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Lavallée-Bourget ÈM, Fernandez-Prada C, Massé A, Turgeon P, Arsenault J. Prevalence and geographic distribution of Echinococcus genus in wild canids in southern Québec, Canada. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306600. [PMID: 39008475 PMCID: PMC11249250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Echinococcus spp. is an emerging zoonotic parasite of high concern. In Canada, an increase in the number of human and animal cases diagnosed has been reported, but information regarding the parasite's distribution in wildlife reservoir remains limited. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of wild canids infected with Echinococcus spp. and Echinococcus multilocularis in areas surrounding populated zones in Québec (Canada); to investigate the presence of areas at higher risk of infection; to evaluate potential risk factors of the infection; and as a secondary objective, to compare coproscopy and RT-PCR diagnostic tests for Taenia spp. and Echinococcus identification. From October 2020 to March 2021, fecal samples were collected from 423 coyotes (Canis latrans) and 284 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) trapped in 12 administrative regions. Real-time PCR for molecular detection of genus Echinococcus spp. and species-specific Echinococcus multilocularis were performed. A total of 38 positive cases of Echinococcus spp., of which 25 were identified as E. multilocularis, were detected. Two high-risk areas of infection were identified. The prevalence of Echinococcus spp. was 22.7% (95% CI 11.5-37.8%) in the Montérégie centered high-risk area, 26.5% (95% CI 12.9-44.4%) in the Bas-St-Laurent high-risk area, and 3.0% (95%CI 1.8-4.7%) outside those areas. For E. multilocularis, a prevalence of 20.5% (95% CI 9.8-35.3%) was estimated in the high-risk area centered in Montérégie compared to 2.4% (95% CI 1.4-3.9%) outside. Logistic regression did not show any association of infection status with species, sex, or geolocation of capture (p > 0.05). This study shows the circulation of Echinococcus in a wildlife cycle in 9/12 administrative regions of Québec.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ève-Marie Lavallée-Bourget
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health Research Unit (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health Research Unit (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Ariane Massé
- Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health Research Unit (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte Contre les Changements Climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Patricia Turgeon
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health Research Unit (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Julie Arsenault
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
- Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health Research Unit (GREZOSP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
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Kazmi K, Krueger C, Wong W, Baertschiger RM, Hui C, Nagy A, Navarro OM, Razik F, Schwartz KL, Boggild AK, Morris SK. A Canadian children's hospital's experience with cystic echinococcosis over 30 years: A case series. JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CANADA = JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE L'ASSOCIATION POUR LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE ET L'INFECTIOLOGIE CANADA 2024; 8:262-271. [PMID: 38250618 PMCID: PMC10797762 DOI: 10.3138/jammi-2022-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatid disease caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato is an uncommon infection in Canada especially among children. There are limited reports describing the clinical presentation and management in Canadian children. Methods The medical records of all children diagnosed with CE at a quaternary paediatric centre in Ontario between January 1988 and August 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical course, management, and outcomes of each case were summarized. Results We report two paediatric cases of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in detail and review four additional cases seen at our institution over 33.5 years. The first case was a previously healthy 12-year-old boy with pulmonary CE resulting in unilateral lung collapse and mediastinal shift, who was presumedly infected while living in the Middle East. The second case was a previously healthy 3-year-old girl with pulmonary CE acquired locally in southern Ontario. Four other cases of CE with hepatic involvement (median age 12.5 years) were identified during the study period. Five out of six patients received both surgical and medical therapy. Conclusion CE is a rare but serious disease seen in southern Canada that has historically been associated with travel or migration. Due to changes in urban wildlife landscapes and increased global migration, CE may become more prevalent in Canadian children. We describe the first locally acquired case in rural southern Ontario diagnosed at our centre. Prompt recognition of this infection in children by health care providers is important to prevent morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kescha Kazmi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carsten Krueger
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Immunology, and Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Waison Wong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reto M Baertschiger
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles Hui
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Immunology, and Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anita Nagy
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pathobiology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Oscar M Navarro
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fathima Razik
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin L Schwartz
- Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea K Boggild
- Tropical Disease Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shaun K Morris
