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Murnik LC, Schmäschke R, Bernhard A, Thielebein J, Eulenberger K, Barownick N, Gawlowska S, Delling C. Parasitological examination results of zoo animals in Germany between 2012 and 2022. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 24:100942. [PMID: 38778918 PMCID: PMC11109899 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100942] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Parasitic infections in zoo animals are a critical concern for both animal health and management. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of endo- and ectoparasites among zoo animals in Germany. A retrospective analysis of the submitted samples of a diverse range of zoo animals (5768) from a ten-year period (2012-2022) was conducted. Overall, 31.1% of those samples tested positive for at least one parasite. In the examined samples, helminths (28.4%) were found more often than protozoans (10.3%) or ectoparasites (0.8%). Among the various animal groups the following parasites were found most commonly: Artiodactyla: Coccidia (34.6%), Strongylida (23.4%); Perissodactyla: Strongylida (19.3%), Ascaridida (12.0%); Carnivora: Ascaridida (16.6%), Coccidia (8.1%); Rodentia: Oxyurida (18.2%), Coccidia (10.5%); Marsupialia: Coccidia (9.4%), Oxyurida (5.9%); Primates: Trichuris spp. (9.7%), Oxyurida (2.2%); Aves: Capillaria (7.8%), Ascaridida (7.6%); Reptilia, Amphibia, Insecta: Oxyurida (18.7%); Pisces: Ciliates (6.2%). Furthermore, potentially zoonotic parasites were identified, including Toxoplasma gondii (0.1%), Cryptosporidium sp. (0.1%). By examining the occurrence of specific parasites, these findings demonstrate the importance of parasites in the context of zoo animal health. They also highlight the need for effective strategies to control parasite burden to improve the overall welfare of zoo animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea-Christina Murnik
- Institute of Parasitology, Center for Infectious Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An Den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ronald Schmäschke
- Institute of Parasitology, Center for Infectious Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An Den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Jens Thielebein
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Straße 11, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Klaus Eulenberger
- Zoo Leipzig, Pfaffendorfer Straße 29, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
- Amerika-Tierpark Limbach-Oberfrohna, Tierparkstraße 1, 09212, Limbach-Oberfrohna, Germany
| | - Nadine Barownick
- Institute of Parasitology, Center for Infectious Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An Den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sandra Gawlowska
- Institute of Parasitology, Center for Infectious Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An Den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cora Delling
- Institute of Parasitology, Center for Infectious Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An Den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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Esteban-Sánchez L, García-Rodríguez JJ, García-García J, Martínez-Nevado E, de la Riva-Fraga MA, Ponce-Gordo F. Wild Animals in Captivity: An Analysis of Parasite Biodiversity and Transmission among Animals at Two Zoological Institutions with Different Typologies. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:813. [PMID: 38473198 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050813] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
We have conducted a 10-year-long coprological study of the animals housed in two zoological institutions (ZooAquarium and Faunia, Madrid, Spain) to assess the parasite biodiversity, prevalence, and their relation with host class, diet, and enclosure type (soil type and level of isolation from wild fauna). A total of 4476 faecal samples from 132 mammal species and 951 samples from 86 avian species were examined. The results indicated that only 12.8% of avian species had parasites at least once during the study period, whereas 62.1% of mammal species tested positive. Predominantly, protists (Entamoeba, flagellates, and ciliates) and nematodes (mainly Trichuris) were identified in the findings. Carnivorous species were primarily infected by nematodes, while herbivorous and omnivorous species were mainly infected by protists. The number of infected herbivorous and omnivorous species was significantly greater than carnivorous species. Differences were observed based on soil type (artificial, natural, mixed) and isolation level (isolated/accessible), but these differences were not statistically significant. Several parasites (Entamoeba spp., Giardia spp., Balantidoides coli, Trichuris spp.) could potentially be transmitted between humans and some mammals and birds. Regular animal analyses and a personnel health program in the institutions would minimise transmission risks between zoo animals, wildlife, and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Esteban-Sánchez
