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Langner T, Otranto D, Bezerra-Santos MA, Franzen J, Johne A, Tonanzi D, Pfeffer M, Birka S. Detection of Spirocerca lupi and an unknown Trichinella-like nematode in raccoon ( Procyon lotor). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 23:100911. [PMID: 38352914 PMCID: PMC10862008 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The raccoon Procyon lotor (Carnivora: Procyonidae) is an invasive species of growing importance for the introduction of alien pathogens or as additional hosts for autochthonous pathogens in Europe, including zoonotic parasites. As the population is steadily increasing and outcompeting the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Germany, the consumption of raccoon meat raises concerns about pathogens they may transmit. Therefore the presence of Trichinella larvae was here investigated in muscle samples (n = 904) of raccoons from northern Germany. No Trichinella larvae were found, thus confirming the general low occurrence of this parasite in Germany. However, Spirocerca lupi (n = 12) and an unidentified Trichinella-like nematode (n = 1) were accidently detected in the examined samples. The first is not a zoonotic parasite but has a high veterinary relevance as it can cause severe diseases in dogs. It is the first documented autochthonous infection of this nematode in Germany. The larvae of an unidentified Trichinella-like nematode were found in high abundance in all examined muscles of one raccoon, though they could not be identified to species level. Histological investigation revealed intramuscular cystic structures. This is the largest study investigating muscular parasites of raccoons in Europe so far, which suggests that this invasive animal species is infected by S. lupi and by a yet unknown Trichinella -like parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Langner
- Leipzig University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Food Hygiene, Germany
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. prov. per Casamassima km 3, Valenzano, Bari, 70010, Italy
| | - Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. prov. per Casamassima km 3, Valenzano, Bari, 70010, Italy
| | - Jan Franzen
- Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annette Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, NRL for Trichinella, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniele Tonanzi
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Birka
- Leipzig University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Food Hygiene, Germany
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Fagundes-Moreira R, Bezerra-Santos MA, Lia RP, Daudt C, Wagatsuma JT, de Carmo ECO, Berger L, Chaves da Silva FR, Soares JF, Otranto D. Eyeworms of wild birds and new record of Thelazia ( Thelaziella) aquilina (Nematoda: Spirurida). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 23:100910. [PMID: 38371737 PMCID: PMC10873718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The eyeworms of the subgenus Thelaziella infect orbital cavities, conjunctival sacs and lachrymal ducts of many wild birds, being able to cause conjunctivitis. In Brazil, at least 10 species of Thelaziella have been described. Here we present a brief review of cases of Thelazia (Thelaziella) aquilina and describe the infection of this parasite in Harpia harpyja, as a new host record. Two nematodes were collected from the surface of the cornea of an adult female H. harpyja in the Amazon region (Brazil) and were morphologically identified as two males of T. (T.) aquilina. This data demonstrated the need for further studies focused on elucidating the transmission, biological cycle, and phylogenetic positioning of Thelaziella as subgenus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Fagundes-Moreira
- Laboratório de Protozoologia E Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Cíntia Daudt
- Laboratório de Virologia e Parasitologia, Veterinary Medicine Course, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Brazil
| | - Juliana Tessália Wagatsuma
- Laboratório de Virologia e Parasitologia, Veterinary Medicine Course, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Brazil
| | | | - Laura Berger
- Laboratório de Protozoologia E Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Flavio Roberto Chaves da Silva
- Laboratório de Virologia e Parasitologia, Veterinary Medicine Course, Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco, Brazil
| | - João Fabio Soares
- Laboratório de Protozoologia E Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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3
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Dantas-Torres F, Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Lia RP, Perles L, Barrera JP, Fagundes-Moreira R, Carbonara M, Varcasia A, Brianti E, Deak G, Rojas A, Miró G, Volf P, Baneth G, Otranto D. ParSCo: celebrating 10 years of a unique parasitology summer course. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:89. [PMID: 38409043 PMCID: PMC10895767 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
ParSCo (Parasitology Summer Course) is an intense, 1-week-long summer course organized by the Parasitology Unit of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy, with the support of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), the European Veterinary Parasitology College (EVPC) and Parasites and Vectors. The course, which is conducted in southern Italy, is planned for parasitologists and post-graduate students working in the field of parasitology. The course consists of theoretical and practical lessons, which include the collection, identification and diagnosis of parasites of pets, livestock and wildlife. The participants in ParSCo are afforded the opportunity to be involved in clinical examination and sample collection for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases (e.g. leishmaniosis, thelaziosis and many tick-borne diseases) present in the Mediterranean Basin. The course is conducted at Casa di Caccia, a hunting lodge situated in the Gallipoli Cognato Forest near the Basento River in the Basilicata region in southern Italy. In addition to the training purpose, ParSCo is a great opportunity for sharing knowledge and expertise while becoming part of the parasitology community in a pleasant environment. In this editorial, we share some information and celebrate 10 years of ParSCo, looking forward to forthcoming sessions of this unique parasitology summer course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy.
