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Solorzano-Scott T, Aguilar-Vargas F, Cordero-Salas M, Conejo A, Rojas A, Baldi M. Case report: First documented case of cerebral angiostrongyliasis caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis in a free-ranging opossum. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1294484. [PMID: 38362296 PMCID: PMC10867154 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1294484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongylus costaricensis is a metastrongyloid nematode that primarily infects the mesenteric arteries of wild rodents. This parasite is endemic in several regions of the American continent, and in humans, causes a disease known as abdominal angiostrongyliasis. Despite the important health implications of this nematode, there are limited studies investigating the involvement of wild animals in its life cycle. In this study, we present the clinical manifestations, pathologic findings, and molecular diagnosis, to the best of our current knowledge, of the first documented onset of cerebral angiostrongyliasis because of A. costaricensis infection in a juvenile free-ranging opossum (Didelphis marsupialis). Histopathological findings stress the presence of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis with nematodes present within the lesions, and PCR was positive for cox1 and ITS1 reactions. The obtained sequences for a 279 bp fragment of ITS1 were 100% identical to A. costaricensis from Costa Rica. This case highlights the substantial difficulties in diagnosing neuroangiostrongyliasis, yet underscores the importance of considering A. costaricensis as a potential culprit behind neurological conditions in wild marsupials. It acts as an urgent call to action to improve surveillance programs tracking infectious and parasitic diseases causing mortality in wildlife populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Solorzano-Scott
- Tropical Diseases Research Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
- Servicio de Patología Diagnóstica LAPAVET-ESFA, Escuela de Medicina y Cirugía Veterinaria San Francisco de Asís, Universidad Veritas, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Fernando Aguilar-Vargas
- Tropical Diseases Research Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
- Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal, Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Martha Cordero-Salas
- Widlife Veterinary Clinic, Santuario y Centro de Rescate Las Pumas, Cañas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
| | - Amanda Conejo
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Mario Baldi
- Tropical Diseases Research Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
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Remesar S, García‐Dios D, Calabuig N, Prieto A, Díaz‐Cao JM, López‐Lorenzo G, López C, Fernández G, Morrondo P, Panadero R, Díaz P. Cardiorespiratory nematodes and co-infections with gastrointestinal parasites in new arrivals at dog and cat shelters in north-western Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3141-e3153. [PMID: 35880814 PMCID: PMC9804432 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Metastrongyloid and trichuroid cardiorespiratory nematodes of dogs and cats are considered emergent in several European countries, and an increase in the number and extent of endemic foci has been described. Since data on their prevalence are limited in this continent, faecal samples from new arrivals (365 dogs and 65 cats) at two animal shelters in North-western Spain were analysed using both floatation and Baermann techniques. In order to confirm the microscopic identification of Metastrongylidae first stage larvae, molecular characterization based on the sequence of the ITS-2 was performed. The possible influence of some variables such as the species, sex and age of the animals and the co-infection with other gastrointestinal parasites on the prevalence of cardiorespiratory nematodes was analysed. The most prevalent metastrongylid was Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (15.4%) followed by Angiostrongylus vasorum (4.1%) and Crenosoma vulpis (1.1%). Regarding trichuroids, Eucoleus aerophilus and/or Eucoleus boehmi eggs were detected in 28 dogs (7.7%) and four cats (6.2%). Almost all animals positive to cardiorespiratory nematodes (86.8%) were co-infected with gastrointestinal parasites. The prevalence of Metastrongylidae and respiratory trichuroids was significantly higher in dogs co-infected with Taenia spp. and Toxocara canis or Giardia duodenalis and Sarcocystis spp., respectively. In cats, a significant higher prevalence of Metastrongylidae nematodes was found in animals co-infected with Toxocara cati. Our results reveal that cardiorespiratory nematodes are common in companion animals from north-western Spain, showing higher prevalences than those previously reported from this country. This investigation represents the first report of C. vulpis, E. aerophilus and E. boehmi in dogs from Spain. The identification of a number of zoonotic parasites is of public health concern. Our results indicate that these nematodes should be included in the differential diagnosis of dogs and cats from north-western Spain showing respiratory or cardiac clinical signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Remesar
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - David García‐Dios
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Néstor Calabuig
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Alberto Prieto
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Jose Manuel Díaz‐Cao
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Gonzalo López‐Lorenzo
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Ceferino López
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Gonzalo Fernández
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Patrocinio Morrondo
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Rosario Panadero
