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Veterinary Parasitology Sep 2023Domestic camels (Camelus bactrianus, the Bactrian camel; and Camelus dromedarius, the dromedary) are pseudo-ruminant herbivores kept as livestock in rural, inhospitable...
Domestic camels (Camelus bactrianus, the Bactrian camel; and Camelus dromedarius, the dromedary) are pseudo-ruminant herbivores kept as livestock in rural, inhospitable regions (cold deserts and dry steppes of Asia, arid to semi-arid regions of Africa, western and central Asia). Their close contact with humans makes them a potential reservoir for zoonotic parasite infections, as has been suggested for human balantidiasis. However, there is confusion about the ciliate species that infects camels: Infundibulorium cameli was originally described in dromedaries, but this name has almost never been used and most authors identified their findings as Balantioides coli and, to a lesser extent, Buxtonella sulcata, a cattle ciliate. To clarify the taxonomic status of the parasite and the corresponding zoonotic significance for camels, we performed morphological characterization of cysts and genetic analysis (SSU-rDNA and ITS markers) of B. coli-like isolates from Bactrian camels from Bulgaria and from dromedaries from Spain and the United Arab Emirates. Our results indicate that the camel ciliate is not B. coli, nor is it B. sulcata, but is a different species that should be placed in the same genus as the latter. Thus, camels are not a reservoir for human balantidiasis. Although the correct genus name would be Infundibulorium according to the principle of priority, this would lead to confusion since this name has almost fallen into disuse since its initial description, but Buxtonella is almost universally used by researchers and veterinarians for the cattle ciliate. We therefore propose to apply the reversal of precedence and use Buxtonella as the valid genus name. Consequently, we propose Buxtonella cameli n.comb. as the name for the camel ciliate.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Humans; Camelus; Balantidiasis; Zoonoses; Asia; Africa; Cattle Diseases
PubMed: 37494847
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109984 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023plays an important role in the diarrhea of weaned piglets, but its pathogenic potential and interaction with gut microbes remain unclear. To investigate the impact of...
plays an important role in the diarrhea of weaned piglets, but its pathogenic potential and interaction with gut microbes remain unclear. To investigate the impact of colonization on the gut bacterial structure and function of weaned piglets, a metagenomic analysis based on shotgun sequencing was performed on fresh fecal samples collected from ten -colonized piglets and eight -free ones in this study. The results showed that decreasing diversity and shifted composition and function of the bacterial community were detected in the weaned piglets infected by . In contrast to the -negative group, the relative abundances of some members of the phylum including , species, and , which produce short-chain fatty acids, were significantly reduced in the -positive group. Notably, some species of the genus (such as sp. CAG:604 and ) were significantly increased in abundance in the -positive piglets. A functional analysis of the gut microbiota demonstrated that the differential gene sets for the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids were abundant in both groups, and the more enriched pathways in -infected piglets were associated with the sugar-specific phosphotransferase system (PTS) and the two-component regulatory system, as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis. Furthermore, several species of were significantly positively correlated to the synthesis of lipid A, leading to the exporting of endotoxins and, thereby, inducing inflammation in the intestines of weaned piglets. Taken together, these findings revealed that colonization by was distinctly associated with the dysbiosis of gut bacterial structure and function in weaned piglets. Lower relative abundances of and and higher abundances of species were biomarkers of infection in weaned piglets.
Topics: Swine; Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Metagenome; Balantidiasis; Virulence; Diarrhea
PubMed: 37445967
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310791 -
Clinical Case Reports Jul 2023In contrast to intestinal balantidiasis, which is widespread throughout the world, urinary balantidiasis is uncommon. It often affects people with underlying diseases,...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
In contrast to intestinal balantidiasis, which is widespread throughout the world, urinary balantidiasis is uncommon. It often affects people with underlying diseases, and acute infections may be fatal. Even though urine is not typical for this parasite, specific morphologic characteristics can aid in accurate diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
is a ciliated protozoan which can infect intestinal system. Urinary balantidiasis is an extremely rare infection that may cause serious issues in patients with underlying diseases. Herein, we present a case of urinary balantidiasis in a patient with bladder cancer.
