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Brown K, Jenkins DJ, Gofton AW, Smith I, Francis N, Shamsi S, Barton DP. The first finding of Dictyocaulus cervi and Dictyocaulus skrjabini (Nematoda) in feral fallow deer ( Dama dama) in Australia. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 24:100953. [PMID: 38938270 PMCID: PMC11209017 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100953] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Feral deer are widespread throughout Australia with the capacity to impact livestock production via transmission of parasites. Samples of Dama dama (fallow deer), Rusa unicolor (sambar deer), Cervus elaphus (red deer) and an unidentified deer were sourced from various locations in south-eastern Australia for examination for parasites. Adult nematodes were collected from the lungs of all deer species across four separate geographical locations. The nematodes were identified as species of Dictyocaulus through both morphological and molecular means. Species identification based on morphological features was difficult, with many measurements from described species overlapping. Molecular analyses targeting three markers, namely 18S rRNA, ITS2, and cox1 revealed the presence of two distinct species: Dictyocaulus cervi and Dictyocaulus skrjabini. These are the first genetically confirmed reports of species of Dictyocaulus in feral deer in Australia, and although cross-transmission of species of Dictyocaulus with livestock has not yet been reported, it cannot be completely discounted without further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keira Brown
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David J. Jenkins
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexander W. Gofton
- CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Ina Smith
- CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Nidhish Francis
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shokoofeh Shamsi
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Diane P. Barton
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
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Gomez-Puerta LA, Angulo-Tisoc JM, Pacheco JI. The vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) as a natural host of Dictyocaulus filaria in Peru. Parasitol Int 2024; 101:102897. [PMID: 38643824 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102897] [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: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Lungworm infection, or verminous pneumonia, is a parasitic disease that causes serious problems in small and large ruminants. Despite the fact that nematodes of the genus Dictyocaulus in cattle and sheep are the main cause of this disease, there are few studies on the natural infections of South American camelids. For this reason, this study aims to report the natural infection by Dictyocaulus filaria in vicunas (Vicugna vicugna) for the first time. During a shearing season (chaku) in Cuzco, Peru, two accidentally killed adult vicunas were submitted to the IVITA-Marangani research center in Cuzco for their respective necropsies. The tracheas of both vicunas had numerous nematodes, as seen during the necropsy. The nematodes were collected in 70% ethanol and were morphologically identified as D. filaria. Likewise, the DNA of six nematodes was extracted, and the ITS2 region and the 28S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced. The nucleotide sequences of both genetic markers were up to 100% identical with previously reported D. filaria DNA sequences found in the goat yearlings from Turkey, sheep from Iran, Turkey, and India, and the argali from Uzbekistan, which confirmed the morphological diagnosis. This finding represents the first molecular confirmation of a natural D. filaria infection in a South American camelid. It will be necessary to carry out future studies to know the current situation of verminous pneumonia in domestic and wild South American camelids and to know the negative effects of the disease on them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Gomez-Puerta
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Circunvalacion 2800, Lima 41, Peru.