| | | | | | - Riccardo Paolo Lia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy
| | - Livia Perles
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy
| | - Juan Pedro Barrera
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Mariaelisa Carbonara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Dantas-Torres F, Ramos RAN, Brianti E, Otranto D. Cercopithifilaria spp. of dogs: little known but prevalent filarioids beneath the skin. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:386. [PMID: 37880799 PMCID: PMC10601261 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Filarioids of the genus Cercopithifilaria are little studied, yet widespread parasites, that are relatively unique in being one of the very few nematodes transmitted by hard ticks. These filarioids live in the subcutis while microfilariae are found in the dermis. Definitive hosts include domestic dogs as well as a wide range of vertebrates, such as ruminants, non-human primates, murids, marsupials, porcupines, viverrids, bears and lagomorphs. The genus Cercopithifilaria contains three taxa (i.e. C. bainae, C. grassii and a yet undescribed species, namely Cercopithifilaria sp. II) that are known to infect dogs worldwide, with their occurrence overlapping the distribution of the main tick vector, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. In recent decades, more attention has focused on these filarioids since they have been associated with clinical signs of infection, such as dermatitis, chronic polyarthritis and cutaneous cysts, and possibly with facilitating infections caused by other tick-borne pathogens. Nevertheless, these parasites remain largely underdiagnosed in clinical practice due to the lack of awareness of veterinary practitioners and to major obstacles to their diagnosis. In this review, we have assessed currently available data on Cercopithifilaria spp. infecting dogs worldwide and discussed the biological, clinical and epidemiological aspects of these filarioids, with the overall aim to gain a better understanding of their potential role in skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Dantas-Torres F, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Thompson RCA, Modry D, Otranto D. Invasive mammalian wildlife and the risk of zoonotic parasites. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:786-798. [PMID: 37429777 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Invasive wild mammals are present in all continents, with Europe, North America, and the Asian-Pacific region having the largest number of established species. In particular, Europe has been the continent with the highest number of zoonotic parasites associated with invasive wild mammals. These invasive species may represent a major threat for the conservation of native ecosystems and may enter in the transmission cycle of native parasites, or act as spreaders of exotic parasites. Here, we review the role of invasive wild mammals as spreaders of zoonotic parasites, presenting important examples from Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Finally, we emphasize the need for more research on these mammals and their parasites, especially in areas where their monitoring is scantily performed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - R C Andrew Thompson
- Division of Veterinary Biology, School of Veterinary Studies, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - David Modry
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy; Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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Ehlers LP, Slaviero M, De Lorenzo C, Fagundes-Moreira R, de Souza VK, Perles L, Baggio-Souza V, Bezerra-Santos MA, Modrý D, Benovics M, Panziera W, Driemeier D, Pavarini SP, Soares JF, Otranto D, Sonne L. Pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. (Spirurida, Onchocercidae) infection in two species of Neotropical monkeys from Brazil. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1973-1982. [PMID: 37347285 PMCID: PMC10432332 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07895-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Among vector-borne helminths, filarioids of the genus Dipetalonema (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) localize in several tissues and body cavities of several animal species, causing mild to moderate lesions. The pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. infection in Neotropical monkeys from southern Brazil are herein described, along with a fatal case due to filarial polyserositis and entrapment of an intestinal segment. At necropsy, nematodes were observed in abdominal and thoracic cavities, or in the pericardium of 37 (31.3%) out of the 118 individuals examined (i.e., 35 Alouatta guariba clamitans and two Sapajus nigritus). In addition, at histology, 27.0% of positive animals presented microfilarie (inside blood vessels of lung, spleen, liver, and brain) and 8.1% presented adult nematodes in the heart, lung, and liver. In two cases, cross-sections of filarioids were associated with areas of epicardial thickening with intense fibrosis and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the brain, heart, liver, lungs, or spleen. The DNA fragment was amplify using the cox1 gene, sequenced and analyzed to identify the nematode species collected; presence of Wolbachia was assessed in the filarioids using the 16S rRNA gene. At BLAST analysis of the cox1 gene, 10 sequences showed 91.7% nucleotide identity with Dipetalonema gracile, and two with D. gracile (98.5%) and Dipetalonema graciliformis (98.3%). Phylogenetic analyses clustered sequences of the cox1 obtained in this study in two clades corresponding with the host species. Wolbachia sp. endosymbiont was detected in four samples. Data herein reported provide a description of pathological lesions associated with the infection by Dipetalonema spp., suggesting that they may cause disease in Neotropical monkeys. In addition, a better understanding of diversity and biology of Dipetalonema spp. in South America is needed to assess the impact they may cause in native non-human primates from Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Presser Ehlers
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Mônica Slaviero
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cíntia De Lorenzo
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Renata Fagundes-Moreira
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Viviane Kelin de Souza
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lívia Perles
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Vinicius Baggio-Souza
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - David Modrý
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Praha-, Suchdol, Czech Republic
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Benovics
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Welden Panziera
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - David Driemeier
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Saulo Petinatti Pavarini
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - João Fabio Soares
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
| | - Luciana Sonne
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Unterköfler MS, Dengg P, Niederbacher M, Lindorfer S, Eberle A, Huck A, Staufer K, Zittra C, Wortha LN, Hodžić A, Duscher GG, Harl J, Schlüsslmayr G, Bezerra-Santos MA, Otranto D, Silbermayr K, Fuehrer HP. Occurrence of Thelazia callipaeda and its vector Phortica variegata in Austria and South Tyrol, Italy, and a global comparison by phylogenetic network analysis. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:294. [PMID: 37620902 PMCID: PMC10464191 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05913-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic nematode Thelazia callipaeda infects the eyes of domestic and wild animals and uses canids as primary hosts. It was originally described in Asia, but in the last 20 years it has been reported in many European countries, where it is mainly transmitted by the drosophilid fruit fly Phortica variegata. We report the autochthonous occurrence of T. callipaeda and its vector P. variegata in Austria. Nematodes were collected from clinical cases and fruit flies were caught using traps, netting, and from the conjunctival sac of one dog. Fruit flies and nematodes were morphologically identified and a section of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) was analysed. A DNA haplotype network was calculated to visualize the relation of the obtained COI sequences to published sequences. Additionally, Phortica spp. were screened for the presence of DNA of T. callipaeda by polymerase chain reaction. Thelazia callipaeda and P. variegata were identified in Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Styria. Thelazia callipaeda was also documented in Vienna and P. variegata in Upper Austria and South Tyrol, Italy. All T. callipaeda corresponded to haplotype 1. Twenty-two different haplotypes of P. variegata were identified in the fruit flies. One sequence was distinctly different from those of Phortica variegata and was more closely related to those of Phortica chi and Phortica okadai. Thelazia callipaeda could not be detected in any of the Phortica specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick Dengg
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Miriam Niederbacher
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Lindorfer
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Antonia Eberle
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Huck
- Small Animal Practice Dr. Alexandra Huck, Güttenbach, Austria
| | - Katalina Staufer
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carina Zittra
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Licha Natalia Wortha
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adnan Hodžić
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Gerhard Duscher
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Josef Harl
- Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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8
