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Illiano S, Ciuca L, Bosco A, Rinaldi L, Maurelli MP. Comparison of different molecular protocols for the detection of Uncinaria stenocephala infection in dogs. Vet Parasitol 2024; 330:110249. [PMID: 38981318 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110249] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
The present study aims to assess the performance of different molecular targets using various matrices of samples for the detection of Uncinaria stenocephala (US) in hookworm infected dogs. To this end, the DNA extraction was performed on the following matrices of samples: (i) larvae of US obtained from experimentally infected dogs with US with different larvae counts per microliter (µl); (ii) pure US eggs suspension in distilled water with different egg counts per µl; (iii) spiked dog fecal samples with different US eggs per gram (EPG) of feces; (iv) feces from dogs naturally infected with hookworm eggs; (v) fecal suspension with hookworm eggs recovered from the FLOTAC apparatus. All the samples were tested with four different PCR protocols targeting specific regions for the detection of both hookworms US and AC as follows: Protocol A (ITS1, 5.8 S, ITS2) and Protocol B (18 S) for the detection of both species, Protocol C (ITS1) for the detection of AC and Protocol D (ITS1) for the detection of US. The best results were obtained with DNA extracted from US larvae matrix obtained from experimentally infected dogs, showing a detection limit of 3.5 larvae/ml for the protocols A, B and D. A moderate correlation was found between the FLOTAC technique and PCR protocols B and D with respect to fecal samples from dogs naturally infected with hookworms. Indeed, PCR protocols B (18 S) and D (ITS1) gave the best results for feces and fecal suspension from naturally infected dogs. However, all the PCR protocols used showed lower sensitivity than FLOTAC technique. Perhaps, isolating US eggs in advance could help to obtain better quality and quantity of DNA, avoiding some notable factors such as inhibitors present in faecal samples. However, a further study is needed to evaluate and standardise a protocol for the recovery of parasitic elements, that could be applied prior to DNA extraction. Therefore, this could lead to a better amplification of US eggs DNA. In conclusion, our results showed that the type of sample (sample-matrix) used for the DNA extraction samples is crucial, as this affects the diagnostic sensitivity of the technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Illiano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino 1, Naples 80137, Italy.
| | - Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino 1, Naples 80137, Italy.
| | - Antonio Bosco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino 1, Naples 80137, Italy.
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino 1, Naples 80137, Italy.
| | - Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino 1, Naples 80137, Italy.
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Cervone M, Hugonnard M, Bourdoiseau G, Chabanne L, Krafft E, Cadoré JL. Clinical and Diagnostic Findings in Dogs Infected with Trichuris vulpis: A Retrospective Study. Vet Sci 2024; 11:306. [PMID: 39057990 PMCID: PMC11281514 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11070306] [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: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Trichuris vulpis is a parasite of the large intestine of canids and has a global distribution. Despite its well-established epidemiology, the question of its pathogenicity in dogs remains debated. It has been suggested that younger age and concurrent infection with Ancylostoma caninum may be responsible for more severe clinical presentations. This retrospective study aimed to describe the clinical and diagnostic features of T. vulpis-infected dogs and to compare these findings with dogs infected with both T. vulpis and other intestinal parasites (poly-infected dogs). Forty-five dogs were included, with twenty-five being solely infected by T. vulpis and twenty poly-infected dogs. Only weight loss was more frequent (p = 0.006) in poly-infected dogs compared to T. vulpis mono-infected dogs. No significant differences were observed in laboratory abnormalities between mono-infected and poly-infected dogs. Only diarrhea was more frequent (p = 0.007) in younger dogs compared to adults. The egg shedding pattern was significantly higher (p = 0.04) among adult dogs compared to young ones, and there was a significant positive correlation between egg shedding and age (r = 0.41; p = 0.005). These findings suggest that T. vulpis might be responsible for both clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities in dogs, irrespective of the host's age and the presence of other intestinal parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Cervone
- Département des Animaux de Compagnie, de Loisir et de Sport, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, 1 Av. Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France; (M.H.)
| | - Marine Hugonnard
- Département des Animaux de Compagnie, de Loisir et de Sport, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, 1 Av. Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France; (M.H.)
| | - Gilles Bourdoiseau
- Département des Animaux de Compagnie, de Loisir et de Sport, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, 1 Av. Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France; (M.H.)
- Département Elevage et Santé Publique, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France
| | - Luc Chabanne
- Département des Animaux de Compagnie, de Loisir et de Sport, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, 1 Av. Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France; (M.H.)
| | - Emilie Krafft
- Département des Animaux de Compagnie, de Loisir et de Sport, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, 1 Av. Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France; (M.H.)
| | - Jean-Luc Cadoré
- Département des Animaux de Compagnie, de Loisir et de Sport, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, 1 Av. Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy L’Etoile, France; (M.H.)
