scholarly journals Didelphis spp. opossums and their parasites in the Americas: A One Health perspective

Author(s):  
Marcos Antônio Bezerra-Santos ◽  
Rafael Antonio Nascimento Ramos ◽  
Artur Kanadani Campos ◽  
Filipe Dantas-Torres ◽  
Domenico Otranto

AbstractMedium sized opossums (Didelphis spp.) are among the most fascinating mammals of the Americas, playing important ecological roles (e.g., dispersal of seeds and control of insect populations) in the environment they inhabit. Nevertheless, as synanthropic animals, they are well adapted to human dwellings, occupying shelters within the cities, peripheral areas, and rural settings. These marsupials can harbor numerous pathogens, which may affect people, pets, and livestock. Among those, some protozoa (e.g., Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii), helminths (e.g., Ancylostoma caninum, Trichinella spiralis, Alaria marcianae, Paragonimus spp.) and arthropods (e.g., ticks, fleas) present substantial public health and veterinary importance, due to their capacity to cause disease in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Here, we reviewed the role played by opossums on the spreading of zoonotic parasites, vectors, and vector-borne pathogens, highlighting the risks of pathogens transmission due to the direct and indirect interaction of humans and domestic animals with Didelphis spp. in the Americas.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranju Ravindran Santhakumari Manoj ◽  
Maria Stefania Latrofa ◽  
Sara Epis ◽  
Domenico Otranto

Abstract Background Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular maternally transmitted, gram-negative bacterium which forms a spectrum of endosymbiotic relationships from parasitism to obligatory mutualism in a wide range of arthropods and onchocercid nematodes, respectively. In arthropods Wolbachia produces reproductive manipulations such as male killing, feminization, parthenogenesis and cytoplasmic incompatibility for its propagation and provides an additional fitness benefit for the host to protect against pathogens, whilst in onchocercid nematodes, apart from the mutual metabolic dependence, this bacterium is involved in moulting, embryogenesis, growth and survival of the host. Methods This review details the molecular data of Wolbachia and its effect on host biology, immunity, ecology and evolution, reproduction, endosymbiont-based treatment and control strategies exploited for filariasis. Relevant peer-reviewed scientic papers available in various authenticated scientific data bases were considered while writing the review. Conclusions The information presented provides an overview on Wolbachia biology and its use in the control and/or treatment of vectors, onchocercid nematodes and viral diseases of medical and veterinary importance. This offers the development of new approaches for the control of a variety of vector-borne diseases. Graphic Abstract


Chemoecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 277-286
Author(s):  
Collins K. Mweresa ◽  
W. R. Mukabana ◽  
J. J. A. van Loon ◽  
M. Dicke ◽  
W. Takken

Abstract Reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides and chemotherapeutic agents to control hematophagous insect vectors, and their related diseases is threatened by increasing insecticide and drug resistance, respectively. Thus, development of novel, alternative, complementary and effective technologies for surveillance and control of such insects is strongly encouraged. Semiochemicals are increasingly developed for monitoring and intervention of insect crop pests, but this has not been adequately addressed for hematophagous insects of medical and veterinary importance. This review provides an insight in the application of semiochemicals for control of hematophagous insects. Here, we provide specific information regarding the isolation and identification of semiochemical compounds, optimization approaches, detection, perception and discrimination by the insect olfactory system. Navigation of insects along wind-borne odor plumes is discussed and methods of odor application in field situations are reviewed. Finally, we discuss prospects and future challenges for the application of semiochemical-based tools with emphasis on mosquitoes. The acquired knowledge can guide development of more effective components of integrated vector management, safeguard against emerging resistance of insects to existing insecticides and reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-115
Author(s):  
Milena Zivojinovic ◽  
Ivan Dobrosavljevic ◽  
Zoran Kulisic ◽  
Sonja Radojicic ◽  
Tamara Boskovic ◽  
...  

Background. Trichinellosis is zoonotic disease caused by parasites of the genus Trichinella, which have a cosmopolitan distribution. In the Balkan region, including Serbia, trichinellosis is endemic. Although trichinellosis shows a decreasing incidence in Serbia, this disease remains a serious problem for human health and animal husbandry. Scope and Approach. To prevent and control Trichinella spp. infections in domestic and sylvatic animals, risk analysis for these zoonotic parasites should be conducted. In Serbia, a limited number of Trichinella have been identified to the species level so far. An institutional, multi-sectoral surveillance system, supported by an adequate legal framework for the detection, surveillance, prevention, control and reporting of this infection in animals and humans, harmonised with the EU legislation, is a priority. Key Findings and Conclusions. One of the main goals of the Serbian veterinary and public health services should be progressive improvement of animal rearing practices, food safety, and hunters? and consumers? education through the ?One-health? approach.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Subha Ganguly ◽  
Shivchand Yadav

There are various mycotic diseases of veterinary importance affecting the domestic animals. The diagnosis of the causative fungi or yeast responsible for those infections is essential in veterinary microbiological laboratories for confirmative diagnosis followed by its treatment and control. 


