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Samorek-Pieróg M, Cencek T, Łabuć E, Pac-Sosińska M, Pieróg M, Korpysa-Dzirba W, Bełcik A, Bilska-Zając E, Karamon J. Occurrence of Eucoleus aerophilus in wild and domestic animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:245. [PMID: 37475031 PMCID: PMC10360280 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05830-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) is a nematode with a worldwide geographical distribution. It causes a disease called lung capillariosis by affecting the respiratory tract of wild and domestic animals, and has also occasionally been described in humans. Despite steady increases in knowledge of the morphology of this neglected parasite, many aspects are still poorly understood. Epidemiological data regarding, for example, geographic distribution, range of hosts, clinical relevance and the actual zoonotic potential of this nematode are scarce and incomplete. METHODS This article is a systematic review based on the screening of three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Science Direct) to identify eligible studies published from 1973 to the end of 2022. RESULTS From a total of 606 studies describing the occurrence of E. aerophilus, 141 articles from 38 countries worldwide were included in this meta-analysis, all of which presented results obtained mainly with flotation and necropsy. Due to the occurrence of E. aerophilus in many different species and different matrices (lungs and faeces), we decided to conduct the meta-analysis separately for each species with a given matrix. This systematic review confirmed the status of the Red fox as the main reservoir and main transmitter of E. aerophilus (average prevalence of 43% in faeces and 49% in lungs) and provided evidence of a higher prevalence of E. aerophilus in wild animals in comparison to domestic animals, such as dogs (3% in faeces) and cats (2% in faeces and 8% in lungs). Previous studies have investigated many host-related factors (age, sex, environmental/living conditions) in relation to the prevalence of E. aerophilus, but they show wide variations and no simple relationship has been demonstrates. Furthermore, mixed infections with other pulmonary nematodes, such as Crenosoma vulpis and/or Angiostrongylus vasorum, are reported very frequently, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review focused on identifying data gaps and promoting future research directions in this area. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review that evaluates and summarizes existing knowledge on the occurrence and prevalence of E. aerophilus in wild and domestic animals originating from different geographical locations worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Samorek-Pieróg
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Emilia Łabuć
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Bioinformatics, University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Pac-Sosińska
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Bioinformatics, University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| | - Mateusz Pieróg
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Animal Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| | - Weronika Korpysa-Dzirba
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Aneta Bełcik
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Ewa Bilska-Zając
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Jacek Karamon
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57 Avenue, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
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Perec-Matysiak A, Hildebrand J, Popiołek M, Buńkowska-Gawlik K. The Occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in Wild-Living Carnivores in Poland-A Question Concerning Its Host Specificity. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020198. [PMID: 36839469 PMCID: PMC9968153 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that primarily infects the gastrointestinal epithelium in humans and domestic and wild animals. The majority of studies have been focused on human, livestock, and pet infections. Hence, Cryptosporidium spp. in wildlife, including wild carnivores, remained neglected. There are several studies reporting the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild foxes, but these are only a few molecular surveys; no data is available concerning the occurrence of this parasite in raccoon dogs and martens in Europe, and to the best of our knowledge to date, only one study has reported Cryptosporidium from badgers in Spain. Therefore, we used molecular analyses to identify and genotype Cryptosporidium spp. in wild-living mesocarnivores in Poland. A total of 322 individual fecal samples from six carnivore species, i.e., raccoon, raccoon dog, red fox, European badger, pine, and beech martens were collected and then analyzed for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. using the nested PCR method. The appearance of PCR products in the reaction with Cryptosporidium-specific primers against the 18S rRNA and actin genes demonstrated that Cryptosporidium spp. occurred in 23.0% of all examined species of animals. Performed sequence analyses showed the presence of the Cryptosporidium skunk genotype, Cryptosporidium vole genotype II, Cryptosporidium canis dog and fox genotypes, as well as Cryptosporidium erinacei, Cryptosporidium ditrichi, Cryptosporidium suis, and Cryptosporidium alticolis, in these hosts. Molecular data presented here indicate that examined mesocarnivores may be a significant reservoir of specific and non-specific Cryptosporidium species, including those with zoonotic potential. Most studies of carnivores have described the presence of non-specific Cryptosporidium spp. in carnivore hosts, and this is probably the result of the transfer of these parasites from prey species through the digestive tract or the transfer of the parasite from a contaminated environment.
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Veronesi F, Deak G, Diakou A. Wild Mesocarnivores as Reservoirs of Endoparasites Causing Important Zoonoses and Emerging Bridging Infections across Europe. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020178. [PMID: 36839450 PMCID: PMC9964259 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesocarnivores are small- or mid-sized carnivore species that display a variety of ecologies and behaviours. In Europe, wild mesocarnivores are represented by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), the golden jackal (Canis aureus), the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), the Mustelidae of the genera Meles, Martes, Mustela, Lutra, the invasive species of raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and American mink (Neogale vison). These abundant animals thrive in various habitats and often develop their activity close to human settlements. Thus, they may play an important role in the introduction, maintenance, and transmission of major parasitic zoonoses and promote bridging infections with domestic animals. Against this background, this article reports and discusses some of the most important endoparasites of wild mesocarnivores living in Europe, on the basis of their actual role as reservoirs, spreaders, or sentinels. The data derived from epizootiological studies in different European countries, and the proven or speculated implications of the detected endoparasites in human and domestic animals' health, are discussed. Through older and recent literature review, the state-of-the-art knowledge on the occurrence and prevalence of the parasites under consideration is presented, showing further, warranted investigations and the need for surveillance and vigilance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Veronesi
- Parasitology Laboratory of the University Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06124 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.V.); (G.D.); (A.D.)
