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American Journal of Primatology Jan 2022Primate-parasite interactions are often investigated via coprological studies given ethical and conservation restrictions of collecting primate hosts. Yet, these studies...
Primate-parasite interactions are often investigated via coprological studies given ethical and conservation restrictions of collecting primate hosts. Yet, these studies are inadequate to recover adult helminths for taxonomic identification and to accurately assess their prevalence, intensity, abundance, and site of infection. Fresh carcasses found in anthropogenic landscapes come as informative and reliable alternatives. In this study, we identified the helminths of brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) and their sites of infection, and measured their prevalence, intensity, and abundance of infection. We necropsied 18 adult males, 11 adult females, and 7 juvenile males that died in conflicts with the anthropogenic environment (domestic dog attacks, n = 11; electrocutions and road-kills, n = 10 each; unknown, n = 5) in periurban landscapes of southern Brazil between 2013 and 2019. We found three nematodes (Trypanoxyuris minutus, Dipetalonema gracile, and Parabronema bonnei) and one cestode (Bertiella cf. studeri), a diversity estimated to account for a sampling completeness of 99%. Prevalence ranged from 3% for P. bonnei to 100% for T. minutus. Mean abundance ranged from 2 (D. gracile and B. cf. studeri) to 55,116 (T. minutus) and mean intensity of infection ranged from 4 (B. cf. studeri) to 55,116 (T. minutus). Trypanoxyuris minutus sex ratio was strongly male-biased. The intensity of infection with T. minutus was higher in juvenile males and adult females than in adult males. The low parasite diversity and the helminths' mode of transmission are compatible with howlers' arboreality and folivorous-frugivorous diet. The howlers were not infected with soil-transmitted helminth parasites of humans and domestic animals on the ground and probably did not eat invertebrates to complement the diet. Given the lack of evidence of howler health problems, we suggest that the causes of death of the necropsied howlers are the major threats to the long-term conservation of the species at the study periurban landscapes.
Topics: Alouatta; Animals; Cestoda; Female; Helminths; Male
PubMed: 34783067
DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23346 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Apr 2022Species of the genus are parasitic nematodes of the family Onchocercidae (Nematoda; Filarioidea) which infect the peritoneal cavity of Neotropical primates. Of these,...
Species of the genus are parasitic nematodes of the family Onchocercidae (Nematoda; Filarioidea) which infect the peritoneal cavity of Neotropical primates. Of these, six species have been taxonomically described, two of these have been reported infecting the black-faced spider monkey (): and . Description of species have been based on morphological characteristics, and their phylogenetic relationships remain unresolved. A few molecular studies have been carried out in spp. infecting Neotropical primates. Seven filarioid nematodes (6 females and one male) recovered from one in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest were morphologically identified as and molecularly characterized. A multi-locus genetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal region (18S) and mitochondrial (, 12S, and ) gene sequences supported as a distinct lineage and yielded a highly resolved phylogenetic lineage tree for this filarioid genus of Neotropical primates. Our results highlighted that species are divided in two well-supported clades, one containing and , and the second containing , and . Due to sequence ambiguities from GenBank entries, relationships among isolates of and cannot be fully resolved, which requires further investigation. However, this suggests that these could represent a species complex. Our study confirms that is a valid species and constitutes the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of this parasite in black-faced spider monkeys.
PubMed: 35096523
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.01.005 -
Parasitology Research Sep 2023Among vector-borne helminths, filarioids of the genus Dipetalonema (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) localize in several tissues and body cavities of several animal species,...
Among vector-borne helminths, filarioids of the genus Dipetalonema (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) localize in several tissues and body cavities of several animal species, causing mild to moderate lesions. The pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. infection in Neotropical monkeys from southern Brazil are herein described, along with a fatal case due to filarial polyserositis and entrapment of an intestinal segment. At necropsy, nematodes were observed in abdominal and thoracic cavities, or in the pericardium of 37 (31.3%) out of the 118 individuals examined (i.e., 35 Alouatta guariba clamitans and two Sapajus nigritus). In addition, at histology, 27.0% of positive animals presented microfilarie (inside blood vessels of lung, spleen, liver, and brain) and 8.1% presented adult nematodes in the heart, lung, and liver. In two cases, cross-sections of filarioids were associated with areas of epicardial thickening with intense fibrosis and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the brain, heart, liver, lungs, or spleen. The DNA fragment was amplify using the cox1 gene, sequenced and analyzed to identify the nematode species collected; presence of Wolbachia was assessed in the filarioids using the 16S rRNA gene. At BLAST analysis of the cox1 gene, 10 sequences showed 91.7% nucleotide identity with Dipetalonema gracile, and two with D. gracile (98.5%) and Dipetalonema graciliformis (98.3%). Phylogenetic analyses clustered sequences of the cox1 obtained in this study in two clades corresponding with the host species. Wolbachia sp. endosymbiont was detected in four samples. Data herein reported provide a description of pathological lesions associated with the infection by Dipetalonema spp., suggesting that they may cause disease in Neotropical monkeys. In addition, a better understanding of diversity and biology of Dipetalonema spp. in South America is needed to assess the impact they may cause in native non-human primates from Brazil.
