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Healy SR, Morgan ER, Prada JM, Karadjian G, Chevillot A, Betson M. First use of tissue exudate serology to identify Toxocara spp. infection in food animals. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:303-310. [PMID: 38458482 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.02.003] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati are globally distributed, zoonotic roundworm parasites. Human infection can have serious clinical consequences including blindness and brain disorders. In addition to ingesting environmental eggs, humans can become infected by eating infective larvae in raw or undercooked meat products. To date, no studies have assessed the prevalence of Toxocara spp. larvae in meat from animals consumed as food in the UK or assessed tissue exudates for the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies. This study aimed to assess the potential risk to consumers eating meat products from animals infected with Toxocara spp. Tissue samples were obtained from 155 different food producing animals in the south, southwest and east of England, UK. Tissue samples (n = 226), either muscle or liver, were processed by artificial digestion followed by microscopic sediment evaluation for Toxocara spp. larvae, and tissue exudate samples (n = 141) were tested for the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies using a commercial ELISA kit. A logistic regression model was used to compare anti-Toxocara antibody prevalence by host species, tissue type and source. While no larvae were found by microscopic examination after tissue digestion, the overall prevalence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in tissue exudates was 27.7%. By species, 35.3% of cattle (n = 34), 15.0% of sheep (n = 60), 54.6% of goats (n = 11) and 61.1% of pigs (n = 18) had anti-Toxocara antibodies. Logistic regression analysis found pigs were more likely to be positive for anti-Toxocara antibodies (odds ration (OR) = 2.89, P = 0.0786) compared with the other species sampled but only at a 10% significance level. The high prevalence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in tissue exudates suggests that exposure of food animals to this parasite is common in England. Tissue exudate serology on meat products within the human food chain could be applied in support of food safety and to identify practices that increase risks of foodborne transmission of zoonotic toxocariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Healy
- University of Surrey, School of Veterinary Medicine, Daphne Jackson Road, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7AL, UK
| | - Eric R Morgan
- Queen's University, Institute for Global Food Security, Biological Sciences Building, 19 Chlorine Gardens, BT9 5DL Belfast, UK
| | - Joaquin M Prada
- University of Surrey, School of Veterinary Medicine, Daphne Jackson Road, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7AL, UK
| | - Grégory Karadjian
- Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort 94700, France
| | - Aurélie Chevillot
- Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort 94700, France
| | - Martha Betson
- University of Surrey, School of Veterinary Medicine, Daphne Jackson Road, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7AL, UK.
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Okada N, Ooi HK, Taira K. Toxocara tanuki larval distribution in mice and the infectivity of tissue larvae. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1327-1332. [PMID: 37046027 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Toxocara tanuki is a common large roundworm in raccoon dogs. Experimental infection studies of T. tanuki in mice were conducted to clarify the distribution and infectivity of larvae in tissue. Groups of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice (n = 5 mice/group) were each inoculated with 1000 embryonated T. tanuki eggs and necropsied at 7, 31, 91, and 182 days post inoculation (dpi). The number of larvae in the central nervous system, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and carcass was examined. Larvae obtained from the aforementioned mice on different days of the necropsy were orally inoculated into four groups of ICR mice (n = 6 mice/group) that were then necropsied at 21 dpi. Larvae were recovered from all mice. In the BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, most of the larvae (> 88.7%) were recovered from the liver and the remainder from other tissues. The total number of larvae recovered from C57BL/6 mice was significantly higher than that from BALB/c mice, but no difference in the relative larval distribution within the viscera between the two mouse strains was observed. The mean recovery percentage of larvae from ICR mice infected with 182-day-old tissue larvae was 3.3%. Our findings showed that T. tanuki larvae migrated predominantly to the liver of mice and that the larvae maintained their infectivity for at least half a year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuki Okada
- Laboratory of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Hong-Kean Ooi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Kensuke Taira
- Laboratory of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan.
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan.