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence: (F.V.); (G.D.); (A.D.)
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: (F.V.); (G.D.); (A.D.)
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Tull A, Valdmann H, Tammeleht E, Kaasiku T, Rannap R, Saarma U. High overlap of zoonotic helminths between wild mammalian predators and rural dogs - an emerging One Health concern? Parasitology 2022; 149:1565-1574. [PMID: 35924728 PMCID: PMC11010195 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022001032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The concept of One Health emphasizes the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health and is of growing significance, in part owing to the problems related to emerging infectious diseases of wildlife origin. Wild mammalian predators are a potential risk factor for transmission of zoonotic pathogens to domesticated animals and humans. This is especially relevant in rural areas, where transmission of zoonotic pathogens can occur particularly efficiently when free-ranging dogs are present. The main aim of this study was to determine helminth infections among wild mammalian predators and evaluate the overlap between helminth faunas of wild mammals and dogs. Scat samples of predators were collected in coastal areas of Western Estonia and genetic methodology applied for the correct identification of predator species from their scat. Parasitic helminths of mammalian predators in the scat samples were analysed and compared with dog data from a previous study. High helminth prevalence (~90%) was found in dominant predator species in the area, namely the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and golden jackal (Canis aureus). Moreover, the helminth fauna of both wild species, including potentially zoonotic helminths, overlapped largely with that of rural dogs in the same area. The results, together with the ones from earlier parasitological studies among humans in Estonia, emphasize the potential risk of pathogen transmission from wild mammalian predators to dogs and from dogs to humans, making parasitic diseases of wildlife a One Health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ants Tull
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Harri Valdmann
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Egle Tammeleht
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Triin Kaasiku
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Riinu Rannap
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Urmas Saarma
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
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Lindsø LK, Dupont P, Rød-Eriksen L, Andersskog IPØ, Ulvund KR, Flagstad Ø, Bischof R, Eide NE. Estimating red fox density using non-invasive genetic sampling and spatial capture-recapture modelling. Oecologia 2022; 198:139-151. [PMID: 34859281 PMCID: PMC8803778 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-05087-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Spatial capture-recapture modelling (SCR) is a powerful tool for estimating density, population size, and space use of elusive animals. Here, we applied SCR modelling to non-invasive genetic sampling (NGS) data to estimate red fox (Vulpes vulpes) densities in two areas of boreal forest in central (2016-2018) and southern Norway (2017-2018). Estimated densities were overall lower in the central study area (mean = 0.04 foxes per km2 in 2016, 0.10 in 2017, and 0.06 in 2018) compared to the southern study area (0.16 in 2017 and 0.09 in 2018). We found a positive effect of forest cover on density in the central, but not the southern study area. The absence of an effect in the southern area may reflect a paucity of evidence caused by low variation in forest cover. Estimated mean home-range size in the central study area was 45 km2 [95%CI 34-60] for females and 88 km2 [69-113] for males. Mean home-range sizes were smaller in the southern study area (26 km2 [16-42] for females and 56 km2 [35-91] for males). In both study areas, detection probability was session-dependent and affected by sampling effort. This study highlights how SCR modelling in combination with NGS can be used to efficiently monitor red fox populations, and simultaneously incorporate ecological factors and estimate their effects on population density and space use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars K Lindsø
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Høgskoleringen 9, 7034, Trondheim, Norway.
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Universitetstunet 3, 1430, Ås, Norway.
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), The Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0371, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Pierre Dupont
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Universitetstunet 3, 1430, Ås, Norway
| | - Lars Rød-Eriksen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Høgskoleringen 9, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | | | - Øystein Flagstad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Høgskoleringen 9, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Richard Bischof
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Universitetstunet 3, 1430, Ås, Norway
| | - Nina E Eide
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Høgskoleringen 9, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
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Oborina V, Mõttus M, Jokelainen P. Angiostrongylus vasorum in Estonia: Multi-center study in dogs with clinical signs suggestive of canine angiostrongylosis, survey of potential risk behaviors among the dogs, and questionnaire survey of knowledge about the parasite among veterinarians. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 26:100642. [PMID: 34879953 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus vasorum is a parasite that can cause life-threatening disease in dogs. In recent years, A. vasorum has been reported spreading into new areas, in particular towards northeastern Europe. Despite being detected in wildlife in Estonia, no studies have focused on A. vasorum in domestic dogs in the country. We conducted a multi-center study in 2018-2019: at eight small animal clinics, altogether 115 dogs that had clinical signs that could be suggestive of canine angiostrongylosis were enrolled for testing using a commercial A. vasorum antigen detection test. In addition, we collected information on potential risk behaviors for acquiring A. vasorum infection - eating potential intermediate hosts and paratenic hosts - among the dogs, using a questionnaire for dog owners. Moreover, we surveyed knowledge about A. vasorum among veterinarians authorized to work in Estonia. None (0.0%, 95% confidence interval 0.0-2.6) of the 114 dogs included in the study tested A. vasorum antigen positive. Two (2.0%) of the 102 dogs included in the risk behavior analysis had been seen to eat slugs and/or snails, and this behavior was considered possible for further 17 (16.7%) of the dogs. Four (3.9%) of the dogs had been seen to eat frogs, and this behavior was considered possible for further 14 (13.7%) of the dogs. Thirty-eight (90.5%) of the 42 veterinarians who participated in the questionnaire survey selected the correct host and 28 (66.7%) selected the correct vectors of the parasite, from the provided options. Our results indicate that A. vasorum was either not established or not common in dogs in Estonia in 2018-2019, but this needs to be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size, possible false negative results in recently infected dogs and the limited sensitivity of the test applied. Most local veterinarians seemed to know the parasite, and this awareness and knowledge among veterinarians should be maintained and further improved. Taken the presence of the parasite in local wildlife, it is prudent to include A. vasorum infection in the list of differential diagnoses for dogs with clinical signs that could be suggestive of canine angiostrongylosis in Estonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Oborina
- Small Animal Clinic of Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51014, Estonia; Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51014, Estonia.
