Gastrointestinal parasites of cats in Egypt: high prevalence high zoonotic risk

BACKGROUND

Several gastrointestinal parasites that infect cats pose potential health threats for humans and animals. The present study is the first to report gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites in feces of stray cats from Gharbia governorate, Egypt. Findings were combined with those published in the earlier surveys from various Egyptian governorates, and various meta-analyses were conducted to underline the parasitic zoonoses from cats in Egypt.

RESULTS

Out of 143 samples tested in Gharbia, 75 (52.4%) were found infected with 13 different parasites. Co-infections were observed in 49.3% of positives. Several parasites were detected, e.g., Toxocara cati (30.0%), Toxascaris leonina (22.4%), hookworms (8.4%), taeniids (4.2%), Strongyloides spp. (2.1%), Physaloptera spp. (2.1%), Alaria spp. (1.4%) and Dipylidium caninum (0.7%). Opisthorchis-like eggs were found in a single sample being the first report from cats in Africa. Oocysts of 4 coccidian parasites were identified, and a few Toxoplasma gondii-like oocysts were detected in 2 samples (1.4%). Results of the meta-analysis illustrated that occurrence of T. gondii oocysts in feces of cats from Egypt may have been overestimated in earlier studies; 1432 cats have been tested and displayed a 5 times higher pooled prevalence (11.9%) than the published global pooled prevalence for T. gondii oocysts in cats. This overestimation might have occurred because some small-sized oocysts that belong to other coccidian parasites were mis-identified as T. gondii. Toxocara cati had a high pooled prevalence (22.5%) in cats from Egypt, which is even greater than the published pooled prevalence in cats globally; however, several reports from Egypt have neglected the role of T. cati in human toxocarosis. Dipylidium caninum displayed also a high prevalence (26.7%).

CONCLUSION

Several zoonotic parasite species have been found in stray cats from Egypt, raising concerns about the risks to the Egyptian human population as well as environmental contamination. Prompt surveillance supervised by the government and accompanied by data dissemination will be helpful for developing effective control strategies.

Combined Molecular and Lectin Binding Assays to Identify Different Trichostrongyle Eggs in Feces of Sheep and Goats from Egypt

BACKGROUND

Trichostrongyles are common causes of parasitic gastroenteritis in sheep and goats worldwide. Accurate identification of these nematodes to the genus and/or species level is important for therapy selection and control strategies. In the present study, molecular and egg-lectin binding approaches were employed to identify the most economically important trichostrongyles circulating in sheep and goat herds from six districts in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt.

MATERIALS

Fecal samples from 653 and 205 goats reared within 17 herds were collected and tested for the trichostrongyle eggs using the modified Wisconsin sucrose flotation method. For identification of the trichostrongyle(s) present, eggs from 75 (63 sheep and 12 goats) samples which had high egg count (EPG) and pooled eggs (n = 19 pools, 15 sheep and 4 goats) from samples with moderate or low EPGs were examined. Molecular examination was conducted amplifying the ITS2 region of the rDNA for six different trichostrongyles in individual PCR reactions. For egg-lectin bindings, 4 fluorescently-labeled specific lectins were used; peanut agglutinin (PNA) for Haemonchus contortus, Aleuria aurantia agglutinin (AAL) for Trichostrongylus species, Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) for Teladorsagia circumcnicta and Lotus tetragonolobus lectin (LTL) for Cooperia species.

RESULTS

Fourteen (82.3%) herds were found infected, of which trichostrongyle eggs were detected in fecal samples of 26.5% (173/653) of sheep and 10.2% (21/205) of goats. Results of the PCR and lectin bindings were compatible and 4 trichostrongyles were detected: H. contortus, T. circumcincta, Trichostrongylus axei and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Haemonchus contortus eggs were found in all the infected herds, and as the single species in 21 and 5 of sheep and goat samples, respectively. Lectin stained smears demonstrated the dominance of H. contortus eggs over eggs of the other detected trichostrongyles. Eleven herds were found infected with T. axei as the second most prevalent trichostrongyle; however, few AAL-stained eggs were noticed in the positive samples. Mixed infections were frequently detected as H. contortus-T. axei combination. Infections with T. circumcincta were noted in sheep samples from two herds, but not in any sample from the goats. No Ostertagia leptospicularis, Cooperia curticei or Nematodirus species were noted among the tested samples.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first molecular and lectin binding survey to determine the species composition of trichostrongyles infecting sheep and goats from Egypt. Haemonchus contortus plays the principal role in small ruminant trichostrongylosis in Egypt. Egg-lectin staining shows promise for future for its application in routine diagnosis as a rapid and simple technique. Findings of the earlier reports from Egypt are tabulated and reviewed.

