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Molento MB, Pires LSA, Dall'Anese J, Yoshitani UY, Almeida T. Prevalence and risk factors of gastrointestinal helminths infection in Brazilian horses: A retrospective study of a 12-year (2008-2019) diagnostic data. Res Vet Sci 2024; 173:105272. [PMID: 38718543 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105272] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Understanding gastrointestinal parasite distribution is crucial for effective control programs in horses. This study reports the prevalence of helminth infections in horses and selected risk factors (i.e., breed, age, climate, season) by analyzing 19,276 fecal samples from the Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, in Curitiba, Southern Brazil. The analyses were carried out from 2008 to 2019, coming from 153 stud farms located in 60 municipalities of nine Brazilian states. The parasite prevalence was 73.3%, with 72.1% present in the adult population and 80.6% in young horses. Strongyles were present in 100% horse farms. Strongyles had a prevalence of 72.1% with a mean FEC of 453.53 (+/- 717.6). Parascaris spp. had a prevalence of 5.8% and a FEC of 17.11 (+/- 149.2). The tropical wet/monsoon climate (Am) showed the lowest FEC for strongyles and Parascaris spp. when compared to the other climates. In the logistic regression analysis, young horses exhibited 4.6 times higher odds ratio (OR) (3.9-5.5) of Parascaris spp. and 1.2 (1.1-1.4) times higher OR of strongyles egg shedding when compared to adults (P < 0.001). Summer presented a higher risk for Parascaris spp. and Strongyles eggs when compared to the other seasons (P < 0.001). Mangalarga Marchador, Criollo, and Crossbred breeds were identified with higher OR of Parascaris spp. egg shedding than Thoroughbred. The extensive prevalence of strongyles across ages, seasons, breeds, and climates alerts for the risk of clinical manifestations in equines raised on pastures designing optimal health management and parasite control strategies worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Beltrão Molento
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Curitiba, PR CEP: 80035-050, Brazil.
| | - Luciana S A Pires
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Curitiba, PR CEP: 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Julia Dall'Anese
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Curitiba, PR CEP: 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Ursula Y Yoshitani
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Curitiba, PR CEP: 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Thayany Almeida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Curitiba, PR CEP: 80035-050, Brazil
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Martins AV, Corrêa LL, Ribeiro MS, de Lima Coelho A, Lobão LF, Palmer JPS, Knackfuss FB, Molento MB, da Silva Barbosa A. Identification of third stage larvae of strongyles and molecular diagnosis of Strongylus vulgaris in the feces of Thoroughbred horses kept in training centers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 50:101019. [PMID: 38644042 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The aims of the present study were to identify strongyles in the feces of Thoroughbred horses based on larval morphology; to detect Strongylus vulgaris using molecular diagnosis and compare results to those of feces culture; and to determine the association between the presence of S. vulgaris with corresponding animal information (age range, gender, and anthelmintic use). Feces of horses kept in six Training Centers in Rio de Janeiro State, that showed the presence of ≥500 eggs per gram of feces (EPG) were subjected to strongyle identification. Of the 520 fecal samples collected, 35 had an EPG ≥ 500. After fecal culture for L3 larvae identification, DNA was extracted, subjected to PCR to amplify the ITS2 region DNA fragment of S. vulgaris, and sequenced. A total of 3500 larvae were analyzed. Most were classified as small strong (99.7%), with an emphasis on the type A subfamily of Cyathostominae. Forms of S. vulgaris only corresponded to 0.2%. In all, 25 samples showed amplified S. vulgaris DNA products and 11 showed nucleotide sequences with high sequence identity. Fecal culture and PCR results showed poor agreement (kappa = 0.105) for S. vulgaris diagnosis. Age, gender, anthelmintic use, and anthelmintic administration interval were not statistically significant. The present study showed the presence of S. vulgaris in the feces of horses kept in Rio de Janeiro Training Centers, mainly seen via PCR, which has emerged as the most effective tool for diagnosis. This study made it possible to identify strongyles that infect horses in the region, emphasizing upon the necessity for constant monitoring of the animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Vianna Martins
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia e Doenças Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário Serra dos Órgãos, Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Laís Lisboa Corrêa
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Santos Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aline de Lima Coelho
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucas Fernandes Lobão
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - João Pedro Siqueira Palmer
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Beltrão Molento
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Clínica Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Alynne da Silva Barbosa
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Buono F, Veneziano V, Veronesi F, Molento MB. Horse and donkey parasitology: differences and analogies for a correct diagnostic and management of major helminth infections. Parasitology 2023; 150:1119-1138. [PMID: 37221816 PMCID: PMC10801385 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000525] [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: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In June 2022, at the XXXII Conference of the Italian Society of Parasitology, the parallels of the main endoparasitic infections of horses and donkeys were discussed. Although these 2 species are genetically different, they can be challenged by a similar range of parasites (i.e. small and large strongyles, and Parascaris spp.). Although equids can demonstrate some level of resilience to parasites, they have quite distinct helminth biodiversity, distribution and intensity among different geographical locations and breeds. Heavily infected donkeys may show fewer clinical signs than horses. Although parasite control is primarily provided to horses, we consider that there may be a risk of drug-resistance parasitic infection through passive infection in donkeys when sharing the same pasture areas. Knowing the possible lack of drug efficacy (<90 or 80%), it is advocated the use of selective treatment for both species based on fecal egg counts. Adult horses should receive treatment when the threshold exceeds 200–500 eggs per gram (EPG) of small strongyles. Moreover, considering that there are no precise indications in donkeys, a value >300 EPG may be a safe recommendation. We have highlighted the main points of the discussion including the dynamics of helminth infections between the 2 species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Buono
