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International Microbiology : the... Sep 2019The effect of oxygen on anaerobic protozoa was studied in anaerobic batch reactors inoculated with sludge and protozoa cultures. Among the protozoa genera, Metopus,...
The effect of oxygen on anaerobic protozoa was studied in anaerobic batch reactors inoculated with sludge and protozoa cultures. Among the protozoa genera, Metopus, Brachonella, Plagiopyla, Trepomonas, and Vanella were more sensitive to oxygen compared to other genera. Protozoa genera Menoidium, Rhynchomonas, Cyclidium, Spathidium, and Amoeba were found to survive under aerobic conditions, and the growth rate was slightly higher or similar to anaerobic condition. O tension resulted in the loss of free and endosymbiotic methanogens in anaerobic system, while methanogens were observed inside the protozoan cysts. Survival of anaerobic protozoa declined considerably when the O tension exceeded 1% atm. sat. and showed chemosensory behavior in response to O exposure. Superoxide dismutase activity was detected in survived protozoa cells under O tension. Facultative anaerobic protozoa with SOD activity can provide a mechanism to overcome possible occurrence of oxygen toxicity in the treatment of wastewater in anaerobic reactor.
Topics: Aerobiosis; Amoeba; Anaerobiosis; Bioreactors; Cell Survival; Ciliophora; Culture Media; Euglenida; Kinetoplastida; Methane; Oxygen
PubMed: 30811001
DOI: 10.1007/s10123-019-00058-4 -
European Journal of Protistology Feb 2021Protistan parasites have an undisputed global health impact. However, outside of a few key exceptions, e.g. the agent of malaria, most of these infectious agents are...
Protistan parasites have an undisputed global health impact. However, outside of a few key exceptions, e.g. the agent of malaria, most of these infectious agents are neglected as important health threats. The Symposium entitled "Free-living amoebae and neglected pathogenic protozoa: health emergency signals?" held at the European Congress of Protistology in Rome, July 2019, brought together researchers addressing scientific and clinical questions about some of these fascinating organisms. Topics presented included the molecular basis of pathogenicity in Acanthamoeba; genomics of Naegleria fowleri; and epidemiology of poorly diagnosed enteric protistan species, including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Blastocystis, Dientamoeba. The Symposium aim was to excite the audience about the opportunities and challenges of research in these underexplored organisms and to underline the public health implications of currently under-appreciated protistan infections. The major take home message is that any knowledge that we gain about these organisms will allow us to better address them, in terms of monitoring and treatment, as sources of future health emergencies.
Topics: Amoeba; Eukaryota; Global Health; Humans; Protozoan Infections; Virulence
PubMed: 33340850
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2020.125760 -
Infectious Disorders Drug Targets 2020Swine species are an important source of meat production worldwide, except in Islamic countries where pig breeding and pork consumption are forbidden. Hence, they are... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Swine species are an important source of meat production worldwide, except in Islamic countries where pig breeding and pork consumption are forbidden. Hence, they are often neglected in these regions. A considerable number of wild boars (Sus scrofa) inhabit Iranian territories, particularly in dense forests of north, west and southwest of the country, but our knowledge regarding their parasites is very limited.
OBJECTIVE
The lack of a comprehensive record in this connection encouraged us to review the whole works of literature in the country.
METHODS
The current review presents all the information about the parasitic diseases of wild boar in Iran extracted from articles available in both Persian and English databases until June 2017.
RESULTS
So far, 8 genera of protozoa (Toxoplasma, Balanthidium, Tritrichomonas, Blastocystis, Entamoeba, Iodamoeba, Chilomastix and Sarcocystis) and 20 helminth species, including four cestode species, two trematode species, thirteen nematode species as well as a single species of Acanthocephala have been described in Iranian wild boars.
CONCLUSION
This review sheds light on the veterinary and public health aspects of the parasitic diseases of wild boars in the country and alerts authorities for future preventive measures.
Topics: Alveolata; Amoebozoa; Animals; Helminthiasis, Animal; Helminths; Iran; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 31322074
DOI: 10.2174/1871526519666190716121824 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2023Cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and blastocystosis are among the most important parasitic diseases common between humans and cats. In addition, there are concerns about...
Cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and blastocystosis are among the most important parasitic diseases common between humans and cats. In addition, there are concerns about the possible transmission of zoonotic parasites from infected cats to humans. Hence, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Blastocystis sp. in stray and household cats and cat owners. Our study was performed on 132, 33, and 33 fecal samples of stray and household cats, as well as cat owners in Tehran, Iran. Cryptosporidium spp. was identified using a nested PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA) and sequencing the internal amplified fragments. Furthermore, to perform multilocus genotyping of G. duodenalis, the ß-giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) genes were amplified to assess the DNA of G. duodenalis in the fecal samples of cats and cat owners. In addition, Blastocystis was detected by targeting the SSU rRNA gene, and the subtypes of Blastocystis were determined via the sequencing of amplicons. Cryptosporidium felis and Cryptosporidium canis were detected in seven stray cats (5.3%) and one household cat (3%). The bg gene of G. duodenalis was amplified and successfully sequenced in two (1.5%) stray cats and revealed assemblages F and B of G. duodenalis. Sequencing and phylogenic analysis of SSU rRNA gene nucleotide sequences of Blastocystis detected ST5 and ST10 in stray cats (1.5%), ST1 in household cats (9.1%), and ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST7 in owners (30.3%). The low prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Blastocystis in cats and the presence of species/assemblages/subtypes with limited zoonotic potential indicate that cats had a minor role in their owners' infection in the investigated population. However, the presence of zoonotic protozoa in cats suggests the necessity of special attention to high-risk individuals during close contact with cats. Therefore, it is recommended that veterinarians, physicians, and urban managers plan to prevent, control, or treat these parasites to help the urban community live healthily alongside cats.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cats; Giardiasis; Giardia; Cryptosporidium; Cryptosporidiosis; Blastocystis; Iran; Giardia lamblia; Feces; Prevalence; Genotype
PubMed: 36707690
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28768-w -
Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases... Feb 2020An increase in zoonotic infections in humans in recent years has led to a high level of public interest. However, the extent of infestation of free-living small mammals...
An increase in zoonotic infections in humans in recent years has led to a high level of public interest. However, the extent of infestation of free-living small mammals with pathogens and especially parasites is not well understood. This pilot study was carried out within the framework of the "Rodent-borne pathogens" network to identify zoonotic parasites in small mammals in Germany. From 2008 to 2009, 111 small mammals of 8 rodent and 5 insectivore species were collected. Feces and intestine samples from every mammal were examined microscopically for the presence of intestinal parasites by using Telemann concentration for worm eggs, Kinyoun staining for coccidia, and Heidenhain staining for other protozoa. Adult helminths were additionally stained with carmine acid for species determination. Eleven different helminth species, five coccidians, and three other protozoa species were detected. Simultaneous infection of one host by different helminths was common. spp. (20.7%) were the most common zoonotic helminths in the investigated hosts. Coccidia, including spp. (30.6%), spp. (17.1%), and spp. (17.1%), were present in 40.5% of the feces samples of small mammals. Protozoa, such as spp. and amoebae, were rarely detected, most likely because of the repeated freeze-thawing of the samples during preparation. The zoonotic pathogens detected in this pilot study may be potentially transmitted to humans by drinking water, smear infection, and airborne transmission.
Topics: Animals; Coccidia; Entamoeba; Eulipotyphla; Feces; Female; Germany; Giardia; Helminths; Intestines; Male; Pilot Projects; Prevalence; Retortamonadidae; Rodentia
PubMed: 31513468
DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2457 -
Parasites & Vectors Dec 2022The striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius is a wild rodent commonly found in fields in Korea. It is a known carrier of various pathogens. Amplicon-based next-generation...
BACKGROUND
The striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius is a wild rodent commonly found in fields in Korea. It is a known carrier of various pathogens. Amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene is the most common technique used to analyze the bacterial microbiome. Although many bacterial microbiome analyses have been attempted using feces of wild animals, only a few studies have used NGS to screen for parasites. This study aimed to rapidly detect bacterial, fungal and parasitic pathogens in the guts of A. agrarius using NGS-based metabarcoding analysis.
