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Parasitology Jan 2024Hookworm infection affects millions globally, leading to chronic conditions like malnutrition and anaemia. Among the hookworm species, stands out as a generalist,...
Hookworm infection affects millions globally, leading to chronic conditions like malnutrition and anaemia. Among the hookworm species, stands out as a generalist, capable of infecting various hosts, including humans, cats, dogs and hamsters. Surprisingly, it cannot establish in mice, despite their close phylogenetic relationship to hamsters. The present study investigated the development of in immunodeficient NSG mice to determine the contribution of the immune system to host restriction. The infections became patent on day 19 post-infection (PI) and exhibited elevated egg production which lasted for at least 160 days PI. Infective larvae reared from eggs released by infected NSG mice were infectious to hamsters and capable of reproduction, indicating that the adults in the NSG mice were producing viable offspring. In contrast, showed limited development in outbred Swiss Webster mice. Furthermore, the closely related canine hookworm was unable to infect and develop in NSG mice, indicating that different mechanisms may determine host specificity even in closely related species. This is the first report of any hookworm species completing its life cycle in a mouse and implicate the immune system in determining host specificity in .
Topics: Humans; Cricetinae; Adult; Animals; Dogs; Mice; Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Phylogeny; Hookworm Infections; Host Specificity
PubMed: 38018393
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182023001208 -
Planta Medica Oct 2023The aerial parts of are used in traditional medicine in West Africa against helminthiasis, but their anthelmintic potential has not been evaluated until now. Within the...
The aerial parts of are used in traditional medicine in West Africa against helminthiasis, but their anthelmintic potential has not been evaluated until now. Within the current study, a hydroacetonic extract (AWE) and fractions and isolated ellagitannins from were, therefore, tested against and the larvae of the animal parasites and . Compounds 1: - 13: , mainly representing ellagitannins, were isolated using different chromatographic methods, and their structures were elucidated by HR-MS and H/C-NMR. AWE exerted concentration-dependent lethal effects (LC of 2.6 mg/mL) against and inhibited larval migration of all animal parasites tested ( L1 IC 24.3 µg/mL, L3 IC 35.7 µg/mL, L3 IC 112.8 µg/mL, L3 IC 1513.2 µg/mL). The anthelmintic activity of AWE was mainly related to the polar, tannin-containing fractions. Geraniin 1: , the major ellagitannin in the extract, showed the strongest anthelmintic activity in general (IC between 0.6 and 804 µM, depending on parasite species) and was the only compound active against (IC of 35.0 µM). Furosin 9: was least active despite structural similarities to 1: . Among the parasites tested, L1 larvae turned out to be most sensitive with IC of 0.6, 6.4, 4.0, 4.8, and 2.6 µM for geraniin 1: , repandusinic acid A 3: , punicafolin 8: , furosin 9: , and phyllanthusiin A 10: , respectively.
PubMed: 37459860
DOI: 10.1055/a-2117-9426 -
Experimental Parasitology Nov 2023Canine babesiosis, caused by Babesia gibsoni is one of the most significant tick-borne illnesses across the world. Light microscopy as well as polymerase chain reaction...
Canine babesiosis, caused by Babesia gibsoni is one of the most significant tick-borne illnesses across the world. Light microscopy as well as polymerase chain reaction may fail in the diagnosis of disease when the level of parasitaemia is very low during subclinical and chronic cases. The serological techniques using a recombinant protein will be useful for the accurate and sensitive surveillance of the disease, especially in chronic cases. The present study describes the evaluation of recombinant N-terminal B. gibsoni Thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (BgTRAP) based indirect ELISA for the sero-diagnosis of B. gibsoni infection in dogs. A partial N-terminal BgTRAP gene (870 bp) of B. gibsoni, was expressed in Escherichia coli using a pET32a (+) vector. The recombinant BgTRAP based indirect ELISA was compared with the PCR targeting the same gene. A sensitivity and a specificity of 84% and 73.33% were observed in the indirect ELISA. The accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 78.18%, 72.30%, 84.60% respectively. The rBgTRAP antigen did not show any cross-reactivity with sera from dogs infected with common helminth parasites viz. Ancylostoma caninum, Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens, Spirometra spp., Toxocara canis and haemoparasites like Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia vogeli, Hepatozoon canis and Ehrlichia canis.
