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Ahmadi A, Oryan A, Alidadi S. Parasites of Stray Cats in Iran: A Parasitological and Histopathological Study. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:664-674. [PMID: 38319448 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00800-7] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Many zoonotic parasitic diseases, including Toxocara cati, may be spread by stray cat populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasites by performing parasitological and histopathological examinations on stray cats in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 106 stray cats from different geographical areas of Shiraz, southern Iran, were examined for the presence of parasites. The overall prevalence was found to be 83.02% (88/106), and eight parasites were found. The parasites included three genera of cestodes [Joyeuxiella echinorhynoides (52.83%), Taenia taeniaeformis (21.70%), and Dipylidium caninum (1.89%)], three nematodes [Physaloptera praeputialis (23.59%), Toxocara cati (15.09%), and Rictularia sp. (1.89%)], one protozoa [Isospora spp. (6.60%)], and one arthropod [Ctenocephalides felis (5.66%)]. The prevalence did not significantly differ between males and females. It did appear, nevertheless, that the age of cats may be regarded as a risk factor for these parasitic infections. Histopathological examination revealed some parasite-induced lesions in the intestine and stomach, including hyperemia, hemorrhage, mucosal destruction and inflammation. The lung tissues showed some histopathological lesions such as hemorrhage, edema, emphysema and mild inflammation, and dormant larvae were found in one tongue sample. The results of the present study showed that parasitic infections and, more importantly, T. cati are relatively prevalent in stray cats, and the people living in this area are at serious risk of this zoonotic disease. The cats in this region need to be monitored, and specific preventive measures should be developed by public health officials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Ahmadi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ardakan University, Ardakan, P.O. Box 184, Iran
- Biology and Animal Reproduction Science Research Institute, Ardakan University, Ardakan, P.O. Box 184, Iran
| | - Ahmad Oryan
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Soodeh Alidadi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
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Pourshahbazi G, Khanahmad H, Khadivi R, Yousefi HA, Mobarakeh S, Boldaji FH, Darani HY. Toxocara Infection in Dogs and Cats in Isfahan Province of Iran in 2021. Adv Biomed Res 2023; 12:201. [PMID: 37694248 PMCID: PMC10492607 DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_88_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxocariasis is an acute or chronic disease caused by parasites of the Ascaridae family, especially Toxocara of dogs and cats. Eggs are excreted out by feces of these animals on soil. Infective eggs develop on soil which can be infective to human. In this study, infection rate of Toxocara spp. in dogs and cats of urban and rural areas of Isfahan province of Iran has been investigated. Materials and Methods Three hundred and seventy-five stray dog feces and 230 stray cat feces were collected from the public environment (slaughterhouses, parks, children's playgrounds, student dormitories, university environment, streets and squares) in Isfahan province of Iran. At first, dogs' and cats' feces were examined for the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs using formalin ether method. In the second stage, by using molecular methods, Toxocara eggs spp. (Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati) were identified. Results From 375 dog fecal samples, 39 (10.40%) and from 230 cat fecal samples, 38 (16.52%) were positive for presence of the Toxocara eggs. Conclusion Dogs and cats in Isfahan province of Iran were infected with Toxocara parasite. These infections can be potential risk for human toxocariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gholamreza Pourshahbazi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Khanahmad
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Reza Khadivi
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein A Yousefi
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Somayeh Mobarakeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Hossini Boldaji
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Yousefi Darani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Evaluation of a commercial coproantigen immunoassay for the detection of Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme in cats and Uncinaria stenocephala in dogs. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:185-194. [PMID: 36385307 PMCID: PMC9816269 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07715-0] [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: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Coproantigen immunoassays (IDEXX Fecal Dx® antigen tests) were evaluated for their ability to identify Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme infections in cats and Uncinaria stenocephala infection in dogs. Five cats were experimentally infected with 500 embryonated eggs of T. cati, eight cats with 500 third-stage larvae (L3) of A. tubaeforme and seven dogs with 500 L3 of U. stenocephala. In addition to the three coproantigen tests, the course of infection was monitored by a combined sedimentation-flotation method with ZnSO4 as flotation medium (specific gravity: 1.28-1.30) and a modified McMaster method in case of copromicroscopically positive samples. Eggs of T. cati were first observed between 28 and 54 days post infection (dpi) in four of the five infected cats. In these four cats, positive roundworm coproantigen signals were obtained between 16 and 44 dpi. Positive coproantigen signal always preceded egg observations, but the interval varied between 6 and 30 days. Hookworm-specific positive coproantigen signals were detected in seven of the eight A. tubaeforme infected cats between 10 and 52 dpi, while consecutive egg excretion was observed in three cats between day 26 and 54 pi. Of these three, coproantigen signal preceded egg observation by 12 to 24 days. Four cats had positive coproantigen results in the absence of egg excretion, and one cat never achieved a positive result for egg or coproantigen. In six of seven U. stenocephala infected dogs, infection was confirmed by copromicroscopy between 16 and 24 dpi as well as for hookworm coproantigen between 10 and 14 dpi. Coproantigen signal was detected prior to egg observation by 2 to 14 days. No cross-reactions between the roundworm, hookworm und whipworm tests occurred in study animals. The results of this study demonstrate the ability of the coproantigen tests to detect the common roundworm and hookworm infections in cats and U. stenocephala infections in dogs as well as the ability to detect the prepatent stage of infection.
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Ganay J, Grigione M. PREVALENCE OF ENDOPARASITES BETWEEN DOMESTIC AND COMMUNITY CAT POPULATIONS IN ROCKLAND COUNTY, NEW YORK. J Parasitol 2022; 108:595-599. [PMID: 36508609 DOI: 10.1645/21-90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cats (Felis catus) have the potential to spread and infect humans and other animals with a variety of endoparasites. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of parasites in community, outdoor, and strictly indoor domestic cats in Rockland County, New York. Between November 2020 and June 2021, fecal samples were collected from 3 populations (community = 65, outdoor domestic = 28, strictly indoor domestic = 35). A minimum of 2 g of feces were collected per sample and examined with centrifugal fecal floatation tests with 33% zinc sulfate solution and microscopy. Overall, community cats had a significantly higher prevalence of parasites compared to outdoor and strictly indoor cats (chi-square test, X2 = 24.943, df = 2, P = 3.835 × 10-6). The most prevalent endoparasite in all 3 populations was Toxocara cati. There was a significant difference between the 3 populations and parasite richness (chi-square test, X2 = 25.452, df = 4, P = 4.081 × 10-5). Polyparasitism was frequently observed in the community population, followed by the outdoor population. This study demonstrates that because community cats spend their entire lives outdoors, they are more at risk of being exposed to parasites and contribute to the contamination of the environment with these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ganay
- The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1900 Coffey Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Melissa Grigione
- Pace University, 861 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, New York 10570
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High Toxocara cati prevalence in wild, free-ranging Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Finland, 1999–2015. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 17:205-210. [PMID: 35198374 PMCID: PMC8850750 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In Finland, free-ranging Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) population has grown from 30 to 40 individuals to 2800 individuals since the species became partly protected in 1962. Changes in host population size are known to have an impact on host-parasite dynamics, and the Eurasian lynx population in Finland provides a unique opportunity for studying the potential effects of dramatic population increase and expansion of a solitary apex predator on their parasite prevalence and abundance. Toxocara cati is a zoonotic gastrointestinal parasite infecting domestic cats and wild felids worldwide. We studied T. cati infection prevalence and worm burden in 2756 Eurasian lynx individuals from Finland, covering the years 1999–2015. Toxocara cati worms that had been collected from intestinal contents were identified based on morphology. We performed regression analyses to investigate possible associations of age, sex, and host population density with T. cati infection. We found T. cati from 2324 (84.3%, 95% confidence interval 82.9–86.0) of the examined lynx. Each year, the infection prevalence was higher than 75% and not density dependent. The parasites were strongly aggregated, with older individuals harboring fewer T. cati than younger ones did. Old females aged 9–15 years had higher T. cati abundance than males of the same age group. Our results indicate that T. cati was a common and abundant parasite of Eurasian lynx throughout the study period, regardless of the changing population size and density. 84% of 2756 Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) from Finland had Toxocara cati infection. The prevalence was high throughout 1999–2015, while lynx population size tripled. Old female lynx had significantly higher Toxocara cati abundance than old males.
