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Crotti S, Brustenga L, Cruciani D, Bonelli P, D'Avino N, Felici A, Morandi B, Sebastiani C, Spina S, Gobbi M. Molecular Screening of Echinococcus spp. and Other Cestodes in Wild Carnivores from Central Italy. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10050318. [PMID: 37235401 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10050318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tapeworm infections are among the most relevant parasitic diseases in humans and animals. Tapeworms from the Genus Echinococcus are particularly important as they can cause cystic or alveolar echinococcosis. A molecular screening was performed on 279 fecal samples collected from carcasses of wild carnivores from Central Italy using PCR targeting diagnostic fragments of nad1, rrnS, and nad5 genes. Samples positive for either Taenia spp. or Echinococcus granulosus were sequenced to taxonomically identify the parasitic DNA. Of the 279 samples, 134 (48.0%) gave positive results in the multiplex PCR. Only one (0.4%) sample from an Apennine wolf tested positive for Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (genotype G3), whereas no sample tested positive for E. multilocularis. The most frequently detected tapeworms were: Mesocestoides corti (syn M. vogae) (12.9%), M. litteratus (10.8%), Taenia serialis (9.3%), and T. hydatigena (6.5%), other tapeworms were rarely detected. The results suggest that Echinococcus infections in Central Italy do not seem to be sustained by sylvatic cycles, confirming the absence of E. multilocularis in Central Italy. The survey corroborates, yet again, the importance of passive surveillance of wild animals that can serve as reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens, especially on wild canids that in other areas are strongly implicated in the transmission of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Crotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Leonardo Brustenga
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 6, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Deborah Cruciani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Piero Bonelli
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Centro Nazionale di Referenza per l'Echinococcosi/Idatidosi (Ce.NRE), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Nicoletta D'Avino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Felici
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Benedetto Morandi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Carla Sebastiani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sara Spina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
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Hodžić A, Alić A, Spahić A, Harl J, Beck R. Genetic diversity of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from animals and humans in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:457. [PMID: 36482478 PMCID: PMC9733143 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05598-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is recognized as one of the most prevalent zoonotic diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, no systemic investigation of the genetic diversity of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato circulating among animals and humans in the country has been performed to date. METHODS In this preliminary study, we analysed one cyst each from 36 sheep, 27 cattle, 27 pigs, 11 wild boars and 16 human patients for amplification and partial sequencing of the adenosine triphosphate 6 (atp6) and cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) genes. The host species, fertility rate and organ cyst location were recorded for each subject involved in the study. RESULTS Overall, the atp6 gene was successfully amplified and sequenced from 110 samples, while 96 of the PCRs for cox1 were positive. Three zoonotic genotypes of E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1 and G3) and Echinococcus canadensis (G7) were identified in our isolates based on analyses of the atp6 gene. These genotypes were represented by 11 different genetic variants (haplotypes), six of which were identified for the first time in the present study. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates, for the first time, that CE in Bosnia and Herzegovina is predominantly caused by E. granulosus sensu stricto and E. canadensis clusters, which exhibited a lower genetic diversity compared to isolates from other European countries. Further molecular studies employing other mitochondrial and nuclear genes are required to better understand the transmission cycles of E. granulosus sensu stricto among intermediate and definitive hosts in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Hodžić
- grid.10420.370000 0001 2286 1424Division of Microbial Ecology (DoME), Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CMESS), University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria ,grid.11869.370000000121848551Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amer Alić
- grid.11869.370000000121848551Department of Clinical Sciences of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amir Spahić
- Department of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital, 72270 Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Josef Harl
- grid.6583.80000 0000 9686 6466Department for Pathobiology, Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Relja Beck
