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Enriquez GF, Bua J, Orozco MM, Macchiaverna NP, Otegui JAA, Argibay HD, Fernández MDP, Gürtler RE, Cardinal MV. Over-dispersed Trypanosoma cruzi parasite load in sylvatic and domestic mammals and humans from northeastern Argentina. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:37. [PMID: 35073983 PMCID: PMC8785451 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05152-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The distribution of parasite load across hosts may modify the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. Chagas disease is caused by a multi-host protozoan, Trypanosoma cruzi, but the association between host parasitemia and infectiousness to the vector has not been studied in sylvatic mammalian hosts. We quantified T. cruzi parasite load in sylvatic mammals, modeled the association of the parasite load with infectiousness to the vector and compared these results with previous ones for local domestic hosts. METHODS The bloodstream parasite load in each of 28 naturally infected sylvatic mammals from six species captured in northern Argentina was assessed by quantitative PCR, and its association with infectiousness to the triatomine Triatoma infestans was evaluated, as determined by natural or artificial xenodiagnosis. These results were compared with our previous results for 88 humans, 70 dogs and 13 cats, and the degree of parasite over-dispersion was quantified and non-linear models fitted to data on host infectiousness and bloodstream parasite load. RESULTS The parasite loads of Didelphis albiventris (white-eared opossum) and Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo) were directly and significantly associated with infectiousness of the host and were up to 190-fold higher than those in domestic hosts. Parasite load was aggregated across host species, as measured by the negative binomial parameter, k, and found to be substantially higher in white-eared opossums, cats, dogs and nine-banded armadillos (range: k = 0.3-0.5) than in humans (k = 5.1). The distribution of bloodstream parasite load closely followed the "80-20 rule" in every host species examined. However, the 20% of human hosts, domestic mammals or sylvatic mammals exhibiting the highest parasite load accounted for 49, 25 and 33% of the infected triatomines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the use of bloodstream parasite load as a proxy of reservoir host competence and individual transmissibility. The over-dispersed distribution of T. cruzi bloodstream load implies the existence of a fraction of highly infectious hosts that could be targeted to improve vector-borne transmission control efforts toward interruption transmission. Combined strategies that decrease the parasitemia and/or host-vector contact with these hosts would disproportionally contribute to T. cruzi transmission control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Fabián Enriquez
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Jacqueline Bua
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. M. Fatala Chabén, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud Dr. C.G. Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Marcela Orozco
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Paula Macchiaverna
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julián Antonio Alvarado Otegui
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hernán Darío Argibay
- Laboratorio de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz/Fiocruz Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Esteban Gürtler
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marta Victoria Cardinal
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución (IEGEBA), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Chacón F, Muñoz-San Martín C, Bacigalupo A, Álvarez-Duhart B, Solís R, Cattan PE. Trypanosoma cruzi Parasite Load Modulates the Circadian Activity Pattern of Triatoma infestans. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13010076. [PMID: 35055920 PMCID: PMC8777832 DOI: 10.3390/insects13010076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary We studied the locomotor activity of one of the kissing bug species that transmit the Chagas disease-causing parasite in humans, which usually bites during the night. To date, no other reports researching its behavior take into account the amount of parasites inside the kissing bug; however, some studies have demonstrated that the presence of parasites modifies the activity of some kissing bug species. We recorded their movements in light and dark conditions after part of the insects fed on mammals that had the parasite and others fed on those that did not have the parasite. Later, their amounts of parasites were quantified. We found that, compared with insects with no parasites, kissing bugs with higher parasite amounts increase the number of times they move and the distance they travel, especially during daylight hours. This could imply that the insect increases its time searching for a food source when it is infected with a higher number of parasites, and this could increase the risk of transmission of the parasite to people by the kissing bug. Abstract American trypanosomiasis is a disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted mainly in endemic areas by blood-sucking triatomine vectors. Triatoma infestans is the most important vector in the southern cone of South America, exhibiting a nocturnal host-seeking behavior. It has been previously documented that the parasite produces changes in some triatomine species, but this is the first time that the behavior of a vector has been evaluated in relation to its parasite load. After comparing the movement events and distance traveled of infected and non-infected T. infestans, we evaluated the change produced by different T. cruzi parasite loads on its circadian locomotor activity. We observed differences between infected and non-infected triatomines, and a significant relation between the parasite load and the increase in locomotor activity of T. infestans, which was accentuated during the photophase. This could have direct implications on the transmission of T. cruzi, as the increased movement and distance traveled could enhance the contact of the vector with the host, while increasing the predation risk for the vector, which could both constitute a risk for vectorial and oral transmission to mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Chacón
- Laboratorio de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (F.C.); (C.M.-S.M.); (A.B.); (B.Á.-D.)