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre of Global Child Health, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Oberli A, Furrer L, Skoko L, Müller N, Gottstein B, Bittel P. A novel multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction for the molecular diagnosis of metacestode infections in human patients. Clin Microbiol Infect 2023; 29:1451.e1-1451.e5. [PMID: 37544608 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.07.032] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The diagnosis of larval cestodiases in humans primarily depends on using imaging techniques in combination with serological tests. However, in case of atypical imaging results, negative serology results due to immunosuppression, or infection with rare taeniid species, traditional diagnostic tools may not provide a definitive species-level diagnosis. We aimed to validate a rapid, reliable, and cost-effective single-step real-time PCR method that can identify and differentiate larval cestodiases from biopsy material. METHODS We validated a real-time PCR technique able to distinguish Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), and Taenia spp. from biopsy or cytology material in a single-step analysis. Further Sanger sequencing of E. granulosus s.l. and Taenia spp. amplicons enables differentiation of various Echinococcus and Taenia species. The assay was validated on (a) a reference sample collection of 69 clinical and veterinary cases confirmed by imaging, serology, and morphological analysis, (b) 38 routine human patient samples confirmed for aforementioned pathogens by a conventional end-point PCR, and (c) 127 samples from patients with suspected echinococcosis that were submitted to our laboratory for diagnostic analysis. RESULTS Compared to a conventional reference end-point PCR approach, the quadruplex real-time PCR exhibited a lower limit of detection in a serial dilution with 5-log dilutions for all three targets (2 log for E. multilocularis, 1 log for E. granulosus s.s., and 1 log for T. saginata). We were able to detect DNA from E. multilocularis, E. granulosus s.l. (E. granulosus s.s., E. canadensis, E. ortleppi, and E. felidis), a wide range of Taenia spp., as well as from non-echinococcal metacestodes such as Hydatigera taeniaformis, Hymenolepis spp., Versteria sp., and Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. DISCUSSION We suggest that the presented real-time PCR method is a suitable tool to be routinely used in a clinical microbiology laboratory to rapidly detect and identify larval cestodiases in human tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Oberli
- University of Bern, Institute for Infectious Diseases, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Lavinia Furrer
- University of Bern, Institute for Infectious Diseases, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lena Skoko
- University of Bern, Institute for Infectious Diseases, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Norbert Müller
- University of Bern, Institute for Infectious Diseases, Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Gottstein
- University of Bern, Institute for Infectious Diseases, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Bittel
- University of Bern, Institute for Infectious Diseases, Bern, Switzerland
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Sugden S, Steckler DK, Sanderson D, Abercrombie B, Abercrombie D, Seguin MA, Ford K, St. Clair CC. Age-dependent relationships among diet, body condition, and Echinococcus multilocularis infection in urban coyotes. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290755. [PMID: 37647321 PMCID: PMC10468061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Urban coyotes (Canis latrans) in North America increasingly exhibit a high prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis, a cestode of recent and rising public health concern that uses rodents as intermediate hosts and canids as definitive hosts. However, little is known about the factors that drive the high urban prevalence of this parasite. We hypothesized that the diet of urban coyotes may contribute to their higher E. multilocularis infection prevalence via either (a) greater exposure to the parasite from increased rodent consumption or (b) increased susceptibility to infection due to the negative health effects of consuming anthropogenic food. We tested these hypotheses by comparing the presence and intensity of E. multilocularis infection to physiological data (age, sex, body condition, and spleen mass), short-term diet (stomach contents), and long-term diet (δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes) in 112 coyote carcasses collected for reasons other than this study from Edmonton, Alberta and the surrounding area. Overall, the best predictor of infection status in this population was young age, where the likelihood of infection decreased with age in rural coyotes but not urban ones. Neither short- nor long-term measures of diet could predict infection across our entire sample, but we found support for our initial hypotheses in young, urban coyotes: both rodent and anthropogenic food consumption effectively predicted E. multilocularis infection in this population. The effects of these predictors were more variable in rural coyotes and older coyotes. We suggest that limiting coyote access to areas in which anthropogenic food and rodent habitat overlap (e.g., compost piles or garbage sites) may effectively reduce the risk of infection, deposition, and transmission of this emerging zoonotic parasite in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Sugden
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Deanna K. Steckler
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dana Sanderson
- Department of Biological Sciences, MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bill Abercrombie
- Animal Damage Control, Bushman Inc., Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - M. Alexis Seguin
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, Maine, United States of America
