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Swanepoel L, Loyola A, Flowers J, Lewbart GA, Garrett KB, Yabsley MJ. Infection with a novel pentastome (Raillietiella sp.) in a juvenile endangered Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger). Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 35:100782. [PMID: 36184111 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100782] [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: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Pentastomes are crustacean endoparasites in the lungs of herpetofauna and rarely mammals and birds. To date, the only pentastomes reported in chelonians, all aquatic turtles, are Diesingia megastomum from Brazil and Pelonia africana from South Africa. In March 2021, 185 juvenile tortoises (Chelonoidis niger) were confiscated after an attempted illegal exportation from the Galápagos. It is believed the tortoises were removed from nests on Santa Cruz Island. The young tortoises were individually wrapped in plastic and at seizure ten were dead and another 25 tortoises subsequently died. One of the tortoises, estimated to be 3 months old, had 11 pentastomes in the lungs. The pentastomes were identified as a Raillietiella sp. based on morphology. The specimens had a claviform body that tapers into a bifid tail, a 165.3 μm × 92.1 μm buccal cadre, and sharp tipped anterior and posterior hooks with the posterior hooks being larger than the anterior. The males have smooth copulatory spicules with a rounded, smooth base. All females were gravid. Molecular analysis confirmed that the parasites were a Raillietiella sp. Based on the COI gene, it was most similar (82.7% identical) to an undescribed Raillietiella species from a Caribbean anole (Anolis cristatellus) found in Florida followed by R. hebitihamata (81%), R. indica (80.7%), and R. orientalis (78.8-80.7%). Based on the 18S rRNA gene sequence (1799 bp), it was most similar (99.3% identical) to two undescribed Raillietiella species followed by R. aegypti from a berber skink (Eumeces schneideri) from Saudia Arabia. Phylogenetically, with both molecular targets, the Raillietiella sp. from the Galápagos tortoise grouped with other Raillietiella spp. and was basal within the group. Currently, the origin of this parasite (native to Galápagos or introduced) and the life cycle are unknown. Because some pentastome species, especially when in aberrant hosts, can be pathogenic, additional studies of parasites in native and introduced reptile and amphibian species in the Galápagos are needed to better understand the risk this parasite poses to Galápagos tortoises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liandrie Swanepoel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Andrea Loyola
- Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - James Flowers
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Kayla B Garrett
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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Zhu GL, Tang YY, Limpanont Y, Wu ZD, Li J, Lv ZY. Zoonotic parasites carried by invasive alien species in China. Infect Dis Poverty 2019; 8:2. [PMID: 30621776 PMCID: PMC6325848 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0512-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The invasive alien species may lead to great environmental and economic crisis due to its strong capability of occupying the biological niche of native species and altering the ecosystem of the invaded area. However, its potential to serve as the vectors of some specific zoonotic pathogens, especially parasites, has been neglected. Thus, the damage that it may cause has been hugely underestimated in this aspect, which is actually an important public health problem. This paper aims to discuss the current status of zoonotic parasites carried by invasive alien species in China. MAIN BODY This review summarizes the reported zoonotic parasites carried by invasive alien species in China based on the Database of Invasive Alien Species in China. We summarize their prevalence, threat to human health, related reported cases, and the roles of invasive alien species in the life cycle of these parasites, and the invasion history of some invasive alien species. Furthermore, we sum up the current state of prevention and control of invasive alien species in China, and discuss about the urgency and several feasible strategies for the prevention and control of these zoonoses under the background of booming international communications and inevitable globalization. CONCLUSIONS Information of the zoonotic parasites carried by invasive alien species neither in China or worldwide, especially related case reports, is limited due to a long-time neglection and lack of monitoring. The underestimation of their damage requires more attention to the monitoring and control and compulsory measures should be taken to control the invasive alien species carrying zoonotic parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Li Zhu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Yi-Yang Tang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Yanin Limpanont
- Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
| | - Zhong-Dao Wu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Jian Li
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519000 Guangdong China
| | - Zhi-Yue Lv
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519000 Guangdong China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, 510080 China
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Dechkajorn S, Nomsiri R, Boonsri K, Sripakdee D, Sukontason KL, Wannasan A, Chailangkarn S, Tiwananthagorn S. Visceral pentastomiasis caused by Armillifer armillatus in a captive striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) in Chiang Mai Night Safari, Thailand. Parasitol Int 2015; 65:58-61. [PMID: 26460150 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Visceral pentastomiasis (porocephalosis) caused by Armillifer armillatus larvae was incidentally diagnosed in a female striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) of unknown age which died unexpectedly in 2013. The hyena had been imported from Tanzania 8years earlier and have been since then in a zoo in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Pathological examination revealed visceral nymph migrans of pentastomes throughout the intestine, liver, diaphragm, omentum and mesentery, spleen, kidneys, and urinary bladder. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing that targeted the pentastomid-specific 18S rRNA gene determined 100% identity with reference sequence for A. armillatus, suggesting that its ova can infect the hyena to serve as an intermediate host for the parasite. Further studies to identify the source of infection, its risk factors, and host range for A. armillatus are important to determine its zoonotic potential and to better prevent and manage the disease to protect animal and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kittikorn Boonsri
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
| | - Duanghatai Sripakdee
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand; Veterinary Central Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
| | - Kabkaew L Sukontason
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
| | - Anchalee Wannasan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
| | - Sasisophin Chailangkarn
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand; Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
| | - Saruda Tiwananthagorn
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand; Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
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Kaup FJ. From the working group "Experimental Pathology" to the department "Pathology Unit" – historical development in retrospect. Primate Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.5194/pb-2-57-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract. The Pathology Unit of the German Primate Center started as the working group of Experimental Pathology in 1992. This small group with one veterinary pathologist and a technician was founded based on an idea of Prof. Dr. Kuhn, who wanted to strengthen the pathology research activities and to establish a centralized electron microscopy laboratory. Later on, experimental pathology, veterinary services and primate husbandry were integrated as the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Primate Husbandry but subsequently again separated. Prof. Dr. Franz-Josef Kaup, the head of the previously integrated department, remained in his capacity as the leader of the different units. Over the years, the research activities have changed from SIV-associated pathology to other infectious diseases. Today, the main research focus is on the pathogenesis of orthopoxvirus infection, primate pathology, neglected tropical diseases and nonhuman primates as models for chronic respiratory diseases. This paper gives an overview of the historical development and aspects of research activities.
