1
|
Barton DP, Kopf RK, Zhu X, Shamsi S. The Presence of a Parasite in the Head Tissues of a Threatened Fish ( Bidyanus bidyanus, Terapontidae) from South-Eastern Australia. Pathogens 2023; 12:1296. [PMID: 38003761 PMCID: PMC10674335 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell) (Terapontidae) is a freshwater fish, endemic to the Murray-Darling river system in south-eastern Australia. Population declines have led to the fish being listed as critically endangered by the Australian Government. Knowledge about parasites and diseases of wild populations of freshwater fish are limited in Australia. During an examination of wild-caught silver perch, digenean mesocercaria were observed in the head tissues. A total of five of the 11 silver perch collected from the Wakool River, New South Wales, were infected with mesocercaria. All mesocercaria were found in the head tissues; no mesocercaria were found encysted in the eye lens. The mesocercaria were found to belong to the family Strigeidae based on the sequences of their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The lack of comparable sequences of strigeid digeneans from Australian hosts precludes being able to determine if the mesocercaria found in this study are a new species or representatives of an already described species. However, genetic results confirm that this is a different species to other digeneans previously described from silver perch, thus increasing the number of digeneans reported from B. bidyanus to three species. The presence of digenean mesocercaria in the head tissues of a wild population of silver perch, as found in the present study, is of potential conservation significance. Given the critically endangered conservation status of B. bidyanus, and previous evidence of strigeid infection altering fish behaviour, ecology, and predation mortality, further research on the potential impacts of infection on wild populations is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diane P. Barton
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia;
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia
| | - R. Keller Kopf
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia;
| | - Xiaocheng Zhu
- Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia;
| | - Shokoofeh Shamsi
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia;
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Francis EK, Šlapeta J. Refugia or reservoir? Feral goats and their role in the maintenance and circulation of benzimidazole-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes on shared pastures. Parasitology 2023; 150:672-682. [PMID: 37165895 PMCID: PMC10410396 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000380] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes threaten the productivity of grazing livestock and anthelmintic resistance has emerged globally. It is broadly understood that wild ruminants living in sympatry with livestock act as a positive source of refugia for anthelmintic-susceptible nematodes. However, they might also act as reservoirs of anthelmintic-resistant nematodes, contributing to the spread of anthelmintic resistance at a regional scale. Here, we sampled managed sheep and cattle together with feral goats within the same property in New South Wales, Australia. Internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) nemabiome metabarcoding identified 12 gastrointestinal nematodes (Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata, Haemonchus contortus, Haemonchus placei, Nematodirus spathiger, Ostertagia ostertagi, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Trichostrongylus rugatus). Isotype-1 β-tubulin metabarcoding targeting benzimidazole resistance polymorphisms identified 6 of these nematode species (C. oncophora, C. punctata, H. contortus, H. placei, O. ostertagi and T. circumcincta), with the remaining 3 genera unable to be identified to the species level (Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Trichostrongylus). Both ITS-2 and β-tubulin metabarcoding showed the presence of a cryptic species of T. circumcincta, known from domestic goats in France. Of the gastrointestinal nematodes detected via β-tubulin metabarcoding, H. contortus, T. circumcincta, Nematodirus and Trichostrongylus exhibited the presence of at least one resistance genotype. We found that generalist gastrointestinal nematodes in untreated feral goats had a similarly high frequency of the benzimidazole-resistant F200Y polymorphism as those nematodes in sheep and cattle. This suggests cross-transmission and maintenance of the resistant genotype within the wild ruminant population, affirming that wild ruminants should be considered potential reservoirs of anthelmintic resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Kate Francis
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shamsi S, Francis N, Masiga J, Barton DP, Zhu X, Pearce L, McLellan M. Occurrence and characterisation of Eustrongylides species in Australian native birds and fish. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2023; 30:e00189. [PMID: 36874397 PMCID: PMC9975212 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2023.e00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In Australia, nematodes belonging to the genus Eustrongylides were believed to be endemic species until the late 20th century when they were all considered to be E. excisus, invalid or inquirendae. Although these nematodes have frequently been reported in Australian fish, reptiles, and birds and cause disease or mortality among them, there has been no attempt to date to characterise them genetically. Globally, also, no one has validated or defined suitable genetic markers to distinguish between species of Eustrongylides. In this study, adult Eustrongylides from little black cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris; n = 3) and larvae from mountain galaxias (Galaxias olidus, n = 2) and a Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii, n = 1), and a Murray cod-trout cod hybrids (Maccullochella peelii x Maccullochella macquariensis, n = 1) were available for morphological examination and molecular characterisation. The adult nematodes from cormorants were identified as E. excisus. Sequences of the 18S and ITS regions were then obtained for all nematodes, which were identical among all specimens (larvae and adults) and also identical to those of E. excisus available in the GenBank. However, only one base pair difference exists between the 18S sequences of E. excisus