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Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Dec 2023Diagnosis of canine parasites with zoonotic potential such as Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum under field conditions is usually difficult due to limited access to...
Diagnosis of canine parasites with zoonotic potential such as Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum under field conditions is usually difficult due to limited access to a laboratory in rural and suburban areas in Mexico. This study aimed to detect T. canis and Ancylostoma spp. in fecal samples collected from dogs in Mexico from 2017 to 2021 under field conditions. Sample size calculation resulted in a target enrollment of 534 dogs across the country. Samples were collected directly from the rectum or the ground after defecation. Samples were stored in individual, tightly sealed, plastic bags at 4 °C. A saturated solution of sodium chloride (specific gravity [SpG] 1.20) was prepared both under field and laboratory conditions. Within 3 days of collection, 2-4 g of feces were tested for parasites using a flotation method by suspending each fecal sample in a saline solution. Feces were mixed with the flotation solution and crushed using a metal spoon. Once a uniform consistency was achieved, the fecal sample was poured into a new plastic cup using a sieve and allowed to sit for 10-15 min. Three drops from the top of the mixture were collected using a sterilized inoculating loop. The slides were placed on the microscope and parasites were identified by trained parasitologists. Fecal samples from 1,055 dogs were screened microscopically. The number of positive samples for Ancylostoma spp. was 833 (78.95% frequency) and 222 (21.04%) for T. canis. These findings illustrate the importance of identifying zoonotic helminths in dogs living in urban and rural areas in Mexico using a coproparasitoscopic technique in the laboratory and under field conditions.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Dog Diseases; Toxocara canis; Parasites; Ancylostoma; Feces
PubMed: 38163274
DOI: 10.3791/66110 -
Heliyon Dec 2023Rapid diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis caused by requires an accurate and timely assay, especially for low-intensity infection cases and in non-endemic areas....
Rapid diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis caused by requires an accurate and timely assay, especially for low-intensity infection cases and in non-endemic areas. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (cox1) gene fragment of was selected as detection target as this short fragment, which can be rapidly sequenced and yet possess good diagnostic resolution. A pair of primers and a fluorescent probe were designed according to the principle of recombinase-aided amplification (RAA), which was subsequently optimized and applied as an -specific RAA assay. Its diagnostic performance was validated for sensitivity and specificity in comparison to microscopy-based egg counting after urine filtration. The RAA assay could detect as little as 10 copies/μL of recombinant plasmid, and no cross-reactions were observed with , , , or . This test can be conducted at 39 °C and the whole RAA reaction can be completed within 20 min. The validation of the RAA assay showed that it had 100 % consistency with urine-egg microscopy, as it does not require an elaborate reading tool, is simple to use, and should be useful for field diagnostics and point-of-care applications.
PubMed: 38144328
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23031 -
International Maritime Health 2023Dermatological disorders are among the most common complaints of patients seeking medical assistance after returning from trips to tropical countries. Among exotic...
Dermatological disorders are among the most common complaints of patients seeking medical assistance after returning from trips to tropical countries. Among exotic dermatoses, one of the frequently encountered diagnoses is Cutaneous Larva Migrans (CLM), primarily caused by the nematodes Ancylostoma braziliense and A. caninum. Cats and dogs, which serve as the definitive hosts for these nematodes, excrete with their stool parasite eggs into the environment, where they transform into larvae. Human infection occurs through the invasive form of the larvae, which penetrate the skin, causing itching and the characteristic serpiginous, slightly raised, and enlarging lesion at the site of invasion. Diagnosis is made based on the highly characteristic clinical presentation, although in non-endemic countries, diagnostic errors and delays in initiating effective causal treatment are relatively common. Effective therapy includes oral albendazole and ivermectin. Prevention of CLM involves avoiding skin contact with potentially contaminated soil by wearing shoes and using towels and mats on the beach. Due to the high interest in travel and the risk of importing exotic diseases, it is important to promote knowledge of tropical medicine among healthcare professionals as well as the travellers.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cats; Dogs; Larva Migrans; Ivermectin; Albendazole; Travel; Feces
PubMed: 38111246
DOI: 10.5603/imh.98098 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023
PubMed: 38094501
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1297962 -
Zoonoses and Public Health May 2024This study aimed to characterize feline hookworms from stray cats living in Bangkok.
