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Schotte U, Binder A, Goller KV, Faulde M, Ruhl S, Sauer S, Schlegel M, Teifke JP, Ulrich RG, Wylezich C. Field survey and molecular characterization of apicomplexan parasites in small mammals from military camps in Afghanistan. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1199-1211. [PMID: 36944808 PMCID: PMC10097762 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07820-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Small mammals are an important reservoir for causative agents of numerous infectious diseases, including zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. The occurrence of these pathogens represents a regional but permanent threat for humans and animals in general and might especially weaken military personnel and companion animals in abroad missions. In our study, small mammals collected in military camps in Afghanistan (Feyzabad, Mazar-e Sharif, and Kunduz) were investigated for the presence of apicomplexans using histopathology and molecular methods. For this purpose, well-established and newly developed real-time PCR assays were applied. A high prevalence was detected not only in house mice (Mus musculus), but also in shrews (Crocidura cf. suaveolens) and grey dwarf hamsters (Cricetulus migratorius). The molecular characterization based on the 18S rRNA gene revealed a close relationship to a cluster of Hepatozoon sp. detected in voles of the genus Microtus. Hepatozoon canis DNA was detected in one house mouse as well as in two Rhipicephalus ticks from a dog puppy. In addition, around 5% of the house mice were found to be infected with far related adeleorinids showing the highest sequence identity of 91.5% to Klossiella equi, the only published Klossiella sequence at present. For their better phylogenetic characterization, we conducted metagenomics by sequencing of two selected samples. The resulting 18S rRNA gene sequences have a length of about 2400 base pairs including an insertion of about 500 base pairs and are 100% identical to each other. Histopathology together with organ tropism and detection rates verified this sequence as of Klossiella muris. In conclusion, we documented naturally occurring protozoan stages and the additional taxonomic characterization of a well-known commensal in mice by applying a combination of different approaches. The study is of medical, social, and biological importance for ensuring human and animal health in military camps and also stresses the required awareness for the potential risk of zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Schotte
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Kiel, Kopperpahler Allee 120, 24119, Kronshagen, Germany.
| | - Alfred Binder
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Kiel, Kopperpahler Allee 120, 24119, Kronshagen, Germany
| | - Katja V Goller
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany
- Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine and Central Unit for Infection Prevention and Control, University Medicine Greifswald, Fleischmannstraße 8, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michael Faulde
- Department of Medicine, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Koblenz, Andernacher Str. 100, 56070, Koblenz, Germany
- Bundeswehr Research Institute (WIWeB), Institutsweg 1, 85435, Erding, Germany
| | - Silke Ruhl
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Kiel, Kopperpahler Allee 120, 24119, Kronshagen, Germany
- Bundeswehr Medical Academy, Deployment Health Surveillance Center, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Sauer
- Division E, Bundeswehr Medical Academy, Military Medical Research and Development, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias Schlegel
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany
- Seramun Diagnostica GmbH, Spreenhagener Str. 1, 15754, Heidesee, Germany
| | - Jens P Teifke
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management (ATB), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany.
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management (ATB), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany.
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Giannelli A, Baldassarre V, Ramos RAN, Lia RP, Furlanello T, Trotta M, Dantas-Torres F, Baneth G, Otranto D. Spirocerca lupi infection in a dog from southern Italy: an "old fashioned" disease? Parasitol Res 2014; 113:2391-4. [PMID: 24781025 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3912-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Canine spirocercosis caused by Spirocerca lupi is a life-threatening helminthic disease featured by severe clinical signs and potential development of oesophageal neoplasia. This infection is considered fairly frequent in Europe but almost unknown in Italy, from where only few reports have been published in local journals at the beginning of the XXI century. In the present study, an autochthonous case of canine spirocercosis in a 2-year-old dog from southern Italy is described. The animal was admitted to a private veterinary clinic in the municipality of Potenza (Basilicata region) due to persistent dyspnoea, vomiting, and regurgitation. At the abdominal ultrasound, a mass (1.3 × 2 cm) was observed and, thereafter, surgically removed from the apical part of the stomach. A female specimen of S. lupi was morphologically identified during the histological examination of the nodule and its eggs were detected in the faeces. In addition, the morphological identification was confirmed by molecular amplification and sequencing of partial cox2 gene sequence of S. lupi. Veterinarians should be aware of the potential risks derived from infection with this spirurid, which requires specific diagnostic and preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Giannelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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Saqib M, Muhammad G, Naureen A, Hussain MH, Asi MN, Mansoor MK, Toufeer M, Khan I, Neubauer H, Sprague LD. Effectiveness of an antimicrobial treatment scheme in a confined glanders outbreak. BMC Vet Res 2012; 8:214. [PMID: 23134717 PMCID: PMC3526512 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glanders is a contagious and fatal zoonotic disease of solipeds caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia (B.) mallei. Although regulations call for culling of diseased animals, certain situations e.g. wild life conservation, highly valuable breeding stock, could benefit from effective treatment schemes and post-exposure prophylaxis. RESULTS Twenty three culture positive glanderous horses were successfully treated during a confined outbreak by applying a treatment protocol of 12 weeks duration based on the parenteral administration of enrofloxacin and trimethoprim plus sulfadiazine, followed by the oral administration of doxycycline. Induction of immunosupression in six randomly chosen horses after completion of treatment did not lead to recrudescence of disease. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that long term treatment of glanderous horses with a combination of various antibiotics seems to eliminate the agent from the organism. However, more studies are needed to test the effectiveness of this treatment regime on B. mallei strains from different endemic regions. Due to its cost and duration, this treatment can only be an option in certain situations and should not replace the current "testing and culling" policy, in conjunction with adequate compensation to prevent spreading of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Saqib
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040 Pakistan
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