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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Parasitology Research Dec 2020Molecular characterization studies on Setaria equina are limited. The present study aimed to characterize S. equina at the cytochrome c oxidase gene and to examine its...
Molecular characterization studies on Setaria equina are limited. The present study aimed to characterize S. equina at the cytochrome c oxidase gene and to examine its phylogenetic relationships with other filarid species. Sequence analysis showed 100% nucleotide homology with an S. equina sequence from Italy (AJ544873). However, both sequences exhibited 7 nucleotide substitutions from a S. equina donkey isolate from Egypt (MK541847). Overall, S. equina formed a monophyletic sister group to Setaria tundra. All Setaria spp. examined formed a separate group on the phylogenetic tree that was related to corresponding Onchocerca spp. and Dirofilaria spp. clades. Human filarid worms-Brugia spp. and Wuchereria spp. grouped in a separate clade alongside Theilezia spp. Dipetalonema spp.-formed a separate group at the top of the tree.
Topics: Animals; Electron Transport Complex IV; Filariasis; Filarioidea; Genetic Variation; Helminth Proteins; Humans; Phylogeny; Setaria Nematode
PubMed: 33079270
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06917-8 -
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 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2020Previous studies have reported filarial parasites of the genus and from French Guiana monkeys, based on morphological taxonomy. In this study, we screened blood...
Previous studies have reported filarial parasites of the genus and from French Guiana monkeys, based on morphological taxonomy. In this study, we screened blood samples from nine howler monkeys () for the presence of filaria and DNA. The infection rates were 88.9% for filaria and 55.6% for wolbachiae. The molecular characterization, based on the gene of filariids, revealed that are infected with at least three species ( sp., sp. and an unidentified Onchocercidae species.). Since the and generic primers are not very effective at resolving co-infections, we developed ITS genus-specific PCRs for and genus. The results revealed coinfections in 75% of positives. The presence of sp. and sp. was also confirmed by the phylogenetic analysis of their associated . sp., which close to the species from the subgenus encountered in New World Monkeys, while sp. was identical to the strain circulating in French Guiana dogs. We propose a novel genus-specific qPCR. We applied it to screen for infection in howler monkeys and 66.7% were found to be positive. Our finding highlights the need for further studies to clarify the species diversity of neotropics monkeys by combining molecular and morphological features. The novel genus-specific qPCR assays could be an effective tool for the surveillance and characterization of this potential zoonosis.
PubMed: 32752052
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080626 -
Journal of Wildlife Diseases Oct 2020Climate warming may affect the distribution of helminth parasites, allowing endemic species to increase in prevalence and new species to appear. We analyzed tissues from...
Climate warming may affect the distribution of helminth parasites, allowing endemic species to increase in prevalence and new species to appear. We analyzed tissues from 141 ice-associated seals collected in the Alaskan (US) Bering and Chukchi seas during 2006-15 for internal helminth parasites and compared results with past studies. Specimens were collected from: ringed seals (Pusa hispida), bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus), spotted seals (Phoca largha), and ribbon seals (Histriophoca fasciata). Helminths were present in 94% (133/141) of the seals sampled. Nematodes were most prevalent in bearded (97%, 72/74) and spotted seals (93%, 13/14). Cestodes were most prevalent in bearded seals (82%, 61/74) and absent in ribbon seals, trematodes were only found in bearded (64%, 47/74) and ringed (5%, 2/44) seals, and acanthocephalans were mostly found in ringed (61%, 27/44) and spotted (64%, 9/14) seals. Although no helminths were new to the Bering-Chukchi Seas region, this study found a previously unreported host record for the lungworm Parafilaroides (Filaroides) gymnurus in a ribbon seal. We also found the lungworm Otostrongylus circumlitus in a ribbon seal and P. (F.) gymnurus in bearded seals, representing location records previously unreported from the Bering-Chukchi Seas region (although they have been reported from the Sea of Okhotsk). We found the cestode genus Pyramicocephalus in bearded seals (3%, 2/74) at a lower prevalence than was reported previously for Pyramicocephalus phocarum (44-100%) in the Bering-Chukchi Seas region. We found no species of the acanthocephalan genus Bolbosoma, although the genus was previously identified in ringed, spotted, and ribbon seals. This study yielded no new helminths and no increases in the prevalence of endemic parasites in these seal species.
Topics: Alaska; Animals; Fur Seals; Helminthiasis, Animal
PubMed: 32502360
DOI: 10.7589/2019-09-228 -
Parasitology Aug 2020Current systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate the prevalence reports of filariasis in animals in Iran along with human cases. Studies were screened, relevant... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Current systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate the prevalence reports of filariasis in animals in Iran along with human cases. Studies were screened, relevant papers were selected and the random-effect model was used by forest plot with 95% confidence interval (CI). Of 17 records of human case-reports, particularly from Khuzestan province (5 cases), Dirofilaria repens was the most detected parasite (10 cases) with higher involvement of the right eye (7 cases) than other organs. Eleven animal species were reported to be parasitised by filarioids in Iran. The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in canids was 14.69% (95% CI: 10.33-19.67), with highest rates (20.92%; 95% CI: 13.84-29.03) in free-ranging dogs. Male (10.07%; 95% CI: 5.10-16.47) and more than 1-year old (20.77%; 95% CI: 8.66-36.42) dogs were more likely to be found infected. The frequency of other filarioids of zoonotic interest was: Acanthocheilonema reconditum in dogs 2.15% (95% CI: 0.71-4.33), Dipetalonema evansi in camels 10.16% (95% CI: 4.73-17.34), Onchocerca cervicalis in horses 3.63% (95% CI: 1.44-6.75%) and Onchocerca fasciata 16.57% (95% CI: 10.12-24.24%) in camels. Still, our knowledge on parasitic filariae in Iran is limited and more investigation is needed in both human and animal populations.
Topics: Animals; Dirofilaria immitis; Dirofilariasis; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Filariasis; Filarioidea; Humans; Iran
PubMed: 32249728
DOI: 10.1017/S003118202000058X -
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