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Journal of Parasitic Diseases :... Mar 2024We evaluated the gastrointestinal parasitic prevalence and intensity of wild ungulates in the Hemis National Park of Ladakh by examining their fresh faecal samples. A...
We evaluated the gastrointestinal parasitic prevalence and intensity of wild ungulates in the Hemis National Park of Ladakh by examining their fresh faecal samples. A total of 327 fresh faecal samples from three wild ungulates, blue sheep (n = 127), Ladakh urial (n = 110), and Himalayan ibex (n = 90) were collected between June 2021 and May 2022. The techniques of flotation and sedimentation were used to find parasite eggs and oocysts from the faecal samples. Out of 327 samples examined, 165 samples were infected with gastrointestinal parasites making an overall prevalence of 50.45%. Seven parasitic taxa, including one protozoan ( spp.), five nematodes ( spp., spp., sp., sp., and spp.), and one cestode ( spp.), were found during the current investigation. Mixed infection was reported in 36 (11%) of the total examined samples. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be highest in blue sheep (55.11%), followed by Ladakh urial (49.09%) and Himalayan ibex (45.55%). The highest prevalence was recorded in the summer (64.42%), and the lowest in the winter (33.82%). A significant difference in parasitic prevalence was observed across seasons in each of the three wild ungulate hosts. However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of parasites between these hosts.
PubMed: 38440757
DOI: 10.1007/s12639-024-01652-8 -
Parasites & Vectors Feb 2024Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) nematodes prefer to live in the intestines of wild animals, causing damage and even death, and posing a zoonotic risk. The polyparasitism of...
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) nematodes prefer to live in the intestines of wild animals, causing damage and even death, and posing a zoonotic risk. The polyparasitism of GIT nematodes results in the complex dynamics of the nematode communities that occur naturally in wild animals. However, the nematode community in captive wild animals is poorly understood.
METHODS
We combined microscopic examination and amplicon sequencing for community diversity.
RESULTS
We characterized GIT nematode assemblages to one order, one family, four genera, and ten species, in 512 fecal samples of 121 species from captive wild animals in southern China. The positive rate of GIT nematodes was 20.7% (106/512), including 42.3% (11/26) in reptiles, 26.5% (39/147) in herbivores, 25.0% (25/100) in non-human primates, 20.0% (5/25) in omnivores, 12.2% (9/74) in carnivores, and 12.1% (17/140) in avians. The dominant nematodes were Haemonchus contortus in herbivores and Trichuris species in primates. The nematode communities of arboreal primates differed from their terrestrial counterparts, reflecting both host phylogeny and ecological constraints. Soil-transmitted Strongyloides species were widespread throughout the herbivore, primate, avian, and carnivore communities, and tended to infect omnivorous primates and terrestrial herbivores. In addition, new Trichuris and Heterakis species were found in the nematode communities of captive porcupines and peafowls.
CONCLUSION
This study highlights the variation in the composition of the GIT nematode community and strengthens the attention to the harms induced by zoonotic nematodes and co-infective nematodes with low species richness.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Nematoda; Soil; Trichuris; Primates
PubMed: 38419103
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06173-0 -
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Mar 2024The nuclear receptor DAF-12 has been recognized as the key molecular player regulating the life cycle of the nematode parasite . DAF-12 ligands permit the receptor to...
The nuclear receptor DAF-12 has been recognized as the key molecular player regulating the life cycle of the nematode parasite . DAF-12 ligands permit the receptor to function as an on/off switch modulating infection, making it vulnerable to therapeutic intervention. In this study, we report the design and synthesis of a set of novel dafachronic acid derivatives, which were used to outline the first structure-activity relationship targeting the DAF-12 receptor and to unveil hidden properties shared by the molecular shape of steroidal ligands that are relevant to the receptor binding and modulation. Moreover, biological results led to the discovery of sulfonamide as a submicromolar DAF-12 agonist endowed with a high receptor selectivity, no toxicity, and improved properties, as well as to the identification of unprecedented DAF-12 antagonists that can be exploited in the search for novel chemical tools and alternative therapeutic approaches for treating parasitism such as Strongyloidiasis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Strongyloidiasis; Strongyloides stercoralis; Steroids; Life Cycle Stages; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 38417155
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02421 -
Letters in Applied Microbiology Mar 2024Equine farming generates a significant amount of waste, prompting the need for effective management. Composting enhanced by filamentous fungi holds promise for this...
