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Bonelli P, Serra E, Dei Giudici S, Peruzzu A, Crotti S, Danesi P, Carvelli A, Piseddu T, Masala G. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato infecting sheep in Italy. Acta Trop 2024; 252:107151. [PMID: 38367944 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107151] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Cystic Echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, is a neglected zoonosis still threatening public health worldwide. In Italy different epidemiological scenarios were reported depending on the geographical area and associated socio-economic activities. Although in northern Italy the occurrence of E. granulosus is considered sporadic, in the southern regions and, particularly in Sardinia, CE prevalence reaches high levels. We analysed CE cysts collected from infected sheep from various areas of mainland Italy and the Sardinia island, with the main objective to investigate intergenotypic and intragenotypic variations at national level. CE cysts were collected from slaughtered sheep following post mortem inspection at local abattoirs. Total genomic DNA was extracted and amplification and sequencing of the partial mitochondrial genes nad5 and cox1 were performed. A Bayesian phylogenetic tree was estimated on a nad5 dataset (n = 260) composed of E. granulosus samples from this study (n = 126) and all the nad5 haplotypes available in GenBank (n = 134). In addition, haplotype network, diversity and neutrality analysis were performed on nad5 and cox1 sequences of Italian origin obtained in this study. E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) was found to be the only Echinococcus species infecting sheep in Italy, mainly represented by G1 genotype (76 %) and, to a lower extent, by G3 genotype (24 %). Phylogenetic analyses revealed 40 nad5 and 33 cox 1 haplotypes, and the presence of two founder haplotypes, belonging to G1 and G3 genotype, showing 100 % similarity with DNA sequences from different geographic regions. The lack of geographical segregation, high haplotype and low nucleotide diversity coupled with significant negative values of Tajima's D and Fu's Fs observed in this study indicated high genetic variation and demographic expansion of E. granulosus s.s. in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piero Bonelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Echinococcosis, National Reference Laboratory of Echinococcosis (CeNRE), Via Vienna 2, Sassari, 07100, Italy.
| | - Elisa Serra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Echinococcosis, National Reference Laboratory of Echinococcosis (CeNRE), Via Vienna 2, Sassari, 07100, Italy
| | - Silvia Dei Giudici
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Diagnostica virologica, Sassari, 07100, Italy
| | - Angela Peruzzu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Echinococcosis, National Reference Laboratory of Echinococcosis (CeNRE), Via Vienna 2, Sassari, 07100, Italy
| | - Silvia Crotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche, Perugia, 06126, Italy
| | - Patrizia Danesi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Venezie, Legnaro, 35020, Italy
| | - Andrea Carvelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio della Toscana, Roma, 00178, Italy
| | - Toni Piseddu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Echinococcosis, National Reference Laboratory of Echinococcosis (CeNRE), Via Vienna 2, Sassari, 07100, Italy
| | - Giovanna Masala
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, WOAH Reference Laboratory for Echinococcosis, National Reference Laboratory of Echinococcosis (CeNRE), Via Vienna 2, Sassari, 07100, Italy
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Moudgil AD, Nehra AK, Vohra S, Kumari A, Moudgil P. Cladistics of Echinococcus granulosus Sensu Stricto Genotypes Infecting the Slaughtered Pigs. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:754-761. [PMID: 37592063 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00709-7] [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: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s. s.) consists of the most widespread genotypes (G1, G3) implicated in human cystic echinococcosis worldwide. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of pigs in the transmission dynamics of E. granulosus s. s. genotypes, including the phylogenetics, evolutionary divergence and haplotype network analyses of north Indian pig isolates along with GenBank™ archived sequences. METHODS In totality, 223 slaughtered pigs were thoroughly screened for the presence of hydatid cysts. The amplification of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 gene was performed for the molecular confirmation and phylogenetics of the retrieved metacestodes. RESULTS The molecularly confirmed and sequenced present study isolates (n = 2) clustered with the E. granulosus genotype G3. The very low evolutionary divergence values (< 0.0027) of the present study isolates with E. ganulosus genotype G3 indicated the absence of diverged lineages. The significantly negative values of Tajima's D (- 2.598) and Fu and Li's D (- 4.054) of the overall dataset and for the Asian sequences signified an expansion of population size. The overall dataset exhibited low nucleotide (0.067 ± 0.055) and high haplotype (0.574 ± 0.015) diversities, also alluding to demographic expansion. The haplotype network showed that the pig isolates from South America and Europe constituted the predominant haplotype, Hap_2 along with Hap_3 and Hap_6, primarily associated to E. granulosus genotype G1; whereas, the Indian isolates formed different haplotypes (Hap_1 and Hap_5) belonging to genotype G3. CONCLUSIONS The present study highlighted the important role of pigs in the transmission of E. granulosus s. s., which is of paramount significance given the public health and economic impact of cystic echinococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman D Moudgil
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| | - Anil K Nehra
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| | - Sukhdeep Vohra
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| | - Ansu Kumari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| | - Pallavi Moudgil
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India.
