This review focuses on the most reliable and up-to-date methods for diagnosing trypanosomoses, a group of diseases of wild and domestic mammals, caused by trypanosomes, parasitic zooflagellate ...protozoans mainly transmitted by insects. In Africa, the Americas and Asia, these diseases, which in some cases affect humans, result in significant illness in animals and cause major economic losses in livestock. A number of pathogens are described in this review, including several Salivarian trypanosomes, such as Trypanosoma brucei sspp. (among which are the agents of sleeping sickness, the human African trypanosomiasis HAT), Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax (causing "Nagana" or animal African trypanosomosis AAT), Trypanosoma evansi ("Surra") and Trypanosoma equiperdum ("Dourine"), and Trypanosoma cruzi, a Stercorarian trypanosome, etiological agent of the American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease). Diagnostic methods for detecting zoonotic trypanosomes causing Chagas disease and HAT in animals, as well as a diagnostic method for detecting animal trypanosomes in humans (the so-called "atypical human infections by animal trypanosomes" a-HT), including T. evansi and Trypanosoma lewisi (a rat parasite), are also reviewed. Our goal is to present an integrated view of the various diagnostic methods and techniques, including those for: (i) parasite detection; (ii) DNA detection; and (iii) antibody detection. The discussion covers various other factors that need to be considered, such as the sensitivity and specificity of the various diagnostic methods, critical cross-reactions that may be expected among Trypanosomatidae, additional complementary information, such as clinical observations and epizootiological context, scale of study and logistic and cost constraints. The suitability of examining multiple specimens and samples using several techniques is discussed, as well as risks to technicians, in the context of specific geographical regions and settings. This overview also addresses the challenge of diagnosing mixed infections with different Trypanosoma species and/or kinetoplastid parasites. Improving and strengthening procedures for diagnosing animal trypanosomoses throughout the world will result in a better control of infections and will significantly impact on "One Health," by advancing and preserving animal, human and environmental health.
Wild terrestrial carnivores play a crucial role as reservoir, maintenance, and spillover hosts for a wide parasite variety. They may harbor, shed, and transmit zoonotic parasites and parasites of ...veterinary importance for domestic hosts. Although wild carnivores are globally distributed and comprise many different species, some living in close proximity to human settlements, only a few studies have investigated parasites of wild terrestrial carnivores using non-specific techniques. Access to samples of wild carnivores may be challenging as some species are protected, and others are secretive, possibly explaining the data paucity. Considering the importance of wild carnivores' health and ecological role, combined with the lack of specific diagnostic methodologies, this review aims to offer an overview of the diagnostic methods for parasite investigation in wild terrestrial carnivores, providing the precise techniques for collection and analysis of fecal, blood, and tissue samples, the environmental impact on said samples, and the limitations researchers currently face in analyzing samples of wild terrestrial carnivores. In addition, this paper offers some crucial information on how different environmental factors affect parasite detection postmortem and how insects can be used to estimate the time of death with a specific highlight on insect larvae. The paper contains a literature review of available procedures and emphasizes the need for diagnostic method standardization in wild terrestrial carnivores.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by different species of
Leishmania
is transmitted by Phlebotominae sandflies. This disease remains a public health concern in Iran. Therefore, the present study aimed ...to examine
Leishmania
infection in sandflies and reservoir rodents in six rural regions of Nahavand, located in western Iran. From May to October 2022, sandflies and rodents were collected and identified at the species level. Additionally, rodents’ skin lesions and earlobe specimens were collected separately for microscopic and molecular examination. All specimens were tested for
Leishmania
DNA by PCRs targeting the parasite’s ITS-2 and 18S rRNA gene and positive were Sanger sequenced. A total of 3396 sandflies belonging to seven subgenera and 11 species, i.e.,
Phlebotomus papatasi
(42.7%),
P. major
(20.6%),
P. mascitti
(0.3%),
P. neglectus
(0.2%),
P. alexandri
(0.2%),
P. turanicus
(0.3%),
Sergentomyia murgabiensis
(18.1%),
S. dentata
(10.5%),
S. theodori
(5.8%),
S. antennata
(1.1%), and
S. pawlowski
(0.1%) were identified. Based on the species population, 29 pools of sandflies were examined for the presence of
Leishmania
DNA using conventional PCR (cPCR), and individual DNAs were tested when positive.
