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Medical Science Monitor : International... Mar 2024BACKGROUND Ancylostoma spp., including A. duodenale, A. braziliense, A. caninum, and A. ceylanicum, are hookworms that are transmitted from infected soil and by contact...
BACKGROUND Ancylostoma spp., including A. duodenale, A. braziliense, A. caninum, and A. ceylanicum, are hookworms that are transmitted from infected soil and by contact with domestic animals and rodent hosts, and can cause systemic disease and cutaneous larva migrans. The objective of this study was to describe the ecoepidemiology of Ancylostoma caninum and Ancylostoma spp. in urban-marginal sectors and in rural sectors located in Ecuador. MATERIAL AND METHODS Through addressed sampling, a total of 498 domestic dogs and 40 synanthropic rodents were analyzed via the following coproparasitic methods: direct, flotation, sedimentation with centrifugation using saline (egg identification), modified Baermann (larval identification), and morphometric methods (confirmation). A total of 236 people were surveyed, and a clinical analysis was performed via physical examination. The environmental variables were obtained through reports from the INAMHI of Ecuador and the use of online environmental programs. Through surveys, data related to social determinants were obtained. Epidemiological indicators (prevalence, morbidity, and mortality) were obtained through microbial analysis and surveys. RESULTS A total of 250 domestic dogs were diagnosed with Ancylostoma caninum (50, 20%), and 41 were diagnosed with Ancylostoma spp. (8.23%). One synanthropic rodent (2.5%) was positive for A. caninum. In the clinical analysis, 3 patients were identified as positive (1.27%) for cutaneous larva migrans (CLM). Likewise, environmental variables and social determinants influence the transmission, prevalence, and nature of parasitism by hookworm. CONCLUSIONS People, domestic dogs, and rodents were infected with these parasites. Consequently, there is a risk of ancylostomiasis and cutaneous larvae migrans spreading.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Dogs; Ancylostoma; Larva Migrans; Ecuador; Prevalence; Larva; Feces
PubMed: 38500436
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943931 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jun 2020The canine hookworms Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala are not only capable of producing morbidity and...
The canine hookworms Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala are not only capable of producing morbidity and mortality in dogs but are also neglected tropical zoonoses. Each hookworm species differs considerably in its geographical distribution, life cycle, biology, pathogenic impacts on both canine and human hosts, zoonotic potential, and response to treatment with anthelminthics. Here we describe the development and validation of two Taq-Man based multiplex PCR assays capable of detecting and differentiating all four canine hookworm species in faeces of naturally infected dogs. The analytical sensitivity of both assays was assessed using 10-fold serial dilutions of synthetic gene block fragments containing individual sequence targets of each hookworm species. The sensitivity of the assays and ability to detect mixed species infections were compared to a conventional PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism based-approach when applied to laboratory and field samples from endemic areas. The qPCRs detected at least one species of hookworms in 82.4% of PCR-RFLP-negative but microscopy-positive samples. The qPCRs detected an additional 68% mixed infections with different species of canine hookworms, and additional single species infection with A. caninum (47%), U. stenocephala (33%) and A. ceylanicum (0.02%) that were missed by PCR-RFLP. These multiplex qPCR assays will assist field based epidemiological surveillance studies towards an accurate and sensitive monitoring of canine hookworm infections in dogs, to inform their species-specific zoonotic risks to populations living in endemic areas, globally.
Topics: Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Ancylostomiasis; Animals; DNA, Helminth; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Feces; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Sensitivity and Specificity; Zoonoses
PubMed: 32542036
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008392 -
Parasites & Vectors Jan 2018We present evidence that the dog hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum) is underutilised in the study of host-parasite interactions, particularly as a proxy for the... (Review)
Review
We present evidence that the dog hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum) is underutilised in the study of host-parasite interactions, particularly as a proxy for the human-hookworm relationship. The inability to passage hookworms through all life stages in vitro means that adult stage hookworms have to be harvested from the gut of their definitive hosts for ex vivo research. This makes study of the human-hookworm interface difficult for technical and ethical reasons. The historical association of humans, dogs and hookworms presents a unique triad of positive evolutionary pressure to drive the A. caninum-canine interaction to reflect that of the human-hookworm relationship. Here we discuss A. caninum as a proxy for human hookworm infection and situate this hookworm model within the current research agenda, including the various 'omics' applications and the search for next generation biologics to treat a plethora of human diseases. Historically, the dog hookworm has been well described on a physiological and biochemical level, with an increasing understanding of its role as a human zoonosis. With its similarity to human hookworm, the recent publications of hookworm genomes and other omics databases, as well as the ready availability of these parasites for ex vivo culture, the dog hookworm presents itself as a valuable tool for discovery and translational research.