| | - Kyra Ford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Shumuye NA, Li L, Li WH, Zhang NZ, Wu YT, Wu YD, Tian WJ, Zhang LS, Nian XF, Dai GD, Chen WG, Gao SZ, Tian XQ, Liu JS, Li B, Kebede N, Fu BQ, Yan HB, Jia WZ. Infection of sheep by Echinococcus multilocularis in Gansu, China: evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analysis. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:72. [PMID: 37563679 PMCID: PMC10413491 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01120-0] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the normal life cycle of the parasite (Echinococcus multilocularis) that causes alveolar echinococcosis, domestic and wild carnivores act as definitive hosts, and rodents act as intermediate hosts. The presented study contributes to the research on the distribution and transmission pattern of E. multilocularis in China having identified sheep as an unusual intermediate host taking part in the domestic transmission of alveolar echinococcosis in Gansu Province, China. METHODS From 2020 to 2021, nine whitish different cyst-like were collected from the liver of sheep in Gansu Province for examination. A near complete mitochondrial (mt) genome and selected nuclear genes were amplified from the cyst-like lesion for identification. To confirm the status of the specimen, comparative analysis with reference sequences, phylogenetic analysis, and network analysis were performed. RESULTS The isolates displayed ≥ 98.87% similarity to E. multilocularis NADH dehydrogenase sub-unit 1 (nad1) (894 bp) reference sequences deposited in GenBank. Furthermore, amplification of the nad4 and nad2 genes also confirmed all nine samples as E. multilocularis with > 99.30% similarity. Additionally, three nuclear genes, pepck (1545 bp), elp-exons VII and VIII (566 bp), and elp-exon IX (256 bp), were successfully amplified and sequenced for one of the isolates with 98.42% similarity, confirming the isolates were correctly identified as E. multilocularis. Network analysis also correctly placed the isolates with other E. multilocularis. CONCLUSIONS As a result of the discovery of E. multilocularis in an unusual intermediate host, which is considered to have the highest zoonotic potential, the result clearly demonstrated the necessity for expanded surveillance in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigus Abebe Shumuye
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Epidemiology, Mekelle University, College of Veterinary Sciences, Kalamino Campus, P.O.Box: 2084, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Wen-Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Nian-Zhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Yan-Tao Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Yao-Dong Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Wen-Jun Tian
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Lin-Sheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Nian
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Guo-Dong Dai
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Wei-Gang Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Sheng-Zhi Gao
- Gansu Animal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu Province, China
| | - Xue-Qi Tian
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Jun-Shi Liu
- Jingyuan County Animal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Jingyuan County Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Technical Service Center, Jingyuan, 730600, Gansu Province, China
| | - Bin Li
- Jingyuan County Animal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Jingyuan County Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Technical Service Center, Jingyuan, 730600, Gansu Province, China
| | - Nigatu Kebede
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Bao-Quan Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Hong-Bin Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China.
| | - Wan-Zhong Jia
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China.
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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Alvi MA, Alshammari A, Ali RMA, Ul Haq S, Bashir R, Li L, Saqib M, Sajid MS, Ghafoor M, Imran M, Ijaz MU, Fu BQ, Saeed M, Ahmad I, Liu YY, Yan HB, Jia WZ. Revealing novel cytb and nad5 genes-based population diversity and benzimidazole resistance in Echinococcus granulosus of bovine origin. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1191271. [PMID: 37396990 PMCID: PMC10312306 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1191271] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus (sensu stricto). The parasite affects a wide range of livestock and wild animals. In this study, the population diversity of the Echinococcus species was investigated based on mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) genes. In addition to this, β-tubulin gene isoforms of Echinococcus granulosus were amplified to determine the resistance against benzimidazoles. For this purpose, 40 cyst samples from cattle (n = 20) and buffaloes (n = 20) were collected from the main abattoir of Sialkot. DNA extraction was performed using Qiagen Blood and Tissue Kits. Amplification was performed through PCR. Each amplicon was confirmed by GelRed™ stained agarose gel (2%). Samples were sequenced in a DNA analyzer and viewed for any misread nucleotide by using MEGA (v.11). Corrections in nucleotide sequence and multiple sequence alignment were made through the same software. NCBI-BLAST was used for sample specific sequences to identify them as belonging to a particular species. Diversity indices were estimated using DnaSP (v.6) while phylogenetic analysis was inferred using the Bayesian method using MrBayes (v.1.1). β-tubulin gene isoforms sequence analysis was performed to find out the candidate gene causing benzimidazole resistance. All 40 isolates were found positive for E. granulosus. BLAST-based searches of sequences of each isolate for each gene (nad5 and cytb) confirmed their maximum similarity with the G1 genotype. Overall, high haplotype diversity (Hd nad5 = 1.00; Hd cytb = 0.833) and low nucleotide diversity (π nad5 = 0.00560; π = cytb = 0.00763) was identified based on diversity indices. For both the genes, non-significant values of Tajima's D (nad5 = -0.81734; cytb = -0.80861) and Fu's Fs (nad5 = -1.012; cytb = 0.731) indicate recent population expansion. Bayesian phylogeny-based results of nad5 and cytb sequences confirmed their genotypic status as distinct from other Echinococcus species. This study shed light on the status of benzimidazole resistance in Echinococcus granulosus for the very first time from Pakistan. The findings of this study will significantly add in the information available on genetic diversity of Echinoccous granulosus based on cytb and nad5 genes sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mughees Aizaz Alvi
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ayed Alshammari
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rana Muhammad Athar Ali
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Shahbaz Ul Haq
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Rizwan Bashir
- Veterinary Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Sialkot, Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Government of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Saqib