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Kaethner M, Preza M, Kaempfer T, Zumstein P, Tamponi C, Varcasia A, Hemphill A, Brehm K, Lundström-Stadelmann B. Establishment and application of unbiased in vitro drug screening assays for the identification of compounds against Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011343. [PMID: 37540716 PMCID: PMC10431624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus s.l. are the causative agents of alveolar and cystic echinococcosis, respectively. Drug treatment options for these severe and neglected diseases are limited to benzimidazoles, which are not always efficacious, and adverse side effects are reported. Thus, novel and improved treatments are needed. In this study, the previously established platform for E. multilocularis in vitro drug assessment was adapted to E. granulosus s.s. In a first step, in vitro culture protocols for E. granulosus s.s. were established. This resulted in the generation of large amounts of E. granulosus s.s. metacestode vesicles as well as germinal layer (GL) cells. In vitro culture of these cells formed metacestode vesicles displaying structural characteristics of metacestode cysts generated in vivo. Next, drug susceptibilities of E. multilocularis and E. granulosus s.s. protoscoleces, metacestode vesicles and GL cells were comparatively assessed employing established assays including (i) metacestode vesicle damage marker release assay, (ii) metacestode vesicle viability assay, (iii) GL cell viability assay, and (iv) protoscolex motility assay. The standard drugs albendazole, buparvaquone, mefloquine, MMV665807, monepantel, niclosamide and nitazoxanide were included. MMV665807, niclosamide and nitazoxanide were active against the parasite in all four assays against both species. MMV665807 and monepantel were significantly more active against E. multilocularis metacestode vesicles, while albendazole and nitazoxanide were significantly more active against E. multilocularis GL cells. Albendazole displayed activity against E. multilocularis GL cells, but no effects were seen in albendazole-treated E. granulosus s.s. GL cells within five days. Treatment of protoscoleces with albendazole and monepantel had no impact on motility. Similar results were observed for both species with praziquantel and its enantiomers against protoscoleces. In conclusion, in vitro culture techniques and drug screening methods previously established for E. multilocularis were successfully implemented for E. granulosus s.s., allowing comparisons of drug efficacy between the two species. This study provides in vitro culture techniques for the reliable generation of E. granulosus s.s. metacestode vesicles and GL cell cultures and describes the validation of standardized in vitro drug screening methods for E. granulosus s.s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Kaethner
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matías Preza
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kaempfer
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Zumstein
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Tamponi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Brehm
- Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Britta Lundström-Stadelmann
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Update on the genetic diversity and population structure of Echinococcus granulosus in Gansu Province, Tibet Autonomous Region, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Western China, inferred from mitochondrial cox1, nad1, and nad5 sequences. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1107-1126. [PMID: 36933066 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07811-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
The identification of additional Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) complex species/genotypes in recent years raises the possibility that there might be more variation among this species in China than is currently understood. The aim of this study was to explore intra- and inter-species variation and population structure of Echinococcus species isolated from sheep in three areas of Western China. Of the isolates, 317, 322, and 326 were successfully amplified and sequenced for cox1, nad1, and nad5 genes, respectively. BLAST analysis revealed that the majority of the isolates were E. granulosus s.s., and using the cox1, nad1, and nad5 genes, respectively, 17, 14, and 11 isolates corresponded to Elodea canadensis (genotype G6/G7). In the three study areas, G1 genotypes were the most prevalent. There were 233 mutation sites along with 129 parsimony informative sites. A transition/transversion ratio of 7.5, 8, and 3.25, respectively, for cox1, nad1, and nad5 genes was obtained. Every mitochondrial gene had intraspecific variations, which were represented in a star-like network with a major haplotype with observable mutations from other distant and minor haplotypes. The Tajima's D value was significantly negative in all populations, indicating a substantial divergence from neutrality and supporting the demographic expansion of E. granulosus s.s. in the study areas. The phylogeny inferred by the maximum likelihood (ML) method using nucleotide sequences of cox1-nad1-nad5 further confirmed their identity. The nodes assigned to the G1, G3, and G6 clades as well as the reference sequences utilized had maximal posterior probability values (1.00). In conclusion, our study confirms the existence of a significant major haplotype of E. granulosus s.s. where G1 is the predominant genotype causing of CE in both livestock and humans in China.