Topics: Ancylostoma; Ancylostomiasis; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 29370855
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2621-2 -
Parasites & Vectors Sep 2020An accurate understanding of the geographical distributions of both soil-transmitted helminths (STHs; Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and the hookworms...
BACKGROUND
An accurate understanding of the geographical distributions of both soil-transmitted helminths (STHs; Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and the hookworms Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) and schistosomes (SCH; Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium) is pivotal to be able to effectively design and implement mass drug administration (MDA) programmes. The objective of this study was to provide up-to-date data on the distribution of both STH and SCH in Ethiopia to inform the design of the national control program and to be able to efficiently achieve the 75% MDA coverage target set by the WHO.
METHODS
Between 2013 and 2015, we assessed the distributions of STH and SCH infections in a nationwide survey covering 153,238 school-aged children (aged 5-15 years), from 625 woredas (districts), representing all nine Regional States and two City Administrations of Ethiopia. Nationwide disease maps were developed at the woreda level to enable recommendations on the design of the national MDA programme.
RESULTS
The prevalence of any STH infection across the study population was 21.7%, with A. lumbricoides (12.8%) being the most prevalent STH, followed by hookworms (7.6%) and T. trichiura (5.9%). The prevalence for any SCH was 4.0% in areas where both SCH species were evaluated. Schistosoma mansoni was the most prevalent SCH (3.5 vs 0.3%). STHs were more prevalent in southwest Ethiopia, whereas SCH was found mostly in the west and northeast of the country. The prevalence of moderate-to-heavy intensity infections was 2.0% for STHs and 1.6% for SCH. For STH, a total of 251 woredas were classified as moderately (n = 178) or highly endemic (n = 73), and therefore qualify for an annual and biannual MDA program, respectively. For SCH, 67 woredas were classified as endemic and 8 as highly endemic, and hence they require every two years and annual MDA programme, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm that Ethiopia is endemic for both STHs and SCH, posing a significant public health problem. Following the WHO recommendations on mass drug administration, 18 and 14 million school-aged children are in need of MDA for STHs and SCH, respectively, based on the number of SACs that live on the eligible geographical areas.
Topics: Adolescent; Ancylostomatoidea; Animals; Anthelmintics; Ascaris lumbricoides; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epidemiological Monitoring; Ethiopia; Female; Helminthiasis; Helminths; Humans; Male; Mass Drug Administration; Prevalence; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Schools; Soil; Trichuris
PubMed: 32873333
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04317-6 -
Open Veterinary Journal 2022Primates can harbor parasites that could be pathogenic or not for humans and primates themselves. It is necessary to know the parasitological situation of the primates...
BACKGROUND
Primates can harbor parasites that could be pathogenic or not for humans and primates themselves. It is necessary to know the parasitological situation of the primates that are under surveillance in the park.
AIM
To estimate the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites, including zoonotic potential parasites, in baboons in the Niokolo-Koba National Park located in Senegal.
METHOD
Fecal samples ( = 50) from two groups of baboons (A and B) were collected in October 2019. The samples were processed using the flotation technique and the modified Ritchie method. Slides were examined microscopically and the parasite identification was based on morphology, color, and parasite content.
RESULTS
A total of seven nematodes ( sp., sp., sp., sp., , Strongyle digestif), one cestode ( sp.), and one trematode ( sp.) were identified. The overall prevalence was 78%, while the prevalence of poly-infected samples was 49%. The parasite with zoonotic potential, , was identified in group B samples. sp., which is common and pathogenic to humans and primates, was present with prevalence of 52% and of 32% in groups A and B, respectively.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that baboons are infested with zoonotic parasites and this situation could expose people working in this park to infection. Contact between humans and these baboons or their feces could expose them to infection with zoonotic parasites.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Papio; Papio papio; Parasites; Parks, Recreational; Senegal
PubMed: 36118726
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i4.9 -
Current Research in Parasitology &... 2022This paper describes a multicentric field study which has evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel spot on formulation containing emodepside 2.04% w/v, praziquantel...