| | - José M Angulo-Tisoc
- Instituto Veterinario de Investigaciones Tropicales y de Altura, Sede Marangani, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Jr. Lima s/n, Cusco, Peru
| | - Joel I Pacheco
- Instituto Veterinario de Investigaciones Tropicales y de Altura, Sede Marangani, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Jr. Lima s/n, Cusco, Peru
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Pyziel AM, Laskowski Z, Klich D, Demiaszkiewicz AW, Kaczor S, Merta D, Kobielski J, Nowakowska J, Anusz K, Höglund J. Distribution of large lungworms (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) in free-roaming populations of red deer Cervus elaphus (L.) with the description of Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. Parasitology 2023; 150:956-966. [PMID: 37694391 PMCID: PMC10577652 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202300080x] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Lungworms of the genus Dictyocaulus are causative agents of parasitic bronchitis in domestic and wild ungulates. This study investigates the distribution, morphology and genetic diversity of D. cervi and a new lungworm species, Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. infecting red deer Cervus elaphus, fallow deer Dama dama and moose Alces alces in Poland and Sweden. The study was conducted on 167 red deer from Poland and on the DNA of lungworms derived from 7 fallow deer, 4 red deer and 2 moose collected in Sweden. The prevalence of D. cervi and D. skrjabini n. sp. in dissected red deer in Poland was 31.1% and 7.2%, respectively. Moreover, D. skrjabini n. sp. was confirmed molecularly in 7 isolates of fallow deer lungworms and 1 isolate of red deer lungworms from Sweden. Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. was established based on combination of their distinct molecular and morphological features; these included the length of cephalic vesicle, buccal capsule (BC), buccal capsule wall (BCW), distance from anterior extremity to the nerve ring, the width of head, oesophagus, cephalic vesicle, BC and BCW, as well as the dimensions of reproductive organs of male and female. Additionally, molecular analyses revealed 0.9% nucleotide sequence divergence for 1,605 bp SSU rDNA, and 16.5–17.3% nucleotide sequence divergence for 642 bp mitochondrial cytB between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. cervi, respectively, and 18.7–19% between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. eckerti, which translates into 18.2–18.7% amino acid sequence divergence between D. skrjabini n. sp. and both lungworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Pyziel
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zdzisław Laskowski
- Polish Academy of Sciences, W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Klich
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Dorota Merta
- Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Julita Nowakowska
- Institute of Biology, University of Warsaw, Imaging Laboratory, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Anusz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Division of Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
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Molecular characterization of Dictyocaulus nematodes in wild red deer Cervus elaphus in two areas of the Italian Alps. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:881-887. [PMID: 36640182 PMCID: PMC9988769 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07773-4] [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: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Nematodes of the genus Dictyocaulus are the causative agents of parasitic bronchitis and pneumonia in several domestic and wild ungulates. Various species have been described in wild cervids, as the case of Dictyocaulus cervi in red deer, recently described as a separate species from Dictyocaulus eckerti. In Italy, information on dictyocaulosis in wildlife is limited and often outdated. In this work, 250 red deer were examined for the presence of Dictyocaulus spp. in two areas of the Italian Alps (n = 104 from Valle d'Aosta, n = 146 from Stelvio National Park), and the retrieved lungworms were molecularly characterized. Lungworms were identified in 23 and 32 animals from Valle d'Aosta and Stelvio National Park, respectively. The nematodes, morphologically identified as D. cervi, were characterized molecularly (18S rDNA, ITS2, and coxI). Consistently, almost all specimens were found to be phylogenetically related to D. cervi. Three individuals, detected from both study sites and assigned to an undescribed Dictyocaulus sp., clustered with Dictyocaulus specimens isolated from red deer and fallow deer in previous studies. Within each of D. cervi and the undescribed Dictyocaulus sp., the newly isolated nematodes phylogenetically clustered based on their geographical origin. This study revealed the presence of D. cervi in Italian red deer, and an undetermined Dictyocaulus sp. that should be more deeply investigated. The results suggest that further analyses should be focused on population genetics of cervids and their lungworms to assess how they evolved, or co-evolved, throughout time and space and to assess the potential of transmission towards farmed animals.
