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International Journal For Parasitology.... Aug 2023Ancylostoma caninum is the most common and important gastrointestinal nematode of dogs in the United States. Despite recent reports of A. caninum isolates resistant to...
Ancylostoma caninum is the most common and important gastrointestinal nematode of dogs in the United States. Despite recent reports of A. caninum isolates resistant to all classes of anthelmintics, little is known about the frequency and extent of this anthelmintic resistance. The study aim was to evaluate the efficacy of three commercial anthelmintic products in the treatment of foxhound dogs with a history of persistent A. caninum infections. In the first phase of this study, 35 foxhounds were randomly divided into three treatment groups: moxidectin/imidacloprid (MI), pyrantel pamoate/febantel/praziquantel (PFP), and emodepside/praziquantel (EP). Fecal samples were collected on day 0, 11, and 33 post-treatment (PT), and hookworm eggs were quantified using the mini-FLOTAC technique with a multiplication factor of 5 eggs per gram (EPG). The fecal egg count reduction (FECR) on day 11 PT was 65% (95% CI: 62%-68%) for MI, 69% (95% CI: 66%-72%) for PFP, and 96% (95% CI: 94%-97%) for EP. On day 33 PT, the FEC in the MI and PFP groups returned to almost the same values as on day 0, while in the EP group, the FEC remained low. Since MI and PFP proved ineffective, 32 animals were randomly divided into two groups in the second phase. They were treated either with a combination of MI/PFP or EP. The FECR at day 13 PT for the combination MI/PFP was 89% (95% CI: 87%-91%) and 99% (95% CI: 98%-99%) for EP. These results suggest that this A. caninum population is resistant to multiple anthelmintics. Although the combination of MI/PFP improved the anthelmintic efficacy, the FECR remained below 90%. Future studies are indicated to evaluate further the epidemiology of persistent hookworm infections in dogs in the US and to identify more effective treatment protocols as they pose a significant health risk to canine and human health.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Ancylostoma; Ancylostomatoidea; Anthelmintics; Dog Diseases; Feces; Hookworm Infections; Nematoda; Parasite Egg Count; Praziquantel
PubMed: 37481894
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.07.001 -
American Journal of Veterinary Research Sep 2023To describe dogs with detected Ancylostoma caninum anthelmintic treatment resistance markers in Canada.
OBJECTIVE
To describe dogs with detected Ancylostoma caninum anthelmintic treatment resistance markers in Canada.
ANIMALS
11 client-owned dogs with fecal quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay detected A caninum with benzimidazole (BZ) resistance genotypic markers.
METHODS
Signalment, presenting concern, duration of clinical signs, fecal testing, treatment, and outcomes were obtained. Where available, follow-up data were collected via telephone or email with the primary veterinarian.
RESULTS
Ancylostoma spp was detected from 184/32,205 dog fecal samples by reference laboratory qPCR surveillance, between May 15, 2022, and April 26, 2023. 11 of these 184 samples had A caninum with genetic BZ F167Y resistance marker detection. 4 dogs had not traveled outside Canada, 6 had been imported from the US, and the travel history was unclear in 1 dog. 7 of the dogs had gastro-intestinal signs (diarrhea or soft stool) on initial presentation. Clinical improvement was reported in 6 of these dogs (resolution of diarrhea and soft stool), with 1 dog lost to follow-up. All 11 dogs received anthelmintic treatment (varied drugs and duration).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Identification of genetic markers of BZ resistance raises concerns about the potential animal and human impacts of resistant hookworms. 4 dogs lacked an origin from or travel history to the US, indicating true emergence and/or novel spread within Canada, not just importation from an area where resistance has been reported. Fecal surveillance was performed with a qPCR test incorporating treatment (BZ) resistance markers. There is a need to raise clinician awareness around treatment-resistant hookworm in dogs and the capability of fecal surveillance for genotypic and phenotypic resistance.
PubMed: 37442544
DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.23.05.0116 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Jun 2023Laboratory workers are exposed to the risk of acquiring infections due to the manipulation of infectious materials. The biological hazard for researchers is seven times... (Review)
Review
Laboratory workers are exposed to the risk of acquiring infections due to the manipulation of infectious materials. The biological hazard for researchers is seven times higher when compared with hospital and public health laboratory workers. Despite the implementation of standardized practices to control infections, multiple cases of Laboratory Associated Infections (LAIs) usually go unreported. There has been a lack of comprehensive epidemiological data regarding the situation of LAIs for parasitic zoonosis and besides, the available sources are not completely updated. Since most accounts of laboratory infections are organism-specific, this study has focused on common pathogenic/zoonotic species handled at parasitological laboratories and summarising the standard biosecurity protocols for the infectious agents. The main characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba spp, Giardia duodenalis, Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania spp., Echinococcus spp., Schistosoma spp., Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Strongyloides stercoralis are considered in this review in order to assess the potential risk of developing occupational infections in the workplace along with stating prevention and prophylactic measures for each species. It was concluded that the LAIs from these agents can be prevented by using personal protective measures and good laboratory practices. However, further studies are necessary to better understand the environmental resistance of cysts, oocysts and eggs, with a view to select the most suitable disinfection methods. Furthermore, it is fundamental to constantly update epidemiological data of infection acquired by laboratory workers, to develop accurate risk indicators.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Cryptosporidiosis; Biosecurity; Laboratories; Cryptosporidium; Parasites; Zoonoses; Parasitic Diseases; Feces; Giardiasis
PubMed: 37406067
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.9428 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jul 2023Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) can cause illness, morbidity, and occasional mortality in children. Agro-pastoralist and pastoralist children in the Somali...
Prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among children in pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities in the Adadle woreda of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) can cause illness, morbidity, and occasional mortality in children. Agro-pastoralist and pastoralist children in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia (ESRS) are especially at risk for IPIs, as access to safe water, sanitation, and health services is lacking. Minimal data on the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors exists in this region.
METHODOLOGY
We assessed the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors during the wet season from May-June 2021 in 366 children aged 2 to 5 years in four agro-pastoralist and four pastoralist kebeles (wards) in Adadle woreda (district) of the Shebelle zone, ESRS. Household information, anthropometric measurements, and stool samples were obtained from included children. Parasites were identified microscopically using Kato-Katz and direct smear methods. Risk factors were assessed using general estimating equation models accounting for clustering.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Overall prevalence of IPIs was 35%: 30.6% for single infections and 4.4% for poly-parasitic infections. Intestinal protozoan prevalence was 24.9%: 21.9% Giardia intestinalis, and 3.0% Entamoeba spp.. Intestinal helminth prevalence was 14.5%: 12.8% Ascaris lumbricoides, 1.4% hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale /Necator americanus.), and 0.3% Hymenolepis nana. G. intestinalis infection was associated with drinking water sourced from the river (aOR 15.6, 95%CI 6.84, 35.4) and from collected rainwater (aOR 9.48, 95%CI 3.39, 26.5), with toilet sharing (aOR 2.93, 95%CI 1.36, 6.31) and with household ownership of cattle (1-5 cattle: aOR 1.65, 95%CI 1.13, 2.41; 6+ cattle: aOR 2.07, 95%CI 1.33, 3.21) and chickens (aOR 3.80, 95%CI 1.77, 8.17). A. lumbricoides infection was associated with children 36 to 47 months old (aOR 1.92, 95%CI 1.03, 3.58).
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services in Adadle and employing a One Health approach would likely improve the health of children living in (agro-) pastoralist communities in Adadle and the ESRS; however, further studies are required.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Prevalence; Ethiopia; Somalia; Chickens; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Risk Factors; Feces
PubMed: 37399193
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011448 -
Archives of Razi Institute Apr 2023ancylostomatid spp. is the common parasitic intestinal nematode of reptiles. West-Asian blunt-nosed viper is a venomous snake found in extensive areas of Iran. From...
ancylostomatid spp. is the common parasitic intestinal nematode of reptiles. West-Asian blunt-nosed viper is a venomous snake found in extensive areas of Iran. From June to September 2017, two dead viper snakes were referred to a parasitology laboratory and examined for intestinal parasites. Several white elongated roundworms were collected and fixed to identify under light and scanning electron microscopes (SEM) based on morphological and molecular characteristics. For the molecular survey, some parts of the identified worms were extracted and the ITS of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Five roundworms were found in one snake and three worms with similar morphological characteristics in another one. All the collected female hookworms were taxonomically identified as . The SEM findings showed the head was small and had three dorsal, ventral, and middle circumoral papillae with a spike-like process on the median papilla of . Moreover, the buccal capsule was bivalvular and included two lateral valves consisting of several chitonid pieces. The tail of the female worm was slim and long with a blunt end and had a terminal spike at its end. In the molecular survey, the ITS of rDNA amplified at about 850 bp was identified as . The ITS gene rDNA phylogeny analysis of the sequence showed that the isolated species had high similarity to species from around the world and is close to with 88% discrepancies in the phylogenetic tree. The morphological characteristics and a large part of rDNA nucleotide sequence were reported in viper snakes for the first time in the world and in Iran.
Topics: Animals; Viperidae; Phylogeny; Iran; Ancylostomatoidea; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic
PubMed: 37396723
DOI: 10.22092/ARI.2022.359446.2418 -
Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical... Jun 2023Helminth/tuberculosis (TB)-coinfection can reduce cell-mediated immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and increase disease severity, although the effects are...
No impact of helminth coinfection in patients with smear positive tuberculosis on immunoglobulin levels using a novel method measuring Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antibodies.
