Genetic analysis of Enterobius vermicularis isolated from a chimpanzee with lethal hemorrhagic colitis and pathology of the associated lesions

Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of E. vermicularis in appendectomy specimens from Iran

Human infection with Enterobius vermicularis occurs worldwide, particularly in children. The role of E. vermicularis in appendicitis is neglected. This study was designed to investigate genotypes of E. vermicularis detected from appendectomy specimens in the human population from Iran and clarify the intra-species variation of the parasite. Seventy appendectomies for acute clinical appendicitis isolates from Azerbaijan and North Khorasan of Iran were used in the present study. The genetic information of Tehran and Hamedan regions was also obtained from GenBank for comparison and analysis. The nucleotide sequence of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene was analyzed to perform genetic differentiation, haplotype network analysis, and population structure. Phylogenetic analysis of all the isolates were included in type B haplogroup. The number of haplotypes in all geographical locations of Iran is not much. Network analysis of sequences for regions such as Thailand, Iran, Denmark, and Poland show three classified subtypes B1, B2, and B3 in the B haplogroup. It seems that the haplotypes of E. vermicularis detected from appendectomy are B type, and divided into three subtypes. Further research using another genetic marker is required to elucidate the genetic variation of the parasites in detail.

Prevalence and genetic analysis of Enterobius vermicularis in schoolchildren in lower northern Thailand

Enterobius vermicularis, a nematode parasite with a global distribution causes enterobiasis in schoolchildren and is considered a neglected parasite. An understanding of the prevalence and genetic diversity of enterobiasis is crucial for appropriate control measures. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to study the prevalence and genetic diversity of E. vermicularis in schoolchildren from lower northern Thailand, based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences. Using the scotch tape technique, 7.4% (188/2544) of schoolchildren from 21 primary schools were found positive for E. vermicularis eggs, which is a relatively low infection rate. Phylogenetic trees of partial COI sequences (397 bp) revealed similar topologies using maximum likelihood (ML) and neighbor-joining (NJ) methods and identified E. vermicularis type A (105 sequences) and B (1 sequence). Haplotype network analysis of the COI sequences demonstrated a high haplotype diversity (H_d = 0.9028). In contrast, phylogenetic analysts of a 343 bp region of the ITS2 locus (52 sequences) revealed a monophyletic group. More sequence analyses of E. vermicularis from humans and other hosts in Thailand are necessary to better understand the genetic diversity of this parasite.

A pinworm's tale: The evolutionary history of Lemuricola (Protenterobius) nycticebi

Lemuricola (Protenterobius) nycticebi is the only pinworm species known to infect strepsirrhine primates outside Africa, and the only pinworm species yet described in slow lorises. Here, we provided a detailed morphological comparison of female and male worms, and a first description of fourth-stage larvae collected from free-living slow lorises (Nycticebus menagensis) in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Using mitochondrial and nuclear markers, we also reconstructed the species' phylogenetic relationship with other pinworms infecting primates. Both morphological and molecular results indicated a distinct association between L. (P.) nycticebi and its host. However, while taxonomy identified this species as a member of the Lemuricola clade and grouped pinworms infecting lemurs and slow lorises together, phylogenetic reconstruction split them, placing L. (P.) nycticebi within the Enterobius clade. Our results suggest that L. (P.) nycticebi may represent a different taxon altogether, and that it is more closely related to pinworm species infecting Old World primates outside Madagascar. Pongobius pongoi (Foitová et al., 2008) n. comb. is also proposed.

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Pinworms and their primate hosts have a long history of association.

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L. (P.) nycticebi was recovered from slow lorises in the wild.

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L. (P.) nycticebi was taxonomy classified within the Lemuricola clade.

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However, molecular phylogenetics placed it within the Enterobius clade.

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Taxonomic and molecular identifications should complement species descriptions.

Natural pathology of the captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): A 35-year review

We present the spontaneous pathological lesions identified as a result of necropsy or biopsy for 245 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) over a 35-year period. A review of the pathology database was performed for all diagnoses on chimpanzees from 1980 to 2014. All morphologic diagnoses, associated system, organ, etiology, and demographic information were reviewed and analyzed. Cardiomyopathy was the most frequent lesion observed followed by hemosiderosis, hyperplasia, nematodiasis, edema, and hemorrhage. The most frequently affected systems were the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, urogenital, respiratory, and lymphatic/hematopoietic systems. The most common etiology was undetermined, followed by degenerative, physiologic, neoplastic, parasitic, and bacterial. Perinatal and infant animals were mostly affected by physiologic etiologies and chimpanzee-induced trauma. Bacterial and physiologic etiologies were more common in juvenile animals. Degenerative and physiologic (and neoplastic in geriatric animals) etiologies predominated in adult, middle aged, and geriatric chimpanzees.

Natural mortality and cause of death analysis of the captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): A 35-year review

We present the spontaneous causes of mortality for 137 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) over a 35-year period. A record review of the pathology database was performed and a primary cause of mortality was determined for each chimpanzee. The most common causes of mortality were as follows: cardiomyopathy (40% of all mortalities), stillbirth/abortion, acute myocardial necrosis, chimpanzee-induced trauma, amyloidosis, and pneumonia. Five morphologic diagnoses accounted for 61% of mortalities: cardiomyopathy, hemorrhage, acute myocardial necrosis, amyloidosis, and pneumonia. The most common etiologies were degenerative, undetermined, bacterial, traumatic, and neoplastic. The cardiovascular system was most frequently involved, followed by the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and multisystemic diseases. Degenerative diseases were the primary etiological cause of mortality of the adult captive chimpanzee population. Chimpanzee-induced trauma was the major etiological cause of mortality among the perinatal and infant population. This information should be a useful resource for veterinarians and researchers working with chimpanzees.