Leishmania major
DNA was detected in two
P. papatasi
and
Leishmania
sp. in one
P. major
individual sandfly. This is the first report of
Leishmania
infection in sandflies from Hamadan province. The captured rodents (
n
= 61) belonged to four families and seven species, i.e.,
Arvicola amphibius
(37.7%),
Mus musculus
(29.5%),
Microtus socialis
(13.1%),
Apodemus sylvaticus
(11.5%),
Talpa davidiana
(4.9%),
Apodemus witherbyi
(1.6%), and
Rattus norvegicus
(1.6%). Microscopic and molecular examinations of the rodent lesions and earlobes scored negative results. The presence of
Leishmania
in the Phlebotominae sandflies in Nahavand indicates a potential threat to humans and animals in the region. Regular monitoring and examination of the sandflies’ population and timely diagnosis and treatment of new patients are strongly recommended.
The protozoan parasite
Neospora caninum
infects carnivores as definitive and a wide range of mammals as intermediate hosts. This parasite is regarded as an important cause of abortion in cattle ...worldwide, causing significant economic losses. Although there is serological evidence of infection in Old World camelids, the significance of
N. caninum
in these animal species is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to use molecular and histological methods to detect
N. caninum
in the blood and tissues of 100 slaughtered one-humped camels (
Camelus dromedarius
) in Iran. For this, genomic DNA was extracted from blood, brain, portal lymph node and liver of the camels, and nested-PCR assay followed by sequencing were performed. Besides, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and studied microscopically. In addition, immunohistochemical staining for
N. caninum
was attempted on brain samples with positive PCR results. All animals were tested for antibodies against
N. caninum
and
Toxoplasma gondii
by whole tachyzoite-agglutination tests.
N. caninum
DNA was detected in blood, brain, and portal lymph node, but not in the liver of two (2%) camels. Histopathological examination revealed cysts resembling
N. caninum
in brain samples of one of these camels; however, immunohistochemical staining for
N. caninum
and
T. gondii
did not allow a morphological identification. IgG antibodies to
N. caninum
and
T. gondii
were detected in 36% and 35% of the camels, respectively. This study provides the first insight into direct detection of
N. caninum
in
C. dromedarius
in Iran. Further molecular studies on aborted fetuses, stillborn animals and cases of perinatal mortality are needed to understand the possible involvement of
N. caninum
in cases of reproductive failure. As the definitive hosts of
N. caninum
are domestic and wild canids, producers should be advised to monitor and limit exposure of their camelids to these species and their feces.
Highlights
First direct detection of
N. caninum
DNA in blood and tissues of one-humped camels (
Camelus dromedarius
) in Iran.
N. caninum
DNA was detected in blood, brain, portal lymph node, but not liver tissue.
Tissue cysts were observed in histological sections of the brain in one camel.
Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, mainly due to favorable climate conditions and reduced adoption of preventive measures. This study ...aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on the prevalence of CVBDs in Iran and Pakistan where limited data are available. Blood samples were collected from 403 dogs from six provinces in Iran and Pakistan to assess the presence of pathogen DNA (i.e.,
Anaplasma
spp.,
Coxiella burnetii
,
Ehrlichia
spp.,
Rickettsia
spp.,
Babesia
spp
.
,
Hepatozoon
spp., filarioids, and
Leishmania
spp.). Sera were also screened by an immunofluorescence antibody test for the detection of antibodies against
Leishmania infantum
. In total, 46.9% of dogs scored positive to
Hepatozoon canis
being the most frequently detected (41.4%), followed by
Anaplasma platys
(6.4%),
Ehrlichia canis
(3.4%),
Rickettsia
spp. (2.2%),
Babesia vogeli
(1.0%), and
L. infantum
(0.3%). A seroprevalence of 9.6% to anti-
L. infantum
IgG was also recorded. Data reported herein demonstrate that dogs from Iran and Pakistan are at a high risk of CVBDs, particularly of canine hepatozoonosis. Effective control strategies are advocated for minimizing the risk of infection in animals and humans, also in consideration of the zoonotic potential of some pathogens detected.