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José García-Rodríguez
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juncal García-García
- Veterinary Department, ZooAquarium de Madrid, Casa de Campo s/n, 28011 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Martínez-Nevado
- Veterinary Department, ZooAquarium de Madrid, Casa de Campo s/n, 28011 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Francisco Ponce-Gordo
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Nath TC, Eom KS, Choe S, Hm S, Islam S, Ndosi BA, Kang Y, Bia MM, Kim S, Eamudomkarn C, Jeon HK, Park H, Lee D. Insight into One Health Approach: Endoparasite Infections in Captive Wildlife in Bangladesh. Pathogens 2021; 10:250. [PMID: 33672404 PMCID: PMC7926304 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020250] [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: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Endoparasites in captive wildlife might pose a threat to public health; however, very few studies have been conducted on this issue, and much remains to be learned, especially in limited-resource settings. This study aimed to investigate endoparasites of captive wildlife in Bangladesh. Perception and understanding of veterinarians regarding one health and zoonoses were also assessed. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to August 2020. A total of 45 fecal samples from 18 different species of wild animals (i.e., 11 species of mammals: herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, six birds, and a single reptile species) were collected randomly. Parasitological assessments were done by modified formalin ether sedimentation technique and rechecked by Sheather's sugar floatation technique. Molecular identification of Spirometra spp. was conducted by amplifying the cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) gene. Questionnaire surveys among 15 veterinarians and an in-depth interview (IDI) with a zoo officer were conducted. Results: Helminths (Spirometra sp., Capillaria sp., Ascaridia/Heterakis, opisthorchiid, strongyles, acuariid, hookworms, roundworms, and unidentified nematode larvae) and protozoa (coccidian oocyst) were identified, and the overall prevalence was 48.9% (22/45). The cox1 sequences (341 bp) of the Bangladesh-origin Spirometra species from lion showed 99.3-99.7% similarity to the reference sequences of Spirometra decipiens (GenBank No: KJ599679.1; MT122766). The majority of study participants (86.6%) agreed about the importance of endoparasite control in zoo animals, and 73.3% expressed that the one health concept should be promoted in Bangladesh. Only 6.7% of veterinarians perceived confidence in diagnosing parasitic diseases and preventing antiparasiticidal resistance. Conclusions: In the present survey, we found a considerable prevalence of endoparasites in captive wildlife. For the first time, zoonotically important S. decipiens from lion was molecularly characterized in Bangladesh. Veterinarian training is required to improve parasite control knowledge and practice. This study highlights the need for routine parasitological assessment, promotion of one health, and improvement of the implementation of current parasite control strategies in zoo animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilak Chandra Nath
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (T.C.N.); (K.S.E.); (S.C.); (B.A.N.); (H.-K.J.)
- Department of Parasitology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh;
| | - Keeseon S. Eom
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (T.C.N.); (K.S.E.); (S.C.); (B.A.N.); (H.-K.J.)
- International Parasite Resource Bank, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Seongjun Choe
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (T.C.N.); (K.S.E.); (S.C.); (B.A.N.); (H.-K.J.)
| | - Shahadat Hm
- Rangpur Zoological and Recreational Garden, Rangpur 5404, Bangladesh;
| | - Saiful Islam
- Department of Parasitology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh;
| | - Barakaeli Abdieli Ndosi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (T.C.N.); (K.S.E.); (S.C.); (B.A.N.); (H.-K.J.)
| | - Yeseul Kang
- Parasite Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (Y.K.); (M.M.B.); (S.K.); (C.E.)
| | - Mohammed Mebarek Bia
- Parasite Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (Y.K.); (M.M.B.); (S.K.); (C.E.)
| | - Sunmin Kim
- Parasite Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (Y.K.); (M.M.B.); (S.K.); (C.E.)
| | - Chatanun Eamudomkarn
- Parasite Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (Y.K.); (M.M.B.); (S.K.); (C.E.)
| | - Hyeong-Kyu Jeon
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (T.C.N.); (K.S.E.); (S.C.); (B.A.N.); (H.-K.J.)
| | - Hansol Park
- International Parasite Resource Bank, Cheongju 28644, Korea
- Parasite Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (Y.K.); (M.M.B.); (S.K.); (C.E.)
| | - Dongmin Lee
- International Parasite Resource Bank, Cheongju 28644, Korea
- Parasite Research Center, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea; (Y.K.); (M.M.B.); (S.K.); (C.E.)
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