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Illiano S, Ciuca L, Maurelli MP, Pepe P, Caruso V, Bosco A, Pennacchio S, Amato R, Pompameo M, Rinaldi L. Epidemiological and molecular updates on hookworm species in dogs from southern Italy. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:204. [PMID: 37833701 PMCID: PMC10571300 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03765-3] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The zoonotic hookworms Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala are widespread soil-transmitted helminths in dogs in Europe. Given the veterinary and public health importance of hookworms in dogs and the recent changes in the molecular epidemiology of some species, there is a need to continuously monitor the epidemiological and molecular prevalence of these parasites also at the "local" level. The present study aimed to update the epidemiological scenario of hookworm infections in both owned and stray dogs in southern Italy and to discriminate between different hookworm species (A. caninum and U. stenocephala) through molecular analyses. For this purpose, a retrospective analysis was performed over 10 years (2011-2021), including a total of 7008 owned dogs and 5642 stray dogs referred to our laboratory for copromicroscopic examinations. Moreover, 72 faecal samples, from dogs naturally infected by hookworms, were used to discriminate between A. caninum and U. stenocephala using two PCR protocols. Prior to molecular analyses, a subsample of 40/72 positive faecal samples was used for morphometric investigations on hookworm eggs. RESULTS The results of the ten-year retrospective analysis (2011-2021) showed an overall prevalence of hookworm infection of 9.16%, specifically 5.1% in owned dogs and 14.2% in stray dogs. Logistic regression showed a significant association between positivity to hookworms and the variable "puppies" both in stray (13.84%; OR = 2.4) and owned (7.07%; OR = 2.2) dogs. The results of molecular analyses showed that positivity was confirmed only in 21/72 samples, specifically, 6 samples using protocol A and 19 with protocol B. Sequencing revealed 15 samples positive to U. stenocephala and 6 to A. caninum. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study showed a high prevalence of hookworm infections in dogs in southern Italy, updating the epidemiological scenario of the last decade. Moreover, the results of the study revealed the first identification of hookworm species in dogs in Italy by molecular studies, highlighting that U. stenocephala is more prevalent than A. caninum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Illiano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Pepe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Caruso
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Bosco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Saverio Pennacchio
- ASL Naples 1 Centro, Veterinary Hospital, Via Marco Rocco Di Torrepadula, 13, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Ruggero Amato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Pompameo
- ASL Naples 1 Centro, Veterinary Hospital, Via Marco Rocco Di Torrepadula, 13, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino, 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
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Comparison of Different Copromicroscopic Techniques in the Diagnosis of Intestinal and Respiratory Parasites of Naturally Infected Dogs and Cats. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192584. [PMID: 36230325 PMCID: PMC9558989 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Appropriate fecal examinations are very important for diagnosing parasitic diseases in dogs and cats. In this study, four different conventional copromicroscopic techniques (flotation, McMaster, Mini-FLOTAC, and Baermann) were evaluated for their performance in detecting intestinal and extra-intestinal parasitic elements in canine and feline feces. Stool samples from 100 dogs and 105 cats, respectively, were tested with the above techniques. Flotation and Mini-FLOTAC gave the best results in detecting intestinal and respiratory parasitoses by Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostomatidae, Cystoisospora spp., Trichuris vulpis and Capillaria spp., whereas the Baermann test was the best method for the detection of infections caused by metastrongyloids. These data provide useful information for veterinary clinicians on the most appropriate techniques to use during diagnostic paths in clinical settings. Abstract Several copromicroscopic techniques, including tools belonging to the FLOTAC group, are available for the qualitative and/or quantitative diagnosis of canine and feline parasitoses. The present study was carried out to compare the diagnostic performance of different copromicroscopic methods for detecting common intestinal and extra-intestinal parasites of dogs and cats. Fecal samples of 100 dogs and 105 cats were randomly selected from different regions of Italy. All samples were subjected to conventional flotation, McMaster, Mini-FLOTAC, and Baermann. Fifty-six dogs and twenty-five cats were found positive to at least one technique, and, among them, flotation (55% and 20.9% of the dogs and cats, respectively) and Mini-FLOTAC (52% and 20.9% of the dogs and cats, respectively) detected the highest number of positive samples. Larvae of the feline metastrongyloids Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior were identified only using the Baermann test in two (1.9%) and one (0.9%) cat respectively. No larvae were found with the Baermann examination of dog feces or any of the other methods. The present results show that the Mini-FLOTAC represents a possible alternative to conventional flotation in clinical settings for the detection of intestinal and respiratory parasites e.g., Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostomatidae, Cystoisospora spp., Trichuris vulpis and Capillaria spp., although Baermann’s test remains the most recommended technique for the diagnosis of infections caused by metastrongyloid lungworms.
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Borges JCG, Lima VFS, DA Silva EM, Dos Santos Lima D, Marmontel M, Carvalho VL, DA G Faustino MA, Cringolli G, Rinaldi L, Alves LC. Use of the FLOTAC technique as a new coproparasitological diagnostic method in aquatic mammals and comparison with traditional methods. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20201184. [PMID: 35239771 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220201184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The inadequate choice of a diagnostic method or the option for techniques that have low sensitivity and specificity may limit the diagnosis of parasitic agents that affect aquatic mammals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the FLOTAC technique and compare it with three traditional methods (Willis, sedimentation and centrifugation- flotation) used in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasites in aquatic mammals. For this, 129 fecal samples from 12 species were collected. Each sample was submitted to laboratory processing using the Willis, Hoffman techniques, Faust method and FLOTAC. Sensitivity, specificity, real prevalence, estimated prevalence, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, correct classification (accuracy) and incorrect classification were evaluated to compare the different diagnostic methods. The highest frequency of positive samples occurred using FLOTAC (46.51%), compared to Hoffman (23.25%), Faust (10.07%) and Willis techniques (6.97%). In the samples analyzed, the occurrence of Strongylidae eggs and Eimeriidae oocysts was frequently observed. The FLOTAC technique proved to be the most appropriate technique and due to its efficacy, is strongly recommended for coproparasitological evaluations in aquatic mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Carlos G Borges
- Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos, Rua Guimarães Peixoto, 75, 52051-305 Recife, PE, Brazil.,Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Aplicadas e Educação, Campus IV, Avenida Elisabete, 160, Mangueira, 58297-000 Rio Tinto, PB, Brazil.,Grupo de Pesquisa em Mamíferos Aquáticos Amazônicos, Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Estrada do Bexiga, 2584, Fonte Boa, Caixa Postal 38, 69553-225 Tefé, AM, Brazil
| | - Victor F S Lima
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Edson M DA Silva
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Danielle Dos Santos Lima
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Mamíferos Aquáticos Amazônicos, Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Estrada do Bexiga, 2584, Fonte Boa, Caixa Postal 38, 69553-225 Tefé, AM, Brazil
| | - Miriam Marmontel
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Mamíferos Aquáticos Amazônicos, Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Estrada do Bexiga, 2584, Fonte Boa, Caixa Postal 38, 69553-225 Tefé, AM, Brazil
| | - Vitor L Carvalho
- Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos - AQUASIS, Avenida Pintor João Figueiredo, s/n, 61627-210 Caucaia, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Giuseppe Cringolli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80137, Naples, NA, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80137, Naples, NA, Italy
| | - Leucio C Alves
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil
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Kida I, Kouguchi H, Irie T, Yagi K, Nakao R, Nonaka N. Sensitivity comparison between Mini-FLOTAC and conventional techniques for the detection of Echinococcus multilocularis eggs. Parasitol Int 2021; 87:102522. [PMID: 34863981 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Canines serve as the definitive host of Echinococcus multilocularis. This study evaluated the sensitivity of the Mini-FLOTAC technique (MF) for the detection of E. multilocularis eggs in definitive hosts. First, we investigated the effects of heat inactivation and preservative conditions on the detection rate of eggs obtained from experimentally infected dogs. The sensitivity of MF was compared with that of eight other techniques: the centrifugal flotation with sucrose or zinc sulfate, MGL, AMS III, and a combination of MF and flotation/sedimentation techniques. Finally, we compared the sensitivity of MF and the centrifugal flotation with sucrose for the feces of E. multilocularis-infected foxes. The detection rate reached a plateau level with a specific gravity (s.g.) 1.22 for fresh eggs, but the highest rates were obtained with s.g. greater than 1.32 for heat-inactivated eggs. There was no significant difference in the detection rate among the preservative conditions. MF showed significantly higher EPG than the other techniques. Moreover, it showed higher diagnostic sensitivity for the fox feces than the centrifugal flotation technique. These results suggest that heat inactivation may alter s.g. of E. multilocularis eggs and that MF with zinc sulfate (s.g. = 1.32) would be effective for detecting heat-inactivated E. multilocularis eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Kida
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 8, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kouguchi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Kita 19, Nishi 12, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0819, Japan
| | - Takao Irie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Kinpei Yagi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Kita 19, Nishi 12, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0819, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 8, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 8, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan.
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Shchelkanov MY, Tabakaeva TV, Fomenko PV, Kim EM, Tabakaev AV, Galkina IV. A retrospective study of Uncinaria stenocephala in domestic dogs: Age, sex distribution, and risk factors. Vet World 2021; 14:265-269. [PMID: 33642813 PMCID: PMC7896900 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.265-269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Uncinaria infection often appears in domestic dogs. In the present study, parasitological examination of fecal samples from 782 dogs were analyzed for the presence of Uncinaria stenocephala. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were analyzed by means of a standardized flotation method using a saturated salt solution containing NaNO3 (specific gravity 1.38), with a centrifugation step. Results: The highest prevalence rates were found among young adult dogs (8.3%), followed by puppies (5.4%); the lowest prevalence rates were found in dogs older than 3 years (4.3%). The prevalence was 5.8% among female dogs and 7.2% in male dogs. Coinfections with roundworms and protozoan parasites were frequently observed in U. stenocephala-positive dogs (15%). In total, three types of coinfections were registered. Coinfection of U. stenocephala + Sarcocystids oocysts was recorded in 19.1% of the dogs (n=10). This may relate to higher prevalence of S. oocysts in dogs (n=153; 19.5%). There were two cases of coinfection of U. stenocephala + Toxocara canis (3.9%), which may relate to low prevalence of T. canis (3.9 %). One case of coinfection of Dipylidium caninum+U. stenocephala (0.1%) also appeared. Conclusion: The present study showed that male dogs and young dogs were most susceptible to U. stenocephala infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail Yur'iyevich Shchelkanov
- Far Eastern Federal University, School of Biomedicine, Vladivostok, Russia.,Federal Scientific Center of Terrestrial Biodiversity of Eastern Asia, Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Stoletiya Vladivostoku, 159/1, Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, Russia.,National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Palchevskogo, 17, Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, Russia
| | - Tatyana Vladimirovna Tabakaeva
- Far Eastern Federal University, School of Biomedicine, Vladivostok, Russia.,Federal Scientific Center of Terrestrial Biodiversity of Eastern Asia, Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Stoletiya Vladivostoku, 159/1, Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, Russia
| | - Pavel Vasilevich Fomenko
- Amur Branch of Russian Department of World Wide Fund, Verkhneportovaya, 18A, Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, Russia
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop a simple method to purify Strongyloides eggs from rat faeces using a sucrose gradient centrifugal-flotation technique. This procedure is simple, rapid and possesses a high efficiency in recovering Strongyloides eggs without faecal detritus in less than one hour, thus eliminating the use of complex apparatus and different chemical substances. The possibility of working with pure and live Strongyloides eggs opens up a wide range of future studies on the biology of this parasite. This study constitutes the first report in the scientific literature on purifying Strongyloides eggs using a sucrose density gradient.
