolates, ST3 was the most predominant ST, followed by STs 1, 2, 6, and 7 (one case each). Of note, ST1-ST3 were isolated in various farms both from animals and their breeders, which indicates the possible circulation of these STs between animal and human populations.

New insight into genetic diversity of zoonotic-potential Ancylostoma ceylanicum in stray cats living in Bangkok, Thailand, based on deep amplicon sequencing

AIMS

This study aimed to characterize feline hookworms from stray cats living in Bangkok.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 56 hookworm-positive faecal samples were identified for hookworm species by using PCR targeting the ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 fragment and qPCR targeting ITS2. Of 56 samples, 96.4% (54/56) were identified as Ancylostoma ceylanicum and 1.8% (1/56) as Ancylostoma caninum. With qPCR, 89.3% (50/56) were identified as single A. ceylanicum infection and 5.4% (3/56) as coinfection of A. ceylanicum and A. caninum. For genetic characterization of A. ceylanicum, 10 samples were pooled, and the partial COI gene was amplified, followed by deep amplicon sequencing. Five pooled samples were analysed, and 99.73% were identified with A. ceylanicum sequences, which were allocated into 19 haplotypes (AC01-AC19). Genetic diversity findings for A. ceylanicum in Asia revealed that three of eight haplotypes considered of zoonotic significance occurred in humans, dogs, and cats, including haplotypes H01, H20, and H21. The predominant haplotype in this study, AC01, was clustered with H01-a zoonotic haplotype.

CONCLUSIONS

The diversity obtained by deep amplicon sequencing supported that the A. ceylanicum community had high genetic variation. Deep amplicon sequencing was a useful method to determine source, zoonotic potential, and host-parasite relationship.

Widespread distribution of human-infective Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in small rodents in northeast China and phylogeny and zoonotic implications revisited

Enterocytozoon bieneusi features high genetic diversity among host species and environmental sources and over 500 genotypes in 11 phylogenetic groups have been defined. Here we investigated 291 small rodents in Heilongjiang province, northeast China, for the presence of E. bieneusi by PCR of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Nine of 60 (15.0 %) gray squirrels from a park in Harbin, 120 of 201 (59.7 %) guinea pigs from a pet shop in Harbin, and two of 30 (6.7 %) peridomestic rats from a pasture in Qiqihar were positive for the parasite. Six known genotypes (EbpB, SCC-1, SCC-2, D, S7 and HLJ-CP1) and two novel genotypes (NESQ1 and NEGP1) were identified by sequence analysis of the ITS, with EbpB, SCC-1, SCC-2 and NESQ1 found in squirrels, D, S7 and NEGP1 in guinea pigs, and EbpB and HLJ-CP1 in rats. Widespread distribution of human-infective Group 10 genotype S7 and Group 1 genotype D in guinea pigs raised our concerns about the importance of pet animals as zoonotic reservoirs of microsporidiosis. Co-occurrence of Group 1 genotypes D and HLJ-CP1 in cancer patients and rodents in Heilongjiang indicated a possibility of zoonotic transmission. The host range of Group 1 genotype EbpB previously considered pig-adapted was extended. A potential variant of genotype S7, namely NESQ1, went into the existing Group 10 in phylogenetic analysis. The other new genotype, NEGP1, was clustered in an undefined clade we proposed as Group 15. With the emerging epidemiologic evidence, the host specificity of existing E. bieneusi genotypes is now being challenged.

Canine leishmaniasis in the Americas: etiology, distribution, and clinical and zoonotic importance

Canine leishmaniasis is a widespread disease on the American continent, with cases reported from Uruguay to the USA and Canada. While numerous Leishmania spp. have been reported in dogs in this region, Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis are the most common etiological agents of canine leishmaniasis from a continental perspective. Nonetheless, other species may predominate locally in some countries. The participation of dogs in the transmission cycle of various Leishmania spp. has long been speculated, but evidence indicates that their role as reservoirs of species other than L. infantum is negligible. Various native wildlife (e.g., small rodents, marsupials, sloths, and monkeys) are, in fact, the primary hosts of Leishmania spp. in the Americas. In this review, an updated list of Leishmania spp. infecting dogs in the Americas is presented, along with their distribution and clinical and zoonotic importance.

Rabbits as reservoirs: An updated perspective of the zoonotic risk from Cryptosporidium and Giardia

Rabbits are highly abundant in many countries and can serve as reservoirs of diseases for a diversity of pathogens including the enteric protozoan parasites, Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Both parasites shed environmentally robust environmental stages (oo/cysts) and have been responsible for numerous waterborne outbreaks of diseases. Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum are responsible for most infections in humans, while Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and B, cause most human cases of giardiasis. Cryptosporidium cuniculus, the dominant species infecting rabbits, is the only spceies other than C. hominis and C. parvum to have caused a waterborne outbreak of gastritis, which occurred in the United Kingdom in 2008. This review examines the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia species in rabbits to better understand the public health risks of contamination of water sources with Cryptosporidium and Giardia oo/cysts from rabbits. Despite the abundance of C. cuniculus in rabbits, reports in humans are relatively rare, with the exception of the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and reports of C. cuniculus in humans from the United Kingdom have declined substantially since the 2008 outbreak. Subtyping of C. cuniculus has supported the potential for zoonotic transmission. Relatively few studies have been conducted on Giardia, but assemblage B dominates. However, improved typing methods are required to better understand the transmission dynamics of Giardia assemblages in rabbits. Similarly, it is not well understood if pet rabbits or contaminated water are the main source of C. cuniculus infections in humans. Well-planned studies using high-resolution typing tools are required to understand the transmission dynamics better and quantify the public health risk of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from rabbits.

Baiting not-owned dogs against Echinococcus granulosus: innovative tools for integrated control

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most widespread zoonoses in Mediterranean countries. Baiting not-owned dogs with praziquantel (PZQ), due to their key role in the maintaining the transmission of CE, currently appears to be the most effective way to limit the transmission of CE, as well as an important aspect to introduce for the control of this parasitic disease. Therefore, this study aims to test 3 types of PZQ-based baits by evaluating different parameters (integrity over time, attractiveness and palatability for dogs, and mechanical resistance after release to different altitudes) and the bait acceptance in field by target animals, i.e. not-owned dogs, by using camera traps. The double PZQ-laced baits (with a double layer of highly palatable chews) showed the greatest resistance in the environment while also preserving the attractiveness and palatability up to 10 days, also withstood heights of 25 m, thus resulting as the most suitable also for drone delivery. The results on the field showed that most of the baits were consumed by not-owned dogs (82.2%), while the remaining were consumed by wild boars (8.9%), foxes (6.7%), badgers (1.1%) and hedgehogs (1.1%), confirming the specific and high attractiveness of the double PZQ-laced baits for the target population and highlights how an anthelmintic baiting programme may be a viable tool for the management of E. granulosus among free-ranging dog populations in endemic rural areas.