- grid.417625.30000 0004 0367 0309Laboratory for Parasitology, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Porcu F, Cantacessi C, Dessì G, Sini MF, Ahmed F, Cavallo L, Nonnis F, Gibson K, Varcasia C, Joanny G, Scala A, Tamponi C, Varcasia A. 'Fight the parasite': raising awareness of cystic echinococcosis in primary school children in endemic countries. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:449. [PMID: 36461072 PMCID: PMC9717558 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05575-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a widespread zoonosis and a significant economic concern and cause of morbidity in humans. A scarcity of education on the sources of CE infection and containment measures is considered to be a key factor responsible for persistent transmission within communities. Recently, edutainment approaches have captured the attention of health education (HE) professionals due to the benefits of integrating cognitive and emotional learning processes. METHODS A study was carried out in Sardinia, Italy, between 2020 and 2022, amid the SARS-Covid-19 pandemic. The project, designed to involve primary school children (via remote or face-to-face learning depending on the evolving Covid-19 containment measures) consisted of four distinct phases: (i) creation of material for school children and teachers focused on cystic echinococcosis; (ii) pre-intervention evaluation of CE knowledge (i.e. True False Don't Know [TFD] pre-intervention questionnaire based on CE-related knowledge and practices); (iii) edutainment activity (e.g. interactive lessons enhanced by the comic booklet and the "Fight the parasite" cartoon video, hands-on educational activities and drawing activities on CE); and (iv) post-intervention evaluation of CE knowledge (via TFD post-intervention questionnaire [same questionnaire as used for the pre-intervention assessment] on CE-related knowledge and practices) and on-site edutainment tour in primary schools taking part to the project. RESULTS The percentage of correct answers increased from 65% for the questionnaire administered pre-intervention to 87.9% for the same questionnaire administered post-intervention (χ2 = 648.12, df = 1, P < 0.0001), while the percentage of uncertain answers (i.e. 'I don't know') decreased from 23% pre-intervention to 5% post-intervention (χ2 = 603.44, df = 1, P < 0.0001). These differences indicate a significantly enhanced understanding of CE among participating school children after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present survey indicate that the use of digital educational tools, the use of video animations as a model for science communication, as well as other participatory teaching methods, enabled children to retain key knowledge of the routes of CE transmission and ways to prevent it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Porcu
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- grid.5335.00000000121885934Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Giorgia Dessì
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Sini
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Fahad Ahmed
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Lia Cavallo
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesca Nonnis
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Katherine Gibson
- grid.5335.00000000121885934Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cecilia Varcasia
- grid.34988.3e0000 0001 1482 2038Free University of Bozen, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Gaelle Joanny
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudia Tamponi
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- grid.11450.310000 0001 2097 9138Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Entezami M, Nocerino M, Widdicombe J, Bosco A, Cringoli G, Casulli A, Iacono GL, Rinaldi L, Prada JM. The spatial distribution of cystic echinococcosis in Italian ruminant farms from routine surveillance data. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.1034572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionCystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasite caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) which predominantly affects livestock. The disease is endemic in central-southern and insular Italy, with CE particularly infecting sheep, goats, cattle, and water buffalo. The spatial distribution of CE in endemic regions is not widely understood, with surveillance efforts varying across the region.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the spatial distribution of CE in livestock using samples from farms across different livestock species using a Stochastic Partial Differential Equations (SPDE) model. Samples were collected during a survey conducted in the area of central-southern and insular Italy between the years 2019 – 2021.ResultsA total of 3141 animal samples (126 goats, 601 sheep and 2414 cattle and water buffalo) were inspected for Echinococcus s.l. cysts through routine surveillance in abattoirs by postmortem visual examination, palpation and incision of target organs. The geographic location of the farm of origin (a total of 2,878) for each sample was recorded. CE prevalence of 46.0% (1,323/2,878) was estimated at the farm level with 78.3% (462/590) of farms with sheep, 28.6% (36/126) of farms with goats, 36.5% (747/2,049) of farms with cattle, and 23.5% (102/434) of farms with water buffalo infected.DiscussionThe spatial model evaluated the probability of infection in farms across the sampled regions, with the distribution of CE showing high clustering of infected cattle farms in Sardinia and Sicily regions, and sheep farms in Salerno province (Campania region). The output of this study can be used to identify CE hot-spots and to improve surveillance and control programs in endemic areas of Italy.