PubMed: 37722650
DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108621 -
Journal of Parasitic Diseases :... Sep 2023A coprological examination was carried out between February 2017 and January 2019 to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in jackals of Kashmir...
A coprological examination was carried out between February 2017 and January 2019 to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in jackals of Kashmir Himalaya, India. Fecal floatation and sedimentation technique revealed helminths in 215 scats out of 879 examined scats, with overall helminth prevalence of 24.45%. In the study, five different species of helminths were detected in scats of jackal: (22.86%), (20.47%), (17.17%), (19.34%), and taeniid eggs (13.65%). One helminth species was found in (0.11%) of the jackal scats, two were in (1.25%), three were in (4.77%), four were in (16.38%), and five were in (1.92%). , a nematode with great zoonotic significance, was most common helminth found in scats of jackal during the study. We observed significant seasonal fluctuation ( < 0.05) in the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths, with summer having high frequency followed by autumn, spring, and winter having lowest prevalence. The study area's jackal population's preponderance of zoonotic helminth species suggests a high risk of zoonotic infection by canine intestinal helminths. This study will aid veterinarians in better plan preventative strategies with regard to wild animal intestinal parasites.
PubMed: 37520190
DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01588-5 -
Heliyon May 2024Four species of dominant wild animals, namely, , , , and , are hosts of potential infectious agents, including helminths and protozoa. Therefore, it is necessary to...
Four species of dominant wild animals, namely, , , , and , are hosts of potential infectious agents, including helminths and protozoa. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the infectious agents present in these wild animals to monitor and control the spread of pathogens. In the present study, fecal samples from 51 wild animals were collected from the mountains of Yangpyeong, Hoengseong, and Cheongyang in South Korea and metabarcoding of the V9 region of the 18S rRNA gene was performed to identify various parasite species that infect these wild animals. Genes from nematodes, such as sp., spp., sp., and sp., were detected in the fecal samples from wild animals. In addition, platyhelminthes, including sp., Echinostomatidae gen. sp., sp., sp. and sp., and protozoa, including sp., sp., sp., sp., sp. and sp., were detected. In the present study, various parasites infecting wild animals were successfully identified using metabarcoding. Our technique may play a crucial role in monitoring parasites within wild animals, especially those causing zoonoses.
PubMed: 38707283
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30059 -
Journal of Parasitic Diseases :... Mar 2024American cockroach () has been implicated as mechanical vector of parasites of humans and animals. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and determine the prevalence...
American cockroach () has been implicated as mechanical vector of parasites of humans and animals. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and determine the prevalence of human intestinal parasites associated with the body surface and gut of . A total of 221 cockroaches which include 104 males and 117 females were collected from household kitchen, toilet area and canteen after which they were brought to laboratory for study. The body surface of the cockroach was washed with 5 ml normal saline solution to remove external parasites on the body surface for examination and later rinsed with 70% alcohol and dried before dissecting. The cockroach was dissected to examine internal parasites. Eleven parasites were recovered and identified, these include (51.58%), (48.42%) (52.49%), (.10%), spp (14.93%), (31.67%), spp (34.84%), (53.39%), and (66.23%) (66.52%). The parasites were recorded both on the body surface and gut of the cockroach. There is no significant difference ( > 0.05) between parasites infection rate comparing both sexes; though, female cockroach having a higher infection rate (91.45%) than male (81.5%). Cockroach collected from toilets carried more parasites (96.34%) as compared to those from restaurants/canteen (89.71%) and household kitchens (81.69%). All parasites encountered were pathogenic to human and animals. This study has revealed that can act as mechanical vector by transporting and transmitting these parasites easily to man and animal. Good sanitary practices, reinforcement of worms' eradication programs, and the fight against these insects remain a necessity to contain the menace of parasites burden and cockroach control.