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Silvoagropecuarias y Veterinarias, Campus Sur, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8150215, Chile
| | - Catalina Muñoz-San Martín
- Laboratorio de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (F.C.); (C.M.-S.M.); (A.B.); (B.Á.-D.)
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Campus Providencia, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago 7500975, Chile
| | - Antonella Bacigalupo
- Laboratorio de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (F.C.); (C.M.-S.M.); (A.B.); (B.Á.-D.)
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Bárbara Álvarez-Duhart
- Laboratorio de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (F.C.); (C.M.-S.M.); (A.B.); (B.Á.-D.)
| | - Rigoberto Solís
- Laboratorio de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (F.C.); (C.M.-S.M.); (A.B.); (B.Á.-D.)
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (P.E.C.); Tel.: +562-2978-5527 (R.S.); +562-2978-5629 (P.E.C.)
| | - Pedro E. Cattan
- Laboratorio de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile; (F.C.); (C.M.-S.M.); (A.B.); (B.Á.-D.)
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (P.E.C.); Tel.: +562-2978-5527 (R.S.); +562-2978-5629 (P.E.C.)
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Cardinal MV, Enriquez GF, Macchiaverna NP, Argibay HD, Fernández MDP, Alvedro A, Gaspe MS, Gürtler RE. Long-term impact of a ten-year intervention program on human and canine Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the Argentine Chaco. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009389. [PMID: 33979344 PMCID: PMC8115854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interruption of domestic vector-borne transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi is still an unmet goal in several American countries. In 2007 we launched a long-term intervention program aimed to suppress house infestation with the main domestic vector in southern South America (Triatoma infestans) and domestic transmission in Pampa del Indio, a resource-constrained, hyperendemic municipality with 1446 rural houses inhabited by Creole and indigenous people, in the Argentine Chaco ecoregion. Here, we assessed whether the 10-year insecticide-based program combined with community mobilization blocked vector-borne domestic transmission of T. cruzi to humans and dogs. METHODS We carried out two municipality-wide, cross-sectional serosurveys of humans and dogs (considered sentinel animals) during 2016-2017 to compare with baseline data. We used a risk-stratified random sampling design to select 273 study houses; 410 people from 180 households and 492 dogs from 151 houses were examined for antibodies to T. cruzi using at least two serological methods. RESULTS The seroprevalence of T. cruzi in children aged <16 years was 2.5% in 2017 (i.e., 4- to 11-fold lower than before interventions). The mean annual force of child infection (λ) sharply decreased from 2.18 to 0.34 per 100 person-years in 2017. One of 102 children born after interventions was seropositive for T. cruzi; he had lifetime residence in an apparently uninfested house, no outside travel history, and his mother was T. cruzi-seropositive. No incident case was detected among 114 seronegative people of all ages re-examined serologically. Dog seroprevalence was 3.05%. Among native dogs, λ in 2016 (1.21 per 100 dog-years) was 5 times lower than at program onset. Six native adult dogs born after interventions and with stable lifetime residence were T. cruzi-seropositive: three had exposure to T. infestans at their houses and one was an incident case. CONCLUSIONS These results support the interruption of vector-borne transmission of T. cruzi to humans in rural Pampa del Indio. Congenital transmission was the most likely source of the only seropositive child born after interventions. Residual transmission to dogs was likely related to transient infestations and other transmission routes. Sustained vector control supplemented with human chemotherapy can lead to a substantial reduction of Chagas disease transmission in the Argentine Chaco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Victoria Cardinal
