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Romig T, Wassermann M. Echinococcus species in wildlife. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 23:100913. [PMID: 38405672 PMCID: PMC10884515 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100913] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Transmission of Echinococcus spp. in life cycles that involve mainly wildlife is well recognized for those species with small mammals as intermediate hosts (e. g. E. multilocularis), as well as for E. felidis and the 'northern' genotypes of E. canadensis (G8 and G10). In contrast, the remaining taxa of E. granulosus sensu lato are best known for their domestic life cycles, and the numerous wild mammal species (mainly ungulates) that have been recorded with cystic echinococcosis in the past were mainly considered a result of spill-over from the dog-livestock transmission system. This view was challenged with the advent of molecular characterization, allowing discrimination of the metacestodes, although the contribution of wild mammals to various Echinococcus life cycles has remained uncertain for scarcity of wildlife studies. Numerous records of cysts in wild ungulates date back to the 20th century, but cannot with certainty be allocated to the Echinococcus species and genotypes that are recognized today. This means that our current knowledge is largely restricted to studies of the past two decades that kept adding gradually to our concepts of transmission in various geographic regions. In particular, new insights were gathered in the past years on E. granulosus s.l. in wildlife of sub-Saharan Africa, but also on transmission patterns of E. multilocularis in previously neglected regions, e. g. North America. Here, an update is provided on the current state of knowledge on wild mammals as hosts for all Echinococcus species, listing >150 species of wild hosts with references, as well as estimates on their epidemiological impact and our current gaps of knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Romig
- University of Hohenheim, Parasitology Unit, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Hohenheim, Center for Biodiversity and Integrative Taxonomy, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Marion Wassermann
- University of Hohenheim, Parasitology Unit, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Hohenheim, Center for Biodiversity and Integrative Taxonomy, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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Naletilić Š, Šoštarić-Zuckermann IC, Mihaljević Ž. Tumor and Tumor-like Lesions in Red Foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) from Croatia. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:558. [PMID: 38396526 PMCID: PMC10885975 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040558] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The red fox, found on all continents except Antarctica, occupies diverse habitats. In Croatia, it is an indigenous wild species with a population density of 0.7 animals per square kilometer. While tumors in wild animals from the Canidae family are scarce, the true prevalence and diversity of tumors are likely underestimated due to limited research. So far, a limited number of tumors have been observed among the red fox population, either in their natural habitat or in captivity. As part of the National Rabies Control Program, we examined 1890 red fox carcasses over a four-year period. Our focus was on identifying abnormalities on the skin and internal organs that suggest potential neoplastic proliferation. Five red foxes, three males and two females, were found to have growths resembling potential tumors. Their age distribution spanned from 2 to 7 years. Microscopic investigation revealed two collagenous hamartomas, two Meibomian gland adenomas, and one intra-abdominal teratoma within a cryptorchid testis. This retrospective study aims to provide a comprehensive description of tumor and tumor-like lesions observed in free-range red foxes from Croatia, marking the first research of its kind in Croatia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Šimun Naletilić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (Š.N.); (Ž.M.)
| | | | - Željko Mihaljević
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (Š.N.); (Ž.M.)
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Bandelj P, Kušar D, Šimenc L, Jamnikar-Ciglenečki U, Vengušt G, Vengušt DŽ. First Molecular Detection of Neospora caninum in Feces of Grey Wolf ( Canis lupus) and Golden Jackal ( Canis aureus) Populations in Slovenia. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3089. [PMID: 37835696 PMCID: PMC10571879 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes reproductive disorders and major economic losses in cattle, and induces neuromuscular disorders in canids. Exogenous infections are becoming increasingly important due to disease outbreaks. The sylvatic life cycle of N. caninum interferes with the domestic dog-ruminant life cycle, but understanding of it is scarce. The population of wild canids may play an important role in parasite dispersion. Feces from 42 grey wolves (Canis lupus) and 39 golden jackals (Canis aureus) were analyzed for the N. caninum Nc5 gene using a novel real-time PCR (qPCR) with a detection limit of 5 targets/µL in clinical samples. Three wolves (3/42; 7.1%) and one golden jackal (1/39; 2.6%) tested positive, which is the first detection of N. caninum in the population of grey wolves in Slovenia and the first detection of N. caninum DNA in the feces of a golden jackal. In addition to the grey wolf, we propose the golden jackal as a potential definitive host with hypothetical epidemiological importance for the sylvatic-domestic life cycle of N. caninum, due to its proximity to human habitats and its rapid expansion throughout Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Bandelj
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, 1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (P.B.); (D.K.); (L.Š.)