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Morea A, Stufano A, Sgroi G, De Benedictis L, Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Veneziano V, Otranto D, Lovreglio P, Iatta R. Seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum in outdoor workers from southern Italian endemic regions. Zoonoses Public Health 2023. [PMID: 37060161 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonotic vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania infantum. The infection often remains asymptomatic, though clinical forms may occur in immunosuppressed individuals. Although data on leishmaniasis in humans are available worldwide, the exposure to L. infantum of workers conducting outdoor activities has been scantly investigated, and it is limited to military personnel operating in endemic regions. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of L. infantum in different groups of outdoor workers and the occupational risk factors. The cross-sectional study was performed on 229 workers including forestry guards, farmers, veterinarians, geologists and agronomists from three regions of southern Italy (i.e., Apulia, Basilicata and Campania). All serum samples were screened for L. infantum-specific IgG/IgM by using automated indirect chemiluminescent immunoassays. Overall, 5.7% (13/229) of workers was positive to anti-L. infantum antibodies, with the highest seroprevalence in veterinarians (13.6%). An increased occupational health surveillance for L. infantum infection in outdoor workers is essential to better understand the risk of exposure in specific jobs. Furthermore, guidelines and education along with a One Health collaboration among veterinarians, physicians, parasitologists and occupational health care professionals are crucial for the prevention of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Morea
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Stufano
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of southern Italy, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio-Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Piero Lovreglio
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Ticha L, Volfova V, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Bezerra-Santos MA, Maia C, Sadlova J, Otranto D, Volf P. Experimental feeding of Sergentomyia minuta on reptiles and mammals: comparison with Phlebotomus papatasi. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:126. [PMID: 37055860 PMCID: PMC10103492 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05758-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sergentomyia minuta (Diptera: Phlebotominae) is an abundant sand fly species in the Mediterranean basin and a proven vector of reptile parasite Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae. Although it feeds preferentially on reptiles, blood meal analyses and detection of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum DNA in wild-caught S. minuta suggest that occasional feeding may occur on mammals, including humans. Therefore, it is currently suspected as a potential vector of human pathogens. METHODS A recently established S. minuta colony was allowed to feed on three reptile species (i.e. lizard Podarcis siculus and geckos Tarentola mauritanica and Hemidactylus turcicus) and three mammal species (i.e. mouse, rabbit and human). Sand fly mortality and fecundity were studied in blood-fed females, and the results were compared with Phlebotomus papatasi, vector of Leishmania (L.) major. Blood meal volumes were measured by haemoglobinometry. RESULTS Sergentomyia minuta fed readily on three reptile species tested, neglected the mouse and the rabbit but took a blood meal on human. However, the percentage of females engorged on human volunteer was low in cage (3%) and feeding on human blood resulted in extended defecation times, higher post-feeding mortality and lower fecundity. The average volumes of blood ingested by females fed on human and gecko were 0.97 µl and 1.02 µl, respectively. Phlebotomus papatasi females readily fed on mouse, rabbit and human volunteer; a lower percentage of females (23%) took blood meal on the T. mauritanica gecko; reptilian blood increased mortality post-feeding but did not affect P. papatasi fecundity. CONCLUSIONS Anthropophilic behaviour of S. minuta was experimentally demonstrated; although sand fly females prefer reptiles as hosts, they were attracted to the human volunteer and took a relatively high volume of blood. Their feeding times were longer than in sand fly species regularly feeding on mammals and their physiological parameters suggest that S. minuta is not adapted well for digestion of mammalian blood. Nevertheless, the ability to bite humans highlights the necessity of further studies on S. minuta vector competence to elucidate its potential role in circulation of Leishmania and phleboviruses pathogenic to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Ticha
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Vera Volfova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Italy
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Italy
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10
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Trenkić M, Tasić-Otašević S, Bezerra-Santos MA, Stalević M, Petrović A, Otranto D. Prevention of Thelazia callipaeda Reinfection among Humans. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:843-845. [PMID: 36958036 PMCID: PMC10045684 DOI: 10.3201/eid2904.221610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Thelazia callipaeda is a zoonotic vector-borne nematode that infects and causes eye disease among a wide range of domestic and wild mammals, including humans. We describe an unusual case of reinfection by this nematode in Serbia and call for a focus on preventive measures in endemic areas.
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11
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, DiGeronimo PM, Ward E, Noden B, De Luca F, Fanelli E, Valenzano D, Lia RP, Otranto D. Into the large ears: otitis externa associated with nematodes, mites, and bacteria in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:87. [PMID: 36879281 PMCID: PMC9987081 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05708-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), which is an endangered species, harbors several parasites. Among the ectoparasites that it harbors, ear mites of the genus Loxanoetus have the potential to cause external otitis, an inflammation that may also be associated with the presence of other microorganisms. We assessed the relationships between ear mites, nematodes, yeast, bacterial rods, and cocci sampled from the ears of captive Asian elephants in Thailand. In addition, we discuss the possibility that dust-bathing behavior may be triggered by ear mite infestation, and that this in turn may lead to contamination of the ears with soil microorganisms. METHODS Legally owned captive Asian elephants (n = 64) were sampled. Ear swabs were individually collected from both ears and microscopically examined for the presence of mites, nematodes, yeast, bacterial rods, cocci, and host cells. Mites and nematodes were identified to species level using morphological and molecular methods. RESULTS Loxanoetus lenae mites were present in 43.8% (n = 28/64) of the animals (19 animals with mites in one ear and nine animals with mites in both ears). Nematodes of the genus Panagrolaimus were detected in 23.4% (n = 15/64) of the animals (10 with nematodes in one ear and five with nematodes in both ears). In adult elephants (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.0278) and female elephants (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.0107), the presence of nematodes in both ears was significantly associated with the presence of mites. In addition, higher categorical burdens of nematodes were also significantly associated with the presence of mites (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.0234) and epithelial cells (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.0108), and marginally significantly associated with bacterial cocci (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.0499). CONCLUSIONS The presence of L. lenae mites in the ear canals of the Asian elephants was significantly associated with the occurrence of other microorganisms, such as soil nematodes, bacteria and yeasts. The presence of mites in their ears may increase the dust-bathing behavior of elephants which, if confirmed, represents a further paradigmatic example of a parasitic infestation affecting animal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Erica Ward
- Wildlife and Animal Welfare Institute, Wrentham, MA, USA
| | - Bruce Noden
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Francesca De Luca
- Institute for the Sustainable Protection of Plants, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Elena Fanelli
- Institute for the Sustainable Protection of Plants, National Research Council, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Valenzano
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Riccardo Paolo Lia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy. .,Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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12
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Dantas-Torres F, Benelli G, Otranto D. Emerging parasites and vectors in a rapidly changing world: from ecology to management. Acta Trop 2023; 238:106746. [PMID: 36403676 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Global changes have influenced our societies in several ways with both positive (e.g., technology, transportation, and food security), and negative impacts (e.g., mental health problems, spread of diseases, and pandemics). Overall, these changes have affected the distribution patterns of parasites and arthropod vectors with the introduction and spreading of alien species in new geographical areas, eventually posing new challenges in public health. In this framework, the Acta Tropica Special Issue "Emerging parasites and vectors in a rapidly changing world: from ecology to management" provides a focus on the biology, ecology and management of emerging parasites and vectors of human and veterinary importance. Herein we review and discuss novel studies dealing with interactions of parasites and vectors with animals in changing environmental settings. In our opinion, a special focus on the implementation of management strategies of parasitic diseases to face anthropogenic environmental changes still represent a priority for public health. In the final section, key research challenges in this rapidly changing scenario are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. prov. per Casamassima km 3, Valenzano, Bari 70010, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Str. prov. per Casamassima km 3, Valenzano, Bari 70010, Italy; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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13
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Tudor P, Ionașcu I, Mateescu CI, Bezerra-Santos MA, Gurău MR, Mateescu RE, Gagniuc E, Tudor N, Otranto D. Feline ocular onchocercosis by Onchocerca lupi: Phylogenetic insights and implication for veterinary health. Acta Trop 2023; 237:106723. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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14
