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Hashemnia S, Khovand H, Ghahvei Y, Nourollahifard S. Scanning electron microscopy of digestive tract parasites in jungle cat (Felis chaus). Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:395-402. [PMID: 37861382 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Among the 10 native cats of Iran, the Felis chaus is considered as one of the largely unknown species. Despite the reports on jungle cats in southeast Iran, there is no comprehensive information about their parasitic diseases. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) provides a valuable tool for the study of these organisms. In October 2022, a 15-year-old male jungle cat (F. chaus) was examined for gastrointestinal parasites using SEM which revealed exact parasite structures such as the mouth, shape of the lips, teeth and their position, papillae, excretory pore, and amphids. SEM of the Taenia taeniaeformis found in the F. chaus intestinal epithelium revealed that this tapeworm consisted of four unarmed suckers and a large armed rostellum. The rostellum was observed bearing double rings of alternating and circular hook arrangements. There were 21 large hooks in the anterior ring and 21 slightly smaller hooks in the posterior one. This study is the first report of Joyeuxiella echinorhyncoides from a jungle cat (F. chaus) in southeastern Iran. The rostellum was cylindrical and armed with thorn shape hooks that covered the whole rostellum with similar density. It was armed with 20-30 long hooks arranged in 16 rows. Four big suckers were visible at the base of the rostellum, two on each side. The suckers were round, and unlike the rostellum, these structures were unarmed. The results of the present study observed under SEM, indicated that organs such as sucker and rostellum in cestodes and mouth and the shape of lips and teeth in nematodes played a significant role in the biology of these helminths. The SEM reveals the surface structures and their relationships which results in better distinguishing the species and showing their detailed differences. More SEM studies need to be conducted on other species of cestodes and nematodes, along with pathological tests, to obtain more comprehensive and precise information about how these parasites harm this jungle cat host. The results of present study indicate that morphological details are important which should be considered in the classification. Meanwhile, external structures described herein using SEM, further investigation using transmission electron microscope provide more data on the biology of the parasites. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Light microscopy is the first step to identify the parasites. High magnification 3D images of the SEM reveal the surface structures of parasites and their relationships precisely. SEM study of the parasites results in distinguishing the species and showing their detailed differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadi Hashemnia
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hosein Khovand
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Younes Ghahvei
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeidreza Nourollahifard
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
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Carbonara M, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Lia RP, Annoscia G, Iatta R, Varcasia A, Conte G, Benelli G, Otranto D. Squamata reptiles as a potential source of helminth infections when preyed on by companion animals. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:233. [PMID: 37452384 PMCID: PMC10349445 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05852-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Squamate reptiles cohabiting with companion animals may represent a source of helminth infections, especially through predation by dogs and cats with an outdoor lifestyle. METHODS In order to assess the role of reptiles as intermediate/paratenic hosts of trophically transmitted helminths, synanthropic reptiles (n = 245) captured from different ecological settings (i.e., households, dog shelters, urban, peri-urban and rural areas or natural parks) of southern Italy were examined for endoparasites. Parasitic cysts (i.e., larval forms of acanthocephalans, cestodes and nematodes) and free helminths (i.e., adult nematodes and digeneans) were morphologically and molecularly identified, and statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate the correlations between reptiles, infections, and ecological settings. RESULTS Overall, 31% of reptiles were positive for at least one helminth, with Podarcis siculus (18.7%) and Tarentola mauritanica (8.1%) being the most frequently infected species. Among the parasites of medical interest, Joyeuxiella echinorhyncoides showed the highest prevalence (19.7%), followed by Diplopylidium acanthotetra (10.5%), Joyeuxiella pasqualei, Mesocestoides lineatus (5.6%) and Physaloptera sp. (3.9%). Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus was detected once. Podarcis siculus and T. mauritanica were associated with cestode infections. CONCLUSIONS The wide range of helminths detected here in reptiles living in sympatry with pets and the fact that many of these helminth species are parasitic and may infect companion animals (e.g., J. pasqualei, J. echinorhyncoides, D. acanthotetra, Physaloptera sp.) and humans (i.e., Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, Mesocestoides lineatus) indicate the potential health risk associated with pets preying on these small vertebrates. Our results indicate the need for complementary investigations of trophically transmitted parasites in dogs and cats living in sympatry with reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Riccardo Paolo Lia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Giada Annoscia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Conte
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
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Macedo LC, Willkens Y, Silva LMO, Gardner SL, Melo FTDV, Santos JND. “Revisiting the past”: a redescription of Physaloptera retusa (Nemata, Physalopteridae) from material deposited in museums and new material from Amazon lizards. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINÁRIA 2023; 32:e017422. [PMID: 36995839 PMCID: PMC10062017 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612023016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Physaloptera Rudolphi, 1819 is a genus of nematodes that includes approximately 100 species parasitic in vertebrates around the world. From these, approximately 30 occur in the Neotropical region, with nine reported from neotropical reptiles. Physaloptera spp. are recognized by their distinct morphology of the apical end and characters of the reproductive system. However, despite the fact that the morphological characters for species diagnosis have been firmly established, we frequently find identification problems regarding poorly detailed descriptions and poorly preserved specimens. These may lead to taxonomic incongruencies. Physaloptera retusa (Rudolphi, 1819) is the most common species of the genus and has been reported from several species of neotropical reptiles. Based on our reexaminations of nematode specimens identified as P. retusa from different museum collections, we provide a detailed redescription including the type material, voucher specimens and new specimens recovered currently and showed in this study with new morphological data obtained using light and scanning electron microscopy tools.