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Muzafar Ghafoor
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran
- Department of Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Umar Ijaz
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Bao-Quan Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mohd Saeed
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
| | - Irfan Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - You-Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hong-Bin Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wan-Zhong Jia
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, National Para-Reference Laboratory for Animal Echinococcosis, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease, Yangzhou, China
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7
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Santa MA, Umhang G, Klein C, Grant DM, Ruckstuhl KE, Musiani M, Gilleard JS, Massolo A. It's a small world for parasites: evidence supporting the North American invasion of European Echinococcus multilocularis. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230128. [PMID: 36883278 PMCID: PMC9993045 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Echinococcus multilocularis (Em), the causative agent of human alveolar echinococcosis (AE), is present in the Holarctic region, and several genetic variants deem to have differential infectivity and pathogenicity. An unprecedented outbreak of human AE cases in Western Canada infected with a European-like strain circulating in wild hosts warranted assessment of whether this strain was derived from a recent invasion or was endemic but undetected. Using nuclear and mitochondrial markers, we investigated the genetic diversity of Em in wild coyotes and red foxes from Western Canada, compared the genetic variants identified to global isolates and assessed their spatial distribution to infer possible invasion dynamics. Genetic variants from Western Canada were closely related to the original European clade, with lesser genetic diversity than that expected for a long-established strain and spatial genetic discontinuities within the study area, supporting the hypothesis of a relatively recent invasion with various founder events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Santa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gerald Umhang
- Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, National Reference Laboratory for Echinococcus spp., Wildlife Surveillance and Eco-epidemiology Unit, ANSES, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire, Malzéville, France
| | - Claudia Klein
- Department of Clinical and Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Danielle M. Grant
- Department of Clinical and Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- NORCE Climate, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kathreen E. Ruckstuhl
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marco Musiani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Italy
| | - John S. Gilleard
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alessandro Massolo
- Ethology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-environnement, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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8
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Yasur-Landau D, Genad O, Salant H, Dvir E, Mazuz ML, Baneth G. Comparison of multiplex copro PCR with coproscopy followed by PCR on recovered eggs for the detection of Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia spp. infection in dogs. Vet Parasitol 2023; 315:109885. [PMID: 36696840 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Echinococcosis and taeniasis are important helminth diseases that carry considerable impact on human and animal health. Domestic dogs and other canids are definitive hosts for several parasites of this group, including Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia multiceps, T. ovis, T. hydatigena and E. multilocularis. Detection of infection in dog populations is imperative for estimating the risk to susceptible humans and animals, and for its mitigation through prevention measures in dogs, other animals and humans. To date, identification of taeniid eggs, antigens or DNA in fecal samples are the most practical diagnostic modalities available for canine definitive hosts. Although widely used for this purpose, there is limited information comparing copro PCR and combined coproscopy-PCR protocols for the detection of taeniids. In the current study, a widely used multiplex PCR was performed on a large number of dog fecal samples using DNA extracted directly from feces. The samples were also tested by fecal flotation and coproscopy, eggs were isolated from microscopically-positive samples and extracted DNA was tested using the same multiplex PCR. The total number of taeniid positive samples detected using both methods was 46/317 (14.5%), including 10/317 (3.2%) E. granulosus positive samples. Both copro PCR and coproscopy have identified an equal number of samples as taeniid positive (n = 32). However, for the purpose of identification to species level, the copro PCR was significantly more sensitive than coproscopy followed by PCR on isolated eggs (sensitivity 0.7 vs. 0.41, p = 0.012), with 32/317 (10.1%) and 19/317 (6%) positive samples identified, respectively. The difference in identification of E. granulosus was highly apparent, as the majority of the E. granulosus positive samples (8/10) were detected by the copro PCR only. Coproscopy and egg PCR have identified 5/317 (1.6%) positive samples not detected by the copro PCR, including only a single sample (0.3%) positive for E. granulosus. Adding these positive samples to those identified by the copro PCR did not significantly improve the overall sensitivity (p = 0.074). Therefore, using both copro PCR and coproscopy in parallel may not be advantageous for taeniid detection and identification, at least until the egg PCR is further optimized and performs better. These results should be weighed against the different advantages that coproscopy based approach may offer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Yasur-Landau
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
| | - Or Genad
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Eran Dvir
- Department of Life Science, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee, 1220800, Israel.