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D. No evidence of rabbit-derived human Thelazia callipaeda infection: a call for attention to the basic biology of this parasite. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 125:17-18. [PMID: 36243279 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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15
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Lia RP, Annoscia G, Schuster R, Varcasia A, Sgroi G, Modry D, Otranto D. Description of Joyeuxiella pasqualei (Cestoda: Dipylidiidae) from an Italian domestic dog, with a call for further research on its first intermediate host. Parasitology 2022; 149:1769-1774. [PMID: 36165289 PMCID: PMC11010481 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022001342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although Joyeuxiella pasqualei is frequently detected in cats from Mediterranean Europe, information on its biology is still scarce. This cestode is relatively less frequently reported in dogs, possibly because it is often misdiagnosed with the better-known Dipylidium caninum. The occurrence of J. pasqualei proglottids in a dog living in a closed environment triggered us to delve into the biology of this cestode by collecting biological samples from lizards and a road-killed cat. Two reptile species, Podarcis siculus (Lacertidae), and Tarentola mauritanica (Geckonidae) were also collected in the garden and its surroundings. In addition, experimental infections with eggs obtained from gravid proglottids were performed in laboratory mice, and Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) beetles. Proglottids from the dog's feces and adult cestodes detected at necroscopy of a cat were morphologically identified as J. pasqualei. Two out of 13 T. mauritanica collected in the garden had natural infections of J. pasqualei cysts in the liver and attached to the intestine. All P. siculus lizards and experimentally infected rodents and beetles were negative. DNA sequences obtained from J. pasqualei showed the highest nucleotide similarities with Versteria sp., Echinococcus sp., Raillietina sonini, Taenia polyacantha and D. caninum. Data herein provided show the inability of rodents to become infected by direct ingestion of gravid proglottids, suggesting a need for an invertebrate first intermediate host in the life cycle. Thus, more research study is advocated to better understand the biology of J. pasqualei such as its first intermediate host and its mechanism of transmission in reptiles and rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giada Annoscia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Rolf Schuster
- Department of Parasitology, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - David Modry
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
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16
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Sgroi G, Lia RP, Venegoni G, Solari Basano F, Nele R, Mahabir SP, Borowski S, Geurden T, Otranto D. Efficacy of a formulation of sarolaner/moxidectin/pyrantel (Simparica Trio®) for the prevention of Thelazia callipaeda canine eyeworm infection. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:370. [PMID: 36244989 PMCID: PMC9575252 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05501-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background For a long time known as the oriental eyeworm, Thelazia callipaeda is a zoonotic nematode that infects the eyes of a wide range of vertebrate hosts including dogs, cats, wildlife carnivores, lagomorphs, and humans. The high occurrence of this infection in Europe and the first cases in the United States have increased scientific interest in the parasite, as it also represents a risk for people living in endemic areas. Therefore, treatment and prevention of thelaziosis in canine population are advocated to reduce the risk of human infection as well. Here, we assessed the efficacy of a formulation containing sarolaner/moxidectin/pyrantel (Simparica Trio®) administered orally at monthly intervals, for the prevention of establishment of infection with T. callipaeda in naturally infected dogs. In this formulation, moxidectin is expected to have efficacy against eyeworms, whereas sarolaner and pyrantel are not. Methods The study was conducted in eyeworm endemic areas of Italy and France, where dogs (n = 125) were assigned into two groups consisting of a negative control group (G1; n = 62), in which animals were treated monthly with a control product (sarolaner; Simparica®), and a treatment group (G2; n = 63) in which animals were treated monthly with Simparica Trio (sarolaner/moxidectin/pyrantel) from day 0 to day 150. In total, nine animals were withdrawn from the study (two animals became positive at day 30, and seven for reasons unrelated to eyeworm infection), resulting in 116 animals (n = 58 for G1; n = 58 for G2). Results In G1, 16 out of 58 animals (27.6%) were observed with eyeworms during the study, and none of the animals from G2 were ever observed with eyeworms, resulting in 100% efficacy (P < 0.0001) in the prevention of establishment of T. callipaeda infection. Adult nematodes and fourth-instar (L4)-stage larvae were recovered from the eyes of positive animals, counted, and morphologically identified as T. callipaeda. In addition, specimens from Italy were molecularly confirmed as belonging to the haplotype 1 (i.e., the only one circulating in Europe so far). Conclusions Data presented herein demonstrated 100% efficacy of Simparica Trio for the prevention of T. callipaeda eyeworm infection in dogs from highly endemic areas of France and Italy. The use of this formulation is advantageous, as it is a licensed product in Europe with a wide efficacy spectrum against other nematodes, multiple tick species, and fleas. In addition, preventing the development of infection in dogs could also be a prophylaxis measure for zoonotic T. callipaeda infection in humans inhabiting endemic areas. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05501-6.
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17
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de Macedo LO, Bezerra-Santos MA, Filho CRCU, da Silva Sales KG, de Sousa-Paula LC, da Silva LG, Dantas-Torres F, do Nascimento Ramos RA, Otranto D. Vector-borne pathogens of zoonotic concern in dogs from a Quilombola community in northeastern Brazil. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3305-3311. [PMID: 36102968 PMCID: PMC9556415 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBPs) comprise a group of disease agents mainly transmitted by ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and sand flies. In this study, we assessed the presence of CVBPs in an Afro-descendent community (Quilombola) of northeastern, Brazil. Dog blood samples (n = 201) were collected and analyzed by rapid test for the detection of antibodies against Leishmania spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), and antigens of Dirofilaria immitis. In addition, polymerase chain reactions were performed for Anaplasmataceae, Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Rickettsia spp. and B. burgdorferi s.l. Overall, 66.7% of the dogs scored positive to at least one pathogen at serological and/or molecular methods. Antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. were the most frequently detected (57.2%; n = 115/201), followed by Anaplasma spp. (8.5%; n = 17/201), Leishmania spp. (8.5%; n = 17/201) and B. burgdorferi s.l. (0.5%; n = 1/201). For D. immitis, 11 out of 201 (5.5%) animals scored positive. At the molecular analysis, 10.4% (n = 21/201) of the samples scored positive for Babesia spp./Hepatozoon spp., followed by Anaplasmataceae (5.0%; n = 10/201) and Rickettsia spp. (3.0%; n = 6/201). All samples were negative for B. burgdorferi s.l. Our data demonstrated the presence of CVBPs in the studied population, with a high seropositivity for Ehrlichia spp. In addition, considering the detection of zoonotic pathogens in dogs and their relationship with people from Quilombola communities, effective control strategies are advocated for minimizing the risk of infection in this socially vulnerable human population and their pets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Oliveira de Macedo
- Graduate Program in Animal Biosciences, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil
| | | | - Carlos Roberto Cruz Ubirajara Filho
- Graduate Program in Animal Biosciences, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil
| | - Kamila Gaudêncio da Silva Sales
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | - Lucas C de Sousa-Paula
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | - Lidiane Gomes da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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18
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Sgroi G, Iatta R, Lovreglio P, Stufano A, Laidoudi Y, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Bezerra-Santos MA, Veneziano V, Di Gennaro F, Saracino A, Chironna M, Bandi C, Otranto D. Detection of Endosymbiont Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii and Tickborne Pathogens in Humans Exposed to Tick Bites, Italy. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1824-1832. [PMID: 35997363 PMCID: PMC9423927 DOI: 10.3201/eid2809.220329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
During 2021, we collected blood and serum samples from 135 persons exposed to tick bites in southern Italy. We serologically and molecularly screened for zoonotic tickborne pathogens and only molecularly screened for Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii. Overall, 62 (45.9%) persons tested positive for tickborne pathogens. Coxiella burnetii was detected most frequently (27.4%), along with Rickettsia spp. (21.5%) and Borrelia spp. (10.4%). We detected Candidatus M. mitochondrii DNA in 46 (34.1%) participants who had statistically significant associations to tickborne pathogens (p<0.0001). Phylogenetic analysis of Candidatus M. mitochondrii sequences revealed 5 clades and 8 human sequence types that correlated with vertebrates, Ixodes spp. ticks, and countries in Europe. These data demonstrated a high circulation of tickborne pathogens and Candidatus M. mitochondrii DNA in persons participating in outdoor activities in southern Italy. Our study shows how coordinated surveillance among patients, clinicians, and veterinarians could inform a One Health approach for monitoring and controlling the circulation of tickborne pathogens.