and E. ignotus, with limited sequences available in GenBank accompanied with proper morphological data for the nematodes. With that limitation in mind, identifying our specimens as E. excisus suggests spill-over - that it is an introduced parasite species that has successfully established its life cycle among Australian native species - may have occurred. Our study is the first report of E. excisus in the little black cormorant, P. sulcirostris. Our results do not exclude the possibility of the occurrence of other species of Eustrongylides, either native or exotic, in Australia. This parasite is zoonotic and with increasing demand for fish and changing dietary preferences, such as the consumption of raw or undercooked fish, its occurrence in the flesh of the fish is concerning. This parasite is also associated with anthropogenic habitat alteration affecting the reproductive success of the infected hosts. Therefore, awareness among the relevant authorities of the presence of the parasite in Australia and its adverse impact on native animals is crucial for the success of conservation plans such as fish recovery and relocation efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shokoofeh Shamsi
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Nidhish Francis
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia
| | - Juliet Masiga
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia
- Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute(KEVEVAPI), Road A off Enterprise Road, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Diane P. Barton
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia
| | - Xiaocheng Zhu
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Luke Pearce
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries, Habitat & Threatened Species Unit, Freshwater Environment Branch, Australia
| | - Matthew McLellan
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, Narrandera Fisheries Centre, Narrandera, NSW 2700, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fulham M, Power M, Gray R. Gut microbiota of endangered Australian sea lion pups is unchanged by topical ivermectin treatment for endemic hookworm infection. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1048013. [PMID: 36601397 PMCID: PMC9806137 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1048013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota is essential for the development and maintenance of the hosts' immune system. Disturbances to the gut microbiota in early life stages can result in long-lasting impacts on host health. This study aimed to determine if topical ivermectin treatment for endemic hookworm (Uncinaria sanguinis) infection in endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups resulted in gut microbial changes. The gut microbiota was characterised for untreated (control) (n = 23) and treated (n = 23) Australian sea lion pups sampled during the 2019 and 2020/21 breeding seasons at Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island. Samples were collected pre- and post-treatment on up to four occasions over a four-to-five-month period. The gut microbiota of untreated (control) and treated pups in both seasons was dominated by five bacterial phyla, Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. A significant difference in alpha diversity between treatment groups was seen in pups sampled during the 2020/21 breeding season (p = 0.008), with higher richness and diversity in treated pups. Modelling the impact of individual pup identification (ID), capture, pup weight (kg), standard length (cm), age and sex on beta diversity revealed that pup ID accounted for most of the variation (35% in 2019 and 42% in 2020/21), with pup ID, capture, and age being the only significant contributors to microbial variation (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the composition of the microbiota between treatment groups in both the 2019 and 2020/21 breeding seasons, indicating that topical ivermectin treatment did not alter the composition of the gut microbiota. To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterise the gut microbiota of free-ranging Australian pinniped pups, compare the composition across multiple time points, and to consider the impact of parasitic treatment on overall diversity and microbial composition of the gut microbiota. Importantly, the lack of compositional changes in the gut microbiota with treatment support the utility of topical ivermectin as a safe and minimally invasive management strategy to enhance pup survival in this endangered species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariel Fulham
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Power
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Rachael Gray
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia,*Correspondence: Rachael Gray,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Barton DP, Russell M, Zhu X, Jenkins DJ, Shamsi S. Verification of the Spotted-Tail Quoll, Dasyurus maculatus, as a Definitive Host for the Pentastomid Linguatula sp. in Australia. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1292-1296. [PMID: 33977400 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00405-4] [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: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Specimens of a pentastomid, identified as a nymphal Linguatula serrata, have previously been reported from the nasal cavity of the endangered Australian marsupial, the spotted-tail quoll, Dasyurus maculatus. These specimens were made available for morphological and molecular characterisation to confirm their species identity. METHODS Specimens were examined by light microscopy. Molecular sequencing attempts were unsuccessful. RESULTS Examination showed that the specimens were adult pentastomes of the genus Linguatula. Morphological differences are reported between these specimens and published measurements of specimens from other hosts collected from the same region. CONCLUSIONS This is the first confirmed report of an adult Linguatula pentastome in a native Australian animal. Due to the small number of specimens and the lack of successful molecular characterisation, the pentastomes have been referred to Linguatula sp. until future work can confirm the species identity. The need for combined molecular and morphological analysis of pentastome specimens is reiterated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diane P Barton
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia.
