Human density is associated with the increased prevalence of a generalist zoonotic parasite in mammalian wildlife

Macroecological approaches can provide valuable insight into the epidemiology of globally distributed, multi-host pathogens. Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan that infects any warm-blooded animal, including humans, in almost every ecosystem worldwide. There is substantial geographical variation in T. gondii prevalence in wildlife populations and the mechanisms driving this variation are poorly understood. We implemented Bayesian phylogenetic mixed models to determine the association between species’ ecology, phylogeny and climatic and anthropogenic factors on T. gondii prevalence. Toxoplasma gondii prevalence data were compiled for free-ranging wild mammal species from 202 published studies, encompassing 45 079 individuals from 54 taxonomic families and 238 species. We found that T. gondii prevalence was positively associated with human population density and warmer temperatures at the sampling location. Terrestrial species had a lower overall prevalence, but there were no consistent patterns between trophic level and prevalence. The relationship between human density and T. gondii prevalence is probably mediated by higher domestic cat abundance and landscape degradation leading to increased environmental oocyst contamination. Landscape restoration and limiting free-roaming in domestic cats could synergistically increase the resiliency of wildlife populations and reduce wildlife and human infection risks from one of the world's most common parasitic infections.

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Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving the Highly Hunted Mammal Species as Bushmeat in Southern Benin

The Open Ecology Journal ◽

10.2174/1874213001811010014 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 14-24

Author(s):

Chabi A.M.S. Djagoun ◽

Etotépé A. Sogbohossou ◽

Barthélémy Kassa ◽

Christian B. Ahouandjinou ◽

Hugues A. Akpona ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Habitat Degradation ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Cell System ◽

Anthropogenic Factors ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Occupancy Model ◽

Habitat Occupancy ◽

Anthropogenic Habitat ◽

Lama Forest

Background: The habitat degradation together with fragmentation and illegal hunting represent a major threat for biodiversity conservation in Lama protected areas. Method: We used a combination of questionnaire survey with local communities for ranking the hunted mammal species as bushmeat and track surveys in gridded-cell system of 500x500 m2 (n=268) to assess at what extend the management design, the anthropogenic factors and habitat type affect the occupancy model of those mammal species. Results: Twenty mammal species have been predominantly reported by the local inhabitants to consume bushmeat species and 5 of them have been identified as the most preferable as hunted game mammals. The selection of the preferred habitat among the swampy forest, the dense forest, the tree plantations and cropland for the prioritized game species varies between species but looks similar when grouping in different orders. Some bushmeat species were found to select the more secure habitat (natural forest); suggesting the zoning system in the Lama forest can passively protect those species. However, some species such as T. swinderianus although highly hunted showed preference to anthropogenic habitat, avoiding the well secured core zone in Lama Forest. Conclusion: Our findings highlighted the importance of the zoning system with different management objectives in the habitat occupancy model of the highly hunted wildlife species.

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Pathomechanisms in the Kidneys in Selected Protozoan Parasitic Infections

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22084209 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (8) ◽

pp. 4209

Author(s):

Karolina Kot ◽

Natalia Łanocha-Arendarczyk ◽

Michał Ptak ◽

Aleksandra Łanocha ◽

Elżbieta Kalisińska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Injury Mechanisms ◽

Kidney Involvement ◽

Leishmania Spp ◽

Apoptosis Process ◽

Insight Into

Leishmaniasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, and acanthamoebiasis are protozoan parasitic infections. They remain important contributors to the development of kidney disease, which is associated with increased patients’ morbidity and mortality. Kidney injury mechanisms are not fully understood in protozoan parasitic diseases, bringing major difficulties to specific therapeutic interventions. The aim of this review is to present the biochemical and molecular mechanisms in kidneys infected with Leishmania spp., Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Acanthamoeba spp. We present available mechanisms of an immune response, oxidative stress, apoptosis process, hypoxia, biomarkers of renal injury in the serum or urine, and the histopathological changes of kidneys infected with the selected parasites. Pathomechanisms of Leishmania spp. and Plasmodium spp. infections have been deeply investigated, while Toxoplasma gondii and Acanthamoeba spp. infections in the kidneys are not well known yet. Deeper knowledge of kidney involvement in leishmaniasis and malaria by presenting their mechanisms provides insight into how to create novel and effective treatments. Additionally, the presented work shows gaps in the pathophysiology of renal toxoplasmosis and acanthamoebiasis, which need further research.