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Mendoza-Roldan JA, Zatelli A, Latrofa MS, Iatta R, Bezerra-Santos MA, Annoscia G, Gernone F, Votýpka J, Modrý D, Tichá L, Volf P, Otranto D. Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae isolation and sympatric occurrence with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in geckoes, dogs and sand flies. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010650. [PMID: 35943980 PMCID: PMC9362939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The trypanosomatid protist Leishmania tarentolae is a saurian-associated parasite vectored by the Sergentomyia minuta sand fly. This study aimed to confirm the circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in sand flies, reptiles and dogs and to isolate new strains of these protists. Reptilian and sheltered dog blood samples were collected, and sand flies were captured. Samples were tested for Leishmania spp. using duplex real-time PCR (dqPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR); the origin of blood meal was identified in engorged sand flies by conventional PCR. The reptilian blood and intestinal content of sand fly females were cultured. Dog sera were tested by IFAT using both Leishmania species. Four Tarentola mauritanica geckoes were molecularly positive for L. infantum or L. tarentolae, with no co-infections; moreover, amastigote-like forms of L. infantum were observed in the bone marrow. 24/294 sand flies scored positive for Leishmania spp. by dqPCR, 21 S. minuta and two Phlebotomus perniciosus were positive for L. tarentolae, while only a single Ph. perniciosus was positive for L. infantum. Blood meal analysis confirmed reptile and dog in S. minuta, dog and human in Ph. perniciosus and dog in Phlebotomus neglectus. Two axenic strains of L. tarentolae were obtained. Twelve of 19 dogs scored positive for L. infantum and L. tarentolae by IFAT and three of them also for L. infantum by dqPCR, and six by qPCR. These data confirm the sympatric circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in geckoes, sand flies, and dogs, and suggest that geckoes may be infected with L. infantum. Leishmania tarentolae is a saurian-associated parasite recently reported in geographical areas where Leishmania infantum is endemic. To confirm the circulation of both protists in sand flies, reptiles and dogs and to isolate new Leishmania spp. strains, reptilian and sheltered dog blood samples were collected and sand flies captured. Samples were molecularly tested for Leishmania spp. and sandflies for origin of blood meal. Dog sera were tested by IFAT for both Leishmania species and reptilian blood and intestine of sand flies were cultured. Four Tarentola mauritanica geckoes were positive for L. infantum or L. tarentolae; moreover, amastigote-like forms of L. infantum were observed in the bone marrow. 24/294 sand flies scored PCR positive for Leishmania spp. Reptile and dog blood were found in S. minuta, dog and human in Ph. perniciosus and dog in Phlebotomus neglectus. Two axenic strains of L. tarentolae were obtained. Twelve of 19 dogs scored positive for L. infantum and L. tarentolae by IFAT and three of them also for L. infantum by PCR, and six by qPCR. Data confirm the sympatric circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in geckoes, sand flies, and dogs, and suggest that geckoes may be infected with L. infantum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Zatelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Iatta
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Giada Annoscia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Floriana Gernone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Tichá
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
- * E-mail:
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Louzada-Flores VN, Kramer L, Brianti E, Napoli E, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Bezerra-Santos MA, Latrofa MS, Otranto D. Treatment with doxycycline is associated with complete clearance of circulating Wolbachia DNA in Dirofilaria immitis-naturally infected dogs. Acta Trop 2022; 232:106513. [PMID: 35598650 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Wolbachia are endosymbionts of parasitic filarial nematodes, including Dirofilaria immitis, and are a target for the treatment of canine heartworm disease. In the present study, 53 naturally-infected dogs were divided in three groups, based on their positivity to D. immitis by antigen and Knott tests, to assess the efficacy of doxycycline treatment in eliminating Wolbachia from circulating blood. At T0, dogs that scored positive to both tests (G1) or to antigen only (G2) were submitted to doxycycline (10 mg/kg BID PO) treatment and to 10% Imidacloprid + 2.5% Moxidectin (Advocate®), while those negative to both tests (G3) received only 10% Imidacloprid + 2.5% Moxidectin (Advocate®). All dogs were followed-up for one year, monthly treated with Advocate® and regularly monitored by antigen and Knott tests. During the whole period, all blood samples were screened for Wolbachia-D. immitis DNA load by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). At T0, 88.2% of the microfilariemic dogs were positive for Wolbachia DNA, while none of the dogs from G2 or G3 were positive. Wolbachia DNA was no longer detectable in dogs from G1 following 1 month of doxycycline treatment and microfilariae (mfs) were cleared at T2. All dogs from the G1 and G2 were negative for D. immitis antigen at 12 months. Results of this study suggest that successful elimination of mfs by doxycycline is associated with complete clearance of Wolbachia DNA in D. immitis-naturally infected dogs.