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Wascher CA, Canestrari D, Baglione V. Affiliative social relationships and coccidian oocyst excretion in a cooperatively breeding bird species. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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10
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Mohammad S R, Mohammad S Y, Tawfik Has A, Said Salem H. Mini-FLOTAC Versus Other Copromicroscopic Methods in Diagnosis of Intestinal Parasitic Infections. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.3923/jp.2018.36.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Alvarado-Villalobos MA, Cringoli G, Maurelli MP, Cambou A, Rinaldi L, Barbachano-Guerrero A, Guevara R, Chapman CA, Serio-Silva JC. Flotation techniques (FLOTAC and mini-FLOTAC) for detecting gastrointestinal parasites in howler monkeys. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:586. [PMID: 29169387 PMCID: PMC5701314 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2532-7] [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: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Analyses of environmental correlates of the composition of gastrointestinal parasite communities in black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) have been hindered by inadequate calibration techniques of detection and quantification methods of the parasites. Here we calibrate samples and compare the likelihood of parasite detection using two flotation techniques, FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC, and compare flotation solution, preservation method and dilution ratio for egg detection and counts of the most common parasites (Controrchis spp. and Trypanoxyuris spp.) in howler monkeys. Results For samples preserved in 5% formalin, the Mini-FLOTAC technique was the best option for qualitative and quantitative copro-microscopic analysis. This technique displays an 83.3% and 100% detection of Controrchis spp. and Trypanoxyuris spp. infections, respectively. For the trematode Controrchis spp., more eggs per gram of feces (EPG) were recorded with the flotation solution (FS) #7 (zinc sulfate; specific gravity SG = 1.35) at 1:20 and 1:25 dilution than other methods. By contrast, for the nematode Trypanoxyuris spp., the best results were recorded with FS1 (sucrose and formaldehyde; SG = 1.20) at 1:10 dilution. Conclusions We recommend the Mini-FLOTAC technique for general use with parasite analysis on frugivore/folivores like the howler monkey, especially if many samples are analyzed. The technique has a high detection rate and the best EPG counts, allowing the qualitative and quantitative analysis of parasite load among the species or populations without the need for specialized equipment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-017-2532-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Unit of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Maurelli
- Unit of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Aurelie Cambou
- ENSAIA (Ecole National e Supérieure d'Ágronomie et des Industries Alimentaires), Vandoeuvre-lés-Nancy, France
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Unit of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Arturo Barbachano-Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación, Departamento de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México, Mexico
| | - Roger Guevara
- Red de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología A.C, Xalapa, 91070, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Colin A Chapman
- Department of Anthropology & McGill School of Environment, McGill University, Quebec, Montreal, H3A 2T7, Canada
| | - Juan Carlos Serio-Silva
- Red de Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecología A.C, Xalapa, 91070, Veracruz, Mexico.
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Easton AV, Oliveira RG, Walker M, O'Connell EM, Njenga SM, Mwandawiro CS, Webster JP, Nutman TB, Anderson RM. Sources of variability in the measurement of Ascaris lumbricoides infection intensity by Kato-Katz and qPCR. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:256. [PMID: 28545561 PMCID: PMC5445470 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2164-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding and quantifying the sources and implications of error in the measurement of helminth egg intensity using Kato-Katz (KK) and the newly emerging “gold standard” quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technique is necessary for the appropriate design of epidemiological studies, including impact assessments for deworming programs. Methods Repeated measurements of Ascaris lumbricoides infection intensity were made from samples collected in western Kenya using the qPCR and KK techniques. These data were combined with data on post-treatment worm expulsions. Random effects regression models were used to quantify the variability associated with different technical and biological factors for qPCR and KK diagnosis. The relative precision of these methods was compared, as was the precision of multiple qPCR replicates. Results For both KK and qPCR, intensity measurements were largely determined by the identity of the stool donor. Stool donor explained 92.4% of variability in qPCR measurements and 54.5% of observed measurement variance for KK. An additional 39.1% of variance in KK measurements was attributable to having expelled adult A. lumbricoides worms following anthelmintic treatment. For qPCR, the remaining 7.6% of variability was explained by the efficiency of the DNA extraction (2.4%), plate-to-plate variability (0.2%) and other residual factors (5%). Differences in replicate measurements by qPCR were comparatively small. In addition to KK variability based on stool donor infection levels, the slide reader was highly statistically significant, although it only explained 1.4% of the total variation. In a comparison of qPCR and KK variance to mean ratios under ideal conditions, the coefficient of variation was on average 3.6 times larger for KK highlighting increased precision of qPCR. Conclusions Person-to-person differences explain the majority of variability in egg intensity measurements by qPCR and KK, with very little additional variability explained by the technical factors associated with the practical implementation of these techniques. qPCR provides approximately 3.6 times more precision in estimating A. lumbricoides egg intensity than KK, and could potentially be made more cost-effective by testing each sample only once without diminishing the power of a study to assess population-level intensity and prevalence. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2164-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice V Easton
- Helminth Immunology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA. .,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London St Mary's Campus, London, W2 1PG, UK.