Minimal zoonotic risk of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis from frogs and reptiles

The zoonotic potential of the protist parasites Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in amphibians and reptiles raises public health concerns due to their growing popularity as pets. This review examines the prevalence and diversity of these parasites in wild and captive amphibians and reptiles to better understand the zoonotic risk. Research on Giardia in both groups is limited, and zoonotic forms of Cryptosporidium or Giardia have not been reported in amphibians. Host-adapted Cryptosporidium species dominate in reptiles, albeit some reptiles have been found to carry zoonotic (C. hominis and C. parvum) and rodent-associated (C. tyzzeri, C. muris and C. andersoni) species, primarily through mechanical carriage. Similarly, the limited reports of Giardia duodenalis (assemblages A, B and E) in reptiles may also be due to mechanical carriage. Thus, the available evidence indicates minimal zoonotic risk associated with these organisms in wild and captive frogs and reptiles. The exact transmission routes for these infections within reptile populations remain poorly understood, particularly regarding the importance of mechanical carriage. Although the risk appears minimal, continued research and surveillance efforts are necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the transmission dynamics and ultimately improve our ability to safeguard human and animal health.

Inhibition of AMPK activation in Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto limits the parasite's glucose metabolism and survival

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by larvae of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) cluster. There is an urgent need to develop new drug targets and drug molecules to treat CE. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a serine/threonine protein kinase consisting of α, β, and γ subunits, plays a key role in the regulation of energy metabolism. However, the role of AMPK in regulating glucose metabolism in E. granulosus s.l. and its effects on parasite viability is unknown. In this study, we found that targeted knockdown of EgAMPKα or a small-molecule AMPK inhibitor inhibited the viability of E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) and disrupted the ultrastructure. The results of in vivo experiments showed that the AMPK inhibitor had a significant therapeutic effect on E. granulosus s.s.-infected mice and resulted in the loss of cellular structures of the germinal layer. In addition, the inhibition of the EgAMPK/EgGLUT1 pathway limited glucose uptake and glucose metabolism functions in E. granulosus s.s.. Overall, our results suggest that EgAMPK can be a potential drug target for CE and that inhibition of EgAMPK activation is an effective strategy for the treatment of disease.

Identification of Blastocystis spp. in Urban Rodents of Different Districts in Southwestern Iran: Subtype Distribution and Possible Zoonotic Potential

PURPOSE

Rodents are one of the most abundant and diverse species of mammals and have recently been identified as carriers of numerous human pathogens. The current study was conducted to assess the prevalence, subtype (STs) distribution, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis spp. in various species of rodents in Shiraz, southwestern Iran.

METHODS

For this aim, a total of 120 fresh fecal samples were collected from Mus musculus (n = 40), Rattus norvegicus (n = 40), and Rattus rattus (n = 40) in various municipality districts of Shiraz (6 out of 10 districts) between February and November 2020. Upon detecting parasites using light microscopy, a DNA fragment of the Blastocystis SSU rDNA gene was amplified using conventional PCR.

RESULTS

By employing direct wet mount examination, 8 out of 120 fecal samples (6.7%; 2 from house mice, 3 from black rats, and 3 from brown rats) tested positive. Similarly, 5% (2/40) of house mice, 7.5% (3/40) of black rats, and 7.5% (3/40) of brown rats tested positive using the molecular method. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Blastocystis infecting different rodent species in Shiraz belonged to two potentially zoonotic STs (ST1 and ST4). Accordingly, rodents should not be overlooked as potential reservoirs of zoonotic Blastocystis infections. Different sampled urban districts and their statistical association with reported prevalence rates were analyzed separately.

CONCLUSION

 Overall, the issue of the frequency and ST distribution of Blastocystis in urban rodents of Iran is still open to question and for a proper understanding, wider and more comprehensive studies are needed.

Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis, Sympatric Zoonoses Present in Human from Rural Communities of Venezuela

PURPOSE

Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. coexist in several endemic areas, and there are few studies of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis coinfection worldwide; for this reason, the objective of this work was to determine the Chagas disease and leishmaniasis coinfection in several rural communities co-endemic for these diseases.

METHODS

A total of 1107 human samples from six co-endemic rural communities of Cojedes state, Venezuela, were analyzed. Serum samples were evaluated by ELISA, indirect hemagglutination, and indirect immunofluorescence for Chagas disease diagnosis, and individuals were evaluated for leishmaniasis by leishmanin skin test (LST). Approximately, 30% of the individuals were also analyzed by PCR (blood clot samples) for T. cruzi and for Leishmania spp.

RESULTS

The 14.7% of the individuals were positive to Trypanosoma cruzi infection by serology, and 25.8% were positive to Leishmania spp. current or past infection by LST. Among the group with PCR results, 7.8% were positive for T. cruzi, and 9.4% for Leishmania spp. The coinfection T. cruzi/Leishmania spp. was 6.5%. The T. cruzi DTUs of the positive blood clot samples were TcI, revealed using the molecular markers: (i) intergenic region of the miniexon, (ii) D7 divergent domain of the 24Sα rDNA, (iii) size-variable domain of the 18S rDNA, and (iv) hsp60-PCR-RFLP (EcoRV). The Leishmania species identified were L. (Leishmania) mexicana and L. (Viannia) braziliensis.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence was found for T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. single and coinfections in almost all communities studied, being these results of relevance for the implementation of control programs in co-endemic areas.

Molecular evaluation of Cryptosporidium spp. in sheep in southern Xinjiang, China

Cryptosporidium spp. are diarrheagenic intestinal parasites with multiple hosts worldwide. A total of 1252 fresh fecal samples of sheep were collected from 10 large-scale farms in southern Xinjiang. Based on the small subunit ribosomal (SSU rRNA) gene of Cryptosporidium, 100 Cryptosporidium-positive samples (8.0%, 100/1252) were detected by PCR. Nine out of 10 farms were positive for Cryptosporidium, with the highest infection rate being 18.4% (23/125) on farm 9 in Qira. The infection rates of Cryptosporidium in pre-weaned lambs, weaned lambs, fattening sheep, and adult sheep were 20.3% (61/301), 10.3% (34/329), 0.9% (3/327), and 0.7% (2/295), respectively. Three Cryptosporidium species were identified, namely, C. xiaoi (n = 61), C. parvum (n = 22), and C. ubiquitum (n = 17). Of them, C. xiaoi was detected on all positive farms and in different age groups of sheep. The subtypes of C. parvum and C. ubiquitum were identified by PCR at the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Two C. parvum subtypes were identified: IIdA19G1 (n = 21) and IIdA15G1 (n = 1). One C. ubiquitum subtype was identified with XIIa (n = 17). These results indicated the common transmission and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in sheep in southern Xinjiang, and further investigations are needed on the zoonotic potential of C. parvum and C. ubiquitum in this region.