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
| | - Pablo Díaz
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA)Facultade de VeterinariaUniversidade de Santiago de CompostelaLugoSpain
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Colombo M, Traversa D, Grillotti E, Pezzuto C, De Tommaso C, Pampurini F, Schaper R, Drake J, Crisi PE, Russi I, Ripamonti M, Di Cesare A. Highly Variable Clinical Pictures in Dogs Naturally Infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111372. [PMID: 34832528 PMCID: PMC8621248 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine angiostrongylosis by Angiostrongylus vasorum is increasingly reported in both enzootic and previously free areas. The complex pathogenesis of the disease makes the clinical workup challenging. Infected dogs show highly variable clinical pictures, characterized by subclinical to life-threatening general, cardio-respiratory, neurological and/or gastrointestinal signs. The present study reports the high variability of clinical pictures from 36 dogs across central and southern Italy that were naturally infected by A. vasorum. Of them, 23 (63.9%) presented at least one clinical sign, while 13 (36.1%) were subclinically infected and apparently healthy. Overall, 19 dogs (52.8%) showed cardiorespiratory signs, 14 (38.9%) had non-specific abnormalities, 2 (5.6%) presented coagulation disorders and 1 (2.8%) had a severe neurological condition. Importantly, four dogs presenting with clinical signs had neither cough nor dyspnea. These results underline that angiostrongylosis should be included in the differential diagnosis, even when dogs display only non-specific clinical signs. The proportion of apparently healthy dogs highlights the relevance of routine copromicroscopic and/or antigenic tests in enzootic areas to avoid the sudden onset of potentially life-threatening signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariasole Colombo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (P.E.C.); (I.R.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (P.E.C.); (I.R.); (A.D.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Eleonora Grillotti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (P.E.C.); (I.R.); (A.D.C.)
- Ambulatorio Veterinario Reate, 02100 Rieti, Italy
| | - Carlo Pezzuto
- Ambulatorio Veterinario Pezzuto Carlo/Piano Noemi, 86010 Campobasso, Italy;
| | | | - Fabrizio Pampurini
- Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN 46240, USA; (F.P.); (R.S.); (J.D.); (M.R.)
| | - Roland Schaper
- Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN 46240, USA; (F.P.); (R.S.); (J.D.); (M.R.)
| | - Jason Drake
- Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN 46240, USA; (F.P.); (R.S.); (J.D.); (M.R.)
| | - Paolo Emidio Crisi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (P.E.C.); (I.R.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Ilaria Russi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (P.E.C.); (I.R.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Marco Ripamonti
- Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN 46240, USA; (F.P.); (R.S.); (J.D.); (M.R.)
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (E.G.); (P.E.C.); (I.R.); (A.D.C.)
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Morelli S, Gori F, Colombo M, Traversa D, Sarrocco G, Simonato G, Nespeca C, Di Cesare A, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Veronesi F, Russi I, Schnyder M. Simultaneous Exposure to Angiostrongylus vasorum and Vector-Borne Pathogens in Dogs from Italy. Pathogens 2021; 10:1200. [PMID: 34578232 PMCID: PMC8472057 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several drivers have recently fostered the expansion of Angiostrongylus vasorum throughout Europe, where Vector-Borne Pathogens (VBPs) are also spreading. However, the level of simultaneous risk of infection is still unknown in canine populations. This study evaluated the simultaneous exposure to A. vasorum and major canine VBPs in dogs of Italy. Sera of 294 dogs were subjected to two ELISAs, detecting A. vasorum circulating antigens and antibodies against the parasite, and to the following assays: (i) SNAP® 4DX (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) detecting Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and antibodies vs. Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and (ii) IFAT for the detection of antibodies vs. Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis and Rickettsia conorii. Twenty-two (7.5%, CI: 4.8-11.1%) and six (2%, CI: 0.7-4.4%) dogs scored positive for circulating A. vasorum antibodies and antigens, respectively. Seventeen dogs (5.8%, CI: 3.4-9.1%) were positive for A. vasorum antibodies + at least one VBP, three (1%, CI: 0.2-3%) for A. vasorum antigen + at least one VBP, while one dog (0.3%, CI: 0.01-1.88%) was positive for A. vasorum antigen + A. vasorum antibodies + B. canis antibodies. These results show that dogs living in different regions of Italy are at risk of simultaneous infections with both A. vasorum and VBPs. Despite the same scenario being likely in other countries of Europe, the current knowledge is scant. Therefore, further studies are warranted to amplify current epizootiological information and to understand whether control programs should be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Francesca Gori
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (F.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Mariasole Colombo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Giulia Sarrocco
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Giulia Simonato
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Lengaro, Italy; (G.S.); (A.F.d.R.)
| | - Chiara Nespeca
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | | | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Russi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (D.T.); (G.S.); (C.N.); (A.D.C.); (I.R.)