Camel production in Saudi Arabia is severely affected by various diseases and by inadequate veterinary services. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) affect the health and wellbeing of camels ...consequently diminishing their productivity and performances. In addition, camels may act as hosts for TBPs (e.g. Anaplasma phagocytophilum) causing diseases in humans. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of ixodid ticks and molecularly investigate the associated pathogens in camels from Saudi Arabia.
Blood and tick samples were collected from camels (n = 170) in Riyad Province of Saudi Arabia. Ticks were morphologically identified, and blood of camels were molecularly screened for apicomplexan (i.e. Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp.) and rickettsial parasites (i.e. Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp.).
Of the 170 camels examined, 116 (68.2%; 95% CI: 60.9-75.1%) were infested by ticks with a mean intensity of 2.53 (95% CI: 2.4-2.6). In total of 296 ticks collected, Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent (76.4%), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum (23.3%) and Hyalomma excavatum (0.3%). Of the tested animals, 13 (7.6%; 95% CI: 4.3-12.8%) scored positive to at least one TBP, with Anaplasma platys (5.3%; 95% CI: 2.7-9.9%) being the most prevalent species, followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis (0.6% each; 95% CI: 0.04-3.4%). None of the camels were found to be co-infected with more than one pathogen. All samples tested negative for Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.
The present study reveals the occurrence of different tick species and TBPs in camels from Saudi Arabia. Importantly, these camels may carry A. phagocytophilum and A. platys, representing a potential risk to humans.
Reliable diagnostic tools are needed to choose the appropriate treatment and proper control measures for animal trypanosomoses, some of which are pathogenic. Trypanosoma cruzi, for example, is ...responsible for Chagas disease in Latin America. Similarly, pathogenic animal trypanosomoses of African origin (ATAO), including a variety of Trypanosoma species and subspecies, are currently found in Africa, Latin America and Asia. ATAO limit global livestock productivity and impact food security and the welfare of domestic animals. This review focusses on implementing previously reviewed diagnostic methods, in a complex epizootiological scenario, by critically assessing diagnostic results at the individual or herd level. In most cases, a single diagnostic method applied at a given time does not unequivocally identify the various parasitological and disease statuses of a host. These include "non-infected", "asymptomatic carrier", "sick infected", "cured/not cured" and/or "multi-infected". The diversity of hosts affected by these animal trypanosomoses and their vectors (or other routes of transmission) is such that integrative, diachronic approaches are needed that combine: (i) parasite detection, (ii) DNA, RNA or antigen detection and (iii) antibody detection, along with epizootiological information. The specificity of antibody detection tests is restricted to the genus or subgenus due to cross-reactivity with other Trypanosoma spp. and Trypanosomatidae, but sensitivity is high. The DNA-based methods implemented over the last three decades have yielded higher specificity and sensitivity for active infection detection in hosts and vectors. However, no single diagnostic method can detect all active infections and/or trypanosome species or subspecies. The proposed integrative approach will improve the prevention, surveillance and monitoring of animal trypanosomoses with the available diagnostic tools. However, further developments are required to address specific gaps in diagnostic methods and the sustainable control or elimination of these diseases.
Biliary parascarosis in a foal Sazmand, Alireza; Yavari, Morteza; Babaei, Mohammad ...
Veterinary medicine and science,
20/May , Letnik:
9, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Migration of Ascaris lumbricoides through the papilla of Vater in humans, and entry into the biliary tree, is well‐recognised. Ascaris suum and Toxocara vitulorum have been recovered from the liver ...of swine and buffalo. We necropsied a Persian Kurdish filly at age 6 months, weighing ∼100 kg. Death evidently was caused by oleander (Nerium oleander) intoxication. An 8‐cm adult male Parascaris was found at the lobar‐left hepatic bile duct junction. We suggest that the nematode entered anteriorly into the hepatic tree, via the duodenum, major duodenal papilla, bile duct, left hepatic duct and finally the lobar duct. Considering the brief 4‐h elapsed time between death and necropsy, and the 18‐cm distance from the major duodenal papilla to the location of the parasite, we conclude that entry into the biliary tree likely occurred ante‐mortem. We advise consideration of Parascaris infection in differential diagnosis of equine hepatic and pancreatic dysfunction.
Here we report finding of an adult male Parascaris nematode in the junction of the lobar duct and left hepatic duct during necropsy of a 6‐month‐old female foal who died because of oleander (Nerium oleander) intoxication.
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