Equine farming generates a significant amount of waste, prompting the need for effective management. Composting enhanced by filamentous fungi holds promise for this purpose. This study focused on inoculating Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in composting horse bedding made with wood shavings (Pinus elliottii). The experiment lasted 90 days, with two treatment groups, control and inoculated, analyzing temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon and nitrogen content, and cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents. Both treatments entered the thermophilic phase by the fourth day, reaching temperatures above 55°C and mesophilic maturation at 35 days (41 ± 0.2°C). The inoculated treatment exhibited higher electrical conductivity after 30 days and a more pronounced reduction in the total carbon content (42.85% vs. 38.29%) compared to the control. While there was no significant nitrogen difference, the inoculated treatment had a sharper reduction in carbon/nitrogen ratio, and cellulose and hemicellulose contents. Both treatments showed low coliform counts, no Salmonella sp., and reduced Strongyloides sp. larvae. Inoculating A. fumigatus in saturated horse bedding made from wood shavings improved compost quality, providing a possibility for sustainable equine farming waste treatment.
Topics: Horses; Animals; Composting; Wood; Aspergillus fumigatus; Soil; Cellulose; Nitrogen; Carbon
PubMed: 38409949
DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovae023 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Feb 2024Chickens raised in backyard free-range systems are confronted with a significant threat of parasitic infections. Among the parasitic agents, protozoa belonging to the...
Chickens raised in backyard free-range systems are confronted with a significant threat of parasitic infections. Among the parasitic agents, protozoa belonging to the genus and helminths, including , spp., , and , stand out as the most prevalent. The sampling protocol included sixteen localities in four counties within the Transylvania region of Romania. Fecal samples were collected from chickens reared in a backyard system. Fecal samples were screened for oocysts (O) and eggs (E) by flotation method, and their number per gram of feces (OPG/EPG) was calculated after counting them by McMaster method. Positive samples for spp. were further analyzed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method to identify the species. A total of 145 flocks were tested and the overall prevalence of infection was 53.1%. The most prevalent infections were with (25.5%), and spp. (24.8%), followed by spp. and strongyles. The mean OPG/EPG values were as follows: 63,577 for spp., 157 for , 362 for spp., and 1671 for eggs. Identified species were (41.7%), (27.8%), (16.7%), (16.7%), OTUy (operational taxonomic unit y) (8.3%), OTUz (operational taxonomic unit z) (8.3%) and (5.6%). Intestinal parasites exhibit a high prevalence among chickens in backyard poultry flocks, and the presence of significant parasite burdens can adversely affect both productive and economic aspects. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study that aimed to analyze the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in chickens raised in a backyard free-range system in Romania, and the first report of OTUy species in Europe.
PubMed: 38396531
DOI: 10.3390/ani14040563 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Feb 2024Current soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control guidelines endorse the use of albendazole or mebendazole for school-based targeted preventive chemotherapy (PC), yet... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Current soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control guidelines endorse the use of albendazole or mebendazole for school-based targeted preventive chemotherapy (PC), yet their reduced efficacy against Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura presents significant limitations. Emerging evidence indicates that community-wide PC [or mass drug administration (MDA)] using ivermectin, commonly used in other neglected tropical disease (NTD) control programs, may play an important role in controlling these parasites. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of ivermectin PC in reducing STH prevalence in endemic populations.
METHODS
We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, and Web of Science on February 14, 2023, for studies that investigated the effectiveness of ivermectin PC, either alone or in combination with other anthelmintic drugs, on STH infections, and provided a measure of STH prevalence before and after PC. We calculated pooled prevalence reductions for each STH using random-effects meta-analyses. Our protocol is available on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42023401219).
RESULTS
A total of 21 were eligible for the systematic review, of which 15 were eligible for meta-analysis. All studies delivered ivermectin through MDA. The pooled prevalence reduction of S. stercoralis following MDA with ivermectin alone was 84.49% (95% CI 54.96-94.66) across five studies and 81.37% (95% CI 61.62-90.96) across seven studies with or without albendazole. The prevalence reduction of T. trichiura was 49.93% (95% CI 18.23-69.34) across five studies with ivermectin alone, and 89.40% (95% CI 73.66-95.73) across three studies with the addition of albendazole. There was high heterogeneity for all syntheses (I > 65%).
CONCLUSIONS
This study underscores the key role of ivermectin-based MDA in addressing limitations in current global STH guidelines in terms of limited efficacy against S. stercoralis and T. trichiura. Based on these findings, revising international STH guidelines to include ivermectin is a promising option to progress the control and eventual elimination of STHs and other NTDs.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ivermectin; Albendazole; Mass Drug Administration; Soil; Helminthiasis; Anthelmintics; Helminths; Prevalence
PubMed: 38369483
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-024-01185-5 -
The Lancet Regional Health. Western... Jan 2024Ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) is effective for controlling onchocerciasis and scabies, with evidence supporting its role in some species of soil-transmitted...
Effectiveness of one and two doses of ivermectin mass drug administration in reducing the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Western Province, Solomon Islands: a cluster-randomised, before-after analysis.
BACKGROUND
Ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) is effective for controlling onchocerciasis and scabies, with evidence supporting its role in some species of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. In the context of RISE, a cluster-randomised trial for scabies, this study evaluated the effectiveness of ivermectin MDA in reducing STH burden in the Western Province of Solomon Islands.
