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Gupta A, de Araujo LS, Calero-Bernal R, Humpal C, Schrage M, Carstensen M, Rosenthal BM, Dubey JP. MOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SARCOCYSTIS INFECTIONS IN THE MUSCLES OF GRAY WOLVES (CANIS LUPUS) FROM MINNESOTA SUGGEST THEY MAY SERVE AS RESERVOIRS FOR INFECTION IN DOMESTICATED DOGS. J Parasitol 2024; 110:471-485. [PMID: 39326880 DOI: 10.1645/24-72] [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] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Sarcocystis infections were found for the first time in the muscles of 3 of 3 gray wolves (Canis lupus) from Minnesota. Two kinds (thin-walled and thick-walled) of sarcocysts were detected, based on the appearance of the sarcocyst wall. In wolf 1, sarcocysts were thin-walled (<0.5 μm), and without any visible protrusions. Ultrastructurally, the sarcocyst wall was type 1a and identical to Sarcocystis svanai of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). The second kind of sarcocyst, with a relatively thicker (>1 μm) sarcocyst wall, was detected in wolves 2 and 3. Ultrastructurally, the sarcocyst wall had undulating, pleomorphic villar protrusion of type 9c; these sarcocysts were identical to Sarcocystis caninum from the domestic dog. Molecularly, the 2 Sarcocystis species were characterized using 18S, 28S, COI, ITS-1, and rpoB genetic markers. All these markers showed 100% identity to either of the 2 species previously described from the domestic dog. The thick-walled sarococyst corresponded to Sarcocystis caninum, whereas the thin-walled sarcocyst corresponded to Sarcocystis svanai.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Gupta
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Larissa S de Araujo
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - R Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Carolin Humpal
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1201 E Hwy 2, Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55744
| | - Mike Schrage
- Fond du Lac Resource Management Division, 28 University Road, Cloquet, Minnesota 55720
| | - Michelle Carstensen
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1201 E Hwy 2, Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55744
| | - B M Rosenthal
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - J P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
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Juozaitytė-Ngugu E, Maziliauskaitė E, Kirjušina M, Prakas P, Vaitkevičiūtė R, Stankevičiūtė J, Butkauskas D. Identification of Sarcocystis and Trichinella Species in Muscles of Gray Wolf ( Canis lupus) from Lithuania. Vet Sci 2024; 11:85. [PMID: 38393103 PMCID: PMC10892562 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11020085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan Sarcocystis and Trichinella nematodes are food-borne parasites whose life cycle is carried-out in various wildlife and domestic animals. The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is an apex predator acting as an ecosystem engineer. This study aimed to identify the species of Sarcocystis and Trichinella found in the muscles of gray wolves in Lithuania. During the 2017-2022 period, diaphragm, heart, and hind leg samples of 15 animals were examined. Microscopical analysis showed the presence of two types of Sarcocystis parasites in 26.7% of the analyzed muscle samples. Based on the sequencing of five loci, nuclear 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, ITS1, mitochondrial cox1, and apicoplast rpoB, S. arctica, and S. svanai were identified. The current work presents the first report of S. svanai in gray wolf. Phylogenetically, S. svanai clustered together with S. lutrae, infecting various carnivorans, and S. arctica was most closely related to S. felis from domestic cats. Trichinella spp. were found in 12 gray wolves (80%). For the first time, Trichinella species were molecularly identified in gray wolves from Lithuania. Trichinella britovi was confirmed in all of the isolated Trichinella larvae using a multiplex PCR. Gray wolves in Lithuania may serve as a major source of zoonotic pathogens due to the presence of these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Muza Kirjušina
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes 1, 5401 Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Vaitkevičiūtė
- Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentų 11, Akademija, 53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jolanta Stankevičiūtė
- Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentų 11, Akademija, 53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
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Máca O, González-Solís D. Role of three bird species in the life cycle of two Sarcocystis spp. (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) in the Czech Republic. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 17:133-137. [PMID: 35070681 PMCID: PMC8761862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Birds are one of the groups involved in the development of Sarcocystis Lankester (1882), serving either as intermediate or definitive hosts. The white-tailed sea eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758), red kite Milvus milvus (Linnaeus, 1758) (both Accipitriformes) and common starlings Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 (Passeriformes) were examined to elucidate their participation in the development of Sarcocystis, as well as to determine the specific identity of the parasites based on morphological and especially molecular analyses. In 2020-2021, one white-tailed eagle, one red kite and five common starlings were parasitologically examined for the presence of Sarcocystis using flotation centrifugation coprological method and by wet mounts of intestinal mucosa scrapings and/or muscle samples. Positive samples were processed by light microscopy, histologically and followed molecularly at four genetic markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1 and cox1). The white-tailed eagle harboured oocysts/sporocysts of S. arctica Gjerde et Schulze, 2014 in the intestinal mucosa, while the intestinal mucosa of the red kite and breasts and leg muscles of one common starling were positive to S. halieti Gjerde, Vikøren et Hamnes, 2018. Sequences from eagle shared 99.6-100% identity with each other and S. arctica in the red fox (V. vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic. Sequences from the common starling and red kite shared 100% identity with each other and with S. halieti in the great cormorant (P. carbo [Linnaeus, 1758]) from Lithuania and H. albicilla from Norway. The white-tailed sea eagle might act as definitive host of S. arctica, whereas the common starling and red kite represent intermediate and potential definitive hosts, respectively, for S. halieti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Máca