Molecular identification of different Trichostrongylus species infecting sheep and goats from Dakahlia governorate, Egypt

Nematodes of genus Trichostrongylus can cause remarkable economic losses in the small ruminant`s industry and some species have a zoonotic potential. Since the most common source for human infection is the infected animals, accurate identification of different Trichostrongylus species in animals would reflect the species that can infect humans from the same area. The objective of the present study is to identify common Trichostrongylus species infecting small ruminants in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt using molecular-based techniques. Fecal samples from 340 sheep and 115 goats from rural areas in 3 cities of Dakahlia governorate and 2 cities at its borders were collected, and the strongyle-type eggs were detected in 33.2% and 14.7% of sheep and goats, respectively. PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal DNA (ITS2 rDNA) for 3 Trichostrongylus spp.; T. axei, T. colubriformis and T. vitrinus was conducted for eggs harvested from 25 sheep and 16 goat samples. Two species were detected; T. axei (in 16 sheep and 14 goats) and T. colubriformis (in 2 sheep but no goats). This is the first report of T. colubriformis in sheep from Dakahlia governorate, where this species was reported earlier from humans. No T. vitrinus was detected in any tested sample of sheep or goats. Purified PCR products of T. axei isolates were successfully sequenced and revealed 3 haplotypes; 2 from sheep and 1 from goats, and the isolates are related genetically to T. axei isolates from camels in Egypt. Phylogenetic analysis of the Genbank-retrieved ITS2-amplified T. axei isolates worldwide suggested the existence of genetic variants. Earlier reports on the identified Trichostrongylus spp. in different animals from Egypt as well as African and Arabian countries are tabulated.

Prevalence of Eimeria species in sheep (Ovis aries) from Dakahlia governorate, Egypt

Feces from 184 sheep from Dakahlia governorate, Egypt were tested for Eimeria species oocysts by using the standard floatation technique; oocysts were detected in 126 (68.4%). The prevalence was significantly higher in young sheep than adults. Eleven Eimeria species were identified: Eimeria ahsata, Eimeria bakuensis, Eimeria crandallis, Eimeria faurei, Eimeria granulosa, Eimeria intricata, Eimeria marsica, Eimeria ovinoidalis, Eimeria pallida, Eimeria parva and Eimeria webybridgensis. Oocysts of the most pathogenic ovine species, E. ovinoidalis, were detected in 27 (14.6%) sheep. This is the first report of E. webybridgensis in sheep from Egypt, possibly due to close similarity of their oocysts to those of E. crandallis which stated in the earlier reports. Worldwide reports on epidemiology of Eimeria spp. infections in sheep are tabulated.

Prevalence of Eimeria Species in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Egypt and First Report of Eimeria bareillyi Oocysts

Coccidiosis is a common disease of livestock, including water buffaloes. Reports discussing the prevalence and identity of coccidian parasites in water buffaloes from Egypt are few, and nothing is known concerning the most pathogenic species, Eimeria bareillyi. Fresh feces collected from 175 water buffaloes in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, were processed using the standard flotation technique. Eimerian oocysts were found in 49 (28%) samples, and 10 species were identified. Eimeria bareillyi oocysts were found in 10 samples (5.7%), and this was the single species in 3 diarrheic calves. Typical oocysts of Eimeria auburnensis with smooth oocyst walls were observed in 4 (2.3%) samples. Closely similar oocysts were found in a single sample (0.6%) together with those of E. auburnensis. These oocysts had a rough granulated or mammillated wall and are referred to as E. auburnensis-like oocysts. A molecular study is needed to clarify whether E. auburnensis and E. auburnensis-like oocysts are from different species. Other identified Eimeria species were: Eimeria alabamensis (0.6%), Eimeria bovis (10.8%), Eimeria canadensis (1.1%), Eimeria cylindrica (4%), Eimeria ellipsoidalis (2.3%), Eimeria subspherica (2.8%), and Eimeria zuernii (9.7%). This is the first report of E. bareillyi oocysts in water buffaloes from Egypt.

Prevalence of Eimeria Species in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Egypt and First Report of Eimeria bareillyi Oocysts

Coccidiosis is a common disease of livestock, including water buffaloes. Reports discussing the prevalence and identity of coccidian parasites in water buffaloes from Egypt are few, and nothing is known concerning the most pathogenic species, Eimeria bareillyi. Fresh feces collected from 175 water buffaloes in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, were processed using the standard flotation technique. Eimerian oocysts were found in 49 (28%) samples, and 10 species were identified. Eimeria bareillyi oocysts were found in 10 samples (5.7%), and this was the single species in 3 diarrheic calves. Typical oocysts of Eimeria auburnensis with smooth oocyst walls were observed in 4 (2.3%) samples. Closely similar oocysts were found in a single sample (0.6%) together with those of E. auburnensis. These oocysts had a rough granulated or mammillated wall and are referred to as E. auburnensis-like oocysts. A molecular study is needed to clarify whether E. auburnensis and E. auburnensis-like oocysts are from different species. Other identified Eimeria species were: Eimeria alabamensis (0.6%), Eimeria bovis (10.8%), Eimeria canadensis (1.1%), Eimeria cylindrica (4%), Eimeria ellipsoidalis (2.3%), Eimeria subspherica (2.8%), and Eimeria zuernii (9.7%). This is the first report of E. bareillyi oocysts in water buffaloes from Egypt.