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Mathewos M, Dawa D, Yirgalem M, Denano T, Fesseha H. Cystic echinococcosis in cattle slaughtered at a slaughterhouse in Gessa, southern Ethiopia. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2022; 18:e00262. [PMID: 35874493 PMCID: PMC9304873 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2022.e00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis is caused by the metacestode of the zoonotic flatworm Echinococcus granulosus. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2020 to August 2021 at the Gessa municipality abattoir in southern Ethiopia, through regular meat examinations and cyst characterization to determine the prevalence, organ distribution, and fertility of Cystic echinococcosis. The overall prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato was 17.9% (69/384) and has shown a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) with the body condition of cattle but not with other putative risk factors (p > 0.05). The odds of poor body condition cattle infected with CE was 1.29 times higher than medium body condition (OR = 0.506; CI = 0.566–2.96). Based on organ distribution of cysts, the lungs and liver were the most affected organs having a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) with the prevalence of CE. Based on the size of cysts, small (47.9%) size cysts revealed the highest prevalence as compared with large (33.3%) and medium (18.8%) sized cysts. On cyst characterization, the majority of Cystic echinococcosis were sterile cysts (55.4%) followed by fertile (38.8%) and calcified (8.7%) cysts and revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Cyst number, organ localization, fertility of cyst, and cyst size have shown a strong positive correlation (r = 0.8686, r = 0.8393, r = 0.9506, and r = 0.9189) with the prevalence of CE, respectively. The presence of an overall high prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in the present study required urgent action to interrupt the life cycle of Cystic echinococcosis and further studies using molecular techniques to characterize the circulating genotypes to prevent the risk of zoonosis in humans in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mesfin Mathewos
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
| | - Deneke Dawa
- Loma Bossa Woreda livestock and fishery resource office, Dawuro zone, Ethiopia
| | - Metages Yirgalem
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Denano
- College of natural and computational science, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
| | - Haben Fesseha
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
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Avcioglu H, Bia MM, Balkaya I, Kirman R, Akyuz M, Guven E. Cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered sheep in Erzurum province, Turkey. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106559. [PMID: 35688264 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106559] [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: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important zoonotic infection caused by the larval stages of the genus Echinococcus. Turkey is a highly endemic region for CE and the disease is one of the major public health problems. The study was aimed to assess the situation of the CE in sheep in Turkey and also to provide data on circulating genotypes in the country. A total of 3319 sheep at slaughter were screened during the study. The prevalence of CE in the study area was 31.7% (1052/3319). The lungs were the most frequently CE infected organ (52.6%, 526/1052). Microscopic examination revealed that overall cyst fertility was 68.1%. Molecular analysis of partial fragments of 12S and COI gene regions were included for 351 selected cyst samples and all of them were identified as E. granulosus sensu stricto. Sequence analysis showed that the predominant genotype in the study areas was G1 (77.1%), and the rest were G3 (22.9%). The prevalence rate of CE in sheep in the study area is lower compared to previous years except for one province. Considering the high cyst fertility rate and the predominance of E. granulosus G1 which is particularly pathogenic to humans, calls for serious control measures like public awareness about the disease, sufficient dog deworming programs, continuity of monitoring the disease should be taken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Avcioglu
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey.
| | - Mohammed Mebarek Bia
- Department of Parasitology, Parasitology Research Center and Parasite Resource Bank, Chungbuk National University, School of Medicine, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Ibrahim Balkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
| | - Ridvan Kirman
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
| | - Muzaffer Akyuz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
| | - Esin Guven
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
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Dessì G, Tamponi C, Pasini C, Porcu F, Meloni L, Cavallo L, Sini MF, Knoll S, Scala A, Varcasia A. A survey on Apicomplexa protozoa in sheep slaughtered for human consumption. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1437-1445. [PMID: 35192068 PMCID: PMC8993733 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07469-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Infections with the Apicomplexa Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Sarcocystis spp. are common causes of reproductive disorders in sheep. However, few epidemiological studies regarding co-infections with these three protozoa are reported in sheep in Italy. For this reason, this study aims to evaluate possible co-infections with T. gondii, N. caninum, and Sarcocystis spp. in sheep slaughtered for human consumption. From April to July 2019, individual blood, brain, heart, and diaphragm samples were collected from 138 sheep after slaughtering. The presence of IgG anti-Toxoplasma in serum samples was evaluated through ELISA. DNA of the three protozoa was investigated using specific PCRs. Co-infection with T. gondii, N. caninum and Sarcocystis spp. was found in 66.7% of the examined sheep. Antibodies against T. gondii were found in the 36.2% of serum samples. The presence of T. gondii DNA was detected in the 67.4%, 77.5%, and 21.7% of the brain, heart, and diaphragm samples, respectively. Neospora caninum DNA was found in 72.5% of the examined brain samples. Sarcocystis spp. DNA was detected in 92% and 52.2% of the heart and diaphragm samples, respectively. Sequence analysis of the Sarcocystis spp. revealed the sole presence of Sarcocystis tenella. The present study demonstrates that sheep have a high risk of infection with the three Apicomplexa investigated, suggesting the need to adopt adequate measures to prevent the spread of these parasitic infections considering their clinical and economic impact on ovine production. Furthermore, the possible role sheep play in the zoonotic transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans was highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Dessì
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudia Tamponi
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Cinzia Pasini
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesca Porcu
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Luisa Meloni
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Lia Cavallo
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Sini
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Stephane Knoll
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
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Hajimohammadi B, Dalimi A, Eslami G, Ahmadian S, Zandi S, Baghbani A, Hosseini SS, Askari V, Sheykhzadegan M, Ardekani MN, Boozhmehrani MJ, Ranjbar MJ, Ghoshouni H, Vakili M. Occurrence and genetic characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from domestic animals in Central Iran. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:22. [PMID: 34996460 PMCID: PMC8740344 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-03131-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The species complex of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) causes cystic echinococcosis distributed worldwide. There is no genotype information from hydatid cysts in the intermediate hosts in Central Iran. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the hydatid cysts in livestock slaughtered in an abattoir in this region. Six hundred fifty-seven hydatid cysts were isolated from 97 animals, including sheep, cattle, camels, and goats slaughtered in Yazd abattoir from September 2018 to January 2020. The demographic data was collected as well as cyst location, fertility, and viability. Out of 657 samples, 164 samples were genotyped. Then, phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGAX. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 16.0 by chi-square with a significant difference of less than 0.05. Results Out of 164 samples, the G1-G3 complex genotype had the most frequency in samples, with 135 cases recognized. The G6/G7 was observed in 19 isolates and G5 was reported in nine samples. One sample was detected as Taenia hydatigena. Conclusions This study showed that G1-G3 and G6/G7 genotypes were presented in all animals, but G5 was reported only in cattle, goats, and camels. It is the first molecular identification of cystic echinococcosis in Central Iran. Hence, reporting G5 in livestock in this area should be considered due to transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahador Hajimohammadi
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Abdolhossein Dalimi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gilda Eslami
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
| | - Salman Ahmadian
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Sajad Zandi
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ahmad Baghbani
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Sadat Hosseini
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Vahideh Askari
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Maryam Sheykhzadegan
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Javad Boozhmehrani
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Ranjbar
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Hamed Ghoshouni
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mahmood Vakili
- Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Health Monitoring Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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Ahmed F, Cappai MG, Morrone S, Cavallo L, Berlinguer F, Dessì G, Tamponi C, Scala A, Varcasia A. Raw meat based diet (RMBD) for household pets as potential door opener to parasitic load of domestic and urban environment. Revival of understated zoonotic hazards? A review. One Health 2021; 13:100327. [PMID: 34584928 PMCID: PMC8455362 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RMBD (acronym of Raw Meat Based Diet) and BARF diets (acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food) account dietary regimens based on raw ingredients (including raw meat), popular in pet feeding. Animal tissues and organs as well as other uncooked ingredients are more and more popularly used by pet owners to feed household pets. However, the increased risk of exposure to microbiological and parasitic agents poses the question as to whether such diets may be recommendable to be handled and offered to domestic cats and dogs co-living in domestic and urban environment. Above all, the threat of human and animal infections by parasites from raw meat fed to pets is not sufficiently explored and tracked, meanwhile deserving particular surveillance, instead. At this regard, raw meat feeding to pets may represent a route of exposure to the increased risk of environmental load. In fact, some parasites typically found in rural environment can be given the chance to complete their life-cycle, for the closeness between definitive and intermediate hosts. This is of particular concern, as potentially infected pets serving as definitive hosts can become a continuous source of environmental diffusion of parasites, both at domestic and urban level. The handling of raw meat requires adequate knowledge and awareness of the hygienic principles to prevent the onset of disorders related to both manipulation by pet owners and uncooked food consumption by the pet. This review aimed to shed a comprehensive overview of the hygienic aspects related to raw pet feeding, as to handling of raw meat in domestic environment, with special emphasis on parasitic agents and related zoonotic hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Ahmed