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Klich D, Didkowska A, Pyziel-Serafin AM, Perlińska-Teresiak M, Wołoszyn-Gałęza A, Żoch K, Balcerak M, Olech W. Contact between European bison and cattle from the cattle breeders' perspective, in the light of the risk of pathogen transmission. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285245. [PMID: 37134113 PMCID: PMC10155960 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens transmitted between wildlife and domestic animals can pose a threat to endangered species, undermine conservation efforts in wildlife, and affect productivity and parasite control in domestic animals. There are several examples of pathogen transmission between European bison and other animals. The present study surveyed breeders from the vicinity of four large wisent populations in eastern Poland about observed contacts between wisent and cattle. Such contacts were noted by 37% of breeders, indicating a significant risk of contact between European bison and cattle in the study areas, even in the areas where the European bison live mainly in a forest complex, i.e., in the Borecka Forest. A higher potential risk of contacts between European bison and cattle was noted in the Białowieska Forest and the Bieszczady Mountains than in the Borecka and Knyszyńska Forests. In the Białowieska Forest, the risk of viral pathogen transmission resulting from contacts is higher (more direct contacts), and in the case of the Bieszczady Mountains, the probability of parasitic diseases is higher. The chance of contacts between European bison and cattle depended on the distance of cattle pastures from human settlements. Moreover, such contact was possible throughout the year, not only in spring and fall. It appears possible to minimize the risk of contacts between wisent and cattle by changing management practices for both species, such as keeping grazing areas as close as possible to settlements, and reducing the time cattle graze on pastures. However, the risk of contact is much greater if European bison populations are large and are dispersed beyond forest complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Klich
- Department of Animal Genetic and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Didkowska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna M Pyziel-Serafin
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Perlińska-Teresiak
- Department of Animal Genetic and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Marek Balcerak
- Department of Animal Breeding, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wanda Olech
- Department of Animal Genetic and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
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Alnaqeb H, Galbreath KE, Koehler AV, Campbell ML, Jiménez FA. Citellinema (Nematoda: Heligmosomidae) from North America with descriptions of 2 new species from the red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus and 1 from the Canadian woodchuck, Marmota monax. Parasitology 2022; 149:1199-1218. [PMID: 35621015 PMCID: PMC11010518 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000737] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Citellinema Hall, 1918 includes 6 valid species of gastrointestinal nematodes of sciurids. Two species occur in the Palearctic and 4 in the Nearctic, 3 of which occur minimally across Colorado, Idaho and Oregon and 1, Citellinema bifurcatum, has a wide distribution across North America. Members of the genus are didelphic, possess a cephalic vesicle, a terminal spine-like process in females and feature robust spicules, consisting of a proximal end fused and semicylindrical shaft connected to a lamina supported by 2 terminal filiform processes. Typically, the size of the spicules is used to differentiate species. As part of the Beringian Coevolution Project, specimens provisionally identified as C. bifurcatum were collected through intensive field sampling of mammals and associated parasites from across localities spanning the Holarctic. These specimens revealed considerable genetic variability at both mitochondrial and nuclear loci, supporting the identification of deeply divergent clades. Examination of these new specimens, along with the holotypes of C. bifurcatum and Citellinema quadrivittati indicates that Citellinema monacis (previously synonymized with C. bifurcatum) should be resurrected and 3 additional species described. We suggest that the apparent bifurcated nature of the spicule should be considered a generic diagnostic trait, while the proportional length of the lamina relative to that of the spicule is used as a specific character. We demonstrate the critical need for continued inventory of often poorly known assemblages of hosts and parasites, contributing to a growing baseline of archival specimens, collections and information that make explorations of faunal structure and diversity possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitham Alnaqeb
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6501, USA
| | - Kurt E. Galbreath
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan 49855, USA
| | - Anson V. Koehler
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mariel L. Campbell
- Division of Genomic Resources, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - F. Agustín Jiménez
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6501, USA
