-
Parasitology Sep 2022Foodborne trematodes (FBT) of public health significance include liver flukes ( and ), lung flukes ( and several other spp.) and intestinal flukes, which include... (Review)
Review
Foodborne trematodes (FBT) of public health significance include liver flukes ( and ), lung flukes ( and several other spp.) and intestinal flukes, which include heterophyids ( and ), echinostomes ( and ) and miscellaneous species, including and . These trematode infections are distributed worldwide but occur most commonly in Asia. The global burden of FBT diseases has been estimated at about 80 million, however, this seems to be a considerable underestimate. Their life cycle involves a molluscan first intermediate host, and a second intermediate host, including freshwater fish, crustaceans, aquatic vegetables and freshwater or brackish water gastropods and bivalves. The mode of human infection is the consumption of the second intermediate host under raw or improperly cooked conditions. The major pathogenesis of and spp. infection includes inflammation of the bile duct which leads to cholangitis and cholecystitis, and in a substantial number of patients, serious complications, such as liver cirrhosis and cholangiocarcinoma, may develop. In lung fluke infections, cough, bloody sputum and bronchiectasis are the most common clinical manifestations. However, lung flukes often migrate to extrapulmonary sites, including the brain, spinal cord, skin, subcutaneous tissues and abdominal organs. Intestinal flukes can induce inflammation in the intestinal mucosa, and they may at times undergo extraintestinal migration, in particular, in immunocompromised patients. In order to control FBT infections, eating foods after proper cooking is strongly recommended.
Topics: Animals; Echinostoma; Fascioliasis; Heterophyidae; Humans; Inflammation; Trematoda; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 35591777
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182022000725 -
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases Nov 2023Paleoparasitology is a discipline that applies existing conventional and molecular techniques to study parasites found in ancient ruins. This review focuses on the... (Review)
Review
Paleoparasitology is a discipline that applies existing conventional and molecular techniques to study parasites found in ancient ruins. This review focuses on the history of the discovery of parasites (mostly helminth eggs and larvae) in archaeological soil samples and mummies in Korea from the Three Kingdoms Period to the Joseon Dynasty (100 BCE-1910 CE). We also briefly review important milestones in global paleoparasitology. The helminth species reported so far in Korea included Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis (larva), Trichostrongylus sp. (larva), Paracapillaria philippinensis (syn. Capillaria philippinensis), Enterobius vermicularis, Fasciola hepatica, dicrocoeliids, Paragonimus westermani, Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus yokogawai, Pygidiopsis summa, Gymnophalloides seoi, Isthmiophora hortensis, Dibothriocephalus nihonkaiensis (syn. Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense), and Taenia spp. tapeworms. The findings obtained by Korean paleoparasitologists/archaeologists have brought about deep insight into the status of helminthic infections in Korea's past populations. Continued paleoparasitological research is essential for further understanding of ancient parasites and parasitic diseases in Korea.
Topics: Animals; Larva; Republic of Korea; Parasitic Diseases; Helminthiasis; Trematoda; Parasites; Heterophyidae
PubMed: 38043533
DOI: 10.3347/PHD.23085 -
Parasitology Research Oct 2023Trematodes of the genus Metagonimus Katsurada, 1912 (Digenea: Heterophyidae) are zoonotic parasites that cause infections in humans, with most cases reported in...
Trematodes of the genus Metagonimus Katsurada, 1912 (Digenea: Heterophyidae) are zoonotic parasites that cause infections in humans, with most cases reported in Southeast Asia. Larvae from the second intermediate host, called metacercariae, of one of human-infecting species, M. yokogawai (Katsurada, 1912), have been reported from cyprinoid fish in Europe. In the present study, we provided DNA-based evidence that metacercariae of Metagonimus, which are commonly found in the scales of various cyprinoids in Central Europe (Danube River in Hungary) do not belong to M. yokogawai. Sequence analysis of the ITS region, 28S rDNA, and cox1 genes showed that this species is clearly distinct from all Asian species, including M. yokogawai, which probably does not occur in Europe. Metacercariae from cyprinoids might belong to Metagonimus romanicus (Ciurea, 1915), an insufficiently known species described from Romania.
Topics: Heterophyidae; Animals; Rivers; Hungary; Cypriniformes; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 28S; Electron Transport Complex IV
PubMed: 37572128
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07932-1 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Aug 2020Fish-borne heterophyid trematodes are known to have a zoonotic potential, since at least 30 species are able to infect humans worldwide, with a global infection of... (Review)
Review
Fish-borne heterophyid trematodes are known to have a zoonotic potential, since at least 30 species are able to infect humans worldwide, with a global infection of around 7 million people. In this paper, a 'state-of-the-art' review of the South American heterophyid species is provided, including classical and molecular taxonomy, parasite ecology, host-parasite interaction studies and a list of species and their hosts. There is still a lack of information on human infections in South America with undetected or unreported infections probably due to the information shortage and little attention by physicians to these small intestinal flukes. Molecular tools for specific diagnoses of South American heterophyid species are still to be defined. Additional new sequences of Pygidiopsis macrostomum, Ascocotyle pindoramensis and Ascocotyle longa from Brazil are also provided.