| | - Rita G Oliveira
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London St Mary's Campus, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Martin Walker
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London St Mary's Campus, London, W2 1PG, UK.,Department of Pathobiology and Population Science and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL97TA, UK
| | - Elise M O'Connell
- Helminth Immunology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Sammy M Njenga
- The Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control (ESACIPAC), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles S Mwandawiro
- The Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control (ESACIPAC), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joanne P Webster
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London St Mary's Campus, London, W2 1PG, UK.,Department of Pathobiology and Population Science and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL97TA, UK
| | - Thomas B Nutman
- Helminth Immunology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Roy M Anderson
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London St Mary's Campus, London, W2 1PG, UK
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Loukas A, Hotez PJ, Diemert D, Yazdanbakhsh M, McCarthy JS, Correa-Oliveira R, Croese J, Bethony JM. Hookworm infection. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2016; 2:16088. [PMID: 27929101 DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2016.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hookworms are soil-transmitted nematode parasites that can reside for many years in the small intestine of their human hosts; Necator americanus is the predominant infecting species. Adult worms feed on the blood of a host and can cause iron deficiency anaemia, especially in high-risk populations (children and women of childbearing age). Almost 500 million people in developing tropical countries are infected, and simulation models estimate that hookworm infection is responsible for >4 million disability-adjusted life years lost annually. Humans mount an immune response to hookworms, but it is mostly unsuccessful at removing adult worms from the bowel. Accordingly, the host switches to an immune-tolerant state that enables hookworms to reside in the gut for many years. Although anthelmintic drugs are available and widely used, their efficacy varies and the drugs do not prevent reinfection. Thus, other control strategies aimed at improving water quality, sanitation and hygiene are needed. In addition, efforts are underway to develop a human hookworm vaccine through public-private partnerships. However, hookworms could also be a resource; as hookworms have the capability to regulate the host's inflammation, researchers are experimentally infecting patients to treat some inflammatory diseases as an approach to discover new anti-inflammatory molecules. This area of endeavour might well yield new biotherapeutics for autoimmune and allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Building E4, James Cook University, McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College Of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Sabin Vaccine Institute, Houston, Texas, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - David Diemert
- Department of Microbiology, Tropical Medicine and Immunology, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA.,Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington DC, USA
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - James S McCarthy
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - John Croese
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Building E4, James Cook University, McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jeffrey M Bethony
- Department of Microbiology, Tropical Medicine and Immunology, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
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Coulibaly JT, Ouattara M, Becker SL, Lo NC, Keiser J, N'Goran EK, Ianniello D, Rinaldi L, Cringoli G, Utzinger J. Comparison of sensitivity and faecal egg counts of Mini-FLOTAC using fixed stool samples and Kato-Katz technique for the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminths. Acta Trop 2016; 164:107-116. [PMID: 27591137 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Accurate diagnostic tools for human helminthiasis are crucial for epidemiological surveys, improved patient management, and evaluation of community-based intervention studies. However, the diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis heavily relies on stool microscopy using the Kato-Katz technique, which has a low sensitivity. The Mini-FLOTAC method is an alternative microscopy-based technique, but its diagnostic performance using sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin-(SAF)-fixed stool specimens has not been validated. The fixation of stool samples for later examination in a laboratory may reduce logistical and financial barriers of prevalence surveys by not requiring field laboratories. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the Kato-Katz technique using fresh stool samples with the Mini-FLOTAC technique, employing matched stool samples that were fixed in SAF. Three consecutive stool samples from 149 school-aged children in Côte d'Ivoire were subjected to quintuplicate Kato-Katz thick smears examined on the same day. From the remaining stool, approximately 2g was fixed in 10ml of SAF for about 3 months, and then subjected to the Mini-FLOTAC method, using two flotation solutions (FS2 and FS7). The combined results of multiple Kato-Katz and Mini-FLOTAC readings revealed prevalences of Schistosoma mansoni, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm of 99.3%, 72.5% and 7.4%, respectively. Employing a Bayesian latent class analysis to estimate the true sensitivity of the diagnostic approaches, the sensitivity of Mini-FLOTAC using FS2 was 50.1% (95% Bayesian credible interval (BCI): 30.9-70.2%) for hookworm and 68.0% (95% BCI: 34.9-93.5%) for T. trichiura. When applying Mini-FLOTAC using FS7, the sensitivity was 89.9% (95% BCI: 86.9-97.4%) for S. mansoni, 37.2% (95% BCI: 17.2-60.6%) for hookworm and 67.7% (95% BCI: 33.0-93.0%) for T. trichiura. The specificity ranged from 80.1-95.0% in all Mini-FLOTAC tests. Mini-FLOTAC revealed higher arithmetic mean faecal egg counts (FECs) than the Kato-Katz technique. We found a significant correlation in FECs between Kato-Katz and Mini-FLOTAC for S. mansoni and T. trichiura. We conclude that Mini-FLOTAC shows reasonable diagnostic accuracy when using stool samples fixed in SAF for 3 months, and may be an alternative to multiple Kato-Katz thick smears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean T Coulibaly
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, 02 BP 770, Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire; Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Mamadou Ouattara
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, 02 BP 770, Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Sören L Becker
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Kirrberger Straße, Building 43, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Nathan C Lo
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eliézer K N'Goran
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, 02 BP 770, Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire; Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, 01 BP 1303, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Davide Ianniello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 CREMOPAR, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 CREMOPAR, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 CREMOPAR, Italy
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
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Lima VFS, Cringoli G, Rinaldi L, Monteiro MFM, Calado AMC, Ramos RAN, Meira-Santos PO, Alves LC. A comparison of mini-FLOTAC and FLOTAC with classic methods to diagnosing intestinal parasites of dogs from Brazil. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3529-33. [PMID: 26122998 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4605-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Dogs may be affected by different species of gastrointestinal parasites which present great importance in veterinary medicine and public health. Several techniques to diagnosing these parasites have been proposed, but different performances achieved by each method make difficult the choice of the best technique to be used. In this study, the performance of two classic methods (i.e., Willis and Hoffman techniques) and two recent techniques (i.e., FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC) to diagnosing gastrointestinal parasites of dogs was evaluated. Fecal samples (n = 127) of dogs divided in pools (n = 30) were collected and analyzed using four different techniques (see above). Eggs and/or oocysts of gastrointestinal parasites were detected in 93.3 % (28/30) of the samples. In particular, 20 % (6/30) were detected through the method of Hoffman, 53.3 % (16/30) by the Willis technique, and 63.3 % (19/30) and 90 % (27/30) by Mini-FLOTAC and FLOTAC, respectively. Ancylostomatidae, Trichuris vulpis and Toxocara canis were the most frequent parasites herein detected. The FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC techniques were the most efficient tools to detect eggs and/or oocysts of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs, therefore their use is recommended in the laboratorial routine of veterinary medicine. This study is the first report of the use of both techniques (i.e., FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC) to diagnosing parasites of dogs in Brazil.