PubMed: 37465246
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.7494 -
The Cornell Veterinarian Jul 1961
Topics: Animals; Balantidiasis; Humans; Rodent Diseases; Rodentia; Swine
PubMed: 13773251
DOI: No ID Found -
Acta Tropica Jul 2015Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections worldwide, leading to illness with serious and long lasting implications in children and...
BACKGROUND
Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections worldwide, leading to illness with serious and long lasting implications in children and immunocompromised people. Transmission of intestinal parasites is more frequent in tropical and sub-tropical areas where sanitation is poor and socioeconomic conditions are deficient. Panama is a country where climate and social conditions could be reflected in a high number of people infected with intestinal parasites. The presence, prevalence, and distribution of intestinal parasites in this country have been approached to date only in very restricted areas and population groups, but the impact of intestinal parasite infections at the national level is unknown.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
We conducted a cross-sectional survey between 2008 and 2010 to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites across Panama. Overall, 14 municipalities in seven provinces of Panama were surveyed. The presence of eggs, cysts, and larvae was assessed by microscopy in 1123 human fecal samples using a concentration technique. A questionnaire to identify risk factors associated with the frequency of intestinal parasites in the study population was also prepared and performed. Overall, 47.4% of human samples presented parasites. Variables including community type, age group, occupation, co-presence of commensals and socioeconomic factors (use of shoes and type of sanitation) were significantly associated with intestinal parasites (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
The preliminary data obtained in the current study, showing a high prevalence of fecal-oral transmitted parasites in Panama, place intestinal parasitism as a major health problem in this country. Specific interventions should be planned for the indigenous population, the group most afflicted by intestinal parasites.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Animals; Ascariasis; Balantidiasis; Blastocystis Infections; Child; Child, Preschool; Cities; Climate; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feces; Female; Giardiasis; Helminthiasis; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Hymenolepiasis; Immunocompromised Host; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Larva; Male; Microscopy; Middle Aged; Panama; Parasites; Prevalence; Residence Characteristics; Risk Factors; Sanitation; Socioeconomic Factors; Strongyloidiasis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Trichuriasis; Young Adult
PubMed: 25823566
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.03.024 -
Tropical Biomedicine Mar 2014Infections with gastrointestinal parasites are a major health issue in captive birds. However, prevalence data of gastrointestinal parasites of birds in zoological...
Infections with gastrointestinal parasites are a major health issue in captive birds. However, prevalence data of gastrointestinal parasites of birds in zoological gardens in Nigeria are scarce. This study was carried out to establish the gastrointestinal parasite profile of birds kept in zoological gardens in the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, University of Lagos and Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, all in south-west Nigeria. A total of 178 fecal samples from 83 birds (14 species in eight orders) were examined using three techniques; Feacal sedimentation using ethyl acetate, McMaster Egg Counting Technique and Petri Dish-Filter Paper Slant culture technique (modified Harada-Mori Technique). A total of 39(21.9%) of the 178 samples were infected. The highest prevalence (100%) of infection was recorded in Unilag zoo and a total of five species of parasites including two protozoans (coccidian and Balantidium spp.); and three nematodes Capillaria spp., Ascaris spp. and Strongyloides spp.) were recorded with Capillaria spp. (14.1%) as the most prevalent gastrointestinal parasite. Mixed infections were found in 18(10.1%) samples. Strongyloides larvae were observed in 6(3.4%) samples. All Anseriformes were infected but the Struthioniformes had the highest infection rate. The geometric mean intensity of eggs ranged from 101.98 ± 10.36 to 63.00 ± 16.67 epg and oocyst counts ranged from 332.47 ± 16.67 to 297.89 ± 20.41 opg. Balantidium cyst count was 324.04 ± 25.00. Count of oocyst of coccidian species was significantly higher in all the zoos. The feacal culture yielded Strongyloides species. Regular deworming and hygienic measures are necessary to prevent gastrointestinal infections in captive birds. So also, improved funding and management are necessary to ensure sustainability of Nigerian zoological gardens.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Zoo; Balantidiasis; Balantidium; Bird Diseases; Birds; Coccidia; Coccidiosis; Coinfection; Feces; Female; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Larva; Nematoda; Nematode Infections; Nigeria; Ovum; Parasite Egg Count; Prevalence
PubMed: 24862045
DOI: No ID Found -
Tropical Parasitology 2016Balantidium coli, a large, ciliated pathogen, is known to cause balantidiasis in humans. We report a case of B. coli infection in a 37-year-old male with tuberculosis...
