1
|
Tsokana CN, Sioutas G, Symeonidou I, Papadopoulos E. Wildlife and parasitic infections: A One Health perspective in Greece. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 6:100184. [PMID: 39027086 PMCID: PMC11252608 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
While research on the parasitic fauna of wildlife in Greece is currently limited, conducted studies have provided valuable insights into the prevalence of parasitic infections in wild carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. This review consolidates the existing data on the endoparasites detected in wild animals in Greece, specifically focusing on those that pose established or potential zoonotic risks. Over the last 60 years, various parasite species such as Leishmania infantum, Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis spp., Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Capillaria spp., Baylisascaris spp., Trichinella spp., Thelazia callipaeda, Dirofilaria immitis, Echinococcus granulosus, Mesocestoides sp., Taenia spp., Alaria alata, and Dicrocoelium dendriticum have been identified in wildlife in Greece. These findings have become increasingly relevant due to the growing interaction between humans and wild animals, which now extends to urban environments, as well as the increased contact between wild and domestic animals. This is further complicated by the geographical expansion of vector-borne diseases due to global warming and the increased movements of humans and animals. Surveillance and monitoring of parasitic infections in Greek wildlife is warranted, and it should be based on interdisciplinary investigations considering the interconnectedness of human, wild, and domestic animals, as well as environmental health, in line with the One Health approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Constantina N. Tsokana
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Sioutas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Isaia Symeonidou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bertos E, Sánchez-Cerdá M, Virgós E, Gil-Sánchez JM, Moleón M. Thelazia callipaeda as a potential new threat to european wildcats: insights from an eco-epidemiological study. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:2153-2160. [PMID: 36648738 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10071-8] [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: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Global warming and displacement of vectors and wild and domestic hosts by humans greatly change host-parasite interactions and parasite transmission rates. Thelazia callipaeda Railliet and Henry, 1910 (Spirurida: Thelaziidae) is a zoonotic parasite rapidly colonizing Europe from its Asian native range. This nematode is vectored by Phortica flies and may cause ocular disorders, such as keratitis and corneal ulcers, in wild mammals, dogs, cats and humans. With the aim of detecting possible threats for the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) in one of its last Mediterranean strongholds, we initiated in 2017 a long-term monitoring program in Sierra Arana (southeastern Spain), which includes exploring its epidemiological and spatial relationships with domestic cats (Felis catus). During routine medical check-ups, we detected ocular nematodes in 3 of 17 (17.6%) wildcats and 1 of 23 (4.3%) domestic cats tested, confirmed to be T. callipaeda by microscopic and molecular analyses. This nematode species was first detected in the study area in 2021. To our knowledge, this is the first case of infection in wildcats in Spain. Through telemetry, we detected little spatial overlap between the home ranges of wildcats and domestic cats, which seems to be sufficient to facilitate the inter-specific transmission of T. callipaeda. Our findings suggest that this pathogen could be a new threat to the wildcat, a locally endangered wild felid. Further eco-epidemiological monitoring and sanitary control of domestic cats will be strongly needed, especially given the ongoing global warming scenario.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bertos
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Mariola Sánchez-Cerdá
- Harmusch - Asociación de Estudio y Conservación de Fauna, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Department of Biology and Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, University Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Gil-Sánchez
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Harmusch - Asociación de Estudio y Conservación de Fauna, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Marcos Moleón
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Deak G, Ionică AM, Mihalca AD. First report of Thelazia callipaeda Railliet & Henry, 1910 in a zoo lion (Panthera leo) (Linnaeus, 1758) from Romania. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:2173-2177. [PMID: 36905530 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10097-y] [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: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Thelazia callipaeda, the zoonotic "oriental eye worm", is an emerging nematode known to infect a wide range of hosts, particularly carnivores (wild and domestic canids and felids, mustelids, and ursids), but also other mammal groups (suids, lagomorphs, monkeys, and humans), across a wide geographical area. New host-parasite associations and human cases have mostly been reported in endemic areas. A less studied group of hosts is represented by zoo animals that may harbor T. callipaeda.A 23-year old male lion (Panthera leo) that was born in a public zoo in Reșița (Caraș-Severin County, Romania) was submitted to the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca for investigations after death from unknown reasons in November 2022. Four nematodes were collected from the right eye during the necropsy and submitted to morphological and molecular characterization.Collected nematodes were morphologically identified as three females and one male T. callipaeda. The BLAST analysis revealed 100% nucleotide identity to numerous isolates of T. callipaeda haplotype 1.The present paper presents a new host-parasite association between T. callipaeda and P. leo from a zoo in Romania.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 23 Iuliu Moldovan Street, 400348, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cotuțiu VD, Ionică AM, Dan T, Cazan CD, Borșan SD, Culda CA, Mihaiu M, Gherman CM, Mihalca AD. Diversity of Thelazia spp. in domestic cattle from Romania: epidemiology and molecular diagnosis by a novel multiplex PCR. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:400. [PMID: 37924115 PMCID: PMC10623811 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06012-8] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thelaziosis is a neglected vector-borne disease caused by parasitic nematode worms of the genus Thelazia which affects various hosts. Limited attention has been given to ungulate-associated Thelazia species. Current diagnosis of thelaziosis and the identification/differentiation of species heavily relies on morphological features. Therefore, we conducted an epidemiological study in Romanian cattle, with the aim to obtain morphological and molecular data that can be used for species identification. METHODS The eyes of 705 slaughtered cattle were sampled and subjected to morphological identification, morphometric analysis, and molecular characterization. PCR amplification and sequence analysis were performed based on the cytochromec oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene. Statistical tests assessed the correlations between infection parameters and ecological or biogeographical factors. A novel PCR method was developed based on the consensus sequence from each species. Specific forward primers were designed for each of the three species, and a reverse primer (COIintR) was used for all reactions. A consensus thermal profile was established by gradient PCR amplification of each species separately. RESULTS Of the sampled cattle, 19.3% were infected with Thelazia spp. Prevalence varied significantly with ecogeographical factors. A total of 585 Thelazia nematodes were recovered, with T. rhodesi being the most abundant, followed by T. skrjabini and T. gulosa. Morphometric and molecular analyses supported the morphological identification, yielding unique sequences for each species. From the 59 T. rhodesi specimens sequenced, 29 unique sequences were obtained, with a 99.1-99.85% nucleotide identity to the only other COI sequence present in GenBank®. All nine T. gulosa isolates were unique (99.37-100% nucleotide identity to other sequences), while T. skrjabini specimens displayed 98.47-100% nucleotide identity to the sole available sequence. CONCLUSIONS Bovine thelaziosis is prevalent in Romania, raising concerns for animal welfare and potential economic impacts. Infected cattle grazing alongside vulnerable wild ruminants, such as the European bison, may affect conservation efforts. Our newly developed multiplex PCR shows promise as a valuable surveillance tool, enabling the detection of occult infections in apparently healthy animals through lachrymal secretion testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vlad-Dan Cotuțiu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases Cluj-Napoca, Iuliu Moldovan Street nr 23, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Teodora Dan
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristina Daniela Cazan
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Silvia Diana Borșan
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Carla Andreea Culda
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Marian Mihaiu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Călin Mircea Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Diakou A, Deak G, Veronesi F. Pets, Wildlife and Parasites. Pathogens 2023; 12:1310. [PMID: 38003775 PMCID: PMC10674324 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In our dynamic world, borders of different sorts are being rapidly altered or even erased [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- Parasitology Laboratory of the University Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06124 Perugia, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|