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Pentastomids of wild snakes in the Australian tropics. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2013; 3:20-31. [PMID: 24918074 PMCID: PMC4047961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2013.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Revised: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Pentastomids infected 59% of snakes surveyed in the Australian tropics. Pentastomids were of the genera Raillietiella and Waddycephalus. Raillietiella orientalis has invaded Australia via an unknown pathway. Five species of Waddycephalus were present in the Australian tropics. Morphological features are unreliable for distinguishing Waddycephalus species.
Pentastomids are endoparasites of the respiratory system of vertebrates, maturing primarily in carnivorous reptiles. Adult and larval pentastomids can cause severe pathology resulting in the death of their intermediate and definitive hosts. The study of pentastomids is a neglected field, impaired by risk of zoonoses, difficulties in species identification, and life cycle complexities. We surveyed wild snakes in the tropics of Australia to clarify which host species possess these parasites, and then sought to identify these pentastomids using a combination of morphological and molecular techniques. We detected pentastomid infections in 59% of the 81 snakes surveyed. The ubiquity of pentastomid infections in snakes of the Australian tropics sampled in this study is alarmingly high considering the often-adverse consequences of infection and the recognized zoonotic potential of these parasites. The pentastomids were of the genera Raillietiella and Waddycephalus and infected a range of host taxa, encompassing seven snake species from three snake families. All seven snake species represent new host records for pentastomids of the genera Raillietiella and/or Waddycephalus. The arboreal colubrid Dendrelaphis punctulatus and the terrestrial elapid Demansia vestigiata had particularly high infection prevalences (79% and 100% infected, respectively). Raillietiella orientalis infected 38% of the snakes surveyed, especially frog-eating species, implying a frog intermediate host for this parasite. Raillietiella orientalis was previously known only from Asian snakes and has invaded Australia via an unknown pathway. Our molecular data indicated that five species of Waddycephalus infect 28% of snakes in the surveyed area. Our morphological data indicate that features of pentastomid anatomy previously utilised to identify species of the genus Waddycephalus are unreliable for distinguishing species, highlighting the need for additional taxonomic work on this genus.
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Tappe D, Dijkmans AC, Brienen EAT, Dijkmans BAC, Ruhe IMC, Netten MCML, van Lieshout L. Imported Armillifer pentastomiasis: report of a symptomatic infection in The Netherlands and mini-review. Travel Med Infect Dis 2013; 12:129-33. [PMID: 24211241 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2013.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We report a case of symptomatic visceral Armillifer pentastomiasis in a 23-year-old female Liberian immigrant to The Netherlands. The patient was referred to the gynecologist because of lower abdominal pain. During laparotomy, multiple adhesions were seen in the lower pelvis and a hydrosalpinx with an encapsulated Armillifer nymph, most likely Armillifer armillatus, was found. Key features of the parasite's cuticle which facilitate the diagnosis of pentastomiasis, are presented. Symptomatic pentastomiasis is uncommon, and most cases are diagnosed incidentally during surgery for other reasons, or at autopsy. With regard to increasing international migration, other imported pentastomiasis cases to Europe and North America are reviewed, and more cases are likely to be seen in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Tappe
- Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Anneke C Dijkmans
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), PO Box 9600 (zone E4-P), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Eric A T Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), PO Box 9600 (zone P4-P), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Ben A C Dijkmans
- Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Inge M C Ruhe
- Department of Gynaecology, Flevohospital, Hospitaalweg 1, 1315 RA Almere, The Netherlands.
| | - Magali C M L Netten
- Department of Gynaecology, Flevohospital, Hospitaalweg 1, 1315 RA Almere, The Netherlands.
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), PO Box 9600 (zone P4-P), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Childhood pentastomiasis: a report of three cases with the following-up data. Parasitol Int 2013; 62:289-92. [PMID: 23474414 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2013.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Revised: 01/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pentastomiasis, a zoonotic parasitic disease, has been reported commonly in Africa and Asia. It is caused by pentastomes, which are annulated but unsegmented blood-sucking endoparasites. Fewer than 20 cases have been reported during the past two decades in China, and cases in children have been especially rare. Herein, we report three cases of pediatric patients with severe systemic symptoms, focusing on the clinical features, diagnosis, and therapy of this disease. The patients were two boys and one girl aged 3 to 13years. They all had a history of snake or worm ingested from snake and initial symptoms of fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Eosinophilia, anemia and elevated serum IgE levels were noted. Moreover, the large numbers of nodules, or even calcification, in the liver and/or lungs were noted by ultrasound, CT or MRI scans. These pentastomes were identified as Armillifer moniliformis, Porocephalus taiwana and Armillifer agkistrodontis. Praziquantel and mebendazole deworming treatments were adopted for the patients. Hence, pentastomiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients with multiple organ or system lesions, especially abdominal signs, that develop after the ingestion of snakes. Ultrasound, CT and MRI scans and laparoscopic approaches might be helpful for the diagnosis.
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