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1148
Author(s):  
Jill M. Austen ◽  
Amanda D. Barbosa

Bats (order Chiroptera) have been increasingly recognised as important reservoir hosts for human and animal pathogens worldwide. In this context, molecular and microscopy-based investigations to date have revealed remarkably high diversity of Trypanosoma spp. harboured by bats, including species of recognised medical and veterinary importance such as Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma evansi (aetiological agents of Chagas disease and Surra, respectively). This review synthesises current knowledge on the diversity, taxonomy, evolution and epidemiology of bat trypanosomes based on both molecular studies and morphological records. In addition, we use a One Health approach to discuss the significance of bats as reservoirs (and putative vectors) of T. cruzi, with a focus on the complex associations between intra-specific genetic diversity and eco-epidemiology of T. cruzi in sylvatic and domestic ecosystems. This article also highlights current knowledge gaps on the biological implications of trypanosome co-infections in a single host, as well as the prevalence, vectors, life-cycle, host-range and clinical impact of most bat trypanosomes recorded to date. Continuous research efforts involving molecular surveillance of bat trypanosomes are required for improved disease prevention and control, mitigation of biosecurity risks and potential spill-over events, ultimately ensuring the health of humans, domestic animals and wildlife globally.


Epidemiologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-94
Author(s):  
Mst. Marium Begum ◽  
Osman Ulvi ◽  
Ajlina Karamehic-Muratovic ◽  
Mallory R. Walsh ◽  
Hasan Tarek ◽  
...  

Background: Chikungunya is a vector-borne disease, mostly present in tropical and subtropical regions. The virus is spread by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitos and symptoms include high fever to severe joint pain. Dhaka, Bangladesh, suffered an outbreak of chikungunya in 2017 lasting from April to September. With the goal of reducing cases, social media was at the forefront during this outbreak and educated the public about symptoms, prevention, and control of the virus. Popular web-based sources such as the top dailies in Bangladesh, local news outlets, and Facebook spread awareness of the outbreak. Objective: This study sought to investigate the role of social and mainstream media during the chikungunya epidemic. The study objective was to determine if social media can improve awareness of and practice associated with reducing cases of chikungunya. Methods: We collected chikungunya-related information circulated from the top nine television channels in Dhaka, Bangladesh, airing from 1st April–20th August 2017. All the news published in the top six dailies in Bangladesh were also compiled. The 50 most viewed chikungunya-related Bengali videos were manually coded and analyzed. Other social media outlets, such as Facebook, were also analyzed to determine the number of chikungunya-related posts and responses to these posts. Results: Our study showed that media outlets were associated with reducing cases of chikungunya, indicating that media has the potential to impact future outbreaks of these alpha viruses. Each media outlet (e.g., web, television) had an impact on the human response to an individual’s healthcare during this outbreak. Conclusions: To prevent future outbreaks of chikungunya, media outlets and social media can be used to educate the public regarding prevention strategies such as encouraging safe travel, removing stagnant water sources, and assisting with tracking cases globally to determine where future outbreaks may occur.


Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (6) ◽  
pp. 746-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Garcia-Campos ◽  
C. Power ◽  
J. O'Shaughnessy ◽  
C. Browne ◽  
A. Lawlor ◽  
...  

AbstractTo date, there are no recent studies identifying the prevalence of parasites of human and veterinary importance in dogs and cats in Ireland. The interaction between pets and wildlife species in the environment is an important source of parasite exposure to canids and felines, and one likely to be heightened in the stray animal population. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of endoparasites in unowned dogs and cats in County Dublin, Ireland. Feces from stray dogs (n= 627) and cats (n= 289) entering a rehoming centre were collected immediately after defecation. The main parasitic agents detected were ascarids (15.52 and 30.26%),Cystoisospora(3.27 and 3.69%),Giardiaspp. (6.02 and 1.84%) and lungworms (0.64 and 2.08%), in dogs and cats respectively. Animals younger than 3 months of age were more likely to be infected with ascarids (P< 0.001) andCystoisosporaspp. (P= 0.008 andP= 0.014) than older animals. All lungworms were morphologically identified and dogs were infected withAngiostrongylus vasorum(0.48%) andCrenosoma vulpis(0.16%) whereas cats were only infected withAelurostrongylus abstrusus(2.08%). This represents the first prevalence study of stray animals in Ireland. Data collected will inform the treatment and in addition, the future monitoring and control studies of parasite populations.


2013 ◽  
pp. 97-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Lerner

During the last decade there has been increasing interest in combining veterinary and human medicine, mainly in the areas of vaccination and the eradication of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. Although the roots of this "One Health-One Medicine" approach can be found in ancient Egypt and Greece, the roots of the philosophy of "one medicine" have not been so thoroughly discussed. In this paper I will analyse some ideas that could unite veterinary and human medicine, from Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902) and Calvin W. Schwabe (1927-2006). Both are recognized as important theoretical founders of the philosophy of one medicine. I will also further develop these thoughts to meet some of the discussions taken place today.


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