1
|
Comparison of Different Copromicroscopic Techniques in the Diagnosis of Intestinal and Respiratory Parasites of Naturally Infected Dogs and Cats. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192584. [PMID: 36230325 PMCID: PMC9558989 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Appropriate fecal examinations are very important for diagnosing parasitic diseases in dogs and cats. In this study, four different conventional copromicroscopic techniques (flotation, McMaster, Mini-FLOTAC, and Baermann) were evaluated for their performance in detecting intestinal and extra-intestinal parasitic elements in canine and feline feces. Stool samples from 100 dogs and 105 cats, respectively, were tested with the above techniques. Flotation and Mini-FLOTAC gave the best results in detecting intestinal and respiratory parasitoses by Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostomatidae, Cystoisospora spp., Trichuris vulpis and Capillaria spp., whereas the Baermann test was the best method for the detection of infections caused by metastrongyloids. These data provide useful information for veterinary clinicians on the most appropriate techniques to use during diagnostic paths in clinical settings. Abstract Several copromicroscopic techniques, including tools belonging to the FLOTAC group, are available for the qualitative and/or quantitative diagnosis of canine and feline parasitoses. The present study was carried out to compare the diagnostic performance of different copromicroscopic methods for detecting common intestinal and extra-intestinal parasites of dogs and cats. Fecal samples of 100 dogs and 105 cats were randomly selected from different regions of Italy. All samples were subjected to conventional flotation, McMaster, Mini-FLOTAC, and Baermann. Fifty-six dogs and twenty-five cats were found positive to at least one technique, and, among them, flotation (55% and 20.9% of the dogs and cats, respectively) and Mini-FLOTAC (52% and 20.9% of the dogs and cats, respectively) detected the highest number of positive samples. Larvae of the feline metastrongyloids Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior were identified only using the Baermann test in two (1.9%) and one (0.9%) cat respectively. No larvae were found with the Baermann examination of dog feces or any of the other methods. The present results show that the Mini-FLOTAC represents a possible alternative to conventional flotation in clinical settings for the detection of intestinal and respiratory parasites e.g., Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostomatidae, Cystoisospora spp., Trichuris vulpis and Capillaria spp., although Baermann’s test remains the most recommended technique for the diagnosis of infections caused by metastrongyloid lungworms.
Collapse
|
2
|
Nationwide Seroprevalence Survey of Angiostrongylus vasorum-Derived Antigens and Specific Antibodies in Dogs from Colombia. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081565. [PMID: 36013983 PMCID: PMC9415501 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongylus vasorum is a cardiopulmonary nematode, causing several clinical manifestations in dogs, e.g., severe respiratory signs, coagulopathy, and gastrointestinal or neurological signs. In the last decades, this parasite has been described to spread and emerge in Europe and North America. Scant studies on A. vasorum occurrence in South America exist. Recently, A. vasorum was detected in gastropod intermediate hosts in Colombia, where data on definitive host prevalence, e.g., dogs and wild canids, are still limited. Therefore, the sera of 955 dogs, varying in age and breed from seven different departments all over Colombia, were collected and analysed for A. vasorum antigens and parasite-specific antibodies by ELISA. In total, 1.05 % (n = 10; 95 % CI 0.40–1.69) of the samples were antigen-positive and 2.62 % (n = 25; 95 % CI 1.61–3.63) were antibody-positive. These results confirm the presence of A. vasorum in Colombia, although positive results in antigen and antibody reactions in the same dog were not detected. This study is the first large-scale survey on A. vasorum seroprevalences in dogs from Colombia.
