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Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2022An ample variety of parasitic associations are found between mollusks and nematodes, in which the mollusks may act as intermediate, paratenic or definitive hosts. Some...
An ample variety of parasitic associations are found between mollusks and nematodes, in which the mollusks may act as intermediate, paratenic or definitive hosts. Some free-living nematodes, in particular those of the order Rhabditida, are also found frequently in terrestrial mollusks. The present study reviews the results of the parasitological testing on samples of terrestrial mollusks conducted at the Brazilian National Reference Laboratory for Schistosomiasis and Malacology between 2008 and 2021. The samples were supplied primarily by the public health authorities from the different regions of Brazil, but also by research institutions and general population. The mollusks were processed individually and the obtained larvae were identified from their morphology and, whenever necessary, by molecular analysis. A total of 1,919 service orders were registered during the period, including 19,758 mollusk specimens collected from 23 of the 26 Brazilian states, as well as the Federal District, totalizing 145 municipalities. There was a marked predominance of the synanthropic species that are widely distributed in Brazil- (87.08%), (4.18%), (2.06%), and (1.50%). Of the 16,750 terrestrial mollusks examined, nematodes were recorded in 1,308 service orders, with the predominance of the superfamily Metastrongyloidea, in 616 service orders. They included , rat lungworm, which was found in 252 samples, and in 145 samples. Free-living nematodes were found in 952 samples, and (previously identified as sp.) in one and 275 samples, respectively, and other parasites in 210 samples (not identified). The results highlight the diversity of the associations between nematodes and terrestrial mollusks in Brazil, in particular invasive and synanthropic species, with emphasis on the giant African land snail, . They demonstrate the prominent role of this species of mollusk in the transmission of medically-important nematodes, which affect the health of both humans and animals, in particular eosinophilic meningitis, which is caused by . This reinforces the need for more studies, and justify the growing demand for information as well as parasitological diagnosis of this mollusk, given its wide distribution in Brazil and its impact as an urban pest.
PubMed: 36467665
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1023426 -
PloS One 2022Free-roaming domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) pose major conservation and public health risks worldwide. To better understand the threat of domestic dogs to...
Free-roaming domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) pose major conservation and public health risks worldwide. To better understand the threat of domestic dogs to wildlife and people and add to the growing literature on free-roaming dog ecology, a study was conducted to estimate the dog population in Tulúm, México. A modified mark-recapture technique and program MARK were used to obtain dog population estimates along six different transects dividing the city. Population estimates ranged from 19.75 dogs in one transect to 101.841 dogs in another, with 150 total dogs identified throughout the study and an estimated minimum population density of 48.57 dogs/km2. Fecal samples were also opportunistically collected for parasite identification through fecal flotation analysis using the McMaster technique. Out of 25 samples collected, 19 tested positive for gastrointestinal parasites with the most common species found being Ancylostoma caninum, followed by Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, and Cystoisospora spp. Parasite loads ranged from 50 to 10,700 ova per gram of feces. The large population of free-roaming dogs and the prevalence of three zoonotic parasites highlight the importance of understanding free-roaming dog ecology and educating the public on the health risks free-roaming dogs pose. Los perros callejeros (Canis lupus familiaris) representan un gran riesgo para la conservación de animales y la salud pública mundialmente. Para comprender mejor la amenaza que significan los perros domésticos para la fauna silvestre y los humanos y aportar a la creciente bibliografía sobre la ecología de los perros callejeros, se realizó una investigación para estimar la población de los perros en Tulúm, México. Se utilizó una técnica modificada de marcado y recaptura junto con el programa MARK para estimar la población canina en seis transectos de la ciudad. Los estimados varían desde 19.75 perros en un transecto hasta 101,841 en otro, con un total de 150 perros identificados en el transcurso de la investigación y una densidad mínima estimada de 48,57 perros/km2. Además, se hizo una recolección oportunista de muestras de heces para la identificación de parásitos por medio del análisis de flotacíon fecal, con el método McMaster. De las 25 muestras recolectadas, 19 resultaron positivas para parásitos gastrointestinales, de las cuales las especies más comunes fueron Ancylostomoa caninum, seguida por Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, y Cystoisospora spp. Las cargas parasitarias variaron desde 50 hasta 10.700 óvulos por gramo de heces. La alta población de perros callejeros y la prevalencia de tres enfermedades zoonóticas resaltan la importancia de entender la ecología de los perros callejeros y educar al público sobre los riesgos que significan los perros callejeros para la salud.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Parasites; Mexico; Wolves; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 36301991
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276880 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Sep 2022Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworms are zoonotic parasites that can infect humans. To detect autochthonous transmission, we analyzed human fecal samples collected in 2000....
Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworms are zoonotic parasites that can infect humans. To detect autochthonous transmission, we analyzed human fecal samples collected in 2000. Multiparallel quantitative PCR detected infection in persons who had never traveled outside Ecuador. These data indicate human transmission of A. ceylanicum in the Americas, although endemicity remains unknown.