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Bezerra-Santos MA, de Macedo LO, Nguyen VL, Manoj RRS, Laidoudi Y, Latrofa MS, Beugnet F, Otranto D. Cercopithifilaria spp. in ticks of companion animals from Asia: new putative hosts and vectors. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101957. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Ramos RAN, Giannelli A, Ubirajara-Filho CRC, Ramos CADN, Betbder D, Bezerra-Santos MA, Dantas-Torres F, Alves LC, Otranto D. Vector-borne pathogens in dogs from areas where leishmaniosis is endemic. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 32:100746. [PMID: 35725105 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Many vector-borne pathogens (VBPs), including Ehrlichia canis and Dirofilaria immitis, may infect simultaneously dogs in areas where Leishmania infantum is endemic, especially in the tropics, where highly abundant arthropod vectors thrive. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of simultaneous VBPs infection in Leishmania-positive and Leishmania-negative dogs. Animals enrolled in this study were divided in two groups (G1 and G2), G1 being comprised of L. infantum-infected dogs (n = 58) and the G2 of L. infantum-negative dogs (n = 58). Blood samples were screened using a qualitative ELISA test (SNAP® 4Dx® Plus, IDEXX Laboratory, Westbrook, Maine, USA) for detection of antibodies against Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia spp. and antigens of Dirofilaria immitis. Overall, 89.7% (52/58) of dogs from G1 were positive for at least one VBP, whereas 50.0% (29/58) of dogs from G2 dogs were positive as well. The highest positivity was to E. canis (67.2%; 78/116), followed by D. immitis (12.9%; 15/116), and A. platys (6.0%; 7/116). None of the animals scored positive for B. burgdorferi s.l.. There was a statistically significant difference for the simultaneous positivity to E. canis plus D. immitis between groups. Furthermore, 43.1% (25/58) of dogs from G1 were infested by ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, or both), compared to 20.6% (12/58) of dogs from G2. In conclusion, Leishmania-infected dogs were more co-infected with other VBPs than Leishmania-negative animals. Therefore, it is pivotal to increase the awareness of veterinarian and dog owners about the importance of testing Leishmania-infected dogs for other VBPs, as this may directly affect treatment decisions and management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carlos Roberto Cruz Ubirajara-Filho
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil; Graduate Program in Animal Biosciences, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Leucio Câmara Alves
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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Bernardini I, Poggi C, Manzi S, Bezerra-Santos MA, Beugnet F, Fourie J, Otranto D, Pombi M. Laboratory breeding of two Phortica species (Diptera: Drosophilidae), vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:200. [PMID: 35698211 PMCID: PMC9195204 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05331-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Some species of drosophilid flies belonging to the genus Phortica feed on ocular secretions of mammals, acting as biological vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda. This study describes an effective breeding protocol of Phortica variegata and Phortica oldenbergi in insectary conditions. Methods Alive gravid flies of P. oldenbergi, P. variegata and Phortica semivirgo were field collected in wooded areas of Lazio region (Italy) and allowed to oviposit singularly to obtain isofamilies. Flies were maintained in ovipots (200 ml) with a plaster-covered bottom to maintain high humidity level inside. Adult feeding was guaranteed by fresh apples and a liquid dietary supplement containing sodium chloride and mucin proteins, while larval development was obtained by Drosophila-like agar feeding medium. The breeding performances of two media were compared: a standard one based on cornmeal flour and an enriched medium based on chestnut flour. All conditions were kept in a climatic chamber with a photoperiod of 14:10 h light:dark, 26 ± 2 °C and 80 ± 10% RH. Results From a total of 130 field-collected Phortica spp., three generations (i.e. F1 = 783, F2 = 109, F3 = 6) were obtained. Phortica oldenbergi was the species with highest breeding performance, being the only species reaching F3. Chestnut-based feeding medium allowed higher adult production and survival probability in both P. oldenbergi and P. variegata. Adult production/female was promising in both species (P. oldenbergi: 13.5 F1/f; P. variegata: 4.5 F1/f). Conclusions This standardized breeding protocol, based on controlled climatic parameters and fly densities, together with the introduction of an enriched chestnut-based feeding medium, allowed to investigate aspects of life history traits of Phortica spp. involved in the transmission of T. callipaeda. Obtaining F3 generation of these species for the first time paved the road for the establishment of stable colonies, an essential requirement for future studies on these vectors in controlled conditions. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bernardini
- Dipartimento Di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento Di Sanità Pubblica E Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università Di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Poggi
- Dipartimento Di Sanità Pubblica E Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università Di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Manzi
- Dipartimento Di Sanità Pubblica E Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università Di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Marco Pombi
- Dipartimento Di Sanità Pubblica E Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università Di Roma, Rome, Italy.
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Zarea AAK, Bezerra-Santos MA, Nguyen VL, Colella V, Dantas-Torres F, Halos L, Beugnet F, Tempesta M, Otranto D, Greco G. Occurrence and bacterial loads of Bartonella and haemotropic Mycoplasma species in privately owned cats and dogs and their fleas from East and Southeast Asia. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:704-720. [PMID: 35545848 PMCID: PMC9544368 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Bartonella spp. and haemoplasmas are pathogens of veterinary and medical interest with ectoparasites mainly involved in their transmission. This study aimed at molecular detection of Bartonella spp. and haemoplasmas in cats (n = 93) and dogs (n = 96), and their related fleas (n = 189) from countries in East and Southeast Asia. Ctenocephalides felis was the dominant flea species infesting both cats (97.85%) and dogs (75%) followed by Ctenocephalides orientis in dogs (18.75%) and rarely in cats (5.2%). Bartonella spp. DNA was only detected in blood samples of flea‐infested cats (21.51%) (p < .0001, OR = 27.70) with Bartonella henselae more frequently detected than Bartonella clarridgeiae in cat hosts (15.05%, 6.45%) and their associated fleas (17.24%, 13.79%). Out of three Bartonella‐positive fleas from dogs, two Ct. orientis fleas carried Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and Bartonella clarridgeiae, while the 3rd flea (Ct. felis) carried Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii. Felines represented a risk factor for Bartonella spp. infections, where fleas collected from cats (32.25%) presented an increased likelihood for Bartonella spp. occurrence (p < .0001, OR = 14.76) than those from dogs (3.13%). Moreover, when analysing infectious status, higher Bartonella spp. DNA loads were detected in fleas from bacteraemic cats compared to those from non‐bacteraemic ones (p < .05). The haemoplasma occurrence was 16.13% (15/93) and 4.17% (4/96) in cat and dog blood samples from different countries (i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand), with cats more at risk of infection (p < .01, OR = 5.96) than dogs. Unlike Bartonella spp., there was no evidence for flea involvement in the hemoplasmas' transmission cycle, thus supporting the hypothesis of non‐vectorial transmission for these pathogens. In conclusion, client‐owned cats and dogs living in East and Southeast Asia countries are exposed to vector‐borne pathogens with fleas from cats playing a key role in Bartonella spp. transmission, thus posing a high risk of infection for humans sharing the same environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Attia Koraney Zarea
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Viet-Linh Nguyen
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Vito Colella
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Lenaig Halos