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Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Infections in Domestic Cats ( Felis silvestris catus) from Antioquia, Colombia. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030337. [PMID: 33805839 PMCID: PMC7998092 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infections in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) have sporadically been reported in Colombia, there is still no data available on epidemiology nor on the biology of this neglected lungworm parasite. Thus, this epidemiological study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of patent A. abstrusus infections in domestic cats from the Colombian Federal State of Antioquia. In total, 473 fecal samples of indoor/outdoor domestic cats were collected and analyzed thereafter by the Baermann funnel migration technique for the presence of A. abstrusus first stage larvae 1 (L1). The occurrence of A. abstrusus was confirmed in 0.4% (2/473) of investigated cats. Due to the presence of patent A. abstrusus infections in investigated cats, it is unfailing to include this lungworm within differential diagnoses of feline pulmonary disorders. Despite the fact that the Baermann funnel technique is currently the cheapest and the gold standard diagnostic tool for feline aelurostrongylosis, this technique is still unknown by Colombian veterinary surgeons and rarely utilized in small animal veterinary clinics. The current survey intends to generate awareness on this neglected parasitosis and to be considered as a baseline study for future surveys monitoring feline aelurostrongylosis not only in domestic/stray cats but also in endemic wild felid species of Colombia.
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Raue K, Rohdich N, Hauck D, Zschiesche E, Morelli S, Traversa D, Di Cesare A, Roepke RKA, Strube C. Efficacy of Bravecto ® Plus spot-on solution for cats (280 mg/ml fluralaner and 14 mg/ml moxidectin) for the prevention of aelurostrongylosis in experimentally infected cats. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:110. [PMID: 33593394 PMCID: PMC7885211 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04610-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus affects the lower respiratory tract in cats worldwide. As infections may lead to chronic respiratory changes or even death, preventive treatment in cats with outdoor access is warranted. Methods The preventive efficacy of a spot-on solution (Bravecto® Plus spot-on solution for cats, MSD) against cat aelurostrongylosis was evaluated using three different preventive treatment regimes in a negative controlled, randomized and partially blinded laboratory efficacy study with 31 purposed-bred cats. The minimum recommended dose of 2.0 mg moxidectin + 40 mg fluralaner/kg bodyweight was applied once 12 (Group [G]1), 8 (G2) or 4 (G3) weeks before experimental infection with 300 third-stage larvae (L3) of A. abstrusus. Another group served as untreated control (G4). Individual faecal samples were analysed as of day 30 post infection (pi) to monitor larvae excretion. Necropsy was performed at days 47–50 pi. The lungs were examined macroscopically for pathological findings and (pre-)adult worms were counted to assess preventive efficacy. Results Beginning at day 32–40 pi, all cats of the control group were constantly shedding larvae of A. abstrusus, whereas only one animal of G1 excreted larvae at several consecutive days. In addition, two cats of G1 and G3 and three of G2 were positive on a single occasion. The geometric mean (GM) of the maximum number of excreted larvae was 7574.29 in the control group compared to 1.10 (G1), 1.19 (G2) and 0.53 (G3), resulting in a GM reduction of > 99.9% in all treatment groups. All lungs of the control animals showed severe or very severe alterations at necropsy, while in 94.44% of the treated cats lung pathology was rated as absent or mild. The GM number of (pre-)adult A. abstrusus retrieved from the lungs was 26.57 in the control group, 0.09 in G1 and 0.00 in G2 and G3. Thus, GM worm count reduction was 99.66% in G1 and 100% in G2 and G3. Conclusions A single application of Bravecto® Plus spot-on solution at a dose of 2.0 mg moxidectin + 40 mg fluralaner/kg bodyweight reliably prevents cat aelurostrongylosis for at least 12 weeks.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Raue
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Nadja Rohdich
- MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Schwabenheim, Germany
| | - Daniela Hauck
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Eva Zschiesche
- MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Schwabenheim, Germany
| | - Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany.
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Sierra MF, Ricoy G, Sosa S, Colavecchia SB, Santillán G, López CM, Mundo SL, Sommerfelt IE. Humoral immune response of pigs infected with Toxocara cati. Exp Parasitol 2020; 218:107997. [PMID: 32946882 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Toxocara cati is one of the causative agents of human toxocariasis. Serological methods are used for diagnosis in paratenic hosts like humans but the humoral immune response triggered by this parasite is unknown. We characterized the humoral immune response to T. cati excretory-secretory antigens (TES) in pigs as animal model during the acute and chronic stages of infection. ELISA and Western Blot techniques were used to determine antibody response. Pigs were experimentally inoculated with 100,000 infective Toxocara cati eggs. Blood was collected at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post-inoculation (d.p.i.) to assess the acute stage of infection and 90, 120 and 180 d. p.i. for chronic stage analysis. ELISA showed values higher than the cut-off of specific IgM and IgG at 7 d. p.i. with significant differences at 0 and 7 d. p.i. for IgM and at 14, 21 and 28 d. p.i. for IgG in the acute stage. Higher and stable levels were detected in the chronic stage. Western Blot showed bands from 102 to 38 kDa detected by specific IgM and IgG. More immunogenic bands were identified by specific IgG. In the chronic stage of infection a band near 31 kDa was the only band detected by IgM until 150 d. p.i. Specific IgG recognized bands between 102 and 31 kDa. This study demonstrates how the humoral immune response evolves in the acute and chronic stages of infection and provides evidence on the role of the pig as a paratenic host of T. cati.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Florencia Sierra
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Cátedra de Salud Pública, Av. Chorroarín 280, C1427CWO, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Gerardo Ricoy
- Servicio de Inmunología Parasitaria. Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas Anlis "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Av. Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Sonia Sosa
- Servicio de Inmunología Parasitaria. Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas Anlis "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Av. Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Silvia Beatriz Colavecchia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Cátedra de Inmunología, Av. Chorroarín 280, C1427CWO, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Graciela Santillán
- Servicio de Inmunología Parasitaria. Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas Anlis "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Av. Vélez Sarsfield 563, C1282AFF, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Clara Maria López
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Cátedra de Salud Pública, Av. Chorroarín 280, C1427CWO, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Silvia Leonor Mundo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Cátedra de Inmunología, Av. Chorroarín 280, C1427CWO, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - I E Sommerfelt
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Cátedra de Salud Pública, Av. Chorroarín 280, C1427CWO, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Soleyman NM, Darnhofer B, Gruenberger RB, Abnous K, Borji H. Proteomic analysis of soluble protein extract of adult Toxocara cati. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 73:101528. [PMID: 32911377 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxocara cati is a cat roundworm and the causative agent of toxocariasis as a cosmopolitan zoonotic disease. As no information has been reported so far, identification of T. cati proteins can be useful for the development of new diagnostic strategies. This study was conducted to identify the major proteins in the adult T. cati tegument using bi-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and shotgun proteomics. A total proteins were identified, among them the metabolic enzymes were the largest group, including: Enolase, triose phosphate isomerase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, aldehyde dehydrogenase. The other important protein groups recognized in T. cati, belong to the HSP-family, the structure and motor proteins, such as actin. The role of these proteins have been implicated in parasite-host interactions and modulating cellular immune response, immune regulation in evasion mechanisms of the host immune response. Characterizing T. cati adult proteins play a key role not only in host-parasite interactions, but also in the discovery of drug targets, subunit vaccines against toxocariasis, immunodiagnostic kits for toxocariasis and the identification of novel immuno-modulators that can form the next generation of therapeutic possibilities for inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nooshin Mehra Soleyman
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Ruth Birner Gruenberger