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, State Veterinary Institute Prague, Sídlištní 136/24, 165 03, Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - David González-Solís
- Department of Systematics and Aquatic Ecology, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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New Insights into Gastrointestinal and Pulmonary Parasitofauna of Wild Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx) in the Harz Mountains of Germany. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121650. [PMID: 34959605 PMCID: PMC8708128 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) represents an endangered wild felid species. In Germany, it currently occurs in three isolated populations in and around the Harz Mountains, the Palatinate Forest and the Bavarian Forest. Lynx parasitic infections affect animal health and might have an influence on population performance. Therefore, we investigated the protozoan and helminth fauna of free-ranging Eurasian lynx of the Harz population with emphasis on zoonotic parasites. Individual scat samples (n = 24) were collected from wild animals between 2019 and 2021 in the Harz National Park and surrounding areas. In total, 15 taxa of endoparasites were detected, including seven nematodes (i.e., Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Angiostrongylus spp., Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara cati, Cylicospirura spp. and Capillaria spp.), one cestode (Diphyllobothriidae) and one trematode (Heterophylidae) as well as six protozoans (i.e., Cystoisospora rivolta, Cystoisospora felis, Toxoplasma gondii/Hammondia spp., Sarcocystis spp., Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp.). Moreover, first-stage larvae (L1) of spurious lungworm, Protostrongylus pulmonalis, originating from lagomorph preys were identified. This work represents the first report on patent A. abstrusus and Angiostrongylus spp. infections in wild German Eurasian lynxes. Some of the identified parasites represent relevant pathogens for lynxes, circulating between these carnivorous definitive hosts and a variety of mammalian and invertebrate intermediate hosts, e.g., Sarcocystis spp., T. gondii/Hammondia spp., T. cati, T. leonina, A. abstrusus and Angiostrongylus spp., while others are considered exclusively pathogenic for wild felids (e.g., Cylicospirura spp., C. rivolta, C. felis). This study provides insights in the occurrence of zooanthroponotically relevant metazoan (i.e., T. cati and U. stenocephala) and protozoan (i.e., G. intestinalis) species in free-ranging lynx. The present work should be considered as a baseline study for future monitoring surveys on endoparasites circulating in wild Eurasian lynx for appropriate management practices in lynx conservation strategies in Europe.
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Krücken J, Czirják GÁ, Ramünke S, Serocki M, Heinrich SK, Melzheimer J, Costa MC, Hofer H, Aschenborn OHK, Barker NA, Capodanno S, de Carvalho LM, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, East ML, Wachter B. Genetic diversity of vector-borne pathogens in spotted and brown hyenas from Namibia and Tanzania relates to ecological conditions rather than host taxonomy. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:328. [PMID: 34134753 PMCID: PMC8207800 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04835-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Improved knowledge on vector-borne pathogens in wildlife will help determine their effect on host species at the population and individual level and whether these are affected by anthropogenic factors such as global climate change and landscape changes. Here, samples from brown hyenas (Parahyaena brunnea) from Namibia (BHNA) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) from Namibia (SHNA) and Tanzania (SHTZ) were screened for vector-borne pathogens to assess the frequency and genetic diversity of pathogens and the effect of ecological conditions and host taxonomy on this diversity. Methods Tissue samples from BHNA (n = 17), SHNA (n = 19) and SHTZ (n = 25) were analysed by PCRs targeting Anaplasmataceae, Rickettsia spp., piroplasms, specifically Babesia lengau-like piroplasms, Hepatozoidae and filarioids. After sequencing, maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses were conducted. Results The relative frequency of Anaplasmataceae was significantly higher in BHNA (82.4%) and SHNA (100.0%) than in SHTZ (32.0%). Only Anaplasma phagocytophilum/platys-like and Anaplasma bovis-like sequences were detected. Rickettsia raoultii was found in one BHNA and three SHTZ. This is the first report of R. raoultii from sub-Saharan Africa. Babesia lengau-like piroplasms were found in 70.6% of BHNA, 88.9% of SHNA and 32.0% of SHTZ, showing higher sequence diversity than B. lengau from South African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). In one SHTZ, a Babesia vogeli-like sequence was identified. Hepatozoon felis-like parasites were identified in 64.7% of BHNA, 36.8% of SHNA and 44.0% of SHTZ. Phylogenetic analysis placed the sequences outside the major H. felis cluster originating from wild and domestic felids. Filarioids were detected in 47.1% of BHNA, 47.4% of SHNA and 36.0% of SHTZ. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high genetic diversity and suggested the presence of several undescribed species. Co-infections were frequently detected in SHNA and BHNA (BHNA median 3 pathogens, range 1–4; SHNA median 3 pathogens, range 2–4) and significantly rarer in SHTZ (median 1, range 0–4, 9 individuals uninfected). Conclusions The frequencies of all pathogens groups were high, and except for Rickettsia, multiple species and genotypes were identified for each pathogen group. Ecological conditions explained pathogen identity and diversity better than host taxonomy. Graphic Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04835-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Gábor Á Czirják
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabrina Ramünke
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Serocki
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sonja K Heinrich
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Melzheimer
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Carolina Costa
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Heribert Hofer
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Nancy A Barker
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Stefano Capodanno
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Luís Madeira de Carvalho
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Marion L East
- Department of Ecological Dynamics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Wachter
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
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