1
|
Kaduková M, Kožár M, Schreiberová A, Šišková B, Štrkolcová G. First Molecular Identification and Clinical Presentation of Crenosomosis in a Dog from Slovakia. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1372-1381. [PMID: 38951380 PMCID: PMC11379797 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00861-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Crenosoma vulpis (Dujardin,1845) is a lungworm which has spread worldwide in canines and is associated with upper respiratory infections. In a majority of cases, the infections are accompanied with chronic cough. Diagnosis of lungworms is often underdiagnosed and can be misinterpreted as other respiratory diseases. METHODS The Small Animal Clinic of the University Veterinary Hospital admitted an 11-month-old dog presented with persistent cough associated with difficulty in breathing and even asphyxia. Based on clinical symptoms, the patient underwent radiological and bronchoscopic examination. Bronchoscopy revealed the presence of lungworms obturating the branches of the tracheobronchial tree. Larvae were collected by bronchoscopic lavage and subjected to parasitological and molecular examination. RESULTS Microscopic detection and morphological identification of the worms removed during the bronchoscopy confirmed the presence of female adult worms. The subsequent molecular characterisation of the mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (cox1) and 12S ribosomal DNA (rDNA)), nuclear (18S rDNA) genes, as well as the analysis of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) region of the ribosomal DNA, confirmed the Crenosoma vulpis species. Faecal samples were processed using the Baermann method, which confirmed the presence of the larval stage 1 of C. vulpis. The therapy with fenbendazole at a dose of 50 mg/kg of live weight once daily for the period of 7 days was initiated for the patient. CONCLUSION This paper presents the first molecularly confirmed clinical case of a Crenosoma vulpis infection in an 11-month-old female dog of the Miniature Schnauzer breed in Slovakia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Kaduková
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 01, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Kožár
- Small Animal Clinic, The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Komenského 73, 040 01, Kosice, Slovakia.
| | - Andrea Schreiberová
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 01, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Barbora Šišková
- Small Animal Clinic, The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Komenského 73, 040 01, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Gabriela Štrkolcová
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 01, Kosice, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mechouk N, Deak G, Ionică AM, Toma CG, Bouslama Z, Daniel Mihalca A. First report of Crenosoma vulpis in Africa and Eucoleus aerophilus in Algeria. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 20:187-191. [PMID: 36941973 PMCID: PMC10023903 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.03.003] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Crenosoma vulpis and Eucoleus aerophilus are widely distributed lungworms infecting carnivores, mainly red foxes, and are localized in the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. There are no reports from Africa regarding the presence of C. vulpis. The aim of the present study was to report a co-infection with C. vulpis and E. aerophilus in a red fox from Algeria. Materials and methods In January 2022, a road-killed male juvenile red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was collected from Bouhadjar-Tarf locality and was submitted for a complete parasitological necropsy. Detected nematodes were collected and preserved in ethanol for morphological and molecular identification. Tissue samples were also collected and analyzed by histopathological methods. Results Collected nematodes were identified as a male C. vulpis and several Eucoleus aerophilus. The histological techniques of the lung tissue did not reveal the presence of any larvae, or lung inflammation. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. vulpis infecting a carnivore in this continent, highlighting the importance of further studies to update the geographical distribution of C. vulpis. E. aerophilus was first reported in Algeria. Red foxes are important spreaders of parasitic diseases. Further studies are required for a better understanding of its epidemiology across North Africa and other areas overlapping the range of the red fox.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noureddine Mechouk
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Laboratory of Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatics Systems (EcoSTAq), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Badji Mokhtar University, BP 12, 23200, Annaba, Algeria
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Corresponding author.