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
| | - Gustavo Fabián Enriquez
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Paula Macchiaverna
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hernán Darío Argibay
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María del Pilar Fernández
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States for America
| | - Alejandra Alvedro
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Sol Gaspe
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Esteban Gürtler
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Muñoz-San Martín C, Campo Verde Arbocco F, Saavedra M, Actis EA, Ríos TA, Abba AM, Morales ME, Cattan PE, Jahn GA, Superina M. High rates of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in goats from Mendoza province, Argentina: Parasite loads in blood and seasonal variation. Acta Trop 2020; 208:105493. [PMID: 32371222 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mendoza province, in central west Argentina, is considered among the high-risk provinces for vector transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Extensive goat farming is common in large parts of rural Mendoza, and goats may act as a reservoir for this parasite. The objective of this study was to determine infection rates, parasite loads, and seasonal variation of these parameters in T. cruzi infection in goats from rural areas of three departments of Mendoza. A total of 349 peripheral blood samples with EDTA / guanidine were analyzed from goats on 11 farms (three in Lavalle, three in San Carlos, and five in Malargüe department) in spring of 2014, 2015, and 2016; and in fall of 2015 and 2016 (only Malargüe). DNA was extracted using a Phenol: Chloroform: Isoamyl protocol. The detection and quantification of T. cruzi was performed through qPCR amplification using satellite oligonucleotides. Of the 349 blood samples, 267 (77%) were positive, with parasite loads ranging between <0.10 and 10.90 par-eq/mL (median 0.10). In spring, frequencies of infection in the three departments ranged between 86% and 95%, but differences were not significant. Median parasite loads were higher in Lavalle than in the other departments, while those in goats from San Carlos were consistently low. The frequency of infection and parasite loads in Malargüe were significantly higher in spring than in fall. This seasonal variation may have been related to a reduced nutritional status and impaired immune response of goats in spring. In conclusion, the high proportion of positive goats confirms the persistence of T. cruzi in rural Mendoza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Muñoz-San Martín
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Universidad de las Américas, Campus Maipú, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fiorella Campo Verde Arbocco
- Laboratorio de Reproducción y Lactancia, IMBECU, UNCuyo - CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina; Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Miguel Saavedra
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Silvoagropecuarias y Veterinarias, Campus Sur Universidad de Chile. Santa Rosa 11315, La Pintana, Santiago CP: 8820808, Chile
| | - Esteban A Actis
- Laboratorio de Medicina y Endocrinología de la Fauna Silvestre, IMBECU, UNCuyo - CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
| | | | | | - Melisa E Morales
- Laboratorio de Medicina y Endocrinología de la Fauna Silvestre, IMBECU, UNCuyo - CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Pedro E Cattan
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Graciela A Jahn
- Laboratorio de Reproducción y Lactancia, IMBECU, UNCuyo - CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Mariella Superina
- Laboratorio de Medicina y Endocrinología de la Fauna Silvestre, IMBECU, UNCuyo - CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina.