AIMS
This study aimed to characterize feline hookworms from stray cats living in Bangkok.
METHODS AND RESULTS
A total of 56 hookworm-positive faecal samples were identified for hookworm species by using PCR targeting the ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 fragment and qPCR targeting ITS2. Of 56 samples, 96.4% (54/56) were identified as Ancylostoma ceylanicum and 1.8% (1/56) as Ancylostoma caninum. With qPCR, 89.3% (50/56) were identified as single A. ceylanicum infection and 5.4% (3/56) as coinfection of A. ceylanicum and A. caninum. For genetic characterization of A. ceylanicum, 10 samples were pooled, and the partial COI gene was amplified, followed by deep amplicon sequencing. Five pooled samples were analysed, and 99.73% were identified with A. ceylanicum sequences, which were allocated into 19 haplotypes (AC01-AC19). Genetic diversity findings for A. ceylanicum in Asia revealed that three of eight haplotypes considered of zoonotic significance occurred in humans, dogs, and cats, including haplotypes H01, H20, and H21. The predominant haplotype in this study, AC01, was clustered with H01-a zoonotic haplotype.
CONCLUSIONS
The diversity obtained by deep amplicon sequencing supported that the A. ceylanicum community had high genetic variation. Deep amplicon sequencing was a useful method to determine source, zoonotic potential, and host-parasite relationship.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cats; Dogs; Ancylostoma; Zoonoses; Thailand; Ancylostomatoidea; Feces; Genetic Variation; Dog Diseases; Cat Diseases
PubMed: 38053474
DOI: 10.1111/zph.13102 -
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational... 2023(CLM) is a dermatosis caused by accidental infestation with animal hookworms and is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Humans become infected when...
(CLM) is a dermatosis caused by accidental infestation with animal hookworms and is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Humans become infected when their skin comes into contact with soil contaminated with dog faeces. The filariform larvae penetrate and burrow into human skin, causing a condition known as "creeping eruption". We describe a case, well-documented by photos, of CLM infection in a family of three who returned from Thailand.
PubMed: 38021420
DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S425885 -
Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia... 2023The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of endoparasites in domestic cats (Felis catus) in the city of Sousa, state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. A total...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of endoparasites in domestic cats (Felis catus) in the city of Sousa, state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. A total of 207 samples of fresh feces were randomly collected from domestic and semi-domiciled cats. The samples were analyzed by simple centrifugation and centrifuge-flotation in sucrose solution for the diagnosis of helminth eggs and enteric protozoan oocysts and cysts. Epidemiological information was obtained to determine risk factors related to infections. Among the samples collected, 81.6% (169/207; 95% CI: 77.4-83.8) were positive for at least one parasite genus. Ancylostoma spp. was the most prevalent, at 67.1% (139/207), followed by Taenia spp. at 28.5% (59/207), and Spirometra spp. and Platynosomum sp., both at 17.3% (36/207). The variables associated with helminth infection were a historic lack of deworming (Odds ratio = 12.25) and the presence of dry fur (Odds ratio = 2.15). No risk factors were observed for enteric protozoa infection. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of endoparasites in domestic cats in the city of Sousa, state of Paraíba, and associated risk factors, thus establishing an overview of the main helminths and protozoa that affect cats in this region.
Topics: Cats; Animals; Brazil; Parasites; Helminths; Feces; Dolphins; Cat Diseases; Prevalence
PubMed: 38018630
DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612023065 -
Parasitology Jan 2024Hookworm infection affects millions globally, leading to chronic conditions like malnutrition and anaemia. Among the hookworm species, stands out as a generalist,...
