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Martínez JPH, de Giacometi M, de Mello AB, Martins KR, Cunha RC, Soares MP, Oliveira CB, França RT. First reported case of Trichomonas gallinae infection in red-breasted toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus). Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 47:100962. [PMID: 38199700 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100962] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
This study reports the infection and diagnosis of the protozoan morphologic complex Trichomonas gallinae in a baby red-breasted toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus). Nodular lesions on the soft palate and edema in the oral cavity were observed macroscopically. Microscopically, a granuloma with multiple layers of necrosis interspersed with inflammatory polymorphonuclear infiltrates was observed. Parasitism was confirmed by parasitological diagnosis, isolation of the flagellates in culture medium, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using 5.8S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Flanking internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene regions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and the sequences were analyzed phylogenetically using MEGA 11 software. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS1/5.8S rRNA/ITS2 sequences demonstrated high nucleotide identity with two Trichomonas sequences available in GenBank, which were more closely related to T. vaginalis (99%) than to T. gallinae (98%). In addition to being potential transmitters of this protozoan, rigorous monitoring of infectious and parasitic diseases in wild bird populations is essential for their preservation. The forms of transmission of Trichomonas sp. favor the occurrence of the disease in many non-Columbiformes species, which is essential for the monitoring of this disease in wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marjorie de Giacometi
- Departament of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Alexia Brauner de Mello
- Departament of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Kaue Rodriguez Martins
- Departament of Medicine Veterinary Preventive, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Casquero Cunha
- Departament of Medicine Veterinary Preventive, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Mauro P Soares
- Departament of Medicine Veterinary Preventive, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Camila Belmonte Oliveira
- Departament of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
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Trichomonosis in Austrian Songbirds—Geographic Distribution, Pathological Lesions and Genetic Characterization over Nine Years. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101306. [PMID: 35625152 PMCID: PMC9137778 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In the early summer of 2012, sudden mass mortality among songbirds, particularly in greenfinches (Chloris chloris, syn: Carduelis chloris) was observed in Austria, which was caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae. This pathogen induced fibrinonecrotic ingluvitis and/or esophagitis, leading to impairment of food intake and ultimately death due to starvation. The pathogen was successfully detected within the lesions by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and chromogenic in situ hybridization. The epizootic resulted in a significant decline in the Austrian greenfinch population. Continuing passive surveillance in the subsequent years (2013–2020) revealed that the condition occurred each year and was present in the entire country. Genetic characterization of the pathogen showed the presence of an identical strain irrespective of geographical location, bird species, and year.
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ZHANG H, ZHANG N, GONG P, CHENG S, WANG X, LI X, HOU Z, LIU C, BI T, WANG B, CHENG Y, LI J, ZHANG X. Prevalence and molecular characterization of
Pentatrichomonas hominis
in Siberian tigers
(Panthera tigris altaica)
in northeast China. Integr Zool 2022; 17:543-549. [PMID: 35064641 PMCID: PMC9541480 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo ZHANG
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
| | - Nan ZHANG
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
| | - Pengtao GONG
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
| | - Shuqin CHENG
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
| | - Xiaocen WANG
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
| | - Xin LI
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
| | - Zhijun HOU
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area Northeast Forestry University Harbin 150040 China
| | - Chang LIU
- Changchun Animal and Plant Park Changchun 130022 China
| | - Tianqi BI
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
| | - Bobo WANG
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
| | - Yidan CHENG
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
| | - Jianhua LI
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
| | - Xichen ZHANG
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine Jilin University Changchun 130062 China
