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Robbins WT, Galeuzzi O, Graham K, Greenwood SJ, Jones MEB, Buote M, Conboy GA. Echinococcus multilocularis infection in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Can Vet J 2022; 63:962-966. [PMID: 36060492 PMCID: PMC9377194] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Molecular identification of small cestodes, morphologically consistent with Echinococcus multilocularis, recovered at necropsy from the gastrointestinal tract contents of a red fox, was accomplished by PCR using published species-specific n ad1 primers and methods. ANIMAL Red fox (Vulpes vulpes). PROCEDURE Small cestodes recovered from intestinal contents of a red fox trapped on Prince Edward Island in December 2020 (frozen at -20°C before being processed for parasite recovery in June 2021) were morphologically identified. Species identity confirmation and haplotyping of the cestodes were done via PCR and DNA sequencing of the n ad1, nad2, and cob genes. RESULTS Small cestodes morphologically consistent with E. multilocularis were detected in the gastrointestinal tract contents of a red fox trapped near Montague, PEI. The species identity was confirmed via PCR. Haplotyping revealed that they were of the European E1 haplotype. CONCLUSION In Canada, E. multilocularis has been reported as far east as Québec, with most reports being in central and western provinces and territories. This is the first report of E. multilocularis infection in a canid host east of Ontario, Canada and illustrates the need for regular wildlife disease surveillance to enhance our understanding of emerging pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Echinococcus multilocularis is a highly pathogenic zoonotic cestode from the family Taeniidae that can cause alveolar echinococcosis (AE) when rodents, dogs, horses, pigs, non-human primates, or humans ingest its eggs. Alveolar echinococcosis is challenging to treat, and survival rates for untreated individuals are low.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Robbins
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (Graham, Jones), University of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Veterinary College, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Olivia Galeuzzi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (Graham, Jones), University of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Veterinary College, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Kylee Graham
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (Graham, Jones), University of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Veterinary College, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Spencer J Greenwood
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (Graham, Jones), University of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Veterinary College, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Megan E B Jones
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (Graham, Jones), University of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Veterinary College, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Melanie Buote
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (Graham, Jones), University of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Veterinary College, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Gary A Conboy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (Graham, Jones), University of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Veterinary College, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
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Mahjoub HA, Robbins WT, Galeuzzi O, Graham KF, Jones MEB, Buote MA, Greenwood SJ, Conboy GA. First report of Angiostrongylus vasorum (French heartworm) in red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) on Prince Edward Island. Can Vet J 2022; 63:637-640. [PMID: 35656523 PMCID: PMC9112355] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify first-stage nematode larvae (L1) recovered from a red fox scat sample and adult female worms recovered from 2 red fox lungs at necropsy, using published molecular methods to confirm a morphological diagnosis of Angiostrongylus vasorum (French heartworm). ANIMAL Red fox (Vulpes vulpes). PROCEDURE Nematode larvae recovered from a Baermann examination survey of wild canid scats (n = 101) conducted from January 2017 to August 2020, were identified by size and morphology and subjected to PCR and DNA sequencing of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene, the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, or the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2). In addition, these techniques were applied to adult female worms recovered from the heart/lungs of 2 red foxes (obtained from PEI trappers and stored frozen at -20°C since December of 2018 and 2020). RESULTS Size and morphology of L1 recovered by Baermann examination from a wild canid scat sample (presumed to be red fox) collected near Montague, PEI and adult female worms recovered at necropsy from 2 red fox carcasses were identified as A. vasorum. Molecular analysis confirmed the larvae and adult worms were A. vasorum. CONCLUSION These findings indicated that A. vasorum has become endemic in the red fox population on PEI. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Angiostrongylus vasorum infection is potentially fatal in dogs. Veterinarians and regional diagnostic laboratories in the Maritime provinces should consider the possibility of A. vasorum infection in dogs with clinical signs of cardiopulmonary and/or central nervous system disease or bleeding disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifaa A Mahjoub
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Sciences & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia (Mahjoub); Department of Biomedical Science (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative - Atlantic Region, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones)
| | - William T Robbins
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Sciences & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia (Mahjoub); Department of Biomedical Science (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative - Atlantic Region, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones)
| | - Olivia Galeuzzi
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Sciences & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia (Mahjoub); Department of Biomedical Science (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative - Atlantic Region, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones)
| | - Kylee F Graham
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Sciences & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia (Mahjoub); Department of Biomedical Science (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative - Atlantic Region, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones)
| | - Megan E B Jones
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Sciences & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia (Mahjoub); Department of Biomedical Science (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative - Atlantic Region, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones)
| | - Melanie A Buote
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Sciences & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia (Mahjoub); Department of Biomedical Science (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative - Atlantic Region, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones)
| | - Spencer J Greenwood
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Sciences & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia (Mahjoub); Department of Biomedical Science (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative - Atlantic Region, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones)
| | - Gary A Conboy
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Sciences & Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia (Mahjoub); Department of Biomedical Science (Robbins, Greenwood), Department of Pathology and Microbiology (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones, Buote, Conboy), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative - Atlantic Region, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island (Galeuzzi, Graham, Jones)
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