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Egan S, Barbosa AD, Feng Y, Xiao L, Ryan U. Minimal zoonotic risk of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis from frogs and reptiles. Eur J Protistol 2024; 93:126066. [PMID: 38442435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2024.126066] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The zoonotic potential of the protist parasites Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in amphibians and reptiles raises public health concerns due to their growing popularity as pets. This review examines the prevalence and diversity of these parasites in wild and captive amphibians and reptiles to better understand the zoonotic risk. Research on Giardia in both groups is limited, and zoonotic forms of Cryptosporidium or Giardia have not been reported in amphibians. Host-adapted Cryptosporidium species dominate in reptiles, albeit some reptiles have been found to carry zoonotic (C. hominis and C. parvum) and rodent-associated (C. tyzzeri, C. muris and C. andersoni) species, primarily through mechanical carriage. Similarly, the limited reports of Giardia duodenalis (assemblages A, B and E) in reptiles may also be due to mechanical carriage. Thus, the available evidence indicates minimal zoonotic risk associated with these organisms in wild and captive frogs and reptiles. The exact transmission routes for these infections within reptile populations remain poorly understood, particularly regarding the importance of mechanical carriage. Although the risk appears minimal, continued research and surveillance efforts are necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the transmission dynamics and ultimately improve our ability to safeguard human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhon Egan
- Harry Butler Institute, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
| | - Amanda D Barbosa
- Harry Butler Institute, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia, DF 70040-020, Brazil
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Una Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
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Elmahallawy EK, Ali FAZ, Raya-Álvarez E, Fehaid A, Abd El-Razik KA, El Fadaly HAM, El-Khadragy MF, Sayed ASM, Soror AH, Alhegaili AS, Saleh AA, Alkhaldi AAM, Madboli AENA, Agil A, Barakat AM. Ameliorative effects of propolis and wheat germ oil on acute toxoplasmosis in experimentally infected mice are associated with reduction in parasite burden and restoration of histopathological changes in the brain, uterus, and kidney. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1357947. [PMID: 38496314 PMCID: PMC10940321 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1357947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis continues to be a prevalent parasitic zoonosis with a global distribution. This disease is caused by an intracellular parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii, and the development of effective novel drug targets to combat it is imperative. There is limited information available on the potential advantages of wheat germ oil (WGO) and propolis, both individually and in combination, against the acute phase of toxoplasmosis. In this study, acute toxoplasmosis was induced in Swiss albino mice, followed by the treatment of infected animals with WGO and propolis, either separately or in combination. After 10 days of experimental infection and treatment, mice from all groups were sacrificed, and their brains, uteri, and kidneys were excised for histopathological assessment. Additionally, the average parasite load in the brain was determined through parasitological assessment, and quantification of the parasite was performed using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction targeting gene amplification. Remarkably, the study found that treating infected animals with wheat germ oil and propolis significantly reduced the parasite load compared to the control group that was infected but not treated. Moreover, the group treated with a combination of wheat germ oil and propolis exhibited a markedly greater reduction in parasitic load compared to the other groups. Similarly, the combination treatment effectively restored the histopathological changes observed in the brain, uterus, and kidney, and the scoring of these reported lesions confirmed these findings. In summary, the present results reveal intriguing insights into the potential therapeutic benefits of wheat germ oil and propolis in the treatment of acute toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Fatma Abo Zakaib Ali
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Enrique Raya-Álvarez
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Av. de la Investigación s/n, Granada, Spain
| | - Alaa Fehaid
- Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Khaled A. Abd El-Razik
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Manal F. El-Khadragy
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal S. M. Sayed
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Ashraf H. Soror
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Alaa S. Alhegaili
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amira A. Saleh
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | | | - Abd El-Nasser A. Madboli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Agil
- Department of Pharmacology, Biohealth Institute Granada (IBs Granada) and Neuroscience Institute, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Egan S, Barbosa AD, Feng Y, Xiao L, Ryan U. Critters and contamination: Zoonotic protozoans in urban rodents and water quality. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 251:121165. [PMID: 38290188 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Rodents represent the single largest group within mammals and host a diverse array of zoonotic pathogens. Urbanisation impacts wild mammals, including rodents, leading to habitat loss but also providing new resources. Urban-adapted (synanthropic) rodents, such as the brown rat (R. norvegicus), black rat (R. rattus), and house mouse (Mus musculus), have long successfully adapted to living close to humans and are known carriers of zoonotic pathogens. Two important enteric, zoonotic protozoan parasites, carried by rodents, include Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Their environmental stages (oocysts/cysts), released in faeces, can contaminate surface and wastewaters, are resistant to common drinking water disinfectants and can cause water-borne related gastritis outbreaks. At least 48 species of Cryptosporidium have been described, with C. hominis and C. parvum responsible for the majority of human infections, while Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and B are the main human-infectious assemblages. Molecular characterisation is crucial to assess the public health risk linked to rodent-related water contamination due to morphological overlap between species. This review explores the global molecular diversity of these parasites in rodents, with a focus on evaluating the zoonotic risk from contamination of water and wasterwater with Cryptosporidium and Giardia oocysts/cysts from synanthropic rodents. Analysis indicates that while zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia are prevalent in farmed and pet rodents, host-specific Cryptosporidium and Giardia species dominate in urban adapted rodents, and therefore the risks posed by these rodents in the transmission of zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia are relatively low. Many knowledge gaps remain however, and therefore understanding the intricate dynamics of these parasites in rodent populations is essential for managing their impact on human health and water quality. This knowledge can inform strategies to reduce disease transmission and ensure safe drinking water in urban and peri‑urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhon Egan
- Harry Butler Institute, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
| | - Amanda D Barbosa
- Harry Butler Institute, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia, DF 70040-020, Brazil
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Una Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
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Sun J, Qin Z, Fu Y, Qin H, Sun M, Dong H, Chao L, Zhang L, Li J. Assessment of potential zoonotic transmission of Giardia duodenalis from dogs and cats. One Health 2023; 17:100651. [PMID: 38116451 PMCID: PMC10728314 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Giardia duodenalis is one of the major causes of diarrhea among humans, especially in young children. Statistical analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of G. duodenalis in humans, dogs, and cats was 9.72% (10,921/112383), 15.60% (7510/48140), and 14.53% (1125/7740), respectively. Unquestionably, the canine-specific assemblages C and D and the feline-specific assemblage F were the dominant genotypes in dogs and cats, respectively. Additionally, the prevalence of zoonotic G. duodenalis assemblages (A and B) in dogs and cats was 23.07% (875/3792) and 41.42% (169/408), respectively, implying that the potential transmission of G. duodenalis from dogs and cats to human infection cannot be ignored. The highest frequency of potentially zoonotic assemblages was found among working dogs (3.55%, 25/705) and the 1-5 age group (22.92%, 11/48). In summary, dogs and cats have a significant role in the zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis due to their close contact with humans and the higher frequency presence of zoonotic assemblages. Further studies are necessary to explore the presence of G. duodenalis among humans and animals and in environmental samples. Researchers should adopt a one-health approach to gain a deeper understanding of G. duodenalis in dogs and cats and potential transmission routes to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Ziyang Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yin Fu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Huikai Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Mengqing Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Haiju Dong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Liqin Chao
- Medical School, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Junqiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
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