- Animal Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Institute, University of Sassari, Italy
- Chair of Animal Nutrition, University of Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Sarah Morrone
- Chair of Animal Nutrition, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - Lia Cavallo
- Animal Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Institute, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Berlinguer
- Chair of Animal Physiology of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - Giorgia Dessì
- Animal Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Institute, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudia Tamponi
- Animal Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Institute, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- Animal Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Institute, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Animal Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Institute, University of Sassari, Italy
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Bosco A, Alves LC, Cociancic P, Amadesi A, Pepe P, Morgoglione ME, Maurelli MP, Ferrer-Miranda E, Santoro KR, Nascimento Ramos RA, Rinaldi L, Cringoli G. Epidemiology and spatial distribution of Echinococcus granulosus in sheep and goats slaughtered in a hyperendemic European Mediterranean area. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:421. [PMID: 34419132 PMCID: PMC8380321 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04934-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a worldwide parasitic zoonosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato affecting livestock, particularly sheep and goats. However, often this parasitosis is underestimated. For this reason, this study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological features and spatial distribution of CE in sheep and goats slaughtered in a hyperendemic Mediterranean area. Methods A survey was conducted in the Basilicata region (southern Italy) from 2014 to 2019. A total of 1454 animals (1265 sheep and 189 goats) from 824 farms were examined for hydatid cyst detection by visual inspection, palpation and incision of target organs. All the CE cysts were counted and classified into five morphostructural types (unilocular, multiseptate, calcified, caseous and hyperlaminated). Molecular analysis was performed on 353 cysts. For spatial analysis, a kriging interpolation method was used to create risk maps, while clustering was assessed by Moran’s I test. Results CE prevalence of 72.2% (595/824) and 58.4% (849/1454) was observed at the farm and animal levels, respectively, with higher values in sheep (62.9%) than goats (28.0%). The liver and lungs were the most frequently infected organs in both sheep and goats. Most of recovered cysts were of the calcified and multiseptate morphotypes. All the isolates were identified as E. granulosus sensu stricto (genotypes G1–G3). Spatial distribution showed a moderate clustering of positive animals. Conclusion The findings of this study can be used to better understand the eco-epidemiology of echinococcosis and to improve CE surveillance and prevention programs in regions highly endemic for CE. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Bosco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, Naples, Campania, Italy
| | - Leucio Camara Alves
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Paola Cociancic
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, Naples, Campania, Italy.,Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE-CONICET-UNLP-asociado a CICPBA), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alessandra Amadesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, Naples, Campania, Italy
| | - Paola Pepe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, Naples, Campania, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Morgoglione
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, Naples, Campania, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, Naples, Campania, Italy.
| | - Edyniesky Ferrer-Miranda
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal University of Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Kleber Régis Santoro
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal University of Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, Naples, Campania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR, Naples, Campania, Italy
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Berlinguer F, Ahmed F, Tamponi C, Carta S, Scala A, Cappai MG, Varcasia A. Help from the sky: Can vultures contribute to Cystic Echinococcosis control in endemic areas? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009615. [PMID: 34264952 PMCID: PMC8345826 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is endemic in Sardinia and constitutes a serious public health concern due to high prevalence in livestock and humans. Despite sustained efforts, control of the disease had been unsuccessful in the region. Problematic carcass disposal due to soaring incineration costs and free access of dogs to infected carrion are dominant factors, fueling endemicity among other. As sole obligate scavenger, griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) are uniquely specialized to eliminate carcasses swiftly and efficiently, saving on unnecessary environmental and economic costs for carrion disposal. However, following drastic population declines across Europe, griffon vultures practically went extinct in Italy. A conservation expansion program in Sardinia successfully reinforced the last remaining Italian vulture population by mitigating the main threats to its survival; food shortage. Through the establishment of supplementary feeding stations, permanent supply of livestock cadavers was provided. In this research, the management and conservation implications on the controlled disposal of carcass disposal through vulture feeding stations on the control of CE in Sardinia were assessed. During the course of the project, vultures scavenged a total of 81,361 kg of biomass, saving €90,041 in incineration costs and € 1,054 in CO2 emission. Through extrapolation of these results, a total of 5,304 kg of suspected CE infected sheep carcasses (65.3%) was calculated to have been disposed by griffons, considerably reducing the CE risk and burden in Sardinia. A quantification of the amount of biomass that could be eliminated by griffon in a succeeding conservation project was also made. These calculations implied that 162,722 kg of biomass, including 10,608 kg of infected biomass from sheep, would be consumed over a period of 5 years, further lowering the CE burden in Sardinia. Our results, driven under one health approach, emphasize the crucial and direct role of griffons in breaking the lifecycle of CE as well as their indirect role in rendering multiple ecosystem and economic services through the elimination of carcasses. Please view a video Abstract here: https://youtu.be/Tm820nPq5KE. Cystic echinococcosis (CE), is a major parasitic disease of animal and public health significance due to high morbidity and mortality. The infection is caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, frequently reported in rural pastoral regions. In Sardinia, CE is very abundant in livestock, especially in sheep (65.3%). Several control strategies were attempted to limit the spread of CE, however, it turns out that the elimination of disease requires long lasting efforts. High prevalence of CE in Sardinia is due to multiple factors, but the cost of carcass incineration and free access of dogs to unattended carcasses are major points in the persistency of the infection. Griffon vultures as sole obligate scavengers, are highly specialized in removing the animal carcasses swiftly and efficiently, but have suffered severe population declines in the last decade. A wildlife conservation project in Sardinia envisioned to expand the griffon population by utilizing animal carcasses of animals as feed for vultures. We aimed to investigate these natural scavenging habits of vultures and the use of such “vulture restaurants” in relation to the control of CE. Our results show that the vultures remove a significant quantity of infected biomass, simultaneously saving high cost for incineration and carbon emission. The study is one of the pioneer investigations in the biological control of CE along with its estimation of ecosystem and economic services provided by the griffons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiammetta Berlinguer
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Fahad Ahmed
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudia Tamponi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Silvia Carta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cappai
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- * E-mail:
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12
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Mehmood N, Dessì G, Ahmed F, Joanny G, Tamponi C, Cappai MG, Varcasia A, Scala A. Genetic diversity and transmission patterns of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto among domestic ungulates of Sardinia, Italy. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2533-2542. [PMID: 34146127 PMCID: PMC8263412 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07186-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a parasitic zoonosis of public health and economic concern, is highly endemic in Sardinia, Italy. The study involved examining the intraspecific variability and demographic structure of Echinococcus granulosussensu stricto (s.s.) in common hosts of this parasite. Molecular surveillance included the fragment amplification of a partial mitochondrial gene, cox1 (750 bp), for a total of 69 isolates derived from sheep (n = 52), cattle (n = 11), pigs (n = 4), and goats (n = 2). It was ascertained that E. granulosus s.s. was the primary agent of infection among these ungulates and G1 genotype was highly prevalent (79.71%). Considerable intraspecific variation was found, revealing the existence of 22 haplotypes with relatively high haplotype (0.8555 ± 0.033) and low nucleotide diversities (0.00281 ± 0.00030). Population demographics indicated an expanding parasitic population signifying negative deviation from neutrality indices. Little genetic differentiation was found between the subpopulations of E. granulosus s.s. in the island. Moreover, the geographic dispersal of genotypes G1 and G3 also indicated similarity between Sardinian and mainland Echinococcus granulosus s.s. populations reaffirming the sympatric occurrence and efficient transmission of G1 and G3 genotypes. Molecular survey of CE has the potential to yield baseline information on the infective genotypes among the intermediate hosts and helps in devising suitable control strategies for curtailing the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naunain Mehmood
- Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Giorgia Dessì
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Fahad Ahmed
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Gaelle Joanny
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudia Tamponi
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cappai