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A.Danks H, Sobotyk C, N.Saleh M, Kulpa M, L.Luksovsky J, C Jones L, G. Verocai G. Opening a can of lungworms: Molecular characterization of Dictyocaulus (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) infecting North American bison (Bison bison). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 18:128-134. [PMID: 35572037 PMCID: PMC9096256 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.04.011] [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: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Dictyocaulus is a globally distributed genus of lungworms of domestic and wild ungulates. Dictyocaulus adults inhabit the bronchi, frequently causing subclinical and clinical disease, and that impacts animal health and production. North American bison (Bison bison) and cattle (Bos taurus) share various parasitic nematode species, particularly in areas where co-grazing occurs. The current assumption is that North American bison share the lungworm D. viviparus with cattle, but this has not been confirmed on a molecular basis. The aim of this study was to molecularly characterize Dictyocaulus lungworm isolates from North American plains bison (Bison bison bison). Fecal samples were collected from 5 wild conservation bison herds located in Iowa, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Montana in 2019 and 2020, and from ranched and feedlot bison from 2 herds in Oklahoma and Texas. First-stage lungworm larvae (L1) were isolated via Baermann technique. Genomic DNA was extracted from L1s of up to 3 samples per herd and followed by PCR and sequencing targeting the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA and the partial cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (cox1) of mitochondrial DNA. Phylogenetic analyses were performed in MEGA X 10.1. Sequences of North American plains bison Dictyocaulus belong to a single, uncharacterized species, clustering in well-supported clades (100% and 100% bootstrap support for ITS2 and cox1, respectively), differing from D. viviparus of cattle in North America and Europe, and European bison (Bison bonasus). Our results contradict previous assumptions regarding parasite identity, highlighting the need for characterization of this species through morphological and molecular methods, elucidating its biology and host range, and potential impact on host health. Further investigation into the biodiversity of Dictyocaulus species infecting bovids and cervids in North America is warranted. We molecularly characterized Dictyocalus of North American plains bison in the USA. Dictyocaulus sp. in USA plains bison differs significantly from D. viviparus of cattle. Dictyocaulus sp. of USA plains bison may belong to an uncharacterized species. Future studies should integrate classical and molecular methods on adult specimens.
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Alnaqeb H, Greiman SE, Vandegrift KJ, Campbell ML, Meagher S, Jiménez FA. A molecular reconstruction of holarctic Heligmosomidae reveals a new species of Heligmosomoides (Nematoda: Heligmosomidae) in Peromyscus maniculatus (Neotominae) from Canada. SYST BIODIVERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2046199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Haitham Alnaqeb
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 62901-6501 IL, USA
| | - Stephen E. Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Rd, Statesboro, 30460 GA, USA
| | - Kurt J. Vandegrift
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802 PA, USA
| | - Mariel L. Campbell
- Division of Genomic Resources, Museum of Southwestern Biology, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131 NM, USA
| | - Shawn Meagher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University, Macomb, 61455 IL, USA
| | - F. Agustín Jiménez
- School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 62901-6501 IL, USA
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DICTYOCAULUS CERVI-LIKE LUNGWORM INFECTION IN A ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK (CERVUS CANADENSIS NELSONI) FROM WYOMING, USA. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:71-81. [PMID: 33635975 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Dictyocaulus spp. infections are common in North American cervids, with Dictyocaulus viviparus described as most common. A Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) was found dead in Wyoming, US with significant bronchitis and pneumonia. In the bronchi and trachea, numerous large nematodes were found and grossly identified as Dictyocaulus spp. lungworms. Macroscopic alterations, such as distended interlobular septa and edema with foam and mucus observed on cut surface and in trachea and bronchi, were consistent with those commonly described in D. viviparus infections. Female lungworms were identified to Dictyocaulus spp. level via morphologic examination and molecular analyses based on mitochondrial cyclooxygenase 1 and 18S ribosomal RNA genes. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted employing the maximum likelihood method. Based on both morphologic and genetic assays, the isolated lungworms were most likely a strain of Dictyocaulus cervi. Within the female adult worms, free first stage larvae were observed besides worm eggs, which had not been described for Dictyocaulus spp. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that our parasites clustered closely with D. cervi, forming a subclade with that species within a larger clade that includes Dictyocaulus eckerti. While the elk tested positive for chronic wasting disease, it is assumed that significant pathology in the present case was caused directly by infection with the D. cervi-like lungworm, not previously described in North America.