METHODS
We conducted 18S/16S rDNA-targeted high-throughput sequencing on cecal samples collected from A. agrarius (n = 48) trapped in May and October 2017. Taxa of protozoa, fungi, helminths and bacteria in the cecal content were then identified.
RESULTS
Among the protozoa identified, the most prevalent was Tritrichomonas sp., found in all of the cecal samples, followed by Monocercomonas sp. (95.8% prevalence; in 46/48 samples) and Giardia sp. (75% prevalence; in 36/48 samples). For helminths, Heligmosomoides sp. was the most common, found in 85.4% (41/48) of samples, followed by Hymenolepis sp. (10.4%; 5/48) and Syphacia sp. (25%; 12/48). The 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that the microbial composition of the cecal samples changed by season (P = 0.005), with the linear discriminant analysis effect size showing that in the spring Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus murinus were more abundant and Helicobacter rodentium was less abundant. Helicobacter japonicus was more abundant and Prevotella_uc was less abundant in males. The microbial composition changed based on the Heligmosomoides sp. infection status (P = 0.019); specifically, Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus intestinalis were more abundant in the Heligmosomoides sp.-positive group than in the Heligmosomoides sp.-negative group.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that bacterial abundance changed based on the season and specific parasitic infection status of the trapped mice. These results highlight the advantages of NGS technology in monitoring zoonotic disease reservoirs.
Topics: Male; Animals; Mice; Parasites; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Bacteria; Helminths; Escherichia coli; Murinae
PubMed: 36564849
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05608-w -
Acta Tropica Jan 2023Giardia is an ubiquitous protozoa that infect a broad range of vertebrate hosts, including domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Giardia duodenalis is one of the... (Review)
Review
Giardia is an ubiquitous protozoa that infect a broad range of vertebrate hosts, including domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Giardia duodenalis is one of the most common parasite in humans and mammals worldwide. Human giardiasis is highly prevalent in the countries that make up from Amazon. The identification of genotypes in humans and animals improves the understanding of transmission routes and the control strategies. Thus, we carried out a systematic review on Giardia in animals from Amazon region/South American, following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies up to September, 2022 were searched for in public database. A total of seven out of 432 articles were selected: four, two and one from Brazil, Colombia and Peru, respectively. Based on these articles it is seen that the G. duodenalis cosmopolitan assemblages A and B prevail within domestic and wild animals in the Amazon. Moreover, a Giardia microscopic screening in aquatic animals from this biome showed its prevalence among aquatic mammals including the endangered species Trichechus inunguis (manatee). Therefore, a yet not accessed number of susceptible hosts, new G. duodenalis assemblages and species can be occurring in this huge hotspot of biodiversity that is Amazon region.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Giardia lamblia; Animals, Wild; Feces; Giardiasis; Giardia; Genotype; Prevalence; Gastropoda; Mammals
PubMed: 36195184
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106708 -
Journal of Dairy Science Sep 2022Biohydrogenation-induced milk fat depression (MFD) is a reduction in milk fat synthesis caused by bioactive fatty acids (FA) produced during altered ruminal microbial...
Effect of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoate (HMTBa) on milk fat, rumen environment and biohydrogenation, and rumen protozoa in lactating cows fed diets with increased risk for milk fat depression.