Collapse
|
3
|
de Macedo LO, Lima TARF, Verocai GG, Alves LC, de Carvalho GA, Ramos RAN. Lungworms in ruminants from Brazil: A retrospective epidemiological study over four decades. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 26:100645. [PMID: 34879956 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100645] [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: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Lungworms such as Dictyocaulus spp. in cattle and small ruminants, and Muellerius capillaris and Protostrongylus rufescens in small ruminants are important pathogens, causing respiratory disease in these livestock species. Despite their veterinary importance, lungworms of livestock have been poorly studied in certain regions of the world, including Brazil. Therefore, much of their epidemiology and economic impacts on production remain unknown. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the historical and current data published on lungworm infection of domestic ruminants in Brazil. This review consisted of a comprehensive search of technical and scientific publications between January 1980 to December 2020, using online sources such as PubMed, Google Scholar and Scielo. Twenty-four articles published over the last 40 years reporting lungworms exclusively in cattle (n = 16), goats (n = 6) and sheep (n = 1) in Brazil were included. In addition, a study (n = 1) with both goats and sheep were also utilized. Overall, 12 studies were based only on post-mortem examination, five in the detection of specimens in fecal samples, and seven were based on fecal analysis followed by post-mortem examination. Out of all studies, 66.7% (n = 16) articles registered D. viviparus, 4.2% (n = 1) D. filaria, 8.3% (n = 2) P. rufescens, 16.7% (n = 4) M. capillaris, and 4.2% (n = 1) co-infection by D. filaria and M. capillaris. The existence of suitable environmental conditions, as well as intermediate and definitive hosts in Brazil contribute for the survival and development of these nematode species. The majority of the reports of lungworms originate from the Southern and Southeastern regions of the country, whose mild temperatures likely contribute to their occurrence. Finally, lungworms of ruminants have been reported over the past four decades in Brazil, but most of the information was obtained at post-mortem examination. Therefore, further studies to investigate epidemiological aspects in different hosts and regions of the country are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Oliveira de Macedo
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, PE, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Animal Bioscience, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Guilherme Gomes Verocai
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Leucio Câmara Alves
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Genchi M, Vismarra A, Zanet S, Morelli S, Galuppi R, Cringoli G, Lia R, Diaferia M, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Venegoni G, Solari Basano F, Varcasia A, Perrucci S, Musella V, Brianti E, Gazzonis A, Drigo M, Colombo L, Kramer L. Prevalence and risk factors associated with cat parasites in Italy: a multicenter study. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:475. [PMID: 34526126 PMCID: PMC8441231 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04981-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasites that infect cats include protozoa, helminths and arthropods, many of which are transmissible to humans. Effective control relies on a good knowledge of parasite distribution and the risk factors for infection. The present study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of major feline parasites in Italy and the risk factors associated with their occurrence. Methods Over a 12-month study period, feces, hair and ectoparasites from naturally infected cats from feral colonies, shelters and private households were analyzed at 13 study centers across Italy. Samples from these cats (n = 987) were analyzed at all centers using the same diagnostic methods. Prevalence values and risk factors were evaluated statistically for the identification of predictors of risk. Results The overall prevalence of gastro-intestinal and broncho-pulmonary (BP) nematodes was 35.9% (354/987). Toxocara cati was the most prevalent species (253/987; 25.6%), followed by Ancylostomatidae (98/987; 9.9%). Among BP nematodes, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus was the most common (76/987; 7.7%). Approximately 35.7% (352/987) of the study population was infested by ectoparasites, of which the most common were fleas (29.4%, 290/987), followed by ear mites Otodectes cynotis (9.8%, 97/987). Predictors of risk for parasite infection included age, a predominantly or exclusively outdoor lifestyle, geographic area and lack of antiparasitic treatment. Conclusions Both ecto- and endoparasites are still common in cats throughout Italy, many of them being of zoonotic concern and vectors of pathogens to humans. Given the presence of parasites throughout the entire study period, year-round treatment should be considered. Furthermore, data confirm the need to protect the human–animal bond using proper endo- and ectoparasiticides to reduce the risk of human infection, in application of the One-Health concept. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04981-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Genchi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università Di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università Di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Zanet
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Veterinarie, Università Di Torino, L.Go Braccini, 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Simone Morelli
- Facoltà Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio, Italy
| | - Roberta Galuppi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Università Di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano Emilia, 40064, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria E Produzioni Animali, Università Di Napoli Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Riccardo Lia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Bari, Valenzano, 70010, Bari, Italy
| | - Manuela Diaferia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Animale, Produzioni E Salute, Università Degli Studi Di Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Varcasia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefania Perrucci
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Veterinarie, Università Degli Studi Di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Musella
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Della Salute, Università Di Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Veterinarie, Università Degli Studi Di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Gazzonis
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Michele Drigo
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Animale, Produzioni E Salute, Università Degli Studi Di Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Liliana Colombo
- MSD Animal Health, Via Fratelli Cervi, 20090, Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università Di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|