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Świsłocka M, Borkowska A, Matosiuk M, Czajkowska M, Duda N, Kowalczyk R, Ratkiewicz M. Sex-biased polyparasitism in moose ( Alces alces) based on molecular analysis of faecal samples. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 13:171-177. [PMID: 33134076 PMCID: PMC7591323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Simultaneous infection with multiple parasite species in an individual host is often observed in wild populations. The understanding of parasite species distribution across populations of wild animals is of basic and applied importance, because parasites can have pronounced effects on the dynamics of host population. Here, we quantified prevalence and endoparasite species richness in moose and explored sex-biased polyparasitism using diagnostic PCR method coupled with DNA sequencing of moose faecal samples from the Biebrza River valley, North-Eastern Poland. This is the largest moose population in Central Europe that has not been harvested for almost 20 years. We also evaluated the appropriate quantity of faeces for detecting DNA of parasite species. Faecal samples were screened for molecular markers of 10 different species of endoparasites. Endoparasite prevalence was high in the studied population. Almost all of the samples (98%) tested positive for at least one parasite species, and we found polyparasitism in the majority of the tested individuals. The number of different parasite species found in a single individual ranged from 0 to 9. The parasite species richness was significantly higher in male than in female individuals. The most prevalent were liver fluke Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha and gastrointestinal nematodes Ostertargia sp. Of the ten endoparasite species detected, only the prevalence of the tapeworm Moniezia benedeni was significantly higher in males than in females. Additionally, we identified co-occurrence associations of parasite species, which tended to be random, but we noted some evidence of both positive and negative associations. Our findings promote applications of molecular methods for parasite species identification from non-invasively collected faecal samples in management and scientific study of moose population, which should include investigation of parasite status, and in health monitoring programs for other wild cervids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Świsłocka
- Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J st, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
| | - Anetta Borkowska
- Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J st, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
| | - Maciej Matosiuk
- Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J st, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
| | - Magdalena Czajkowska
- Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J st, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
| | - Norbert Duda
- Zespół Szkół Ogólnokształcących No 2 W Białymstoku, Narewska 11, 15-840, Białystok, Poland
| | - Rafał Kowalczyk
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Mirosław Ratkiewicz
- Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J st, 15-245, Białystok, Poland
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Filip-Hutsch K, Demiaszkiewicz AW, Chęcińska A, Hutsch T, Czopowicz M, Pyziel AM. First report of a newly-described lungworm, Dictyocaulus cervi (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea), in moose ( Alces alces) in central Europe. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 13:275-282. [PMID: 33312859 PMCID: PMC7721663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Lungworms from the genus Dictyocaulus are the causative agents of verminous pneumonia in domestic and wild ungulates. Recently, in 2017, a new species was isolated from red deer and described as Dictyocaulus cervi; however, little is known about its epidemiology and pathogenicity in other cervids. The aim of our study was to determine the extent of infection with Dictyocaulus nematodes in the moose population in Poland. Parasitological necropsies were performed in 18 moose and 249 faecal samples were analysed. A combination of multiplex PCR and analysis of the partial SSU, cox1 and cyt B regions revealed the presence of D. cervi infection in two of the necropsied moose. Histopathological examinations revealed changes, including multiple cross sections of larvae of nematodes in alveoli, massive pulmonary fibrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and diffuse alveolar damage in the lungs of four animals. The lesions were more pronounced when adult Dictyocaulus nematodes were present in the bronchi and bronchioles. Some of the observed pathological changes could be attributed to co-infection by nematodes of the Protostrongylidae, whose larvae were found in all four animals with lung pathologies. In the faeces, Dictyocaulus sp. larvae only occurred together with Protostrongylidae larvae; in addition, higher numbers of Protostrongylidae larvae were excreted in the faeces of animals with dictyocaulosis. The present study is the first report of the presence of D. cervi in moose, and demonstrates the value of multiplex PCR in the identification of Dictyocaulus nematodes. Our findings indicate that co-infections with multiple species of lung nematodes in moose may be commonplace, and this should be considered as a factor aggravating the course of parasitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anita Chęcińska
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory ALAB bioscience, Krucza 13, 05-090, Rybie, Poland
- Molecular Biology Unit, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre PAS, A. Pawińskiego 5, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Hutsch