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Cossío-Bayúgar A, Romero E, Gallina S, Suzán G, Ibáñez-Bernal S. Variation of Gastrointestinal Parasites In Mule Deer and Cattle In Mapimí Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. SOUTHWEST NAT 2015. [DOI: 10.1894/tal-74.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Helminth control in kennels: is the combination of milbemycin oxime and praziquantel a right choice? Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:30. [PMID: 25595418 PMCID: PMC4304623 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0647-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Kennel dogs are at the high risk of infections with intestinal and extra-intestinal helminths. Therefore, regular parasitological surveillance, appropriate treatment strategies and high quality standard of hygiene are required to guarantee the health and welfare of kennel dogs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of helminth control in kennels using different broad-spectrum anthelmintics that are routinely used in canine veterinary practice. Particular attention was given to the field efficacy and ease-of-use of each product. Methods The study was conducted in 3 public kennels in the Campania region (southern Italy). Eighteen boxes from each of the three kennels were selected for treatment based on faecal egg counts (FECs) at Day −30. The treatments were conducted using tablets containing combinations of: i) milbemycin oxime and praziquantel (Milbemax®); ii) pyrantel embonate, febantel and praziquantel (Drontal Plus Flavour®), and; iii) pyrantel pamoate, oxantel pamoate and praziquantel (Nemex® POP). All dogs were treated on Day 0 and sampled on Days 0, 7, 14 and 21 for copromicroscopic analyses. The FLOTAC dual technique on pooled samples was used with efficacy determined by reduction in FECs. Results At Day −30 intestinal nematodes (hookworms, Toxocara, Trichuris) and cestodes (Dypilidium caninum) were found. Milbemax® showed 100% efficacy against all the helminths in all the kennels. Drontal Plus Flavour® was 100% effective against hookworms in all the kennels but gave lower efficacy against T. canis (range = 97.1-100%) and T. vulpis (range = 95.6-100%). Nemex® POP was also 100% effective against hookworms in all kennels but less effective against T. canis (range = 95.7-100%) and T. vulpis (range = 95.7-100%). All three drugs were 100% effective against D.caninum. Conclusions Milbemax®was fully effective against all the helminthes and was palatable and ease-of-use for all the dogs. It is the optimum choice for the treatment and prevention of helminth infections in kennel dogs under field conditions.
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Maurelli MP, Rinaldi L, Rubino G, Lia R, Musella V, Cringoli G. FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC for uro-microscopic diagnosis of Capillaria plica (syn. Pearsonema plica) in dogs. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:591. [PMID: 25178780 PMCID: PMC4167516 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Capillaria plica (syn. Pearsonema plica) is a nematode that resides in the urinary bladder and rarely in ureters or in the kidney pelvis of various carnivores, especially foxes and dogs. Urine sedimentation technique is actually the only diagnostic tool that permits the identification of C. plica eggs, but its sensitivity is low and when an infection is suspected (or when it is necessary to confirm treatment efficacy) more than one examination of urine sediment should be performed. The present paper reports a clinical case of natural C. plica infection in a dog from southern Italy. In addition, two new techniques, FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC, were used for the diagnosis of C. plica in dog urine and compared with the technique of sedimentation. Results Using FLOTAC with fresh urine and sodium chloride as flotation solution, were obtained the best results for the diagnosis of C. plica in dog urine in term of eggs counted (mean eggs per 10 ml of urine = 70.3 FLOTAC vs 40.3 Mini FLOTAC vs 32.8 sedimentation) and coefficient of variation (CV%) (6.2 FLOTAC vs 13.4 Mini-FLOTAC vs 32.9 sedimentation). Conclusions The FLOTAC was the more sensitive method, but also the Mini-FLOTAC could be a valid alternative diagnostic method because gave better results than the classical sedimentation and can be used in place of the FLOTAC in laboratories where the centrifugation step cannot be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II CREMOPAR, Campania Region, Naples, Italy.
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Maurelli MP, Rinaldi L, Alfano S, Pepe P, Coles GC, Cringoli G. Mini-FLOTAC, a new tool for copromicroscopic diagnosis of common intestinal nematodes in dogs. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:356. [PMID: 25095701 PMCID: PMC4262189 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The most common intestinal nematodes of dogs are Toxocara canis, hookworm and Trichuris vulpis. The present study was aimed to validate a new copromicroscopic technique, the Mini-FLOTAC and to compare its diagnostic efficiency and sensitivity with four other copromicroscopic techniques: direct smear, tube flotation, Wisconsin method and the FLOTAC dual technique. Findings Two experiments were performed. In the first, faecal positive samples collected from 59 stray asymptomatic dogs, of which 21 were naturally infected with ancylostomidae, 13 naturally infected with T. canis and 25 naturally infected with T. vulpis were used to validate the Mini-FLOTAC technique. The second experiment was performed on faecal samples randomly selected from 38 stray asymptomatic dogs to compare the diagnostic efficiency and sensitivity of the different techniques. Samples were fixed with 5% formalin; sodium chloride and zinc sulphate were used for flotation solutions because they performed best for detecting and quantifying intestinal nematode eggs in dogs. Mini-FLOTAC and FLOTAC were the most efficient and sensitive techniques and they gave higher EPG and higher numbers of positive samples in both the experiments, for all three parasites. Conclusions As Mini-FLOTAC does not require centrifugation it is a very promising technique for counting helminth eggs in dog faeces.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Regione Campania, Via Della Veterinaria 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