Zoonotic Marine Nematode Infection of Fish Products in Landlocked Country, Slovakia

Fish products in Slovakia have been heavily infected with Anisakis spp. larvae, which causes human anisakiasis. We found larvae in all tested samples of frozen Atlantic herring. Anisakid allergen t-Ani s7 testing revealed 2 positive cases in humans, signaling need for health authorities to closely monitor zoonotic marine parasites, even in inland areas.

Prevalence and public health relevance of enteric parasites in domestic dogs and cats in the region of Madrid (Spain) with an emphasis on Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium sp

BACKGROUND

Pet dogs and cats exert an unquestionable beneficial effect in the well-being of their owners, but can also act as a source of zoonotic infections if improperly cared.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the occurrence, risk factors, genetic variability and zoonotic potential of intestinal parasites in dogs and cats attended in a clinical veterinary setting in Spain.

METHODS

Canine (n = 252) and feline (n = 35) faecal samples were collected during 2017-2019 and analysed by coproparasitological methods. A rapid lateral immunochromatographic test (ICT) was used for detecting Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium sp. Samples positive at microscopy examination and/or ICT were reassessed by molecular methods.

RESULTS

Overall, 48.8% (123/252) of dogs and 48.6% (17/35) of cats were infected by enteric parasites. In dogs, G. duodenalis was the most prevalent species (40.9%), followed by Cystoisospora sp. (7.1%), and Toxocara canis (5.2%). In cats, Joyeuxiella sp. and Toxocara cati were the dominant species (20.0% each), followed by G. duodenalis (14.3%), D. caninum (5.7%) and Cystoisospora felis and Toxascaris leonina (2.9% each). Pups and kittens were more likely to harbour intestinal parasites and develop clinical signs. Sequence analyses of dog isolates revealed the presence of assemblages A (n = 1), C (n = 4), D (n = 4) and C+D (n = 1) within G. duodenalis; C. parvum (n = 1) and C. canis (n = 4) within Cryptosporidium and PtEb IX (n = 1) in Enterocytozoon bieneusi. A novel C. canis subtype family, named XXi, is reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results highlight that (i) well-cared dogs carry zoonotic enteric protozoan parasites of public health relevance, (ii) proper hygiene practices and routine veterinary treatment are essential to prevent zoonotic infections, (iii) vulnerable populations should avoid contact with pups/kittens with diarrhoea and (iv) infected dogs might be major contributors to the environmental contamination with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) eggs.

Age-dependent relationships among diet, body condition, and Echinococcus multilocularis infection in urban coyotes

Urban coyotes (Canis latrans) in North America increasingly exhibit a high prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis, a cestode of recent and rising public health concern that uses rodents as intermediate hosts and canids as definitive hosts. However, little is known about the factors that drive the high urban prevalence of this parasite. We hypothesized that the diet of urban coyotes may contribute to their higher E. multilocularis infection prevalence via either (a) greater exposure to the parasite from increased rodent consumption or (b) increased susceptibility to infection due to the negative health effects of consuming anthropogenic food. We tested these hypotheses by comparing the presence and intensity of E. multilocularis infection to physiological data (age, sex, body condition, and spleen mass), short-term diet (stomach contents), and long-term diet (δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes) in 112 coyote carcasses collected for reasons other than this study from Edmonton, Alberta and the surrounding area. Overall, the best predictor of infection status in this population was young age, where the likelihood of infection decreased with age in rural coyotes but not urban ones. Neither short- nor long-term measures of diet could predict infection across our entire sample, but we found support for our initial hypotheses in young, urban coyotes: both rodent and anthropogenic food consumption effectively predicted E. multilocularis infection in this population. The effects of these predictors were more variable in rural coyotes and older coyotes. We suggest that limiting coyote access to areas in which anthropogenic food and rodent habitat overlap (e.g., compost piles or garbage sites) may effectively reduce the risk of infection, deposition, and transmission of this emerging zoonotic parasite in urban areas.

Zoonotic Transmission of Hepatic Hydatid Cyst from Domestic Dogs: A Case Report from an Urban-Marginal Area in Ecuador

BACKGROUND Hepatic hydatidosis, or echinococcosis, is a zoonosis with worldwide prevalence and is potentially lethal in humans. This report presents a case of hydatidosis in a 40-year-old woman that was associated with a zoonotic transmission of Echinococcus granulosus from domestic dogs in an urban-marginal area of the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. This report shows how early diagnosis and awareness favored the correct treatment of the disease. CASE REPORT A 40-year-old woman from the aforementioned sector presented the following symptoms: malaise, pain in the upper right hypochondrium, palpable mass, jaundice, and fever. Next, the patient's fecal samples were analyzed by direct coproparasitic methods, flotation, and sedimentation with centrifugation using saline solution, whereby the presence of Entamoeba histolytica eggs was determined. Likewise, she underwent an ultrasound, in which hepatic hydatid cysts were observed. Subsequently, the cysts were treated and surgically removed, and parasitic forms of E. granulosus were identified. Later, coproparasitic analysis of her 2 domestic dogs for coproantigen ELISA were performed, by which the presence of this cestode was also identified and confirmed. CONCLUSIONS Hydatidosis is a zoonosis that can affect the population, especially in endemic areas of developed and underdeveloped countries. In this case, hepatic hydatidosis was identified in a 40-year-old woman. Additionally, the presence of E. granulosus eggs was determined in the fecal matter of her dogs, which indicated that the patient's relatives and other people around them were exposed to this zoonosis.

Identification of infection by Leishmania spp. in wild and domestic animals in Brazil: a systematic review with meta-analysis (2001-2021)

Leishmaniasis is a zoonosis caused by protozoan species of the genus Leishmania. It generates different clinical manifestations in humans and animals, and it infects multiple hosts. Leishmania parasites are transmitted by sandfly vectors. The main objective of this systematic review was to identify the host, or reservoir animal species, of Leishmania spp., with the exception of domestic dogs, that were recorded in Brazil. This review included identification of diagnostic methods, and the species of protozoan circulating in the country. For this purpose, a literature search was conducted across index journals. This study covered the period from 2001 to 2021, and 124 studies were selected. Eleven orders possible hosts were identified, including 229 mammalian species. Perissodactyla had the highest number of infected individuals (30.69%, 925/3014), with the highest occurrence in horses. In Brazil, the most commonly infected species were found to be: horses, domestic cats, rodents, and marsupials. Bats, that were infected by one or more protozoan species, were identified as potential reservoirs of Leishmania spp. Molecular tests were the most commonly used diagnostic methods (94 studies). Many studies have detected Leishmania spp. (n = 1422): Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum (n = 705), Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (n = 319), and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis (n = 141). Recognizing the species of animals involved in the epidemiology and biological cycle of the protozoan is important, as this allows for the identification of environmental biomarkers, knowledge of Leishmania species can improve the control zoonotic leishmaniasis.