Topics: Animals; Cyanobacteria; DNA, Helminth; Fishes; Heterophyidae; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Sequence Analysis, DNA; South America; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 32871631
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2020.58.4.373 -
Parasite (Paris, France) 2024The heterophyid trematode Metagonimus romanicus (Ciurea, 1915) (Digenea) is redescribed on the basis of type material from domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) in Romania,... (Review)
Review
The heterophyid trematode Metagonimus romanicus (Ciurea, 1915) (Digenea) is redescribed on the basis of type material from domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) in Romania, vouchers from experimentally infected cats (Felis catus) and adults recovered from golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) infected with metacercariae from scales of chub (Squalius cephalus) and common nase (Chondrostoma nasus) (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae) in Hungary. This trematode, endemic to Europe and neighbouring regions (northwestern Türkiye), was previously misidentified as M. yokogawai (Katsurada, 1912), a zoonotic parasite of humans in East Asia. However, the two species differ considerably both genetically and morphologically, e.g., in the position of the ventral sucker, the presence of the prepharynx, the anterior extent of the vitelline follicles and the posterior extent of the uterus. Metagonimus ciureanus (Witenberg, 1929) (syn. Dexiogonimus ciureanus Witenberg, 1929), described from domestic cats and dogs in Israel, is a valid species distributed in the Middle East and Transcaucasia, which is also confirmed by molecular data. It differs from all Metagonimus species, including M. romanicus, in having symmetrical testes instead of the oblique testes of the other congeners. The zoonotic significance of M. romanicus and M. ciureanus is unclear, but appears to be low in Europe, mainly because raw or undercooked, whole fish with scales are generally not consumed. Accidental infection of fishermen by metacercariae in the scales when cleaning fish is more likely, but has never been reported. Remains of cyprinoids with scales infected with metacercariae of Metagonimus spp. can be an important natural source of infection for dogs, cats, and other carnivores, which can serve as a reservoir for these parasites.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Dogs; Female; Humans; Cyprinidae; Europe; Heterophyidae; Mesocricetus; Metacercariae; Middle East; Parasites; Trematoda; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 38551578
DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024016 -
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases Feb 2024This article analyzed the infection characteristics of metacercariae of Metagonimus spp. (MsMc) in fish from 9 major water systems in Korea. A total of 19,568 fish in 87... (Review)
Review
This article analyzed the infection characteristics of metacercariae of Metagonimus spp. (MsMc) in fish from 9 major water systems in Korea. A total of 19,568 fish in 87 species were examined over a period of 10 years (2011-2020). MsMc were detected in fish from all 44 survey areas in 9 water systems. Most of the surveyed sites showed very low and low infection levels (66.7%), while 33.3% of the areas, such as Tamjin-gang and Seomjin-gang, revealed moderate and high infection levels. High endemicity depends on the abundance of susceptible fish species, especially sweet smelt (Plecoglosus altivelis). The susceptibility index (SI) with MsMc in index fish, Zacco spp., was very low and low levels in 62.0%, moderate in 28.0%, and high in 10.0% regions. The SI was highest in the following order: Yeongam-cheon (283.8), Hoeng-cheon (192.3), Togyo-jeosuji (131.2), Deokcheon-gang (119.1), and Joyang-gang (106.3). The recent infection status of MsMc in P. altivelis was analyzed by the survey localities. In addition, except for P. altivelis, 9 fish species were highly infected with MsMc in some survey areas, including Zacco platypus, Z. koreanus, Z. temminckii, Opsariichthys uncirostris, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus, Carassius auratus, Acheilognathus rhombeus, Onchorhynchus masou, and Tribolodon hakonensis. In Korea, 74 fish species (15 families) are collectively listed as second intermediate hosts of Metagonimus spp. This review provides several novel characteristics of MsMc infection and clarifies the fish species of second intermediate host of Metagonimus spp. in this country.
Topics: Animals; Cypriniformes; Heterophyidae; Metacercariae; Republic of Korea; Trematoda; Water
PubMed: 38443767
DOI: 10.3347/PHD.23096 -
The Journal of Veterinary Medical... Jun 2021The definitive hosts of Metagonimus hakubaensis are reported to be hamsters, rats, mice, dogs, cats, chickens, and quails in experimental infection and Japanese water...