Topics: Animals; Dipetalonema; Spirurida; Brazil; Haplorhini; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Filarioidea; Dipetalonema Infections; Nematoda
PubMed: 37347285
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07895-3 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2023Filarial nematodes of the Dipetalonema lineage are widespread parasites and include some species that are transmitted by ticks. In this study, we conducted a large...
Filarial nematodes of the Dipetalonema lineage are widespread parasites and include some species that are transmitted by ticks. In this study, we conducted a large molecular survey of ticks in French Guiana, South America, to understand the overall diversity of tick-borne filarioids in this remote region largely covered by dense tropical forests. Out of 682 ticks belonging to 22 species and 6 genera, 21 ticks (3.1%) of the species Amblyomma cajennense, A. oblongoguttatum, A. romitii, Ixodes luciae and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato were positive for infection by filarioids. Molecular typing and phylogenetic analysis identified all these filarioids as members of the Dipetalonema lineage. While the filarioid of R. sanguineus sensu lato is a previously described species, the canine worm Cercopithifilaria bainae Almeida & Vicente, 1984, all other filarioids detected in this study are related but distinct to already known species in the genera Cercopithifilaria, Cruorifilaria and Dipetalonema. Their vertebrate host range may include a wide variety of mammals present in French Guiana, but dogs, capybaras, and opossums are the best candidate hosts for some of these filarioids. Although the detection of members of the Dipetalonema lineage in ticks of significant medical or veterinary interest is of concern, the risk of contracting a tick-borne filarial infection is still largely unknown. The pathogenicity of these filarioids, their epidemiology, developmental cycles, and mechanisms of transmission by South American tick species now require further study.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Dipetalonema; French Guiana; Phylogeny; Dog Diseases; Filarioidea; Ixodes; Tick-Borne Diseases; Mammals
PubMed: 37404115
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2023027 -
Journal of Parasitic Diseases :... Dec 2021Camels are important sources of milk, meat, wool and leather, and are widely used in transportation in arid and semi-arid areas. But their illnesses, especially...
Camels are important sources of milk, meat, wool and leather, and are widely used in transportation in arid and semi-arid areas. But their illnesses, especially parasitic diseases, have not been taken into consideration. The microfilariae are in the blood. Adult nematode is only dedicated to camels and disrupts spermatic arteries, lung arteries, right atrium, and testicles. This study was carried out on testicular samples of camels infected with referred from slaughterhouse. In each of the control and contaminated groups, 5 samples were examined. In this study, in addition to the qualitative description of parasite histopathologic lesions, the spermatogenesis process was evaluated quantitatively including spermatogenesis process, diameter of the seminiferous tubules and Johnsen ranking and compared with the control group. Histopathological examination of infected testis with showed lumen obstruction of testicular blood vessels by parasites, hypertrophy of blood vessels, degenerative and necrosis changes in the tubules, decreased spermatogenetic activity, increased interstitial space tubules, destruction of the spermatogenic cells. Also, there was a significant difference in the control and contaminated groups in the parameters of spermatogenesis, diameter of the seminiferous tubules and Johnsen score.
PubMed: 34789978
DOI: 10.1007/s12639-021-01384-z -
Parasitology Sep 2021Six Dipetalonema species have been reported from Neotropical monkeys, Dipetalonema gracile, Dipetalonema graciliformis and Dipetalonema caudispina being the dominant...
Six Dipetalonema species have been reported from Neotropical monkeys, Dipetalonema gracile, Dipetalonema graciliformis and Dipetalonema caudispina being the dominant species found in French Guiana primates. Adult filarioids isolated from the abdominal cavity of tamarins (Saguinus midas) in French Guiana were morphologically and molecularly identified as D. graciliformis. Phylogenetic analysis based on DNA and amino acid sequences of the cox1 gene as well as the concatenated sequences of the cox1 and the 18S genes indicated that D. graciliformis belongs to the clade 4 (ONC4) of Onchocercidae. Blast analysis of the 18S rDNA revealed that D. graciliformis in the studied tamarins is conspecific with the filarioid circulating in howler monkeys (Alouatta macconnelli) in French Guiana, previously referred to as unidentified Onchocercidae species.
Topics: Animals; Dipetalonema; Dipetalonema Infections; Female; French Guiana; Male; Monkey Diseases; Saguinus
PubMed: 34100346
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182021000901 -
BMC Veterinary Research Jan 2024Camel filariasis induced variable clinical syndromes characterized by fever, lethargy, localized dermal lesions, loss of condition, and testicular and scrotal swelling....
Camel filariasis (Dipetalonema evansi) and its association with clinical balanoposthitis with reference to prominent changes in clinical findings, serum testosterone, semen analysis, and testicular histopathology.