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Sassari, Via Vienna, 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Joanny G, Mehmood N, Dessì G, Tamponi C, Nonnis F, Hosri C, Saarma U, Varcasia A, Scala A. Cystic echinococcosis in sheep and goats of Lebanon. Parasitology 2021; 148:871-878. [PMID: 33757607 PMCID: PMC11010058 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonotic disease caused by the species complex of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), is endemic in Middle East and the Mediterranean basin, where pastoral activity is widespread. Despite the chronic endemicity of the disease in Lebanon and neighbouring countries, recent data are scant. The objectives of this survey were to evaluate the current epidemiology of CE in Lebanon, investigate the prevalence and determine the infecting genotypes in locally raised sheep and goats. A multidimensional approach combining post-mortem inspection of slaughtered animals and molecular diagnosis of the parasite was conducted to this end. From 2018 to 2020, 62.9% of the sheep and 20.9% of the goats were found positive for CE. The presence of hydatids varied between organs, showing higher prevalence in the liver of sheep vs the lungs of goats, however, a higher fertility rate of hydatid cyst was observed in lungs for both animals. Molecular diagnosis based on partial mitochondrial cox1 gene (795 bp) showed that the majority of isolates were identified as E. granulosus sensu stricto (98.7%) and only one isolate from goat was identified as Echinococcus canadensis (genotype G7; 1.3%). Echinococcus granulosus s.s. population among the sheep and goats was represented by 22 haplotypes having very little genetic differentiation and relatively moderate haplotype diversity. Population demographics explored through neutrality indices suggested expanding population within the intermediate hosts. These results document the high prevalence of CE in the livestock of Lebanon and reveal for the first time the presence of three different genotypes G1, G3 and G7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaelle Joanny
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Naunain Mehmood
- Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Giorgia Dessì
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudia Tamponi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesca Nonnis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Chadi Hosri
- Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Lebanese University, Dekwaneh, Lebanon
| | - Urmas Saarma
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Scala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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14
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Hidalgo C, Stoore C, Baquedano MS, Pereira I, Franco C, Hernández M, Paredes R. Response patterns in adventitial layer of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto cysts from naturally infected cattle and sheep. Vet Res 2021; 52:66. [PMID: 33962666 PMCID: PMC8105927 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00936-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. The disease is characterized by the development of cystic structures inside viscera of the intermediate host, mainly liver and lungs. These cysts are formed by three layers: germinal, laminated, and adventitial layer, the latter being the local host immune response. Metacestodes that develop protoscoleces, the infective stage to the definitive host, are termed fertile, whereas cysts that do not produce protoscoleces are termed non-fertile. Sheep usually harbor fertile cysts while cattle usually harbor non-fertile cysts. Adventitial layers with fibrotic resolution are associated to fertile cysts, whereas a granulomatous reaction is associated with non-fertile cysts. The aim of this study was to analyze cellular distribution in the adventitial layer of fertile and non-fertile E. granulosus sensu stricto cysts found in liver and lungs of cattle and sheep. A total of 418 cysts were analyzed, 203 from cattle (8 fertile and 195 non-fertile) and 215 from sheep (64 fertile and 151 non-fertile). Fertile cysts from cattle showed mixed patterns of response, with fibrotic resolution and presence of granulomatous response in direct contact with the laminated layer, while sheep fertile cysts always displayed fibrotic resolution next to the laminated layer. Cattle non-fertile cysts display a granulomatous reaction in direct contact with the laminated layer, whereas sheep non-fertile cysts display a granulomatous reaction, but in direct contact with the fibrotic resolution. This shows that cattle and sheep cystic echinococcosis cysts have distinct local immune response patterns, which are associated to metacestode fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hidalgo
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile.
| | - Caroll Stoore
- Laboratorio de Medicina Veterinaria, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Soledad Baquedano
- Laboratorio de Medicina Veterinaria, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ismael Pereira
- Laboratorio de Medicina Veterinaria, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carmen Franco
- Staff Pathologist, Clinica Santa Maria, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcela Hernández
- Laboratorio de Biología Periodontal y Departamento de Patología y Medicina Oral, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodolfo Paredes
- Laboratorio de Medicina Veterinaria, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
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15