The definitive hosts of Metagonimus hakubaensis are reported to be hamsters, rats, mice, dogs, cats, chickens, and quails in experimental infection and Japanese water shrews in natural infection. Here we report that raccoon dogs are new natural definitive hosts of M. hakubaensis, based on morphological and molecular analyses of Metagonimus flukes collected from the host species from Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Moreover, M. hakubaensis recovered from raccoon dogs showed higher fecundity than those recovered from Japanese water shrews. Therefore, raccoon dogs were considered as a more suitable natural definitive host of M. hakubaensis than Japanese water shrews.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Chickens; Cricetinae; Heterophyidae; Japan; Mice; Raccoon Dogs; Rats; Trematoda
PubMed: 33840724
DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0700 -
Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology Sep 2020Ascocotyle longa is parasitic trematode with wide distribution throughout America, Europe, Africa, and Middle East. Despite the fact that this fish-borne pathogen has...
Ascocotyle longa is parasitic trematode with wide distribution throughout America, Europe, Africa, and Middle East. Despite the fact that this fish-borne pathogen has been considered an agent of human heterophyiasis in Brazil, the molecules involved in the host-parasite interaction remain unknown. The present study reports the proteome profile of A. longa metacercariae collected from the fish Mugil liza from Brazil. This infective stage for humans, mammals and birds was analyzed using nLC-MS/MS approach. We identified a large repertoire of proteins, which are mainly involved in energy metabolism and cell structure. Peptidases and immunogenic proteins were also identified, which might play roles in host-parasite interface. Our data provided unprecedented insights into the biology of A. longa and represent a first step to understand the natural host-parasite interaction. Moreover, as the first proteome characterized in this trematode, it will provide an important resource for future studies.
Topics: Animals; Fish Diseases; Genome, Helminth; Helminth Proteins; Heterophyidae; Host-Parasite Interactions; Metacercariae; Proteome; Proteomics; Trematoda; Trematode Infections; Zoonoses
PubMed: 32745491
DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111311 -
Parasitology May 2021In this study of Metagonimus suifunensis (M. suifunensis) in the Russian Southern Far East, the variability of the full-length sequences of the cytochrome b (cytb) mtDNA...
In this study of Metagonimus suifunensis (M. suifunensis) in the Russian Southern Far East, the variability of the full-length sequences of the cytochrome b (cytb) mtDNA gene was assessed for the first time. In addition, the cox1 mtDNA gene sequences were also obtained for this species from new localities. In total, 87 and 81 sequences of the cytb and cox1 genes, respectively, were used in the current study. The cytb gene proved more promising and revealed two haplogroups that are associated with the spatial distribution of the species: geographical isolation caused the fixation of differences between northern and southern populations. In addition, the results obtained for the cytb gene opened up new perspectives in the analysis of sequences of the cox1 gene, which was not sufficiently effective as a sole marker. Based on data for both mitochondrial genes, molecular processes influencing the formation of the modern population were analysed for M. suifunensis. The new data confirmed the previously expressed opinion that this species colonized the study territory from north to south and will form the basis for determining possible ways of its further expansion, which is important for predicting the emergence of new foci of metagonimosis.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; Cytochromes b; Disease Vectors; Genetic Markers; Genetic Variation; Haplotypes; Heterophyidae; Male; Rats; Rivers; Russia; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 33583451
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182021000275 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Dec 2023In recent years, the consumption of fish products has surged in European countries, being an essential part of a healthy diet. Despite representing a small part of EU... (Review)
Review
In recent years, the consumption of fish products has surged in European countries, being an essential part of a healthy diet. Despite representing a small part of EU production, freshwater fisheries hold considerable significance for lake-dwelling populations and tourists seeking traditional dishes. This increased fish consumption has brought to light potential health risks associated with fish-borne zoonotic helminths (FBZHs), now acknowledged as global food-borne parasites. Fish-borne zoonotic helminths belong to various taxonomic groups, including nematodes (Anisakidae), trematodes (Opisthorchiidae and Heterophyidae), and cestodes (Diphyllobothriidae). More than 50 species of FBZH are known to cause human infections, derived from eating raw or undercooked aquatic foods containing viable parasites. Despite increased attention, FBZHs remain relatively neglected compared to other food-borne pathogens due to factors like chronic disease progression and under-diagnosis. This systematic review concentrates on the prevalence of six freshwater FBZHs (, , , , , and ) in Italy and neighbouring countries. The study explores the expansion of these parasites, analysing their biological and epidemiological aspects, and the factors that influence their proliferation, such as the increased cormorant population and the lake eutrophication phenomena. In summary, this research highlights the necessity for further research, the development of spatial databases, and the establishment of a unified European policy to effectively manage these multifaceted health concerns. It strongly advocates adopting a One-Health approach to address the growing incidence of parasitic zoonoses within the context of food safety in EU countries.
PubMed: 38136832
DOI: 10.3390/ani13243793