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Betts EL, Gentekaki E, Tsaousis AD. Exploring Micro-Eukaryotic Diversity in the Gut: Co-occurrence of Blastocystis Subtypes and Other Protists in Zoo Animals. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:288. [PMID: 32161577 PMCID: PMC7052370 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is a genetically diverse microbial eukaryote thriving in the gut of humans and other animals. While Blastocystis has been linked with gastrointestinal disorders, its pathogenicity remains controversial. Previous reports have suggested that one out of six humans could be carrying Blastocystis in their gut, while the numbers could be even higher in animals. Most studies on Blastocystis are either exclusively targeting the organism itself and/or the associated prokaryotic microbiome, while co-occurrence of other microbial eukaryotes has been mainly ignored. Herein, we aimed to explore presence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis along with the commonly occurring eukaryotes Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, Entamoeba and Giardia in the gut of asymptomatic animals from two conservation parks in the United Kingdom. Building upon a previous study, a total of 231 fecal samples were collected from 38 vertebrates, which included 12 carnivorous and 26 non-carnivorous species. None of the animals examined herein showed gastrointestinal symptoms. The barcoding region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA was used for subtyping of Blastocystis. Overall, 47% of animal species were positive for Blastocystis. Twenty six percent of samples carried more than one subtypes, including the newly identified hosts Scottish wildcat, bongo and lynx. Fifty three percent of samples carried at least another microbial eukaryote. Herewith, we discuss potential implications of these findings and the increasingly blurred definition of microbial parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Betts
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Gentekaki
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand.,Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Anastasios D Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
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Enriquez GF, Macchiaverna NP, Argibay HD, López Arias L, Farber M, Gürtler RE, Cardinal MV, Garbossa G. Polyparasitism and zoonotic parasites in dogs from a rural area of the Argentine Chaco. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2019; 16:100287. [PMID: 31027600 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Dogs play an important role as reservoirs and hosts of multiple pathogens shared with humans and wildlife, which contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. Here, we assessed the occurrence of a broad range of zoonotic and non-zoonotic parasites in dogs from a rural area in the humid Chaco; determined the occurrence of polyparasitism; and explored its association with selected risk factors. In total, 212 dogs were examined serologically to determine Trypanosoma cruzi infection and 152 of them also were examined for Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia bugderfori, Anaplasma phagocitophylum, Dirofilaria immitis and Toxoplasma gondii. Fecal samples from 85 dogs were examined for intestinal parasites. Seventeen parasite species were seen, 77% of which are zoonotic. The most prevalent parasites were Ancylostoma caninum (68.2%), T. gondii (55.3%, first report for dogs in Argentina), Giardia sp. (25.9%), Cryptosporidium sp. (20.0%), T. cruzi (16.5%), trematodes (15.3%) and Toxocara canis (14.1%). Polyparasitism was found in 96% of the dogs, with up to six parasite species in a single dog, and was significantly associated with age of dog but not with host body condition or sex. The most frequent pair of parasites found together were T. gondii-A. caninum (46%), A. caninum-T. cruzi (34%) and T. gondii-T. cruzi (27%). The prevalence of anemia and leukocytosis was significantly higher in dogs showing the worst body condition. Our findings likely reflect structural poverty, poor sanitation and lack of a safe water supply. Importantly, many of the prevalent parasites seen are threats to human health. 243 words.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Enriquez
- Laboratory of Eco-Epidemiology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Ecology, Genetics and Evolution of Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Argentina.