| | - Maare Mõttus
- Small Animal Clinic of Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51014, Estonia; Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51014, Estonia.
| | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51014, Estonia; Department of Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, Copenhagen S 2300, Denmark; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, Helsinki 00014, Finland.
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Liu G, Ji N, Hornok S, Zhang Y, Zhao S, Chen X, Hazihan W, Gu X, Wang Y. Morphological and molecular analyses of Taenia and Mesocestoides species from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in northwestern China. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 16:270-274. [PMID: 34868872 PMCID: PMC8626562 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In this study, 263 tapeworms were collected from eight road-killed red foxes in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR, northwestern China). The tapeworms were analyzed based on morphological characters and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene sequences. Eighty-three Taenia and 180 Mesocestoides tapeworms were identified according to the presence or absence of rostellum, and the number, the length and the shape of the large rostellar hooks. The morphological and molecular analyses revealed that i) 180 Mesocestoides tapeworms, here named as Mesocestoides sp. (Vulpes vulpes), showed 99.21% (378/381 bp) identity to Mesocestoides sp. reported from red fox in Mongolia; and ii) 83 Taenia tapeworms belonged to three species. The first Taenia species [n = 16, named as Taenia sp. (Vulpes vulpes)], based on the length of large rostellar hooks (337–342 μm) and its cox1 sequence, was identified as a potentially novel species, which is phylogenetically close to Taenia laticollis. The second species [n = 54, named as Taenia sp. (Vulpes vulpes & Rhombomys opimus)], was morphologically similar to Taenia endothoracicus according to the number (n = 52), the length (319–332 μm) and the shape of the large rostellar hooks. This species, infecting three red foxes, shared 100% cox1 sequence identity with Taenia sp. (Rhombomys opimus) genotype C found previously in great gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) in the same region. The third species (n = 13, named as Taenia polyacantha-like), had shorter large rostellar hooks (178–180 μm) and showed 96.27% (361/375 bp) sequence identity to Taenia polyacantha reported from red fox in Italy. The “great gerbil-red fox” life cycle of Taenia sp. (Vulpes vulpes & Rhombomys opimus), belonging to the mitochondrial lineage of T. endothoracicus, is confirmed. The T. polyacantha-like species was firstly found in red fox in China. Taenia sp. (Vulpes vulpes) is a potentially novel species, which is close to T. laticollis based on its phylogenetic properties. The life cycle of Taenia sp. (Vulpes vulpes & Rhombomys opimus) is confirmed. The Taenia polyacantha-like species was firstly found in China. Taenia sp. (Vulpes vulpes) is a potentially novel species in China.
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Perec-Matysiak A, Leśniańska K, Buńkowska-Gawlik K, Merta D, Popiołek M, Hildebrand J. Zoonotic Genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Wild Living Invasive and Native Carnivores in Poland. Pathogens 2021; 10:1478. [PMID: 34832633 PMCID: PMC8619129 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild carnivores, both introduced and native species, are able to adapt well to peri-urban environments, facilitating cross-species pathogen transmission with domestic animals, and potentially humans. The role of wild living reservoir hosts cannot be ignored because of their known carriage of E. bieneusi zoonotic genotypes. In the past decades, populations of wild living carnivores, i.e., native, such as red foxes, and invasive, such as raccoon dogs and raccoons, have increased and adapted to synanthropic environments across Europe, including Poland. The knowledge concerning E. bieneusi genotype identification and distribution in wild carnivores is limited worldwide. A total of 322 individual fecal samples from six carnivore species, i.e., raccoon, raccoon dog, red fox, European badger, pine and beech martens, were collected and then analysed for the presence of E. bieneusi using the nested PCR method. Overall prevalence of the pathogen was estimated to be as high as 27.3%. The infection rates for E. bieneusi varied between the carnivore species, from 13.7% in beech martens to 40.4% in raccoon dogs. Based on sequence analysis of the ITS region of the rRNA gene marker, we detected five known genotypes of E. bieneusi in examined animals. In the invasive species, E. bieneusi NCF2 and D genotypes have been identified, whereas in the native ones, E. bieneusi NCF2, D, C, EbCar2 and Type IV genotypes were identified. All E. bieneusi genotypes recorded in this survey clustered in Group 1, showing their zoonotic potential. Our results provide the first description of the occurrence and genotypes of the microsporidian E. bieneusi in wild living population of raccoon dogs in Europe. Our findings are important for the study of pathogen epidemiology and emphasize the fact that the invasive and the native wild living carnivores, both widely distributed, should be considered more seriously as significant sources of zoonotic pathogens hazardous to domestic and farmed animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Perec-Matysiak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (K.L.); (K.B.-G.); (M.P.); (J.H.)
| | - Kinga Leśniańska
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (K.L.); (K.B.-G.); (M.P.); (J.H.)
| | - Katarzyna Buńkowska-Gawlik
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (K.L.); (K.B.-G.); (M.P.); (J.H.)
| | - Dorota Merta
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Kraków, 30-084 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Marcin Popiołek
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (K.L.); (K.B.-G.); (M.P.); (J.H.)
| | - Joanna Hildebrand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (K.L.); (K.B.-G.); (M.P.); (J.H.)
