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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022spp., , , , , and are enteric protozoan parasites and fungal species in humans and animals. Père David's deer is an endangered species in China, but the prevalence of...
spp., , , , , and are enteric protozoan parasites and fungal species in humans and animals. Père David's deer is an endangered species in China, but the prevalence of enteric protozoans in this species still needs to be further studied. Thus, we investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of zoonotic parasites in Père David's deer during the period of 2018-2021. Among the 286 fecal samples collected from Père David's deer in the Nanhaizi Nature Reserve, 83 (29.0%) were positive for , 70 (24.5%) were positive for , while other protozoan parasites were negative. Based on a phylogenetic analysis, three subtypes (ST10, ST14, and ST21) and ten genotypes (Genotype D, MWC_d1, HLJD-V, Peru6, BEB6, BJED-I to BJED-I V) were identified. In addition, the subtype ST14 and the genotype D and Peru6 were first detected in Père David's deer. Our study first reports the presence of two enteric protozoans in Père David's deer during a 4-year active surveillance and provides more information about zoonotic subtypes/genotypes of and in deer.
PubMed: 36364973
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111223 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2024Trichomonads are protozoan symbionts with the capacity to infect vertebrates including humans and non-human primates (NHPs), sometimes with pathogenic effects. However,...
Trichomonads are protozoan symbionts with the capacity to infect vertebrates including humans and non-human primates (NHPs), sometimes with pathogenic effects. However, their diversity and prevalence in NHPs in China are poorly understood. A total of 533 fecal samples were collected from captive NHPs in Yunnan Province, China, of which 461 samples from Macaca fascicularis and 72 from Macaca mulatta. Trichomonadidae species were identified using PCR amplification of the ITS-1/5.8S/ITS-2 sequences. The overall prevalence of trichomonads in NHPs was determined to be 11.4% (61/533), with gender, diarrhea, and region identified as potential risk factors for the infections. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis identified three species of trichomonads, i.e., Trichomitopsis minor (n = 45), Pentatrichomonas hominis (n = 11), and Tetratrichomonas sp. (n = 5). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report Trichomitopsis minor infection in NHPs in China. Of note, Pentatrichomonas hominis is generally recognized as a parasitic organism affecting humans. Collectively, our results suggest that NHPs are potential sources of zoonotic trichomonad infections, highlighting the importance of surveillance and control measures to protect human and animal populations.
Topics: Animals; China; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Primates; Intestines; Trichomonas; Zoonoses
PubMed: 38530212
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024018 -
Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia... 2020Pentatrichomonas hominis and Tritrichomonas foetus (cat genotype) have been commonly identified as intestinal trichomonads in both dogs and cats. Although P. hominis is...
Pentatrichomonas hominis and Tritrichomonas foetus (cat genotype) have been commonly identified as intestinal trichomonads in both dogs and cats. Although P. hominis is considered as non-pathogenic protozoa in many kinds of mammals, it has the potential for zoonotic transmission. T. foetus has been recognized as the emerging causative agent of diarrhea in cats without the risk of zoonotic transmission. As pet shops are the major source of young companion animals, the present study discusses the molecular prevalence of P. hominis and T. foetus from 544 pet shop puppies and 409 kittens. The results suggest that the prevalence of P. hominis (puppies: 7.0%; kittens: 0.5%) and T. foetus (puppies: 0%; kittens: 2.4%) in pet shop young animals are low. In addition, the infections of P. hominis and T. foetus are not always associated with the clinical signs (soft or diarrhea feces).
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Feces; Female; Japan; Prevalence; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Trichomonadida; Tritrichomonas foetus; Zoonoses
PubMed: 33237191
DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612020098 -
Veterinary Parasitology Sep 2017Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is a flagellated protozoa that infects the distal ileum and proximal colon of domestic cats, as well as the urogenital tract of cattle....
Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is a flagellated protozoa that infects the distal ileum and proximal colon of domestic cats, as well as the urogenital tract of cattle. Feline trichomonosis is recognized as a prevalent cause of chronic diarrhea in cats worldwide. The suspected route of transmission is fecal-oral, with cats in densely crowded environments at highest risk for infection. Thus, the recommended strategy for minimizing spread of infection is to identify and isolate T. foetus-positive cats from the general population. Rapid identification of infected cats can be challenging due to the inability to accurately and quickly detect the organism in samples at point of care facilities. Thus, identification of targets for use in development of a novel diagnostic test, as well as a vaccine or therapy for T. foetus infection is a significant area of research. Despite a difference in organ tropism between T. foetus genotypes, evidence exists for conserved virulence factors between feline and bovine T. foetus. The bovine T. foetus surface antigen, TF1.17, is an adhesin that is conserved across isolates. Vaccination with the purified antigen results in amelioration of cytopathogenicity and more rapid clearance of infection in cattle. We previously showed that three feline isolates of T. foetus were positive for TF1.17 antigen so we further hypothesized that TF1.17 is conserved across feline T. foetus isolates and that this antigen would represent an attractive target for development of a novel diagnostic test or therapy for feline trichomonosis. In these studies, we used monoclonal antibodies previously generated against 1.15 and 1.17 epitopes of the bovine T. foetus TF1.17 antigen, to evaluate for the presence and role of TF1.17 in the cytopathogenicity of feline T. foetus. A previously validated in vitro co-culture approach was used to model feline T. foetus infection. Immunoblotting, immunofluorescence assays, and flow cytometric analysis confirmed the presence and surface localization of antigen TF1.17 across all feline T. foetus isolates tested. Antigen TF1.17 was notably absent in the presumably nonpathogenic intestinal trichomonad, Pentatrichomonas hominis, a parasite that can be confused microscopically with T. foetus. Similar to bovine trichomoniasis, TF1.17 was found to promote T. foetus adhesion to the intestinal epithelium. These results support further characterization and development of the TF1.17 antigen as a possible target for the diagnosis and prevention of feline T. foetus infection.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Protozoan; Antigens, Surface; Cat Diseases; Cats; Diarrhea; Epitopes; Genotype; Intestinal Mucosa; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Tritrichomonas foetus; Vaccination
PubMed: 28917306
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.08.001 -
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious... Jul 2014A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the 2-kbp repeated DNA species-specific sequence was developed for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis,...
A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the 2-kbp repeated DNA species-specific sequence was developed for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis, the causative agent of trichomoniasis. The analytical sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP assay were evaluated using pooled genital swab and urine specimens, respectively, spiked with T. vaginalis trophozoites. Genital secretion and urine did not inhibit the detection of the parasite. The sensitivity of the LAMP was 10-1000 times higher than the PCR performed. The detection limit of LAMP was 1 trichomonad for both spiked genital swab and urine specimens. Also, LAMP did not exhibit cross-reactivity with closely-related trichomonads, Trichomonas tenax and Pentatrichomonas hominis, and other enteric and urogenital microorganisms, Entamoeba histolytica, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. This is the first report of a LAMP assay for the detection of T. vaginalis and has prospective application for rapid diagnosis and control of trichomoniasis.
Topics: Humans; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Sensitivity and Specificity; Trichomonas Infections; Trichomonas vaginalis
PubMed: 24792836
DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2014.03.016 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Oct 2014Trichomonad species inhabit a variety of vertebrate hosts; however, their potential zoonotic transmission has not been clearly addressed, especially with regard to human...
Trichomonad species inhabit a variety of vertebrate hosts; however, their potential zoonotic transmission has not been clearly addressed, especially with regard to human infection. Twenty-one strains of trichomonads isolated from humans (5 isolates), pigs (6 isolates), rodents (6 isolates), a water buffalo (1 isolate), a cow (1 isolate), a goat (1 isolate), and a dog (1 isolate) were collected in Indonesia and molecularly characterized. The DNA sequences of the partial 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene or 5.8S rRNA gene locus with its flanking regions (internal transcribed spacer region, ITS1 and ITS2) were identified in various trichomonads; Simplicimonas sp., Hexamastix mitis, and Hypotrichomonas sp. from rodents, and Tetratrichomonas sp. and Trichomonas sp. from pigs. All of these species were not detected in humans, whereas Pentatrichomonas hominis was identified in humans, pigs, the dog, the water buffalo, the cow, and the goat. Even when using the high-resolution gene locus of the ITS regions, all P. hominis strains were genetically identical; thus zoonotic transmission between humans and these closely related mammals may be occurring in the area investigated. The detection of Simplicimonas sp. in rodents (Rattus exulans) and P. hominis in water buffalo in this study revealed newly recognized host adaptations and suggested the existence of remaining unrevealed ranges of hosts in the trichomonad species.