The polymorphic analysis of cox1 and cob genes of Echinococcus granulosus in the Ngari region of Tibet in China

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus). CE seriously threatens human health and the development of animal husbandry. The Ngari region is one of the world's highest endemic regions for CE, while genetic polymorphisms of E. granulosus were unclear. Paraffin slices of liver Cyst were collected from seventy-nine surgical patients with echinococcosis in the Ngari region. DNA was extracted from samples. The cox1 and cob genes of mitochondrial DNA of E. granulosus were simultaneously amplified and sequenced. The sequencing results were compared with the standard sequence (KU925397.1and HF947574.1). Phylogenetic trees and the haplotype network of cob and cox1 genes were constructed and analyzed genotypes of E. granulosus isolated from humans in the Ngari Region of Tibet. Out of 79 hydatid cyst samples collected from surgery patients, 60 isolates were identified as G1/ G3, and two isolates were identified as G6/ G7. Analysis of the cob/ cox1 genes revealed 9/7 mutations resulting in 8/6 haplotypes, respectively. The cob and cox1 neutrality indices computed by Tajima's D and Fu's Fs tests showed high negative values in Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (E. granulosus s. s.). The result suggested that E. granulosus in the Ngari region experienced population expansion or a negative selection. We found that G1/ G3 was still the main genotype, and G6/ G7 was found occasionally in humans of the Ngari region. Therefore, we recommend future surveys and control efforts to investigate G1/ G3 and G6/ G7 transmission in the Ngari region.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran: A review of epidemiological aspects, with emphasis on molecular findings

Leishmania parasites can cause zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) by circulating between humans, rodents, and sandflies in Iran. In this study, published data were collected from scientific sources such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Springer, ResearchGate, Wiley Online, Ovid, Ebsco, Cochrane Library, Google scholar, and SID. Keywords searched in the articles, theses, and abstracts from 1983 to 2021 were cutaneous leishmaniasis, epidemiology, reservoir, vector, climatic factors, identification, and Iran. This review revealed that CL was prevalent in the west of Iran, while the center and south of Iran were also involved in recent years. The lack of facilities in suburban regions was an aggravating factor in the human community. Some parts of southern Iran were prominent foci of CL due the presence of potential rodent hosts in these regions. Rhombomys opimus, Meriones lybicus, and Tatera indica were well-documented species for hosting the Leishmania species in Iran. Moreover, R. opimus has been found with a coinfection of Leishmania major and L. turanica from the northeast and center of Iran. Mashhad, Kerman, Yazd, and sometimes Shiraz and Tehran foci were distinct areas for L. tropica. Molecular identifications using genomic diagnosis of kDNA and ITS1 fragments of the parasite indicated that there is heterogeneity in leishmaniasis in different parts of the country. Although cutaneous leishmaniasis has been a predicament for the health system, it is relatively under control in Iran.

Molecular Epidemiology, Species Distribution, and Zoonotic Importance of the Neglected Meat-Borne Pathogen Sarcocystis spp. in Cattle (Bos taurus): A Global Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sarcocystis species are diverse apicomplexan parasites, though only two zoonotic species (S. hominis and S. heydorni) circulate between cattle and humans. Due to the importance of cattle in the human food chain and to prevent the consequences of parasitosis in humans, the first global systematic review and meta-analysis on molecular epidemiology, species distribution, and zoonotic significance of Sarcocystis infection in cattle was performed.

METHODS

For this aim, four international English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science) were systematically searched till 20th September 2021, and random-effect models were drawn to calculate total estimates and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Finally, 44 papers from 21 countries were qualified for this review which examined 8526 cattle regarding Sarcocystis infection, rendering a total prevalence of 62.7% (95% CI 53-71.5%). Globally, 12 Sarcocystis spp. have been reported from cattle, including S. cruzi, S. hominis, S. hirsuta, S. rommeli, S. heydorni, S. bovifelis, S. bovini, S. sinensis, S. gigantea, S. fusiformis, S. hjorti and S. tenella. Among them, S. cruzi (37 studies), S. hominis (22 studies) and S. hirsuta (19 studies) were the 3 most common species, with 76.4% (95% CI 64.8-85%), 30.2% (95% CI 19.3-44%) and 8.7% (95% CI 3.8-18.6%), respectively. However, molecular identification was not performed in 48.4% (95% CI 27.3-70.1%) of the positive samples.

CONCLUSION

Despite the zoonotic significance of Sarcocystis spp., particularly S. hominis, the epidemiology and distribution of Sarcocystis infection in cattle remains unclear and demands more extensive researches around the world.

Plasmodium knowlesi: the game changer for malaria eradication

Plasmodium knowlesi is a zoonotic malaria parasite that has gained increasing medical interest over the past two decades. This zoonotic parasitic infection is prevalent in Southeast Asia and causes many cases with fulminant pathology. Despite several biogeographical restrictions that limit its distribution, knowlesi malaria cases have been reported in different parts of the world due to travelling and tourism activities. Here, breakthroughs and key information generated from recent (over the past five years, but not limited to) studies conducted on P. knowlesi were reviewed, and the knowledge gap in various research aspects that need to be filled was discussed. Besides, challenges and strategies required to control and eradicate human malaria with this emerging and potentially fatal zoonosis were described.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis in a Red Ruffed Lemur at a Zoo, Louisiana, USA

A red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) from a zoo in Louisiana, USA, was euthanized for worsening paresis. Brain and spinal cord histology identified eosinophilic meningoencephalomyelitis with intralesional adult Angiostrongylus sp. nematodes. PCR and sequencing confirmed A. cantonensis infection, indicating this parasite constitutes an emerging zoonosis in the southeastern United States.

[Progress of researches on infection with two species of Echinococcus causing human diseases in animal hosts and influencing factors]

Echinococcosis is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease caused by infections with larval Echinococcus. The life cycle of Echinococcus involves a variety of animal hosts, including hoofed animals and rodents as intermediate hosts and carnivores as definitive hosts. The transmission of human echinococcosis is closely associated with the life cycle of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis among animal hosts in nature. This review summarizes the recent advances in the prevalence and influencing factors of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis infections in animal hosts, so as to provide insights into precision control of echinococcosis.

In vitro efficacy of Capparis spinosa extraction against larvae viability of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic zoonotic parasitic disease caused by infection with the larvae of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) cluster. Currently, new drugs are urgently required due to the poor therapeutic effect of the existing drugs albendazole and mebendazole. Capparis spinosa, a traditional medicinal plant, has potential therapeutic effects on various diseases based on extracts from its fruit and other parts. The results of this study demonstrated that the water-soluble and ethanolic extracts of C. spinosa fruit had in vitro killing effects on the larvae of E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) and disrupted the ultrastructure of protoscoleces and metacestodes. In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed that the water-soluble and ethanolic extracts of C. spinosa fruit were not significantly toxic to primary mouse hepatocytes at an effective dose to CE. In conclusion, water-soluble and ethanolic extracts of C. spinosa fruit have great potential for the development of new drugs for the treatment of CE.

