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Colella A, Buonfrate D, Lo Tempio F, Digiaro S, Recchia A, Greco B, Paradies P. Clinical insights to address canine strongyloidosis in daily practice. Top Companion Anim Med 2024; 60:100845. [PMID: 38184143 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcam.2024.100845] [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: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Canine strongyloidosis by Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasitic disease emerging in Europe, which represents both a veterinary clinical issue and a public health challenge because of the zoonotic potential. The disease, not yet frequent in Europe, could induce severe clinical signs in dogs; thus, an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are desirable. The aim of the present work is to retrospectively investigate the clinical and paraclinical findings in sick dogs naturally infected by S. stercoralis, with particular attention to ultrasound (US) changes at the gastrointestinal level. Twelve dogs were included in the study. The diagnosis was made by means of larval morphological identification on faecal samples and PCR. Most dogs presented with gastrointestinal signs; diarrhea and weight loss were the most common presenting complaint. Only one dog showed respiratory signs, associated to a parasitic cutaneous nodule. Hypoproteinaemia, anaemia, leucocytosis and an increase in alpha2-globulin fraction at serum protein electrophoresis were common (>50%) but not constant findings. The most reported US picture was a fluid-filled, distended, atonic small intestine mostly associated with altered wall layering, while the wall thickness commonly associated with chronic enteritis was only rarely reported. These changes, associated with other clinical and paraclinical alterations, could increase the suspicion of canine strongyloidosis and may direct clinicians to include strongyloidosis in the differential diagnosis of dogs with diarrhea. The histological examination at the intestinal level, available in five dogs, revealed the presence of parasites from the full-thickness biopsy, but not from the endoscopic biopsy. The critical points of diagnosis in clinical practice are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Colella
- University of Bari, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Production, S.p. Valenzano-Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, (BA), Italy
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, 37024, Verona, Italy
| | - Federica Lo Tempio
- University of Bari, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Production, S.p. Valenzano-Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, (BA), Italy
| | - Serena Digiaro
- University of Bari, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Production, S.p. Valenzano-Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, (BA), Italy
| | - Alessandra Recchia
- University of Bari, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Production, S.p. Valenzano-Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, (BA), Italy
| | - Beatrice Greco
- University of Bari, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Production, S.p. Valenzano-Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, (BA), Italy
| | - Paola Paradies
- University of Bari, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Production, S.p. Valenzano-Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, (BA), Italy.
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Buonfrate D, Tamarozzi F, Paradies P, Watts MR, Bradbury RS, Bisoffi Z. The diagnosis of human and companion animal Strongyloides stercoralis infection: Challenges and solutions. A scoping review. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2022; 118:1-84. [PMID: 36088083 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis is the infection caused by soil-transmitted nematodes of Strongyloides species, infecting humans and some animals. Strongyloides stercoralis is the species with most clinical and epidemiological relevance in humans and dogs, due to its high prevalence and its capacity of inducing a life-threatening hyperinfection. Diagnosis of strongyloidiasis is challenging, due to the absence of a single reference standard test with high sensitivity and specificity, which also hampers the estimation of the accuracy of other diagnostic tests. In this chapter, we review the deployment and performance of the parasitological, immunological, molecular tests for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in humans and in dogs. Further, we comment the available evidence from genotyping studies that have addressed the zoonotic potential of S. stercoralis. Finally, we discuss the use of different diagnostic methods in relation to the purpose (i.e., screening, individual diagnosis, inclusion in a clinical trial) and the setting (endemic/non-endemic areas) and report the accuracy figures reported by systematic reviews on either parasitological, serological or molecular techniques published in literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious Tropical diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Italy.
| | - Francesca Tamarozzi
- Department of Infectious Tropical diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Paradies
- Department of Emergency and Organs Transplantation, Veterinary Section, Campus of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Matthew R Watts
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research - New South Wales Health Pathology and Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard S Bradbury
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VC, Australia
| | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Department of Infectious Tropical diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Italy; Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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DISTRIBUTION OF STRONGYLOIDES STERCORALIS AMONG DOGS OF DIFFERENT HOUSING GROUPS IN KYIV AND KYIV REGION, CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS AND DIAGNOSTIC METHODS. EUREKA: HEALTH SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.21303/2504-5679.2020.001423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis in dogs, despite its uncertain zoonotic status, is potentially danger for dogs owners. It is considered that strongyloidiases characteristic for tropical and subtropical regions, but in recent years it is increasingly found in non-endemic countries.
The aim. To determine the extent of the invasion, clinical signs and diagnostic methods of strongyloidiasis in dogs of different groups in Kyiv and Kyiv region.
Materials and methods. A total of 364 dogs were studied (130 animals lived in shelters (Group 1) and 234 in homes (Group 2). Diagnosis of strongyloidiasis was performed by native smear and Baerman methods. Additionally, the sensitivity of the modified string test was tested. Samples of venous blood were taken from dogs with confirmed strongyloidiasis for haematological and biochemical analysis.