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Soderman L, Harkin KR. Gastric Physaloptera Infection in 27 Dogs (1997-2019). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2021; 57:8-14. [PMID: 33260208 DOI: 10.5326/jaaha-ms-7046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Infection with the stomach worm Physaloptera spp. in dogs can cause chronic vomiting, although the diagnosis is often difficult owing to a low worm burden, single-sex infections, a failure to produce ova, or ova that are of greater density than solutions routinely used for qualitative fecal flotation. A retrospective evaluation was performed of 27 dogs that had gastric Physaloptera spp. infection confirmed endoscopically. In 23 of 27 dogs (85.2%), chronic vomiting was the chief complaint, and Physaloptera was an incidental finding in 3 dogs with esophageal or gastric foreign bodies. The worm burden was low (1-3 worms) in 21 dogs (77.8%), but 2 dogs were infected with large numbers (>50 worms). Prior therapy with routine doses of anthelmintics was ineffective in eight dogs prior to endoscopy. A higher dose and longer duration of fenbendazole in combination with pyrantel pamoate is recommended for treatment of suspected or confirmed infections. Reinfection is common in some dogs and should not be viewed as treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Soderman
- From Oradell Animal Hospital, Paramus, New Jersey (L.S.); and Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas (K.R.H.)
| | - Kenneth R Harkin
- From Oradell Animal Hospital, Paramus, New Jersey (L.S.); and Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas (K.R.H.)
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Maharana BR, Gupta S, Gupta S, Ganguly A, Kumar B, Chandratre GA, Bisla RS. First report of molecular and phylogenetic analysis of Physaloptera praeputialis in naturally infected stray cats from India. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2047-2056. [PMID: 33893552 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07163-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Nematodes of the genus Physaloptera are globally distributed and infect a multitude of hosts. Their life cycle involves orthopterans and coleopterans as intermediate hosts. The morphological characters alone are inadequate to detect and differentiate Physaloptera spp. from its congeners. Moreover, molecular studies are limited to compare them precisely. The present communication reports the first molecular phylogenetic characterization of feline Physaloptera spp. from India based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) and small subunit ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA). The nematodes were first isolated from the stomach of adult stray cats during necropsy examination. Based on the gross and microscopic characters, the worms were identified as P. praeputialis. Morphological identification was further confirmed through PCR targeting the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (MT-COI) gene, using nematode-specific primers cocktail followed by species specific primers targeting partial COX1 and 18S rRNA genes. Generated sequences were submitted in NCBI GenBank (MW517846, MW410927, MW411349), and phylogenetic trees were constructed using the maximum likelihood method. When compared with other sequences of Physaloptera species across the globe, the present isolates showed 85.6-97.7% and 97.3-99% nucleotide homology based on COX1 and 18S rRNA gene, respectively. BLASTn analysis revealed a strong identity to other Physaloptera spp., and the phylogenetic tree placed all Physaloptera spp. in the same cluster. This study again indicates the usefulness of molecular techniques to substantiate the identity of species that may lack adequate descriptions and impart new insight for the potentially overlooked significance of P. praeputialis infections in felines.
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Affiliation(s)
- B R Maharana
- Referral Veterinary Diagnostic and Extension Centre, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India.
| | - Snehil Gupta
- Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125001, India
| | - Surbhi Gupta
- Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125001, India
| | - A Ganguly
- Referral Veterinary Diagnostic and Extension Centre, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
| | - Binod Kumar
- College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, 362001, India
| | - G A Chandratre
- Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125001, India
| | - R S Bisla
- Referral Veterinary Diagnostic and Extension Centre, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
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Menk P. Lima JC, Del Piero F. Severe Concomitant Physaloptera sp., Dirofilaria immitis, Toxocara cati, Dipylidium caninum, Ancylostoma sp. and Taenia taeniaeformis Infection in a Cat. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020109. [PMID: 33499121 PMCID: PMC7912063 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we describe an unusual and severe mixed parasitic infection in a cat that died during routine surgery. Gastric Physaloptera sp., cardiac Dirofilaria immitis, and intestinal Toxocara cati, Dipylidium caninum, Ancylostoma sp. and Taenia taeniaeformis were observed. Histologic lesions included chronic proliferative pulmonary endarteritis, mild increase of mucosal intestinal white cells, and terminal aspiration of gastric content. The severe dirofilariasis may have contributed to this patient death during anesthesia.