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Pathologic and immunohistochemical findings in an outbreak of systemic toxoplasmosis in a mob of red kangaroos

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/10406387211001869 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104063872110018

Author(s):

Mariano Carossino ◽

Rudy Bauer ◽

Mark A. Mitchell ◽

Charles O. Cummings ◽

Anke C. Stöhr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Sudden Death ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Severe Condition ◽

Multiple Organs ◽

Macropus Rufus ◽

Pulmonary Parenchyma ◽

Protozoan Pathogen ◽

Clinical Conditions

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan pathogen that infects many endothermic vertebrates, including humans; the domestic cat and other felids serve as the definitive host. Macropodids are considered highly susceptible to toxoplasmosis. Here, we describe the clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical findings of an outbreak of systemic toxoplasmosis in a mob of 11 red kangaroos ( Macropus rufus), with high morbidity (73%) and mortality (100%) rates. Affected animals had either severe and rapidly deteriorating clinical conditions or sudden death, which was correlated with widespread necrotizing lesions in multiple organs and intralesional T. gondii organisms identified via MIC3-specific immunohistochemistry and confirmed by REP529-specific rtPCR. Quantification of parasites demonstrated the highest parasite density in pulmonary parenchyma compared with other tissues. Our study highlights the continued importance of this severe condition in Australian marsupials.

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Prevalence of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Toxoplasma gondii in Feral Cats on St. Kitts, West Indies

Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.3390/vetsci8020016 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 16

Author(s):

Xinyu Chi ◽

Kexin Fang ◽

Liza Koster ◽

Jevan Christie ◽

Chaoqun Yao

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Feral Cats ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

One Year

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded species including humans. The definitive hosts of T. gondii are felid vertebrates including the domestic cat. Domestic cats shed oocysts for approximately two weeks in their feces after the primary infection. It has been shown that feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positive cats have a higher prevalence of and a higher titer of antibodies to T. gondii than those of FIV-negative cats. The main purposes of this study were to determine FIV prevalence and to investigate the oocysts shedding in FIV-positive and FIV-negative feral cats on St. Kitts. Fecal samples were collected from feral cats while their FIV statues were determined using a commercial SNAP kit. Total fecal DNA of each cat was tested for the presence of T. gondii DNA using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) consistently detecting one genome equivalent. A FIV-positive status was detected in 18 of 105 (17.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 9.9%−24.3%) feral cats sampled. Furthermore, males were three times more likely to be FIV positive than females (p = 0.017) with an odds ratio of 3.93 (95% CI: 1.20–12.89). Adults were found to have at least twice the prevalence of FIV compared to cats younger than one year of age (p = 0.056) with an odds ratio of 3.07 (95% CI: 0.94–10.00). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was not detected in the feces of any of the 18 FIV-positive (95% CI: 0%−0.18%) and 87 FIV-negative cats (95% CI: 0%−0.04%). A follow-up study with a much bigger sample size is needed to prove or disprove the hypothesis that FIV-positive cats have a higher prevalence of shedding T. gondii oocysts than FIV-negative cats.