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Erol U, Sarimehmetoglu O, Utuk AE. Intestinal system helminths of red foxes and molecular characterization Taeniid cestodes. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2847-2854. [PMID: 34232387 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07227-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are the most prevalent wild carnivores in the world and definitive hosts of many pathogenic parasites for humans and farm animals. These animals travel great distances in search of prey and nests, and cause contamination of large geographic areas with parasites. For this reason, monitoring the parasitic pathogens of red foxes is particularly important in terms of public and animal health. The goal of this study was to determine the intestinal helminths and molecular characterization of Taenia species of red foxes in Turkey. In this study, 103 red fox intestines obtained from 29 provinces of Turkey were examined with sedimentation and counting technique. Collected helminths were diagnosed according to their morphologic features. Additionally, further molecular analysis (PCR and DNA sequencing) was performed for the identification of Taeniid cestodes. At the end of the study, it was determined that 87.37% (90/103) of red foxes were infected with at least one helminth species. Detected helminths and their prevalence's were Mesocestoides sp. (56.31%), Joyeuxiella echinorhynchoides (33%), Taenia polyacantha (15.53%), Dipylidium caninum (0.97%), Pterygodermatites affinis (51.45%), Toxascaris leonina (45.63%), Uncinaria stenocephala (33%), Oxynema numicidum (20.38%), Toxocara canis (14.56%), Ancylostoma caninum (12.62%), and Trichuris vulpis (1.94%), respectively. Additionally, Pachysentis sp. (37.69%), Centrorhynchus sp. (0.97%) (Acantocephala), and nymphs of Linguatula serrata (20.38%) (Arthropoda) were also detected in the same intestinal samples. This is the most comprehensive study that has been conducted on the intestinal helminthes of red foxes in Turkey. To the best of our knowledge, molecular characterization of T. polyacantha and the detection of O. numicidum, A. caninum, Pachysentis sp., and Centrorhynchus sp. are the first reports in red foxes in Turkey. Our study revealed that red foxes are important hosts for many intestinal helminth species and are link between domestic and sylvatic cycles of these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ufuk Erol
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sivas Cumhuriyet, 58140, Sivas, Turkey.
| | - Oguz Sarimehmetoglu
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ankara, 06110, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Armagan Erdem Utuk
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Ceyhan Veterinary Medicine, University of Cukurova, 01330, Adana, Turkey
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Tylkowska A, Pilarczyk B, Tomza-Marciniak A, Pilarczyk R. The prevalence of intestinal nematodes among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in north-western Poland. Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:19. [PMID: 33952322 PMCID: PMC8100824 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00584-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and Australia. The presence of nematode-infected foxes in urbanized areas increases the risk of transmission of nematodes to domestic dogs and thus, to humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and species composition of intestinal nematodiasis in red foxes in Western Pomerania, a province in north-western Poland. The intestinal contents of 620 red foxes killed during a government reduction shooting programme were examined for adult nematodes using the sedimentation and counting technique (SCT). Results Intestinal nematodes, including Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Uncinaria stenocephala and Trichuris vulpis, were found in 77.3% (95% CI 73.8–80.4%) of the examined foxes with a mean infection burden of 20.1 nematode per animal. Male and female foxes had similar infection burdens. Conclusions The nematodes are present in high prevalence and intensity among foxes in north-western Poland. Furthermore, this high prevalence of nematodes in foxes may likely constitute a health risk to humans and domestic animals due to increasing fox densities in urban and periurban areas.
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Umhang G, Bastid V, Avcioglu H, Bagrade G, Bujanić M, Bjelić Čabrilo O, Casulli A, Dorny P, van der Giessen J, Guven E, Harna J, Karamon J, Kharchenko V, Knapp J, Kolarova L, Konyaev S, Laurimaa L, Losch S, Miljević M, Miterpakova M, Moks E, Romig T, Saarma U, Snabel V, Sreter T, Valdmann H, Boué F. Unravelling the genetic diversity and relatedness of Echinococcus multilocularis isolates in Eurasia using the EmsB microsatellite nuclear marker. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 92:104863. [PMID: 33857665 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The cestode Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis, a severe helminthic zoonotic disease distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. The lifecycle of the parasite is mainly sylvatic, involving canid and rodent hosts. The absence of genetic data from most eastern European countries is a major knowledge gap, affecting the study of associations with parasite populations in Western Europe. In this study, EmsB microsatellite genotyping of E. multilocularis was performed to describe the genetic diversity and relatedness of 785 E. multilocularis isolates from four western and nine eastern European countries, as well as from Armenia and the Asian parts of Russia and Turkey. The presence of the same E. multilocularis populations in the Benelux resulting from expansion from the historical Alpine focus can be deduced from the main profiles shared between these countries. All 33 EmsB profiles obtained from 528 samples from the nine eastern European countries belonged to the European clade, except one Asian profile form Ryazan Oblast, Russia. The expansion of E. multilocularis seems to have progressed from the historical Alpine focus through Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and southern Poland towards Latvia and Estonia. Most of the samples from Asia belong to the Asian clade, with one EmsB profile shared between Armenia and Turkey, and two between Turkey and Russia. However, two European profiles were described from two foxes in Turkey, including one harboring worms from both European and Asian clades. Three EmsB profiles from three Russian samples were associated with the Arctic clade. Two E. multilocularis profiles from rodents from Lake Baikal belonged to the Mongolian clade, described for the first time here using EmsB. Further worldwide studies on the genetic diversity of E. multilocularis using both mitochondrial sequencing and EmsB genotyping are needed to understand the distribution and expansion of the various clades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gérald Umhang
- Wildlife Surveillance and Eco-Epidemiology Unit, National Reference Laboratory for Echinococcus spp., Anses LRFSN, 54220 Malzéville, France.
