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Small islands as potential model ecosystems for parasitology: climatic influence on parasites of feral cats. J Helminthol 2022; 96:e51. [PMID: 35856271 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x22000451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The influence of climate on parasite distribution has been demonstrated in different regions worldwide. Despite its small size, Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) constitutes a 'biodiversity laboratory' due to the huge climatic differences between municipalities. Feral cats may represent a threat to biodiversity due to their predatory behaviour. In addition, they may be a source of pathogens zoonotic to humans. To study the climatic/seasonal influence and prevalence of feral cat parasites throughout the island, a total of 290 stool samples from 29 feral cat colonies were analysed following standard concentration protocols (sodium chloride, formol-ether and zinc sulphate). In total, 13 feline parasitic taxa were found, with the most common species being Ancylostoma spp., which, together with Toxocara spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Giardia spp., are considered a concern for human health. Nematodes were the most common parasites in all areas. Nematodes and protozoans were significantly more prevalent in temperate mild (75.0% and 30.0%) than in dry desert areas (29.3% and 18.7%). In contrast, cestodes were significantly more prevalent in dry desert than in temperate mild areas (26.0% and 13.3%). Only protozoans exhibited statistically significant seasonal patterns, mostly in the wet season. Data reported in this study endorse the usage of small and diverse islands such as Gran Canaria to study the climatic influence on parasitic communities in wild/feral animals. Cat colonies require better management to reduce their threat to endemic wildlife, domestic animals and public health, being invasive species that harbour zoonotic parasites.
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Shams M, Shamsi L, Yousefi A, Sadrebazzaz A, Asghari A, Mohammadi-Ghalehbin B, Shahabi S, Hatam G. Current global status, subtype distribution and zoonotic significance of Blastocystis in dogs and cats: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:225. [PMID: 35733146 PMCID: PMC9215001 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05351-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blastocystis is a common intestinal protozoa found in animal and human fecal samples, with over 1 billion individuals infected worldwide. Since domestication, dogs and cats have had a close bond with humans. However, their close proximity poses a potential health risk since they may harbor several zoonotic agents. A global estimate of Blastocystis infection and subtype (ST) distribution in dogs and cats would therefore be of great health importance to humans. Methods We performed a comprehensive systematic search of four English-language databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science) for relevant articles up to 8 November 2021. The random-effects model was used to make pooled estimates with confidence intervals (CIs). Results In total, we identified 49 publications that met our inclusion criteria and subsequently analyzed the 65 datasets in these articles, of which 23 and 42 datasets were on cats and dogs, respectively. Among the 2934 cats included in the 23 datasets, which involved 16 countries, the prevalence rate of Blastocystis infection was 9.3% (95% CI 5.3–15.9%). The prevalence of Blastocystis infection was slightly lower [7%, 95% CI 4.7–10.4%) among the 7946 dogs included in the 42 datasets, involving 23 countries. The sensitivity analysis showed that no remarkable variation in the estimates upon the stepwise removal of each dataset. Higher ST diversity was found among the examined dogs (ST1-8, ST10, ST23, ST24) than among cats (ST1-4, ST10, ST14). Among dogs, ST3 was the most frequent ST (41.3%), followed by ST2 (39.3%), ST1 (30.9%), ST4 (13.4%), ST8 (12.7%), ST10 (11%) and ST5 (8.1%). Also among dogs, each of ST6, ST7, ST23 and ST24 was observed in only one study. Of the ST found in the cats examined, ST4 (29.5%), followed by ST10 (22.5%), ST1 (19.8%) and ST3 (17.6%) were the most common. A single study also reported the presence of both ST2 and ST14 in cats. With respect to zoonotic Blastocystis STs (ST1–ST9 and ST12), eight were reported from dogs (ST1-ST8) and four were isolated from cats (ST1–ST4), showing the implication of dog and cats in zoonotic transmission. Conclusions Taken together, our results show that elucidation of the true epidemiology and ST distribution of Blastocystis in dogs and cats demands more comprehensive studies, particularly in the negelected regions of the world. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05351-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Shams
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Laya Shamsi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Yousefi
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Medicine, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Alireza Sadrebazzaz
- Education and Extension Organization, Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Asghari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Saeed Shahabi
- Department of Biology and Control of Disease Vectors, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hatam
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Ramos NDV, Silva MLE, Barreto MS, Barros LA, Mendes-de-Almeida F. Endoparasites of household and shelter cats in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 29:e012819. [PMID: 32294719 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612019110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Endoparasitic infections are associated with morbidity in cats. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of endoparasites among cats of different life stages in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The samples were analyzed individually by macroscopic exploration for proglottids and centrifugal-flotation. Stool samples were obtained from household cats (n = 57) and shelter cats (n = 336). Endoparasites were detected in 50.64% of the samples. Among household and shelter cats, 21.05% and 55.66% were infected with endoparasites, respectively. In household cats, the most prevalent endoparasites were Ancylostoma spp. (in 25.0%) and Strongyloides spp. (in 25.0%), followed by Toxocara spp. (in 16.67%), Dipylidium caninum (in 16.67%), Cystoisospora spp. (in 8.33%), and Uncinaria spp. + Ancylostoma spp. (in 8.33%). In shelter cats, the most prevalent endoparasite was Ancylostoma spp. (in 29.41%), followed by Cystoisospora spp. (in 26.20%) and Toxocara spp. (in 16.58%), as well as Cystoisospora spp. + Toxocara spp. (in 8.02%); Ancylostoma spp. + Toxocara spp. (in 11.76%); Cystoisospora spp. + Ancylostoma spp. (in 3.74%); Cystoisospora spp. + Toxocara spp. + Ancylostoma spp. (in 3.21%); and Dipylidium caninum + Ancylostoma spp. (in 0.53%). Endoparasitic infections in cats underscore the need for preventive veterinary care and routine coproparasitologic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilcéia de Veiga Ramos