Molecular detection of Mansonella mariae incriminates Simulium oyapockense as a potentially important bridge vector for Amazon-region zoonoses

OBJECTIVE

To assess the emergent zoonotic disease risk posed by the voracious human-biting blackfly species Simulium oyapockense in the peripheral regions of an expanding urban centre situated deep in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest.

METHODS

We performed nine human landing catches at three periurban sites surrounding the Brazilian Amazon town of São Gabriel da Cachoeira. Using the detection of non-human primate filarial parasites as an indicator of the zoonotic disease threat posed by a biting insect, we screened 3328 S. oyapockense blackflies for the presence of zoonotic filarial DNA with an ITS-1 PCR assay and Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

Between 98 and 100% of the biting insects captured during our nine collections were identified as S. oyapockense; at our three collection sites and during our three seasonally-distinct collections this species was captured at rates between 28 and 294 blackflies per hour. PCR screening of the march-collected S. oyapockense detected infectious-stage (L3) Mansonella mariae parasites (which are only known to infect non-human primates) in >0.15% of the tested head samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that residents of the periurban regions of São Gabriel da Cachoeira are routinely exposed to the bites of S. oyapockense blackflies which have previously fed on non-human primates.

Primate malarias as a model for cross-species parasite transmission

Parasites regularly switch into new host species, representing a disease burden and conservation risk to the hosts. The distribution of these parasites also gives insight into characteristics of ecological networks and genetic mechanisms of host-parasite interactions. Some parasites are shared across many species, whereas others tend to be restricted to hosts from a single species. Understanding the mechanisms producing this distribution of host specificity can enable more effective interventions and potentially identify genetic targets for vaccines or therapies. As ecological connections between human and local animal populations increase, the risk to human and wildlife health from novel parasites also increases. Which of these parasites will fizzle out and which have the potential to become widespread in humans? We consider the case of primate malarias, caused by Plasmodium parasites, to investigate the interacting ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that put human and nonhuman primates at risk for infection. Plasmodium host switching from nonhuman primates to humans led to ancient introductions of the most common malaria-causing agents in humans today, and new parasite switching is a growing threat, especially in Asia and South America. Based on a wild host-Plasmodium occurrence database, we highlight geographic areas of concern and potential areas to target further sampling. We also discuss methodological developments that will facilitate clinical and field-based interventions to improve human and wildlife health based on this eco-evolutionary perspective.

First report of the zoonotic nematode Baylisascaris procyonis in non-native raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Italy

Baylisascaris procyonis is a nematode parasite of the raccoon (Procyon lotor), and it can be responsible for a severe form of larva migrans in humans. This parasite has been reported from many countries all over the world, after translocation of its natural host outside its native geographic range, North America. In the period between January and August 2021, 21 raccoons were cage-trapped and euthanized in Tuscany (Central Italy), in the context of a plan aimed at eradicating a reproductive population of this non-native species. All the animals were submitted for necroscopic examination. Adult ascariids were found in the small intestine of seven raccoons (prevalence 33.3%). Parasites have been identified as B. procyonis based on both morphometric and molecular approaches. The aim of the present article is to report the first finding of this zoonotic parasite from Italy, highlighting the sanitary risks linked to the introduction of alien vertebrate species in new areas.

Occurrence and subtyping of Blastocystis in coypus (Myocastor coypus) in China

BACKGROUND

Blastocystis is an anaerobic unicellular protist frequently detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals worldwide. However, the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in the coypu (Myocastor coypus) population have not been reported so far. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis isolates detected in coypus in China.

RESULTS

A total of 308 fecal samples were collected from coypus in seven regions across China and subsequently examined. Blastocystis was detected in 44 (14.3%) specimens by nested PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Further DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses resulted in the identification of two zoonotic known subtypes, ST4 and ST5, and an unknown subtype. ST4 was the most predominant subtype observed in the samples. ST5 infections were only observed in three coypus. Factors that were associated with prevalence of Blastocystis included age, geographical region and subtype. Interestingly, this is the first report about a potentially novel subtype infecting coypus.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first comprehensive report of Blastocystis in M. coypus across a wide geographic range of China. A moderate degree of genetic divergence was observed. The presence of zoonotic subtypes in farmed M. coypus suggests that these animals have the potential to transmit blastocystosis to both humans and domestic animals. These findings provide a better understanding of the genetic diversity of Blastocystis in rodents and contribute towards the establishment of efficient blastocystosis control strategies in the investigated areas.

The connection between Trypanosoma cruzi transmission cycles by Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis: A threat to human health in an area susceptible to desertification in the Seridó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

An outbreak of Chagas disease, possibly involving its vector Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis, was identified in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN). Given the historical significance of this vector in public health, the study aimed to evaluate its role in the transmission dynamics of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi in an area undergoing desertification in the Seridó region, RN, Brazil. We captured triatomines in sylvatic and anthropic ecotopes. Natural vector infection was determined using parasitological and molecular methods and we identified discrete typing units (DTUs) of T. cruzi by analyzing the COII gene of mtDNA, 24Sα rDNA, and mini-exon gene. Their blood meals sources were identified by amplification and sequencing of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene. A total of 952 T. b. brasiliensis were captured in peridomestic (69.9%) and sylvatic ecotopes (30.4%). A wide range of natural infection rates were observed in peridomestic (36.0% - 71.1%) and sylvatic populations (28.6% - 100.0%). We observed the circulation of TcI and TcII DTUs with a predominance of Tcl in sylvatic and peridomestic environments. Kerodon rupestris, rocky cavy (13/39), Homo sapiens, human (8/39), and Bos taurus, ox (6/39) were the most frequently detected blood meals sources. Thus, Triatoma b. brasiliensis is invading and colonizing the human dwellings. Furthermore, high levels of natural infection, coupled with the detection of TcI and TcII DTUs, and also the detection of K. rupestris and H. sapiens as blood meals sources of infected T. b. brasiliensis indicate a risk of T. cruzi transmission to human populations in areas undergoing desertification.

Chagas disease currently affects about six to seven million people worldwide, resulting in high morbidity, mortality, and economic burden in endemic countries of Latin America. Its etiological agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, circulates among a wide variety of mammalian and insect vectors. Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis is adapted to the dry and warm climate of the Caatinga biome, and is considered the main vector in the semi-arid areas of northeastern Brazil. Information on the infestation, natural infection rates, T. cruzi strains, and blood meals sources of this vector is crucial for understanding the dynamics of T. cruzi transmission in areas susceptible to desertification. Triatoma b. brasiliensis colonizes peridomestic structures, particularly in the stone walls of cattle corrals that emerge as a refuge for sylvatic populations where they access a variety of blood meals sources. The predominance of the TcI strain in the sylvatic and peridomestic environments shows an overlap of transmission cycles by T. cruzi mediated by T. b. brasiliensis. The high rates of natural infection and the evidence of their feeding on humans and the rodent K. rupestris are worrisome and indicate the threat this vector poses to human health in the area studied.