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Genetic Diversity and Haplotype Analysis of Cattle Hydatid Cyst Isolates Using Mitochondrial Markers in Turkey. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050519. [PMID: 35631040 PMCID: PMC9145776 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) causes cystic echinococcosis in ungulates and humans. The current study was designed to find the genetic diversity and haplotypic profiles of hydatid cysts from the lungs of cattle in three provinces in eastern Turkey. Individual cyst isolates (n = 60) were collected from infected cattle lungs after slaughter and then samples were stored in ethanol (70%) until further use. From each isolate, total gDNA was extracted from the cysts’ germinal layers. A partial (875 bp) mt-CO1 gene was amplified by PCR and sequenced unidirectionally. The final size of the trimmed sequences was 530 bp for 60 sequences. Sequence and haplotype analyses were performed, followed by phylogenetic analyses. According to BLAST searches, all sequences were detected as E. granulosus s.s. (G1 and G3 strains). Forty-nine point mutations were identified. In addition, five conserved fragments were detected in all sequences. The haplotype analysis diagram showed E. granulosus s.s. haplotypes organized in a star-like configuration. The haplotypes were characterized by 1–17 mutations compared with the fundamental focal haplotype. Thirty-three haplotypes were determined in 60 samples of which 17 (28.3%) belonged to the main haplotype (Hap_06). The mt-CO1 sequences revealed 49 polymorphic sites, 34.5% (20/49) of which were informative according to parsimony analysis.
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Mehmood N, Muqaddas H, Ullah MI, Saarma U, Varcasia A. Genetic structure and phylogeography of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto genotypes G1 and G3 in Pakistan and other regions of the world based on nad5 gene. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 98:105223. [PMID: 35092843 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pakistan is a neglected endemic focus for Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, a zoonotic parasite species complex with the ability to infect wide spectrum of hosts. Wide gaps exist in literature for etiological agents of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Pakistan due to a very low number of studies on identifying the exact genotypes involved in epidemiological manifestation of this disease. Focusing on transmission patterns and epidemiological dynamics, this study aimed at investigating infective genotypes among the cattle population of south Punjab, Pakistan, employing a mitochondrial marker nad5 (680 bp). Nucleotide sequences retrieved from 28 hydatid cyst isolates displayed considerable intraspecific variation revealing the existence of G3 and G1 strains of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto. The G3 genotype emerged as the predominant cause (78.57%) of hydatidosis in cattle. Apart from this, to understand phylogeographical relations, homologous nucleotide sequences of the partial nad5 gene from six major regions of the world were employed in the population genetics analysis to have an insight into genetic variability and demographics of G3 genotype in particular. Diversification of G3 and its haplotypes in Pakistan (n = 11) and other regions of the world (India, Iran, Turkey, Italy and France) was demonstrated. It was further demonstrated that the South Asian population (Pakistan and India) was highly differentiated from the other regions. It could, therefore, be speculated that G3 is diverging and expanding its population with South Asia as the main focal point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naunain Mehmood
- Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
| | - Hira Muqaddas
- Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan; Department of Zoology, The Women University Multan, Multan, Pakistan
| | | | - 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
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Human Cystic Echinococcosis in Lebanon: A Retrospective Study and Molecular Epidemiology. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:186-195. [PMID: 34264443 PMCID: PMC8938340 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00453-w] [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: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease that constitutes a public health challenge and a socio-economic burden in endemic areas worldwide. No specific surveillance system of CE infections in humans exists in Lebanon. The incidence and trends over time have not been documented. The current study aimed to assess the demographic and epidemiologic features of human CE surgical cases over a 14-year period in the five main regions of Lebanon. Methods From 2005 to 2018, a total of 894 surgically confirmed cases of hydatidosis were recorded from five anatomy and pathology laboratories. Results The mean annual surgical incidence was 1.23/100,000 inhabitants. Over the span of these years, the incidence increased from 0.53 to 1.94 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2005 and 2018, respectively. CE is present in Lebanon with an uneven distribution from one region to the other with higher prevalence in Bekaa (29.0%), a rural area where sheep raising is widespread. Human CE cases were more common in females (60.1%) than in males (39.9%) and a high burden of infection was reported for the age group of 30–39 years. Besides, 66.7% of the cases expressed only liver complications whereas, 20.5% showed predilection towards lungs. The 7.8% of cases presented cysts in other organs, and 1.3% showed multiple localizations. Additionally, predominant involvement of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto was recorded in human infections. Comparison of Echinococcus granulosus s.s. populations from different Mediterranean countries also revealed high gene flow among this region and sharing of alleles. Conclusion The current study is a step forward to fill the gap of knowledge for the hydatidosis in Lebanon where the lack of epidemiological data and control measures have resulted in higher incidence of human CE. Graphic Abstract ![]()
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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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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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