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Lyon, France.,Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Maria Tempesta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.,Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Grazia Greco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Sazmand A, Bahiraei Z, Nemati F, Annoscia G, Bezerra-Santos MA, Nayebzadeh H, Salemi AM, Mousavi SM, Sadjjadi SM, Otranto D. Dermal microfilariae of dogs, jackals and cats in different regions of Iran. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:28. [PMID: 35057824 PMCID: PMC8772098 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05141-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Due to the complexity of retrieving skin-dwelling microfilariae, filarioids of dogs presenting dermal microfilariae (e.g. Cercopithifilaria spp., Onchocerca lupi) are relatively unknown compared to Dirofilaria spp. and Acanthocheilonema spp. whose microfilariae circulate in the blood. Although Cercopithifilaria spp. and O. lupi filarioids are distributed worldwide, there is a paucity of information on their occurrence in Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate these filarioids in a large population of dogs from different regions of Iran. Methods From October 2018 to September 2020, skin biopsies were obtained from dogs housed in shelters (n = 557) and privately owned dogs (n = 26) in seven provinces of Iran (Hamedan, Kermanshah, Yazd, Mazandaran, Khuzestan, Lorestan, Esfahan), as well as from three road-killed jackals (Canis aureus) and three cats (Felis catus) in Hamedan province. The skin biopsies were first soaked in saline solution at room temperature overnight, and examined for dermal microfilariae under the microscope. Positive skin specimens and sediments were tested by PCR for a 304-bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene and amplicons were sequenced. Results Microfilariae of Cercopithifilaria spp. were found in skin biopsies of 32 of the 583 (5.5%) dogs tested, with infection rates of up to 25% in Kermanshah. No microfilariae were recovered from skin biopsy samples collected from dogs in Khorramabad and Ahvaz, nor from the examined jackals and cats. None of the privately owned dogs were found to be infected. Morphologic and morphometric characteristics of the microfilariae were consistent with C. bainae. Eighteen skin samples were positive for the cox1 gene, of which 15 sequences showed a nucleotide identity of 100% and three of 93.4% with the reference sequence of C. bainae available in GenBank (haplotype I; GenBank accession number: JF461457). Conclusions The data from this study broadens current knowledge on the geographical distribution of C. bainae in dogs in Middle Eastern countries. Further studies on different wild canine species in the country (e.g. jackal, fox, wolf) could provide further information on the epidemiology of these filarioids. A particular focus should be put on zoonotic O. lupi given the reports of its presence in human patients from this country. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05141-2.
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Mendoza-Roldan JA, Latrofa MS, Tarallo VD, Manoj RR, Bezerra-Santos MA, Annoscia G, Iatta R, Otranto D. Leishmania spp. in Squamata reptiles from the Mediterranean basin. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:2856-2866. [PMID: 34951929 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania tarentolae is a non-pathogenic trypanosomatid species isolated from geckoes in the Mediterranean basin. In Italy, L. tarentolae and Leishmania infantum occur in sympatry in areas where canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is endemic. Here, we investigated the prevalence and distribution of L. tarentolae in reptilian hosts, and the presence of L. infantum in these hosts in southern Italy. From April 2020 to April 2021, lizards and snakes were captured in urban, peri-urban sites, natural parks and dog shelters. Blood was individually sampled and assessed for the presence of Leishmania spp. by cytology and/or molecular biology. Captured lizards were euthanized and their tissues/organs were tested by duplex real-time-PCR for the detection of L. infantum and L. tarentolae and the positive ones were amplified by conventional PCR to confirm the species identification by sequencing. Samples were also screened by real-time-PCR for L. infantum kDNA minicircle. Of the 259 collected Squamata reptiles, 34 (13.1%) specimens scored positive for Leishmania spp., with a prevalence of 10% for L. tarentolae (n = 26) and of 3.1% for L. infantum (n = 8). Positive lizards were mostly Podarcis siculus (n = 26) from dog shelters, with six specimens positive for L. infantum. In addition, L. tarentolae was detected in one Podarcis filfolensis lizard, and in five T. mauritanica geckos (with one gecko and P. filfolensis lizard showing amastigote-like forms in thrombocytes), whereas L. infantum was detected in one T. mauritanica, and one Hemidactylus turcicus. Saurian reptiles living in CanL endemic areas of the Mediterranean basin may be exposed to both L. tarentolae and L. infantum indicating a sympatric circulation of these species in different vertebrate hosts. Moreover, this study represents the first molecular evidence of L. infantum infection in European reptiles. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Stefania Latrofa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, 70010, Italy
| | | | - Ranju Rs Manoj
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, 70010, Italy
| | | | - Giada Annoscia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, 70010, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Dipartimenti Interdisciplinare di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, 70010, Italy.,Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
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Papadopoulos E, Komnenou A, Karamanlidis AA, Bezerra-Santos MA, Otranto D. Zoonotic Thelazia callipaeda eyeworm in brown bears (Ursus arctos): A new host record in Europe. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:235-239. [PMID: 34889529 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) eyeworm, a zoonotic parasite transmitted by lachryphagus drosophilids, causes subclinical to clinical ocular disease in a wide range of vertebrates, including humans. In the past 20 years, the infection spread primarily in areas where the vector thrives, and now is endemic in many European countries. Recently, this nematode has been reported also in the United States. Here, we describe the first record of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) as a host of T. callipaeda. Eight (26.7%) out of 30 bears were found to be infected with T. callipaeda adult worms. In addition, the parasite was detected in 13 wolves (Canis lupus) sharing the same environment with the brown bears. At the molecular characterization, all nematodes belonged to the haplotype 1, which is the only one recorded in Europe, as yet. This finding demonstrates that brown bears may act as hosts for this parasite, suggesting its potential role in the maintenance of the cycle not only in the wild but also in captivity. Under the above circumstances, the brown bear may represent a potential zoonotic risk for humans, both in rural and urban areas where other reservoirs may be infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Papadopoulos
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasia Komnenou
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros A Karamanlidis
- ARCTUROS, Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment, Florina, Greece.,Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy.,Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
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Alanazi AD, Alouffi AS, Alyousif MS, Rahi AA, Ali MA, Abdullah HHAM, Brayner FA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Bezerra-Santos MA, Otranto D. Molecular characterization of Leishmania species from stray dogs and human patients in Saudi Arabia. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4241-4246. [PMID: 33945011 PMCID: PMC8599340 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07166-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica cause cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans and dogs in several parts of the world, with a large number of cases recorded in the Middle East. However, when they occur in sympatry, the role of each species of Leishmania in the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is not clear. To assess the frequency and to identify the species of Leishmania that infect humans and stray dogs in Riyadh and Al-Qaseem (Saudi Arabia), 311 stray dogs and 27 human patients who were suspected for Leishmania infection were examined for CL by a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). Seven (25.9%) out of 27 human patients scored positive for Leishmania spp. (i.e., L. major in five patients from Riyadh and L. tropica in two patients from Al-Qaseem). Out of 311 dogs, five (1.6%) were infected by L. tropica. Data herein presented demonstrate the occurrence of L. tropica in dogs and humans in Saudi Arabia, as well as the occurrence of L. major in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah D Alanazi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, P.O. Box 1040, Ad-Dawadimi, 11911, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Mohamed S Alyousif
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulsadah A Rahi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Wasit, Kut, Wasit, 00964, Iraq
| | - Magda A Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Wasit, Kut, Wasit, 00964, Iraq
| | - Hend H A M Abdullah
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Division, National Research Centre, 33 Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Fabio A Brayner
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, CEP, Recife, 50670-901, Brazil
| | | | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy.