Multicenter randomized, and blinded European field study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Felpreva®, a novel spot-on formulation containing tigolaner, emodepside and praziquantel, in treating cats with mixed infection with intestinal nematodes, cestodes and/or lungworms.
This paper describes a multicentric field study which has evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel spot on formulation containing emodepside 2.04% w/v, praziquantel 8.14% w/v and tigolaner 9.79% w/v (Felpreva®, Vetoquinol) when administered at the intended commercial dose of 0.15 ml/kg body weight to privately owned cats infected with major intestinal nematodes (, , , ) and/or cestodes (, ) and/or lungworms (, ). A total of 219 cats from 26 veterinary clinics located in Albania, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Portugal were included in the study. Feces from the cats were examined on a single occasion between Study Day -7 and Day 0 (baseline) and post-treatment (i) twice between Day 7 and Day 14 (± 2) (for intestinal helminths) or (ii) twice between Day 21 (± 2) and Day 28 (± 2) (for lungworms). Cats were allocated into two groups at a ratio of 2:1 (Felpreva®: Profender®, i.e. a commercial control product containing emodepside and praziquantel). Cats infected with intestinal helminths were treated once on Day 0 (i) with Felpreva® (Group 1) or (ii) with Profender® (Group 2). Animals infected with lungworms received a second treatment with Profender® on Day 14 (± 2) regardless of group allocation. Faecal egg or larval count reduction for Felpreva® was 97.47% for intestinal nematodes and 96.80% for lungworms. No cats infected with cestodes at baseline resulted positive after treatment with Felpreva®. However, the low number of cats ( = 10) did not allow for a statistical analysis to be performed. Non-inferiority of Felpreva® compared to Profender® was statistically demonstrated for all target intestinal and respiratory parasites. No adverse events nor application site reactions were observed. These results show that the new topical combination product Felpreva® is highly safe and efficacious in treating infections caused by major species of feline intestinal nematodes, cestodes and lungworms under field conditions.
PubMed: 35991086
DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2022.100098 -
Tropical Parasitology 2023The complex life cycle of geohelminth parasites make it difficult to manage repeated infections that occur in endemic areas, that requires the development of new...
BACKGROUND
The complex life cycle of geohelminth parasites make it difficult to manage repeated infections that occur in endemic areas, that requires the development of new therapeutic strategies. Human hookworm . and . are a serious problem in many areas of the world where the old age anti-helminthics are ineffective. To address this, we have tried a non-traditional therapeutic approach for a sustainable solution to manage parasite infections.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
In this study, we attempted to develop a new type of therapy using value-added probiotics-producing antiparasitic RNA interference (RNAi) molecules against a vital hookworm ( sp.) enzyme, astacin-like metalloprotease -MTP-1. A new gut delivery RNAi vector was designed to produce double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) against the target to be delivered by feeding with a probiotic lactis that when administered in endemic areas can potentially be used to control the spread of infection by interrupting the life cycle of hookworm.
RESULTS
The engineered probiotics colonizing the gut, when consumed by the parasite released the dsRNA that which knocked down the target by RNAi interfering with their moulting and tissue migration. The initial penetration of the larvae into the gut lining was reduced by 70%, followed by a reduction of up to 50% in migration to the critical organs. The damage caused to the liver (30%-40%) and the kidneys (50%-60%) by the hookworm in mouse models as quantitated by enzymes released in the blood was totally reversed when the worms were pre fed with the engineered L. lactis before the parasite challenge.
CONCLUSIONS
We believe that this is the first demonstrated knockdown of a target gene in hookworms using probiotics genetically engineered to stimulate RNAi (RNAi food), administered through the oral route. This novel method of parasite control when extended to other hookworms, and can augment the efficacy of the existing anthelminthics if combined with them.
PubMed: 37860612
DOI: 10.4103/tp.tp_74_22 -
Veterinary Journal (London, England :... May 2016Dogs used for dogfighting often receive minimal preventive health care, and the potential for spread of infectious diseases is high. The purpose of this study was to...