| | - N P Macchiaverna
- Laboratory of Eco-Epidemiology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Ecology, Genetics and Evolution of Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Argentina
| | - H D Argibay
- Laboratory of Eco-Epidemiology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Ecology, Genetics and Evolution of Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Argentina
| | - L López Arias
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biotechnology, Center for Research in Veterinary and Agronomic Sciences, INTA, Los Reseros S/N, Castelar, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Farber
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biotechnology, Center for Research in Veterinary and Agronomic Sciences, INTA, Los Reseros S/N, Castelar, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - R E Gürtler
- Laboratory of Eco-Epidemiology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Ecology, Genetics and Evolution of Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Argentina
| | - M V Cardinal
- Laboratory of Eco-Epidemiology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Ecology, Genetics and Evolution of Buenos Aires (UBA-CONICET), Argentina
| | - G Garbossa
- Laboratory of Clinical and Environmental Parasitology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Piso 4, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Public Health Research Institute, University of Buenos Aires, Presidente José Evaristo Uriburu 950, Piso 1, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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7
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Martin LB, Addison B, Bean AGD, Buchanan KL, Crino OL, Eastwood JR, Flies AS, Hamede R, Hill GE, Klaassen M, Koch RE, Martens JM, Napolitano C, Narayan EJ, Peacock L, Peel AJ, Peters A, Raven N, Risely A, Roast MJ, Rollins LA, Ruiz-Aravena M, Selechnik D, Stokes HS, Ujvari B, Grogan LF. Extreme Competence: Keystone Hosts of Infections. Trends Ecol Evol 2019; 34:303-314. [PMID: 30704782 PMCID: PMC7114649 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Individual hosts differ extensively in their competence for parasites, but traditional research has discounted this variation, partly because modeling such heterogeneity is difficult. This discounting has diminished as tools have improved and recognition has grown that some hosts, the extremely competent, can have exceptional impacts on disease dynamics. Most prominent among these hosts are the superspreaders, but other forms of extreme competence (EC) exist and others await discovery; each with potentially strong but distinct implications for disease emergence and spread. Here, we propose a framework for the study and discovery of EC, suitable for different host-parasite systems, which we hope enhances our understanding of how parasites circulate and evolve in host communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn B Martin
- Global and Planetary Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA.
| | - BriAnne Addison
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Andrew G D Bean
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Katherine L Buchanan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Ondi L Crino
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Justin R Eastwood
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Andrew S Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7008, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Geoffrey E Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Rebecca E Koch
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Johanne M Martens
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | | | - Edward J Narayan
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Lee Peacock
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Alison J Peel
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Anne Peters
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Nynke Raven
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Alice Risely
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Michael J Roast
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Lee A Rollins
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Dan Selechnik
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences (SOLES), University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Helena S Stokes
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Beata Ujvari
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Laura F Grogan
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
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8
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Maintenance of Trypanosoma cruzi, T. evansi and Leishmania spp. by domestic dogs and wild mammals in a rural settlement in Brazil-Bolivian border. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2018; 7:398-404. [PMID: 30370220 PMCID: PMC6199764 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Domestic dogs are considered reservoirs hosts for several vector-borne parasites. This study aimed to evaluate the role of domestic dogs as hosts for Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma evansi and Leishmania spp. in single and co-infections in the Urucum settlement, near the Brazil-Bolivian border. Additionally, we evaluated the involvement of wild mammals’ in the maintenance of these parasites in the study area. Blood samples of dogs (n = 62) and six species of wild mammals (n = 36) were collected in July and August of 2015. The infections were assessed using parasitological, serological and molecular tests. Clinical examination of dogs was performed and their feeding habits were noted. Overall, 87% (54/62) of sampled dogs were positive for at least one trypanosomatid species, in single (n = 9) and co-infections (n = 45). We found that 76% of dogs were positive for T. cruzi, four of them displayed high parasitemias demonstrated by hemoculture, including one strain types TcI, two TcIII and one TcIII/TcV. Around 73% (45/62) of dogs were positive to T. evansi, three with high parasitemias as seen by positive microhematocrit centrifuge technique. Of dogs sampled, 50% (31/62) were positive for Leishmania spp. by PCR or serology. We found a positive influence of (i) T. evansi on mucous pallor, (ii) co-infection by T. cruzi and Leishmania with onychogryphosis, and (iii) all parasites to skin lesions of sampled dogs. Finally, feeding on wild mammals had a positive influence in the Leishmania spp. infection in dogs. We found that 28% (5/18) coati Nasua nasua was co-infected for all three trypanosamatids, demonstrating that it might play a key role in maintenance of these parasites. Our results showed the importance of Urucum region as a hotspot for T. cruzi, T. evansi and Leishmania spp. and demonstrated that dogs can be considered as incidental hosts. Observation of high occurrence of dogs co-infected by trypanosomatids. Dogs infected by TcI, TcIII and TcIII/TcV. Nasua nasua is a key species in the sylvatic cycles of trypanosomatids. Direct effect of trypanosomatids' infection in clinical signs of dogs. Dogs as sentinels to human infection in the Brazil-Bolivian border.
