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Parasites & Vectors Oct 2020Species of the Tabanidae are potent vectors of human and animal diseases, but they have not been thoroughly investigated to date. In Senegal (West Africa), little...
BACKGROUND
Species of the Tabanidae are potent vectors of human and animal diseases, but they have not been thoroughly investigated to date. In Senegal (West Africa), little information is available on these dipterans. Our objective in this study was to investigate Senegalese tabanids and their diversity by using molecular and proteomics approaches, as well as their associated pathogens.
METHODS
A total of 171 female tabanids were collected, including 143 from Casamance and 28 from Niokolo-Koba. The samples were identified morphologically by PCR sequencing and by MALDI-TOF MS, and PCR analysis was employed for pathogen detection and blood-meal characterization.
RESULTS
The morphological identification revealed four species concordantly with the molecular identification: Atylotus fuscipes (79.5%), Tabanus guineensis (16.4%), Chrysops distinctipennis (3.5%) and Tabanus taeniola (0.6%) (not identified by PCR). The molecular investigation of pathogens revealed the presence of Trypanosoma theileri (6.6%), Leishmania donovani (6.6%), Setaria digitata (1.5%), Rickettsia spp. (5.1%) and Anaplasmataceae bacteria (0.7%) in A. fuscipes. Tabanus guineensis was positive for L. donovani (35.7%), S. digitata (3.6%) and Anaplasmataceae (17.8%). Leishmania donovani has been detected in 50% of C. distinctipennis specimens and the only T. taeniola specimen. No Piroplasmida, Mansonella spp. or Coxeilla burnetii DNA was detected. In addition to humans (96.43%), Chlorocebus sabeus, a non-human primate, has been identified as a host of (3.57%) analysed tabanids. MALDI-TOF MS enabled us to correctly identify all tabanid species that had good quality spectra and to create a database for future identification.
CONCLUSIONS
Tabanids in Senegal could be vectors of several pathogens threatening animal and public health. To fully characterize these dipterans, it is therefore necessary that researchers in entomology and infectiology employ molecular characterization and mass spectrometric techniques such as MALDI-TOF MS to analyse these dipterans in Senegal and West Africa.
Topics: Anaplasmataceae; Animals; Diptera; Female; Insect Vectors; Leishmania; Senegal; Setaria Nematode; Trypanosoma
PubMed: 33004069
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04375-w -
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 -
Microbiology Resource Announcements Jul 2020The 13,647-bp complete mitochondrial genome of was sequenced and is syntenic to the mitochondrial genome of Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial genome is...
The 13,647-bp complete mitochondrial genome of was sequenced and is syntenic to the mitochondrial genome of Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial genome is consistent with the known phylogeny of ONC5 group filarial nematodes.
PubMed: 32703831
DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00490-20 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Jul 2020Mansonella perstans infection can be considered one of the most neglected tropical infectious diseases. Very few studies have reported on the clinical picture caused by... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Mansonella perstans infection can be considered one of the most neglected tropical infectious diseases. Very few studies have reported on the clinical picture caused by infection with this nematode. Therefore, our study was aimed to describe the clinical patterns and treatment of imported M. perstans infection by migrants from Africa.
METHODS
The present study evaluated a large cohort of migrants who have been diagnosed, examined and treated for imported M. perstans infection at a Spanish reference center (Hospital Carlos III Tropical Medicine Unit, Madrid, Spain) over a 19-year period. Most patients voluntarily attend the emergency unit or are referred from primary care or general hospitals in Madrid. Chi-square test was used to compare the association between categorical variables. The continuous variables were compared by Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney test. The corresponding regression models were used for multivariate analysis.
RESULTS
Five hundred three cases of migrants from tropical and subtropical areas with M. perstans infection were identified. Two hundred sixty-four patients were female (52.5%). The mean age (± SD) was 44.6 ± 18.2 years (range: 16-93 years). The mean time (± SD) between the arrival in Spain and the first consultation was 8.6 ± 18.0 months. The major origin of the patients was Equatorial Guinea (97.6%). Regarding the clinical picture, 257 patients were asymptomatic (54.7%) and 228 were symptomatic (45.3%); 190 patients had pruritus (37.8%), 50 (9.9%) had arthralgia, 18 patients had Calabar-like swelling (3.6%), and 15 (3%) had abdominal pain. Four hundred forty-two (87.9%) migrants had hyper-IgE, and 340 (67.6%) had eosinophilia. One hundred ninety-five patients had coinfections with other filarial nematodes (38.8%), and 308 migrants had only M. perstans infection (61.2%). Four hundred thirty-seven cases (86.9%) had been treated with anti-filarial drugs; 292 cases were treated with one anti-filarial drug, and 145 cases were treated with combined anti-filarial therapy. Additionally, 20 (4%) cases received steroids and 38 (7.6%) cases received antihistamines.