Dogs used for dogfighting often receive minimal preventive health care, and the potential for spread of infectious diseases is high. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of infectious diseases in dogs rescued from fighting operations to guide medical protocols for their immediate and long-term care. A total of 269 pit bull-type dogs were seized in a multi-state investigation. Fleas were present on most dogs, but few ticks were observed. Testing performed at intake included packed cell volume (PCV), serology and PCR for vector-borne pathogens, and fecal analysis. The most common infections were Babesia gibsoni (39%), 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum' (32%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (30%), Dirofilaria immitis (12%), and Ancylostoma (23%). Anemia was associated with B. gibsoni infection (63% of infected dogs, odds ratio = 2.5, P <0.001), but not with hemotropic mycoplasmas or Ancylostoma. Pit bull heritage and dogfighting are known risk factors for B. gibsoni infection, possibly via blood transmission from bites and vertical transmission. Hemotropic mycoplasmas have a similar risk pattern. Empirical care for dogs from dogfighting cases should include broad-spectrum internal and external parasiticides and monitoring for anemia. Dogfighting case responders should be prepared for mass screening and treatment of B. gibsoni and heartworm infections and should implement protocols to prevent transmission of infectious and zoonotic diseases in the shelter and following adoption. Former fighting dogs and dogs with possible dog bite scars should not be used as blood donors due to the risk of vector-borne pathogens that can escape detection and for which curative treatment is difficult to document.
Topics: Animals; Communicable Diseases; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Feces; Female; Hematocrit; Male; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Serologic Tests; Southeastern United States; Species Specificity; Texas
PubMed: 27056107
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.02.012 -
Journal of Parasitic Diseases :... Dec 2017The understanding of the epidemiology of canine parasitic infections is necessary for an efficient control program to minimize the risk of zoonotic transmission. The...
The understanding of the epidemiology of canine parasitic infections is necessary for an efficient control program to minimize the risk of zoonotic transmission. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the prevalence of canine gastrointestinal helminths and protozoa in Basra province, Southern Iraq, and (2) to identify the association of epidemiological characteristics (age, breed, gender, and feed type) of dogs with the parasitic infections. A total of 93 fecal samples, collected in the period from December 2014 to June 2015, were examined macroscopically and microscopically for the presence of worm eggs and protozoal oocysts, using centrifugal flotation method. The overall prevalence of infected dogs was 77.4% (72/93). About 54.8% (51/93) dogs were infected with more than one genus of parasites. The prevalence of multiple infections with two, three, and four parasites was 30.1% (28/93), 22.6% (21/93), and 2.2% (2/93), respectively. The most frequently detected parasites were (62.4%, 58/93), spp. (28%, 26/93), spp. (26.9%, 25/93), (9.7%, 9/93), and (7.5%, 7/93). (6.5%, 6/93) and spp. (4.3%, 4/93) were the only protozoan parasites identified in this study. infection was significantly associated with sex and age of the dogs ( < 0.05). Feeding type was significantly associated with the occurrence of ( < 0.0001), ( < 0.03) and spp. ( < 0.02). The high prevalence of intestinal helminths in dog's population suggesting the need for more efficient control measures. The high prevalence of , spp. suggested that dogs could play an active role in the transmission of zoonotic parasites in this area of Iraq. Educating the dog owners and increasing their health awareness should be considered in the control program. The results of the present study provide relevant "base-line" data for assessing the effectiveness of future control strategies against canine parasitic infections.
PubMed: 29114134
DOI: 10.1007/s12639-017-0926-2 -
Helminthologia Jun 2023The wild cat (), spread in Romania from the Danube Delta to the mountain range is present in the Banat area, on the hunting ground that can be contaminated with...
The wild cat (), spread in Romania from the Danube Delta to the mountain range is present in the Banat area, on the hunting ground that can be contaminated with different stage developmental forms of parasites, some of them having real zoonotic potential. The wild cat is an animal protected by the Romanian law of protection animals. Coprological samples from 88 wild cats from 16 hunting grounds, as well as the gastrointestinal tract collected from six wild cats cadavers and the molecular characterization of the cestodes identified in their intestines, allowed us to establish intestinal parasitic fauna. During coprological examination oocysts, tapeworm eggs, eggs of , . and were found. At the same time, the form of genera Mesocestoides, Taenia, Toxocara/Toxascaris and Ancylostoma were identified at necropsy. Further polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification revealed the species of , and , the latter providing a zoonotic potential. This study, the first in the western part of the country (Banat area, Timis County), provides information about the parasitic fauna of wild cats and underlines the importance of the human contamination risk.
PubMed: 37818174
DOI: 10.2478/helm-2023-0015