Topics: Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Ancylostomiasis; Animals; Ecuador; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Zoonoses
PubMed: 35997627
DOI: 10.3201/eid2809.220248 -
Parasites & Vectors Jan 2016Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections of humans fall within the World Health Organization's (WHO) grouping termed the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It is... (Review)
Review
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections of humans fall within the World Health Organization's (WHO) grouping termed the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It is estimated that they affect approximately 1.4 billion people worldwide. A significant proportion of these infections are in the population of Southeast Asia. This review analyses published data on STH prevalence and intensity in Southeast Asia over the time period of 1900 to the present to describe age related patterns in these epidemiological measures. This is with a focus on the four major parasite species affecting humans; namely Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and the hookworms; Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. Data were also collected on the diagnostic methods used in the published surveys and how the studies were designed to facilitate comparative analyses of recorded patterns and changes therein over time. PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Global Atlas of Helminth Infections search engines were used to identify studies on STH in Southeast Asia with the search based on the major key words, and variants on, "soil-transmitted helminth" "Ascaris" "Trichuris" "hookworm" and the country name. A total of 280 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria from 11 Southeast Asian countries; Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. It was concluded that the epidemiological patterns of STH infection by age and species mix in Southeast Asia are similar to those reported in other parts of the world. In the published studies there were a large number of different diagnostic methods used with differing sensitivities and specificities, which makes comparison of the results both within and between countries difficult. There is a clear requirement to standardise the methods of both STH diagnosis in faecal material and how the intensity of infection is recorded and reported in future STH research and in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the impact of continuing and expanding mass drug administration (MDA) programmes.
Topics: Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Asia, Southeastern; Feces; Helminthiasis; Helminths; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Prevalence; Research; Soil; Surveys and Questionnaires; Trichuriasis; Trichuris
PubMed: 26813007
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1310-2 -
Veterinary World Feb 2021Several free-roaming dogs can be easily found in the public areas of Bali. They go out in search of foods and friends and defecate everywhere. In general, these groups...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Several free-roaming dogs can be easily found in the public areas of Bali. They go out in search of foods and friends and defecate everywhere. In general, these groups of dogs do not receive good healthcare from their owners and are generally threatened by some disease-causing organisms, especially helminths. This study was conducted to identify and measure the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) that cause infection in free-roaming dogs in Bali Province, Indonesia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 1611 fresh dog fecal samples were collected from all areas of Bali Province and subjected to qualitative fecal examination using flotation techniques to obtain STH eggs.
RESULTS
The incidence of STHs in free-roaming dogs was 38.36%. However, three types of STHs were identified, including spp., spp., and spp. spp. had the highest prevalence of 37.8%, followed by spp. and spp. at 6.02% and 0.87%, respectively. Multiple infections of these worms were also recorded. The polyparasitism prevalence of spp. and spp. was 3.85%, followed by that of spp. and spp. at 0.5% and that of spp. and spp. at 0.06%. There were no altitude-wise differences in the prevalence of STH infection.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of STHs was high in free-roaming dogs. This finding necessitates more serious attention as it affects both animal and public health.
PubMed: 33776310
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.446-451 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Feb 2019Melting temperature shift (Tm-shift) is a new detection method that analyze the melting curve on real-time PCR thermocycler using SYBR Green I fluorescent dye. To...
Melting temperature shift (Tm-shift) is a new detection method that analyze the melting curve on real-time PCR thermocycler using SYBR Green I fluorescent dye. To establish a Tm-shift method for the detection of Ancylostoma ceylanicum and A. tubaeforme in cats, specific primers, with GC tail of unequal length attached to their 5 ́ end, were designed based on 2 SNP loci (ITS101 and ITS296) of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences. The standard curve of Tm-shift was established using the standard plasmids of A. ceylanicum (AceP) and A. tubaeforme (AtuP). The Tm-shift method stability, sensitivity, and accuracy were tested with reference to the standard curve, and clinical fecal samples were also examined. The results demonstrated that the 2 sets of primers based on the 2 SNPs could accurately distinguish between A. ceylanicum and A. tubaeforme. The coefficient of variation (CV) of Tm-values of AceP and AtuP was 0.07% and 0.06% in ITS101 and was 0.06% and 0.08% in ITS296, respectively. The minimum detectable DNA concentration was 5.22×10-6 and 5.28×10-6 ng/μl samples of AceP and AtuP, respectively. The accuracy of Tm-shift method reached 100% based on examination of 10 hookworm DNA samples with known species. In the clinical detection of hookworm in 69 stray cat fecal sample, the Tm-shift detection results were consistent with the microscopic examination and successfully differentiated between the 2-hookworm species. In conclusion, the developed method is a rapid, sensitive and accurate technique and can provide a promising tool for clinical detection and epidemiological investigation of cat-derived hookworms.
