Morphological and molecular confirmation of the validity of Trichuris rhinopiptheroxella in the endangered golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana)

New genetic lineage of whipworm present in Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)

With a global population of around 35 million in 47 countries, camels play a crucial role in the economy of many marginal and desert areas of the world where they survive in harsh conditions. Nonetheless, there is insufficient knowledge regarding camels' parasite fauna which can reduce their milk and meat production. A molecular study for the Trichuris population of Camelus bactrianus from Spain is presented based on sequences of mitochondrial (cox1, cob, rrnL) and ribosomal (ITS1 and ITS2) DNA regions. Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods were used to infer phylogenies for (i) each gene separately, (ii) the combined mitochondrial data, and (iii) the combined mitochondrial and ribosomal dataset. Molecular analyses revealed the existence of two different genetic lineages in the Trichuris parasites populations of C. bactrianus. Future studies should focus on whether there is a coevolution process corresponding to the wild or domestic character of C. bactrianus and Camelus dromedarius. Furthermore, it is necessary to increase integrative taxonomic studies on Trichuris spp. based on morphological, biometric, and molecular data, which will inevitably contribute to our knowledge of the etiology of trichuriasis.

The Use of MALDI-TOF MS as a Diagnostic Tool for Adult Trichuris Species

Trichuriasis is considered a neglected tropical disease, being the second most common helminthiasis in humans. Detection of Trichuris in routine diagnosis is usually done by microscopic detection of eggs in fecal samples. Other molecular analyses are more reliable and could be used, but these analyses are not routinely available in clinical microbiology laboratories. The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) is increasing since the last decades due to its recent evidence as a potential role for reliable identification of microorganisms and a few nematodes. But, for parasites detection, normalized protocols and the acquisition and introduction of new species to the database are required. We carried out a preliminary study confirming the usefulness of MALDI-TOF MS for the rapid and reliable identification of Trichuris suis used as control and the creation of an internal database. To create main spectra profiles (MSPs), the different parts of five whipworms (esophagus and intestine) were used, developing different tests to verify the repeatability and reproducibility of the spectra. Thus, to validate the new internal database, 20 whipworms, separating the esophagus and intestine, were used, of which 100% were accurately identified as T. suis, but could not distinguish between both parts of the worm. Log score values ranged between 1.84 and 2.36, meaning a high-quality identification. The results confirmed that MALDI-TOF MS was able to identify Trichuris species. Additionally, a MALDI-TOF MS profile of T. suis proteome was carried out to develop the first internal database of spectra for the diagnosis of trichuriasis and other Trichuris spp.

Characterization of trichuris species from porcupine (Hystrix cristata) at zoological garden of Spain

Population of Trichuris sp. isolated from Hystrix cristata was analyzed based on morphological, biometrical characteristics and mitochondrial (cox1, cob, rrnL) and ribosomal (ITS1) (rDNA) region sequences. Morphological and biometrical results revealed that Trichuris sp. from H. cristata present a high similarity with Trichuris landak from Hystrix javanica and less similarity with other Trichuris species from porcupine species (Trichuris hystricis, Trichuris lenkorani and Trichuris mettami). The lack of molecular data corresponding to Trichuris species that parasitize the porcupine (genus Hystrix and Atelerix) has not allowed a comparative molecular or phylogenetic study. Molecular analyses revealed the existence of two different haplotypes that did not correspond to different morphospecies. Relationships among Trichuris sp. from H. cristata and other Trichuris spp. have been resolved by molecular sequence data in this study. Thus, the combined analysis of one ribosomal and three mitochondrial markers revealed a sister relationship between whipworms parasitizing porcupine and other Trichuris spp. from rodents and canids and separated from the rest of Trichuris spp. from other hosts species. It is necessary accurate information on the possible zoonotic behavior of different Trichuris species for health workers to improve existing control measures. Thus, it is necessary to increase the studies of integrative taxonomy on Trichuris spp. based on morphological, biometrical and molecular data, which will inevitably contribute to our knowledge on the etiology of trichuriasis.

Trichuris trichiura (Linnaeus, 1771) From Human and Non-human Primates: Morphology, Biometry, Host Specificity, Molecular Characterization, and Phylogeny

Human trichuriasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease, which affects hundreds of millions of persons worldwide. Several studies have reported that non-human primates (NHP) represent important reservoirs for several known zoonotic infectious diseases. In this context, Trichuris infections have been found in a range of NHP species living in natural habitats, including colobus monkeys, macaques, baboons, and chimpanzees. To date, the systematics of the genus Trichuris parasitizing humans and NHP is unclear. During many years, Trichuris trichiura was considered as the whipworm present in humans and primates. Subsequently, molecular studies suggested that Trichuris spp. in humans and NHP represent several species that differ in host specificity. This work examines the current knowledge of T. trichiura and its relationship to whipworm parasites in other primate host species. A phylogenetic hypothesis, based on three mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, cytochrome b, and large subunit rRNA-encoding gene) and two fragments of ribosomal DNA (Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 and 2), allowed us to define a complex of populations of T. trichiura hosting in a large variety of NHP species, in addition to humans. These populations were divided into four phylogenetic groups with a different degree of host specificity. From these data, we carry out a new morphological and biometrical description of the populations of Trichuris based on data cited by other authors as well as those provided in this study. The presence of T. trichiura is analyzed in several NHP species in captivity from different garden zoos as possible reservoir of trichuriasis for humans. This study contributes to clarify questions that lead to identification of new taxa and will determine parasite transmission routes between these primates, allowing the implementation of appropriate control and prevention measures.

Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Trichuristrichiura from Macaca sylvanus and Papio papio

Trichuriasis is among the most prevalent worldwide parasitism caused by helminths. For many years, Trichuris spp. have been described with a relatively narrow range of both morphological and biometrical features. The use of the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) is an alternative and powerful molecular method for inferring phylogenies. Here, we present an overview of the contributions of mitogenome for Trichuris spp. from human and non-human primates. In addition, we carry out structural and phylogenetic comparative analyses with genomes of Trichuris species available in public datasets. The complete mt genomes of Trichuris trichiura and Trichuris sp. from Macaca sylvanus and T. trichiura from Papio papio are 14,091 bp, 14,047 bp and 14,089 bp in length, respectively. The three mt genomes are circular and consist of 37 genes—13 PCGs (cox1–3, nad1–6, nad4L, atp6, atp8 and cob), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and two rRNAs (rrnL and rrnS). The molecular evidence presented here supports the hypothesis that T. trichiura de M. sylvanus (TMF31) and T. trichiura de P. papio (TPM1) were similar but genetically different with respect to Trichuris sp. from macaques (TMM5). The phylogenetic study also supported the evolution of the different Trichuris species. In conclusion, we suggest the existence of two cryptic species parasitizing M. sylvanus.