Topics: Animals; DNA, Protozoan; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Humans; Indonesia; Mammals; Protozoan Infections; RNA, Protozoan; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Species Specificity; Trichomonadida
PubMed: 25352694
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2014.52.5.471 -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2024Trichomonosis is a common infection in small animals, mostly manifesting in gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea. Although oral trichomonads are also known, the...
BACKGROUND
Trichomonosis is a common infection in small animals, mostly manifesting in gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea. Although oral trichomonads are also known, the species found colonizing the large intestine are more frequently detected protozoa.
METHODS
In the present study, four wildcats, 94 domestic cats, and 25 dogs, originating from 18 different locations in Hungary, were investigated for the presence of oral and large intestinal trichomonads based on the 18S rRNA gene and ITS2.
RESULTS
All oral swabs were negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, Tritrichomonas foetus was detected in a high proportion among tested domestic cats (13.8%) and dogs (16%), and Pentatrichomonas hominis only in two domestic cats. In addition, a novel Tritrichomonas genotype was identified in one cat, probably representing a new species that was shown to be phylogenetically most closely related to Tritrichomonas casperi described recently from mice. All positive dogs and half of the positive cats showed symptoms, and among cats, the most frequent breed was the Ragdoll.
CONCLUSIONS
With molecular methods, this study evaluated the prevalence of oral and intestinal trichomonads in clinical samples of dogs and cats from Hungary, providing the first evidence of T. foetus in dogs of this region. In contrast to literature data, P. hominis was more prevalent in cats than in dogs. Finally, a hitherto unknown large intestinal Tritrichomonas species (closely related to T. casperi) was shown to be present in a cat, raising two possibilities. First, this novel genotype might have been a rodent-associated pseudoparasite in the relevant cat. Otherwise, the cat was actually infected, thus suggesting the role of a predator-prey link in the evolution of this trichomonad.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Dogs; Cat Diseases; Dog Diseases; Phylogeny; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Hungary; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Tritrichomonas; DNA, Protozoan; Female; Male; Genotype; Prevalence; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Tritrichomonas foetus
PubMed: 38926778
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06343-0 -
Veterinary Parasitology Dec 2019Tritrichomonas foetus isolates from feline and bovine origin has been previously shown to carry a certain degree of genetic heterogeneity. Here, novel candidate...
Tritrichomonas foetus isolates from feline and bovine origin has been previously shown to carry a certain degree of genetic heterogeneity. Here, novel candidate molecular markers were developed by means of multilocus sequence typing of the gap2 gene (encoding for T. foetus glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), ITS region, the TR7/TR8 variable-length repeat and microsatellite genotyping. These markers were used to characterize T. foetus field isolates from bulls and domestic cats and to compare phylogenetically with the following ATCC isolates: T. foetus isolated from cattle and pig (syn. Tritrichomonas suis), Tritrichomonas mobilensis, Tetratrichomonas gallinarum and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Among them, TFMS10 and TFMS7 were found to be the most polymorphic markers. Moreover, an 809 bp fragment of the gap2 gene was successfully amplified from all the trichomonads included in this study and the sequence analysis revealed differences between T. foetus porcine and feline genotypes and T. mobilensis in comparison to the bovine T. foetus ATCC isolate. The TR7/TR8 repeat pattern was not reproducible, being only consistent the fragments of approximately 110 and 217 bp. Sequence analysis of the latter revealed the existence of 3 SNPs resulting in 98.6 % homology between bovine and feline isolates. A search for similar sequences was carried out to develop a Restriction Length Fragment Polymorphism analysis. A 503 bp region, named TF1, revealed the existence of two BbvI restriction enzyme sites that were able to generate different length fragments for T. foetus feline and bovine isolates. Finally, the neighbour-joining analyses showed that T. foetus porcine genotype clusters together with bovine genotype, whereas T. mobilensis and the feline genotype form a separate cluster.