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory ALAB bioscience, Krucza 13, 05-090, Rybie, Poland
| | - Michał Czopowicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW (WULS), Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna M. Pyziel
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW (WULS), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
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12
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Pyziel AM, Laskowski Z, Dolka I, Kołodziej-Sobocińska M, Nowakowska J, Klich D, Bielecki W, Żygowska M, Moazzami M, Anusz K, Höglund J. Large lungworms (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) recovered from the European bison may represent a new nematode subspecies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2020; 13:213-220. [PMID: 33209582 PMCID: PMC7658659 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although the Dictyocaulus lungworm, the agent of dictyocaulosis, is one of parasitological threats to European bison, its systematic position remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological features of the lungworm and the pathological lesions it induces, and to analyse mitochondrial (mt) genetic markers for systematic and molecular epidemiological studies. The morphological findings indicate that Dictyocaulus lungworms of European bison can be distinguished from those of cattle on the basis of differences in buccal capsule wall length, total body length, and spicules length in males, all of which were significantly longer in those of European bison. Nucleotide diversity calculated from pairwise sequence alignments of partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), cytochrome B (cytB) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) of specimens from cattle and European bison varied from 1.7% for nad5, 2.1% for cytB, to 3.7% for cox1 gene. Thus, among the lungworms of European bison and cattle, nad5 and cytB were the most conserved proteins, whereas cox1 was the most diverse. The mt cytB marker gene may be a suitable candidate for distinguishing between the two genotypes, as nad5 demonstrated the greatest within-genus sequence variation. The lung tissue of infected European bison manifests signs of verminous pneumonia characterized by interstitial pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchiolitis. Therefore, it appears that European bison and cattle are infected with slightly diverged, morphologically-different, genotypes of D. viviparus, indicating they belong to two separate worm populations. We propose, therefore, that the lungworm of European bison should be classified as D. viviparus subsp. bisontis. European bison harbour a unique morphotype and genotype of Dictyocaulus viviparus. Mt cytB is an efficient genetic marker for studying large lungworms in bovids. European bison lungworm can be classified as D. viviparus subsp. bisontis. Pathologies induced by a newly described nematode subspecies mirrored those of lungworm in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Pyziel
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zdzisław Laskowski
- Polish Academy of Sciences, W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Izabella Dolka
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Division of Animal Pathology, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Julita Nowakowska
- Institute of Biology, University of Warsaw, Laboratory of Electron & Confocal Microscopy, Miecznikowa 1, 20-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Klich
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Bielecki
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Division of Avian Diseases, Exotic Animals and Fish, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Żygowska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Madeleine Moazzami
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Division of Bacteriology and Food Safety, Box 7035, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Krzysztof Anusz
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Division of Parasitology, Box 7035, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
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13
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Handeland K, Davidson RK, Viljugrein H, Mossing A, Meisingset EL, Heum M, Strand O, Isaksen K. Elaphostrongylus and Dictyocaulus infections in Norwegian wild reindeer and red deer populations in relation to summer pasture altitude and climate. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 10:188-195. [PMID: 31667081 PMCID: PMC6812011 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nematodes of the genera Elaphostrongylus and Dictyocaulus are associated with disease in semi-domesticated tundra reindeer and farmed red deer whereas less knowledge exists in the wild. Their first stage larvae (L1) develop to the infective third stage (L3) in the environment; Elaphostrongylus spp. within intermediate gastropod hosts and Dictyocaulus spp. as free-living larvae. Larval development of Elaphostrongylus is highly temperature dependent with a developmental minimum of 9-10 °C. Larval development of Dictyocaulus spp. may occur at low temperatures (5 °C) but the larvae are sensitive to desiccation. We examined the prevalence and intensity of Elaphostrongylus spp. and Dictyocaulus spp. infections in six wild reindeer and two wild red deer populations in relation to altitude, temperature and rainfall in their respective main summer pasture area over the 5 summers prior to sampling. The parasitological examination was based upon morphological identification of L1 in the faeces of hunted animals. Altitude was calculated from animal position data and temperature and precipitation by means of a nationwide gridded data set. Temperature decreased with increasing altitude, from 13.3 °C for the lowest located red deer