| | - Vanessa Bastid
- Wildlife Surveillance and Eco-Epidemiology Unit, National Reference Laboratory for Echinococcus spp., Anses LRFSN, 54220 Malzéville, France
| | - Hamza Avcioglu
- Ataturk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Guna Bagrade
- Wildlife management, Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava", 111 Rigas str., LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
| | - Miljenko Bujanić
- University of Zagreb, The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Oliveira Bjelić Čabrilo
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Adriano Casulli
- WHO Collaborating Centre for the Epidemiology, Detection and Control of Cystic and Alveolar Echinococcosis, European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Veterinary Helminthology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joke van der Giessen
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721, MA, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Esin Guven
- Ataturk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Jiri Harna
- State Veterinary Institute Olomouc, Jakoubka ze Stribra 1, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jacek Karamon
- Department of Parasitology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Vitaliy Kharchenko
- I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, vul. B. Khmelnyts'kogo, 15, Kyiv 01030, Ukraine
| | - Jenny Knapp
- UMR CNRS 6249 Chrono-environnement, Université Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 16 Route de Gray, 25030 Besançon, France
| | - Libuse Kolarova
- National Reference Laboratory for Tissue Helminthoses, Institute for Immunology and Microbiology of the First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 7, CZ-128 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Sergey Konyaev
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Leidi Laurimaa
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Serge Losch
- Laboratory of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Services Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and rural Development, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Milan Miljević
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Martina Miterpakova
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Science, Hlinkova 3040 01, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Epp Moks
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Thomas Romig
- Parasitology Unit 190p, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 34, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Urmas Saarma
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Viliam Snabel
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Science, Hlinkova 3040 01, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Tamas Sreter
- National Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Fish and Bee Diseases, Directorate of Food Chain Safety Laboratories, National Food Chain Safety Office, 1095 Budapest, Mester utca 81, Hungary
| | - Harri Valdmann
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Franck Boué
- Wildlife Surveillance and Eco-Epidemiology Unit, National Reference Laboratory for Echinococcus spp., Anses LRFSN, 54220 Malzéville, France
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12
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Tull A, Moks E, Saarma U. Endoparasite prevalence and infection risk factors among cats in an animal shelter in Estonia. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2021; 68. [PMID: 33938815 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2021.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Cats are important hosts for different zoonotic parasites that can be hazardous to human health. To date, few studies have attempted to identify the factors affecting parasitic infections in shelter animals. This study aims to analyse the presence of endoparasites in shelter cats in Tartu, Estonia, and identify factors affecting endoparasite prevalence and intensity. The risk factors considered were age, location (urban vs rural cats) and time spent in shelter. In total, 290 faecal samples were collected from cats at an animal shelter in 2015-2016 and investigated for endoparasites using the concentration flotation technique. In total, 138 shelter cats (47.6%) were infected with endoparasites and their overall prevalence was: Toxocara cati (36.6%), Cystoisospora spp. (12.4%), Taeniidae gen. sp. (4.1%), Toxoplasma gondii/Hammondia hammondi (3.4%), Eucoleus aerophilus (2.1%), Cryptosporidium spp. (2.1%), Ancylostoma sp. (0.7%) and Giardia sp. (0.7%). Coinfections occurred in 38 cats (13.1%) most frequently of T. cati and Cystoisospora spp. (4.5%), Cystoisospora spp. and T. gondii/H. hammondi (2.1%). Where species identification of cestode and nematode samples was not possible according to morphology, genetic analysis of the mitochondrial cox1 gene was carried out. DNA was successfully analysed for 6 out of 13 samples that required genetic identification, revealing Ancylostoma tubaeforme in one nematode sample and Hydatigera taeniaeformis in five cestode samples. Cats from rural areas had significantly higher endoparasite prevalence than cats from urban areas. Helminth prevalence decreased to some extent due to anthelmintic treatment in cats available for adoption (held ≥15 days in the shelter), whereas the prevalence of infection with protists increased significantly in these animals. It is important to note that the analysis revealed lower infection intensity for quarantine cats (held 1-14 days in the shelter) compared with cats available for adoption. The relatively high prevalence of endoparasites (including zoonotic) in shelter cats ready for adoption suggests that current anthelminthic procedures require improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ants Tull
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | - Epp Moks
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia.,Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Department of bacteriology-pathology, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Urmas Saarma
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Estonia
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13