CONCLUSIONS
A long series of M. perstans infections is presented in sub-Saharan immigrants whose data indicate that it should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients with pruritus or analytical alterations such as eosinophilia or hyper-IgE presentation, and they also have a high number of coinfections with other microorganisms whose treatment needs to be protocolized.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Africa; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Communicable Diseases, Imported; Female; Humans; Male; Mansonella; Mansonelliasis; Middle Aged; Spain; Transients and Migrants; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 32703283
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-020-00729-9 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2020Different protozoa and metazoa have been detected in great apes, monkeys and humans with possible interspecies exchanges. Some are either nonpathogenic or their...
Different protozoa and metazoa have been detected in great apes, monkeys and humans with possible interspecies exchanges. Some are either nonpathogenic or their detrimental effects on the host are not yet known. Others lead to serious diseases that can even be fatal. Their survey remains of great importance for public health and animal conservation. Fecal samples from gorillas () and humans living in same area in the Republic of Congo, chimpanzees () from Senegal and one other from the Republic of Congo, Guinea baboons ( from Senegal, hamadryas baboons () from Djibouti and Barbary macaques ) from Algeria, were collected. DNA was extracted and screened using specific qPCR assays for the presence of a large number of helminths and protozoa. Positive samples were then amplified in standard PCRs and sequenced when possible. Overall, infection rate was 36.5% in all non-human primates (NHPs) and 31.6% in humans. Great apes were more often infected (63.6%) than monkeys (7.3%). At least twelve parasite species, including ten nematodes and two protozoa were discovered in NHPs and five species, including four nematodes and a protozoan in humans. The prevalences of , were similar between gorillas and human community co-habiting the same forest ecosystem in the Republic of Congo. In addition, human specific (5.1%) and other spp. (5.1%) detected in these gorillas suggest a possible cross-species exchange. Low prevalence (2%) of were observed in chimpanzees, as well as a high prevalence of (57.1%), which should be considered carefully as this parasite can affect other NHPs, animals and humans. The Barbary macaques were less infected (7.2%) and was the main parasite detected (5.8%). Finally, we report the presence of sp. and an environmental Nematoda DNAs in chimpanzee feces, sp. and sp. in gorillas, as well as DNA of uncharacterized Nematoda in apes and humans, but with a relatively lower prevalence in humans. Prevalence of extraintestinal parasites remains underestimated since feces are not the suitable sampling methods. Using non-invasive sampling (feces) we provide important information on helminths and protozoa that can infect African NHPs and human communities living around them. Public health and animal conservation authorities need to be aware of these infections, as parasites detected in African NHPs could affect both human and other animals' health.
PubMed: 32664573
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070561 -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2020The Onchocercidae is a family of filarial nematodes with several species of medical or veterinary importance. Microfilariae are found in the blood and/or the dermis and...
BACKGROUND
The Onchocercidae is a family of filarial nematodes with several species of medical or veterinary importance. Microfilariae are found in the blood and/or the dermis and are usually diagnosed in humans by microscopy examination of a blood sample or skin biopsy. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate whether filariae DNA can be detected in faecal samples of wild non-human primates (NHPs), whether the detected parasites were closely related to those infecting humans and whether filarial DNA detection in faeces is associated with co-infections with nematodes (Oesophagostumum sp. and Necator sp.) known to cause blood loss while feeding on the host intestinal mucosa.
METHODS
A total of 315 faecal samples from 6 species of NHPs from Cameroon and Gabon were analysed. PCRs targeted DNA fragments of cox1 and 12S rDNA genes, to detect the presence of filariae, and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), to detect the presence of Oesophagostomum sp. and Necator sp. infections.
RESULTS
Among the 315 samples analysed, 121 produced sequences with > 90% homology with Onchocercidae reference sequences. However, 63% of the 12S rDNA and 78% of the cox1 gene sequences were exploitable for phylogenetic analyses and the amplification of the 12S rDNA gene showed less discriminating power than the amplification of the cox1 fragment. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the cox1 sequences obtained from five chimpanzee DNA faecal samples from Gabon and two from Cameroon cluster together with Mansonella perstans with high bootstrap support. Most of the remaining sequences clustered together within the genus Mansonella, but the species could not be resolved. Among the NHP species investigated, a significant association between filarial DNA detection and Oesophagostomum sp. and Necator sp. infection was observed only in gorillas.
CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting DNA from Mansonella spp. in faecal samples. Our results raise questions about the diversity and abundance of these parasites in wildlife, their role as sylvatic reservoirs and their potential for zoonotic transmission. Future studies should focus on detecting variants circulating in both human and NHPs, and improve the molecular information to resolve or support taxonomy classification based on morphological descriptions.