- Austrian Center of Industrial Biotechnology, Graz, Austria; Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Austria; Omics Center Graz, BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria; Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna, Austria
| | - Khalil Abnous
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Hassan Borji
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
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Crawford HM, Calver MC, Fleming PA. Subsidised by junk foods: factors influencing body condition in stray cats (Felis catus). JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juaa004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractDomestic cats (Felis catus) are one of the most widely distributed and successful carnivores globally. While cats are popular pets, many unowned, ‘stray’ cats live freely in anthropogenic environments at high densities where they make use of anthropogenic resources. These stray cats present a management challenge due to concerns about wildlife predation, pathogen transmission, public nuisance and threats to cat welfare (e.g. vehicle collisions). In Australia, there are few studies of strays compared with pet cats or feral cats (free-roaming cats in rural areas that are independent of resources provided by humans). To contribute original data about stray cat biology, the carcasses of 188 euthanised stray cats were collected from Perth, Western Australia. Cats were assessed for general health, age, reproduction, diet and gastrointestinal parasite biomass. The influence of cat demographics, collection location, season, parasite biomass, diet and history of supplemental feeding by people were tested against body condition. Overall, strays were physically healthy and reproductive, with few life-threatening injuries or macroscopic evidence of disease; however, helminths were extremely common (95% of cats) and pose a threat. Nearly 40% of strays consumed wildlife, including two species of endemic marsupial. Alarmingly, 57.5% of strays were scavenging vast amounts of refuse, including life-threatening items in volumes that blocked their gastrointestinal tracts. These findings illustrate that strays need to be removed from anthropogenic environments for their own health and welfare and to prevent continued breeding. Targeted control programmes should prioritise removal of cats from areas where refuse is common and where valued native fauna exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Crawford
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch 6150, Western Australia
| | - M C Calver
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch 6150, Western Australia
| | - P A Fleming
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch 6150, Western Australia
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López-Osorio S, Penagos-Tabares F, Chaparro-Gutiérrez JJ. Prevalence of Toxocara spp. in dogs and cats in South America (excluding Brazil). ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 109:743-778. [PMID: 32381225 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Toxocariasis is a worldwide anthropozoonosis caused by Toxocara spp. nematodes. High prevalences of the disease has been found in developing countries, particularly in regions with poor sanitary conditions. The definitive hosts of the nematodes are dogs and cats, which play a vital role in the transmission of this parasite as humans are considered a paratenic host. The epidemiology of the disease in South America is not clear as it is usually not diagnosed and is not a notifiable disease. This review summarizes information regarding prevalence reports of Toxocara spp. in dog and cats in South America (excluding Brazil). Additionally, and in accordance with the one health approach, reports of contaminated soil in public zones and parks as well as infection/prevalence reports in wildlife species by geographical regions are also included. The findings show the importance of awareness among veterinarians and public health authorities about Toxocara spp. as neglected disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara López-Osorio
- CIBAV Research Group, Medicine Veterinary School, Agrarian Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Felipe Penagos-Tabares
- CIBAV Research Group, Medicine Veterinary School, Agrarian Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Prevalence of Toxocara and Toxascaris infection among human and animals in Iran with meta-analysis approach. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:20. [PMID: 31910815 PMCID: PMC6947998 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-4759-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxocariasis is a worldwide zoonotic parasitic disease caused by species of Toxocara and Toxascaris, common in dogs and cats. Herein, a meta-analysis was contrived to assess the prevalence of Toxocara/Toxascaris in carnivore and human hosts in different regions of Iran from April 1969 to June 2019. METHODS The available online articles of English (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Ovid) and Persian (SID, Iran Medex, Magiran, and Iran Doc) databases and also the articles that presented in held parasitology congresses of Iran were involved. RESULTS The weighted prevalence of Toxocara/Toxascaris in dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) was 24.2% (95% CI: 18.0-31.0%) and 32.6% (95% CI: 22.6-43.4%), respectively. Also, pooled prevalence in jackal (Canis aureus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was 23.3% (95% CI: 7.7-43.2%) and 69.4% (95% CI: 60.3-77.8%), correspondingly. Weighted mean prevalence of human cases with overall 28 records was 9.3% (95% CI: 6.3-13.1%). The weighted prevalence of Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, and Toxascaris leonina was represented as 13.8% (95% CI: 9.8-18.3%), 28.5% (95% CI: 20-37.7%) and 14.3% (95% CI: 8.1-22.0%), respectively. CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis results illustrate a considerable prevalence rate of Toxocara/Toxascaris, particularly in cats and dogs of northern parts of Iran. The presence of suitable animal hosts, optimum climate and close contact of humans and animals would have been the reason for higher seroprevalence rates of human cases in our region. Given the significance clinical outcomes of human Toxocara/Toxascaris, necessary measures should be taken.
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Lee SH, Ock Y, Choi D, Kwak D. Gastrointestinal Parasite Infection in Cats in Daegu, Republic of Korea, and Efficacy of Treatment Using Topical Emodepside/Praziquantel Formulation. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2019; 57:243-248. [PMID: 31284346 PMCID: PMC6616170 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.3.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was 2-fold: 1) to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection in cats reared in Daegu, Republic of Korea and 2) to assess the efficacy and safety of a topical emodepside/praziquantel formulation for cats with parasitic infections. The gastrointestinal parasite infections were examined microscopically using the flotation method. Of 407 cats, 162 (39.8%) were infected by at least one gastrointestinal parasite, including Toxocara cati (63.0%), Toxascaris leonina (31.5%), Taenia taeniaeformis (3.7%), and Cystoisospora felis (1.9%). None of the infected animals had multiple infections. When the data were analyzed according to sex, age, and type of cat, stray cats showed statistically higher prevalence than companion cats (P<0.05). On the 5th day after treatment, no parasitic eggs were detected using microscopic examination. In addition, no adverse effects, such as abnormal behaviors and clinical symptoms, were observed in the cats treated with the drug. These results quantify the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cats in Daegu, Republic of Korea, and show that topical emodepside/praziquantel is a safe and effective choice for treating the parasitic infections in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hun Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.,National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | | | | | - Dongmi Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
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A Case of Letting the Cat out of The Bag-Why Trap-Neuter-Return Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat ( Felis catus) Management. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9040171. [PMID: 30995809 PMCID: PMC6523511 DOI: 10.3390/ani9040171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, in which stray cats are captured, neutered and returned to the environment are advocated as a humane, ethical alternative to euthanasia. We review the TNR literature in light of current debate over whether or not there should be further TNR trials in Australia. We revisit the problems arising from stray cats living in association with human habitation and estimate how many stray cats would have to be processed through a scientifically-guided TNR program to avoid high euthanasia rates. We also identify 10 ethical and welfare challenges that have to be addressed: we consider the quality of life for stray cats, where they would live, whether the TNR process itself is stressful, whether TNR cats are vulnerable to injury, parasites and disease, can be medically treated, stray cats' body condition and diet, and their impacts on people, pet cats, and urban wildlife, especially endemic fauna. We conclude that TNR is unsuitable for Australia in almost all situations because it is unlikely to resolve problems caused by stray cats or meet ethical and welfare challenges. Targeted adoption, early-age desexing, community education initiatives and responsible pet ownership have greater promise to minimize euthanasia, reduce numbers rapidly, and address the identified issues.