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marcelo Beltrão Molento
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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Flota-Burgos GJ, Rosado-Aguilar JA, Rojas-Becerril R, Rodríguez-Vivas RI, Trinidad-Martínez I. Evidence of resistance to ivermectin in the gastrointestinal nematodes of horses from Mexican southeast. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 44:100907. [PMID: 37652626 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100907] [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: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are a major impediment to breeding and exploitation of horses. Traditional control of GIN has generated resistance to main anthelmintics, including ivermectin. An analysis of five ranches with a history of IVM use was done to determine the efficacy and resistance of GIN to IVM treatment in horses from the Mexican southeast. Predesigned questionnaires were applied to collect information on previous treatment protocols. The fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was applied to determine resistance. Before IVM application, a McMaster test was used to diagnose GIN infection in horses, and feces cultures were done to identify L3 larvae for Strongylida eggs. Pre-treatment samples showed that 72.7% (80/110) of horses were GIN positive, with cyathostomins being the most frequent (91.8%), followed by Oxyuris equi (7.0%), Parascaris equorum (1.0%), and Strongylus vulgaris (0.2%). Based on the results, the horses at each ranch were divided in control (CG) and experimental (EG) groups with similar eggs per gram of feces (EPG). The EG (40/80) was dewormed with IVM (0.2 mg/kg orally) and the CG (40/80) remained untreated. After 14 days, EPG were measured, and feces cultures were done again to identify L3 larvae. After treatment of EG, 40% (16/40) of horses were positive, the most frequently identified GIN were cyathostomins (98.6%), followed by P. equorum (1.0%) and S. vulgaris (0.2%). Three of the five ranches were classified as resistant, according to the FECRT, with a percentage of reduction from 53 to 68%, all of which used IVM ≥4 times annually. This is the first evidence of resistance in cyathostomins to IVM treatment in horses from the Mexican southeast, adding to the current problem of anthelmintic resistance in equine GIN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Janett Flota-Burgos
- Departamento de salud animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km. 15.5 carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, CP 97100 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - José Alberto Rosado-Aguilar
- Departamento de salud animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km. 15.5 carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, CP 97100 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
| | - Roberto Rojas-Becerril
- Asociación Mexicana de Médicos Veterinarios Especialistas en Equinos A.C., Calzada México Tacuba # 213, esquina Maestro Rural, Col. Un lugar para nosotros, Del. Miguel Hidalgo CP 11330, D.F, Mexico
| | - Roger Iván Rodríguez-Vivas
- Departamento de salud animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km. 15.5 carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, CP 97100 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Iris Trinidad-Martínez
- Departamento de salud animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km. 15.5 carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, CP 97100 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
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Martins AV, Corrêa LL, Ribeiro MS, Lobão LF, Dib LV, Palmer JPS, de Moura LC, Knackfuss FB, Uchôa CMA, Molento MB, Barbosa ADS. Prevalence, Risk Factors and Diagnosis of Helminths in Thoroughbred Horses Kept at Training Centers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. J Equine Vet Sci 2023; 127:104536. [PMID: 37448261 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of helminths in Thoroughbred horses in Rio de Janeiro; make correlations with risk factors for these infections; and compare the efficiency of three floatation solutions applied in the quantitative Mini-FLOTAC technique. Fecal samples from 520 horses were collected from six training centers between 2019 and 2021. These were subjected to the Mini-FLOTAC technique using three solutions: NaCl (density = 1.200 g/mL), ZnSO4 (1.350 g/mL) and ZnSO4 (1.200 g/mL); and also to qualitative techniques. Information on the horses' sex and age of horses was retrieved from the studbook; data on management from a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 71.9%, with significant differences between training centers (P ≤ .05). On farm C, 87.7% of the samples presented strongylids and 38.7% had Parascaris spp., with the highest egg counts per gram of feces (EPG), of 358.33 and 40.41 respectively. Horses less than 3 years of age were about eight times more likely to be parasitized by strongylids and eleven times more likely to have EPG ≥500. The NaCl solution used in Mini-FLOTAC enabled recovery of the greatest number of samples with high EPG and reached the highest sensitivity values in the diagnosis when compared to the other solutions. Moreover, in the diagnoses, the levels of agreement between the results from the solutions used in Mini-FLOTAC were substantial. However, in estimating the EPG, full agreement between the results from the solutions used in Mini-FLOTAC was not obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- André V Martins
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia e Doenças Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário Serra dos Órgãos, Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Laís L Corrêa
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana S Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucas F Lobão
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Laís V Dib