Hookworm infection affects millions globally, leading to chronic conditions like malnutrition and anaemia. Among the hookworm species, stands out as a generalist, capable of infecting various hosts, including humans, cats, dogs and hamsters. Surprisingly, it cannot establish in mice, despite their close phylogenetic relationship to hamsters. The present study investigated the development of in immunodeficient NSG mice to determine the contribution of the immune system to host restriction. The infections became patent on day 19 post-infection (PI) and exhibited elevated egg production which lasted for at least 160 days PI. Infective larvae reared from eggs released by infected NSG mice were infectious to hamsters and capable of reproduction, indicating that the adults in the NSG mice were producing viable offspring. In contrast, showed limited development in outbred Swiss Webster mice. Furthermore, the closely related canine hookworm was unable to infect and develop in NSG mice, indicating that different mechanisms may determine host specificity even in closely related species. This is the first report of any hookworm species completing its life cycle in a mouse and implicate the immune system in determining host specificity in .
Topics: Humans; Cricetinae; Adult; Animals; Dogs; Mice; Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Phylogeny; Hookworm Infections; Host Specificity
PubMed: 38018393
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182023001208 -
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic... Jan 2024The Vetscan Imagyst system (Zoetis) is a novel, artificial intelligence-driven detection tool that can assist veterinarians in the identification of enteric parasites in...
The Vetscan Imagyst system (Zoetis) is a novel, artificial intelligence-driven detection tool that can assist veterinarians in the identification of enteric parasites in dogs and cats. This system consists of a sample preparation device, an automated digital microscope scanner, and a deep-learning algorithm. The EasyScan One scanner (Motic) has had good diagnostic performance compared with manual examinations by experts; however, there are drawbacks when used in veterinary practices in which space for equipment is often limited. To improve the usability of this system, we evaluated an additional scanner, the Ocus 40 (Grundium). Our objectives were to 1) qualitatively evaluate the performance of the Vetscan Imagyst system with the Ocus 40 scanner for identifying , , and eggs, oocysts, and cysts in canine and feline fecal samples, and 2) expand the assessment of the performance of the Vetscan Imagyst system paired with either the Ocus 40 or EasyScan One scanner to include a larger dataset of 2,191 fecal samples obtained from 4 geographic regions of the United States. When tested with 852 canine and feline fecal samples collected from different geographic regions, the performance of the Vetscan Imagyst system combined with the Ocus 40 scanner was correlated closely with manual evaluations by experts. Sensitivities were 80.0‒97.0% and specificities were 93.7‒100.0% across the targeted parasites. When tested with 1,339 fecal samples, the Vetscan Imagyst system paired with the EasyScan One scanner successfully identified the targeted parasite stages; sensitivities were 73.6‒96.4% and specificities were 79.7‒100.0%.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Dogs; Parasites; Cat Diseases; Artificial Intelligence; Dog Diseases; Prevalence; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Feces
PubMed: 38014739
DOI: 10.1177/10406387231216185 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Jan 2024Skin-penetrating nematodes, including the human threadworm and hookworms in the genera and , are gastrointestinal parasites that are a major cause of neglected... (Review)
Review
Skin-penetrating nematodes, including the human threadworm and hookworms in the genera and , are gastrointestinal parasites that are a major cause of neglected tropical disease in low-resource settings worldwide. These parasites infect hosts as soil-dwelling infective larvae that navigate towards hosts using host-emitted sensory cues such as odorants and body heat. Upon host contact, they invade the host by penetrating through the skin. The process of skin penetration is critical for successful parasitism but remains poorly understood and understudied. Here, we review current knowledge of skin-penetration behaviour and its underlying mechanisms in the human parasite , the closely related rat parasite and other skin-penetrating nematodes such as hookworms. We also highlight important directions for future investigations into this underexplored process and discuss how recent advances in molecular genetic and genomic tools for species will enable mechanistic investigations of skin penetration and other essential parasitic behaviours in future studies. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ': omics to worm-free populations'.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Rats; Nematoda; Strongyloides stercoralis; Parasites; Larva; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic
PubMed: 38008119
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0434