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Emerging Infectious Diseases Nov 2022We report molecular identification of an adult Spirometra mansoni tapeworm retrieved from a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) in Colombia, confirming presence of this...
We report molecular identification of an adult Spirometra mansoni tapeworm retrieved from a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) in Colombia, confirming presence of this parasite in South America. This tapeworm is the causative agent of human sparganosis, commonly reported from Southeast Asia, and represents the second congeneric species with known zoonotic potential in the Americas.
Topics: Animals; Adult; Humans; Spirometra; Sparganosis; Cestode Infections; South America; Colombia
PubMed: 36286232
DOI: 10.3201/eid2811.220529 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Feb 2015Diphyllobothrium latum and Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense are morphologically similar to each other, and only genetic method can differentiate clearly between the 2...
Diphyllobothrium latum and Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense are morphologically similar to each other, and only genetic method can differentiate clearly between the 2 species. A strobila of diphyllobothriid tapeworm discharged from a 7-year-old boy was analyzed to identify the species by mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene sequencing. He and his family (total 4 persons) ate slices of 3 kinds of raw fish 16 days before visiting our outpatient clinic. All family members complained of abdominal pain and watery diarrhea. They all expelled tapeworm strobilae in their stools. They were treated with a single oral dose of praziquantel and then complained of no more symptoms. The cox1 gene sequencing of the strobila from the boy revealed 99.9% (687/688 bp) similarity with D. nihonkaiense and only 93.2% (641/688 bp) similarity with D. latum. Thus, we assigned this tapeworm as D. nihonkaiense. This is the first report of D. nihonkaiense infection in a family in Korea, and this report includes the 8th pediatric case in Korea. The current report is meaningful because D. nihonkaiense infection within a family is rare.
Topics: Animals; Anthelmintics; Child; Diphyllobothriasis; Diphyllobothrium; Electron Transport Complex IV; Family Health; Humans; Korea; Male; Praziquantel; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25748717
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.1.109 -
Parasites & Vectors Nov 2020Spirometra erinaceieuropaei is a diphylobothriid tapeworm with a complex life-cycle including definitive, intermediate and paratenic (transport) hosts. Multiple routes...
BACKGROUND
Spirometra erinaceieuropaei is a diphylobothriid tapeworm with a complex life-cycle including definitive, intermediate and paratenic (transport) hosts. Multiple routes of parasite transmission often make it impossible to determine what type of host a specific infected animal is considered to be. Spargana larvae cause sparganosis, a severe food- and water-borne disease mainly found in Asia. In Poland, Spirometra sp. was reported in large carnivores in Białowieża Primeval Forest for the first time in the 1940s and was recently confirmed as S. erinaceieuropaei in several mammals and snakes using molecular methods.
METHODS
In total, 583 carcasses of 9 carnivore species were necropsied between 2013 and 2019 in north-eastern (NE) Poland. The larvae of S. erinaceieuropaei (spargana) were isolated from subcutaneous tissue, counted, and preserved for genetic analyses. We calculated the prevalence and intensity of infection. To assess spatial variation in S. erinaceieuropaei infection probability in NE Poland, we applied a generalized additive model (GAM) with binomial error distribution. To confirm the species affiliation of isolated larvae, we amplified a partial fragment of the 18S rRNA gene (240 bp in length).
RESULTS
Spirometra larvae were found in the subcutaneous tissue of 172 animals of 7 species and confirmed genetically as S. erinaceieuropaei. The overall prevalence in all studied hosts was 29.5% with a mean infection intensity of 14.1 ± 33.8 larvae per individual. Native European badgers and invasive raccoon dogs were characterized by the highest prevalence. An analysis of parasite spread showed a spatially diversified probability of infection with the highest values occurring in the biodiversity hot spot, Białowieża Primeval Forest.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study revealed that various mammal species (both native and non-native) can serve as S. erinaceieuropaei reservoirs. The frequency and level of infection may differ between selected hosts and likely depend on host diversity and habitat structure in a given area. Further studies are needed to assess the distribution of the parasite throughout Europe and the environmental and biological factors influencing infection severity in wild mammals.
