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Parasites & Vectors Dec 2019With a global population of about 35 million in 47 countries, dromedary camels play a crucial role in the economy of many marginal, desert areas of the world where they... (Review)
Review
With a global population of about 35 million in 47 countries, dromedary camels play a crucial role in the economy of many marginal, desert areas of the world where they survive under harsh conditions. Nonetheless, there is scarce knowledge regarding camels' parasite fauna which can reduce their milk and meat productions. In addition, only scattered information is available about zoonotic parasites transmitted to humans via contamination (e.g. Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Balantidium coli, Blastocystis spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi), as foodborne infections (e.g. Toxoplasma gondii, Trichinella spp. and Linguatula serrata) or by arthropod vectors (Trypanosoma spp.). Herein, we draw attention of the scientific community and health policy-making organizations to the role camels play in the epidemiology of parasitic zoonotic diseases also in the view of an increase in their farming in desert areas worldwide.
Topics: Animals; Camelus; Humans; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31881926
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3863-3 -
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 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Parasitic ciliates are protozoans with a global distribution. Along with the gut microbiota, they have formed a micro-ecosystem that affects the host's nutrition,...
Alterations of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids induced by in the hindgut of Xenocyprinae fishes providing new insights into the relationship among protozoa, gut microbiota and host.
INTRODUCTION
Parasitic ciliates are protozoans with a global distribution. Along with the gut microbiota, they have formed a micro-ecosystem that affects the host's nutrition, metabolism, and immunity. The interactions and relationships among the three components of this microecosystem (protozoa, gut microbiota, and host) remain only partially understood. Xenocypris fish and the unique ciliate in its hindgut are good materials to study the interplay.
METHODS
In this study, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) identification were used. Network was also constructed to understand their relationships.
RESULTS
We found that the gut microbiota of -infected and had higher diversity, richness, and evenness than uninfected ones. could lead to an increase of and Chloroflexi in both and , while significantly increase the abundance of genera and in . Besides, could significantly increase the content of total SCFAs and acetic acid in and increase the concentrations of propionic, isobutyric and butanoic acids in . Furthermore, correlation analyses showed that may alter SCFAs by affecting key SCFAs-producing bacteria such as and .
DISCUSSION
This study greatly expands our understanding of relationships among , gut microbiota and host Xenocypris fish, which sheds new insights into the mechanism of interaction among protozoa, gut microbiota and host.
PubMed: 38075928
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1295456 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Sep 2021Intestinal parasites have a significant impact on productivity of pigs. Additionally, presence of zoonotic parasites in pig faeces used as fertilizer and ingestion of...
BACKGROUND
Intestinal parasites have a significant impact on productivity of pigs. Additionally, presence of zoonotic parasites in pig faeces used as fertilizer and ingestion of raw or undercooked pork products originated from parasite-infested pigs pose a risk to human health.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in indigenous pigs (Sus domesticus) maintained under traditional rearing system in Nepal.
METHODS
Fresh faecal samples (n = 100) were collected from the pigs of varying age and sex maintained in 18 small-scale farms in south-central Nepal. Samples were processed using various standard methods and examined for parasite eggs, cysts or oocysts.
RESULTS
Prevalence of GI parasites in indigenous pigs was 91%, comprising of 14 different genera of protozoans and helminths. Male pigs generally had a higher (97.5%) prevalence of GI parasites than females (87%). While 90% of the suckling and weaner piglets were positive for the GI parasites, all growers and 85% the adult pigs were infected with the parasites. Entamoeba spp. were the primary protozoans in all age groups. Strongyloides sp. was more prevalent helminths in suckling and weaner piglets, whereas Ascarid spp. were higher in both growers and adults. Triplet infection was higher (33.3%) in suckling and weaner piglets, while quadruplet and pentuplet infections were higher (p < .05) among growers (46.7%) and adults (30%), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The indigenous pigs harbour a higher prevalence and greater diversity of GI parasites. GI parasitism varies by sex and age of the pigs.
Topics: Animals; Feces; Female; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Male; Nepal; Parasites; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 34021721
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.536 -
Journal of Veterinary Research Dec 2021Diarrhoea in growing-finishing pigs is a common problem of commercial pig farms. Among many causative factors, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is one considered an...
INTRODUCTION
Diarrhoea in growing-finishing pigs is a common problem of commercial pig farms. Among many causative factors, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is one considered an important pathogen in modern pig production. The aim of the study was to verify if PCV2 was responsible for antibiotic non-responsive diarrhoea and wasting in pigs.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A total of 13 dead pigs aged between 12 and 15 weeks from three Polish farms with persistent herd symptoms suggestive of PCV2 infection were provided for evaluation. Sections of lymph nodes and intestines were analysed by hybridization (ISH) for PCV2 and histopathological examination. Faeces and intestinal scrapings were tested for and by real-time PCR and for parasitic infection by flotation and decantation.
RESULTS
ISH and histopathological examination showed that all pigs were PCV2 systemic disease negative. Swine dysentery was confirmed by real-time PCR on two farms, and proliferative enteropathy on one farm. In histological examinations, erosions of the caecal and colonic mucosa were found, together with cysts and trophozoites of . The protozoa were present in the intestinal lumen and mucosa. cysts were identified in faeces from all examined pigs.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that monitoring of infections should be an additional measure of control and prevention of gastrointestinal tract disorders in modern swine husbandry.
PubMed: 35111995
DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2021-0057 -
MedRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Dec 2023Wastewater-based epidemiology has emerged as a critical tool for public health surveillance, building on decades of environmental surveillance work for pathogens such as...