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Kochanowski M, Karamon J, Dąbrowska J, Cencek T. Experimental estimation of the efficacy of the FLOTAC basic technique. J Parasitol 2014; 100:633-9. [PMID: 24918961 DOI: 10.1645/13-333.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The FLOTAC technique is a quantitative coproscopic method for the diagnosis of parasitic infection that is based on the centrifugation of a fecal sample to levitate helminth eggs with a flotation solution in a proprietary apparatus. Determination of the efficacy of the FLOTAC method and multiplication factors for calculation of the number of Toxocara, Trichuris, and Ascaris eggs in 1 g of feces on the basis of the number of detected eggs is presented. An investigation was conducted using feces samples enriched with a known number of parasite eggs: 3, 15, 50, or 100 parasite eggs of 3 nematode genera (Toxocara, Trichuris, and Ascaris) per 1 g (EPG) of feces. In addition, 80 samples of dog feces were prepared consisting of 20 repetitions for each level of contamination. The samples were analyzed using the FLOTAC basic technique. The limit of detection was calculated as the lowest level of egg content at which at least 50% of repetitions were positive. Multiplication factors for estimating the true number of parasite eggs in the samples were derived from regression coefficients that illustrated the linear relationship between the number of detected eggs and the number of eggs added to the sample. The percentages of recovered eggs for 1 chamber and for the whole apparatus ranged from 11.67 to 21.90% and from 21.33 to 40.10%, respectively, depending on dose enrichment and genus of parasite. The limit of detection calculated for the whole FLOTAC device was 3 EPG and was 15 EPG for 1 chamber for each of the 3 parasite genera. The limit of quantification calculated for whole FLOTAC was 15 EPG for each of 3 kinds of eggs. For 1 chamber, the limit of quantification was 15 EPG for Ascaris and Toxocara eggs and 50 EPG for Trichuris eggs. Multiplication factors for calculation of the number of eggs in 1 g of feces calculated for whole FLOTAC were 3 (for Toxocara and Ascaris eggs) and 4 (for Trichuris eggs). Experimentally calculated parameters of the method differ significantly from the theoretical assumptions of the authors of the FLOTAC technique and can significantly affect the reliability of the results. This does not alter the fact that the FLOTAC technique is the most effective parasitological quantitative method, which can be used to detect parasitic forms in feces. However, the results of our study emphasized the need for validation of the method before using it in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Kochanowski
- The National Veterinary Research Institute, 57 Partyzantów Avenue, 24-100 Puławy, Poland. Correspondence should be sent to:
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Albonico M, Rinaldi L, Sciascia S, Morgoglione ME, Piemonte M, Maurelli MP, Musella V, Utzinger J, Ali SM, Ame SM, Cringoli G. Comparison of three copromicroscopic methods to assess albendazole efficacy against soil-transmitted helminth infections in school-aged children on Pemba Island. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2014; 107:493-501. [PMID: 23843559 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trt051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnostic accuracy of three faecal egg count techniques (Kato-Katz, McMaster and FLOTAC) to assess albendazole efficacy against soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections was compared. METHODS The study is registered with Current Controlled Trials [identifier: ISRCTN90088840]. During September-November 2009, 304 school-aged children on Pemba Island, Tanzania, were screened and those infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm or Trichuris trichiura were treated with a single dose of albendazole (400 mg). Twenty-one days post-treatment, children provided a single stool sample which was examined using the same diagnostic methods. All stool samples were divided into two aliquots and one was fixed in 5% formalin and examined using FLOTAC and McMaster approximately 6 months after collection. RESULTS Using fresh stool samples, comparable prevalences were demonstrated for the three methods at baseline (90-92.2% for T. trichiura, 41.1-52.8% for hookworm, 32.9-37.2% for A. lumbricoides); FLOTAC was the most sensitive method at baseline and follow-up. Albendazole showed high cure rate (CR) against A. lumbricoides (90-97%), moderate CR against hookworm (63-72%) and very low CR against T. trichiura (6-9%), regardless of the technique used. Egg counts (eggs per gram) at baseline were similar for A. lumbricoides and for hookworm among the three methods, and higher using McMaster and Kato-Katz compared with FLOTAC for T. trichiura. All methods were similar for hookworm and A. lumbricoides egg reduction rate (ERR) estimation, but Kato-Katz indicated a significantly higher ERR than McMaster and FLOTAC for T. trichiura. Preserved stool samples revealed consistently lower FECs at baseline and follow-up for all STHs. CONCLUSION Further development and validation of standard protocols for anthelminthic drug efficacy evaluation must be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Albonico
- Department of Biology, University of Torino, 10122 Torino, Italy
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Ballweber LR, Beugnet F, Marchiondo AA, Payne PA. American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists' review of veterinary fecal flotation methods and factors influencing their accuracy and use--is there really one best technique? Vet Parasitol 2014; 204:73-80. [PMID: 24893692 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Revised: 01/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The principle of fecal flotation is based on the ability of a solution to allow less dense material (including parasite elements) to rise to the top. However, there are numerous factors that will influence the accuracy and use of such a theoretically simple technique. Whether or not centrifugation is used appears to have an impact on the ability to detect some parasites, but not others. Using a flotation solution with a relatively high specific gravity favors the simultaneous flotation of the diagnostic stages of many different parasites while, at the same time, making recognition of some more difficult because of distortion as well as the amount of debris in the preparation. Dilution methods tend to be less accurate because they require extrapolation; however, they are quicker to perform, in part, because of the cleaner preparation. Timing is a critical factor in the success of all flotation methods, as is technical ability of the personnel involved. Thus, simplicity, low costs and time savings have generally favored gravitational flotation techniques (including the McMaster technique and its modifications). How accurate the method needs to be is dependent upon the purpose of its use and choice of method requires an understanding of analytical sensitivity and expected levels of egg excretion. In some instances where the difference between, for example, 0 and 50 eggs per gram is insignificant with regards to management decisions, less accurate methods will suffice. In others, where the presence of a parasite means treatment of the animal regardless of the numbers of eggs present, methods with higher analytical sensitivities will be required, particularly for those parasites that pass few eggs. For other uses, such as the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test, accuracy may become critical. Therefore, even though recommendations for standardized fecal flotation procedures have been promoted in the past, it is clear that the factors are too numerous to allow for the recommendation of one, or even a few, procedures for all purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R Ballweber
- Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 1644 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| | - F Beugnet
- Merial, 26 Av Tony Garnier, Lyon 69007, France
| | | | - P A Payne
- Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 3005 Payne Dr., Manhattan, KS 66503, USA