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Gecchele LV, Pedersen AB, Bell M. Fine-scale variation within urban landscapes affects marking patterns and gastrointestinal parasite diversity in red foxes. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:13796-13809. [PMID: 33391681 PMCID: PMC7771116 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban areas are often considered to be a hostile environment for wildlife as they are highly fragmented and frequently disturbed. However, these same habitats can contain abundant resources, while lacking many common competitors and predators. The urban environment can have a direct impact on the species living there but can also have indirect effects on their parasites and pathogens. To date, relatively few studies have measured how fine-scale spatial heterogeneity within urban landscapes can affect parasite transmission and persistence.Here, we surveyed 237 greenspaces across the urban environment of Edinburgh (UK) to investigate how fine-scale variation in socio-economic and ecological variables can affect red fox (Vulpes vulpes) marking behavior, gastrointestinal (GI) parasite prevalence, and parasite community diversity.We found that the presence and abundance of red fox fecal markings were nonuniformly distributed across greenspaces and instead were dependent on the ecological characteristics of a site. Specifically, common foraging areas were left largely unmarked, which indicates that suitable resting and denning sites may be limiting factor in urban environments. In addition, the amount of greenspace around each site was positively correlated with overall GI parasite prevalence, species richness, and diversity, highlighting the importance of greenspace (a commonly used measure of landscape connectivity) in determining the composition of the parasite community in urban areas.Our results suggest that fine-scale variation within urban environments can be important for understanding the ecology of infectious diseases in urban wildlife and could have wider implication for the management of urban carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa V. Gecchele
- Ashworth LaboratoriesSchool of Biological SciencesInstitute of Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Amy B. Pedersen
- Ashworth LaboratoriesSchool of Biological SciencesInstitute of Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Matthew Bell
- Ashworth LaboratoriesSchool of Biological SciencesInstitute of Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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14
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Deksne G, Davidson RK, Buchmann K, Kärssin A, Kirjušina M, Gavarāne I, Miller AL, Pálsdóttir GR, Robertson LJ, Mørk T, Oksanen A, Palinauskas V, Jokelainen P. Parasites in the changing world - Ten timely examples from the Nordic-Baltic region. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2020; 10:e00150. [PMID: 32435705 PMCID: PMC7232095 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The world is changing, and parasites adapt. The Nordic-Baltic region in northern Europe - including the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and the Baltic States Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - is facing new parasitological challenges due to changes in populations of parasites and their hosts and the spread of new parasites to the region due to climate change. Some changes can also be ascribed to increased awareness and detection. In this paper, we review and discuss a convenience selection of ten timely examples of recent observations that exemplify trends and challenges from different fields of parasitology, with particular focus on climate change and potential changes in epidemiology of pathogens in northern Europe. The examples illustrate how addressing parasitological challenges often requires both intersectoral and international collaboration, and how using both historical baseline data and modern methodologies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunita Deksne
- Institute of Food safety, Animal health and Environment “BIOR”, Lejupes Str. 3, Riga LV-1076, Latvia
- Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Jelgavas Str. 1, Riga LV-1004, Latvia
| | | | - Kurt Buchmann
- Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 7, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Age Kärssin
- Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Kreutzwaldi 30, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Muza Kirjušina
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes Str. 1A, Daugavpils LV-5401, Latvia
| | - Inese Gavarāne
- Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes Str. 1A, Daugavpils LV-5401, Latvia
| | - Andrea L. Miller
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Department for Terrestrial Ecology, Postboks 5685 Sluppen, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Guðný Rut Pálsdóttir
- Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, IS-112 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Lucy J. Robertson
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Section for Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Parasitology Lab, Adamstuen Campus, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Torill Mørk
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Stakkevollvegen 23b, 9010 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Antti Oksanen
- Finnish Food Authority (FINPAR), Elektroniikkatie 3, 90590 Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
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15
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First Documented Cases of Pearsonema Plica (syn. Capillaria Plica) Infections in Dogs from Western Slovakia. Helminthologia 2020; 57:158-162. [PMID: 32518492 PMCID: PMC7261032 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2020-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Three clinical cases of dogs with Pearsonema plica infection were detected in the western part of Slovakia. All cases were detected within five months. Infections were confirmed after positive findings of capillarid eggs in the urine sediment in following breeds. The eight years old Jack Russell Terrier, one year old Italian Greyhound, and eleven years old Yorkshire terrier were examined and treated. In one case, the infection was found accidentally in clinically healthy dog. Two other patients had nonspecific clinical signs such as apathy, inappetence, vomiting, polydipsia and frequent urination. This paper describes three individual cases, including the case history, clinical signs, examinations, and therapies. All data were obtained by attending veterinarian as well as by dog owners.
