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Journal of the American Animal Hospital... Mar 2024A 4 yr old castrated male greyhound presented with a history of chronic (>3 wk) intermittent diarrhea. Initial fecal analysis identified infection with Ancylostoma...
A 4 yr old castrated male greyhound presented with a history of chronic (>3 wk) intermittent diarrhea. Initial fecal analysis identified infection with Ancylostoma caninum. Despite treatment with routine anthelmintics, the dog remained persistently A caninum positive for several months. A novel fecal gastrointestinal real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) parasite panel detected A caninum and the genetic benzimidazole (BZ) F167Y resistance marker in multiple samplings over 48 hr. This finding, together with the dog's clinical signs (diarrhea) and lack of response to routine anthelmintics, prompted treatment with cyclooctadepsipeptide emodepside, a drug currently not registered for dogs in the United States. The dog's clinical signs resolved and post-treatment fecal qPCR testing was negative. However, 5 mo later, retesting with fecal qPCR detected A caninum and concurrent BZ resistance marker, as well as Giardia. A presumptive diagnosis of re-infection was made and the emodepside treatment was continued. The dog again reverted to undetected (A caninum and the 167 resistance marker) on reassessment fecal qPCR. This case report describes the use of a novel fecal qPCR panel for gastrointestinal parasites, persistent hookworm and BZ F167Y resistance marker detection in a dog, and highlights the importance of a stepwise approach to clinical management, treatment, and retesting.
Topics: Dogs; Male; Animals; United States; Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Dog Diseases; Anthelmintics; Benzimidazoles; Feces; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Diarrhea
PubMed: 38394692
DOI: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7366 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Mar 2024The amounts of parasite DNA in soil samples from different playgrounds and other public areas can help identify areas of possible microbe transmission and give...
The amounts of parasite DNA in soil samples from different playgrounds and other public areas can help identify areas of possible microbe transmission and give indications of the possible occurrence of parasite infection in nearby communities. We collected 207 soil samples from parks in Paiute indigenous tribal areas in southwestern Utah and from the higher income city of St. George, Utah, and tested them for 11 parasites that can cause human disease. Molecular tests revealed an elevated odds ratio (OR) of 3.072 (range, 1.114-8.065) for detecting the helminth Trichuris trichiura and an elevated OR of 3.036 (range, 1.101-7.966) for any protozoa (not including Acanthamoeba) in the tribal land playgrounds compared with St. George parks. These findings support previous studies showing that areas in lower socioeconomic communities, especially marginalized communities, tend to have more parasites in the soil, which may lead to higher disease prevalence rates.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Parasites; Helminths; Soil; Prevalence; Environment; Feces
PubMed: 38350146
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0712 -
Veterinary World Dec 2023Captive animals are susceptible to parasitic diseases due to the stress and confinement they experience. In addition, they can serve as reservoirs of zoonotic parasites...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Captive animals are susceptible to parasitic diseases due to the stress and confinement they experience. In addition, they can serve as reservoirs of zoonotic parasites that have the potential to infect humans. To investigate this possibility, we estimated the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in captive mammals at Khon Kaen Zoo, Thailand.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred and forty-seven individual mammals (37 primates, 43 carnivores, 62 herbivores, and 5 rodents) were examined for parasitic infections by fecal examination daily for 3 consecutive days using the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT) and the agar plate culture method.
RESULTS
According to FECT, the overall prevalence of GI parasites was 62.6% (92/147). Within animal groups, the numbers were as follows: 67.6% (25/37) in primates, 23.3% (10/43) in carnivores, 85.5% (53/62) in herbivores, and 80.0% (4/5) in rodents. Using the agar plate culture method, 21.43% (27/126) were positive for spp. and hookworm infections. The GI parasites identified belonged to three categories: protozoa (including species complex, , spp., coccidia, and ciliated protozoa), trematodes (minute intestinal flukes and rumen flukes), and nematodes (strongyle/hookworm, spp., Ascarididae, and spp.).
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study indicate the prevalence of several GI parasites in zoo animals with the potential for transmission to humans, given the animals' close proximity to both visitors and animal caretakers.
PubMed: 38328364
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2416-2424 -
Veterinary Parasitology, Regional... Feb 2024Hookworms are the most common intestinal nematode parasites of dogs in Australia. The control of these parasites relies mostly on regular deworming with anthelmintics,...