Topics: Ancylostoma; Ancylostomiasis; Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; DNA Primers; DNA, Helminth; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Feces; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Transition Temperature
PubMed: 30840793
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.1.9 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... May 2015The majority of helminth parasites that are considered by WHO to be the cause of 'neglected diseases' are zoonotic. In terms of their impact on human health, the role of... (Review)
Review
The majority of helminth parasites that are considered by WHO to be the cause of 'neglected diseases' are zoonotic. In terms of their impact on human health, the role of animal reservoirs and polyparasitism are both emerging issues in understanding the epidemiology of a number of these zoonoses. As such, Hymenolepis (Rodentolepis) nana, Echinococcus canadensis and Ancylostoma ceylanicum all qualify for consideration. They have been neglected and there is increasing evidence that all three parasite infections deserve more attention in terms of their impact on public health as well as their control.
Topics: Ancylostoma; Animals; Echinococcus; Helminthiasis; Humans; Hymenolepis nana; Neglected Diseases; Zoonoses
PubMed: 25743998
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.01.004 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2023Accurate diagnosis by precise identification of causative agents is essential for the effectiveness of any control interventions. Despite high zoonotic potential,...
Accurate diagnosis by precise identification of causative agents is essential for the effectiveness of any control interventions. Despite high zoonotic potential, available literature on hookworms in Bangladesh is still scarce and nonspecific. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of hookworms in public locations across northeastern Bangladesh (Sylhet metropolitan area) using integrated parasitological and molecular assays. A total of 130 samples (80 soil and 50 environmental canine feces) were collected and examined using modified flotation technique and formalin-ether sedimentation methods. Modified plate culture was used to isolate larvae. The identification was made based on morphometric features and confirmed by amplifying the ITS region of the nuclear rDNA. Overall, 66.2% (86/130) of examined samples were positive for hookworms infection. Characteristic eggs (61-68 × 29-37 μm) and/or larvae of hookworms were observed in 73.8% (59/80) soils and 54.0% (27/50) environmental fecal samples. Rhabditiform larvae (0.48-0.54 × 0.04-0.07 mm) were observed in cultured samples. Genetic analysis of rDNA sequences revealed the presence of Ancylostoma caninum and Ancylostoma ceylanicum. In this study, hookworms' contamination of the public environment was substantial. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first molecular proof of A. caninum and A. ceylanicum observed in urban public environment in Bangladesh.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Ancylostomatoidea; Bangladesh; Hookworm Infections; Ancylostoma; Feces; DNA, Ribosomal; Soil; Larva; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 36599848
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26813-8 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2020Soil-transmitted nematodes (STN) infect 1-2 billion of the poorest people worldwide. Only benzimidazoles are currently used in mass drug administration, with many...
Soil-transmitted nematodes (STN) infect 1-2 billion of the poorest people worldwide. Only benzimidazoles are currently used in mass drug administration, with many instances of reduced activity. Terpenes are a class of compounds with anthelmintic activity. Thymol, a natural monoterpene phenol, was used to help eradicate hookworms in the U.S. South circa 1910. However, the use of terpenes as anthelmintics was discontinued because of adverse side effects associated with high doses and premature stomach absorption. Furthermore, the dose-response activity of specific terpenes against STNs has been understudied. Here we used hollow, porous yeast particles (YPs) to efficiently encapsulate (>95%) high levels of terpenes (52% ) and evaluated their anthelmintic activity on hookworms (, a rodent parasite (), and whipworm (. We identified YP-terpenes that were effective against all three parasites. Further, YP-terpenes overcame albendazole-resistant . These results demonstrate that terpenes are broad-acting anthelmintics. Terpenes are predicted to be extremely difficult for parasites to resist, and YP encapsulation provides water-suspendable terpene materials without surfactants and sustained terpene release that could lead to the development of formulations for oral delivery that overcome fast absorption in the stomach, thus reducing dosage and toxic side effects.
Topics: Albendazole; Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Animals; Anthelmintics; Benzimidazoles; Humans; Nematoda; Nematode Infections; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Terpenes
PubMed: 32605043
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25132958 -
Veterinary Medicine International 2021is one of the most important hookworms in dogs. A study revealed that the prevalence of ancylostomiasis in Indonesia is relatively high. However, cases of persistent... (Review)
Review
is one of the most important hookworms in dogs. A study revealed that the prevalence of ancylostomiasis in Indonesia is relatively high. However, cases of persistent ancylostomiasis in dogs were reported, indicating the possibility of anthelmintic resistance. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the anthelmintic potential of plants preclinically against based on related research articles. This review retrieved 14 articles from 2001 to 2021 investigating 19 different plants. , , and hold a promising prospect as anthelmintic against . This review found aspects of those medicinal plants that need to be investigated deeper to improve our understanding of the matter. results in this review have not yet been tested in trials, which are essential in determining the efficacy and safety of the use of these medicinal plants and also to justify its clinical application.
PubMed: 34876973
DOI: 10.1155/2021/3879099