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Dubey JP. A review of Cystoisospora felis and C. rivolta-induced coccidiosis in cats. Vet Parasitol 2018; 263:34-48. [PMID: 30389022 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Until the discovery of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in cat feces in 1970, little was known of coccidiosis in cats. Until 1970, three coccidian parasites based on different sized oocysts were recognized, the parasite with large oocysts (∼40 μm long and called Isospora felis), medium sized oocysts (∼25 μm long, called Isospora rivolta), and small sized oocysts (14 μm or less, called Isospora bigemina) were known and they were considered not host-specific. Later, it was demonstrated that these parasites were host-specific and had also extra-intestinal stages. The Isospora bigemina turned out to be more than 25 organisms belonging to T. gondii, Hammondia spp., Sarcocystis spp., Besnoitia spp., and Neospora spp.; these subjects have been reviewed previously in detail. The present paper summarizes biology of Isospora felis, and I. rivolta (now transferred to genus Cystoisospora), including taxonomy, life cycle, diagnosis, and treatment. Re-excretion of T. gondii oocysts from chronically infected cats after superinfection with Cystoisospora felis oocysts is discussed. There are only two species of Cystoisospora species in cats, C. felis and C. rivolta; Isospora novocati and Cystoisospora frenkeli named for I. rivolta-like parasites of cats are considered synonym of C. rivolta. Clinical coccidiosis occurs more commonly in recently weaned kittens and C. felis infections are more prevalent than C. rivolta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA.
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Penagos-Tabares F, Lange MK, Chaparro-Gutiérrez JJ, Taubert A, Hermosilla C. Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus: Neglected and underestimated parasites in South America. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:208. [PMID: 29587811 PMCID: PMC5870519 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2765-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The gastropod-borne nematodes Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus are global causes of cardio/pulmonary diseases in dogs and cats. In the last decade, the number of reports on canine and feline lungworms has increased in several areas of Europe and North America. The unspecific clinical signs and prolonged course of these diseases often renders diagnosis challenging. Both infections are considered as emerging and underestimated causes of disease in domestic pets. In South America, little information is available on these diseases, apart from occasional reports proving the principle presence of A. vasorum and A. abstrusus. Thus, the purpose of this review is to summarize reports on infections in both domestic and wildlife animals in South America and to increase the awareness on gastropod-borne metastrongyloid parasites, which also include important zoonotic species, such as A. cantonensis and A. costaricensis. This review highlights the usefulness of diagnostic tools, such as the Baermann funnel technique, serology and PCR, and proposes to include these routinely on cases with clinical suspicion for lungworm infections. Future national epidemiological surveys are recommended to be conducted to gain a deeper insight into the actual epidemiological situation of gastropod-borne parasitoses in South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Penagos-Tabares
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany. .,CIBAV Research Group, Veterinary Medicine School, University of Antioquia, 050034, Medellin, Colombia.
| | - Malin K Lange
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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Larval development of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in experimentally infected Rumina decollata snails. Vet Parasitol 2018; 251:50-55. [PMID: 29426476 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is a lungworm distributed worldwide that affects wild and domestic cats, causing bronchopneumonia of varying intensity. Snails serve as intermediate hosts. The aim of the present study was to assess the larval development of A. abstrusus in R. decollata snails and to investigate its potential as an intermediate host. For this purpose, first-stage larvae (L1) of A. abstrusus were obtained from the faeces of naturally infected cats. Doses of 500 L1/snail were given to 24 R. decollata snails, placed on the soil of the breeder chamber, and maintained under laboratory conditions. Three snails were killed at 8, 10, 12, 16, 22, 26, 45 and 55 days post-infection (dpi), and the muscular foot and visceral body were separately digested by an artificial digestion technique. The morphometric parameters of different larval stages were recorded. The mean number of larvae reaching the infective stage at the end of the study (L3) was 262 larvae/snail. The greatest development to L3 was recorded from days16 to 55 pi, during which the isolation was maximum. A. Abstrusus L3 were isolated from the viscera, but isolation from the snail foot was significantly higher. Our results showed for the first time the ability of A. Abstrusus larvae to develop in R. decollata, thus serving as a potential intermediate host.
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In vitro study of disinfectants on the embryonation and survival of Toxascaris leonina eggs. J Helminthol 2017; 92:530-534. [PMID: 28974272 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x17000839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The effect of six available and commercial disinfectants on the embryonation and larval development of Toxascaris leonina eggs was studied. Dettol® and Virkon® both induced a 100% reduction in larval development (P ≤ 0.05). Dettol® resulted in deformed eggshells and a halt in embryonal development at 1 week post exposure. All Virkon®-treated eggs showed an early embryonic lysis 24 h post exposure. TH4+ and 70% ethanol both significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected larval development, with 58.8 and 85.8% reduction, respectively. Neither sodium hypochlorite nor phenol significantly affected larval development (2.8 and 21.0%, respectively). Sodium hypochlorite treatment caused a visible decortication of the eggshell; however, phenol-treated embryonated Toxascaris eggs appeared more or less morphologically normal. In conclusion, the disinfectants tested induced variable degrees of decortication and suppression of larval development. Virkon®S was the most effective disinfectant against Toxascaris eggs, suggesting that it is the most advisable one to use. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of Virkon®S as an ovicide and/or larvicide of helminths, particularly Toxascaris leonina.
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Poulle ML, Bastien M, Richard Y, Josse-Dupuis É, Aubert D, Villena I, Knapp J. Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis and other foodborne parasites in fox, cat and dog faeces collected in kitchen gardens in a highly endemic area for alveolar echinococcosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:29. [PMID: 28748783 PMCID: PMC5530766 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2017031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Echinococcus multilocularis, Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. are foodborne parasites whose eggs or oocysts are spread in the environment via canid or felid faeces. They can cause infections in humans following the raw consumption of contaminated fruit or vegetables. In this study, their occurrence was investigated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in 254 carnivore faeces deposited in 94 kitchen gardens of northeastern France that were sampled between two and six times from October 2011 to April 2013. Less than 25% of the sampled kitchen gardens contained more than 75% of the collected faeces. Of the 219 faeces that could be attributed to an emitter, cat accounted for 58%, fox for 32% and dog for 10%. Echinococcus multilocularis was detected in 35%, 11% and 7% of fox, dog and cat faeces, respectively, and Toxocara spp. in 33%, 12% and 5.5% of cat, fox and dog faeces, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii was detected in 2/125 cat faeces and 2/21 dog faeces. The 34 faeces that tested positive for E. multilocularis were found in only 19 out of the 94 sampled kitchen gardens, and the 40 faeces that tested positive for Toxocara spp. were found in 28 of them. Consequently, some kitchen gardens appeared particularly at risk of human exposure to foodborne parasites, including E. multilocularis responsible for alveolar echinococcosis (AE), which is a serious zoonosis. In endemic areas, kitchen garden owners should be informed about the zoonotic risk linked to carnivore faeces deposits and encouraged to set up preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Lazarine Poulle
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, SFR Cap Santé, EA 3800 PROTAL, 51092 Reims cedex, France - University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, CERFE, 08240 Boult-aux-Bois, France
| | - Matthieu Bastien
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, SFR Cap Santé, EA 3800 PROTAL, 51092 Reims cedex, France - University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, CERFE, 08240 Boult-aux-Bois, France - French Institute for Fighting Zoonoses (ELIZ), Domaine de Pixéricourt, 54220 Malzéville, France
| | - Yolan Richard
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, CERFE, 08240 Boult-aux-Bois, France
| | - Émilie Josse-Dupuis
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, SFR Cap Santé, EA 3800 PROTAL, 51092 Reims cedex, France - University Hospital of Reims, Department of Parasitology-Mycology, 51092 Reims cedex, France
| | - Dominique Aubert
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, SFR Cap Santé, EA 3800 PROTAL, 51092 Reims cedex, France - University Hospital of Reims, Department of Parasitology-Mycology, 51092 Reims cedex, France
| | - Isabelle Villena
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, SFR Cap Santé, EA 3800 PROTAL, 51092 Reims cedex, France - University Hospital of Reims, Department of Parasitology-Mycology, 51092 Reims cedex, France
| | - Jenny Knapp
- University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratory of Chrono-environment, UMR UFC/CNRS 6249 affi. INRA, 25030 Besançon, France - University Hospital of Besançon, Department of Parasitology-Mycology, 25030 Besançon, France
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Tamponi C, Varcasia A, Pinna S, Melis E, Melosu V, Zidda A, Sanna G, Pipia AP, Zedda MT, Pau S, Brianti E, Scala A. Endoparasites detected in faecal samples from dogs and cats referred for routine clinical visit in Sardinia, Italy. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2017; 10:13-17. [PMID: 31014584 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to update data on the prevalence of intestinal and lung parasitic infections in owned dogs and cats in Sardinia, Italy. Examinations on faecal samples from 619 dogs and 343 cats routinely referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Sassari were performed between the years of 2011 and 2015. Individual faecal samples were analysed using the Wisconsin technique for copro-microscopic examination and the Baermann technique for the presence of lungworm larvae. Endoparasites were found in 34.9% and 43.4% of examined dogs and cats, respectively. Helminthic infections (21.2% in dogs and 32.6% in cats) occurred more frequently than protozoan infections (17.9% in dogs and 17.8% in cats). In both dogs and cats, the most common parasites were ascarids (12.1% and 15.7%), Cystoisospora spp. (10.2% and 10.8%), Giardia duodenalis (9.4% and 8.5%), and hookworms (7.9% and 5.5%). Evidence of bronchopulmonary nematode infections were found in 0.8% of examined dogs and in 15.8% of examined cats. Age was identified as a risk factor, with animals younger than 6months more frequently infected than older animals, while no significant association was observed for gender. This study demonstrated that endoparasites in owned dogs and cats of Sardinia have considerably high prevalence. Veterinary practitioners and pet owners should be more aware of these infections and should adopt more effective and standardized control practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Tamponi
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - A Varcasia
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.
