Investigations into the role of rats as intermediate hosts for Neospora caninum in Chennai, India

Author(s):  
K. Dhandapani ◽  
C. Sreekumar ◽  
A. Sangaran ◽  
K. Porteen
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selene Rubiola ◽  
Tiziana Civera ◽  
Felice Panebianco ◽  
Davide Vercellino ◽  
Francesco Chiesa

Abstract Background Cattle are intermediate hosts of six Sarcocystis species, among which Sarcocystis hominis and Sarcocystis heydorni can infect humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat. In addition to the zoonotic potential, there is increasing interest in these protozoa because of the evidence supporting the role of Sarcocystis spp. in the occurrence of bovine eosinophilic myositis (BEM), a specific inflammatory myopathy which leads to carcass condemnation and considerable economic losses. Actually, all the prevalence studies carried out on cattle in Italy have been based on either morphological or 18S rDNA-based molecular techniques, most likely leading to misidentification of closely related species. Therefore, there is a strong need for new data on the prevalence of the different Sarcocystis spp. in cattle in Italy and their association with bovine eosinophilic myositis. Methods To reach our aim, individual striated muscle samples from BEM condemned carcasses (N = 54) and diaphragm muscle samples from randomly sampled carcasses (N = 59) were obtained from Northwest Italy slaughterhouses. Genomic DNA was extracted and analyzed by multiplex-PCR targeting 18S rDNA and cox1 genes. PCR products amplified using the genus-specific primer set in absence of the specific fragment for S. hirsuta, S. cruzi, S. hominis or S. bovifelis were sequenced to achieve species identification. Results Sarcocystis DNA was detected in 67.8% of the samples from slaughter cattle and in 90.7% of the samples from BEM condemned carcasses. S. cruzi was identified as the most prevalent species in slaughter cattle (61%), followed by S. bovifelis (10.2%), S. hominis (8.5%) and S. hirsuta (1.7%). Notably, among the different Sarcocystis spp. detected, the presence of S. bovifelis and S. hominis was significantly higher in samples isolated from BEM condemned carcasses (46.3% and 40.7% respectively), while there was no statistically significant difference between the presence of S. cruzi or S. hirsuta in BEM condemned carcasses (42.6% and 1.8%, respectively) and randomly sampled carcasses. Furthermore, DNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of a putative new species in two carcasses. Conclusions Our study contributes to updating the data on the prevalence of the different Sarcocystis spp. in cattle in Italy, highlighting the presence of three Sarcocystis spp., S. cruzi, S. hominis and S. bovifelis, in BEM lesions and allowing us to speculate on the possible role of S. hominis and S. bovifelis as the major sarcosporidian species involved in bovine eosinophilic myositis. Graphic Abstract


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 428
Author(s):  
Pavel Kvapil ◽  
Joško Račnik ◽  
Marjan Kastelic ◽  
Jiřina Marková ◽  
Jean-Benjamin Murat ◽  
...  

Monitoring of infectious diseases is one of the most important pillars of preventive medicine in zoos. Screening for parasitic and bacterial infections is important to keep animals and equipment safe from pathogens that may pose a risk to animal and human health. Zoos usually contain many different animal species living in proximity with people and wild animals. As an epidemiological probe, 188 animals (122 mammals, 65 birds, and one reptile) from a zoo in Slovenia were examined for selected pathogens. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum were detected by ELISA in 38% (46/122) and 3% (4/122) of mammals, and in 0% (0/64) and 2% (1/57) of birds, respectively; the reptile (0/1) was negative. A statistically significant difference in T. gondii prevalence was found in Carnivora compared to Cetartiodactyla and primate antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected by IFAT in 44% (52/118) of mammals and 20% (11/56) of birds, respectively; the reptile (0/1) was negative. Herbivores had a higher chance of being infected with E. cuniculi compared to omnivores. Antibodies to Chlamydia abortus and Coxiella burnetii were not detected in any of the 74 tested zoo animals. The sera of 39 wild rodents found in the zoo were also examined; they were negative for all three parasites. The parasite T. gondii was detected by PCR in the tissue of two mute swans (Cygnus olor), three eastern house mice (Mus musculus), one yellow-necked field mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), and one striped field mouse (A. agrarius). Positive samples were genotyped by a single multiplex PCR assay using 15 microsatellite markers; one sample from a mute swan was characterized as type II. This micro-epidemiological study offers a better understanding of pathogens in zoo animals and an understanding of the role of zoos in biosurveillance.