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - João P S Palmer
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucas C de Moura
- Laboratório de Parasitologia e Doenças Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário Serra dos Órgãos, Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabiana B Knackfuss
- Zootecnia e Estatística, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Grande Rio, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia M A Uchôa
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Molento
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Clínica Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Alynne da Silva Barbosa
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Martins AV, Coelho ADL, Corrêa LL, Ribeiro MS, Lobão LF, Palmer JPS, Moura LCD, Molento MB, Barbosa ADS. First microscopic and molecular parasitological survey of Strongylus vulgaris in Brazilian ponies. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2023; 32:e006323. [PMID: 37377279 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612023036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The frequency of gastrointestinal parasites with an emphasis on Strongylus vulgaris was investigated among the Brazilian Pony breed kept on farms in the municipality of Teresópolis, state of Rio de Janeiro. Fecal samples were collected in three stud farms: A (n= 22 animals), B (n= 3), and C (n= 2). Fecal samples were subjected to the quantitative Mini-FLOTAC technique, using three different solutions, and to qualitative techniques. The parasite prevalence was found to be 81.4%. Eggs from strongylids were identified in 74% of the ponies. Eggs of Parascaris spp. were detected in 22.7% of the animals, which were all females of farm A. At this locality, mares were kept with their foals in fenced paddocks all the time. The NaCl solution of d = 1.200 g/ml was generally the one that presented the highest frequency of diagnosis of nematode eggs and the highest mean of fecal eggs per gram. The fecal samples were also subjected to the polymerase chain reaction for amplification of DNA from the ITS2 region for Strongylus vulgaris. Twelve samples presented nucleotide sequences for S. vulgaris. In the end, this study revealed the high frequency (96.3%) of S. vulgaris among ponies on farms in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Vianna Martins
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia e Doenças Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário Serra dos Órgãos, Teresópolis, RJ, Brasil
| | - Aline de Lima Coelho
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Laís Lisboa Corrêa
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Mariana Santos Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Lucas Fernandes Lobão
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - João Pedro Siqueira Palmer
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Lucas Cavalcante de Moura
- Laboratório de Parasitologia e Doenças Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário Serra dos Órgãos, Teresópolis, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Beltrão Molento
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Clínica Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Alynne da Silva Barbosa
- Laboratório de Bioagentes Ambientais, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e Outras Protozooses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Janssen IJI, Ramünke S, Goday C, Borges FDA, Koudela B, Niedźwiedź A, Tomczuk K, Studzińska MB, Kornas S, Krücken J. Very low intraspecific sequence variation in selected nuclear and mitochondrial Parascaris univalens genes. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 95:105035. [PMID: 34384934 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Equines were over decades considered to be infected by two morphologically virtually indistinguishable ascarid species, Parascaris univalens and Parascaris equorum. Reliable species discrimination is only possible using enzyme isoelectric focussing and karyotyping with P. univalens having one and P. equorum two chromosome pairs. However, presumably the complexity of both methods prevented their routine use in nearly all previous studies about prevalence and drug resistance of Parascaris spp. These have barely been performed on the species level although most studies stated presence of one or the other species. Recently, only P. univalens has been identified by karyotyping and the last published study identifying P. equorum dates back to 1989. In order to improve species-specific detection, molecular markers are required. Here, partial 12S rRNA, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 and - 2 sequences were obtained from 24 karyotyped Parascaris specimens from Poland and 6 German specimens (not karyotyped) and used in phylogenetic analyses with orthologous sequences from GenBank. All karyotyped specimens were identified as P. univalens. In the phylogenetic analysis, they formed very homogenous clusters for all target genes and in a multi-locus analysis. Within this cluster, almost all sequences from GenBank were also included, no matter if they had been assigned to P. univalens or P. equorum. However, a small number of P. univalens ITS and COI sequences originating from donkeys from a single farm in China formed a highly supported sister cluster suggesting that they might represent another Parascaris genotype or species. Our data also strongly suggest that nearly all ITS and COI sequences previously deposited in GenBank and assigned to P. equorum actually represent P. univalens. The fact that significantly different sequences can be found in Parascaris spp. suggests that PCR-based species diagnosis will be possible once molecular markers have been identified for P. equorum from karyotyped specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - I Jana I Janssen
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabrina Ramünke
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Clara Goday
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando de A Borges
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Bretislav Koudela
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tř. 1946/1, Brno 612 42, Czech Republic; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Artur Niedźwiedź
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Tomczuk
- Sub-Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
| | - Maria Bernadeta Studzińska
- Sub-Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
| | - Slawomir Kornas
- Department of Zoology and Animal Welfare, Faculty of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
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