Balantidium coli, a large, ciliated pathogen, is known to cause balantidiasis in humans. We report a case of B. coli infection in a 37-year-old male with tuberculosis and presenting with fever, anorexia, mild abdominal pain, and episodes of loose stools for 1 week.
PubMed: 26998438
DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.175118 -
British Medical Journal Mar 1952
Topics: Arsenicals; Balantidiasis; Persia
PubMed: 14905008
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.4759.629 -
Novel insights into the genetic diversity of Balantidium and Balantidium-like cyst-forming ciliates.PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2013Balantidiasis is considered a neglected zoonotic disease with pigs serving as reservoir hosts. However, Balantidium coli has been recorded in many other mammalian...
Balantidiasis is considered a neglected zoonotic disease with pigs serving as reservoir hosts. However, Balantidium coli has been recorded in many other mammalian species, including primates. Here, we evaluated the genetic diversity of B. coli in non-human primates using two gene markers (SSrDNA and ITS1-5.8SDNA-ITS2). We analyzed 49 isolates of ciliates from fecal samples originating from 11 species of captive and wild primates, domestic pigs and wild boar. The phylogenetic trees were computed using Bayesian inference and Maximum likelihood. Balantidium entozoon from edible frog and Buxtonella sulcata from cattle were included in the analyses as the closest relatives of B. coli, as well as reference sequences of vestibuliferids. The SSrDNA tree showed the same phylogenetic diversification of B. coli at genus level as the tree constructed based on the ITS region. Based on the polymorphism of SSrDNA sequences, the type species of the genus, namely B. entozoon, appeared to be phylogenetically distinct from B. coli. Thus, we propose a new genus Neobalantidium for the homeothermic clade. Moreover, several isolates from both captive and wild primates (excluding great apes) clustered with B. sulcata with high support, suggesting the existence of a new species within this genus. The cysts of Buxtonella and Neobalantidium are morphologically indistinguishable and the presence of Buxtonella-like ciliates in primates opens the question about possible occurrence of these pathogens in humans.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Animals, Wild; Balantidiasis; Balantidium; Cluster Analysis; DNA, Protozoan; DNA, Ribosomal; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Genes, rRNA; Genetic Variation; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Primate Diseases; Primates; RNA, Protozoan; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 23556024
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002140 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Feb 2020Balantidium coli is a common parasite of pig and wild boars (Sus scrofa) which can infect humans and several species of mammals. This study aimed to determine the...
Balantidium coli is a common parasite of pig and wild boars (Sus scrofa) which can infect humans and several species of mammals. This study aimed to determine the genotype of Balantidium isolated from Eurasian wild boars in Bushehr province, Southwestern Iran. Twenty-five faecal samples, originating from 25 wild boars captivated in our previous study, were processed. DNA was extracted from the faecal samples and PCR-amplified, targeting an ITS1-5.8s-rRNA-ITS2 region of Balantidium genome. PCR product was purified from the gel, and sequenced. BLAST analysis was performed in order to compare our isolates with other previously reported ones. A phylogenetic tree was constructed, using MegaX software, to find out the phylogenetic diversity of the isolates. With PCR it was possible to detect Balantidium DNA in the faecal samples of 13 out of 25 (52%) of the wild boars. BLAST analysis of seven isolates revealed that the isolates belong to the newly introduced genus Neobalantidium coli. Sequences of three isolates were deposited in the GenBank. Moreover, molecular analysis revealed six areas of nucleotide differences within the isolates and nine areas of difference between the sequences obtained in this study and those available in the GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences of isolates of this study have up to 2.2% dissimilarity from those published in the GenBank. The findings of this study, for the first time, revealed that some of the isolates of Balantidium originating from wild boars in Southwestern Iran belonged to the N. coli.
Topics: Animals; Balantidiasis; Balantidium; Genotype; Iran; Phylogeny; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 31650710
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.210