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Porras-Silesky C, Solano-Barquero A, Jiménez-Rocha A, Alvarado-Hidalgo I, Valverde-Altamirano É, Rojas A. Social media as a tool for detecting underdiagnosed parasitic infections: the case of spirocercosis. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:29. [PMID: 38082034 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08054-4] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Spirocercosis is a parasitic disease caused by the nematode Spirocerca lupi that affects several canids around the world. In Costa Rica, few spirocercosis cases have been reported; however, it is suspected that the infection is currently underdiagnosed. As seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has sped up the spread of scientific knowledge, raising practioner's awareness of the epidemiology and signs and manifestations of infections. The aim of this work was to use social media as a tool for increasing awareness of spirocercosis among veterinarians and investigate the frequency of cases occurring in Costa Rica. Infographic material about the infection was disseminated by Whatsapp, Facebook, and Instagram from January 2021 to July 2022 using a public account of the Laboratory of Helminthology of the University of Costa Rica. In addition, Google Forms questionnaires were completed by veterinarians to report the number of spirocercosis cases in their clinics, associated manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of the disease. Remarkably, since 2020, a six-fold increase in the number of cases per year was noted. Clinical manifestations matched those reported elsewhere, and one of every three dogs infected with S. lupi died spontaneously or required euthanasia because of the infection. This work suggests that S. lupi infection in Costa Rica may have been underdiagnosed in the last decade, and the knowledge and awareness of clinical personnel play a major role in the detection of this and other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Porras-Silesky
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Alberto Solano-Barquero
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Ana Jiménez-Rocha
- Laboratory of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | | | | | - Alicia Rojas
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
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Balseiro A, Herrero-García G, Royo LJ, Armenteros JÁ, Altonaga JR, Monasterio JM, Balsera R, Pool RV, García Marín JF, Pis-Millán JA. Hypertrophic osteopathy in a common dolphin ( Delphinus delphis) with concurrent pulmonary Halocercus delphini infestation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17011. [PMID: 37484216 PMCID: PMC10361101 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17011] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Dolphins are marine mammals that often live in coastal habitats. Common causes of severe skeletal disorders among wild dolphins are congenital vertebral anomalities, collisions with sea vessels, trauma, hunting-related injury, infectious diseases, environmental pollution, and tumors. A free-ranging male, 3-year-old common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) was found dead in the coast of Asturias in northern Spain. Postmortem examination revealed lordosis in the caudal vertebral column, while X-ray imaging and computer tomography showed well-organized palisade-like periosteal proliferation, appearing as florid-like accretions, along the spinous apophysis of 26 lumbar-caudal vertebrae. The transverse apophysis was affected on only a few caudal vertebrae. The cortical layer remained intact. Histology of vertebra tissue showed periosteal proliferation of cancellous bone. The animal was diagnosed with hypertrophic osteopathy. The lungs showed diffuse parasitic granulomatous bronchointerstitial pneumonia caused by Halocercus delphini, consolidation of the pulmonary tissue, congestion, and alveolar edema. The animal was also afflicted by parasitic granulomatous gastritis caused by Anisakis simplex sensu lato and tattoo skin disease. The dolphin suffered from hypertrophic osteopathy associated with pulmonary Halocercus delphini infestation. This syndrome, known as hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy, has been described in diverse terrestrial mammals, including domestic animals, wildlife and humans, but not in dolphins. This case reports the first description of hypertrophic osteopathy associated to a pulmonary disorder in dolphin, and it provides insights into factors that can induce column malformation in dolphins, suggesting the importance of taking thoracic lesions into account during differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Gloria Herrero-García
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Luis J. Royo
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario del Principado de Asturias (SERIDA), 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Genética, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - José Ángel Armenteros
- Dirección General de Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - José R. Altonaga
- Hospital Veterinario de León, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Juana M. Monasterio
- Dirección General de Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Ramón Balsera
- Dirección General de Medio Natural y Planificación Rural del Principado de Asturias, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Rachel V. Pool
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Parc Cientific, Universitat de Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | | | - José Antonio Pis-Millán
- Centro de Experimentación Pesquera, Dirección General de Pesca Marítima del Principado de Asturias, 33212 Gijón, Spain
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