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran.
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Mendoza-Roldan JA, Gabrielli S, Cascio A, Manoj RR, Bezerra-Santos MA, Benelli G, Brianti E, Latrofa MS, Otranto D. Zoonotic Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens infection in humans and an integrative approach to the diagnosis. Acta Trop 2021; 223:106083. [PMID: 34364896 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Dirofilariosis by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens is endemic in dogs from countries of the Mediterranean basin. Both species may infect humans, with most of the infected patients remaining asymptomatic. Based on the recent description of the southernmost hyperendemic European focus of heartworm disease in dogs from the Pelagie archipelagos, we performed a serological and molecular survey in human population of that area. Human blood samples were collected in the islands of Linosa (n=101) and Lampedusa (n=296) and tested by ELISA and molecular test for the detection of D. immitis and D. repens. Samples were also screened for filarioid-associated endosymbionts, Wolbachia sp. The seroprevalence of D. immitis and D. repens was, respectively, 7.9% and 3.96% in Linosa, and 7.77% and 19.93% in Lampedusa. Out of 397 human blood samples tested molecularly, 4 scored positive (1%) for Dirofilaria spp. by qPCR (i.e., three for D. immitis and one for D. repens) and 6 (1.5%) for Wolbachia. Of the qPCR positive for Dirofilaria spp., only D. repens was amplified by cPCR and was positive for Wolbachia. In the phylogenetic analysis, the sequence of Wolbachia detected in D. repens positive samples clustered along with other C supergroup filarioids. Our results overlap with the recent prevalence data collected on dogs from the same area, where D. immitis is prevalent in Linosa and D. repens prevails in Lampedusa. Molecular detection of D. immitis in human blood is quite unusual considering that humans are dead-end hosts for dirofilarial infection and most of the human cases described so far in Europe were ascribed to D. repens. An integrative diagnostic approach using serum analysis and Wolbachia detection is also presented. In endemic areas for canine dirofilarioses humans are exposed to the infection, suggesting the importance of One Health approach in diagnosing, treating and controlling this zoonotic parasitosis.
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Sgroi G, Iatta R, Lia RP, Napoli E, Buono F, Bezerra-Santos MA, Veneziano V, Otranto D. Tick exposure and risk of tick-borne pathogens infection in hunters and hunting dogs: a citizen science approach. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e386-e393. [PMID: 34487635 PMCID: PMC9546254 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Citizen science may be described as a research involving communities and individuals, other than scientists. Following this approach, along with the evidence of a high prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in Dermacentor marginatus from wild boars in hunting areas of southern Italy, this study aimed to assess the occurrence of tick‐borne pathogens (TBPs) in ticks collected from hunters and their hunting dogs. From October 2020 to May 2021, ticks were collected from wild boar hunters (n = 347) and their dogs (n = 422) in regions of southern Italy (i.e., Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania and Sicily). All ticks were morphologically identified, classified according to gender, feeding status, host, geographic origin, and molecularly screened for zoonotic bacteria. Adult ticks (n = 411) were collected from hunters (i.e., n = 29; 8.4%; mean of 1.6 ticks for person) and dogs (i.e., n = 200; 47.4%; mean of 1.8 ticks for animal) and identified at species level as D. marginatus (n = 240, 58.4%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (n = 135, 32.8%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (n = 27, 6.6%) and Ixodes ricinus (n = 9, 2.2%). Overall, 45 ticks (i.e., 10.9%, 95% CI: 8.3‐14.3) tested positive for at least one tick‐borne agent, being Rickettsia slovaca the most frequent species (n = 37, 9.0%), followed by Rickettsia raoultii, Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Rickettsia monacensis, Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia lusitaniae and Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii (n = 2, 0.5% each). Data herein presented demonstrate a relevant risk of exposure to TBPs for hunters and hunting dogs during the hunting activities. Therefore, the role of hunters to monitor the circulation of ticks in rural areas may be considered an effective example of the citizen science approach, supporting the cooperation toward private and public health stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Apulia, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Apulia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Paolo Lia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Apulia, Italy
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Sicily, Italy
| | - Francesco Buono
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio-Campania region, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Apulia, Italy.,Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
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Sgroi G, Iatta R, Veneziano V, Bezerra-Santos MA, Lesiczka P, Hrazdilová K, Annoscia G, D'Alessio N, Golovchenko M, Rudenko N, Modrý D, Otranto D. Molecular survey on tick-borne pathogens and Leishmania infantum in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from southern Italy. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101669. [PMID: 33578255 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been recognised to harbour and transmit a wide range of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including those of zoonotic concern. To investigate the prevalence and the distribution of TBPs and of Leishmania infantum in foxes (n = 244), spleen samples were collected within the frame of a multi-regional wildlife health surveillance program in Italy. A combined PCR/sequencing approach was performed for the detection of Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Borrelia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Hepatozoon spp. and L. infantum DNA. Overall, 146 foxes (59.8 %, 95 % CI: 53.6-65.8) tested positive for at least one pathogen with Hepatozoon canis being the most prevalent (i.e., n = 124; 50.8 %, 95 % CI: 44.6-57.0), followed by Babesia vulpes (n = 20; 8.2 %, 95 % CI: 5.4-12.3), different spirochete species from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex (n = 9; 3.7 %, 95 % CI: 1.9-6.9), Ehrlichia canis and L. infantum (n = 7; 2.9 % each, 95 % CI: 1.4-5.8), Anaplasma platys (n = 4; 1.6 %, 95 % CI: 0.6-4.1), Anaplasma phagocytophilum ecotype I and Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (n = 3; 1.2 % each, 95 % CI: 0.4-3.5). All samples scored negative for Babesia canis and Borrelia miyamotoi. This study revealed the presence of spirochetes from B. burgdorferi s.l. complex, Ca. Neoehrlichia sp., A. platys and A. phagocytophilum ecotype I in red fox population from Italy, underling the necessity to monitoring these carnivores, mainly because they live in contact with dogs and humans. Data on the tick fauna circulating on wildlife species will complement information herein obtained, instrumentally to establish preventive strategies for minimizing the risk of infection for animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio, Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Paulina Lesiczka
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Center, Charles University, alej Svobody 1655/76, 32300, Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Giada Annoscia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Maryna Golovchenko
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Natalie Rudenko
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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