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Mahittikorn A, Udonsom R, Koompapong K, Chiabchalard R, Sutthikornchai C, Sreepian PM, Mori H, Popruk S. Molecular identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in animals in central and western Thailand. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:203. [PMID: 34078384 PMCID: PMC8173913 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02904-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pentatrichomonas hominis inhabits the digestive tracts of several vertebrates, such as humans, monkeys, pigs, dogs, cats and rats. This protozoan was originally considered a commensal of the digestive tract but has subsequently been identified as a potential zoonotic parasite and a causative agent of diarrhoea. Molecular techniques are considered more sensitive and specific to detect P. hominis. This study aimed to determine the presence and genetic diversity of P. hominis in animals in Thailand. A total of 403 faecal samples were collected from 119 cats, 55 dogs, 73 goats, 35 monkeys, 55 cattle and 66 pigs, and the presence of P. hominis was determined using the nested polymerase chain reaction method. Sequence analysis of small-subunit ribosomal RNA genes was used to determine the genotype of the organism. RESULTS Twenty-six samples (26/403, 6.45%) were positive for P. hominis. The highest prevalence was found in cats (21/119; 17.65%), followed by cattle (3/55; 5.45%) and dogs (2/55; 3.64%). Seven out of 26 nucleotides demonstrated 100% sequence identity with existing sequences; additionally, 16 novel sequence patterns were identified. All nucleotide sequences of P. hominis-positive samples were shown in the same branch with the previously described P. hominis sequences found in humans, dogs and goat. CONCLUSION This is the first study on P. hominis infections in animals in Thailand. Our findings revealed that the prevalence of P. hominis was significantly higher in cats than in cattle and dogs. Cats were the main reservoir host; however, P. hominis can infect several kinds of animals. Therefore, the proper waste management of animals is necessary to reduce and prevent infection in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aongart Mahittikorn
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Ruenruetai Udonsom
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Khuanchai Koompapong
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Rachatawan Chiabchalard
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Chantira Sutthikornchai
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | | | - Hirotake Mori
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Supaluk Popruk
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Frequency of enteroparasites in Cebidae and Callitrichidae primates at the Zoológico de Cali, Colombia: zoonotic implications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 41:60-81. [PMID: 34111341 PMCID: PMC8320779 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.5403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introducción. Los enteroparásitos pueden generar problemas en animales bajo cuidado humano en zoológicos y centros de acogida. Los animales silvestres presentan bajas cargas parasitarias, pero estas pueden ser mayores y llevar a manifestaciones clínicas cuando se trata de animales resguardados en recintos, lo que aumenta los gastos en tratamientos y cuidados médicos. Por otro lado, algunos enteroparásitos pueden causar infecciones zoonóticas en los cuidadores, los visitantes y otros animales del zoológico, así como afectar los programas de recuperación de especies amenazadas de extinción. Objetivos. Determinar la presencia y prevalencia de enteroparásitos con potencial de transmisión zoonótica en primates de las familias Cebidae y Callitrichidae del Zoológico de Cali, entre septiembre y noviembre de 2017. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal prospectivo, para lo cual se recolectaron muestras seriadas de 50 individuos pertenecientes a siete especies de dos familias de primates y se analizaron mediante examen coprológico, flotación y coloración Kinyoun, entre septiembre y noviembre de 2017. Resultados. Según su prevalencia, los géneros de parásitos hallados en las siete especies de primates evaluadas, fueron Blastocystis spp., Trichomonas spp., Giardia spp., Entamoeba spp., Strongyloides spp., Cyclospora sp. y Trichuris sp. Conclusiones. Por lo menos, seis de los géneros de parásitos identificados tienen implicaciones zoonóticas, lo cual hace necesario establecer las posibles vías de infección de los primates del Zoológico de Cali e implementar protocolos de manejo que reduzcan el riesgo de transmisión a los humanos y a otros animales de la colección. Además, se presenta la información relevante sobre el potencial zoonótico de los enteroparásitos hallados.
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Prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats in Bangkok metropolitan area and in vitro drug sensitivity testing. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 21:100440. [PMID: 32862898 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a causative agent of feline trichomonosis, resulting in large-bowel diarrhea in cats. Feline trichomonosis has been reported in the USA, Europe and some Asian countries but there is limited information for Thailand. This study investigated the prevalence of T. foetus infection in cats in the Bangkok metropolitan area and evaluated the in vitro efficacy of metronidazole (MDZ) and ronidazole (RDZ) against T. foetus Thai isolates. In total, 215 fecal samples were collected from 121 owned cats and 94 stray cats. All fecal samples were cultivated in InPouch™ TF-feline medium. Afterward, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting the 5.8S rRNA gene, the ITS regions and DNA sequencing were used for the confirmation of T. foetus. The overall prevalence of T. foetus infection was 4.18% (9/215) based on cultivation and PCR. The sequencing results showed 100% homology to T. foetus sequences from GenBank. The average minimal lethal concentrations (MLCs) of MDZ were 333.33 and 66.67 μg/ml at 24 and 48 h, respectively. The average MLCs of RDZ were 29.16 and 12.5 μg/ml at 24 and 48 h, respectively. The MLC of the MDZ results revealed that T. foetus Thai isolates had a tendency to be MDZ-resistant. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study was the first using in vitro cultivation and molecular techniques to report and confirm the presence of T. foetus in cats living in the Bangkok metropolitan area. Further studies are needed to determine the genuine infection rate of T. foetus in a greater population sample and the infection status in cats with signs of diarrhea in Thailand.