Hookworms are the most common intestinal nematode parasites of dogs in Australia. The control of these parasites relies mostly on regular deworming with anthelmintics, with pyrantel-based dewormers being a relatively low cost and readily-available option for dog owners. Pyrantel resistance in canine hookworms in Australia was first reported in 2007, however pyrantel-based dewormers are still used against hookworm infection in dogs across Australia. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of pyrantel against hookworms infecting dogs housed in a shelter facility in Southeast Queensland which receives rescued or surrendered animals from greyhound rescue centres and dog shelters across this region. A total of 10 dogs were examined using the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). There was no reduction in FEC in any of the dogs following pyrantel treatment, with drug efficacies ranging from -0.9% to -283.3%. Given that these dogs originated from various sites across Southeast Queensland, the present study suggests that pyrantel resistance is widespread in this region, and hence this anthelmintic may not be a useful option for treatment of hookworm infections in dogs.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Pyrantel; Ancylostomatoidea; Queensland; Parasite Egg Count; Anthelmintics; Hookworm Infections; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Australia; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 38316510
DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.100985 -
International Journal For Equity in... Feb 2024The prevalence of intestinal parasites is known to be high among Amerindian populations; further, there are serious problems in the healthcare of these populations in...
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of intestinal parasites is known to be high among Amerindian populations; further, there are serious problems in the healthcare of these populations in Brazil. The Maxakali, located in the northeastern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is an indigenous group that still preserves many of its cultural aspects. This study aimed to compare the positivity rate of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in this ethnic group in epidemiological surveys conducted in 1972 and 2014.
METHODS
Stool parasitological examinations were performed by the Kato-Katz technique during both periods in this population. In 2014, the parasitological diagnosis was also realized with the TF-Test® technique.
RESULTS
In 1972, 270 inhabitants were examined. The positivity rates were 67.4% for Schistosoma mansoni, 72.9% for hookworms, 43.7% for Ascaris lumbricoides, and 23.7% for Trichuris trichiura. In 2014, 545 individuals were examined, and the positivity rates obtained were 45.7% for S. mansoni, 22.8% for hookworms, 0.6% for A. lumbricoides, and 2.8% for T. trichiura.
CONCLUSIONS
The comparison of the parasitological surveys conducted in 1972 and 2014, indicates that the indigenous Maxakali remained neglected by the health and indigenous protection authorities during these four decades. The infection rate observed in 2014 for schistosomiasis and hookworm remains high, considering the current epidemiological view of these diseases in the Brazilian population.
Topics: Humans; Brazil; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feces; Schistosomiasis
PubMed: 38302951
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-024-02105-7 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jan 2024Although vaccines have reduced COVID-19 disease burden, their efficacy in helminth infection endemic areas is not well characterized. We evaluated the impact of...
Although vaccines have reduced COVID-19 disease burden, their efficacy in helminth infection endemic areas is not well characterized. We evaluated the impact of infection by (Hpb), a murine intestinal hookworm, on the efficacy of an mRNA vaccine targeting the Wuhan-1 spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Although immunization generated similar B cell responses in Hpb-infected and uninfected mice, polyfunctional CD4 and CD8 T cell responses were markedly reduced in Hpb-infected mice. Hpb-infected and mRNA vaccinated mice were protected against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain WA1/2020, but control of lung infection was diminished against an Omicron variant compared to animals immunized without Hpb infection. Helminth mediated suppression of spike-specific CD8 T cell responses occurred independently of STAT6 signaling, whereas blockade of IL-10 rescued vaccine-induced CD8 T cell responses. In mice, intestinal helminth infection impairs vaccine induced T cell responses via an IL-10 pathway and compromises protection against antigenically shifted SARS-CoV-2 variants.
PubMed: 38293221
DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.14.575588 -
Parasitology Research Jan 2024Hookworm infections remain a significant public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions, including Thailand. This study investigated the species and genetic...
Hookworm infections remain a significant public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions, including Thailand. This study investigated the species and genetic diversity of hookworm infections in domestic dogs from northeastern Thailand. The molecular analysis focused on amplifying and sequencing specific regions of ribosomal RNA genes (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene in hookworm larvae recovered from 21 domestic dog stool samples. Among 21 larvae (one larva per infected dog) analyzed, 14 had sequences identical to Ancylostoma caninum, and 7 showed sequences almost identical to Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Phylogenetic analysis of cox1 sequences placed A. caninum and A. ceylanicum in separate clades. The median-joining network of A. caninum cox1 sequences from Thailand showed high haplotype diversity and belonged to the same cluster as sequences from Australia while forming separate clusters from those of A. caninum samples from the USA. The available published A. ceylanicum cox1 sequences (n = 33), in combination with seven sequences in the present study, represented 15 haplotypes distributed among three clusters. Interestingly, A. ceylanicum sequences from dogs and humans shared the same haplotypes. These findings are crucial for recognizing the potential for zoonotic transmission, highlighting the necessity for targeted control measures, and increasing awareness among pet owners and healthcare professionals to mitigate the risk of hookworm transmission to humans.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Dogs; Ancylostomatoidea; Phylogeny; Thailand; Zoonoses; Hookworm Infections; Ancylostoma; Larva; Genetic Variation
PubMed: 38285129
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08134-z -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jan 2024Gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections are a major cause of global morbidity, infecting hundreds of millions of people each year and potentially leading to lifelong...
