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Journal of Parasitic Diseases :... Dec 2019The prevalence and species spectrum of some blood and intestinal parasites affecting imported camels was studied on a total of 120 clinically suspected camels (males)...
The prevalence and species spectrum of some blood and intestinal parasites affecting imported camels was studied on a total of 120 clinically suspected camels (males) imported to Egypt from Sudan during the period from January till July 2016 in Abu-Simbel quarantine station, Aswan governorate. Blood and fecal samples were collected from all camels under the study. The fecal samples were collected and examined by sedimentation-floatation techniques for detection of parasitic eggs/oocysts. Coprological examination revealed that the prevalence rate of the parasitic infection was 60% (72 out of 120). Eighteen species of helminthes/protozoan parasites eggs/oocysts were encountered stongyles species were the hightest prevalent of nematodes 12.5%. Four genera of flat worms were identified in the present study including sp. 0.8%, sp. 3.3%, sp. 7.5% and sp. 0.8%. Four species of were identified (, , and ) in infected camels the commenst one is 15.8%, sp. and were recorded with a prevalence rate about 15.8%, 8.3% and 6.7% respectively. Blood smears from jugular vein revealed that 2.5% of camels were infected with Wide spectrum and high prevalence of internal parasites were observed in the present study which may be lead to severe economic losses, so the application of control measures and treatment of infected camels with specific and effective drugs during the quarantine period are most important to prevent spreading of parasitic infestation and/or introduction of parasites previously not exist in our country.
PubMed: 31749532
DOI: 10.1007/s12639-019-01138-y -
Parasitology International Oct 2021Cameline filarosis is an important parasitic disease having an economic impact on the camel industry around the world. However, there has been no study on filarosis in...
Cameline filarosis is an important parasitic disease having an economic impact on the camel industry around the world. However, there has been no study on filarosis in Bactrian camels of Mongolia. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to detect and identify microfilariae of Deraiophoronema evansi (D. evansi) in Bactrian camels from three provinces, located in southern and southwestern Mongolia. Blood samples were obtained from 400 healthy two-humped camels of different ages and both sexes. All blood samples were analysed using a variety of diagnostic techniques. Microfilariae were detected in 30 Bactrian camels (7.5%) by the Knott technique, while 13 Bactrian camels (3.3%) tested positive in a direct smear test. D. evansi was detected in 18 Bactrian camels (4.5%) by PCR assay. Prevalence was shown to be high among Bactrian camels in the age group up to 5 years, while the lowest positive results were obtained for Bactrian camels in the 5-10-year age group and the over 10-year age group. To confirm the morphological identification, D. evansi-COI gene sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analyses. The D. evansi-COI gene sequences from Mongolian two-humped camels were identical to sequences from Iranian one-humped camels and were clustered together with these sequences in the phylogeny. This is the first report of molecular detection and identification of microfilariae of D. evansi in Bactrian camels of Mongolia.
Topics: Animals; Camelus; Dipetalonema; Dipetalonema Infections; Electron Transport Complex IV; Female; Helminth Proteins; Male; Microfilariae; Mongolia; Prevalence
PubMed: 34129934
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102404 -
BMC Microbiology Jan 2024Filarial worms are important vector-borne pathogens of a large range of animal hosts, including humans, and are responsible for numerous debilitating neglected tropical...
BACKGROUND
Filarial worms are important vector-borne pathogens of a large range of animal hosts, including humans, and are responsible for numerous debilitating neglected tropical diseases such as, lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp., as well as loiasis caused by Loa loa. Moreover, some emerging or difficult-to-eliminate filarioid pathogens are zoonotic using animals like canines as reservoir hosts, for example Dirofilaria sp. 'hongkongensis'. Diagnosis of filariasis through commonly available methods, like microscopy, can be challenging as microfilaremia may wane below the limit of detection. In contrast, conventional PCR methods are more sensitive and specific but may show limited ability to detect coinfections as well as emerging and/or novel pathogens. Use of deep-sequencing technologies obviate these challenges, providing sensitive detection of entire parasite communities, whilst also being better suited for the characterisation of rare or novel pathogens. Therefore, we developed a novel long-read metabarcoding assay for deep-sequencing the filarial nematode cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene on Oxford Nanopore Technologies' (ONT) MinION™ sequencer. We assessed the overall performance of our assay using kappa statistics to compare it to commonly used diagnostic methods for filarial worm detection, such as conventional PCR (cPCR) with Sanger sequencing and the microscopy-based modified Knott's test (MKT).