Helminth/tuberculosis (TB)-coinfection can reduce cell-mediated immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and increase disease severity, although the effects are highly helminth species dependent. Mtb have long been ranked as the number one single infectious agent claiming the most lives. The only licensed vaccine for TB (BCG) offers highly variable protection against TB, and almost no protection against transmission of Mtb. In recent few years the identification of naturally occurring antibodies in humans that are protective during Mtb infection has reignited the interest in adaptive humoral immunity against TB and its possible implementation in novel TB vaccine design. The effects of helminth/TB coinfection on the humoral response against Mtb during active pulmonary TB are however still unclear, and specifically the effect by globally prevalent helminth species such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Ancylostoma duodenale, Trichuris trichiura. Plasma samples from smear positive TB patients were used to measure both total and Mtb-specific antibody responses in a Peruvian endemic setting where these helminths are dominating. Mtb-specific antibodies were detected by a novel approach coating ELISA-plates with a Mtb cell-membrane fraction (CDC1551) that contains a broad range of Mtb surface proteins. Compared to controls without helminths or TB, helminth/TB coinfected patients had high levels of Mtb-specific IgG (including an IgG1 and IgG2 subclass response) and IgM, which were similarly increased in TB patients without helminth infection. These data, indicate that helminth/TB coinfected have a sustained humoral response against Mtb at the level of active TB only. More studies on the species-specific impact of helminths on the adaptive humoral response against Mtb using a larger sample size, and in relation to TB disease severity, are needed.
PubMed: 37386541
DOI: 10.1186/s13223-023-00808-0 -
Veterinary Medicine International 2023Dogs are popular pets around the world and have always had a very close relationship with humans. Zoonotic gastrointestinal helminth parasites are a great threat to both...
Dogs are popular pets around the world and have always had a very close relationship with humans. Zoonotic gastrointestinal helminth parasites are a great threat to both stray and pet dogs. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths in dogs. 400 samples were collected, including 200 from pet dogs and 200 from stray dogs. The samples from pet dogs were collected from the ground immediately after voiding with the help of the owner, whereas stray dogs were caught by using a dog catcher, and the samples were collected directly from the rectum by using a gloved index finger. All collected samples were examined under a microscope using sedimentation and flotation techniques. The overall prevalence of infection was found to be 59.50%, with a significantly higher prevalence in stray dogs (70%) than that in pet dogs (49%). spp., spp., spp., spp., , and spp. were six different species found in the current study. The study showed the highest prevalence of spp. (49.16%) and the least prevalence of spp. (0.84%). In the age-wise study, puppies had a significantly high infection rate (86.96%). Similarly, we recorded a significantly higher prevalence of intestinal helminths among nondewormed pet dogs (78.65%) than among dewormed pet dogs (25.23%). This study highlights the severe environmental contamination shed by dogs, causing a higher risk of zoonotic transmission. It indicates the urgent need to manage these parasites in dogs and educate the public on how to care for their pets and the parasites they shed.
PubMed: 37287959
DOI: 10.1155/2023/3624593 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Aug 2023Reports of anthelmintic resistance in Ancylostoma caninum are increasing in frequency in the United States of America (USA). In the last few years in vitro and in vivo... (Review)
Review
Reports of anthelmintic resistance in Ancylostoma caninum are increasing in frequency in the United States of America (USA). In the last few years in vitro and in vivo studies characterized individual isolates, demonstrating multiple anthelmintic drug resistance (MADR). In 2021, the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists initiated a hookworm task force to address this issue. The first report of drug resistant A. caninum occurred in 1987 in Australian racing Greyhounds. In the last five years multiple case reports and investigations show drug resistant A. caninum is becoming a much greater problem in the USA and now extends beyond racing Greyhounds into the general companion animal dog population. The literature, regarding drug resistance in livestock and equine nematodes, provides helpful guidance along with diagnostic methods to better understand the evolution and selection of canine MADR hookworms; however, there are limitations and caveats due to A. caninum's unique biology and zoonotic potential. Mass drug administration (MDA) of anthelminthic drugs to humans to reduce morbidity associated with human hookworms (Necator americanus) should consider the factors that contributed to the development of MADR A. caninum. Finally, as Greyhound racing undergoes termination in some regions and the retired dogs undergo subsequent rehoming, drug resistant parasites, if present, are carried with them. Drug resistant A. caninum requires greater recognition by the veterinary community, and small animal practitioners need to be aware of the spread into current pet dog populations. The current understanding of anthelmintic resistance, available treatments, and environmental mitigation for these drug resistant A. caninum isolates must be monitored for horizontal spread. A major goal in this emerging problem is to prevent continued dissemination.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Horses; Humans; Ancylostoma; Ancylostomiasis; Dog Diseases; Australia; Anthelmintics; Ancylostomatoidea
PubMed: 37229949
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.04.003