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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024
Topics: Antigens, Protozoan; Malaria; Humans; Plasmodium; Animals; Malaria Vaccines
PubMed: 38686096
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1408366 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Nov 2023The presence of intestinal parasites influences the growth and well-being of canids. Additionally, infected dogs and their faeces with considerably higher eggs/oocysts...
BACKGROUND
The presence of intestinal parasites influences the growth and well-being of canids. Additionally, infected dogs and their faeces with considerably higher eggs/oocysts released per gram (epg/opg) of zoonotic parasites contribute to parasitic spillover to humans, domestic animals and sympatric wildlife.
OBJECTIVES
The current study aimed to reveal the prevalence of intestinal parasites (protozoa and helminths) and to list the zoonotically significant parasites in free-roaming street dogs in Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal.
METHODS
Fresh faecal samples (n = 332) were collected from feral dogs of varying ages and sexes and transported to the research laboratory. The copro microscopic examination was carried out via direct wet mount, formalin ethyl acetate sedimentation, saturated salt flotation, acid-fast staining and sporulation techniques.
RESULTS
Coproscopy revealed an overall 95.7% (318/332) prevalence rate with 23 diverse species of intestinal parasites (10 protozoa and 13 helminths). Among them, 5 protozoa and 11 helminths possessed zoonotic potential, and their overall prevalence was 92.5%. Helminth's overall prevalence was double that of the protozoa (87.7% vs. 43%). Polyparasitism was dominant over mono parasitism (79.5% vs. 16.3%), and co-infection of up to seven species of parasites at a time was recorded.
CONCLUSIONS
Urban street dogs harboured a higher prevalence of intestinal parasites that varied with age and sex. Since most of the reported parasites are zoonotic, dog density and parasitic richness indicate a greater spillover risk to humans and domestic animals. Furthermore, this study also provides appropriate 'baseline' data for assessing effective control measures against parasitic infestations among street dogs and controlling their transmission to humans.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Dogs; Parasites; Wolves; Nepal; Prevalence; Zoonoses; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Animals, Domestic; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 37669424
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1258 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2023In community assembly processes, interspecific interactions play an important role in shaping community diversity, especially at the local scale. Changes in species...
In community assembly processes, interspecific interactions play an important role in shaping community diversity, especially at the local scale. Changes in species richness or abundance can modify local infectious disease dynamics, either reducing or increasing the risk of transmission within the community. This study evaluates the effects of bird community on avian haemosporidians infections in a Neotropical region. Bird samples were collected from areas surrounding three dams, and molecular analysis were performed to identify blood-parasitic haemosporidia infecting the birds. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the relationships between the bird community and the prevalence, number of infections, and richness of avian haemosporidian lineages. Non-significant effects of bird community dominance and richness on the prevalence of avian parasites and the number of infections of Haemoproteus were found. However, there was evidence of an amplification effect. Host dominance was associated with the total number of infections, the number Plasmodium infections and the expected richness of Plasmodium lineages, while the expected richness of Haemoproteus lineages was associated with the richness of bird species. These findings highlight the role of host community dominance and richness in the dynamics of parasite infections, potentially influenced by the availability of competent hosts. This study contributes significantly to our understanding of blood parasite diversity in tropical birds within a relatively understudied region of South America.
Topics: Animals; Malaria, Avian; Plasmodium; Haemosporida; Parasites; Birds; Bird Diseases; Prevalence; Phylogeny
PubMed: 37468559
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38660-2 -
Parasites & Vectors Jul 2023A close connection between a protozoan parasite and the balance of the other gut microbes of the host has been demonstrated. The calves may be naturally co-infected with...
BACKGROUND
A close connection between a protozoan parasite and the balance of the other gut microbes of the host has been demonstrated. The calves may be naturally co-infected with many parasites, and the co-effects of parasites on other intestinal microbes of calves remain unclear. This study aims to preliminarily reveal the relationship between intestinal parasites and other intestinal microbes in calves.