Wastewater-based epidemiology has emerged as a critical tool for public health surveillance, building on decades of environmental surveillance work for pathogens such as poliovirus. Work to date has been limited to monitoring a single pathogen or small numbers of pathogens in targeted studies; however, few studies consider simultaneous quantitative analysis of a wide variety of pathogens, which could greatly increase the utility of wastewater surveillance. We developed a novel quantitative multi-pathogen surveillance approach (35 pathogen targets including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and helminths) using TaqMan Array Cards (TAC) and applied the method on concentrated wastewater samples collected at four wastewater treatment plants in Atlanta, GA from February to October of 2020. From sewersheds serving approximately 2 million people, we detected a wide range of targets including many we expected to find in wastewater (e.g., enterotoxigenic and in 97% of 29 samples at stable concentrations) as well as unexpected targets including (a human threadworm rarely observed in the USA). Other notable detections included SARS-CoV-2, but also several pathogen targets that are not commonly included in wastewater surveillance like spp., , astrovirus, norovirus, and sapovirus. Our data suggest broad utility in expanding the scope of enteric pathogen surveillance in wastewaters, with potential for application in a variety of settings where pathogen quantification in fecal waste streams can inform public health surveillance and selection of control measures to limit infections.
PubMed: 37425908
DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.23.23291792 -
American Journal of Public Health Aug 1988
Topics: Animals; Bahrain; Balantidium; Sewage; Strongyloides
PubMed: 3389447
DOI: 10.2105/ajph.78.8.988-b -
Annals of Parasitology 2021Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are major contributors to decrease productivity in livestock over the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted in different areas of...
Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are major contributors to decrease productivity in livestock over the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted in different areas of Bangladesh to determine the prevalence of GI parasitic infections and their association with the biotic and abiotic factors in sheep. A total of 572 faecal samples were collected from the selected areas of Bangladesh and microscopic examination was performed for the identification of parasites using flotation and sedimentation technique. Out of 572, 441 animals were found infected with one or more species of GI parasites with an overall prevalence of 77.1%. Nine types of parasites from four different classes were detected namely Strongyles (42.1%), Strongyloides sp. (27.1%) and Trichuris sp. (1.0%), Moniezia sp. (2.4%), Paramphistomum cervi (32.5%), Fasciola gigantica (6.1%) and Schistosoma sp. (3.5%), coccidia (16.6%) and Balantidium coli (7.9%). Nematodes infections (56.8%) were significantly highest among trematodes (37.9%), protozoa (24.4%) and cestode (2.4%). In the present study, all the biotic factors including sex, age, physiological condition of female and body condition score (BCS) of animals were insignificantly (p>0.05) associated with the prevalence of GI parasitic infection in sheep but among the abiotic factors, muddy housing of animals, rainy season, having no knowledge about GI parasites and illiteracy of farmers were significantly (p<0.05) associated with the GI parasitic infections. This epidemiological investigation will assist to build a suitable control program against GI parasites in sheep and thus, help to prevent production loss and increase livelihood of small holder farmers.
Topics: Animals; Bangladesh; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feces; Female; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Nematode Infections; Parasites; Prevalence; Sheep; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 34332192
DOI: 10.17420/ap6702.328 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023Non-human primates (NHPs) living in captive conditions are susceptible to intestinal parasites that can contribute to mortality and morbidity, and cause zoonotic...
Non-human primates (NHPs) living in captive conditions are susceptible to intestinal parasites that can contribute to mortality and morbidity, and cause zoonotic infections. Thus, parasite surveys on NHP populations under human care are relevant as part of the evaluation of NHPs welfare and in the zoonotic disease risk assessment, as well as in the exploration of parasite transmission pathways, according to the One-Health concept. This study aimed to identify intestinal parasites infecting NHPs living in two wildlife recovery centers and in a zoological garden, in Italy. Ninety-three fecal samples from and were collected at Piano dell'Abatino Park (Lazio), and fecal smears and flotation were performed in order to identify parasites according to morphological keys. Additionally, one carcass of from the Bioparco Zoological Garden of Rome (Lazio) and one of from the Center for the Recovery of Exotic and Maremma Wild Animals (Tuscany) were necropsied and intestinal adult nematodes were collected and characterized at morphological and molecular level, using the mitochondrial cox1 and rrnL markers. Protozoans (-like, sp.), chromists ( sp.) and nematodes ( sp., sp., strongyliform larvae and sp.) were found through fecal smears and flotation. The collected adult nematodes from dead NHPs were morphologically identified as whipworms (genus ). Phylogenetic analyses grouped specimens into the complex of species, with specimens from clustering into a host-specific branch, and whipworms from clustering within a clade formed by infecting several primate species, including humans. The results here collected revealed the presence of potentially zoonotic parasites circulating in captive primates in Italy, providing useful information for the formulation of management and care plans for captive NHPs, and for the elaboration of safety measures for visitors and animal keepers.
PubMed: 38264469
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1270202 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Jul 2002Cultivation of luminal protistan parasites has a long history. In this review we discuss the methods and media that are most widely used for the establishment and... (Review)
Review
Cultivation of luminal protistan parasites has a long history. In this review we discuss the methods and media that are most widely used for the establishment and maintenance of the following organisms in culture: Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Blastocystis hominis, and Balantidium coli. While cultivation is of limited importance in the diagnostic laboratory, it is essential to most research laboratories, and it is toward the latter that this review is primarily aimed.
Topics: Animals; Culture Media; Eukaryota; History, 20th Century; Humans; Parasitology; Protozoan Infections
PubMed: 12097242
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.15.3.329-341.2002