Topics: Animals; Carnivora; Cestode Infections; Disease Reservoirs; Geography; Life Cycle Stages; Phylogeny; Poland; Prevalence; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Snakes; Sparganosis; Spirometra
PubMed: 33168087
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04431-5 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Dec 2015Human diphyllobothriasis is a widespread fish-borne zoonosis caused by the infection with broad tapeworms belonging to the genus Diphyllobothrium. In mainland China, so... (Review)
Review
Human diphyllobothriasis is a widespread fish-borne zoonosis caused by the infection with broad tapeworms belonging to the genus Diphyllobothrium. In mainland China, so far 20 human cases of Diphyllobothrium infections have been reported, and the etiologic species were identified as D. latum and D. nihonkaiense based on morphological characteristics or molecular analysis. In the present study, proglottids of diphyllobothriid tapeworms from 3 human cases that occurred in Heilongjiang Province, China were identified as D. nihonkaiense by sequencing mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) genes. Two different cox1 gene sequences were obtained. One sequence showed 100% homology with those from humans in Japan. The remaining cox1 gene sequence and 2 different nad5 gene sequences obtained were not described previously, and might reflect endemic genetic characterizations. D. nihonkaiense might also be a major causative species of human diphyllobothriasis in China. Meanwhile, the finding of the first pediatric case of D. nihonkaiense infection in China suggests that infants infected with D. nihonkaiense should not be ignored.
Topics: Adult; Animals; China; Diphyllobothriasis; Diphyllobothrium; Electron Transport Complex IV; Female; Helminth Proteins; Humans; Infant
PubMed: 26797434
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.6.683 -
Journal of Cancer Research and... 2014
Topics: Animals; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Male; Sparganosis
PubMed: 25313786
DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.139149 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Aug 2019Sparganosis, a rare and severe parasitic infection caused by the larvae of Spirometra species or simply sparganum, generally involves subcutaneous tissue or muscle. But... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sparganosis, a rare and severe parasitic infection caused by the larvae of Spirometra species or simply sparganum, generally involves subcutaneous tissue or muscle. But occasionally, sparganum can also invade the human brain, resulting in cerebral sparganosis.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 33-year-old woman presented with a 10-day history of headache. Postcontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an irregular lesion with enhancement and the tunnel-shaped focus extending to the contralateral hemiphere. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis disclosed pleocytosis (166 cells/μL) and an elevated protein concentration (0.742 g/L). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed positive sparganum-specific antibody in both blood and CSF. Finally, the diagnosis of cerebral sparganosis was comfirmed. She received praziquantel treatment and got a favorable outcome during six-month follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Irregular enhancement and the tunnel sign that extends to the contralateral hemisphere on postconstrast MRI are unusual presentations of cerebral sparganosis. ELISA for sparganum-specific antibody can help confirm the diagnosis. Although surgery is the preferred treatment for cerebral sparganosis, praziquantel might also achieve satisfying outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Anthelmintics; Antibodies, Helminth; Brain Diseases; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Contrast Media; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Headache; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Praziquantel; Sparganosis; Spirometra
PubMed: 31455261
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4396-2 -
Parasites & Vectors May 2019Diphyllobothriosis is an intestinal cestodosis caused by tapeworms of the family Diphyllobothriidae. In France, endemic cases are limited to south-east and due to...
BACKGROUND
Diphyllobothriosis is an intestinal cestodosis caused by tapeworms of the family Diphyllobothriidae. In France, endemic cases are limited to south-east and due to Dibothriocephalus latus. In this paper, we investigate a series of seven cases of diphyllobothriosis in the non-endemic French region of Brittany. All have been diagnosed between 2016 and 2018 at the University Hospital of Rennes.
METHODS
Parasites were identified by their morphological features and by phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 gene. Phylogenetic tree was built using maximum likelihood criterion under the GTR+G+I model and 2000 bootstrap replicates. A form was sent to all patients to collect data concerning clinical signs and possible sources of infection.
RESULTS
All cases were due to Dibothriocephalus nihonkaiensis, a species strictly distributed in the North Pacific. Epidemiological investigation showed that the parasite was probably acquired in France, after consumption of Japanese food containing raw salmon. All patients presented with at least abdominal pain and fatigue except for one patient who had no symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this case series is the most important cohort of allochthonous diphyllobothriosis described in Europe. This sudden emergence raises concern about foodborne infections, highlighting (i) risky food habits in absence of adequate sanitary control; and (ii) the breaking of the rule of geographical restriction due to globalization and worldwide trades.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Cohort Studies; Cyclooxygenase 1; Diphyllobothriasis; Diphyllobothrium; Female; France; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phylogeny; Raw Foods; Salmon; Seafood; Young Adult
PubMed: 31138323
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3516-6 -
Journal of the American Veterinary... Dec 2008A 21-month-old spayed female Border Collie was examined because of progressive right forelimb lameness, signs of pain, and subcutaneous edema. The dog lived in a fenced...
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 21-month-old spayed female Border Collie was examined because of progressive right forelimb lameness, signs of pain, and subcutaneous edema. The dog lived in a fenced yard in Tampa, Fla, that contained a small area of marshy terrain.