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16
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Pisano SRR, Zimmermann F, Rossi L, Capt S, Akdesir E, Bürki R, Kunz F, Origgi FC, Ryser-Degiorgis MP. Spatiotemporal spread of sarcoptic mange in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Switzerland over more than 60 years: lessons learnt from comparative analysis of multiple surveillance tools. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:521. [PMID: 31690337 PMCID: PMC6833187 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3762-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sarcoptic mange is a contagious skin disease of wild and domestic mammals caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Reports of sarcoptic mange in wildlife increased worldwide in the second half of the 20th century, especially since the 1990s. The aim of this study was to provide new insights into the epidemiology of mange by (i) documenting the emergence of sarcoptic mange in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the last decades in Switzerland; and (ii) describing its spatiotemporal spread combining data obtained through different surveillance methods. METHODS Retrospective analysis of archived material together with prospective data collection delivered a large dataset from the 19th century to 2018. Methods included: (i) a review of historical literature; (ii) screening of necropsy reports from general health surveillance (1958-2018); (iii) screening of data on mange (1968-1992) collected during the sylvatic rabies eradication campaign; (iv) a questionnaire survey (<1980-2017) and (v) evaluation of camera-trap bycatch data (2005-2018). RESULTS Sarcoptic mange in red foxes was reported as early as 1835 in Switzerland. The first case diagnosed in the framework of the general health surveillance was in 1959. Prior to 1980, sarcoptic mange occurred in non-adjacent surveillance districts scattered all over the country. During the period of the rabies epidemic (1970s-early 1990s), the percentage of foxes tested for rabies with sarcoptic mange significantly decreased in subregions with rabies, whereas it remained high in the few rabies-free subregions. Sarcoptic mange re-emerged in the mid-1990s and continuously spread during the 2000-2010s, to finally extend to the whole country in 2017. The yearly prevalence of mange in foxes estimated by camera-trapping ranged from 0.1-12%. CONCLUSIONS Sarcoptic mange has likely been endemic in Switzerland as well as in other European countries at least since the mid-19th century. The rabies epidemics seem to have influenced the pattern of spread of mange in several locations, revealing an interesting example of disease interaction in free-ranging wildlife populations. The combination of multiple surveillance tools to study the long-term dynamics of sarcoptic mange in red foxes in Switzerland proved to be a successful strategy, which underlined the usefulness of questionnaire surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Roberto Rolando Pisano
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI), Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, PO Box, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fridolin Zimmermann
- KORA – Carnivore Ecology and Wildlife Management, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, Switzerland
| | - Luca Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Simon Capt
- Info Fauna, Swiss Centre for the Cartography of the Fauna, Bellevaux 51, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Ezgi Akdesir
- Swiss Rabies Centre, Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, PO Box, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roland Bürki
- KORA – Carnivore Ecology and Wildlife Management, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, Switzerland
| | - Florin Kunz
- KORA – Carnivore Ecology and Wildlife Management, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Carlo Origgi
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI), Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, PO Box, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI), Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, PO Box, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
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17
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Otranto D, Deplazes P. Zoonotic nematodes of wild carnivores. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 9:370-383. [PMID: 31338295 PMCID: PMC6626844 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
For a long time, wildlife carnivores have been disregarded for their potential in transmitting zoonotic nematodes. However, human activities and politics (e.g., fragmentation of the environment, land use, recycling in urban settings) have consistently favoured the encroachment of urban areas upon wild environments, ultimately causing alteration of many ecosystems with changes in the composition of the wild fauna and destruction of boundaries between domestic and wild environments. Therefore, the exchange of parasites from wild to domestic carnivores and vice versa have enhanced the public health relevance of wild carnivores and their potential impact in the epidemiology of many zoonotic parasitic diseases. The risk of transmission of zoonotic nematodes from wild carnivores to humans via food, water and soil (e.g., genera Ancylostoma, Baylisascaris, Capillaria, Uncinaria, Strongyloides, Toxocara, Trichinella) or arthropod vectors (e.g., genera Dirofilaria spp., Onchocerca spp., Thelazia spp.) and the emergence, re-emergence or the decreasing trend of selected infections is herein discussed. In addition, the reasons for limited scientific information about some parasites of zoonotic concern have been examined. A correct compromise between conservation of wild carnivores and risk of introduction and spreading of parasites of public health concern is discussed in order to adequately manage the risk of zoonotic nematodes of wild carnivores in line with the 'One Health' approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Universita’ degli Studi di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Peter Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
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18
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Tiškina V, Lindqvist EL, Blomqvist AC, Orav M, Stensvold CR, Jokelainen P. Autochthonous Angiostrongylus vasorum in Finland. Vet Rec Open 2019; 6:e000314. [PMID: 30997112 PMCID: PMC6446214 DOI: 10.1136/vetreco-2018-000314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongylus vasorum has spread farther north in Europe. In this study, two autochthonous findings from dogs from Finland are described: in February 2014, the infection was diagnosed in a 10-month-old labrador retriever, and in February 2017, in a three-year-old French bulldog. These diagnoses were based on direct detection of the larvae from faeces of the dogs. The dogs had no history of travel to or import from abroad; the first lived in Southern Finland and the other in Western Finland, about 150 km apart. The dogs had no clinical signs attributable to angiostrongylosis. An online questionnaire was used to survey the extent to which veterinarians in Finland have self-reportedly observed canine A vasorum infections. A total of 38 veterinarians authorised to work in Finland answered the questionnaire in December 2017, and 9 (24%) of them reported having seen one or more dogs with A vasorum infection in Finland. The results suggest that at least five individual dogs with A vasorum infection would have been seen in Finland, three of which had an apparently autochthonous infection. While the geographical distribution of A vasorum in Finland remains largely unknown, findings have started to appear from domestic dogs. It remains possible that some veterinarians could have misdiagnosed, for example, Crenosoma vulpis larvae as those of A vasorum, and the findings without confirmation using antigen test could be due to coprophagy and passage of ingested larvae; however, this does not change the main conclusion that can be made: A vasorum is already multifocally present in Finland. Increasing awareness about A vasorum is important in areas where it is emerging and spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tiškina
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | | | - Merle Orav
- Evidensia Nekala, Evidensia, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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19
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Tammeleht E, Kuuspu M. Effect of competition and landscape characteristics on mesocarnivore cohabitation in badger setts. J Zool (1987) 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Tammeleht
- Department of Zoology Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences University of Tartu Tartu Estonia
| | - M. Kuuspu
- Department of Zoology Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences University of Tartu Tartu Estonia
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20
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Kärssin A, Häkkinen L, Niin E, Peik K, Vilem A, Jokelainen P, Lassen B. Trichinella spp. biomass has increased in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Estonia. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:609. [PMID: 29246168 PMCID: PMC5732378 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2571-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Raccoon dogs and red foxes are well-adapted hosts for Trichinella spp. The aims of this study were to estimate Trichinella infection prevalence and biomass and to investigate which Trichinella species circulated in these indicator hosts in Estonia. METHODS From material collected for evaluating the effectiveness of oral vaccination program for rabies eradication in wildlife, samples from 113 raccoon dogs and 87 red foxes were included in this study. From each animal, 20 g of masseter muscle tissue was tested for the presence of Trichinella larvae using an artificial digestion method. The Trichinella larvae were identified to species level by multiplex polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS The majority of tested animals were infected with Trichinella spp. The parasite species identified were T. nativa and T. britovi. The apparent infection prevalence was 57.5% in raccoon dogs and 69.0% in red foxes, which were higher than previous estimates. In addition, the larval burden had also increased in both hosts. We estimated that in 2011-2012, the Trichinella spp. biomass was more than 15 times higher in raccoon dogs and almost two times higher in red foxes than in 1992-2000 (based on mean larval burden), and almost 20 times higher in raccoon dogs and almost five times higher in red foxes than in 2000-2002 (based on median larval burden). CONCLUSIONS Raccoon dogs and red foxes are relevant reservoirs for Trichinella spp. in Estonia. The biomass of Trichinella circulating in sylvatic cycles was substantial and had increased: there is substantial infection pressure in the sylvatic cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Age Kärssin
- Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Tartu, Estonia. .,Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.