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Molecular Biology and Veterinary Parasitology Unit (CDS 9), “Regele Mihai I Al României” Life Science Institute, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 23 Iuliu Moldovan, 400348, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Corina Gina Toma
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Zihad Bouslama
- Laboratory of Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatics Systems (EcoSTAq), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Badji Mokhtar University, BP 12, 23200, Annaba, Algeria
- National Environmental Research Center, Sidi Amar Campus, BP N° 2024, 23005, Annaba, Algeria
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Deak G, Ionică AM, Gherman CM, Mihalca AD. Diversity of Crenosoma species in mustelids with the first molecular characterization of C. melesi and C. petrowi. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1094554. [PMID: 37138924 PMCID: PMC10150068 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1094554] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Species of genus Crenosoma have a wide distribution and are reported in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Currently, the genus includes 14 nominal species, out of which 9 are parasitic in mustelids. Two species are mostly reported in mustelids from Europe, namely C. melesi and C. petrowi. Up to now, no genetic sequences are deposited in GenBank for any of the two. The aims of this study were to investigate the distribution, prevalence, and diversity of Crenosoma spp. infecting mustelids in Romania and to genetically characterize the species. Mustelids (n = 247) were collected over a period of 7 years from different locations in Romania and the respiratory tract was removed and examined for nematodes. Detected nematodes were morphologically identified and fragments of two genes were sequenced. Sampled mustelids included Eurasian badger, Meles meles (n = 102), Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra (n = 20), beech marten, Martes foina (n = 36), European pine marten, Martes martes (n = 5), steppe polecat, Mustela eversmanii (n = 1), European mink, Mustela lutreola (n = 1), least weasel, Mustela nivalis (n = 2), European polecat, Mustela putorius (n = 78), and marbled polecat, Vormela peregusna (n = 1). Nematodes from Eurasian badgers were morphologically identified as C. melesi (n = 13, 12.74%) and C. petrowi (n = 3, 2.94%). Nematodes from the beech martens were identified as C. petrowi (n = 6, 16.66%), C. vulpis (n = 1, 2.78%) and Crenosoma spp. (n = 3, 8.33%). Co-infections with two Crenosoma species were detected in one beech marten (C. petrowi + C. vulpis, n = 1, 2.77%) and in one European pine marten [C. petrowi + C. vulpis (n = 1, 20%)]. Two genes of Crenosoma melesi and C. petrowi were partly sequenced for the first time. We report new host-parasite associations for M. martes and C. vulpis. However, further studies are needed in order to determine the host-parasite associations and to improve the understanding of the epidemiology of Crenosoma nematodes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- *Correspondence: Georgiana Deak
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Molecular Biology and Veterinary Parasitology Unit (CDS 9), “Regele Mihai I al Romaniei” Life Science Institute, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Calin Mircea Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Deak G, Ionică AM, Pop RA, Mihalca AD, Gherman CM. New insights into the distribution of cardio-pulmonary nematodes in road-killed wild felids from Romania. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:153. [PMID: 35505378 PMCID: PMC9066875 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05281-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The population of wild felids is large and stable in Romania with many carnivore habitats being protected. Felids can be infected with a wide variety of cardio-pulmonary nematodes and can act as reservoirs of infection for domestic cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution and species diversity of cardio-pulmonary nematodes in wild felids from Romania. Methods A total of 54 wild felids (7 Lynx lynx and 47 Felis silvestris) were legally collected from different locations in Romania and analysed by complete parasitological necropsy. The entire respiratory tract was longitudinally opened and checked for the presence of nematodes. Detected nematodes were collected and morphologically identified to species level. Results Two Eurasian lynxes and 29 European wildcats were positive for cardio-pulmonary nematodes. Eurasian lynxes were infected with two species of cardio-pulmonary nematodes, Eucoleus aerophilus and Troglostrongylus brevior, while in wildcats the dominant parasite was E. aerophilus (34.0%) followed by Angiostrongylus chabaudi (23.4%) and T. brevior (14.9%). Dirofilaria immitis and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus were each detected in two wildcats (4.3%). Conclusions The present study expanded the epidemiological knowledge on felid cardiopulmonary nematodes in Romania. We confirmed the presence of A. abstrusus in wildcats and a patent infection with T. brevior in Eurasian lynx. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05281-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Molecular Biology and Veterinary Parasitology Unit (CDS 9), "Regele Mihai I Al României" Life Science Institute, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 23 Iuliu Moldovan, 400348, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Raul Alexandru Pop
- Department and Clinic of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Călin Mircea Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
New Insights into Gastrointestinal and Pulmonary Parasitofauna of Wild Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx) in the Harz Mountains of Germany. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121650. [PMID: 34959605 PMCID: PMC8708128 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) represents an endangered wild felid species. In Germany, it currently occurs in three isolated populations in and around the Harz Mountains, the Palatinate Forest and the Bavarian Forest. Lynx parasitic infections affect animal health and might have an influence on population performance. Therefore, we investigated the protozoan and helminth fauna of free-ranging Eurasian lynx of the Harz population with emphasis on zoonotic parasites. Individual scat samples (n = 24) were collected from wild animals between 2019 and 2021 in the Harz National Park and surrounding areas. In total, 15 taxa of endoparasites were detected, including seven nematodes (i.e., Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Angiostrongylus spp., Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara cati, Cylicospirura spp. and Capillaria spp.), one cestode (Diphyllobothriidae) and one trematode (Heterophylidae) as well as six protozoans (i.e., Cystoisospora rivolta, Cystoisospora felis, Toxoplasma gondii/Hammondia spp., Sarcocystis spp., Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp.). Moreover, first-stage larvae (L1) of spurious lungworm, Protostrongylus pulmonalis, originating from lagomorph preys were identified. This work represents the first report on patent A. abstrusus and Angiostrongylus spp. infections in wild German Eurasian lynxes. Some of the identified parasites represent relevant pathogens for lynxes, circulating between these carnivorous definitive hosts and a variety of mammalian and invertebrate intermediate hosts, e.g., Sarcocystis spp., T. gondii/Hammondia spp., T. cati, T. leonina, A. abstrusus and Angiostrongylus spp., while others are considered exclusively pathogenic for wild felids (e.g., Cylicospirura spp., C. rivolta, C. felis). This study provides insights in the occurrence of zooanthroponotically relevant metazoan (i.e., T. cati and U. stenocephala) and protozoan (i.e., G. intestinalis) species in free-ranging lynx. The present work should be considered as a baseline study for future monitoring surveys on endoparasites circulating in wild Eurasian lynx for appropriate management practices in lynx conservation strategies in Europe.
Collapse
|