| | - Monica L Mazuz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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9
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Canine Alveolar Echinococcosis: An Emerging and Costly Introduced Problem in North America. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/5224160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus multilocularis, is emerging in both dogs and people in North America. Here, we review 27 cases of canine AE opportunistically reported since the index case was described in 2009 in Western Canada. We describe clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, outcome, and source of canine infection, based on genetics of the parasite isolated from some canine cases. Diagnosis of AE was by histopathology and/or PCR on DNA extracted from metacestodes. The median age of dogs at diagnosis was 4 years (range 1–12), which is low compared to neoplasia, the most common differential diagnosis. There was no sex predilection and different breeds were involved, but there were a disproportionate number of boxers and beagles relative to their representation in the general canine population. The most common potential risk factors included contact with wildlife and visits to off leash areas. Abdominal distension was the most common clinical sign at presentation, and medical imaging generally revealed an abdominal mass. On histopathology, protoscoleces were observed in 7 out of 14 dogs. In 7 cases, DNA sequences were most similar to European (versus North American) haplotypes, identical to those recently reported in coyotes as definitive hosts in North America, and different between eastern and western North America, implying multiple introduction events. Dogs that were not treated (n = 6) had 16% survival in the first 100 days in comparison with 82% survival of treated dogs (n = 11). Direct costs to the owner of treating canine AE ranged from 1,317 to 12,655 CAD depending on the situation at the onset of treatment. This study provides important clinical, epidemiological, and economic information for veterinary practitioners and regulators for importation of dogs, and for public health, as dogs with AE may serve as indicators of parasite range expansion and risk to humans.
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10
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Marchiori E, Obber F, Celva R, Marcer F, Danesi P, Maurizio A, Cenni L, Massolo A, Citterio CV, Cassini R. Comparing copromicroscopy to intestinal scraping to monitor red fox intestinal helminths with zoonotic and veterinary importance. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1085996. [PMID: 36713854 PMCID: PMC9878611 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1085996] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The red fox acts as reservoir for several helminthic infections which are of interest for both public and animal health. Huge efforts have been made for the assessment of the sensitivity of coprological tests for the detection of Echinococcus multilocularis, while less attention has been paid to other helminthic species. This study aimed at assessing the performance of two copromicroscopic techniques in the detection and prevalence estimation of gastrointestinal helminths in the red fox. Helminths were isolated from the small intestines of 150 red foxes from Bolzano province, Italy, with a scraping, filtration and counting technique (SFCT) and morphologically identified. Rectal contents were collected and submitted to simple flotation (FT) and, only for Taenids, a method based on the concentration of eggs and identification with multiplex PCR (CMPCR). Using SFCT as a reference standard, we estimated the sensitivity of the copromicroscopic tests. Three species of nematodes (namely, Toxocara canis, Uncinaria stenocephala and Pterygodermatites sp.) and five species of cestodes (E. multilocularis, Taenia crassiceps, T. polycantha, Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Mesocestoides sp.) were identified with SFCT, whereas eggs referable to the same taxa were detected with fecal diagnostics, except for Pterygodermatites sp. and Mesocestoides sp. The sensitivity of FT was low for all taxa, ranging from 9.8 to 36.3%, with lower values for Taeniidae. CMPCR was confirmed to perform better for the detection of Taeniidae eggs (23.5%) and the multiplex PCR on retrieved eggs was effective in the identification of the species. A meta-analysis of literature also suggested that our results are consistent with existing data, indicating that copromicroscopy tends to underestimate the prevalence of helminthic infections. The extent of such underestimation varies with taxon, being higher at high prevalence levels, in particular for cestodes. Irregular dynamics of egg shedding, and routine deep freezing of red fox feces may explain the frequency of false negatives with copromicroscopy. Low sensitivity of copromicroscopic tests should be accounted for when estimating prevalence and when defining the correct sample size for the detection of the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Marchiori