Results. A study found that the extent of invasion (EI) in shelters and home dogs was 3.0±0.36 % (4/130; Group 1) and 2.5±0.25 % % (6/234; Group 2) respectively.
It was found that three repetitions of the Baerman method test increased its efficiency to 90.5 %. The sensitivity of the modified string test was 100 %.
Clinical manifestations included disorders of the respiratory (20 %: 2/10) and digestive systems (80 %: 8/10), weight loss (70 %: 7/10). Blood tests did not reveal changes specific to strongyloidiasis, eosinophilia was observed in only one dog in the acute stage of the disease.
Conclusions. The results of our studies indicate the presence of strongyloidiasis in dogs in Kyiv and Kyiv region and probability of the spread of the pathogen in the environment. Symptoms in dogs with strongyloidiasis were nonspecific and cannot be used for diagnosis. A modified string test and Baerman method has demonstrated high efficacy and may be recommended to clarify the diagnosis of a chronic invasion.
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Ottino L, Buonfrate D, Paradies P, Bisoffi Z, Antonelli A, Rossolini GM, Gabrielli S, Bartoloni A, Zammarchi L. Autochthonous Human and Canine Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Europe: Report of a Human Case in An Italian Teen and Systematic Review of the Literature. Pathogens 2020; 9:E439. [PMID: 32503315 PMCID: PMC7350350 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autochthonous human and canine strongyloidiasis is reported in Europe but is unclear whether the transmission of infection still occurs. We report a previously unpublished human case in an Italian teen and perform a systematic review of literature on autochthonous human and canine strongyloidiasis in Europe to investigate the current dynamic of transmission. Overall, 109 papers published after 1987 were included and one previously unpublished Italian case was added. Eighty case reports were retrieved and 42 of them (52.5%) had severe strongyloidiasis. Most cases were diagnosed in Spain, Italy and France. The median age was 58, the most represented age group was 61-70 years, 11 patients were under 30, and 7 of them were diagnosed after 2000. Epidemiological studies on human strongyloidiasis showed prevalence ranging from 0.56% to 28%. Overall, agriculture work, mine work and walking barefoot were the most commonly reported risk factors for infection. Canine strongyloidiasis was reported mainly in Italy (68 cases), but a few cases occurred also in Iceland, Finland, England, Germany, France, Switzerland, Russia, Slovakia, Romania and Greece. Autochthonous strongyloidiasis is still reported in Europe and sporadic transmission still occurs. Health care professionals should be aware of this issue to identify infected subjects and avoid adverse outcomes, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Further investigations are needed to clarify the zoonotic transmission of this nematode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Ottino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.O.); (A.A.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy; (D.B.); (Z.B.)
| | - Paola Paradies
- Department of Emergency and Organs Transplantation, Veterinary Section, Campus of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Zeno Bisoffi
- IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy; (D.B.); (Z.B.)
| | - Alberto Antonelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.O.); (A.A.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.O.); (A.A.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Simona Gabrielli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.O.); (A.A.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University and Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Referral Center for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.O.); (A.A.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University and Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Referral Center for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Basso W, Grandt LM, Magnenat AL, Gottstein B, Campos M. Strongyloides stercoralis infection in imported and local dogs in Switzerland: from clinics to molecular genetics. Parasitol Res 2018; 118:255-266. [PMID: 30552576 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6173-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Strongyloides stercoralis is a worldwide-distributed intestinal nematode affecting mainly humans and dogs. Canine strongyloidosis is generally characterised by diarrhoea, malabsorption and bronchopneumonia, and may be fatal in cases of impaired immunity. In recent years, molecular and epidemiological studies suggested that host-adapted populations of S. stercoralis with different zoonotic potential may exist. Clinical and subclinical cases of S. stercoralis infection have been increasingly diagnosed in imported (France, Belgium, Bulgaria) and locally born dogs in Switzerland, showing that this parasite is currently circulating in Europe. Three of these clinical cases will be described here. All three dogs presented severe disease, characterised by harsh diarrhoea, dehydration, vomiting, respiratory and/or neurologic signs, and needed intensive care and hospitalisation. One of these dogs was related to a Swiss breeding kennel, in which the infection was subsequently diagnosed in several other dogs. Faeces were analysed by three coproscopical methods including (i) the Baermann technique, which consistently identified the typical S. stercoralis first-stage larvae in both clinical and subclinical infections, (ii) the sedimentation-zinc chloride flotation and (iii) sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin concentration (SAFC) methods, which allowed the additional identification of parasitic females and/or eggs in two of the clinical cases. Interestingly, S. stercoralis isolated from all three independent clinical cases exhibited an identical genetic background on the nuclear 18S rDNA (fragment involving hypervariable regions I and IV) and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (cox1) loci, similar to that of zoonotic isolates from other geographical regions, and not to that of dog-adapted variants. Due to the clinical relevance and zoonotic potential of this parasite, the awareness of both diagnosticians and clinicians is strongly required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Lisa-Maria Grandt
- Small Animal Clinic, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Laure Magnenat
- Small Animal Clinic, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Gottstein
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Campos
- Small Animal Clinic, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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