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (F.G.); (M.S.)
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Segeritz L, Cardona A, Taubert A, Hermosilla C, Ruiz A. Autochthonous Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infections in native terrestrial gastropods from the Macaronesian Archipelago of Spain. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2671-2680. [PMID: 34180003 PMCID: PMC8263545 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07203-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The presence of zoonotic relevant Angiostrongylus cantonensis infections has recently been reported in rat final hosts and gastropod intermediate hosts in Tenerife, Spain. However, data on A. cantonensis, Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus prevalences in endemic gastropods for other islands of the Macaronesian Archipelago are still missing. In order to fill this gap, we conducted an epidemiological study on terrestrial native slug (Plutonia lamarckii) and snail (Cornu aspersum, Theba pisana, Rumina decollata) species in 27 selected locations of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, Lanzarote, La Palma and Fuerteventura. Overall, 131 terrestrial gastropods were collected in winter/spring season 2018/2019 and examined for the presence of metastrongyloid lungworm larvae via artificial digestion. The current data revealed a total prevalence of 4.6% for A. vasorum, 3.8% for A. abstrusus and 0.8% for A. cantonensis. In Tenerife, three lungworm species were detected, thereby re-confirming A. cantonensis endemicity for this island. Prevalences of snails (C. aspersum) originating from El Hierro were 5% for A. abstrusus and 15% for A. vasorum, respectively, with larval burdens up to 290 larvae per specimen. This epidemiological study indicates the presence of human, canine and feline lungworm species in Macaronesia, Spain. The current data-particularly those on anthropozoonotic A. cantonensis-call for a regular large-scale monitoring on intermediate hosts, paratenic hosts and definitive hosts to prevent further spread of lungworm-related diseases in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Segeritz
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Alejandro Cardona
- Parasitology Laboratory Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Antonio Ruiz
- Parasitology Laboratory Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain
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Grob D, Conejeros I, López-Osorio S, Velásquez ZD, Segeritz L, Gärtner U, Schaper R, Hermosilla C, Taubert A. Canine Angiostrongylus vasorum-Induced Early Innate Immune Reactions Based on NETs Formation and Canine Vascular Endothelial Cell Activation In Vitro. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10050427. [PMID: 34065858 PMCID: PMC8151090 DOI: 10.3390/biology10050427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Angiostrongylus vasorum is a cardiopulmonary nematode that affects canids, residing in the pulmonary artery and right atrium/ventricle. Due to its location, the parasite will have a close interaction with the different components of the innate immune system, including endothelial cells and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). Here we evaluated the expression of adhesion molecules of canine aortic endothelial cells (CAEC), and NETs formation by co-culture of freshly isolated canine PMN with A. vasorum L3. Overall, we found distinct inter-donor variations in adhesion molecule expression among CAEC isolates. Additionally, PMN and A. vasorum co-culture induced NETs release without affecting larval viability. Abstract Due to its localization in the canine blood stream, Angiostrongylus vasorum is exposed to circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and the endothelial cells of vessels. NETs release of canine PMN exposed to A. vasorum infective stages (third stage larvae, L3) and early pro-inflammatory immune reactions of primary canine aortic endothelial cells (CAEC) stimulated with A. vasorum L3-derived soluble antigens (AvAg) were analyzed. Expression profiles of the pro-inflammatory adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, P-selectin and E-selectin were analyzed in AvAg-stimulated CAEC. Immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated that motile A. vasorum L3 triggered different NETs phenotypes, with spread NETs (sprNETs) as the most abundant. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the co-culture of canine PMN with A. vasorum L3 resulted in significant larval entanglement. Distinct inter-donor variations of P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 gene transcription and protein expression were observed in CAEC isolates which might contribute to the high individual variability of pathological findings in severe canine angiostrongylosis. Even though canine NETs did not result in larval killing, the entanglement of L3 might facilitate further leukocyte attraction to their surface. Since NETs have already been documented as involved in both thrombosis and endothelium damage events, we speculate that A. vasorum-triggered NETs might play a critical role in disease outcome in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Grob
- Institute for Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (I.C.); (S.L.-O.); (Z.D.V.); (L.S.); (C.H.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Iván Conejeros
- Institute for Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (I.C.); (S.L.-O.); (Z.D.V.); (L.S.); (C.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Sara López-Osorio
- Institute for Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (I.C.); (S.L.-O.); (Z.D.V.); (L.S.); (C.H.); (A.T.)