Topics: Animals; Base Sequence; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Consensus Sequence; DNA, Ribosomal; Genetic Markers; Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (Phosphorylating); Male; Microsatellite Repeats; Minisatellite Repeats; Molecular Sequence Data; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Phylogeny; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; Sequence Alignment; Tritrichomonas foetus
PubMed: 31726324
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.108965 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023Protozoa, in both humans and animals, are one of the leading causes of disease. International programmes introduced in many countries have helped reduce the incidence of...
Protozoa, in both humans and animals, are one of the leading causes of disease. International programmes introduced in many countries have helped reduce the incidence of disease. However, it has recently become increasingly difficult to achieve the goals set for the coming years. One of the main reasons for this, as with other pathogenic organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, is the increasing resistance to current methods of treating and preventing infection. Therefore, new therapies with high efficacy are needed. In the present study, the novel mixtures of essential oils (EOs), clove, garlic, Ceylon cinnamon, and rosemary with organic acids (acetic, propionic, lactic) and metal ions (Cu, Mn, Zn) were tested against five selected model protozoa (, , , , ). The cytotoxicity and potential anticancer activity of the obtained combinations were tested on the human fibroblasts (NHDF) and human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF7, LoVo, HT29). All of the mixtures showed very good antiprotozoal properties. The most efficient were the combination of clove and rosemary essential oils, mixtures of acids, and Mn ions. The LD values were in the range of 0.001-0.006% and the LD values were 0.002-0.008%. All of the tested mixtures did not show cytotoxicity against normal cells, but did show growth inhibition against cancer cell lines. The most cytotoxic against cancer cells were combinations with cinnamon essential oil. Nevertheless, the proposed combinations containing essential oils, organic acids, and metal ions have high antiprotozoal activity, with low toxicity to healthy human cells.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Oils, Volatile; Monoterpenes; Antiprotozoal Agents; Cinnamomum zeylanicum
PubMed: 36771061
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031395 -
PloS One 2018Intestinal parasitic infections are considered a serious public health problem and widely distributed worldwide, mainly in urban and rural environments of tropical and...
BACKGROUND
Intestinal parasitic infections are considered a serious public health problem and widely distributed worldwide, mainly in urban and rural environments of tropical and subtropical countries. Globally, soil-transmitted helminths and protozoa are the most common intestinal parasites. Blastocystis sp. is a highly prevalent suspected pathogenic protozoan, and considered an unusual protist due to its significant genetic diversity and host plasticity.
METHODOLOGY/MAIN FINDINGS
A total of 294 stool samples were collected from inhabitants of three rural valleys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The stool samples were evaluated by parasitological methods, fecal culture, nested PCR and PCR/Sequencing. Overall prevalence by parasitological analyses was 64.3% (189 out of 294 cases). Blastocystis sp. (55.8%) was the most prevalent, followed by Endolimax nana (18.7%), Entamoeba histolytica complex (7.1%), hookworm infection (7.1%), Entomoeba coli (5.8%), Giardia intestinalis (4.1%), Iodamoeba butchilii (1.0%), Trichuris trichiura (1.0%), Pentatrichomonas hominis (0.7%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.7%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.7%). Prevalence of IPIs was significantly different by gender. Phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis sp. and BLAST search revealed five different subtypes: ST3 (34.0%), ST1 (27.0%), ST2 (27.0%), ST4 (3.5%), ST8 (7.0%) and a non-identified subtype.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
Our findings demonstrate that intestinal parasite infection rates in rural areas of the Sumidouro municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are still high and remain a challenge to public health. Moreover, our data reveals significant genetic heterogeneity of Blastocystis sp. subtypes and a possible novel subtype, whose confirmation will require additional data. Our study contributes to the understanding of potential routes of transmission, epidemiology, and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in rural areas both at a regional and global scale.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Base Sequence; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; Brazil; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; DNA, Protozoan; Feces; Female; Genetic Variation; Helminthiasis; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Male; Middle Aged; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Protozoan Infections; Ribotyping; Rural Population; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Young Adult
PubMed: 29522552
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193860