| | - S Pinna
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - E Melis
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - V Melosu
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - A Zidda
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - G Sanna
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - A P Pipia
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - M T Zedda
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - S Pau
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - E Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
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Natural infection of the feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in the invasive snail Achatina fulica from Argentina. Vet Parasitol 2017; 235:17-19. [PMID: 28215862 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The giant African snail Achatina fulica is an invasive mollusk native to Africa, the first record in Argentina was in Puerto Iguazú, in northeastern Argentina in 2010. Recently it was reported in Corrientes Province. This snail can act as an intermediate host of Metastrongyloidea nematodes of importance in public health as: Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Angiostrongylus costaricensis and Angiostrongylus vasorum. Taking into account the presence of A. fulica in Argentina, the objectives of this study is to assess the presence of Metastrongyloidea nematodes in this mollusk species in Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, close to the international border with Brazil and Paraguay. A total of 451 samples were collected from February 2014 to November 2015. The snails were processed using a digestion technique to recover the parasites. A total of 206 nematodes larvae were founded in the digestion solution of 10 hosts (P=2%; MA=0.5; MI=21). Third larval stage (L3) nematodes identified as Aelurostrongylus abstrusus were founded parasitizing the snails. No other larval stage was observed. This species has veterinary importance because it causes 'aelurostrongilosis', also known as feline strongyloidosis. This study constitutes the first record of a Metastrongyloidea nematode in A. fulica in Argentina and also highlights the susceptibility of this mollusk as intermediate host of other helminthes of health importance. The present study suggests that there is a need to establish an epidemiological monitoring system in order to prevent the possible installation of an infected mollusks focus.
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Cardillo N, Prous CG, Krivokapich S, Pittaro M, Ercole M, Perez M, Pasqualetti M, Fariña F, Rosa A, Gatti G, Ribicich M. First report of Toxocara cati in the domestic land snail Rumina decollata. Rev Argent Microbiol 2016; 48:206-209. [PMID: 27567520 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2016.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The prospective role of the land snail Rumina decollata as a potential paratenic host of Toxocara cati for domestic cats was studied. R. decollata specimens and cats' feces were collected from the open spaces of a Buenos Aires city hospital. Cats' feces were analyzed and snails were digested to identify T. cati stages, by morphological and molecular analyses. T. cati larval eggs were recovered from 23.5% (4/17) of the sampled feces. Twenty percent of snail pools (5/25) were confirmed to be positive for Toxocara spp. third larval stage (L3) by PCR. The mean value of total larvae recovered per gram of snail in all positive pools was 5.1, with a maximum 33 L3/pool. This is the first report of T. cati infective larvae in R. decollata domestic snail as a paratenic host, since the relationship between infection in snails and in cats' feces could be demonstrated in a common environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Cardillo
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Av. Chorroarin 280, C.P. C1427CWO Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | - Silvio Krivokapich
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Carlos G Malbrán", Argentina
| | - Mariana Pittaro
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Av. Chorroarin 280, C.P. C1427CWO Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariano Ercole
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Av. Chorroarin 280, C.P. C1427CWO Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matías Perez
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Av. Chorroarin 280, C.P. C1427CWO Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Pasqualetti
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Av. Chorroarin 280, C.P. C1427CWO Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Fariña
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Av. Chorroarin 280, C.P. C1427CWO Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adriana Rosa
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Av. Chorroarin 280, C.P. C1427CWO Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciana Gatti
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS "Carlos G Malbrán", Argentina
| | - Mabel Ribicich
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Av. Chorroarin 280, C.P. C1427CWO Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Toxocariasis, Intestinal Parasitoses and Eosinophilia in Schoolchildren from Argentina. CURRENT HEALTH SCIENCES JOURNAL 2016; 42:5-11. [PMID: 30568806 PMCID: PMC6256146 DOI: 10.12865/chsj.42.01.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose was to analyze the relationship between toxocariasis, intestinal parasitosis, eosinophilia, pet ownership and signs and symptoms present in 370 schoolchildren (3-12 years old) of Argentina. The positive serology for toxocariasis was 19.5%, associated with eosinophilia and possession of cats as pets. The stool testing revealed 70.0% of parasitized children. Its frequency was 44.9% helminthes and 53.5% protozoan resulting single significant presence of protozoa in children aged 10-12 years. The species were: Blastocystis hominis (45.7%), Enterobius vermicularis (43.2%), Giardia intestinalis (16.2%), Hymenolepis nana (2.4%), Ascaris lumbridoides (1.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.3%). The survey showed 13.0% of children with sporadic abdominal pain and 13.5% with pruritus ani. The results indicate relationship between positive serology and eosinophilia compatible with a clinical aspect of covert toxocariasis self-limiting, associated with cats ownership; in school children from our region who also have high frequency of intestinal parasitoses.
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Hajipour N, Imani Baran A, Yakhchali M, Banan Khojasteh SM, Sheikhzade Hesari F, Esmaeilnejad B, Arjmand J. A survey study on gastrointestinal parasites of stray cats in Azarshahr, (East Azerbaijan province, Iran). J Parasit Dis 2015; 40:1255-1260. [PMID: 27876926 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-015-0663-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal parasites are among the most common parasitic infections found in stray cats, which might act potential helminthic parasites to domestic cats. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in stray cats in the city of Azarshahr, which is located in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 necropsied stray cats, trapped and collected from different geographic regions of Azarshahr. From a total 50 stray cats examined, 15 (30 %) were female and 35 (70 %) were male. Overall 47 cats (94 %) were identified as infected with at least one of the endoparasites. The prevalence of parasites found were: Taenia taeniaeformis (60 %), Dipylidium caninum (58 %), Taenia hydatigera (24 %), Mesocestoides lineatus (78 %), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (14 %), Toxascaris leonina (30 %), Toxocara cati (78 %), Physaloptera praeputialis (10 %), and Syphacia obvelata (10 %). Contamination rate for zoonotic parasites of cat was greater than expected in AzarShahr region. Therefore, appropriate control measures should be taken and preventive methods should be applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser Hajipour
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Aabbas Imani Baran
- Department of Pathobiology, Parasitology Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Yakhchali
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | | | | | - Bijan Esmaeilnejad
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Jafar Arjmand
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
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Sommerfelt IE, Duchene A, Daprato B, Lopez CM, Cardillo N, Franco AJ. Experimental infection with Toxocara cati in pigs: migratory pattern and pathological response in early phase. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2014; 56:347-52. [PMID: 25076437 PMCID: PMC4131822 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652014000400013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental inoculations of approximately 100,000 infective
Toxocara cati larval eggs were done in twelve pigs. The
T. cati eggs used for inoculation were collected from cat's
feces. Another group of three pigs served as an uninfected control. Groups of
infected pigs were euthanized at seven, 14, 21, and 28 days post-inoculation (dpi).