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Evidence of the three main clonalToxoplasma gondiilineages from wild mammalian carnivores in the UK

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182013001169 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 140 (14) ◽

pp. 1768-1776 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

A. BURRELLS ◽

P. M. BARTLEY ◽

I. A. ZIMMER ◽

S. ROY ◽

A. C. KITCHENER ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Rflp Markers ◽

Type I ◽

Type Ii ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Pcr Rflp ◽

Few Data ◽

The Uk

SUMMARYToxoplasma gondiiis a zoonotic pathogen defined by three main clonal lineages (types I, II, III), of which type II is most common in Europe. Very few data exist on the prevalence and genotypes ofT. gondiiin the UK. Wildlife can act as sentinel species forT. gondiigenotypes present in the environment, which may subsequently be transmitted to livestock and humans. DNA was extracted from tissue samples of wild British carnivores, including 99 ferrets, 83 red foxes, 70 polecats, 65 mink, 64 badgers and 9 stoats. Parasite DNA was detected using a nested ITS1 PCR specific forT. gondii, PCR positive samples were subsequently genotyped using five PCR–RFLP markers.Toxoplasma gondiiDNA was detected within all these mammal species and prevalence varied from 6·0 to 44·4% depending on the host. PCR–RFLP genotyping identified type II as the predominant lineage, but type III and type I alleles were also identified. No atypical or mixed genotypes were identified within these animals. This study demonstrates the presence of alleles for all three clonal lineages with potential for transmission to cats and livestock. This is the first DNA-based study ofT. gondiiprevalence and genotypes across a broad range of wild British carnivores.

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Endoparasite Infections of the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Central Italy

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11113171 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 3171

Author(s):

Alessia Mariacher ◽

Andrea Santini ◽

Irene Del Lesto ◽

Sara Tonon ◽

Elena Cardini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Southern Italy ◽

Histopathological Examination ◽

Central Italy ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Public Parks ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Erinaceus Europaeus ◽

European Hedgehog ◽

Physaloptera Clausa

The European hedgehog is a synanthropic mammal, widely distributed in Europe. This species usually inhabits the edges of deciduous or mixed woods, but it is also very common in private gardens and public parks. Despite its popularity and frequency of contacts both with humans and with wild and domestic animals, few studies have examined the endoparasitic fauna of the hedgehog in Italy. In the present study, endoparasites of naturally deceased hedgehogs (n = 40) from central Italy (Latium and Tuscany regions) were investigated, along with concurrent gross and histopathological lesions. The most prevalent identified endoparasites were Crenosoma striatum (45%), Capillaria erinacei (42.5%) and Brachylaemus erinacei (22.5%), in accordance with previous reports from hedgehogs in southern Italy. In few subjects, Physaloptera clausa, Acanthocephalans and Cystoisospora rastegaeivae coccidia were also identified. The infection by the lungworm C. striatum was found to be significantly associated (p < 0.01) with bronchial hyperplasia and peribronchiolitis upon histopathological examination. Awareness of the most common parasitic infections in the hedgehog and of their effects on the health of these animals is extremely important, especially in wildlife rescue centers, where European hedgehog represents the most frequently hospitalized mammal species.

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Social contact behaviors are associated with infection status for whipworm (Trichuris sp.) in wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

10.1101/2020.10.07.329409 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Brandi Wren ◽

Ian S. Ray ◽

Melissa Remis ◽

Thomas R. Gillespie ◽

Joseph Camp

Keyword(s):

Direct Contact ◽

Sickness Behavior ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Vervet Monkeys ◽

Infection Status ◽

Social Grooming ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Chlorocebus Pygerythrus

AbstractSocial grooming in the animal kingdom is common and serves several functions, from removing ectoparasites to maintaining social bonds between conspecifics. We examined whether time spent grooming with others in a highly social mammal species was associated with infection status for gastrointestinal parasites. Of six parasites detected, one (Trichuris sp.) was associated with social grooming behaviors, but more specifically with direct physical contact with others. Individuals infected with Trichuris sp. spent significantly less time grooming conspecifics than those not infected, and time in direct contact with others was the major predictor of infection status. One model correctly predicted infection status for Trichuris sp. with a reliability of 95.17% overall when the variables used were time spent in direct contact and time spent grooming others. This decrease in time spent grooming and interacting with others is likely a sickness behavior displayed by individuals with less energy or motivation for non-essential behaviors. This study highlights the need for an understanding of a study population’s parasitic infections when attempting to interpret animal behavior.