population (300 m) to 6.1 °C for the highest located reindeer population (1400 m). No significant relationship between altitude and rainfall was identified. Elaphostrongylus spp. infection decreased in prevalence with increasing altitude, being identified in 89% of investigated samples from the lowest located population and in 3% of samples from the highest. The prevalence of Dictyocaulus spp. infection varied between 28 and 80% and no relationship with altitude was found. The intensity of Elaphostrongylus spp. infection was low in reindeer and moderate in red deer whereas the intensity of Dictyocaulus spp. infection was moderate in both species. Our results indicated that the climatic conditions in all areas studied were suitable for Dictyocaulus spp., whereas summer temperature was a restrictive factor for Elaphostrongylus sp. in reindeer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Erling L Meisingset
- Department of Forestry and Forestry Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Tingvoll, Norway
| | | | - Olav Strand
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
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14
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Morgan ER, Aziz NAA, Blanchard A, Charlier J, Charvet C, Claerebout E, Geldhof P, Greer AW, Hertzberg H, Hodgkinson J, Höglund J, Hoste H, Kaplan RM, Martínez-Valladares M, Mitchell S, Ploeger HW, Rinaldi L, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Sotiraki S, Schnyder M, Skuce P, Bartley D, Kenyon F, Thamsborg SM, Vineer HR, de Waal T, Williams AR, van Wyk JA, Vercruysse J. 100 Questions in Livestock Helminthology Research. Trends Parasitol 2018; 35:52-71. [PMID: 30477758 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
An elicitation exercise was conducted to collect and identify pressing questions concerning the study of helminths in livestock, to help guide research priorities. Questions were invited from the research community in an inclusive way. Of 385 questions submitted, 100 were chosen by online vote, with priority given to open questions in important areas that are specific enough to permit investigation within a focused project or programme of research. The final list of questions was divided into ten themes. We present the questions and set them briefly in the context of the current state of knowledge. Although subjective, the results provide a snapshot of current concerns and perceived priorities in the field of livestock helminthology, and we hope that they will stimulate ongoing or new research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R Morgan
- Queen's University Belfast, School of Biological Sciences, 97, Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Nor-Azlina A Aziz
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Claude Charvet
- ISP, INRA, Université Tours, UMR1282, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Peter Geldhof
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Andrew W Greer
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, P.O. Box 85084, Lincoln University, Christchurch, 7647, New Zealand
| | - Hubertus Hertzberg
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jane Hodgkinson
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, BVF-parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hervé Hoste
- UMR 1225 IHAP INRA/ENVT, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France
| | - Ray M Kaplan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Finca Marzanas, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
| | - Siân Mitchell
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Carmarthen Veterinary Investigation Centre, Jobswell Road, Johnstown, Carmarthen, SA31 3EZ, UK
| | - Harm W Ploeger
- Utrecht University, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Smaragda Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, HAO-DEMETER, Campus Thermi 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philip Skuce
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - David Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Fiona Kenyon
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Stig M Thamsborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Hannah Rose Vineer
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Theo de Waal
- University College Dublin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin, D04 W6F6, Ireland
| | - Andrew R Williams
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jan A van Wyk
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jozef Vercruysse
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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15
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Pyziel AM, Dolka I, Werszko J, Laskowski Z, Steiner-Bogdaszewska Ż, Wiśniewski J, Demiaszkiewicz AW, Anusz K. Pathological lesions in the lungs of red deer Cervus elaphus (L.) induced by a newly-described Dictyocaulus cervi (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea). Vet Parasitol 2018; 261:22-26. [PMID: 30253848 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The large lungworms of the genus Dictyocaulus are causative agents of parasitic bronchitis in various ungulate hosts, including red deer. Recently, the red deer-derived lungworm D. cervi was described and separated from D. eckerti. Little is known of the transmission patterns, epidemiology, geographical distribution and pathogenicity of D. cervi. Histological examinations were performed on 22 formalin-fixed lung tissue samples of hunted red deer. Exclusively, D. cervi adults were derived from 15 red deer and confirmed molecularly (GenBank accession: MH183394). Dictyocaulus cervi infection was associated with various degrees of lung pathology, including interstitial pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchiolitis with an influx of eosinophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages; massive hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles within bronchiolar tissue, and hyperplasia of the bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium. Furthermore, emphysema, atelectasis and lung tissue congestion were noted. Interestingly, interstitial and subpleural fibrosis was seen in adult Dictyocaulus-negative samples, suggesting either a prepatent phase of Dictyocaulus infection or infection/coinfection with protostrongylid nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Pyziel