CLINICAL FINDINGS
The subcutis and intermuscular fascia contained multiple cystic cavities filled with larval cestodes (plerocercoids or spargana) and cloudy red fluid. Parasites were identified morphologically and by DNA sequence analysis as pseudophyllidean cestodes, most likely Sparganum proliferum. The dog developed a progressively worsening fever, dyspnea, mature neutrophilia, and hypoproteinemia. Septic pleuritis and peritonitis complicated the later stages of the disease.
TREATMENT AND OUTCOME
Treatment with praziquantel, fenbendazole, and nitazoxanide failed to control the proliferation and dissemination of larval cestodes. The dog was euthanatized after 133 days of treatment. At necropsy, numerous parasitic tissue cysts were present in the subcutis and intermuscular fascia; these cysts were most abundant in the soft tissues of the forelimbs and cervical musculature. The pleural and peritoneal cavities contained multiple larval cestodes and were characterized by neutrophilic inflammation and secondary bacterial infection.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Findings indicated that clinical signs associated with proliferative sparganosis in dogs may be rapidly progressive and that the condition may be refractory to antiparasitic treatment. Veterinarians should be aware of this zoonotic, water-borne agent.
Topics: Animals; Anthelmintics; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Fatal Outcome; Female; Forelimb; Lameness, Animal; Sparganosis; Sparganum
PubMed: 19046035
DOI: 10.2460/javma.233.11.1756 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Apr 2014We analyzed 320 clinical samples of parasitic infections submitted to the Department of Environmental Biology and Medical Parasitology, Hanyang University from January...
We analyzed 320 clinical samples of parasitic infections submitted to the Department of Environmental Biology and Medical Parasitology, Hanyang University from January 2004 to June 2011. They consisted of 211 nematode infections, 64 trematode or cestode infections, 32 protozoan infections, and 13 infections with arthropods. The nematode infections included 67 cases of trichuriasis, 62 of anisakiasis (Anisakis sp. and Pseudoterranova decipiens), 40 of enterobiasis, and 24 of ascariasis, as well as other infections including strongyloidiasis, thelaziasis, loiasis, and hookworm infecions. Among the cestode or trematode infections, we observed 27 cases of diphyllobothriasis, 14 of sparganosis, 9 of clonorchiasis, and 5 of paragonimiasis together with a few cases of taeniasis saginata, cysticercosis cellulosae, hymenolepiasis, and echinostomiasis. The protozoan infections included 14 cases of malaria, 4 of cryptosporidiosis, and 3 of trichomoniasis, in addition to infections with Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia, and Toxoplasma gondii. Among the arthropods, we detected 6 cases of Ixodes sp., 5 of Phthirus pubis, 1 of Sarcoptes scabiei, and 1 of fly larva. The results revealed that trichuriasis, anisakiasis, enterobiasis, and diphyllobothriasis were the most frequently found parasitosis among the clinical samples.
Topics: Animals; Arthropods; Cestode Infections; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Malaria; Nematode Infections; Protozoan Infections; Republic of Korea; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 24850969
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2014.52.2.215 -
Parasites & Vectors Dec 2022In China, the plerocercoid of the cestode Spirometra mansoni is the main causative agent of human and animal sparganosis. However, the population genetic structure of...
BACKGROUND
In China, the plerocercoid of the cestode Spirometra mansoni is the main causative agent of human and animal sparganosis. However, the population genetic structure of this parasite remains unclear. In this study, we genotyped S. mansoni isolates with the aim to improve current knowledge on the evolution and population diversity of this cestode.
METHODS
We first screened 34 perfect simple sequence repeats (SSRs) using all available omic data and then constructed target sequencing technology (Target SSR-seq) based on the Illumina NovaSeq platform. Next, a series of STRUCTURE. clustering, principal component, analysis of molecular variance and TreeMix analyses were performed on 362 worm samples isolated from 12 different hosts in 16 geographical populations of China to identify the genetic structure.
RESULTS
A total of 170 alleles were detected. The whole population could be organized and was found to be derived from the admixture of two ancestral clusters. TreeMix analysis hinted that possible gene flow occurred from Guizhou (GZ) to Sichuan (SC), SC to Jaingxi (JX), SC to Hubei (HB), GZ to Yunnan (YN) and GZ to Jiangsu (JS). Both neighbor-joining clustering and principal coordinate analysis showed that isolates from intermediate hosts tend to cluster together, while parasites from definitive hosts revealed greater genetic differences. Generally, a S. mansoni population was observed to harbor high genetic diversity, moderate genetic differentiation and a little genetic exchange among geographical populations.
CONCLUSIONS
A Target SSR-seq genotyping method was successfully developed, and an in-depth view of genetic diversity and genetic relationship will have important implications for the prevention and control of sparganosis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Spirometra; Sparganosis; China; Phylogeny; Genotype; Microsatellite Repeats; Genetic Variation
PubMed: 36564786
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05568-1