METHODS
Fecal samples were collected from four calves with bloody diarrhea, four calves with watery diarrhea, and seven normal calves, and the microbial flora of the samples were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing. Protozoal parasites were detected in the metagenome sequences and identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
RESULTS
Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, Giardia, Blastocystis, and Entamoeba were detected by metagenomic analysis, and the identified species were Giardia duodenalis assemblage E, Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium ryanae, Eimeria bovis, Eimeria subspherica, Entamoeba bovis, and Blastocystis ST2 and ST10. Metagenomic analysis showed that the intestinal microbes of calves with diarrhea were disordered, especially in calves with bloody diarrhea. Furthermore, different parasites show distinct relationships with the intestinal microecology. Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, and Giardia were negatively correlated with various intestinal bacteria but positively correlated with some fungi. However, Blastocystis and Entamoeba were positively associated with other gut microbes. Twenty-seven biomarkers not only were significantly enriched in bloody diarrhea, watery diarrhea, and normal calves but were also associated with Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia. Only Eimeria showed a distinct relationship with seven genera of bacteria, which were significantly enriched in the healthy calves. All 18 genera of fungi were positively correlated with Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, and Giardia, which were also significantly enriched in calves with bloody diarrhea. Functional genes related to parasites and diseases were found mainly in fungi.
CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed the relationship between intestinal protozoan parasites and the other calf gut microbiome. Different intestinal protozoan parasites have diametrically opposite effects on other gut microecology, which not only affects bacteria in the gut, but also is significantly related to fungi and archaea.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Parasites; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Metagenome; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Giardiasis; Giardia; Giardia lamblia; Blastocystis; Eimeria; Entamoeba; Feces; Diarrhea
PubMed: 37525231
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05877-z -
Parasites & Vectors Nov 2023Apicomplexan protozoa are a diverse group of obligate intracellular parasites causing many diseases that affect humans and animals, such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, and...
BACKGROUND
Apicomplexan protozoa are a diverse group of obligate intracellular parasites causing many diseases that affect humans and animals, such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis. Apicomplexan protozoa possess unique thioredoxins (Trxs) that have been shown to regulate various cellular processes including metabolic redox regulation, parasite survival, and host immune evasion. However, it is still unknown how synonymous codons are used by apicomplexan protozoa Trxs.
METHODS
Codon usage bias (CUB) is the unequal usage of synonymous codons during translation which leads to the over- or underrepresentation of certain nucleotide patterns. This imbalance in CUB can impact a variety of cellular processes including protein expression levels and genetic variation. This study analyzed the CUB of 32 Trx coding sequences (CDS) from 11 apicomplexan protozoa.
RESULTS
The results showed that both codon base composition and relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis revealed that AT-ended codons were more frequently used in Cryptosporidium spp. and Plasmodium spp., while the Eimeria spp., Babesia spp., Hammondia hammondi, Neospora caninum, and Toxoplasma gondii tended to end in G/C. The average effective number of codon (ENC) value of these apicomplexan protozoa is 46.59, which is > 35, indicating a weak codon preference among apicomplexan protozoa Trxs. Furthermore, the correlation analysis among codon base composition (GC1, GC2, GC3, GCs), codon adaptation index (CAI), codon bias index (CBI), frequency of optimal codons (FOP), ENC, general average hydropathicity (GRAVY), aromaticity (AROMO), length of synonymous codons (L_sym), and length of amino acids (L_aa) indicated the influence of base composition and codon usage indices on CUB. Additionally, the neutrality plot analysis, PR2-bias plot analysis, and ENC-GC3 plot analysis further demonstrated that natural selection plays an important role in apicomplexan protozoa Trxs codon bias.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, this study increased the understanding of codon usage characteristics and genetic evolution of apicomplexan protozoa Trxs, which expanded new ideas for vaccine and drug research.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Codon Usage; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Codon; Evolution, Molecular; Selection, Genetic; Thioredoxins
PubMed: 37990340
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06002-w -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023, , and are gastrointestinal protozoa parasites that cause diarrhea in various animals. However, information regarding the detection and phylogenetic characterization...