BACKGROUND
Camel filariasis induced variable clinical syndromes characterized by fever, lethargy, localized dermal lesions, loss of condition, and testicular and scrotal swelling. The objective of the present work focused on clarifying the diagnostic importance of clinical findings, serum testosterone, and semen analysis as well as blood smear and testicular histopathology as a differential tool between only balanoposthitis without filariasis male camels group (OnlyBp) and balanoposthitis-filariasis infected male camels group (BpFl). The study also monitored the associations between the severity of ticks' infestations in investigated male camels and the occurrence of balanoposthitis only or balanoposthitis with filariasis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The study reported significant correlation between serum testosterone, serum cortisol, and sperm vitality and abnormalities percentages. The study included male camels (n = 250) classified into three groups: healthy control group (Cont; n = 30), OnlyBp (n = 210), and BpFl (n = 10). These male camels were clinically and laboratory examined, and skin scraping tests and testicular histopathology were conducted. The study confirmed the association of the changes in clinical findings, whole blood picture, serum testosterone, serum cortisol, and semen analysis, with OnlyBp and BpFl. These changes were more prominent in BpFl than in OnlyBp. Skin scraping test results revealed a higher severity of live ticks' infestation in BpFl than in OnlyBp because, unlike OnlyBp, all camels in BpFl (n = 10) were suffering from live ticks' infestation. It also concluded the higher efficacy of histopathology of testicular tissues in male camels as a diagnostic tool for adult filaria in balanoposthitis-affected male camels than blood smear because all cases of camel filariasis in the current work were negative for microfilaria on microscopic examination of diurnal blood smear as well as testicular histopathology revealed detection of adult filaria in all camel filariasis associated with balanoposthitis. Strong correlation relationships were demonstrated between serum testosterone, serum cortisol, and semen analysis results. Positive correlations were reported between serum testosterone levels and sperm vitality percentages. However, negative correlations were stated between serum testosterone and each of serum cortisol and sperm abnormalities either in Cont, OnlyBp or BpFl.
Topics: Male; Animals; Camelus; Dipetalonema; Semen; Hydrocortisone; Semen Analysis; Filariasis; Nematode Infections; Testosterone
PubMed: 38172872
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03844-5 -
Parasitology Research Apr 2020At least two species of filarial worms, Dirofilaria immitis and Acanthocheilonema (Dipetalonema) odendhali, infect otariid pinnipeds, including the California sea lion...
At least two species of filarial worms, Dirofilaria immitis and Acanthocheilonema (Dipetalonema) odendhali, infect otariid pinnipeds, including the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). To date, evidence of infection in sea lions has come from dead or captive animals, and little is known about filariasis in free-living populations. We sampled 45 California sea lion adults and 197 pups captured at 12 rookeries from different ecological regions within the Gulf of California and detected and quantified D. immitis and A. odendhali microfilariae in blood smears. We investigated differences in prevalence and parasite load (intensity of infection) among ecological regions. Microfilariae were detected in the blood of 35 of the 45 (77.78%) adult females and in 1 of the 197 (0.51%) pups examined. The average burden of A. odendhali per microlitre of blood was nearly twice that of D. immitis. Prevalence and intensity of infection differed significantly among regions, being highest for colonies within the northern and northcentral regions and lowest in the southern region. Dirofilaria immitis and A. odendhali infections displayed a similar spatial pattern of prevalence. Colony density inversely predicted the prevalence of microfilariae. Based on the clinical parameters typically associated with filarial infections in carnivores and physical examinations, none of the sea lions appeared to have evidence of disease. This is a first approximation to investigate the prevalence of microfilaria infections in free-ranging California sea lions and to explore their relevance to population health.
Topics: Acanthocheilonema; Acanthocheilonemiasis; Animals; California; Dirofilaria immitis; Dirofilariasis; Female; Mexico; Parasite Load; Sea Lions
PubMed: 32166425
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06638-y -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Nov 2021ES-62 is a phosphorylcholine-containing, 62 kDa glycoprotein derived from the excretory-secretory product of , which is effective for the prevention and treatment of... (Review)
Review
ES-62 is a phosphorylcholine-containing, 62 kDa glycoprotein derived from the excretory-secretory product of , which is effective for the prevention and treatment of immune dysregulation diseases through triggering activation of immune cells, such as dendritic cells, mononuclear macrophages and regulatory B cells and mediating immune responses. Recently, the role of the ES-62 protein in the management of allergic, autoimmune and metabolic diseases has been paid much attention. This review summarizes the regulatory role of the ES-62 protein in immune dysregulation diseases and the underlying mechanisms, so as to provide insights into future experimental studies.
Topics: Acanthocheilonema; Animals; Dipetalonema; Glycoproteins; Helminth Proteins; Phosphorylcholine
PubMed: 35537846
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2021141 -
Journal of Medical Primatology Aug 2023We report two cases of disseminated hyperinfection by filariae in free-living primates Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus niger from eastern Amazon. Histopathological...
We report two cases of disseminated hyperinfection by filariae in free-living primates Saimiri sciureus and Saguinus niger from eastern Amazon. Histopathological examination showed the presence of Dipetalonema gracile microfilariae in blood, liver, lungs, spleen, small intestine, kidney, brain, liver, and adults in peritoneal thoracic cavity.
Topics: Animals; Saimiri; Dipetalonema
PubMed: 37329235
DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12658