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Kochanowski M, Dabrowska J, Karamon J, Cencek T, Osiński Z. Analysis of the accuracy and precision of the McMaster method in detection of the eggs of Toxocara and Trichuris species (Nematoda) in dog faeces. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2013; 60:264-72. [PMID: 23951934 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2013.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy and precision of McMaster method with Raynaud's modification in the detection of the eggs of the nematodes Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) and Trichuris ovis (Abildgaard, 1795) in faeces of dogs. Four variants of McMaster method were used for counting: in one grid, two grids, the whole McMaster chamber and flotation in the tube. One hundred sixty samples were prepared from dog faeces (20 repetitions for each egg quantity) containing 15, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 eggs of T. canis and T. ovis in 1 g of faeces. To compare the influence of kind of faeces on the results, samples of dog faeces were enriched at the same levels with the eggs of another nematode, Ascaris suum Goeze, 1782. In addition, 160 samples of pig faeces were prepared and enriched only with A. suum eggs in the same way. The highest limit of detection (the lowest level of eggs that were detected in at least 50% of repetitions) in all McMaster chamber variants were obtained for T. canis eggs (25-250 eggs/g faeces). In the variant with flotation in the tube, the highest limit of detection was obtained for T. ovis eggs (100 eggs/g). The best results of the limit of detection, sensitivity and the lowest coefficients of variation were obtained with the use of the whole McMaster chamber variant. There was no significant impact of properties of faeces on the obtained results. Multiplication factors for the whole chamber were calculated on the basis of the transformed equation of the regression line, illustrating the relationship between the number of detected eggs and that of the eggs added to the'sample. Multiplication factors calculated for T. canis and T. ovis eggs were higher than those expected using McMaster method with Raynaud modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Kochanowski
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy, Pulawy, Poland
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FLOTAC for the diagnosis of Hymenolepis spp. infection: proof-of-concept and comparing diagnostic accuracy with other methods. Parasitol Res 2012; 111:749-54. [PMID: 22461006 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2895-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2011] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Hymenolepis nana is the most common cestode parasitizing humans, yet it is under-diagnosed. We determined the optimal flotation solution (FS) for the diagnosis of this intestinal parasite with the FLOTAC method, and compared its diagnostic accuracy with an ether-concentration technique and the Kato-Katz method. Zinc sulphate (specific gravity 1.20) proved to be the best-performing FS. Using this FS, we detected 65 H. nana infections among 234 fixed fecal samples from Tajik and Sahrawi children (prevalence 27.8 %). The ether-concentration technique detected 40 infections (prevalence 17.1 %) in the same samples. Considering the combined results as a reference, the sensitivities of FLOTAC and ether-concentration were 95.6 % and 58.8 %, respectively. The Kato-Katz method resulted in a prevalence of only 8.7 %. In terms of eggs per gram of stool, a significantly (P <0.05) higher value was obtained with the FLOTAC and Kato-Katz techniques compared to ether-concentration. In another study carried out in China, the FLOTAC method detected six Hymenolepis diminuta infections in 302 fecal samples, whereas five samples were found positive with the Kato-Katz technique. We conclude that FLOTAC is an accurate coprodiagnostic technique for H. nana and H. diminuta, two species which join a growing list of intestinal parasites that can be reliably diagnosed by this technique.
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Vercruysse J, Albonico M, Behnke JM, Kotze AC, Prichard RK, McCarthy JS, Montresor A, Levecke B. Is anthelmintic resistance a concern for the control of human soil-transmitted helminths? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2011; 1:14-27. [PMID: 24533260 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2011.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2011] [Revised: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The major human soil-transmitted helminths (STH), Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) and Trichuris trichiura have a marked impact on human health in many parts of the world. Current efforts to control these parasites rely predominantly on periodic mass administration of anthelmintic drugs to school age children and other at-risk groups. After many years of use of these same drugs for controlling roundworms in livestock, high levels of resistance have developed, threatening the sustainability of these livestock industries in some locations. Hence, the question arises as to whether this is likely to also occur in the human STH, thereby threatening our ability to control these parasites. This is particularly important because of the recent increase in mass control programmes, relying almost exclusively on benzimidazole anthelmintics. It will be important to ensure that resistance is detected as it emerges in order to allow the implementation of mitigation strategies, such as use of drug combinations, to ensure that the effectiveness of the few existing anthelmintic drugs is preserved. In this review we address these issues by firstly examining the efficacy of anthelmintics against the human STH, and assessing whether there are any indications to date that resistance has emerged. We then consider the factors that influence the effect of current drug-use patterns in selecting for resistant parasite populations. We describe the tools currently available for resistance monitoring (field-based coprological methods), and those under development (in vitro bioassays and molecular tests), and highlight confounding factors that need to be taken into account when interpreting such resistance-monitoring data. We then highlight means to ensure that the currently available tools are used correctly, particularly with regard to study design, and we set appropriate drug-efficacy thresholds. Finally, we make recommendations for monitoring drug efficacy in the field, as components of control programmes, in order to maximise the ability to detect drug resistance, and if it arises to change control strategy and prevent the spread of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Vercruysse
- Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Laboratory of Parasitology, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew C Kotze
- Division of Livestock Industries, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - James S McCarthy
- Queensland Institute for Medical Research, University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
| | - Antonio Montresor
- Department of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Levecke
- Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Laboratory of Parasitology, Merelbeke, Belgium
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