Topics: Animals; Cameroon; Cyclooxygenase 1; DNA, Helminth; Dried Blood Spot Testing; Feces; Gabon; Genotype; Mansonella; Mansonelliasis; Necator; Oesophagostomum; Phylogeny; Primates
PubMed: 32546281
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04184-1 -
Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical... Apr 2020Microfilaria are not parasites native to the continental United States. On a routine peripheral blood smear examination from an emergency room patient, a microfilaria...
Microfilaria are not parasites native to the continental United States. On a routine peripheral blood smear examination from an emergency room patient, a microfilaria was identified. The patient was a native African currently living in Texas. With the ability of worldwide travel and the presence of immigrant populations, unusual and/or unexpected findings might be anticipated.
PubMed: 32313484
DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2020.1717274 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Apr 2020We recently developed a superhydrophobic cone-based method for the collection of mosquito excreta/feces (E/F) for the molecular xenomonitoring of vector-borne parasites...
We recently developed a superhydrophobic cone-based method for the collection of mosquito excreta/feces (E/F) for the molecular xenomonitoring of vector-borne parasites showing higher throughput compared to the traditional approach. To test its field applicability, we used this platform to detect the presence of filarial and malaria parasites in two villages of Ghana and compared results to those for detection in mosquito carcasses and human blood. We compared the molecular detection of three parasites (Wuchereria bancrofti, Plasmodium falciparum and Mansonella perstans) in mosquito E/F, mosquito carcasses and human blood collected from the same households in two villages in the Savannah Region of the country. We successfully detected the parasite DNA in mosquito E/F from indoor resting mosquitoes, including W. bancrofti which had a very low community prevalence (2.5-3.8%). Detection in the E/F samples was concordant with detection in insect whole carcasses and human blood, and a parasite not vectored by mosquitoes was detected as well.Our approach to collect and test mosquito E/F successfully detected a variety of parasites at varying prevalence in the human population under field conditions, including a pathogen (M. perstans) which is not transmitted by mosquitoes. The method shows promise for further development and applicability for the early detection and surveillance of a variety of pathogens carried in human blood.
Topics: Animals; Culicidae; DNA, Helminth; DNA, Protozoan; Family Characteristics; Feces; Ghana; Humans; Malaria; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Mosquito Vectors; Plasmodium falciparum; Prevalence; Wuchereria bancrofti
PubMed: 32267840
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008175 -
Data in Brief Feb 2020Endemic communities of infections have been neglected since associated pathology remains undefined. Consequently, improvements in drug therapy have also been ignored...
Endemic communities of infections have been neglected since associated pathology remains undefined. Consequently, improvements in drug therapy have also been ignored despite a large number of infected individuals in areas of Cameroon. Thus, we established an system to culture microfilariae (Mf); the transmission stage of infection. In short, we compared the ability of two renowned culture media (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) and Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI-1640)) to sustain Mf in culture. Media were supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and monkey kidney epithelial cells (LLC-MK) were used as feeder cells. As readout we assessed Mf survival and motility using a standardised microscopy assessment strategy. Moreover, this culture system was used to test susceptibility levels of microfilariae to different chemotherapeutic agents. Parasite motility was scored daily using a graded system and analysed using the average motility and area under the motility curve of Mf. These datasets were analysed and discussed in detail in the related article entitled: " maintenance of microfilariae and its relevance for drug screening" [1].
PubMed: 31886361
DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104930 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Jan 2020The epidemiology of febrile illness etiologies is under-explored in resource-poor settings. Establishing a local repertory of microorganisms circulating in blood of...
The epidemiology of febrile illness etiologies is under-explored in resource-poor settings. Establishing a local repertory of microorganisms circulating in blood of febrile and afebrile people is important for physicians. Blood was collected from 428 febrile and 88 afebrile children in Makokou (Gabon) and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction. spp. were the pathogens, which were most detected in febrile children (69.6%; 298/428) and in afebrile children (31.8%; 28/88) ( < 0.0001). was the most prevalent species in both febrile and afebrile children (66.8% and 27.3%, respectively). No differences were observed between febrile and afebrile children for and (8.2% versus 10.2% and 3.3% versus 3.4%, respectively). Triple infection with , , and was also detected in 1% of febrile children (4/428). Filariasis due to was detected in 10 febrile patients (2.3%), whereas was detected in both febrile and afebrile children (1.4% and 2.3%, respectively). Bacterial DNA was detected in only 4.4% (19/428) of febrile children, including 13 (68.4%) who were coinfected with at least one species. These were (1.6%, 7/428), and (1.2%, 5/428), and (0.9%, 4/428). , spp., spp., , spp., spp., , and spp. were not detected. This study also highlights the over-prescription and the overuse of antibiotics and antimalarials. Overall, malaria remains a major health problem in Makokou. Malaria control measures must be reconsidered in this region.
Topics: Bacteremia; Bacteria; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Fever; Gabon; Humans; Infant; Malaria; Male; Prevalence
PubMed: 31769404
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0368