PubMed: 38440767
DOI: 10.1007/s12639-024-01645-7 -
Parasitology Research Jan 2024Hookworm infections remain a significant public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions, including Thailand. This study investigated the species and genetic...
Hookworm infections remain a significant public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions, including Thailand. This study investigated the species and genetic diversity of hookworm infections in domestic dogs from northeastern Thailand. The molecular analysis focused on amplifying and sequencing specific regions of ribosomal RNA genes (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene in hookworm larvae recovered from 21 domestic dog stool samples. Among 21 larvae (one larva per infected dog) analyzed, 14 had sequences identical to Ancylostoma caninum, and 7 showed sequences almost identical to Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Phylogenetic analysis of cox1 sequences placed A. caninum and A. ceylanicum in separate clades. The median-joining network of A. caninum cox1 sequences from Thailand showed high haplotype diversity and belonged to the same cluster as sequences from Australia while forming separate clusters from those of A. caninum samples from the USA. The available published A. ceylanicum cox1 sequences (n = 33), in combination with seven sequences in the present study, represented 15 haplotypes distributed among three clusters. Interestingly, A. ceylanicum sequences from dogs and humans shared the same haplotypes. These findings are crucial for recognizing the potential for zoonotic transmission, highlighting the necessity for targeted control measures, and increasing awareness among pet owners and healthcare professionals to mitigate the risk of hookworm transmission to humans.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Dogs; Ancylostomatoidea; Phylogeny; Thailand; Zoonoses; Hookworm Infections; Ancylostoma; Larva; Genetic Variation
PubMed: 38285129
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08134-z -
Journal of Helminthology Jan 2024Kribi is a seaside town that welcomes thousands of tourists each year. However, the poor sanitation condition of its beaches along the Atlantic coast is not without risk...
Kribi is a seaside town that welcomes thousands of tourists each year. However, the poor sanitation condition of its beaches along the Atlantic coast is not without risk for visitors. In this study, we used the formol-ether concentration technique to identify and quantify larvae or eggs of intestinal helminths in waters of three regularly visited Kribi beaches (Mpalla, Ngoyè, and Mboamanga). Results revealed that all identified larvae and eggs were cestodes () and nematodes ( sp., sp., and ). All the helminth eggs and larvae showed high abundance at low tide during rainy seasons. eggs, totally absent at Mpalla, were densely present at low tide at Ngoyè (301 ± 15 eggs/L). eggs showed the lowest abundance (0 to 62 eggs/L) at all sites. Abiotic variables indicated that waters at the various beaches were basic (pH: 8.75-9.77), generally warmer (32.44°C at Mpalla in the Short Rainy Season), more oxygenated at low tide, and moderately mineralized at high tide. Positive and significant correlations were observed at Ngoyè at low tide between sp. larvae and dissolved oxygen ( ˂ 0.05); and between eggs and temperature ( ˂ 0.05). The overall results indicated that the beaches studied are subjected to fecal pollution. This pollution is more accentuated during low tides than during high tides. Depending on tidal movements, swimmers risk exposure to helminth eggs and larvae known to be responsible for gastroenteritis.
Topics: Animals; Cameroon; Ovum; Helminthiasis; Trematode Infections; Ancylostoma; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic
PubMed: 38263759
DOI: 10.1017/S0022149X24000026 -
Acta Parasitologica Jun 2024Soil-transmitted nematodes (STNs) are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly where the communities are socio-economically challenged. We...
PURPOSE
Soil-transmitted nematodes (STNs) are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly where the communities are socio-economically challenged. We investigated the effect of soil temperature on the prevalence and intensity of STN infection in free-roaming dogs.