Parasitology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (14) ◽  
pp. 1931-1939 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. I. FURUTA ◽  
T. W. P. MINEO ◽  
A. O. T. CARRASCO ◽  
G. S. GODOY ◽  
A. A. PINTO ◽  
...  

SUMMARYNeospora caninumcauses economical impact in cattle-raising farms since it is implicated as the major cause of bovine abortions. Although infection by the parasite has been widely described in mammals, the role of birds in its life-cycle is still obscure. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the infection byN. caninumin different chicken models. Experimental infections were conducted in 7-day-old chicks, laying hens and embryonated eggs, where samples were analysed for parasite burden, IgG antibodies and lesions promoted. Chickens demonstrated an asymptomatic infection, although with seroconversion and systemic replication of the parasite. In laying hens, no signs of vertical transmission were observed. However, embryonated eggs inoculated by the allantoic cavity route demonstrated susceptibility to infection, with mortality rates around 50% independent of the inoculum dose. Additionally, dogs became infected after ingestion of different amounts of inoculated eggs, producing either oocysts or specific IgG antibodies. The results herein presented demonstrate that chickens may be intermediate hosts ofN. caninumand that embryonated eggs could be a useful model to study the parasite's biology.


1971 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1385-1392 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Margolis

The role of polychaetes as intermediate hosts of helminth parasites of aquatic vertebrates is reviewed. Some 18–20 species of trematodes and three or four each of cestodes and nematodes are known to have larval stages in these annelids. There are no records of acanthocephalan larvae from polychaetes. Trematoda use polychaetes as first (three species) or second intermediate hosts. The polychaete hosts are found among various genera of Errantia, Sedentaria, and Myzostomida. Definitive hosts are mainly fishes, with a few species of trematodes and one of cestodes developing in birds, and apparently one genus of nematodes (two species) maturing in the lungs of seals. A list of polychaetes and their larval helminth parasites is given.


Author(s):  
Seyed Razi Bahavarnia ◽  
Pedram Ahli ◽  
Arash Rasouli

Background: Neospora caninum is a cyst forming coccidian parasites and one of the important factors in abortion of cows and neurologic disease in dogs around the world. This study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of N. caninum in dairy cows of Tabriz city using immunofluorescence method and related risk factors. Methods: In this study conducted in 2018, 100 samples from industrial cattle farms and 100 samples from traditional cattle farms of Tabriz were randomly collected. By fixing tachyzoites cultured in a culture medium, the kit was prepared in this study and the slides were examined by fluorescence microscopy (Zeiss). The results obtained in relation to the study variables (type of farming system, age, contact with dogs, and abortion history) were analyzed using SPSS software and chi-square test. Results: Neospora caninum antibodies were detected in 33 samples (16.5%). The relationship of positive serums with abortion and contact with dogs was significant statistically (P<0.05). Conclusions: Due to the significant relationship of infection rate in cows with abortion history and contact with dogs, further studies are needed to determine the exact role of Neospora in abortion of cows.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 794-798
Author(s):  
Anne A. M. J. Becker ◽  
Sreekumari Rajeev ◽  
Mark A. Freeman ◽  
Amy Beierschmitt ◽  
Victoria Savinon ◽  
...  