METHODS
Twenty villages were randomised 1:1 to receive ivermectin MDA as one dose (IVM-1) or two doses (IVM-2) for scabies. The effectiveness of one and two doses in reducing STH prevalence and intensity was evaluated before (May 2019) and 21 months after (February 2021) MDA in May 2019. All residents aged 12 months or older in the study villages were eligible to participate and provide stool specimens. Species-specific STH infection and intensity were assessed using quantitative PCR. We compared prevalence and intensity of infection between baseline and 21 months in each intervention arm individually using cluster-level analysis (adjusted for clustering) and individual-level analysis (adjusted for sex, age, and clustering). The primary outcomes were the prevalence risk difference (RD) from the cluster-level analysis, and the change in adjusted odds of infection from the individual-level analysis. Secondary outcomes included change in incident rates of mean eggs per gram (epg) of stool from baseline to 21 months, relative risk difference in prevalence and relative change in odds of infection between arms at 21 months. Sex data (male/female) were self-reported.
FINDINGS
Overall, STH infection was assessed in 830 participants from 18 villages at baseline and 1172 from 20 villages at follow-up. Females represented 58% (n = 478) of the sample at baseline and 59% (n = 690) at follow-up. We observed a reduction in spp. prevalence following two doses of ivermectin MDA in the cluster-level analysis from 7.0% (32/458 participants) to 1.2% (8/674 participants), corresponding to a RD of -0.07 (95% CI -0.14 to -0.01, = 0.036), and in the individual-level analysis (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04-0.33, < 0.001). prevalence decreased following one dose from 19.4% (74/372 participants) to 11.7% (56/505 participants) (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.73, = 0.0040), while egg count reduced in both arms (IVM-1: IRR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11-0.70, = 0.0070; IVM-2: IRR 0.18, 95% CI 0.08-0.40, < 0.001), in the individual-level analysis. We did not detect a significant difference in effect measures between the one- and two-dose arms for any species after 21 months.
INTERPRETATION
Our study highlights the long-term benefits of ivermectin MDA in reducing the burden of spp. and . STH control programs should leverage the geographical overlap of NTDs, existing drug distribution channels, and broad-spectrum agents.
FUNDING
The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
PubMed: 38357395
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100942 -
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades... Feb 2024A 91-year-old man was admitted with vomiting and abdominal pain. He had had COVID-19 pneumonia a month before and the treatment had consisted of remdesivir,...
A 91-year-old man was admitted with vomiting and abdominal pain. He had had COVID-19 pneumonia a month before and the treatment had consisted of remdesivir, dexamethasone and baricitinib. CT scans showed pneumatosis intestinalis. His respiratory condition rapidly deteriorated and chest CT scans showed ground-glass opacity and Strongyloides stercoralis was identified in the sputum, making a diagnosis of hyperinfection syndrome associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. Treatment of ivermectin was not achieved in time and he died of multiple organ failure. S. stercoralis is a soil-transmitted helminth endemic to tropical and subtropical areas. Immunosuppressive conditions can cause hyperinfection syndrome and life-threatening conditions. Our case highlights the importance of assessing for untreated chronic strongyloidiasis in COVID-19 patients requiring steroid treatment in endemic areas.
PubMed: 38345486
DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10292/2024 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jan 2024The burden of gastrointestinal parasites in zoo animals has serious implications for their welfare and the health of veterinarians and visitors. Zhuyuwan Zoo is located...
The burden of gastrointestinal parasites in zoo animals has serious implications for their welfare and the health of veterinarians and visitors. Zhuyuwan Zoo is located in the eastern suburb of Yangzhou city in eastern China, in which over 40 species of zoo animals are kept. In order to understand the infection status of GI parasites in Zhuyuwan Zoo, a total of 104 fresh fecal samples collected randomly from birds ( = 19), primates ( = 19), and non-primate mammals ( = 66) were analyzed using the saturated saline flotation technique and nylon sifter elutriation and sieving method for eggs/oocysts, respectively. Two species were molecularly characterized. The results showed that the overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 42.3% (44/104). The parasitic infection rate in birds, primates, and non-primate mammals were 26.3% (5/19), 31.6% (6/19), and 50.0% (33/66), respectively. A total of 11 species of parasites were identified, namely, Trichostrongylidae, sp., spp., spp., sp., , , , spp., spp., and spp. spp. eggs were first detected from the captive Père David's deer, and spp. eggs were first reported from sika deer in zoo in China. A sequence analysis of ITS-2 and 1 showed that the eggs isolated from the African lion ( Linnaeus, 1758) were , and the eggs from the brown bear ( Linnaeus, 1758) were . The public health threat posed by these potential zoonotic parasitic agents requires attention. These results lay a theoretical foundation for prevention and control of wild animal parasitic diseases at zoos in China.
PubMed: 38338018
DOI: 10.3390/ani14030375 -
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