Biohydrogenation-induced milk fat depression (MFD) is a reduction in milk fat synthesis caused by bioactive fatty acids (FA) produced during altered ruminal microbial metabolism of unsaturated FA. The methionine analog 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoate (HMTBa) has been shown to reduce the shift to the alternate biohydrogenation pathway and maintain higher milk fat yield in high-producing cows fed diets lower in fiber and higher in unsaturated FA. The objective of this experiment was to verify the effect of HMTBa on biohydrogenation-induced MFD and investigate associated changes in rumen environment and fermentation. Twenty-two rumen cannulated high-producing Holstein cows [168 ± 66 d in milk; 42 ± 7 kg of milk/d (mean ± standard deviation)] were used in a randomized design performed in 2 blocks (1 = 14 cows, 2 = 8 cows). Treatments were control (corn carrier) and HMTBa (0.1% of diet dry matter). The experiment included a 7-d covariate period followed by 3 phases that fed diets with increasing risk of MFD. The diet during the covariate and low-risk phase (7 d) was 32% neutral detergent fiber with no additional oil. The diet during the moderate-risk phase (17 d) was 29% neutral detergent fiber with 0.75% soybean oil. Soybean oil was increased to 1.5% for the last 4 d. The statistical model included the random effect of block and time course data were analyzed with repeated measures including the random effect of cow and tested the interaction of treatment and time. There was no effect of block or interaction of block and treatment or time. There was no overall effect of treatment or treatment by time interaction for dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk protein concentration and yield. Overall, HMTBa increased milk fat percent (3.2 vs. 3.6%) and yield (1,342 vs. 1,543 g/d) and there was no interaction of treatment and dietary phase. Additionally, HMTBa decreased the concentration of trans-10 18:1 in milk fat and rumen digesta. Average total ruminal concentration of volatile FA across the day and total-tract dry matter and fiber digestibility were not affected by HMTBa, but HMTBa increased average rumen butyrate and decreased propionate concentration and increased total protozoa abundance. Additionally, HMTBa increased the fractional rate of α-linoleic acid clearance from the rumen following a bolus predominantly driven by a difference in the first 30 min. Plasma insulin was decreased by HMTBa. In conclusion, HMTBa prevented the increase in trans FA in milk fat associated with MFD through a mechanism that is independent of total volatile FA concentration, but involves modification of rumen biohydrogenation. Decreased propionate and increased butyrate and ruminal protozoa may also have functional roles in the mechanism.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Butyrates; Cattle; Detergents; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Female; Fermentation; Lactation; Methionine; Milk; Propionates; Rumen; Soybean Oil
PubMed: 35931483
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21910 -
Annals of Parasitology 2022Both roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) are wild ruminants that are present in large numbers in Poland. Although both are very often infected... (Review)
Review
Both roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) are wild ruminants that are present in large numbers in Poland. Although both are very often infected with parasitic protozoa, the species composition of these parasites and their prevalence are relatively poorly known. The aim of the present work is to gather existing data on the occurrence and species diversity of parasitic protozoa of the genus Eimeria, Babesia, Theileria, Giardia, Cryptosporidium and family Sarcocystidae in red deer and roe deer in Poland and compare the findings with those from other European countries.
Topics: Animals; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Deer; Parasites; Poland
PubMed: 35404806
DOI: 10.17420/ap6801.401 -
Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia... 2023Gastrointestinal parasites are well-documented in small mammals from north-central Chile, but little is known about endoparasites of rodents in southern Chile. A survey...
Gastrointestinal parasites are well-documented in small mammals from north-central Chile, but little is known about endoparasites of rodents in southern Chile. A survey was conducted between January and February 2018 to evaluate gastrointestinal parasites and risk factors of wild rodents that live in rural areas in Northern Chiloé Island, Chile. A total of 174 fecal samples from rodents of six native and one introduced species were collected and examined using the Mini-FLOTAC method. Also, 41 individuals of four native wild rodent species were examined furtherly to determinate adult parasites from gastrointestinal tracts. The overall prevalence of endoparasites was 89.65% (156). Helminth egg types included: Rodentolepis spp., Capillariidae, Trichuris sp., Syphacia sp., oxyurid-type eggs, Strongyloides sp., Spirurid-type eggs, Strongilid-type eggs, Moniliformis sp., and an unidentified nematode egg and larvae. Protozoa comprised coccidia, amoeba, and unidentified cysts. From necropsies, adult parasites involved Syphacia sp. Trichuris sp., Protospirura sp. and Physaloptera sp. In Abrothrix olivacea, individuals with low-body-mass index exhibited reduced infection probability for Spirurid-type and Strongilid-type eggs. Some parasites in this study may affect human health. In rural settings where environmental conditions are changing, more research should be undertaken to understand parasitic infections in wildlife and implications for public health and conservation.
Topics: Animals; Chile; Feces; Helminths; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Parasites; Rodentia
PubMed: 36629665
DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612023002