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Izabella Dolka
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Werszko
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zdzisław Laskowski
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Jan Wiśniewski
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Krzysztof Anusz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
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16
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An assessment of the use of cox1 and cox3 mitochondrial genetic markers for the identification of Dictyocaulus spp. (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) in wild ruminants. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2341-2345. [PMID: 29736729 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5904-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Lungworms of the genus Dictyocaulus Railliet and Henry, 1907 (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) are the causative agents of parasitic bronchitis (dictyocaulosis, husk) of various ungulate hosts, including domestic and wild ruminants. Correct diagnosis of lungworm species and a better understanding of the transmission patterns of Dictyocaulus spp. are crucial in minimising the risk of its cross transmission between wildlife and livestock, and for the control of dictyocaulosis. The study was conducted on large lungworms collected from European bison, roe deer and red deer. The study resulted in 14 sequences of the partial cox1 region of Dictyocaulus spp. and 10 novel DNA sequences of partial cox3 region, including the first available mt cox3 sequence, of the roe deer lungworm (D. capreolus). The European bison was infected with bison genotype of D. viviparus, whereas red deer and roe deer were infected with D. cervi and D. capreolus respectively. The current study revealed that the cox3 nucleotide sequences of D. capreolus and D. viviparus were 100% homologous to each other. Our findings indicate that the mt cox3 gene does not serve as an efficient mt marker for systematic, population genetic or molecular epidemiological studies of Dictyocaulus lungworms.
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17
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Revealing the parasitic infection in diarrheic yaks by piloting high-throughput sequencing. Microb Pathog 2018; 117:153-156. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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18
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Winter J, Rehbein S, Joachim A. Transmission of Helminths between Species of Ruminants in Austria Appears More Likely to Occur than Generally Assumed. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:30. [PMID: 29662884 PMCID: PMC5890149 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections of the gastrointestinal tract and lungs can lead to devastating economical losses to the pastoral based animal production. Farm animals can suffer from malnutrition, tissue damage, and blood loss resulting in impaired production traits and reproduction parameters. In Austria, pastures grazed by sheep, goats, and cattle overlap with the habitats of several species of wild cervids (roe deer, red deer, sika deer, and fallow deer) and bovids (mouflon, chamois, and ibex), and transmission of parasites between different ruminant species seems likely. A complete and updated overview on the occurrence of helminths of domestic and wild ruminants in Austria is presented. Based on these data, intersections of the host spectrum of the determined parasites were depicted. The “liability index” was applied to identify the ruminant species, which most likely transmit parasites between each other. A degree for host specificity was calculated for each parasite species based on the average taxonomic distance of their host species. Of the 73 identified helminth species 42 were identified as generalists, and 14 transmission experiments supported the assumed broad host specificity for 14 generalists and 1 specialist helminth species. Overall, 61 helminths were found to infect more than one host species, and 4 were found in all 10 ruminant species investigated. From these analyses, it can be concluded that a number of helminth parasites of the gastrointestinal tract and the lungs are potentially transmitted between domestic and wild ruminants in Austria. For some parasites and host species, experimental evidence is in support for possible transmission, while for other such studies are lacking. Host preference of different genotypes of the same parasite species may have a confounding effect on the evaluation of cross-transmission, but so far this has not been evaluated systematically in helminths in Austria. Further studies focusing on experimental cross-transmission and genetic characterization are needed to define the potential consequences for the epidemiology of those parasites, animal welfare, and economic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Winter
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Steffen Rehbein
- Kathrinenhof Research Center, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Anja Joachim
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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