Tissue samples were taken for digestion and histopathology changes in early phase.
The number of larvae recovered from the lungs peaked at seven and 14 dpi and were
also present at 21, and 28 dpi. Larvae of T. cati were present in
the lymph nodes of the small and large intestine at seven, 14, and 28 dpi and at
seven, 14, 21, and 28 dpi respectively. In other studied tissues, no larvae or less
than one larva per gram was detected. The pathological response observed in the liver
and lungs at seven and 14 dpi, showed white spots on the liver surface and areas of
consolidation were observed in the lungs. The lungs showed an inflammatory reaction
with larvae in center at 28 dpi. In the liver we observed periportal and perilobular
hepatitis. The lymph nodes of the intestines displayed eosinophil lymphadenitis with
reactive centers containing parasitic forms in some of them. The granulomatous
reaction was not observed in any tissues. The role of the other examined tissues had
less significance. The relevance of this parasite as an etiological agent that leads
to disease in paratenic hosts is evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Estela Sommerfelt
- Cátedra de Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adriana Duchene
- Cátedra de Patología Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Betina Daprato
- Cátedra de Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Clara María Lopez
- Cátedra de Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Cardillo
- Cátedra de Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Aníbal Juan Franco
- Cátedra de Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Gastrointestinal parasites in rural dogs and cats in Selangor and Pahang states in Peninsular Malaysia. Acta Parasitol 2014; 59:737-44. [PMID: 25236287 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-014-0306-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
To estimate the current prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in dogs and cats, a total of 105 fresh faecal samples were collected from rural areas in Peninsular Malaysia. Each faecal sample was examined for the presence of GI parasites by microscopic examination after formalin-ether concentration technique and for protozoa, trichrome and Ziehl-Neelsen staining were employed. The overall prevalence of GI parasitic infection was 88.6% (95% CI = 82.5-94.7) in which 88.3% of dogs and 89.3% of cats were infected with at least one parasites species, respectively. There were 14 different GI parasites species (nematodes, cestodes and protozoa) detected, including Ancylostoma spp. (62.9%), Toxocara spp. (32.4%), Trichuris vulpis (21.0%), Spirometra spp. (9.5%), Toxascaris leonina (5.7%), Dipylidium caninum (4.8%), Ascaris spp. (2.9%), Hymenolepis diminuta (1.0%) and others. General prevalence of GI parasites showed a significant difference between helminth (84.4%) and protozoa (34.3%) infections. Monoparasitism (38.1%) was less frequent than polyparasitism (46.7%). As several of these GI parasites are recognized as zoonotic agents, the results of this investigation revealed that local populations may be exposed to a broad spectrum of zoonotic agents by means of environmental contamination with dogs and cats faeces and this information should be used to mitigate public health risks. Prevention and control measures have to be taken in order to reduce the prevalence rates especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities where animals live in close proximity to people, poor levels of hygiene and overcrowding together with a lack in veterinary attention and zoonotic awareness.
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Khademvatan S, Abdizadeh R, Rahim F, Hashemitabar M, Ghasemi M, Tavalla M. Stray cats gastrointestinal parasites and its association with public health in ahvaz city, South Western of iran. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2014; 7:e11079. [PMID: 25485047 PMCID: PMC4255209 DOI: 10.5812/jjm.11079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cats are the hosts for some zoonotic parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. which are important in medicine and veterinary. Studies on the prevalence of intestinal parasites of cats have received little attention in south west of Iran. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of parasites in stray cats in Ahvaz. Materials and Methods: Random sampling was carried out from January to May 2012. One hundred and forty fecal samples from stray cats were examined using sucrose flotation method. Results: Gastrointestinal parasites were found in 121 of the 140 (86.4%) examined samples. The parasites detected in stray cats were Toxocara spp. (45%, 63/140), Isospora spp. (21.4%, 30/140), nematode larvae (21.4%, 30/140), Taenia spp. (18.6%, 26/140), Sarcocystis spp. (17.1%, 24/140), Eimeria spp. (15%, 21/140), Blastocystis spp. (14.3%, 20/140), Giardia spp, (10.7%, 15/140), Physaloptera spp. (7.1%, 10/140), and amoeba cyst (5.7%, 8/140) respectively. The prevalence of infection by Joyexiella spp. and hook worms (4.3%, 6/140), for example, Dipylidium caninum (2.9%, 4/140) was similar; and the prevalence of infection by T. gondii and Dicrocoelium dendriticum was similar (1.4%, 2/140). Conclusions: Since the prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites such as Toxocara spp. in stray cats is high, there is a need to plan adequate programs to control these zoonotic parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Khademvatan
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Rahman Abdizadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Fakher Rahim
- Toxicology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Mahamoud Hashemitabar
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Mohammad Ghasemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Mahdi Tavalla
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
- Corresponding author: Mahdi Tavalla, Department of Medical Parasitology, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 613715794, Ahvaz, IR Iran. Tel: +98-6113367543-50, Fax: +98-6113332036, E-mail:
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Knaus M, Theodore Chester S, Rosentel J, Visser M, Rehbein S. Efficacy of a novel topical combination of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel against experimental infections of Toxascaris leonina in cats. Vet Parasitol 2014; 202:40-4. [PMID: 24703075 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of a novel topical fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel combination product (BROADLINE(®), Merial) was evaluated against adult Toxascaris leonina ascarids in experimentally infected cats in two controlled studies under an identical protocol. For each study, 30 nematode-naive, purpose-bred European Short Hair cats were inoculated orally with approximately 300 larvated T. leonina eggs. Twenty-two and 24 cats, respectively, that were shown to be positive for Toxascaris eggs by pre-treatment faecal examination were subsequently included in the two studies. In each study, the animals were allocated randomly to an untreated (control) group or to a treatment group. The treatment was a novel topical combination: fipronil (8.3%, w/v), (S)-methoprene (10%, w/v), eprinomectin (0.4% w/v) and praziquantel (8.3% w/v). Treatment was applied on Day 0 at 0.12 mL/kg bodyweight. For parasite recovery and count, cats were euthanized humanely seven days after treatment and necropsied. All untreated cats harboured adult T. leonina (range, 1-31 nematodes). The treatment provided a high level of efficacy against adult T. leonina in both studies (95.8% and 98.1%, respectively p<0.001). All cats accepted the treatment well based on hourly post-treatment observations for 4h and daily observations thereafter. No adverse experiences or other health problems were observed throughout the studies. Thus the data indicate that this novel combination product will provide a safe and effective treatment against T. leonina in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Knaus
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany.