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9
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Macchiaverna NP, Enriquez GF, Buscaglia CA, Balouz V, Gürtler RE, Cardinal MV. New human isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi confirm the predominance of hybrid lineages in domestic transmission cycle of the Argentinean Chaco. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 66:229-235. [PMID: 30296602 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, was initially classified into 6 Discrete Typing Units (DTUs). The hybrid DTUs TcV and TcVI are the most frequent in domestic transmission cycles throughout the Southern Cone countries of South America. Here, we genotyped parasite isolates from human residents in Pampa del Indio municipality, Chaco, to further characterize the structure of T. cruzi populations, and to assess the degree of overlapping between the domestic and sylvatic transmission cycles. Artificial xenodiagnostic tests were performed to blood samples from 125 T. cruzi-seropositive people (age range, 3-70 years) who represented 14.3% of all seropositive residents identified. Parasites were obtained from feces of T. cruzi-infected Triatoma infestans examined 30 or 60 days after blood-feeding, and grown in vitro. The cultured parasites were genotyped by means of two PCR-based protocols. DTUs were determined from 39 (31%) patients residing in 28 dwellings. The only DTUs identified were TcV (92%) and TcVI (8-36%). Households with more than one parasite isolate consistently displayed the same DTU. Further sequencing of a fragment of the TcMK gene from selected samples argue against the occurrence of mixed TcV-TcVI infections in the study population. Sequencing data revealed an unexpected degree of genetic variability within TcV including two apparently robust subgroups of isolates. Our results for human residents confirm the predominance of hybrid lineages (TcV and to a much lesser extent TcVI) and the absence of sylvatic genotypes (TcI and TcIII) in (peri)domestic transmission cycles in the Argentinean Chaco area. 245 words.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Paula Macchiaverna
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Fabián Enriquez
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina
| | - Carlos Andrés Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Virginia Balouz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Esteban Gürtler
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina
| | - Marta Victoria Cardinal
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA), UBA-CONICET, Capital Federal, Argentina.
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10
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Jimenez-Coello M, Shelite T, Castellanos-Gonzalez A, Saldarriaga O, Rivero R, Ortega-Pacheco A, Acevedo-Arcique C, Amaya-Guardia K, Garg N, Melby P, Travi BL. Efficacy of Recombinase Polymerase Amplification to Diagnose Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Dogs with Cardiac Alterations from an Endemic Area of Mexico. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:417-423. [PMID: 29768103 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a lingering Public Health problem in Latin America with ∼5.7 million people infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Transmission is still taking place in most countries of the Americas, including the United States. Dogs are frequently infected with T. cruzi and its high infection prevalence is associated with increased risk of Chagas disease in humans. The city of Mérida in the Yucatan peninsula is endemic for Chagas disease and canines are frequently infected with T. cruzi. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a qualitative point of care (POC) molecular test (RPA-LF, recombinase polymerase amplification-lateral flow) developed in our laboratory for identifying infected dogs. We used retrospective samples of dogs that came for consultation because of cardiac alterations and proved to be infected with T. cruzi as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot, and quantitative PCR (qPCR). The analytical sensitivity indicated that RPA-LF amplified T. cruzi DNA in samples containing almost equal to one to two parasites per reaction. Serial twofold dilutions of T. cruzi epimastigotes showed that the test had 95% (19/20) repeatability at concentrations of two parasites per reaction. The test showed no cross reactivity with human DNA or other protozoan parasites (Trypanosoma rangeli, Leishmania spp., and Plasmodium spp.). RPA-LF had the capacity to amplify all discrete typing units (DTUs I-VI) of T. cruzi that circulate in domestic or extradomestic environments. The RPA-LF had 93.2% (95% confidence interval 87.2-98.1) sensitivity and excellent agreement with qPCR used as gold standard (Cohen's Kappa test = 0.963). ELISA was positive in 96.6% (85/88) of dogs, which together with the molecular tests confirmed the frequent contact with infected triatomine bugs in the city of Mérida. These preliminary results on the diagnostic efficacy of the RPA-LF deserve further large-scale field testing of this POC test for T. cruzi infection in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Jimenez-Coello