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Omonijo AO, Mukaratirwa S. Knowledge and practices on consumption of free-range chickens in selected rural communities of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with focus on zoonotic transmission of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 55:9. [PMID: 36527523 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03393-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Chickens are a host to a variety of pathogens of zoonotic importance and this depends more on the husbandry system practiced. Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp which are more prevalent in free-range chickens (FRC) can be acquired by humans via the ingestion of raw or undercooked meat (muscle) and/or viscera contaminated with infective stages of T. gondii and Toxocara spp. This study aimed to assess knowledge and practices on the household consumption of FRC meat and viscera by rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa, as a risk factor in the transmission of zoonotic pathogens with special emphasis on T. gondii and Toxocara spp. A cross-sectional study was conducted on twenty (20) randomly selected households in four selected communities located on the northern coast (Gingindlovu and Ozwathini) and southern coast (uMzinto and Shongweni) of KZN province using a semi-structured questionnaire. To determine the presence of selected zoonotic pathogens in FRC, birds were purchased from randomly selected households in the study localities for sacrifice. Brain tissues were collected and subjected to molecular detection of T. gondii using TOX4 and TOX5 primers while other tissues and organs that were collected were subjected to molecular detection of Toxocara spp using Nem 18S primers. Questionnaire data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Descriptive and chi-square statistics were used to assess knowledge and practices related to FRC consumption and zoonosis transmission. Molecular results showed four positive samples for T. canis from Gingindlovu (n = 1), uMzinto (n = 1), and Shongweni (n = 2). The role of FRC consumption in zoonosis transmission is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adejumoke Oluwatosin Omonijo
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Federal University Oye - Ekiti, Oye - Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. .,School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Samson Mukaratirwa
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical and Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, KN0101, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Shokri E, Haniloo A, Zibaei M, Pezeshki A, Mansori K, Taira K. Detection of Toxocara species larvae in four Iranian free-range broiler farms. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:413. [PMID: 36411453 PMCID: PMC9680124 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03516-w] [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: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epidemiology of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati in food animals, associated products, and their zoonotic potential are poorly understood. A cross sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of Toxocara spp. larvae from free-range broiler chickens in traditional farms using conventional techniques and molecular method. Eight-hundred tissue samples including liver, gizzard, lungs and heart were collected from 200 chickens belonging to different regions of Zanjan Province, Iran and were processed by conventional and molecular methods. RESULTS Out of 800 chicken tissues, 49 samples (6.1%) were positive for nematode larvae. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to identify species-specific of Toxocara larvae. The findings showed that 10.5% (21 out of 200) chickens were infected with Toxocara species, so that 57.1% (12 out of 21) of the samples were positive for Toxocara canis and 42.9% (9 out of 21) of the samples were positive for Toxocara cati. CONCLUSION Considering the significant contamination/infection of free-range broiler chickens with Toxocara larvae, the consumption of chicken meat and viscera, especially liver and gizzards, can play an important role in the transmission of infection to humans. Prevention and control measures focused on regular deworming of dogs and cats, increasing public awareness of Toxocara infection are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Shokri
- grid.469309.10000 0004 0612 8427Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Ali Haniloo
- grid.469309.10000 0004 0612 8427Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Zibaei
- grid.411705.60000 0001 0166 0922Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 3149779453, Karaj, Iran
| | - Ali Pezeshki
- grid.469309.10000 0004 0612 8427Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Kamyar Mansori
- grid.469309.10000 0004 0612 8427Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Kensuke Taira
- grid.252643.40000 0001 0029 6233Laboratory of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Japan
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Detection of Toxocara cati Larvae in a Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) and in a Red Kite (Milvus milvus) in Basilicata Region, Italy. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060710. [PMID: 35327107 PMCID: PMC8944530 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxocara cati is a common parasite of wild and domestic felines,and presents a cosmopolitan distribution. Adult parasites localize in the gut of the definitive host giving rise to the infection, which usually runs asymptomatic. These worms produce eggs that are excreted with feces into the environment, where they become a source of infection for paratenic hosts, such as mammals, birds, and invertebrates. In this brief communication, we report the detection of T. cati larvae in a common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and a red kite (Milvus milvus), in the Basilicata Region of Italy. This result may be important to define new pathways of spread and survival of T. cati in the wild.
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Maciag L, Morgan ER, Holland C. Toxocara: time to let cati ‘out of the bag’. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:280-289. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Abstract
Human toxocariasis is a neglected tropical disease, which is actually global in distribution and has a significant impact on global public health. The infection can lead to several serious conditions in humans, including allergic, ophthalmic and neurological disorders such as epilepsy. It is caused by the common roundworm species Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, with humans becoming accidentally infected via the ingestion of eggs or larvae. Toxocara eggs are deposited on the ground when infected dogs, cats and foxes defecate, with the eggs contaminating crops, grazing pastures, and subsequently food animals. However, transmission of Toxocara to humans via food consumption has received relatively little attention in the literature. To establish the risks that contaminated food poses to the public, a renewed research focus is required. This review discusses what is currently known about food-borne Toxocara transmission, highlighting the gaps in our understanding that require further attention, and outlining some potential preventative strategies which could be employed to safeguard consumer health.
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