| | | | | | - Martin Visser
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Steffen Rehbein
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany
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Lung histopathology, radiography, high-resolution computed tomography, and bronchio-alveolar lavage cytology are altered by Toxocara cati infection in cats and is independent of development of adult intestinal parasites. Vet Parasitol 2013; 193:413-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Barutzki D, Schaper R. Occurrence and regional distribution of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in cats in Germany. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:855-61. [PMID: 23239090 PMCID: PMC3556471 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-3207-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Infections with the metastrongyloid nematode Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in cats have been reported sporadically from Germany. To assess the occurrence and regional geographical distribution of A. abstrusus in Germany, faecal samples from 391 cats with symptoms of respiratory disease were collected from December 2009 to November 2011. The zinc chloride/sodium chloride flotation and Baermann funnel technique were used to examine the samples for the presence of lungworm larvae. The collected data were analyzed using a geographic information system (GIS). Infections with lungworms were diagnosed in 26 (6.6 %) of the examined cats. The infection rates did not show significant differences in the age groups up to 7 years. Only cats older than 7 were significantly less infected with lungworms than young cats. Sixteen of the 192 female cats examined and 7 of the 186 males were positive for A. abstrusus, but there were no significant differences for the variable 'gender infection rate'. Most of the A. abstrusus-positive cats were located in Baden-Wuerttemberg, followed by Lower Saxony, Bremen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saarland, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. The majority of infected cats showed severe clinical symptoms characterised by coughing and dyspnoea, increased breathing rate, weight loss, bronchopneumonia, generally poor condition, sneezing and nasal discharge. The high number of lungworm-positive cats and the severe clinical symptoms should encourage veterinarians in Germany to consider infections with A. abstrusus as a differential diagnosis in cats with symptoms of respiratory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Barutzki
- Veterinary Laboratory Freiburg, 79111 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
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Marques JP, Guimarães CDR, Boas AV, Carnaúba PU, Moraes JD. Contamination of public parks and squares from Guarulhos (São Paulo State, Brazil ) by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2012; 54:267-71. [PMID: 22983290 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652012000500006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 05/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The contaminated soil with mammal feces is an important factor of risk to infection with zoonotic diseases. Amongst these zoonoses are visceral larva migrans and cutaneous larva migrans caused by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp., respectively. The aim of this study was to assess the environmental contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs and hookworms (Ancylostoma spp.) in public parks and squares in the city of Guarulhos, a metropolitan area of São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil. Soil samples were collected, between September and December 2010, and examined using the centrifugal flotation technique with sodium dichromate and zinc sulphate as well as the modified Baermann method. Notably, 35 (74.5%) of the 47 districts surveyed in Guarulhos possessed samples contaminated with Toxocara spp. and/or eggs or larvae of Ancylostoma spp. The frequency of Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp. in the samples from public areas was 68.1% and 46.8%, respectively. Overall, the eastern side of Guarulhos is the region with the highest occurrence of causative agents of larva migrans. In all collection sites, the presence of feces from dogs and cats accompanied by their owners and stray animals were observed. Notably, it is important to adopt measures to control dog and cat breeding, to treat infected animals, and provide health education to the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacó Pereira Marques
- Supervisão de Vigilância em Saúde, SUVIS Casa Verde, Secretaria de Saúde da Cidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Intestinal and lung parasites in owned dogs and cats from central Italy. Vet Parasitol 2012; 193:78-84. [PMID: 23265188 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2011] [Revised: 11/18/2012] [Accepted: 11/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal and lung parasites were investigated in 239 owned dogs and 81 owned cats from central Italy. In 36 dogs and 20 cats found infected by nematodes, pre and post-treatment faecal egg count (FEC) was also evaluated. About 31% of dogs and about 35% of cats resulted positive for at least one intestinal or lung parasitic species. Helminthic, intestinal and zoonotic infections resulted prevalent in examined animals. Examined dogs resulted infected by Toxocara canis (13.0%), Toxascaris leonina (1.7%), Trichuris vulpis (3.3%), Ancylostoma caninum (2.0%), Uncinaria stenocephala (1.25%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.8%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (0.4%), Dipylidium caninum (1.25%), Taeniidae eggs (0.4%), Giardia duodenalis (3.8%), and Cystoisospora (Isospora) spp. (7.5%). Examined cats were infected by Toxocara cati (22.2%), Capillaria aerophila (1.2%), Ancylostoma tubaeformae (1.2%), U. stenocephala (3.7%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (1.2%), Mesocestoides sp. (1.2%), D. caninum (1.2%), G. duodenalis (1.2%) and Cystoisospora spp. (4.5%). The presence of clinical signs and the young age (less than 6 months) were identified as risk factors by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. In 63.9% treated dogs and in 80.0% treated cats, percentages of post-treatment FEC reduction higher than 90% were found. Results obtained in this study are discussed.
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Borji H, Razmi G, Ahmadi A, Karami H, Yaghfoori S, Abedi V. A survey on endoparasites and ectoparasites of stray cats from Mashhad (Iran) and association with risk factors. J Parasit Dis 2011; 35:202-6. [PMID: 23024505 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-011-0057-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
As there appeared to be no data available on parasite infection of stray cats in the region and considering the potential threat of stray cats for animal and public health, the present study was carried out using biological samples and necropsy finding collected from cats captured in Mashhad city in the northeast of Iran. From a total 52 stray cats examined, 18 (34.6%) were male and 34 (65.4%) were female. Ten species of endoparasites including helminthes and protozoa and two species of ectoparasites were detected in the examined cats. There were two protozoa, five cestodes, three nematodes and two arthropods. Overall 46 cats (88.46%) have been infected with at least one of the parasites. The following parasites, with their respective prevalence, were found; Nematoda: Toxocara cati 28.84%, Toxocara leonina 7.69%, Physaloptera praeputialis 3.84%; Cestoda: Dipylidium caninum 23.08%, Mesocestoides lineatus 13.46%, Taenia taeniaformis 9.6%, Joyeuxiella echinorhyncoides 7.6% and Taenia hydatigena 1.92%; Protozoa: I. felis 23.7%, Haemobartonella felis 1.92%; Arthropoda: Ctenocephalides felis 1.92% and Cheyletiella blakei 1.92%. Based on our data, there was no significant difference in infection rate between male and female animals. However, the age of the cats were found to be an important risk factor associated with parasitic infection. Our results revealed that zoonotic agents, namely T. cati were present in stray cat colonies in the investigated area. In this respect, appropriate control measures should be taken and it is recommended to determine the most appropriate preventive methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Borji
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P.O. Box 9177948974, Mashhad, Iran
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Canine and Feline Infections by Cardiopulmonary Nematodes in Central and Southern Italy. Parasitol Res 2011; 109 Suppl 1:S87-96. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2405-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Cassenote AJF, Pinto Neto JM, Lima-Catelani ARDA, Ferreira AW. [Soil contamination by eggs of soil-transmitted helminths with zoonotic potential in the town of Fernandópolis, State of São Paulo, Brazil, between 2007 and 2008]. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2011; 44:371-4. [PMID: 21552740 DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86822011005000026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 10/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The concentration of dogs and cats in urban areas, associated with an ever-increasing wandering population of these animals, has an important epidemiological role in the soil contamination of public spaces and the spread of infections of several types of parasites. This study aimed to determine the frequency of soil-transmitted helminths with zoonotic potential in public squares and municipal primary schools in Fernandópolis, State of São Paulo, Brazil, conducted between 2007 and 2008. METHODS All the squares (32) and schools (13) in the town were evaluated. Soil samples were tested using the Rugai method modified by Willis, Caldwell and Caldwell. RESULTS A total of 225 soil samples were evaluated and 30.2% (68) were positive for helminths. In samples from public squares, 40% (64) contamination was observed; however, contamination in schools was only 6.1% (6). The parasites eggs identified were Toxocara spp. 79.3% (47), Trichuris spp. 13.8% (8) and Ancylostomatidae 6.9% (4). Variables related to the site, such as the number of dogs (OR 21.18, 10.81 - 41.51), fecal samples (OR 6.87, 3.51 - 13.47) and the use of fences (OR 0.1, 0.05 - 0.20), had an impact on soil contamination. CONCLUSIONS In the contaminated samples, parasites with zoonotic potential were identified, including the etiologic agents of diseases like cutaneous and visceral larva migrans, a fact that poses a risk to health of the population that frequent such environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Jones Flores Cassenote
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP.