- 1 Laboratorio de Biologia Celular , Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México
| | - Thomas Shelite
- 2 Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Alejandro Castellanos-Gonzalez
- 2 Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Omar Saldarriaga
- 2 Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Rocio Rivero
- 3 Instituto Nacional de Parasitologia "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben," Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antonio Ortega-Pacheco
- 4 Departamento Medicina y Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida, México
| | - Carlos Acevedo-Arcique
- 4 Departamento Medicina y Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida, México
| | - Karla Amaya-Guardia
- 1 Laboratorio de Biologia Celular , Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México
| | - Nisha Garg
- 5 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Peter Melby
- 2 Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Bruno L Travi
- 2 Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
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11
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Jaimes-Dueñez J, Triana-Chávez O, Cantillo-Barraza O, Hernández C, Ramírez JD, Góngora-Orjuela A. Molecular and serological detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) suggests potential transmission risk in areas of recent acute Chagas disease outbreaks in Colombia. Prev Vet Med 2017; 141:1-6. [PMID: 28532988 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a zoonotic infection widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of America, including more than 50% of the Colombian territory. In the last years, an increase of outbreaks of acute Chagas disease has been observed in the east of the country due to environmental changes and mammal movements toward human settlements. Given the importance of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) as reservoir hosts and sentinels of Trypanosoma cruzi infection across different regions of America, in this study we reported a serological and molecular detection of T. cruzi infection in 242 dogs from an endemic area of Meta department (East of Colombia), with recent emergence of acute Chagas disease outbreaks. The distribution of T. cruzi infection in dogs was not homogeneous, ranging from 0-41.4% and 0-5.1% in different sampling sectors, through serological (ELISA/IFAT) and molecular methods (conventional and real time PCR), respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that dog infection was associated with specific sampling sectors. Our results show a moderate seroprevalence of infection and active circulation of T. cruzi in dogs from this zone, which suggest areas with potential risk of infection to human that must be taken into consideration when Chagas disease control programs need to be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeiczon Jaimes-Dueñez
- Grupo de Investigación en Reproducción y Genética Animal GIRGA, Programa de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Los Llanos, Villavicencio, Colombia; Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas BCEI, Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
| | - Omar Triana-Chávez
- Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas BCEI, Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Omar Cantillo-Barraza
- Grupo de Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas BCEI, Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Carolina Hernández
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Agustín Góngora-Orjuela
- Grupo de Investigación en Reproducción y Genética Animal GIRGA, Programa de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Los Llanos, Villavicencio, Colombia
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12
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Curtis-Robles R, Snowden KF, Dominguez B, Dinges L, Rodgers S, Mays G, Hamer SA. Epidemiology and Molecular Typing of Trypanosoma cruzi in Naturally-Infected Hound Dogs and Associated Triatomine Vectors in Texas, USA. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005298. [PMID: 28095511 PMCID: PMC5287457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease throughout the Americas. Few population-level studies have examined the epidemiology of canine infection and strain types of T. cruzi that infect canines in the USA. We conducted a cross-sectional study of T. cruzi infection in working hound dogs in south central Texas, including analysis of triatomine vectors collected within kennel environments. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS Paired IFA and Chagas Stat-Pak serological testing showed an overall seroprevalence of 57.6% (n = 85), with significant variation across kennels. Dog age had a marginally significant effect on seropositivity, with one year of age increase associated with a 19.6% increase in odds of being seropositive (odds ratio 95% CI 0.996-1.435; p = 0.055). PCR analyses of blood revealed 17.4% of dogs harbored parasite DNA in their blood, including both seronegative and seropositive dogs. Molecular screening of organs from opportunistically sampled seropositive dogs revealed parasite DNA in heart, uterus, and mammary tissues. Strain-typing showed parasite discrete typing units (DTU) TcI and TcIV present in dog samples, including a co-occurrence of both DTUs in two individual dogs. Bloodmeal analysis of Triatoma gerstaeckeri and Triatoma sanguisuga insects collected from the kennels revealed exclusively dog DNA. Vector infection with T. cruzi was 80.6% (n = 36), in which T. gerstaeckeri disproportionately harbored TcI (p = 0.045) and T. sanguisuga disproportionately harbored TcIV (p = 0.029). Tracing infection status across dog litters showed some seropositive offspring of seronegative dams, suggesting infection of pups from local triatomine vectors rather than congenital transmission. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Canine kennels are high-risk environments for T. cruzi transmission, in which dogs likely serve as the predominant parasite reservoir. Disease and death of working dogs from Chagas disease is associated with unmeasured yet undoubtedly significant financial consequences because working dogs are highly trained and highly valued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Curtis-Robles
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Karen F. Snowden
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Brandon Dominguez
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lewis Dinges
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sandy Rodgers
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Glennon Mays
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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13
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Ortiz S, Ceballos MJ, González CR, Reyes C, Gómez V, García A, Solari A. Trypanosoma cruzi diversity in infected dogs from areas of the north coast of Chile. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2016; 5:42-47. [PMID: 31014537 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
As part of a multi-site research program on the eco-epidemiology and control of Chagas disease in northern Chile, we sought to identify the Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units (DTUs) infecting rural and peridomestic dogs, using direct methods without grown of the parasite in the laboratory and thus to assess the use of this species as a sentinel of the disease in well-defined endemic areas of T. cruzi in Chile. Infected dogs (35) from three villages were included in the study. The studied villages were Caleta Río Seco and Caleta San Marcos, both in the Tarapacá Region, and La Serena in the Coquimbo Region. These villages were selected based on previous evidence of Mepraia infection reports of the Chilean Ministry of Health. Amplicons from nested-PCR positive samples were used as targets to determine the infective T. cruzi DTUs circulating in blood using PCR-DNA blotting and hybridization assays with five specific DNA probes (TcI, TcII, TcIII, TcV and TcVI). Results of hybridization with dog samples from Caleta Rio Seco showed single infections in 2 out of 16 and mixed infections in 14 out of 16. TcVI was the most frequent DTU found in this area. A highlight is that for the first time the presence of TcIII is reported in this area. Samples from Caleta San Marcos showed single infections in 5 out of 9 and mixed infections in 4 out of 9. TcVI was the most frequent DTU found in this area. Samples from La Serena showed single infections in 5 out of 10 and mixed infections in 2 out of 10; we were unable to genotype the other 3 samples. Our results indicate that infection by T. cruzi DTUs in dogs is not homogeneously distributed but rather specific to each region of our country, as demonstrated by the differences in the T. cruzi DTU distribution in some localities.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ortiz
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - M J Ceballos
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Pedro de Valdivia, La Serena, Chile
| | - C R González
- Instituto de Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad, Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago, Chile; Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Sección Parasitología, Instituto de Salud, Pública de, Chile
| | - C Reyes
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Sección Parasitología, Instituto de Salud, Pública de, Chile
| | - V Gómez
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pedro de Valdivia, La Serena, Chile
| | - A García
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pedro de Valdivia, La Serena, Chile
| | - A Solari
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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