The burden of zoonoses in Paraguay: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Underestimation of zoonoses is exacerbated in low and middle-income countries due mainly to inequalities with serious consequences in healthcare. This is difficult to gauge and reduce the impact of those diseases. Our study focuses on Paraguay, where the livestock industry is one of the major components of the country's economy. Therefore, the rationale of this study was to develop a case study in Paraguay to estimate the dual impact of zoonotic diseases on both the human health and animal health sector and thus determine the societal burden of such diseases.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We conducted a systemic review (including a meta-analysis) to assess the burden of zoonoses in Paraguay, including official reports and grey literature of disease incidence and prevalence. We estimated the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and Zoonosis Disability Adjusted Life Years (zDALYs) to measure the difference between the current health status and the desired health situation of animals and the Paraguayan population based on 50 zoonotic diseases suggested by the WHO (World Health Organization), OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) and the National Health in Paraguay. The total DALYs represent 19,384 (95% CI: from 15,805 to 29,733), and zDALYs, 62,178 (95% CI: from 48,696 to 77,188). According to the results, the priority pathogens for DALYs are E. coli, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania spp, and Toxoplasma gondii. When we include the additional animal health burden, the most important pathogens are Brucella spp, E. coli, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Fasciola hepatica for zDALYs.

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE

This is the first study to integrate DALYs and zDALYs with important clues related to the health status of Paraguay. Through DALYs and zDALYs, our perspective becomes more complete because we consider not only human health but also animal health. This is important for setting priorities in disease control, especially in a society where livestock contribute significantly to the economy and to human well-being.

Validation of a spatial agent-based model for Taenia solium transmission ("CystiAgent") against a large prospective trial of control strategies in northern Peru

BACKGROUND

The pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) is a parasitic helminth that imposes a major health and economic burden on poor rural populations around the world. As recognized by the World Health Organization, a key barrier for achieving control of T. solium is the lack of an accurate and validated simulation model with which to study transmission and evaluate available control and elimination strategies. CystiAgent is a spatially-explicit agent based model for T. solium that is unique among T. solium models in its ability to represent key spatial and environmental features of transmission and simulate spatially targeted interventions, such as ring strategy.

METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We validated CystiAgent against results from the Ring Strategy Trial (RST)-a large cluster-randomized trial conducted in northern Peru that evaluated six unique interventions for T. solium control in 23 villages. For the validation, each intervention strategy was replicated in CystiAgent, and the simulated prevalences of human taeniasis, porcine cysticercosis, and porcine seroincidence were compared against prevalence estimates from the trial. Results showed that CystiAgent produced declines in transmission in response to each of the six intervention strategies, but overestimated the effect of interventions in the majority of villages; simulated prevalences for human taenasis and porcine cysticercosis at the end of the trial were a median of 0.53 and 5.0 percentages points less than prevalence observed at the end of the trial, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

The validation of CystiAgent represented an important step towards developing an accurate and reliable T. solium transmission model that can be deployed to fill critical gaps in our understanding of T. solium transmission and control. To improve model accuracy, future versions would benefit from improved data on pig immunity and resistance, field effectiveness of anti-helminthic treatment, and factors driving spatial clustering of T. solium infections including dispersion and contact with T. solium eggs in the environment.

Schistosoma mansoni and soil transmtted helminths in olive baboons and potential zoonosis

Zoonotic pathogens are among the most important causes of ill health all over the world. The presence of these pathogens in free ranging baboons may have significant implications for humans. In Kenya, the encroachment of wildlife habitats has led to increased interaction between humans and wildlife especially non-human primates. The current study therefore aimed at investigating any possible zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths of olive baboons (Papio anubis) at the human-wildlife interface in two park borders and a ranch in Kenya, namely, Tsavo West National Park, Tana River Primate Reserve and Mutara Ranch, Laikipia, Kenya. One hundred and forty-seven baboons were used in the study. They were trapped in the wild, sampled for stool marked and then released back to the wild. Gastrointestinal (GIT) helminths identified were Strongyloides, Oesophagostomum, Enterobius spp and Trichuris Trichiura from all the three sites while Schistosoma mansoni was only detected from Tsavo baboons and with very low incidence (2.1%). The prevalence of these parasites varied among the sites but significant difference in prevalence was only noted in Strongyloides and Oesophagostomum (p < 0.05) among the three sites. This therefore implies that even with control measures instituted on the human population, baboons will always be a source of zoonotic GIT helminths especially S. mansoni even if the incidence are low. There is need to put in place measures aiming to reduce their interactions with humans and also try to control these infections in the baboons.

Investigation of giardiasis in captive animals in zoological gardens with strain typing of assemblages in China

Giardia duodenalis is a common zoonotic intestinal pathogen. It has been increasingly reported in humans and animals; however, genotyping information for G. duodenalis in captive animals is still limited. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and multilocus genotyping of G. duodenalis in captive animals in zoological gardens in Shanghai, China. A total of 678 fresh fecal samples were randomly collected from captive animals including non-human primates (NHPs) (n = 190), herbivores (n = 190), carnivores (n = 151), birds (n = 138) and reptiles (n = 9) in a zoo and were examined for the presence of G. duodenalis using nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR). All G. duodenalis positive samples were assayed with PCR followed by sequencing at β-giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) genes. In this study, 42 specimens (6.2%) were tested G. duodenalis-positive of the 678 fecal samples examined based on a single locus. A total of 30 (4.4%), 30 (4.4%) and 22 (3.2%) specimens were successfully amplified and sequenced at gdh, tpi and bg loci, respectively. Assemblages A and B were identified with assemblage B dominating in NHPs. Sequence analysis demonstrated that one, two and five new isolates were identified at bg, gdh and tpi loci. DNA sequences and new assemblage-subtypes of zoonotic G. duodenalis assemblages A and B were identified in the current study. Our data indicate the occurrence and molecular diversity of G. duodenalis and the potential zoonotic transmission in captive animals in China.

Impact of the dog population and household environment for the maintenance of natural foci of Leishmania infantum transmission to human and animal hosts in endemic areas for visceral leishmaniasis in Sao Paulo state, Brazil

When it comes to visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil, one of the main targets of public health policies of surveillance is the control of domestic canine reservoirs of Leishmania infantum. This paper aims to evaluate the effect of the dog population and household environment for the maintenance of natural foci in the transmission to human and animal hosts in an endemic city for VL, Bauru, in Brazil. We collected 6,578 blood samples of dogs living in 3,916 households from Nov.2019 to Mar.2020 and applied geospatial models to predict the disease risk based on the canine population. We used Kernel density estimation, cluster analysis, geostatistics, and Generalized Additive Models (GAM). To validate our models, we used cross-validation and created a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We found an overall canine VL (CVL) seroprevalence of 5.6% for the sampled dogs, while for the households, the positivity rate was 8.7%. Odds ratios (OR) for CVL increased progressively according to the number of canines for >2 dogs (OR 2.70); households that already had CVL in the past increased the chances for CVL currently (OR 2.73); and the cases of CVL increase the chances for human VL cases (OR 1.16). Our models were statistically significant and demonstrated a spatial association between canine and human disease cases, mainly in VL foci that remain endemic. Although the Kernel density ratio map had the best performance (AUC = 82), all the models showed high risk in the city's northwest area. Canine population dynamics must be considered in public policies, and geospatial methods may help target priority areas and planning VL surveillance in low and middle-income countries.