METHODS
Fresh faecal samples collected from free-roaming dogs in Digana and Pussellawa town areas in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka, were microscopically analysed for canine STNs. Soil temperature was measured at each sampling site. Highly prevalent canine hookworm Ancylostoma, was further studied using PCR and sequencing, followed by phylogenetic analysis.
RESULTS
The soil temperature ranged between 28 and 31 °C (mean = 29.79 °C) and 18-21 °C (mean = 19.52 °C) in Digana and Pussellawa, respectively, showing a significant difference in the two sites (Students t-test t = 1.68, p < 0.0001). Of the total 44 dogs sampled, 41 (93.2%) were positive for STNs. During microscopic analysis, five nematodes: Ancylostoma spp., Capillaria sp., Strongyloides sp., Toxocara canis, and Trichuris sp., were identified. Ancylostoma species (93.2%) were the most prevalent, followed by Strongyloides sp. (22.7%) and Toxocara canis (15.9%). Infection prevalence of Strongyloides sp. was higher in Digana (40.9%) compared to that in Pussellawa (4.5%; Chi-square test, χ = 8.28, p = 0.004) and also the infection intensity from Digana (EPG = 8.02 ± 20.2) compared to that from Pussellawa (0.45 ± 2.1; Mann Whitney U test, p = 0.006). Amplicons (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of the expected size for A. caninum, and A. tubaeforme were produced. An A. caninum sequence reported here (OQ101719) illustrated the highest similarity of 99.2% to one of the local sequences (MZ707153) upon pairwise comparison.
CONCLUSION
Digana, with a higher soil temperature than Pussellawa, had a significantly higher prevalence and infection intensity, particularly Strongyloides sp. This study also signifies the first molecular identification of hookworm species A. tubaeforme in Sri Lanka.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Soil; Sri Lanka; Dog Diseases; Feces; Temperature; Ancylostoma; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Ancylostomiasis; Nematoda
PubMed: 38514604
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00829-8 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Mar 2024Zoonotic human infections with Ancylostoma ceylanicum have recently been reported in the Americas. We used archived human stool samples to study the geographic...
Geographic Distribution of Human Infections with Zoonotic Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Anthropophilic Hookworms in Ecuador: A Retrospective Analysis of Archived Stool Samples.
Zoonotic human infections with Ancylostoma ceylanicum have recently been reported in the Americas. We used archived human stool samples to study the geographic distribution of human infections with A. ceylanicum and anthropophilic hookworms in different geoclimatic regions (coastal, Andean, and Amazon) of Ecuador. We analyzed retrospectively archived human stool samples from five studies previously screened for hookworm infection by microscopy, of which four included hookworm-positive samples only and one involved hookworm-negative samples to increase geographic distribution of sampling. Stools were analyzed using multi-parallel quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays to detect Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, A. ceylanicum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Strongyloides stercoralis. Sequencing was done for the A. ceylanicum cox1 gene. A total of 132 samples were analyzed, of which 69 (52.3%) were from hookworm-positive and 63 (47.7%) from hookworm-negative individuals by microscopy. Overall, 82.6% of microscopy-positive samples and 33.3% of microscopy-negative samples were positive for hookworm by qPCR. Of microscopy-positive samples, 36.2% were A. ceylanicum, 37.7% A. duodenale, and 33.3% N. americanus, whereas equivalent proportions for microscopy-negative samples were 1.6%, 31.7%, and 1.6%, respectively. Ancylostoma duodenale was the most widely dispersed geographically, followed by N. americanus. Ancylostoma ceylanicum was least dispersed but was detected in coastal and Amazon regions. In conclusion, human infections with A. ceylanicum, A. duodenale, and N. americanus were detected in different geoclimatic regions of Ecuador. Additional studies are required to further define the epidemiology of human A. ceylanicum infections, but the potentially widespread presence of this helminth in human populations in Ecuador has implications for hookworm control strategies.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Ancylostomiasis; Retrospective Studies; Ecuador; Hookworm Infections; Zoonoses; Feces
PubMed: 38266286
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0469