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Hinney B, Christen I, Jähne S, Gaisbauer S, Schrammel N, Markl A, Joachim A, Künzel F. Efficacy and safety of ronidazole treatment against Tritrichomonas foetus in a cat colony with multiple disorders. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2019; 18:100344. [PMID: 31796193 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In a group of pedigree cats (n = 17) in poor health condition housed in an animal shelter in Vienna, Austria, with a history of persistent diarrhea, Tritrichomonas foetus infection was detected by PCR. Despite pre-existing clinical conditions all cats were treated with ronidazole (30 mg/kg PO q24h for 14 days) under close observation. After treatment, 11 of 14 initially positive animals remained negative for T. foetus during the observation period (six to eight weeks post treatment) and no diarrhea was observed. During treatment, nine cats showed mild to moderate neurological disorders (incoordination, mild tremor) at least once; six of these had already shown similar signs before treatment. Ronidazole treatment of multimorbid animals is acceptable if the benefit (here: clinical resolution and release from quarantine for adoption) is high. It is hypothesized that a high degree of inbreeding is a significant risk factor for the development of tritrichomonosis in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Hinney
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Isabelle Christen
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stéphanie Jähne
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefanie Gaisbauer
- Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine Small Animals, University Hospital for Small Animals, Department/Hospital for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Schrammel
- Department/Hospital for Companion Animals and Horses, University Hospital for Small Animals, Clinical Unit of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Markl
- Department/Hospital for Companion Animals and Horses, University Hospital for Small Animals, Clinical Unit of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Joachim
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank Künzel
- Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine Small Animals, University Hospital for Small Animals, Department/Hospital for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Bastos BF, Almeida FMD, Brener B. What is known about Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 28:1-11. [PMID: 30892464 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612019005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a parasite that has been definitively identified as an agent of trichomonosis, a disease characterized by chronic diarrhea. T. foetus colonizes portions of the feline large intestine, and manifests as chronic and recurrent diarrhea with mucus and fresh blood, which is often unresponsive to common drugs. Diagnosis of a trichomonad infection is made by either the demonstration of the trophozoite on a direct fecal smear, fecal culture and subsequent microscopic examination of the parasite, or extraction of DNA in feces and amplification by the use of molecular tools. T. foetus is commonly misidentified as other flagellate protozoa such as Giardia duodenalis and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Without proper treatment, the diarrhea may resolve spontaneously in months to years, but cats can remain carriers of the parasite. This paper intends to serve as a source of information for investigators and veterinarians, reviewing the most important aspects of feline trichomonosis, such as trichomonad history, biology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, world distribution, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethânia Ferreira Bastos
- Departamento de Clínica e Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Flavya Mendes de Almeida
- Departamento de Clínica e Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Beatriz Brener
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
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Collántes-Fernández E, Fort MC, Ortega-Mora LM, Schares G. Trichomonas. PARASITIC PROTOZOA OF FARM ANIMALS AND PETS 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122547 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-70132-5_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The most widely known trichomonad in veterinary medicine is Tritrichomonas foetus. It is the etiologic agent of bovine tritrichomonosis, a sexually transmitted disease in extensively managed herds throughout many geographic regions worldwide. The same trichomonad species is also regarded as the causative agent of chronic diarrhea in the domestic cat, although more recent studies observed molecular differences between bovine- and feline-derived T. foetus. Trichomonosis in cats has a worldwide distribution and is mainly present among cats from high-density housing environments. Other trichomonads are found as inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract in birds, such as Trichomonas gallinae. Particularly, Columbiformes, Falconiformes, Strigiformes, and wild Passeriformes can be severely affected by avian trichomonads. Diagnosis of trichomonosis is often complicated by the fragility of the parasite. To ensure valid test results, it is essential to collect and handle specimens in the right way prior to analysis. Cultivation tests, the specific amplification of parasites, or a combination of both test methods is the most efficient and most commonly used way to diagnose trichomonosis in animals. Bovine tritrichomonosis is mainly controlled by the identification and withdrawal of infected animals from bovine herds. The control of feline and avian trichomonosis relies mainly on preventive measures.