| | | | - Enel Niin
- Veterinary and Food Board, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Katrin Peik
- Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.,University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Brian Lassen
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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21
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Süld K, Tammeleht E, Valdmann H, Saarma U. Severe impact of sarcoptic mange on the movements and space use for one of its most important vector species, the raccoon dog. Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:67-70. [PMID: 28807313 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious zoonotic skin disease that can have severe effect on population dynamics of many wild mammals. However, very little is known about its effect on the activity and space use of infected animals. In this study we equipped two raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in a mange outbreak area with radio-collars and observed the spatial and temporal effects of sarcoptic mange to these individuals. Initially, the raccoon dogs had no external symptoms of mange infection, but developed these during the study period. One of the raccoon dogs died just 32 and the other 52days after collaring. During a relatively short period before their death, there was an abrupt and drastic decline in their home range size. For one of the animals it started about 1 month before its death and the home range size reduced >1000×, whereas for the other raccoon dog it took place within the last week, decreasing >200×. The daily covered distances also declined considerably. These results indicate that at the later stage sarcoptic mange affected the physiological state of the diseased animals so forcefully that made them almost immobile. Our results show for the first time how rapid and severe could the impact of sarcoptic mange be for one of its most important reservoir and vector species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karmen Süld
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia, Estonia
| | - Egle Tammeleht
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia, Estonia
| | - Harri Valdmann
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia, Estonia
| | - Urmas Saarma
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia, Estonia.
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22
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Soe E, Davison J, Süld K, Valdmann H, Laurimaa L, Saarma U. Europe-wide biogeographical patterns in the diet of an ecologically and epidemiologically important mesopredator, the red foxVulpes vulpes: a quantitative review. Mamm Rev 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Egle Soe
- Department of Zoology; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Vanemuise 46 51014 Tartu Estonia
| | - John Davison
- Department of Botany; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Lai 40 51005 Tartu Estonia
| | - Karmen Süld
- Department of Zoology; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Vanemuise 46 51014 Tartu Estonia
| | - Harri Valdmann
- Department of Zoology; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Vanemuise 46 51014 Tartu Estonia
| | - Leidi Laurimaa
- Department of Zoology; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Vanemuise 46 51014 Tartu Estonia
| | - Urmas Saarma
- Department of Zoology; Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences; University of Tartu; Vanemuise 46 51014 Tartu Estonia
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23
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Romig T, Deplazes P, Jenkins D, Giraudoux P, Massolo A, Craig PS, Wassermann M, Takahashi K, de la Rue M. Ecology and Life Cycle Patterns of Echinococcus Species. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2017; 95:213-314. [PMID: 28131364 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The genus Echinococcus is composed of eight generally recognized species and one genotypic cluster (Echinococcus canadensis cluster) that may in future be resolved into one to three species. For each species, we review existing information on transmission routes and life cycles in different geographical contexts and - where available - include basic biological information of parasites and hosts (e.g., susceptibility of host species). While some Echinococcus spp. are transmitted in life cycles that involve predominantly domestic animals (e.g., dog - livestock cycles), others are wildlife parasites that do or do not interact with domestic transmission. In many cases, life cycle patterns of the same parasite species differ according to geography. Simple life cycles contrast with transmission patterns that are highly complex, involving multihost systems that may include both domestic and wild mammals. Wildlife transmission may be primary or secondary, i.e., resulting from spillovers from domestic animals. For most of the species and regions, existing information does not yet permit a conclusive description of transmission systems. Such data, however, would be highly relevant, e.g., for anticipation of geographical changes of the presence and frequency of these parasites in a warming world, or for initiating evidence-based control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Romig
- University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - P Deplazes
- University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - D Jenkins
- Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - P Giraudoux
- University of Franche-Comté and Institut Universitaire de France, Besancon, France
| | - A Massolo
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - P S Craig
- University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - M de la Rue
- University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria RS, Brazil
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