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy,*Correspondence: Erica Marchiori ✉
| | - Federica Obber
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Roberto Celva
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Federica Marcer
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Patrizia Danesi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Anna Maurizio
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Lucia Cenni
- Ethology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Massolo
- Ethology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy,Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | | | - Rudi Cassini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, PD, Italy
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11
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Alvi MA, Alsayeqh AF. Food-borne zoonotic echinococcosis: A review with special focus on epidemiology. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1072730. [PMID: 36605765 PMCID: PMC9807814 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1072730] [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: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Echinococcosis is a neglected, WHO-listed cyclozoonotic parasitic disease that is caused by a number of species belonging to the genus Echinococcus. This disease is widespread across the globe, resulting in heavy economic losses for farmers and cystic disease in aberrant human hosts. This review paper briefly discussed taxonomy, a brief history, the magnitude of economic losses, host spectrum and life cycle, risk factors, and clinical manifestations. Furthermore, the copro- and sero-ELISA-based prevalence of echinococcosis on different continents was summarized. Finally, the authors analyzed the frequency and use of molecular epidemiology in the taxonomy of Echinococcus species based on molecular markers. This review will serve as a quick reference to Echinococcus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mughees Aizaz Alvi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
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12
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A highly endemic area of Echinococcus multilocularis identified through a comparative re-assessment of prevalence in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), Alto Adige (Italy: 2019–2020). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268045. [PMID: 35511816 PMCID: PMC9070940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Surveillance of Echinococcus multilocularis at the edge of its range is hindered by fragmented distributional patterns and low prevalence in definitive hosts. Thus, tests with adequate levels of sensitivity are especially important for discriminating between infected and non-infected areas. In this study we reassessed the prevalence of E. multilocularis at the southern border of its distribution in Province of Bolzano (Alto Adige, northeastern Alps, Italy), to improve surveillance in wildlife and provide more accurate estimates of exposure risk. We compared the diagnostic test currently implemented for surveillance based on coproscopy and multiplex PCR (CMPCR) to a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in 235 fox faeces collected in 2019 and 2020. The performances of the two tests were estimated using a scraping technique (SFCT) applied to the small intestines of a subsample (n = 123) of the same foxes as the reference standard. True prevalence was calculated and the sample size required by each faecal test for the detection of the parasite was then estimated. True prevalence of E. multilocularis in foxes (14.3%) was markedly higher than reported in the last decade, which was never more than 5% from 2012 to 2018 in the same area. In addition, qPCR showed a much higher sensitivity (83%) compared to CMPCR (21%) and agreement with the reference standard was far higher for qPCR (0.816) than CMPCR (0.298) meaning that for the latter protocol, a smaller sample size would be required to detect the disease. Alto Adige should be considered a highly endemic area. Routine surveillance on definitive hosts at the edges of the E. multilocularis distribution should be applied to smaller geographic areas, and rapid, sensitive diagnostic tools using directly host faeces, such as qPCR, should be adopted.