INTRODUCTION
, , and are gastrointestinal protozoa parasites that cause diarrhea in various animals. However, information regarding the detection and phylogenetic characterization of gastrointestinal protozoa parasites in cats is limited throughout South Korea. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the detection and identify subspecies of gastrointestinal protozoa parasites in cats from South Korea.
METHODS
A total of 290 fecal samples were collected from stray, companion, and shelter cats in six provinces. , , and were identified by PCR. All positive samples were subtyped by PCR and sequencing of , , , , and .
RESULTS
The overall detection of gastrointestinal protozoan parasitic infection was 17.93%. was the most prevalent, with 7.93%, followed by spp. (7.24%) and spp. (4.48%). In addition, (n=10), (n=2), (n=1), (n=14), (n=5), (n=1), spp. were identified in subspecies analysis of positive samples. showed a significant association with diarrhea (7.81%) and living condition (6.04%), and Cystoisospora felis in diarreha (9.38%) according to detection. Through phylogenetic analysis of the tpi, bg, and gdh genes from 23 G. duodenalispositive samples, it was confirmed that the samples of present study belonged to assemblage A, B, C, and D.
DISCUSSION
South Korean cats have a high rate of gastrointestinal protozoan parasites infection with cat-specific Cryptosporidium and Cystoisospora, which are associated with living conditions and diarrhea symptoms. Moreover, zoonotic and other animal-specific subtype of protozoan parasites have been detected in cat feces.
Topics: Cats; Animals; Giardia lamblia; Cryptosporidium; Cryptosporidiosis; Giardiasis; Phylogeny; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Parasites; Diarrhea; Feces; Republic of Korea; Felis; Prevalence; Genotype
PubMed: 38029266
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1296118 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Dec 2023Reports of Ascaridia galli in laying hens in Europe have increased since the ban on conventional battery cages in 2012. As this parasite is transmitted directly via the... (Review)
Review
Reports of Ascaridia galli in laying hens in Europe have increased since the ban on conventional battery cages in 2012. As this parasite is transmitted directly via the faecal-oral route by parasite eggs containing a larva, it is reasonable to assume that the escalating problem is related to the increased exposure now occurring in modern welfare-friendly cage-free housing systems. On many farms, A. galli reappears in subsequent flocks, even though the birds have no access to the outdoors, biosecurity is high and empty houses are cleaned and disinfected during downtime. Since the egg production cycle lasts only ≈80 weeks and recombinant antigen production for helminth vaccines has not yet been solved, the development of a vaccine seems to be an unrealistic option. Therefore, disrupting the life cycle of the parasite by other means, including the strategic use of dewormers, appears to be the key to controlling infection. Of concern is that only one class of anthelmintics is licenced for poultry in Europe and that are usually administered indiscriminately through the birds' drinking water and often too late when the parasite is already established. If current calendar-based parasite control strategies are not changed, there is a risk that resistance to anthelmintics may develop, as has already been demonstrated with nematodes in livestock. We insist that treatments can be more effective and the risk of developing drug resistance can be mitigated if we invest in a better understanding of A. galli responses to more prudent and judicious use of anthelmintics. This review identifies knowledge gaps and highlights aspects of sustainable parasite control that require further research to support commercial egg producers.
Topics: Animals; Female; Ascaridia; Ascaridiasis; Chickens; Anthelmintics; Feces
PubMed: 37516026
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.07.003 -
Parasitology Oct 2023In June 2022, at the XXXII Conference of the Italian Society of Parasitology, the parallels of the main endoparasitic infections of horses and donkeys were discussed.... (Review)
Review
In June 2022, at the XXXII Conference of the Italian Society of Parasitology, the parallels of the main endoparasitic infections of horses and donkeys were discussed. Although these 2 species are genetically different, they can be challenged by a similar range of parasites (i.e. small and large strongyles, and spp.). Although equids can demonstrate some level of resilience to parasites, they have quite distinct helminth biodiversity, distribution and intensity among different geographical locations and breeds. Heavily infected donkeys may show fewer clinical signs than horses. Although parasite control is primarily provided to horses, we consider that there may be a risk of drug-resistance parasitic infection through passive infection in donkeys when sharing the same pasture areas. Knowing the possible lack of drug efficacy (<90 or 80%), it is advocated the use of selective treatment for both species based on fecal egg counts. Adult horses should receive treatment when the threshold exceeds 200–500 eggs per gram (EPG) of small strongyles. Moreover, considering that there are no precise indications in donkeys, a value >300 EPG may be a safe recommendation. We have highlighted the main points of the discussion including the dynamics of helminth infections between the 2 species.