We identified multiple extraintestinal cystacanths during routine postmortem examination of 3 small Indian mongooses and 2 African green monkeys from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. In mongooses, cystacanths were encysted or free in the subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, or peritoneal or pericardial cavities, whereas in the monkeys, they were in the cavity and parietal layer of the, tunica vaginalis, skeletal muscle, and peritoneal cavity. Morphological, histological, and molecular characterization identified these cystacanths as Oncicola venezuelensis (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae). There was minimal to mild lymphoplasmacytic inflammation associated with the parasite in the mongooses and moderate inflammation, mineralization, hemorrhage, and fibrosis in the connective tissue between the testis and epididymis in 1 monkey. We identified a mature male O. venezuelensis attached in the aboral jejunum of a feral cat, confirming it as the definitive host. Termites serve as intermediate hosts and lizards as paratenic hosts. This report emphasizes the role of the small Indian mongoose and African green monkey as paratenic hosts for O. venezuelensis.


2008 ◽  
Vol 75 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Howe ◽  
D.M. West ◽  
M.G. Collett ◽  
G. Tattersfield ◽  
R.S. Pattison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Hervías Parejo ◽  
Carlos Martínez-Carrasco ◽  
Julia I. Diaz ◽  
Lidia Chitimia ◽  
Juana Ortiz ◽  
...  

AbstractWe identified the ectoparasites and helminth fauna of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis michahellis), breeding near to a solid waste landfill, and compared infection levels with those of other yellow-legged gull colonies. Moreover, we analysed correlations between parasites and sex and body condition of yellow-legged gulls, co-infections and the helminth community structure in order to propose the role of this species as reservoir of certain parasites. We also discuss the potential transmission of parasites between the yellow-legged gull and the endangered Audouin’s gull, because interactions between these two species, such as kleptoparasitism and predation, occur frequently around colonies. The following species were recorded: Ornithodorus capensis (Arthropoda); Cosmocephalus obvelatus, Paracuaria adunca, Eucoleus contortus, Tetrameres skrjabini and Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda); Tetrabothrius cylindraceus (Cestoda); Acanthotrema armata, Cardiocephaloides longicollis and Ornithobilharzia intermedia (Digenea). Tetrabothrius cylindraceus, A. armata and O. capensis are new parasite records for this host. The dependence of yellow-legged-gulls on fishery discards is supported by the dominance of parasites transmitted through marine intermediate hosts with interest to fisheries in the study area. However, the shift in diet from natural resources to food derived from human activities seems not to affect the parasitic fauna of yellow-legged gull. Besides of direct physical contact between individuals in nesting and resting habitats, the high availability of fishery discards could increase the risk of Audouin’s gulls to be infected by common parasites of yellow-legged gull.


Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 962
Author(s):  
Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz ◽  
Lea Mimoun ◽  
Gili Schvartz ◽  
Sharon Tirosh-Levy ◽  
Igor Savitzki ◽  
...  

In horses, Neospora caninum and Neospora hughesi have been associated with fetal loss, and neurological disease, respectively. This study investigated the role of Neospora spp. infection in equine abortion in Israel. The presence of anti-Neospora spp. antibodies was evaluated in 31 aborting mares by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the presence of parasite DNA in their aborted fetuses was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using two target loci (ITS1 and Nc5). The seroprevalence found in aborting mares was 70.9% and the prevalence by DNA detection in the aborted fetuses was 41.9%. Transplacental transmission from positive mares to their fetuses was 45.4% (10/22), while 33.3% (3/9) of fetuses of seronegative mares also tested positive for Neospora. The use of two PCR targets improved the sensitivity of parasite detection, and positive samples were identified by sequence analyses as N. caninum. These finding suggest that N. caninum could be a significant cause of abortion in horses, and that transplacental transmission in horses is an important way of transmission of N.caninum. The results presented here demonstrated the necessity to use several tests concurrently, including serological and molecular assays in order to confirm the involvement of Neospora in mare abortions.


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