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Abstract
Practical relevance: Trichomonosis of the large intestine of the cat was described as a cause of chronic diarrhea over 20 years ago. The trichomonad was identified as Tritrichomonas foetus, with a genotype that is distinct from venereal T foetus of cattle. Clinical challenges: Despite multiple means for diagnosis of the infection, including light microscopy, protozoal culture and PCR amplification using species-specific primers, tests with even greater sensitivity are needed. Feline trichomonosis is resistant to all commonly used antiprotozoal drugs. Ronidazole is currently the only drug demonstrated to be effective in eliminating the infection from cats; however, this drug has a narrow safety margin and clinical resistance is increasingly recognized. The more we learn about trichomonosis in cats, the more complicated and controversial the infection has become, ranging from what we should call the organism to whether we should even bother trying to treat it. Global importance: Feline trichomonosis is recognized to occur worldwide and is regarded as one of the most common infectious causes of colitis in the domestic cat. The infection is widespread in catteries and shelters; and, while remission of diarrhea may occur over time, persistence of the infection is common. Evidence base: This review provides a comprehensive examination of what is currently known about feline trichomonosis and pinpoints areas, based on the authors' opinion, where further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody L Gookin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA
| | - Katherine Hanrahan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA
| | - Michael G Levy
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA
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Microbial Community Patterns Associated with Automated Teller Machine Keypads in New York City. mSphere 2016; 1:mSphere00226-16. [PMID: 27904880 PMCID: PMC5112336 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00226-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Automated teller machine (ATM) keypads represent a specific and unexplored microhabitat for microbial communities. Although the number of built environment and urban microbial ecology studies has expanded greatly in recent years, the majority of research to date has focused on mass transit systems, city soils, and plumbing and ventilation systems in buildings. ATM surfaces, potentially retaining microbial signatures of human inhabitants, including both commensal taxa and pathogens, are interesting from both a biodiversity perspective and a public health perspective. By focusing on ATM keypads in different geographic areas of New York City with distinct population demographics, we aimed to characterize the diversity and distribution of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes, thus making a unique contribution to the growing body of work focused on the “urban microbiome.” In New York City, the surface area of urban surfaces in Manhattan far exceeds the geographic area of the island itself. We have only just begun to describe the vast array of microbial taxa that are likely to be present across diverse types of urban habitats. In densely populated urban environments, the distribution of microbes and the drivers of microbial community assemblages are not well understood. In sprawling metropolitan habitats, the “urban microbiome” may represent a mix of human-associated and environmental taxa. Here we carried out a baseline study of automated teller machine (ATM) keypads in New York City (NYC). Our goal was to describe the biodiversity and biogeography of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes in an urban setting while assessing the potential source of microbial assemblages on ATM keypads. Microbial swab samples were collected from three boroughs (Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn) during June and July 2014, followed by generation of Illumina MiSeq datasets for bacterial (16S rRNA) and eukaryotic (18S rRNA) marker genes. Downstream analysis was carried out in the QIIME pipeline, in conjunction with neighborhood metadata (ethnicity, population, age groups) from the NYC Open Data portal. Neither the 16S nor 18S rRNA datasets showed any clustering patterns related to geography or neighborhood demographics. Bacterial assemblages on ATM keypads were dominated by taxonomic groups known to be associated with human skin communities (Actinobacteria, Bacteroides, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria), although SourceTracker analysis was unable to identify the source habitat for the majority of taxa. Eukaryotic assemblages were dominated by fungal taxa as well as by a low-diversity protist community containing both free-living and potentially pathogenic taxa (Toxoplasma, Trichomonas). Our results suggest that ATM keypads amalgamate microbial assemblages from different sources, including the human microbiome, eukaryotic food species, and potentially novel extremophilic taxa adapted to air or surfaces in the built environment. DNA obtained from ATM keypads may thus provide a record of both human behavior and environmental sources of microbes. IMPORTANCEAutomated teller machine (ATM) keypads represent a specific and unexplored microhabitat for microbial communities. Although the number of built environment and urban microbial ecology studies has expanded greatly in recent years, the majority of research to date has focused on mass transit systems, city soils, and plumbing and ventilation systems in buildings. ATM surfaces, potentially retaining microbial signatures of human inhabitants, including both commensal taxa and pathogens, are interesting from both a biodiversity perspective and a public health perspective. By focusing on ATM keypads in different geographic areas of New York City with distinct population demographics, we aimed to characterize the diversity and distribution of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes, thus making a unique contribution to the growing body of work focused on the “urban microbiome.” In New York City, the surface area of urban surfaces in Manhattan far exceeds the geographic area of the island itself. We have only just begun to describe the vast array of microbial taxa that are likely to be present across diverse types of urban habitats.