| | - Molly Russell
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
| | - Xiaocheng Zhu
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - David J Jenkins
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Shokoofeh Shamsi
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Huaman JL, Pacioni C, Forsyth DM, Pople A, Hampton JO, Helbig KJ, Carvalho TG. Evaluation of haemoparasite and Sarcocystis infections in Australian wild deer. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 15:262-269. [PMID: 34277336 PMCID: PMC8261462 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.06.006] [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: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Wild animals are natural reservoir hosts for a variety of pathogens that can be transmitted to other wildlife, livestock, other domestic animals, and humans. Wild deer (family Cervidae) in Europe, Asia, and North and South America have been reported to be infected with gastrointestinal and vector-borne parasites. In Australia, wild deer populations have expanded considerably in recent years, yet there is little information regarding which pathogens are present and whether these pathogens pose biosecurity threats to humans, wildlife, livestock, or other domestic animals. To address this knowledge gap, PCR-based screening for five parasitic genera was conducted in blood samples (n = 243) sourced from chital deer (Axis axis), fallow deer (Dama dama), rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) sampled in eastern Australia. These blood samples were tested for the presence of DNA from Plasmodium spp., Trypanosoma spp., Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Sarcocystis spp. Further, the presence of antibodies against Babesia bovis was investigated in serum samples (n = 105) by immunofluorescence. In this study, neither parasite DNA nor antibodies were detected for any of the five genera investigated. These results indicate that wild deer are not currently host reservoirs for Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, Babesia, Theileria or Sarcocystis parasites in eastern Australia. We conclude that in eastern Australia, wild deer do not currently play a significant role in the transmission of these parasites. This survey represents the first large-scale molecular study of its type in Australian wild deer and provides important baseline information about the parasitic infection status of these animals. The expanding populations of wild deer throughout Australia warrant similar surveys in other parts of the country and surveillance efforts to continually assess the level of threat wild deer could pose to humans, wildlife, livestock and other domestic animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose L. Huaman
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Carlo Pacioni
- Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - David M. Forsyth
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, New South Wales, 2800, Australia
| | - Anthony Pople
- Invasive Plants & Animals Research, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ecosciences Precinct, Brisbane, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Jordan O. Hampton
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
- Ecotone Wildlife, PO Box 76, Inverloch, Victoria, 3996, Australia
| | - Karla J. Helbig
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Teresa G. Carvalho
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nematodes from the Tasmanian devil ( Sarcophilus harrisii (Boitard)), with the description of Sarcophiloxyuris longus n. gen. and n. sp. (Oxyuridae). J Helminthol 2021; 95:e38. [PMID: 34325751 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x21000298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii (Boitard)) is an endangered carnivorous marsupial, limited to the islands of Tasmania in southern Australia. The parasites of the Tasmanian devil are understudied. This study aimed to increase the knowledge of the nematode fauna of Tasmanian devils. Ten Tasmanian devils were examined for parasites from northern and southern Tasmania. Nematodes that were collected were morphologically characterized as two separate species. Molecular sequencing was undertaken to verify the identity of these species. A new genus and species of oxyurid nematode was collected from a single Tasmanian devil from the northern part of Tasmania. The nematode is differentiated from oxyurids described from other Australian amphibians, reptiles and marsupials by the characters of the male posterior end - that is, in having three pairs of caudal papillae, two pairs peri-cloacal, one large pair post-cloacal, a long tapering tail, a stout spicule and a gubernaculum and accessory piece, as well as its much larger overall size. Molecular sequencing was unsuccessful. The remaining nematodes collected from the Tasmanian devil in this study were all identified as Baylisascaris tasmaniensis Sprent, 1970, through morphology and molecular sequencing. This paper presents the first description of a new genus and species of oxyurid nematode from the Tasmanian devil, Sarcophiloxyuris longus n. gen., n. sp. The need to undertake more sampling of the parasites of endangered hosts, such as the Tasmanian devil, to assist with a better understanding of their conservation management, is discussed.