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Cringoli G, Pepe P, Bosco A, Maurelli MP, Baldi L, Ciaramella P, Musella V, Buonanno ML, Capuano F, Corrado F, Ianniello D, Alves LC, Sarnelli P, Rinaldi L. An integrated approach to control Cystic Echinococcosis in southern Italy. Vet Parasitol 2021; 290:109347. [PMID: 33444910 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a severe zoonosis, caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. This helminth infection is of increasing public health and socio-economic concern due to the considerable morbidity rates that cause economic losses both in the public health sector and in the livestock industry. Control programmes against E. granulosus are considered long-term actions which require an integrated approach and high expenditure of time and financial resources. Since 2010, an integrated approach to control CE has been implemented in a highly endemic area of continental southern Italy (Campania region). Innovative procedures and tools have been developed and exploited during the control programme based on the following strategies: i) active and passive surveillance in livestock (using geospatial tools for georeferencing), ii) diagnosis in dogs (using the FLOTAC techniques and molecular analysis), iii) targeted treatment of farm dogs (using purpose-built confinement cages), iv) early diagnosis in livestock (by ultrasonography), v) surveillance in humans (through hospital discharge records analysis), vi) monitoring the food chain (analysing raw vegetables), vii) outreach activities to the general public (through dissemination material, e.g. brochures, gadgets, videos, virtual reality). Over eight years, the integrated approach and the new strategies developed have resulted in a noteworthy reduction of the parasite infection rates in livestock (e.g. up to 30 % in sheep). The results obtained so far highlight that using a one health multidisciplinary and multi-institution effort is of pivotal importance in preparing CE control programmes at regional level and could be extended to other endemic Mediterranean areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Centro Regionale per il Monitoraggio delle Parassitosi (CREMOPAR), Regione Campania, Eboli, SA, Italy; Centro di Riferimento Regionale per le Malattie degli Animali Domestici (CReSan), Regione Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - P Pepe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Centro Regionale per il Monitoraggio delle Parassitosi (CREMOPAR), Regione Campania, Eboli, SA, Italy
| | - A Bosco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Centro Regionale per il Monitoraggio delle Parassitosi (CREMOPAR), Regione Campania, Eboli, SA, Italy
| | - M P Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Centro Regionale per il Monitoraggio delle Parassitosi (CREMOPAR), Regione Campania, Eboli, SA, Italy
| | - L Baldi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - P Ciaramella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - V Musella
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - M L Buonanno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - F Capuano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - F Corrado
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - D Ianniello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Centro Regionale per il Monitoraggio delle Parassitosi (CREMOPAR), Regione Campania, Eboli, SA, Italy
| | - L C Alves
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - P Sarnelli
- Centro Regionale per il Monitoraggio delle Parassitosi (CREMOPAR), Regione Campania, Eboli, SA, Italy; UOD Prevenzione e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria Regione Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - L Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Centro Regionale per il Monitoraggio delle Parassitosi (CREMOPAR), Regione Campania, Eboli, SA, Italy; Centro di Riferimento Regionale per le Malattie degli Animali Domestici (CReSan), Regione Campania, Naples, Italy.
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In vitro potential effect of Pipper longum methanolic extract against protoscolices of hydatid cysts. Exp Parasitol 2020; 221:108051. [PMID: 33301754 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of methanolic extract of P. longum (PLM) against protoscolices of hydatid cyst in vitro. Four different concentrations of PLM extract (25, 50, 100 and 150 mg/ml) were used for the experiments. The metabolites in the PLM extract were characterized by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed the highest lethality of PLM extract in 50 mg/ml for 60 min exposure. The IC50 value obtained about 20 mg/ml for 60 min of PLM extract exposure. In this study, valuable findings were obtained for the first time about the scolicidal activity of P. longum, which is expected to conduct further studies in this field in the future.
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Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is recognized as being a significant cause of gastrointestinal illness due to its wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans. Infection with Cryptosporidium spp. is especially common in young domestic ruminants (calves, lambs and goat kids) and has been associated with economic losses worldwide. In contrast to cattle, to date, detailed studies on Cryptosporidium infections in sheep from Europe are still limited; thus, their importance as reservoirs of Cryptosporidium species with implications on animal and public health still needs to be clarified. This study evaluates the prevalence and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. in sheep farms in Italy. A total of 915 individual faecal samples divided into three different animal categories were collected from 61 sheep farms. Each sample was examined by microscopy of faecal smears stained by modified Ziehl-Neelsen and by biomolecular techniques. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 10.1% of the animals examined and in 34.4% of the farms. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was significantly higher (χ2 = 51.854; P < 0.001) in diarrhoeic samples than in pasty or normal faeces. Genotype analyses showed the presence of two Cryptosporidium species: C. parvum and C. ubiquitum. Subtyping analysis of C. parvum isolates revealed the presence of subtypes IIa15G2R1 and IIdA20G1 and of subtype XIIa for C. ubiquitum. These findings have public health implications since both Cryptosporidium species identified are considered zoonotic, and C. parvum is the second-most common Cryptosporidium species infecting humans. Our data reveal that lambs, especially those excreting diarrhoeic faeces, may be important reservoirs of Cryptosporidium. We also highlight the need to establish adequate control and monitoring programmes for the control of this infection in sheep farms primarily through coprological monitoring.
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