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13
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Zhang X, Jian Y, Guo Z, Duo H, Wei Y. DEVELOPMENT OF A TRIPLEX REAL-TIME PCR ASSAY TO DETECT ECHINOCOCCUS SPECIES IN CANID FECAL SAMPLES. J Parasitol 2022; 108:79-87. [PMID: 35171246 DOI: 10.1645/21-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease with great significance to public health, and appropriate detection and control strategies should be adopted to mitigate its impact. Most cases of echinococcosis are believed to be transmitted by the consumption of food and/or water contaminated with canid stool containing Echinococcus spp. eggs. Studies assessing Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto, and Echinococcus shiquicus coinfection from contaminated water-derived, soil-derived, and food-borne samples are scarce, which may be due to the lack of optimized laboratory detection methods. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel triplex TaqMan-minor groove binder probe for real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) to simultaneously detect the 3 Echinococcus spp. mentioned above from canid fecal samples in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area (QTPA). The efficiency and linearity of each signal channel in the triplex rtPCR assay were within acceptable limits for the range of concentrations tested. Furthermore, the method was shown to have good repeatability (standard deviation ≤0.32 cycle threshold), and the limit of detection was estimated to be 10 copies plasmid/μl reaction. In summary, the evaluation of the present method shows that the newly developed triplex rtPCR assay is a highly specific, precise, consistent, and stable method that could be used in epidemiological investigations of echinococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyong Zhang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou Gansu, 730070, People's Republic of China.,Qinghai Academy of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining Qinghai, 810016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingna Jian
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou Gansu, 730070, People's Republic of China.,Qinghai Academy of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining Qinghai, 810016, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihong Guo
- Qinghai Academy of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining Qinghai, 810016, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Duo
- Qinghai Academy of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining Qinghai, 810016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanming Wei
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou Gansu, 730070, People's Republic of China
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14
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Santa MA, Musiani M, Ruckstuhl KE, Massolo A. A review on invasions by parasites with complex life cycles: the European strain of Echinococcus multilocularis in North America as a model. Parasitology 2021; 148:1532-1544. [PMID: 35060461 PMCID: PMC8564803 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021001426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In a fast-changing and globalized world, parasites are moved across continents at an increasing pace. Co-invasion of parasites and their hosts is leading to the emergence of infectious diseases at a global scale, underlining the need for integration of biological invasions and disease ecology research. In this review, the ecological and evolutionary factors influencing the invasion process of parasites with complex life cycles were analysed, using the invasion of the European strain of Echinococcus multilocularis in North America as a model. The aim was to propose an ecological framework for investigating the invasion of parasites that are trophically transmitted through predator–prey interactions, showing how despite the complexity of the cycles and the interactions among multiple hosts, such parasites can overcome multiple barriers and become invasive. Identifying the key ecological processes affecting the success of parasite invasions is an important step for risk assessment and development of management strategies, particularly for parasites with the potential to infect people (i.e. zoonotic).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Santa
- Department of Biology, University of Calgary, AlbertaT2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Marco Musiani
- Department of Biology, University of Calgary, AlbertaT2N 1N4, Canada
| | | | - Alessandro Massolo
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, AlbertaT2N 4Z6, Canada
- Ethology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
- UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, 25030, France
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15
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Eleftheriou A. Implications for One Health of Anthelmintic Use in Wildlife Conservation Programs. ECOHEALTH 2021; 18:280-282. [PMID: 34601702 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-021-01556-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Eleftheriou
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, FOR 109, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.
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16
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Santa MA, Rezansoff AM, Chen R, Gilleard JS, Musiani M, Ruckstuhl KE, Massolo A. Deep amplicon sequencing highlights low intra-host genetic variability of Echinococcus multilocularis and high prevalence of the European-type haplotypes in coyotes and red foxes in Alberta, Canada. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009428. [PMID: 34038403 PMCID: PMC8153462 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Echinococcus multilocularis (Em) is a zoonotic parasite considered a global emergent pathogen. Recent findings indicate that the parasite is expanding its range in North America and that European-type haplotypes are circulating in western Canada. However, genetic analyses are usually conducted only on a few parasites out of thousands of individuals within each definitive host, likely underestimating the prevalence of less common haplotypes. Moreover, mixed infections with several mtDNA haplotypes in the same host have been reported, but their relative abundance within the host was never estimated. We aimed to 1) estimate the frequency of co-infections of different Em haplotypes in coyotes (Canis latrans) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from western Canada and their relative abundance within the definitive hosts, 2) detect less prevalent haplotypes by sampling a larger proportion of the parasite subpopulation per host, and 3) investigate differences in the distribution of Em haplotypes in these main definitive hosts; foxes and coyotes. We extracted DNA from ~10% of the worm subpopulation per host (20 foxes and 47 coyotes) and used deep amplicon sequencing (NGS technology) on four loci, targeting the most polymorphic regions from the mitochondrial genes cox1 (814 bp), nad1 (344 bp), and cob (387 bp). We detected the presence of mixed infections with multiple Em haplotypes and with different Echinococcus species including Em and E. granulosus s.l. genotypes G8/G10, low intraspecific diversity of Em, and a higher abundance of the European-type haplotypes in both hosts. Our results suggest a population expansion of the European over the North American strain in Alberta and a limited distribution of some European-type haplotypes. Our findings indicate that deep amplicon sequencing represents a valuable tool to characterize Em in multiple hosts, to assess the current distribution and possible origins of the European strain in North America. The potential use of next-generation sequencing technologies is particularly important to understand the patterns of geographic expansion of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Santa
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrew M. Rezansoff
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host Parasite Interactions (HPI) program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rebecca Chen
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host Parasite Interactions (HPI) program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - John S. Gilleard
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host Parasite Interactions (HPI) program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marco Musiani
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kathreen E. Ruckstuhl
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alessandro Massolo
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Ethology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-environnement, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
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17
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The Molecular Epidemiology of Echinococcus Infections. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060453. [PMID: 32521787 PMCID: PMC7350326 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular epidemiology (ME) is the application of molecular tools to determine the causation of disease. With infectious diseases, such as echinococcosis, this applies to identifying and characterising the aetiological agents and elucidating host range. Such an approach has been very successful with the causative agents of echinococcosis, species of Echinococcus, initially by providing a workable and practical taxonomy and subsequently determining transmission patterns in endemic areas. This review summarises the taxonomy and nomenclature of species of Echinococcus and provides an update on ME investigations of the ecology of Echinococcus transmission, particularly in areas where more than one species of Echinococcus is maintained in cycles of transmission that may interact.