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Yao C, Köster LS. Tritrichomonas foetus infection, a cause of chronic diarrhea in the domestic cat. Vet Res 2015; 46:35. [PMID: 25880025 PMCID: PMC4364588 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-015-0169-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a very intriguing trichomonad protozoan with respect to its varied choice of residence in the different host species. It is an obligate parasite of the reproductive and the gastrointestinal tract of bovine and feline host respectively, leading to trichomonosis. Bovine trichomonosis is a sexually transmitted disease whereas feline trichomonosis is a disease with a purported fecal-oral route of spread. Further, the trichomonad is a commensal in the nasal passages, stomach, cecum and colon of swine host. Advances have been exponential in understanding the trichomonad biology and specifically feline trichomonosis since late 1990s and early 2000s when T. foetus was soundly determined to be a causative agent of chronic diarrhea in the domestic cat. It is a challenging task, even for a skilled investigator not to mention the busy clinical veterinarian, to keep up with the vast volume of information. Here we comprehensively reviewed the trichomonad biology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, host immunity, world map of distribution, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. Risk factors associated with T. foetus-positive status in the domestic cat include young age, purebred, history of diarrhea, co-infections with other enteral pathogens. In addition, molecular similarity of bovine and feline isolates of T. foetus in DNA sequence was concisely discussed. The data presented serve as an information source for veterinarians, and investigators who are interested in biology of T. foetus and feline trichomonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies. .,One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
| | - Liza S Köster
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies. .,One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
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Hinney B, Ederer C, Stengl C, Wilding K, Štrkolcová G, Harl J, Flechl E, Fuehrer HP, Joachim A. Enteric protozoa of cats and their zoonotic potential—a field study from Austria. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:2003-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4408-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Maritz JM, Land KM, Carlton JM, Hirt RP. What is the importance of zoonotic trichomonads for human health? Trends Parasitol 2014; 30:333-41. [PMID: 24951156 PMCID: PMC7106558 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2014.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonads represent emerging species of medical and veterinary importance. Clinical and molecular evidence suggest a zoonotic potential for trichomonads. Close relationship between avian and human trichomonads revealed in outbreaks.
Trichomonads are common parasites of many vertebrate and invertebrate species, with four species classically recognized as human parasites: Dientamoeba fragilis, Pentatrichomonas hominis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Trichomonas tenax. The latter two species are considered human-specific; by contrast, D. fragilis and P. hominis have been isolated from domestic and farm mammals, demonstrating a wide host range and potential zoonotic origin. Several new studies have highlighted the zoonotic dimension of trichomonads. First, species typically known to infect birds and domestic mammals have been identified in human clinical samples. Second, several phylogenetic analyses have identified animal-derived trichomonads as close sister taxa of the two human-specific species. It is our opinion, therefore, that these observations prompt further investigation into the importance of zoonotic trichomonads for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Maritz
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Kirkwood M Land
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA
| | - Jane M Carlton
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Robert P Hirt
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
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Ceplecha V, Svoboda M, Čepička I, Husník R, Horáčková K, Svobodová V. InPouch™ TF-Feline medium is not specific for Tritrichomonas foetus. Vet Parasitol 2013; 196:503-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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