RESULTS
We confirmed our metabarcoding assay can characterise filarial parasites from a diverse range of genera, including, Breinlia, Brugia, Cercopithifilaria, Dipetalonema, Dirofilaria, Onchocerca, Setaria, Stephanofilaria and Wuchereria. We demonstrated proof-of-concept for this assay by using blood samples from Sri Lankan dogs, whereby we identified infections with the filarioids Acanthocheilonema reconditum, Brugia sp. Sri Lanka genotype and zoonotic Dirofilaria sp. 'hongkongensis'. When compared to traditionally used diagnostics, such as the MKT and cPCR with Sanger sequencing, we identified an additional filarioid species and over 15% more mono- and coinfections.
CONCLUSIONS
Our developed metabarcoding assay may show broad applicability for the metabarcoding and diagnosis of the full spectrum of filarioids from a wide range of animal hosts, including mammals and vectors, whilst the utilisation of ONT' small and portable MinION™ means that such methods could be deployed for field use.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Dogs; Coinfection; Filarioidea; Filariasis; Brugia; Wuchereria bancrofti; Mammals
PubMed: 38245715
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03159-3 -
Parasites & Vectors Oct 2020Dirofilaria immitis is responsible for heartworm disease in dogs in endemic areas worldwide. Screening for this infection is done by blood tests. Antigen testing is the...
BACKGROUND
Dirofilaria immitis is responsible for heartworm disease in dogs in endemic areas worldwide. Screening for this infection is done by blood tests. Antigen testing is the most sensitive method to detect an infection with adult (female) worms. Microscopic examination of a blood smear or Knott's test can be used to detect circulating microfilariae, the infective larvae. To increase the sensitivity of the antigen test by decreasing the false negative test results, heating of the blood sample has been recommended in recent guidelines. Heating is believed to remove blocking immune-complexes. Circulating microfilariae are not specific findings for heartworm infection, as other nematodes (among others, Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides) can also result in microfilaremia. Although the type of microfilariae cannot be determined by microscopy alone, real-time PCR can reliably identify the infecting nematode species. Correct identification of the parasite is of major importance, as an infection with D. immitis requires antiparasitic therapy, whereas A. dracunculoides is thought to be a clinically irrelevant coincidental finding. The present case report describes a microfilaremic dog where the initial antigen test for D. immitis turned positive after heat treatment, whereas real-time PCR revealed that the microfilariae were A. dracunculoides (syn. Dipetalonema dracunculoides).
RESULTS
A circa 5-year old, asymptomatic Spanish mastiff dog was referred for heartworm therapy because microfilariae were found via a screening blood test. The dog was recently imported to the Netherlands from Spain, where it had been a stray dog. Antigen tests on a plasma sample for D. immitis were performed with three different test kits, which all turned out to be negative. However, heat treatment of two of these samples were carried out and both of them led to a positive antigen test result. Real-time PCR showed that the circulating microfilariae belonged to A. dracunculoides species. Three administrations of moxidectin spot-on at monthly intervals resulted in a negative antigen and a negative Knott's tests one month after the last treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that heat treatment of initially negative blood samples for D. immitis could lead to false positive antigen test results if the dog is infected with A. dracunculoides.
Topics: Acanthocheilonema; Acanthocheilonemiasis; Animals; Antigens, Helminth; Blood; Dirofilaria immitis; Dirofilariasis; Dog Diseases; Dogs; False Positive Reactions; Female; Hot Temperature; Immunologic Tests; Microfilariae
PubMed: 33004047
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04376-9