| | - Darja Kušar
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, 1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (P.B.); (D.K.); (L.Š.)
| | - Laura Šimenc
- Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, 1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (P.B.); (D.K.); (L.Š.)
| | - Urška Jamnikar-Ciglenečki
- Institute of Food Safety, Feed and Environment, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, 1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Gorazd Vengušt
- Institute of Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, 1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Diana Žele Vengušt
- Institute of Pathology, Wild Animals, Fish and Bees, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, 1115 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
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Balen Topić M, Papić N, Višković K, Sviben M, Filipec Kanižaj T, Jadrijević S, Jurković D, Beck R. Emergence of Echinococcus multilocularis in Central Continental Croatia: A Human Case Series and Update on Prevalence in Foxes. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1402. [PMID: 37374184 DOI: 10.3390/life13061402] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human alveolar echinococcosis (HAE), caused by the metacestode stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, has emerged in many European countries over the last two decades. Here, we report the first data on the new HAE focus with increasing incidence in central Croatia, describe its clinical presentation and outcomes in diagnosed patients, and provide an update on the prevalence and geographic distribution of Echinococcus multilocuaris in red foxes. After the initial case in 2017 from the eastern state border, from 2019 to 2022, five new autochthonous HAE cases were diagnosed, all concentrated in the Bjelovar-Bilogora County (the county incidence in 2019 and 2021: 0.98/105, in 2022: 2.94/105/year; prevalence for 2019-2022: 4.91/105). The age range among four female and two male patients was 37-67 years. The patients' liver lesions varied in size from 3.1 to 15.5 cm (classification range: P2N0M0-P4N1M0), and one patient had dissemination to the lungs. While there were no fatalities, postoperative complications in one patient resulted in liver transplantation. In 2018, the overall prevalence of red foxes was 11.24% (28/249). A new focus on HAE has emerged in central continental Croatia, with the highest regional incidence in Europe. Screening projects among residents and the implementation of veterinary preventive measures following the One Health approach are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Balen Topić
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Neven Papić
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Klaudija Višković
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Mario Sviben
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department for Parasitology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tajana Filipec Kanižaj
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Stipislav Jadrijević
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Daria Jurković
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Relja Beck
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Crotti S, Brustenga L, Cruciani D, Bonelli P, D'Avino N, Felici A, Morandi B, Sebastiani C, Spina S, Gobbi M. Molecular Screening of Echinococcus spp. and Other Cestodes in Wild Carnivores from Central Italy. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10050318. [PMID: 37235401 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10050318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tapeworm infections are among the most relevant parasitic diseases in humans and animals. Tapeworms from the Genus Echinococcus are particularly important as they can cause cystic or alveolar echinococcosis. A molecular screening was performed on 279 fecal samples collected from carcasses of wild carnivores from Central Italy using PCR targeting diagnostic fragments of nad1, rrnS, and nad5 genes. Samples positive for either Taenia spp. or Echinococcus granulosus were sequenced to taxonomically identify the parasitic DNA. Of the 279 samples, 134 (48.0%) gave positive results in the multiplex PCR. Only one (0.4%) sample from an Apennine wolf tested positive for Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (genotype G3), whereas no sample tested positive for E. multilocularis. The most frequently detected tapeworms were: Mesocestoides corti (syn M. vogae) (12.9%), M. litteratus (10.8%), Taenia serialis (9.3%), and T. hydatigena (6.5%), other tapeworms were rarely detected. The results suggest that Echinococcus infections in Central Italy do not seem to be sustained by sylvatic cycles, confirming the absence of E. multilocularis in Central Italy. The survey corroborates, yet again, the importance of passive surveillance of wild animals that can serve as reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens, especially on wild canids that in other areas are strongly implicated in the transmission of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Crotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Leonardo Brustenga
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 6, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Deborah Cruciani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Piero Bonelli
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Centro Nazionale di Referenza per l'Echinococcosi/Idatidosi (Ce.NRE), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Nicoletta D'Avino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Felici
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Benedetto Morandi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Carla Sebastiani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sara Spina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
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