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections are a major cause of global morbidity, infecting hundreds of millions of people each year and potentially leading to lifelong infection and serious complications. Few data exist on screening for GIP infections in migrants entering the UK or on the current performance of different traditional diagnostic approaches. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of GIP infections in Nepalese Gurkha recruits screened on arrival in the UK.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
We present a retrospective analysis of data from screening male adults (18-21 years) who arrived in the UK from Nepal between 2012 and 2020. Three separate faecal samples were obtained from participants at weekly intervals and processed for formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) concentration/light microscopy and charcoal culture. Serum samples were analysed for IgG antibodies to Strongyloides stercoralis by ELISA. Results were available from 2,263 participants, of whom 463 (20.5%, 95% CI 18.8%-22.2%) had a positive diagnostic test for at least one GIP infection. A total of 525 potential infections were identified. Giardia duodenalis was most common (231/2263, 10.2%), followed by S. stercoralis (102/2263, 4.5%), and hookworm species (86/2263, 3.8%). Analysis (microscopy and culture) of the initial stool sample diagnosed only 244/427 (57.1%) faecally identified pathogens, including 41/86 (47.7%) hookworm infections. The proportion of participants infected with any GIP showed a downward trend over the study period. Log-binomial regression showed risk of infection decreasing by 6.1% year-on-year (95% CI 3.2% - 9.0%). This was driven predominantly by a fall in hookworm, S. stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura prevalence.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
The level of potentially pathogenic GIP infection in young Nepalese men migrating to the UK is high (20.5%) and requires a combined diagnostic approach including serology and analysis of multiple stool samples incorporating specialised parasitological methods. Advances in molecular approaches may optimise and simplify the intensive screening strategy required.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Animals; Male; Parasites; Strongyloidiasis; Nepal; Retrospective Studies; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Strongyloides stercoralis; Communicable Diseases; Ancylostomatoidea; Feces; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Prevalence
PubMed: 38277403
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011931 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Mar 2024Zoonotic human infections with Ancylostoma ceylanicum have recently been reported in the Americas. We used archived human stool samples to study the geographic...
Geographic Distribution of Human Infections with Zoonotic Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Anthropophilic Hookworms in Ecuador: A Retrospective Analysis of Archived Stool Samples.
Zoonotic human infections with Ancylostoma ceylanicum have recently been reported in the Americas. We used archived human stool samples to study the geographic distribution of human infections with A. ceylanicum and anthropophilic hookworms in different geoclimatic regions (coastal, Andean, and Amazon) of Ecuador. We analyzed retrospectively archived human stool samples from five studies previously screened for hookworm infection by microscopy, of which four included hookworm-positive samples only and one involved hookworm-negative samples to increase geographic distribution of sampling. Stools were analyzed using multi-parallel quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays to detect Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, A. ceylanicum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Strongyloides stercoralis. Sequencing was done for the A. ceylanicum cox1 gene. A total of 132 samples were analyzed, of which 69 (52.3%) were from hookworm-positive and 63 (47.7%) from hookworm-negative individuals by microscopy. Overall, 82.6% of microscopy-positive samples and 33.3% of microscopy-negative samples were positive for hookworm by qPCR. Of microscopy-positive samples, 36.2% were A. ceylanicum, 37.7% A. duodenale, and 33.3% N. americanus, whereas equivalent proportions for microscopy-negative samples were 1.6%, 31.7%, and 1.6%, respectively. Ancylostoma duodenale was the most widely dispersed geographically, followed by N. americanus. Ancylostoma ceylanicum was least dispersed but was detected in coastal and Amazon regions. In conclusion, human infections with A. ceylanicum, A. duodenale, and N. americanus were detected in different geoclimatic regions of Ecuador. Additional studies are required to further define the epidemiology of human A. ceylanicum infections, but the potentially widespread presence of this helminth in human populations in Ecuador has implications for hookworm control strategies.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Ancylostomiasis; Retrospective Studies; Ecuador; Hookworm Infections; Zoonoses; Feces
PubMed: 38266286
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0469 -
Tropical Doctor Apr 2024Melaena due to hookworm infestation is a rare clinical presentation. It usually presents with symptoms of iron-deficiency anaemia owing to slow blood loss. Here we...
Melaena due to hookworm infestation is a rare clinical presentation. It usually presents with symptoms of iron-deficiency anaemia owing to slow blood loss. Here we present a case of 45-year male who presented with a one-year history of intermittent melena requiring multiple blood transfusions. Preliminary endoscopies at different centres were normal. The presence of hookworm in the duodenum was only detected on repeat upper endoscopy as the cause of blood loss, and treatment with albendazole was successful in curing the patient.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Melena; Ancylostomatoidea; Hookworm Infections; Duodenum; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
PubMed: 38247308
DOI: 10.1177/00494755231226356