- Departamento de Clínica e Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Monique Lourenço E Silva
- Departamento de Clínica e Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marília Senra Barreto
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva e Saúde Pública Veterinária - MSV, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Luciano Antunes Barros
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva e Saúde Pública Veterinária - MSV, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Flavya Mendes-de-Almeida
- Departamento de Clínica e Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
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Abstract
Dogs and cats have a close association with humans providing companionship; however, pets are reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens such as Toxocara. Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati are small intestinal nematodes found in canids and felids, respectively. Infected pets shed thousands of eggs resulting in environmental contamination. Toxocara can infect a wide variety of paratenic hosts including humans, rodents, pigs and chickens. Paratenic hosts become infected by ingestion of the infective eggs containing the third stage larvae or ingestion of dormant larvae in animal tissues. Infected humans may develop visceral larval migrans or ocular toxocariasis. Regular anthelmintic treatment and restricted movement of dogs and cats are recommended to control Toxocara environmental contamination. This paper reviews the prevalence and risk factors of Toxocara in dogs and cats in Africa; and pet owners' awareness of canine zoonotic helminths.
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Patra G, Lalremruati P, Ghosh S, Parida A, Kumar Borthakur S, Behera P. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in captive non-human primates of zoological gardens in North-Eastern region of India. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2018.1557854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gautam Patra
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, India
| | | | - Subhamoy Ghosh
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, India
| | - Abinash Parida
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, India
| | - Sonjoy Kumar Borthakur
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, India
| | - Parthasarathi Behera
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, India
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Rondón S, Ortiz M, León C, Galvis N, Link A, González C. Seasonality, richness and prevalence of intestinal parasites of three neotropical primates ( Alouatta seniculus, Ateles hybridus and Cebus versicolor) in a fragmented forest in Colombia. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2017; 6:202-208. [PMID: 28794984 PMCID: PMC5537371 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Studies on parasites infecting non-human primates are essential to better understand the potential threat to humans of zoonoses transmission, particularly under the current processes of pervasive land use change and biodiversity loss. The natural ecosystems in the Middle Magdalena river basin in Colombia have suffered a dramatic reduction and transformation into pastures and agroindustrial monocultures, threatening their biodiversity, and probably affecting the dynamics between parasites and their hosts, as well as altering the disease transmission cycles between wild populations and humans. This study evaluated seasonality, prevalence and richness of intestinal parasites in three species of neotropical primates: Cebus versicolor, Ateles hybridus and Alouatta seniculus, in a fragmented forest in the Middle Magdalena river valley, Colombia. One hundred and eighty five faecal samples were collected between 2010 and 2015. Direct faecal smears were performed with saline solution (0.85%) and iodine solution (1%), in order to identify larvae and eggs based on their morphology. A large proportion of the samples examined (72.9%) was positive for intestinal parasites; seven families of nematodes were identified: Trichuridae, Trichostrongylidae, Oxyuridae, Strongyloididae, Ancylostomatidae, Ascarididae and Gnathostomatidae, two of protozoans: Entamoebidae and Balantiididae, as well as some eggs of trematodes, cestodes and acanthocephalans. Additionally, DNA extraction and sequencing were conducted on 30 faecal samples in order to identify Giardia sp. and Blastocystis hominis, two parasite species also present in humans. Molecular testing for Giardia sp. was negative and Blastocystis hominis was identified in a single sample of Alouatta seniculus. No clear patterns were observed for prevalence of intestinal parasites according to the season; nonetheless, parasite species richness was higher during the dry season. This study builds on our current understanding of intestinal parasites infecting wild neotropical primates and provides novel information on the patterns of intestinal parasites in primate communities exposed to anthropogenic disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rondón
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical, CIMPAT, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mario Ortiz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical, CIMPAT, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Cielo León
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical, CIMPAT, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nelson Galvis
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Bosques Tropicales y Primatología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18-12, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Andrés Link
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Bosques Tropicales y Primatología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18-12, Bogotá, Colombia
- Facultad de Administración, Universidad de Los Andes, Calle 21 N° 1-20, of. SD-935, Bogotá, Colombia
- Fundación Proyecto Primates, Cra. 11a N° 91-55, Apartamento 202, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Camila González
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical, CIMPAT, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18-12, Bogotá, Colombia
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