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Epidemiological Survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Associated Risk Factors in Ruminant Species of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan

Journal of Parasitology Research ◽

10.1155/2021/6653239 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Abid Ali ◽

Talha Omer ◽

Asad Ullah ◽

Abdul Haleem ◽

Maryam Naseem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Epidemiological Survey ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Toxoplasma Infection ◽

Ruminant Species ◽

Starting Point ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Toxoplasma infection is one of the most common human parasitic diseases. During 2018-2020, in the rural areas of three districts of Pakistan, we surveyed a total of 451 animals, belonging to different asymptomatic ruminant species, to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. We used ELISA assay as well as recorded some associated risk factors contributing to its transmission. IgM antibodies were detected in 17% and IgG in 13.4% of ruminant samples with the highest percentage, 10% for IgM and 8.6% for IgG in sheep. A strong significant association was found between antibodies and different species (IgM, χ 2 = 29 .280, P = .000 , and IgG, χ 2 = 22.580 , P = .000 ), respectively. Infection with T. gondii seems mainly associated with different geographic features and the presence of cats in the environment, low hygiene water systems and livestock that are mostly dependent on outdoor drinking and grazing. There was no significant association between IgM and age grouping ( χ 2 = 6.660 , P = 0.840 nor for IgG ( χ 2 = 8.136 , P = 0.43 ). The results of this study may be considered the starting point to promote the awareness about parasitic infections in ruminants in Pakistan in order to prevent this infection from further spreading.

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Parasitic Infections

Mayo Clinic Infectious Diseases Board Review ◽

10.1093/med/9780199827626.003.0022 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 190-217

Author(s):

Jon E. Rosenblatt ◽

Bobbi S. Pritt

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Entamoeba Histolytica ◽

Giardia Lamblia ◽

Babesia Microti ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Blastocystis Hominis ◽

Different Types ◽

Eukaryotic Organisms ◽

Parasitic Worms

This chapter covers protozoa, helminths, and arthropods. 1. Protozoa are single-celled, microscopic eukaryotic organisms like amebae and Giardia. Helminths are parasitic worms including nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flukes). Arthropods, like ticks and mites, are generally considered parasites. Specific organisms reviewed include Giardia lamblia, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba histolytica, Plasmodium falciparum, Babesia microti, and Toxoplasma gondii. Diagnosis and treatment of different types of infection are also reviewed.

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Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and associated risk factors in women in selected districts of Punjab province, Pakistan

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182020000967 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 147 (10) ◽

pp. 1133-1139

Author(s):

Shahzad Ali ◽

Zona Amjad ◽

Tahir Mahmood Khan ◽

Abdul Maalik ◽

Anam Iftikhar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽

Sampling Location ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Binomial Logistic Regression ◽

Punjab Province

AbstractToxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma (T.) gondii. Limited data are available on the occurrence of T. gondii in women especially pregnant women in Pakistan. The present study aimed to determine the occurrence and risk factors associated with T. gondii in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Punjab Province, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted and 593 samples were collected from pregnant (n = 293) and non-pregnant (n = 300) women of District Headquarter Hospitals of Chiniot, Faisalabad, Jhang and Okara, Pakistan. Data related to demographic parameters and risk factors were collected using a pretested questionnaire on blood sampling day. Serum samples were screened for antibodies (IgG) against T. gondii using ELISA. A univariant and binomial logistic regression was applied to estimate the association between seropositive and explanatory variables considering the 95% confidence interval. P value ⩽0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analysis. Out of 593, 44 (7.42%) women were seropositive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. Occupation, age, sampling location, socioeconomic status, contact with cat, pregnancy status and trimester of pregnancy were significantly associated with seropositivity for T. gondii antibodies. Location and trimester of pregnancy were identified as potential risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity based on binomial logistic regression. Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Therefore, now a necessitated awareness is required to instruct the individuals about these infectious diseases (toxoplasmosis) and their control strategies to maintain the health of human population. Moreover, health awareness among public can help the minimization of T. gondii infection during pregnancy and subsequent risk of congenital toxoplasmosis.

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