Topics: Horses; Animals; Equidae; Horse Diseases; Parasite Egg Count; Helminthiasis; Helminths; Feces; Anthelmintics
PubMed: 37221816
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182023000525 -
Parasites & Vectors Feb 2024ParSCo (Parasitology Summer Course) is an intense, 1-week-long summer course organized by the Parasitology Unit of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of...
ParSCo (Parasitology Summer Course) is an intense, 1-week-long summer course organized by the Parasitology Unit of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy, with the support of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), the European Veterinary Parasitology College (EVPC) and Parasites and Vectors. The course, which is conducted in southern Italy, is planned for parasitologists and post-graduate students working in the field of parasitology. The course consists of theoretical and practical lessons, which include the collection, identification and diagnosis of parasites of pets, livestock and wildlife. The participants in ParSCo are afforded the opportunity to be involved in clinical examination and sample collection for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases (e.g. leishmaniosis, thelaziosis and many tick-borne diseases) present in the Mediterranean Basin. The course is conducted at Casa di Caccia, a hunting lodge situated in the Gallipoli Cognato Forest near the Basento River in the Basilicata region in southern Italy. In addition to the training purpose, ParSCo is a great opportunity for sharing knowledge and expertise while becoming part of the parasitology community in a pleasant environment. In this editorial, we share some information and celebrate 10 years of ParSCo, looking forward to forthcoming sessions of this unique parasitology summer course.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Students; Livestock; Animals, Wild; Italy; Parasitology
PubMed: 38409043
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06174-z -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Aug 2023Microbiota from mothers is an essential source of microbes in early-life rumen microbiota, but the contribution of microbiota from different maternal sites to the rumen...
Microbiota from mothers is an essential source of microbes in early-life rumen microbiota, but the contribution of microbiota from different maternal sites to the rumen microbiota establishment in neonates needs more data. To fill this gap, we collected samples from the mouth, teat skin, and rumen of lactating yaks and from the rumen of sucking calves concomitantly on seven occasions between days 7 and 180 after birth under grazing conditions. We observed that the eukaryotic communities clustered based on sample sites, except for the protozoal community in the teat skin, with negative correlations between fungal and protozoal diversities in the rumen of calves. Furthermore, fungi in the dam's mouth, which is the greatest source of the calf's rumen fungi, accounted for only 0.1%, and the contribution of the dam's rumen to the calf's rumen fungi decreased with age and even disappeared after day 60. In contrast, the average contribution of the dam's rumen protozoa to the calf's rumen protozoa was 3.7%, and the contributions from the dam's teat skin (from 0.7 to 2.7%) and mouth (from 0.4 to 3.3%) increased with age. Thus, the divergence in dam-to-calf transmissibility between fungi and protozoa indicates that the foundation of these eukaryotic communities is shaped by different rules. This study provides the first measurements of the maternal contribution to the fungal and protozoal establishment in the rumen of sucking and grazing yak calves in early life, which could be beneficial for future microbiota manipulation in neonatal ruminants. KEY POINTS: • Dam to calf transfer of rumen eukaryotes occurs from multiple body sites. • A minor proportion of rumen fungi in calves originated from maternal sites. • The inter-generation transmission between rumen fungi and protozoa differs.
Topics: Female; Cattle; Animals; Lactation; Eukaryotic Cells; Mouth; Rumen; Fungi
PubMed: 37341753
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12616-y