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Oyarzún-Ruiz P, Cataldo SD, Cevidanes A, Millán J, González-Acuña D. Endoparasitic fauna of two South American foxes in Chile: Lycalopex culpaeus and Lycalopex griseus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 29:e006220. [PMID: 33027424 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Native foxes face serious threats related to anthropic activities and the uncontrolled pets. However, the transmission of several pathogens such as parasites by domestic dogs is an important conservation issue with limited attention in Chile. The lack of a proper identification of the helminths of wild canids in the country, based mostly in coprological studies, limited our knowledge in potential interspecific transmission. Thus, the aim of the present survey was to identify the parasitic fauna of two native canids, the Andean fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) (n=49) and Chilla (Lycalopex griseus) (n=17), from several localities in Chile through a complete parasitological survey. Sixteen different species were identified, 9 of which are new host records for Andean fox and two for Chilla fox in South America, and three are recorded for first time in Chile. Also, five of them are of zoonotic concern and six are known to use domestic dogs as their principal hosts. These findings have implications for public health and the conservation of canids whose interspecific transmission of parasites with domestic dogs is confirmed through these findings. The need for an exhaustive surveillance of wild carnivores is emphasized considering these hosts as important sources of micro- and macroparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Oyarzún-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile.,Becario ANID Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Sophia Di Cataldo
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aitor Cevidanes
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA, Zaragoza, España.,Fundación ARAID, Zaragoza, España
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
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Molecular identification of Physaloptera sp. from wild northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2963-2969. [PMID: 29980889 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5993-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Physaloptera spp. are common nematodes found in the stomach and muscles of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Physaloptera spp. have a complicated life cycle with multiple definitive hosts, arthropod intermediate hosts, aberrant infections, and possible second intermediate hosts or paratenic hosts. For example, Physaloptera sp. larvae have been found within the tissues of wild northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), and it is suspected that quail may serve as paratenic or secondary hosts of these parasites. However, because it is not known what role quail play in the life cycle of Physaloptera spp. and descriptions of Physaloptera spp. larvae are limited, molecular tools may be beneficial when identifying these helminths. In this study, we generated primers using universal nematode primers and obtained a partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (COX 1) sequence. Morphological identification of Physaloptera sp. in bobwhite was confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using the maximum likelihood method. BLAST analysis revealed a strong identity to other Physaloptera spp. and the phylogenetic tree placed all Physaloptera spp. in the same cluster. We also documented a marked increase in Physaloptera infections in bobwhite from 2017 to 2018, and the similarity of these parasites to Onchocerca volvulus and Wuchereria bancrofti may give insight into the increased prevalence we observed. This study demonstrates the usefulness of molecular techniques to confirm the identity of species that may lack adequate descriptions and provides new insight for the diagnosis and potentially overlooked significance of Physaloptera sp. infections of bobwhite in the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas.
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Napoli E, Anile S, Arrabito C, Scornavacca D, Mazzamuto MV, Gaglio G, Otranto D, Giannetto S, Brianti E. Survey on parasitic infections in wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777) by scat collection. Parasitol Res 2015; 115:255-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4742-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Gorgani-Firouzjaee T, Farshid AA, Naem S. First ultrastructural observations on gastritis caused by Physaloptera clausa (Spirurida: Physalopteridae) in hedgehogs (Erinaceus europeaus). Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3693-8. [PMID: 26113510 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4597-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ultrastructural changes of gastritis due to infection with Physaloptera clausa in 12 fresh carcasses of euthanized European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) collected from different part of Urmia, Iran, in which they were highly populated with this animal, six females and six males were subjected to detail necropsy with special reference to the stomach. Macroscopic changes of stomach were recorded and some of the worms collected. Based on number of parasites present in the stomach, they were divided into light infection, mild infection, and severe infection. Parasites were collected, and worms identification of the species was confirmed on the basis of light microscope examination with reference to keys. Tissues fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde, post-fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide and processed and plastic embedded; ultrathin sections of 60-70 nm were cut and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate; electron microscopic observations showed that, in light infection some changes were observed in gastric cells such as dilatation and vesiculation of the endoplasmic reticulum, large numbers of lipid granules, mitochondrial swelling, nuclear chromatin margination, and some nucleus showed washed out appearance. Other cells showed some alterations in mitochondria, dilatation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, loss of both free and bound ribosomes, vesiculation in cytoplasm, and increase Golgi apparatus and secretory vesicles. The inflammatory cells including lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells, and predominantly eosinophils were identified. In moderate infection, the cellular pattern of gastric mucosa replaced with inflammatory cells. The marked increase of macrophages and other inflammatory cell was observed. A particular finding in our study was the presence of globule leukocyte in the moderate stage. Moreover, scant formation and distribution of collagen fibers as well as fibroblasts were also noted. In severe infection, the most obvious observation was marked distribution of collagen fibers around the mucosal cells. The fibroblastic cells with elongated nucleus and extensive indentation were noticed. In conclusion, the result of our study revealed P. clausa could be a cause of gastritis and according to cellular pattern of inflammatory reaction, with the increase of worm burden and development of infection, chronic gastritis was stabilized. Present investigation documented the ultrastructural changes during verminous gastritis in hedgehogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Gorgani-Firouzjaee
- Division of Parasitology Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran,
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