Exposure of pelagic seabirds to Toxoplasma gondii in the Western Indian Ocean points to an open sea dispersal of this terrestrial parasite

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that uses felids as definitive hosts and warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts. While the dispersal of T. gondii infectious oocysts from land to coastal waters has been well documented, transmission routes to pelagic species remain puzzling. We used the modified agglutination test (MAT titre ≥ 10) to detect antibodies against T. gondii in sera collected from 1014 pelagic seabirds belonging to 10 species. Sampling was carried out on eight islands of the Western Indian Ocean: Reunion and Juan de Nova (colonized by cats), Cousin, Cousine, Aride, Bird, Europa and Tromelin islands (cat-free). Antibodies against T. gondii were found in all islands and all species but the great frigatebird. The overall seroprevalence was 16.8% [95% CI: 14.5%-19.1%] but significantly varied according to species, islands and age-classes. The low antibody levels (MAT titres = 10 or 25) detected in one shearwater and three red-footed booby chicks most likely resulted from maternal antibody transfer. In adults, exposure to soils contaminated by locally deposited oocysts may explain the detection of antibodies in both wedge-tailed shearwaters on Reunion Island and sooty terns on Juan de Nova. However, 144 adults breeding on cat-free islands also tested positive. In the Seychelles, there was a significant decrease in T. gondii prevalence associated with greater distances to cat populations for species that sometimes rest on the shore, i.e. terns and noddies. This suggests that oocysts carried by marine currents could be deposited on shore tens of kilometres from their initial deposition point and that the number of deposited oocysts decreases with distance from the nearest cat population. The consumption of fishes from the families Mullidae, Carangidae, Clupeidae and Engraulidae, previously described as T. gondii oocyst-carriers (i.e. paratenic hosts), could also explain the exposure of terns, noddies, boobies and tropicbirds to T. gondii. Our detection of antibodies against T. gondii in seabirds that fish in the high sea, have no contact with locally contaminated soils but frequent the shores and/or consume paratenic hosts supports the hypothesis of an open-sea dispersal of T. gondii oocysts by oceanic currents and/or fish.

Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in small wild mammals in northeastern Brazil

This study investigated the occurrence of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in rodents and marsupials from the Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia, northeastern Brazil. Two hundred and four fecal samples were collected from different forest areas in the municipalities of Ilhéus, Una, Belmonte, and Mascote. Identifications were performed using PCR and nested PCR followed by sequencing of the gdh and tpi genes for G. duodenalis, and the gp60 and Hsp-70 genes for Cryptosporidium. The total frequency of positive PCR samples for both G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. was 5.4% (11/204). Giardia duodenalis occurred in 2.94% (4/136) of rodents and 2.94% (2/68) of marsupials. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in rodents and marsupials was 1.47% (2/136) and 4.41% (3/68), respectively. In the areas sampled, the frequency of parasitism was 50% (7/14), while the Mascote region alone had no parasitized animals. The G. duodenalis subgenotype AI was identified in the rodent species Hylaeamys laticeps, Oecomys catherinae, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Akodon cursor, and in the marsupials Gracilinanus agilis and Monodelphis americana. In the rodents Rhipidomys mastacalis, H. laticeps and in the marsupial Marmosa murina the protozoa Cryptosporidium fayeri, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium ubiquitum with subtypes IIa and IVg by the gp60 gene were found. In conclusion, this study provides the genetic characterization of Giardia and Cryptosporidium species and genotypes in rodents and marsupials. And, these findings reinforce that the rodent and marsupial species mentioned above play a role as new hosts for Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs and cats in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, reveals potentially zoonotic species and genotype

Intestinal cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by protists of genus Cryptosporidium that infect a wide variety of hosts, primarily vertebrates. Due to the close contact between humans and their companion animals, especially dogs and cats, there is concern about the potential for zoonotic transmission of this enteric protozoan parasite by infected animals. This study aimed to perform a microscopic and molecular diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples from domiciled dogs and cats. One hundred and nineteen fecal samples were processed using sugar centrifugal flotation followed by molecular detection of Cryptosporidium spp. DNA using nested PCR. Subtyping of isolates positive for C. parvum was performed by sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene (GP60). Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 7.8% (5/64) and 5.4% (3/55) of the fecal samples from dogs and cats, respectively. Cryptosporidium canis (n = 3) and C. parvum (n = 2) were the main species found in dogs, whereas C. felis (n = 3) was prevalent in cats. Subtype IIaA17G2R2 (potentially zoonotic) was identified in samples positive for C. parvum. Despite the low prevalence of Cryptosporidium observed in the domiciled dogs and cats, the presence of potentially zoonotic C. parvum in dogs evidences a public health concern. Further research is needed to better understand the epidemiology, source, and potential impacts of Cryptosporidium infection in cats and dogs.

The situation of echinococcosis in stray dogs in Turkey: the first finding of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus ortleppi

Echinococcosis, caused by larval stage of the genus Echinococcus, is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence and prevalence of Echinococcus species in stray dogs of Erzurum, a highly endemic region for cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in Turkey. The study samples consisted of 446 stray dog faecal specimens collected from an animal shelter in Erzurum, Turkey, between October 2015 and February 2016. The faecal samples were collected from individual dogs for the isolation of taeniid eggs using the sequential sieving and flotation method (SSFM). Molecular analyses and sequencing revealed the prevalence of Echinococcus spp. as 14.13% (63/446) in faecal samples. The stray dogs harboured five different Echinococcus spp.: E. granulosus s.s. (G1/G3) (n = 41), E. equinus (G4) (n = 3), E. ortleppi (G5) (n = 1), E. canadensis (G6/G7) (n = 3) and E. multilocularis (n = 16). E. granulosus s.s. was the most abundant species. Surprisingly, the occurrence of E. multilocularis in dogs was revealed for the first time in Turkey. E. ortleppi was also reported for the first time in Turkey. These findings highlight a significant public health risk for human AE and CE, presenting useful baseline data on Echinococcus spp. infection in dogs for designing control strategies.

Soil-transmitted helminth infections in free-ranging non-human primates from Cameroon and Gabon

BACKGROUND

Zoonotic diseases are a serious threat to both public health and animal conservation. Most non-human primates (NHP) are facing the threat of forest loss and fragmentation and are increasingly living in closer spatial proximity to humans. Humans are infected with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) at a high prevalence, and bidirectional infection with NHP has been observed. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, genetic diversity, distribution and presence of co-infections of STH in free-ranging gorillas, chimpanzees and other NHP species, and to determine the potential role of these NHP as reservoir hosts contributing to the environmental sustenance of zoonotic nematode infections in forested areas of Cameroon and Gabon.