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18
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Santa MA, Pastran S, Klein C, Ruckstuhl K, Massolo A. Evaluation of an automated magnetic bead-based DNA extraction and real-time PCR in fecal samples as a pre-screening test for detection of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus canadensis in coyotes. Parasitol Res 2018; 118:119-125. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6125-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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19
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Schurer JM, Bouchard E, Bryant A, Revell S, Chavis G, Lichtenwalner A, Jenkins EJ. Echinococcus in wild canids in Québec (Canada) and Maine (USA). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006712. [PMID: 30125277 PMCID: PMC6117095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic Echinococcus spp. cestodes (E. canadensis and E. multilocularis) infect domestic animals, wildlife, and people in regions of Canada and the USA. We recovered and quantified Echinococcus spp. cestodes from 22 of 307 intestinal tracts of wild canids (23 wolves, 100 coyotes, 184 red and arctic foxes) in the state of Maine and the province of Québec. We identified the species and genotypes of three Echinococcus spp. cestodes per infected animal by sequencing mitochondrial DNA at two loci. We further confirmed the absence of E. multilocularis by extracting DNA from pools of all cestodes from each animal and running a duplex PCR capable of distinguishing the two species. We detected E. canadensis (G8 and G10), but not E. multilocularis, which is emerging as an important human and animal health concern in adjacent regions. Prevalence and median intensity of E. canadensis was higher in wolves (35%, 460) than coyotes (14%, 358). This parasite has historically been absent in Atlantic regions of North America, where suitable intermediate hosts, but not wolves, are present. Our study suggests that coyotes are serving as sylvatic definitive hosts for E. canadensis in Atlantic regions, and this may facilitate eastward range expansion of E. canadensis in the USA and Canada. As well, compared to wolves, coyotes are more likely to contaminate urban green spaces and peri-urban environments with zoonotic parasites. Echinococcosis is a zoonosis caused by ingestion of tapeworm eggs in feces of wild or domestic canids (e.g. foxes, wolves, coyotes, and dogs). In North America, the number of new human echinococcosis cases reported annually is low; however, recent reports of these parasites in unusual presentations, in new locations, and in wildlife near urban areas have caused renewed interest by veterinary and human health professionals. In a cross-border collaboration, we examined the intestines of wolves (Canis lupus), coyotes (C. latrans) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes, V. lagopus) trapped in Québec (Canada) and neighboring Maine (USA), using genetic tools to identify Echinococcus tapeworms. We did not detect E. multilocularis, a serious threat to human health that has recently emerged in southern Ontario. We did identify E. canadensis in wolves and coyotes, in both Quebec and Maine. The presence of this parasite in coyotes is especially concerning because coyotes are more likely to come into close proximity with human communities. This information is relevant to veterinarians who should promote regular fecal examination and/or deworming of high risk dogs (dogs that scavenge or hunt cervids, such as moose), to physicians who might encounter this relatively rare disease, and to public health agencies who should promote surveillance and develop precautions for high risk people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna M. Schurer
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Emilie Bouchard
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Ann Bryant
- School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
| | - Sarah Revell
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Grace Chavis
- School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
| | - Anne Lichtenwalner
- School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
- Cooperative Extension, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
| | - Emily J. Jenkins
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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