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Prevalence of endoparasites in household cat (Felis catus) populations from Transylvania (Romania) and association with risk factors. Vet Parasitol 2010; 171:163-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2009] [Revised: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 03/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Mancianti F, Nardoni S, Ariti G, Parlanti D, Giuliani G, Papini RA. Cross-sectional survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in colony cats from urban Florence (Italy). J Feline Med Surg 2009; 12:351-4. [PMID: 19811938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2009.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cats are the key species in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection, even if the proportion of subjects excreting oocysts is low. The aim of the present paper was to obtain information about seroprevalence, oocyst shedding rate and presence of T gondii DNA in faeces collected from an urban population of colony cats in Florence (Tuscany). Fifty European shorthair feral cats were examined for anti-T gondii specific antibodies by a modified agglutination test (MAT), and for oocysts by microscopic examination and for faecal protozoal DNA, by means of a nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR) protocol. Twenty-two out of 50 serum samples (44%) were MAT positive. T gondii oocysts were not detected in any of the examined faecal samples. Eight out of 50 faecal specimens (16%) were n-PCR positive and sequencing of the bands was specific for T gondii. Detection by combination of the two methods was higher than single techniques and enhanced the detection of T gondii up to 48%. Our results suggest that the use of MAT plus PCR in faeces may be the best choice for diagnosis of feline toxoplasmosis. Further studies to ascertain the real infectivity of the copro-PCR positive subjects are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mancianti
- Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Profilassi ed Igiene degli Alimenti, Viale delle Piagge, 2, Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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Iorio R, Traversa D. New epidemiological and molecular insights into feline lungworm infection. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1149:174-6. [PMID: 19120203 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1428.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Strongylida) lives in the terminal respiratory bronchioles and alveolar ducts of cats. The infection may present with respiratory signs of varying severity and can be life threatening. Despite the importance of A. abstrusus in feline medicine and recent reports of clinical cases of aelurostrongylosis in Italy, epidemiological data are sparse and molecular information available on the parasite are lacking. The present work reports recent insights into the epidemiology of feline lungworm infection in Italy and contributes to the molecular knowledge of A. abstrusus. Individual stool samples were collected from 100 animals and examined with flotation and Baermann methods. The risk factors were analyzed by binary logistic multiple-regression models. All positive fecal samples (n= 16) were subjected to the PCR-coupled sequencing of the rDNA internal trancribed spacer 2 (ITS2). The detected infection rate differs significantly from data reported in the literature, and stray and free-ranging cats and the presence of respiratory symptoms were risk factors for the infection. The molecular characterization showed that the ITS2 sequence is a promising genetic target for a holistic approach to the study of cat lungworm infection. Epidemiological and molecular insights and avenues are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Iorio
- University of Teramo, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teramo, Italy
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Cardillo N, Rosa A, Ribicich M, López C, Sommerfelt I. Experimental infection with Toxocara cati in BALB/c mice, migratory behaviour and pathological changes. Zoonoses Public Health 2008; 56:198-205. [PMID: 18990197 DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01182.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Experimental inoculations of 1000 Toxocara cati larval eggs were carried out in 18 BALB/c mice. The T. cati eggs used for inoculation were collected from the faeces of naturally infected cats. Euthanasia was performed on two mice on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, 21 and 28 post-inoculation (p.i.). Tissue samples were taken for digestion and histopathology. Larvae were recovered from all infected mice and the average of all larvae recovered was 28.3% (95%; CI: 14.1-42.4). Maximum number was obtained from liver on days 1 and 2 p.i.; from the lung on day 2 p.i. and from the brain on day 28 p.i. In muscle, the recovery was high as from day 3 p.i., with the maximum obtained on day 28 p.i. Superficial foci of congestion and haemorrhage were macroscopically observed in the lungs between days 2 and 5 p.i. and in the brain between days 3 and 6 p.i. Microscopic lesions were observed in the liver between days 2 and 14 p.i., with periportal and subcapsule inflammatory infiltrates. In the lungs, haemorrhages and inflammatory infiltrates can be observed in the alveolar parenchyma, close to bronchioles and large blood vessels. In the brain, congestive areas without inflammatory reactions were seen. In muscle, the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and degenerated muscle can be observed surrounding a parasite larva. These same lesions were observed in myocardium and pericardium. The kidneys were congested with inflammatory infiltrates. The inflammatory cells present in all the tissues studied were lymphocytes, neutrophils and a few eosinophils. Formation of granulomas or signs of larva encapsulation were not observed. The migratory pattern of T. cati larvae in BALB/c mice and its tendency to become concentrated in the muscle reinforce the importance of the mouse as a paratenic host for the parasite's cycle in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Cardillo
- Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Traversa D, Guglielmini C. Feline aelurostrongylosis and canine angiostrongylosis: a challenging diagnosis for two emerging verminous pneumonia infections. Vet Parasitol 2008; 157:163-74. [PMID: 18775603 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2008] [Revised: 06/26/2008] [Accepted: 07/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Angiostrongylus vasorum (Nematoda, Metastrongyloidea) are causative agents of verminous feline and canine pneumonia. Both are presently emerging in several geographical areas and are of major clinical importance. Given the range of parasitic and non-parasitic pathogens which may cause cardio-respiratory distress in dogs and cats, the unequivocal specific diagnosis of both diseases is pivotal for unravelling their epidemiology and central to therapy and control. Several conventional clinico-pathologic, diagnostic imaging and parasitological approaches are currently used in practice, but all have major limitations in the specific diagnosis of these diseases. Serological methods have shown promise in the diagnosis of A. abstrusus and A. vasorum infections, but no clinically useful tests are currently available. Additionally, there have been major advances in the development of novel molecular diagnostic tools for feline aelurostrongylosis, but efforts to develop molecular diagnostic tests are still preliminary for angiostrongylosis. This article provides a review of A. abstrusus and A. vasorum infections in cats and dogs, focusing on the advantages and shortcomings of classical diagnostic methodologies and on present diagnostic advances as well as future perspectives instrumental to epidemiological and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Traversa
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Piazza Aldo Moro 45, Teramo 64100, Italy.
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Traversa D, Di Cesare A, Milillo P, Iorio R, Otranto D. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in a feline colony from central Italy: clinical features, diagnostic procedures and molecular characterization. Parasitol Res 2008; 103:1191-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1115-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 06/30/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Diagnosis and risk factors of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Strongylida) infection in cats from Italy. Vet Parasitol 2008; 153:182-6. [PMID: 18308472 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2007] [Revised: 01/03/2008] [Accepted: 01/10/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Strongylida) in cats and associated risk factors have been investigated by classical coprology in central (site A) and southern (site B) Italy, i.e. by floatations with sugar and zinc sulphate solutions and a Baermann technique. Overall, 227 individual stool samples (i.e. 162 from site A and 65 from site B) were processed and risk factors were related to infection by binary logistic multiple-regression models. The presence of A. abstrusus was used as the dependent variable and the epidemiological data as independent variables. Twenty-eight (17.3%) and 12 (18.5%) cats were positive for A. abstrusus in sites A and B, respectively, both using the Baermann and flotation with zinc sulphate solution methods. Six and three (from site A and B, respectively) of the infected cats were negative for A. abstrusus when faeces were processed with sugar solution. Stray and free-ranging (P=0.357), young cats (P=0.008) and the presence of respiratory symptoms (P=0.000) were risk factors for A. abstrusus infection. The results suggest that A. abstrusus is spread in Italy. Furthermore, these results possibly include infection in the differential diagnosis of feline respiratory diseases and offer a correct diagnostic approach by using either a Baermann method or flotation with zinc sulphate solution in suspected cases.
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