METHODS

A total of 315 faecal samples from six species of NHPs were analysed. We performed PCR amplification, sequencing and maximum likelihood analysis of DNA fragments of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) nuclear ribosomal DNA to detect the presence and determine the genetic diversity of Oesophagostomum spp., Necator spp. and Trichuris spp., and of targeted DNA fragments of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) to detect the presence of Ascaris spp.

RESULTS

Necator spp. infections were most common in gorillas (35 of 65 individuals), but also present in chimpanzees (100 of 222 individuals) and in one of four samples from greater spot-nosed monkeys. These clustered with previously described type II and III Necator spp. Gorillas were also the most infected NHP with Oesophagostomum (51/65 individuals), followed by chimpanzees (157/222 individuals), mandrills (8/12 samples) and mangabeys (7/12 samples), with O. stephanostomum being the most prevalent species. Oesophagostomum bifurcum was detected in chimpanzees and a red-capped mangabey, and a non-classified Oesophagostomum species was detected in a mandrill and a red-capped mangabey. In addition, Ternidens deminutus was detected in samples from one chimpanzee and three greater spot-nosed monkeys. A significant relative overabundance of co-infections with Necator and Oesophagostomum was observed in chimpanzees and gorillas. Trichuris sp. was detected at low prevalence in a gorilla, a chimpanzee and a greater spot-nosed monkey. No Ascaris was observed in any of the samples analysed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results on STH prevalence and genetic diversity in NHP from Cameroon and Gabon corroborate those obtained from other wild NHP populations in other African countries. Future research should focus on better identifying, at a molecular level, the species of Necator and Oesophagostomum infecting NHP and determining how human populations may be affected by increased proximity resulting from encroachment into sylvatic STH reservoir habitats.

Zoonotic enteric parasites in Mongolian people, animals, and the environment: Using One Health to address shared pathogens

BACKGROUND

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are important zoonotic enteric pathogens of One Health concern for humans, animals, and the environment. For this study, we investigated parasite prevalence and risk factors among rural, peri-urban, and urban households and environments of Mongolia.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study implemented a household risk factor survey at 250 home sites along with sample collection from humans, animals, flies, and drinking water. Multiplex real-time PCR analysis was conducted to look for Cryptosporidium spp. and/or Giardia duodenalis within household samples.

RESULTS

Lab analysis found one or both zoonotic parasites at 20% of the participating households (51/250). Human samples had a parasite prevalence of 6.4% (27/419), domestic animals at 3.3% (19/570), pooled filth flies at 14.8% (17/115), and drinking water samples at 2% (5/250). Parasite presence at the household was significantly associated with a household's use of an improved drinking water source (OR 0.27; CI 0.12-0.61; p = < 0.01), having an indoor handwashing site (OR 0.41; CI 0.19-0.92; p = 0.03), domestic animal ownership (OR 2.40; CI 1.02-5.65; p = 0.05), and rural location (OR 0.50; CI 0.25-0.98; p = 0.04). Household use of an improved drinking water source remained significant in the multivariate model (OR 0.16; CI 0.04-0.68; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In Mongolia, public and veterinary health are intertwined, particularly for rural herding households. Increased access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure could help prevent further transmission of zoonotic enteric parasites. Public health interventions, policy and messaging should utilize a One Health framework employing joint leadership from local human and animal health sectors.

Geographical Detector-based influence factors analysis for Echinococcosis prevalence in Tibet, China

Echinococcosis, caused by genus Echinococcus, is the most pathogenic zoonotic parasitic disease in the world. In Tibet of the People's Republic of China, echinococcosis refers principally to two types of severe zoonosis, cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), which place a serious burden on public health and economy in the local community. However, research on the spatial epidemiology of echinococcosis remains inadequate in Tibet, China. Based on the recorded human echinococcosis data, maps of the spatial distribution of human CE and AE prevalence in Tibet were produced at city level and county level respectively, which show that the prevalence of echinococcosis in northern and western Tibet was much higher than that in other regions. We employ a geographical detector to explore the influencing factors for causing CE and AE while sorting information on the maps of disease prevalence and environment factors (e.g. terrain, population, and yak population). The results of our analysis showed that biological factors have the most impact on the prevalence of echinococcosis, of which the yak population contributes the most for CE, while the dog population contributes the most for AE. In addition, the interaction between various factors, as we found out, might further explain the disease prevalence, which indicated that the echinococcosis prevalence is not simply affected by one single factor, but by multiple factors that are correlated with each other complicatedly. Our results will provide an important reference for the evaluation of the echinococcosis risk, control projects, and prevention programs in Tibet.

Toxoplasma gondii in mollusks and cold-blooded animals: a systematic review

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is known for its ability to infect warm-blooded vertebrates. Although T. gondii does not appear to parasitize cold-blooded animals, the occurrence of T. gondii infection in marine mammals raises concerns that cold-blooded animals (frogs, toad, turtles, crocodiles, snakes, and fish) and shellfish are potential sources of T. gondii. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in mollusks and cold-blooded animals worldwide. We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to 1 August 2020 for eligible papers in the English language and identified 26 articles that reported the prevalence of T. gondii in mollusks and cold-blooded animals. These articles were subsequently reviewed and data extracted using a standard form. In total, 26 studies [involving 9 cross-sectional studies including 2988 samples of cold-blooded animals (129 positive cases for T. gondii) and 18 cross-sectional studies entailing 13 447 samples of shellfish (692 positive cases for T. gondii)] were included in this study. Although this study showed that shellfish and cold-blooded animals could be potential sources of T. gondii for humans and other hosts that feed on them, further investigations are recommended to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in shellfish and cold-blooded animals.

A review of the occurrence and clinical consequences of protozoan infections in carnivorous fur farm animals

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

The aim was to review available data concerning the occurrence of protozoan parasites affecting carnivorous fur farm animals, such as: American mink, blue and silver foxes, and raccoon dogs. Although, many protozoan pathogens have been isolated in wild fur animals, some are still not recognised as relevant to particular fur farm animal species. Protozoans that have been isolated as causative agents of clinical cases and reported in these animals are: Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp., Isospora spp., Leishmania infantum, Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp., and Toxoplasma gondii. Unfortunately, in most reports, neither clinical symptoms nor detailed pathogenicity and clinical pathology are satisfactory discriminated. This data is essential for preparing treatment and preventive measure protocols. Additionally, attempts to better understand the infections might be useful in the case of outbreaks.

RESULTS

The results of the literature research revealed that some detected infections may have zoonotic potential, and are quite likely to be transmitted in both directions. The role of vectors, e.g. small rodents, birds, insects (sand-flies), or pets (cats and dogs), which might be involved in the transmission of various parasitic infections, is also discussed. The summarized list of protozoans involved can be used for further studies on the health and welfare aspects of fur farm animal breeding and public health issues.