- Grupo de Investigación CIBAV, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Zahady D. Velásquez
- Institute for Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (I.C.); (S.L.-O.); (Z.D.V.); (L.S.); (C.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Lisa Segeritz
- Institute for Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (I.C.); (S.L.-O.); (Z.D.V.); (L.S.); (C.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Ulrich Gärtner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | | | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute for Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (I.C.); (S.L.-O.); (Z.D.V.); (L.S.); (C.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute for Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (I.C.); (S.L.-O.); (Z.D.V.); (L.S.); (C.H.); (A.T.)
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Morelli S, Marruchella G, Passarelli A, Diakou A, Di Cesare A, Colombo M, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Frate A, Traversa D. An Unusual Case of Mixed Respiratory Capillariosis in a Dog. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020117. [PMID: 33498766 PMCID: PMC7911517 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nematodes belonging to the genus Capillaria infect a range of domestic and wild animals. Capillaria aerophila and Capillaria boehmi cause respiratory parasitoses in dogs and wild carnivores, e.g., foxes and mustelids, although they are often overlooked in canine clinical practice. The present report describes an unusual case of a severe and mixed infection by C. aerophila and C. boehmi in a privately housed dog that showed acute and life-threatening respiratory and neurological signs. Clinic-pathologic and epizootiological implications are described and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.M.); (A.D.C.); (M.C.); (D.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Giuseppe Marruchella
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.M.); (A.D.C.); (M.C.); (D.T.)
| | | | - Anastasia Diakou
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.M.); (A.D.C.); (M.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Mariasole Colombo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.M.); (A.D.C.); (M.C.); (D.T.)
| | | | - Alessandro Frate
- Clinica Veterinaria Città di Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (G.M.); (A.D.C.); (M.C.); (D.T.)
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Occurrence of canine and feline lungworms in Arion vulgaris in a park of Vienna: First report of autochthonous Angiostrongylus vasorum, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior in Austria. Parasitol Res 2019; 119:327-331. [PMID: 31758297 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06527-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
So far, neither the feline lungworms Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior nor the canine lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum was reported in wildlife or intermediate hosts from Austria. The slug Arion vulgaris represents an invasive species in Europe and serves as intermediate host for several lungworm species. This study aimed to analyse the occurrence of metastrongyloid lungworm larvae in slugs in Vienna, Austria. Therefore, 193 A. vulgaris were collected in the central Prater park in summer 2016. Specimens were artificially digested, analysed microscopically for lungworm larvae, and species were confirmed via PCR and sequencing. Out of 193, five slugs were positive to lungworms (2.6%), one for A. vasorum, two for A. abstrusus (genotypes A and B) and one for T. brevior, and one slug had a mixed infection of A. abstrusus and T. brevior larvae. The current study is the first evidence on the endemicity of these metastrongyloid lungworm species in Austria.
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[Standardization of a multiplex real-time PCR test for the identification of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, A. costaricensis and A. vasorum]. BIOMEDICA 2018; 38:111-119. [PMID: 29668140 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.v38i0.3407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Angiostrongyliasis is a disease caused by Angiostrongylus nematodes that is present worldwide. The infections with the highest impact on human and animal health are caused by A. cantonensis, A. costaricensis, and A. vasorum. Clinical forms of the disease in humans are eosinophilic meningitis and abdominal angiostrongyliasis, while the most common effect on dogs are cardiopulmonary damages. It is deemed as an emerging disease as the result of the global dissemination of the African snail Lissachatina fulica, an intermediary host of these parasites. The few diagnostic methods for Angiostrongylus spp. are unspecific, costly, and not very sensitive. It is urgent to develop a sensitive, specific and accessible diagnostic tool for the control of human and animal angiostrongyliasis. OBJECTIVE To develop a qPCR multiple test to identify the three pathogenic species of Angiostrongylus. MATERIALS AND METHODS Through a bio-informatic analysis, we selected a sequence of the ITS-2 region of the Angiostrongylus genome to guarantee the specificity of primers and probes. We extracted DNA from adult parasites as positive control, and from larvae using the DNeasy Blood&Tissue® kit. Quantitative PCR reactions were conducted on a Smartcycler Cepheid® thermocycler using a master mix QuantiTect® kit. DNA from human beings, other parasites and the African snail was used as negative control. RESULTS The threshold cycle values for positive DNA controls were: 21 for Angiostrongylus cantonensis, 22 for A. costaricensis, and 31 for A. vasorum. In negative controls, the threshold cycle was zero. qPCR showed an amplification efficiency of 2 (100%). CONCLUSIONS A multiple qPCR was standardized at the laboratory for three clinically significant species of Angiostrongylus.
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