First Evidence of Teladorsagia circumcincta Infection in Sheep from Egypt

Trichostrongylid nematodes are a common cause of gastroenteritis in sheep. Despite its worldwide distribution, Teladorsagia circumcincta has not been included in reports listing the various trichostrongyles infecting sheep from Egypt. Herein, we describe the presence of 2 T. circumcincta haplotypes infecting small ruminants from Egypt. For this study, fresh fecal samples were collected from 340 sheep and 115 goats reared at 5 districts in Dakahlia governorate and its surroundings, Egypt. Trichostrongyle eggs were harvested from the samples, and then subjected to DNA isolation and analysis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was carried out for the second internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS2 rDNA). Purified PCR products of T. circumcincta were sequenced, and the revealed sequences were subjected to the nucleotide and phylogenetic analysis. A relatively high prevalence of trichostrongyles eggs was identified in sheep (33.2%) and a lower prevalence was found in goats (14.7%). Molecular analysis revealed, for the first time, 2 sheep herds from Egypt that were infected with T. circumcincta. Both infected herds were raised by the Bedouins in rural areas of El Mahalla El Kubra city. No T. circumcincta infections were found in any of the goats. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed 2 haplotypes (Te1 and Te2) from 7 successfully sequenced samples (5 from the first and 2 from the second herd). Te1 was the major haplotype in both herds, and Te2 was retrieved from a single sample. Phylogenetic analysis displayed that the Te1 haplotype clustered with one from Cyprus, which might have been introduced to Egypt via goats imported from Cyprus due to a program to improve meat and milk production in Egypt. The present results could be beneficial in understanding the epidemiology of T. circumcincta and other trichostrongyles in Egypt, and have implementations in the effective control strategies used in this region.

Prevalence of Eimeria Species in Camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Egypt and Variability in Structure of Eimeria cameli Oocysts

Coccidiosis is a common disease of camels, and camels are important for the economy of Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Little is known regarding the prevalence of coccidian parasites in camels in Egypt. Fecal samples collected from the rectums of 200 camels at the Cairo slaughterhouse were processed using the sucrose flotation technique. Eimeria species oocysts were found in 38%. Three Eimeria species were identified: Eimeria cameli-like in 31%, Eimeria rajasthani in 18%, and Eimeria dromedarii in 14%. The morphology of E. rajasthani and E. dromedarii oocysts was identical to that in literature. However, there was great variability in size and structure among E. cameli oocysts; oocysts were 70-100 μm long and truncate to ovoid. Four morphotypes (types 1 to 4) were recognized. Types 1 and 2 oocysts had similar truncate ovoid shape and were dark brown, but their shape indices were different. Both types could be easily distinguished from type 3 (elongate ovoid and light brown). All oocysts were enclosed in a transparent outer covering (capsule), although this capsule was barely seen in types 3 and 4. An extension from the capsule situated in front of the micropyle, referred to as polar cap-like structure (PCL), was characteristic for types 1 and 2. The PCL of type 1 resembled the crown, while in type 2 it looked like a small thickening with a smooth top. The PCL was absent in types 3 and 4 oocysts. The latter was found only in a single oocyst. Experimental infections with E. cameli oocysts and molecular studies are needed to determine whether the monotypes described here are different species or strain variations or both.

Genetic variability within isolates of Sarcocystis species infecting sheep from Egypt

In order to explain the exact role of sarcocystosis, principally Sarcocystis tenella, in losses of the Egyptian sheep industry, a precise confirmation about the existence of different Sarcocystis species infecting that economically important animal is needed. Therefore, this work aimed to molecularly identify, as well as illustrate the genetic variability within isolates of Sarcocystis spp. infecting sheep from Egypt. Tissue specimens were collected from sheep slaughtered at 3 Egyptian provinces; Cairo, Dakahlia and Damietta. DNA was isolated from the harvested bradyzoites after peptic digestion for the positive sarcocysts infected specimens, and then PCR amplification using the 18S rRNA gene was carried out. PCR products were subjected to gel electrophoresis. DNA from 600 bp gel bands was purified and sequenced. The revealed sequences were compared to their similarities on Genbank, and analyzed both clusterally and phylogenetically. Two Sarcocystis spp. were identified, the macroscopic cyst forming S. gigantea and the microscopic cyst forming S. tenella. Nine S. tenella sequences were analyzed, resulting in 3 polymorphic sites as well as 3 different haplotypes. Clustering of the nine obtained S. tenella sequences in addition to another 23 S. tenella sequences on Genbank revealed low nucleotide (0.001780) diversity as well as negative value of the Taijma neutral index which are indicators for population expansion. Alignment and Phylogeny results illustrated very close relationship between S. gigantea and S. moulei, a goat specific species which rarely reported in sheep, and in turn proposed the cross transmission of the later species between sheep and goats.