Collapse
|
8
|
Egan SL, Taylor CL, Austen JM, Banks PB, Northover AS, Ahlstrom LA, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL. Haemoprotozoan surveillance in peri-urban native and introduced wildlife from Australia. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2021; 1:100052. [PMID: 35284862 PMCID: PMC8906138 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Siobhon L. Egan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Casey L. Taylor
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Camperdown, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Jill M. Austen
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter B. Banks
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Camperdown, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Amy S. Northover
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Liisa A. Ahlstrom
- Elanco Animal Health, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, 2113, Australia
| | - Una M. Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J. Irwin
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
This review covers reports on prevalence Toxocara in dogs from 2000 to the present and views of the veterinary community as to the importance of it as a zoonosis within Australia. The contamination of soils in public areas with eggs of this parasite seems overall to be minimal for reasons related to required collection of faeces from pets and the use of routine deworming and combination dewormers associated with heartworm prevention. The potential of other canid hosts being sources of eggs is likely common, especially with the increasing red fox and wild dog populations in more urbanized environs. Human associated disease, e.g., visceral and ocular larva migrans, is reported very rarely in Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J Jenkins
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Goldsmid J, Bettiol S. Global Medicine, Parasites, and Tasmania. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5010007. [PMID: 31906394 PMCID: PMC7157593 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Until the 1970s, infectious disease training in most medical schools was limited to those diseases common in the area of instruction. Those wishing to explore a more globalised curriculum were encouraged to undertake specialist postgraduate training at schools or institutes of tropical medicine. However, the increase in global trade and travel from the 1970s onward led to dramatic changes in the likelihood of returning travellers and new immigrants presenting with tropical infections in temperate regions. Furthermore, population growth and the changing relationships between animals, the environment, and man in agriculture accentuated the importance of a wider understanding of emerging infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases and parasitic infections. These epidemiological facts were not adequately reflected in the medical literature or medical curriculum at the time. The orientation on tropical infections needed specialised attention, including instruction on diagnosis and treatment of such infections. We describe key global health events and how the changing field of global medicine, from the 1970s to early 2000, impacted on medical education and research. We describe the impact of global health changes in the Tasmanian context, a temperate island state of Australia. We retrospectively analysed data of patients diagnosed with parasites and present a list of endemic and non-endemic parasites reported during this period. Finally, we reflect on the new approaches to the changing needs of global health and challenges that medical programmes, learners and educators face today.
Collapse
|
11
|
Northover AS, Thompson RCA, Lymbery AJ, Wayne AF, Keatley S, Ash A, Elliot AD, Morris K, Godfrey SS. Altered parasite community structure in an endangered marsupial following translocation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 10:13-22. [PMID: 31334028 PMCID: PMC6617222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fauna translocations play an integral role in the management of threatened wildlife, though we are limited by our understanding of how the host-parasite community changes during translocation. During this longitudinal field-based study, we monitored gastrointestinal, blood-borne and ectoparasite taxa infecting woylies (Bettongia penicillata) for up to 12 months following two fauna translocations to supplement existing wild woylie populations in three different sites (Dryandra, Walcott and Warrup East) within the south-west of Western Australia. We aimed to (a) identify changes in parasite community structure of both translocated and resident woylies following translocation; and (b) evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin treatment in translocated hosts. Destination site and time since translocation had the strongest effects on parasite prevalence and mean faecal egg counts following translocation. Ivermectin treatment did not significantly reduce parasite prevalence or mean faecal egg counts in treated hosts. Prior to translocation, parasite community composition differed significantly between woylies selected for translocation and resident woylies within each release site. Following translocation, the parasite communities of translocated and resident hosts converged to become more similar over time, with loss of parasite taxa and novel host-parasite associations emerging. This is the first study to examine changes to the broader parasite community in translocated and resident animals following translocation. The dominant site-specific response of parasites following translocation reinforces the importance of incorporating parasite studies to enhance our fundamental understanding of perturbations in host-parasite systems during translocation, in particular the site-level drivers of parasite dynamics. Perturbations to host-parasite systems during translocation are poorly understood. Parasite dynamics were strongly impacted by site and time since translocation. The parasite communities of translocated and resident hosts converged over time. Ivermectin treatment had no significant impact on target parasites. Translocation protocols should consider the intrinsic biodiversity value of parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy S Northover
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - R C Andrew Thompson
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Alan J Lymbery
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Adrian F Wayne
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Brain Street, Manjimup, Western Australia, 6258, Australia
| | - Sarah Keatley
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Amanda Ash
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Aileen D Elliot
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Keith Morris
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Wildlife Place, Woodvale, Western Australia, 6946, Australia
| | - Stephanie S Godfrey
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 362 Leith Street, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Barton DP, Porter M, Baker A, Zhu X, Jenkins DJ, Shamsi S. First report of nymphs of the introduced pentastomid, Linguatula serrata, in red-necked wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus) in Australia. AUST J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/zo20017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The presence of nymphs of the introduced pentastomid parasite Linguatula serrata is verified in a native Australian animal, the red-necked wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus), for the first time. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed the species identification, with a 100% genetic match to samples collected from various introduced animals from the same location in Kosciuszko National Park. Previous reports of pentastomids, including possible Linguatula sp. infections, in native animals are discussed. More research is required to confirm the validity of these reports.
Collapse
|