Fatal infection with Versteria sp. in a muskrat, with implications for human health

The Taeniidae tapeworms are a family of helminths that have a similar life cycle, with intermediate hosts developing characteristic cysts in visceral organs. We describe here a case in Pennsylvania, USA, of fatal Versteria infection in a muskrat ( Ondatra zibethicus), which, to our knowledge, has not been reported to develop disease associated with infection. Postmortem examination revealed widespread tissue loss and replacement by solid-bodied cestode larvae with minimal adjacent inflammation in many visceral organs, most severe in the lungs, liver, and brain. Key morphologic features via histology included cephalic structures and short rostellar hooklets, which are characteristic for the genus. Genetic characterization confirmed the cestode as being an undescribed lineage of Versteria that has been implicated as the cause of severe morbidity and mortality in humans and nonhuman primates in North America. Considering the zoonotic significance of this pathogen, our report expands on the limited literature regarding disease caused by Versteria and emphasizes the need to identify the causative tapeworm more accurately, especially in rodent intermediate hosts given that previous reports do not have molecular confirmation of species.

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Giant kidney worm: novel report of Dioctophyma renale in the kidney of a dog in Greece

Helminthologia ◽

10.2478/helm-2020-0008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 43-48

Author(s):

A. Angelou ◽

K. Tsakou ◽

K. Mpranditsas ◽

G. Sioutas ◽

D. Anderson Moores ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Left Kidney ◽

Postmortem Examination ◽

Zoonotic Potential ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Adult Nematode ◽

First Case ◽

The Right ◽

Actual Prevalence

SummaryDioctophyma renale is the largest nematode that infects domestic mammals and is the aetiologic agent of a serious renal disease, dioctophymatosis. It has an indirect life cycle with carnivores serving as final hosts and earthworms as intermediate hosts. The parasite can infect humans with signifi cant zoonotic potential. The pathogenesis of dioctophymatosis is mainly associated with the extent of renal atrophy caused by the parasites, the risk of bilateral renal infestation and the location of the parasite (extrarenal cases). Clinical diagnosis is challenging, and the only treatment option is nephrectomy or nephrotomy to remove the adult nematode. A 6-year-old female crossbreed dog presented with tachypnea, tachycardia and severe hematuria, but died shortly after presentation. Postmortem examination found the right kidney was enlarged and two adult nematodes were found in the renal pelvis. The left kidney was normal. The nematodes were collected and submitted for identifi cation. The two specimens were identifi ed as D. renale using specific identifi cation keys. Herein we present the first case of renal parasitosis by the nematode D. renale in a dog from Greece. This case highlights the need for investigation of the actual prevalence of the parasite and the use of measures for the control of its expansion aiming the protection of dogs and public health.

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Taeniasis in a German Shepherd Pup: A Case Report

THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ◽

10.21887/ijvsbt.15.1.21 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (01) ◽

pp. 83-84

Author(s):

B J Thakre ◽

Joice P Joseph ◽

Binod Kumar ◽

Nilima Brahmbhatt ◽

Krishna Gamit

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Definitive Host ◽

Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

German Shepherd ◽

Taenia Hydatigena ◽

Taenia Multiceps ◽

Taenia Crassiceps ◽

Dipylidium Caninum

Taenia spp. are long, segmented, parasitic tapeworms and are relatively uncommon in canine gastrointestinal diseases compared to other tapeworms like Dipylidium caninum. These parasites have an indirect life cycle, cycling between definitive and intermediate hosts. Dogs act as definitive hosts of different species of Taenia including Taenia multiceps, Taenia serialis, Taenia crassiceps, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia pisiformis, etc. Taenia multiceps is of greatest zoonotic relevance in human. In the definitive host, it causes only mild infection. Larvae are more likely to cause disease than adult tapeworms. Taeniasis in pets should be cautiously handled because of its zoonotic importance. This communication reports a case of 3 months old pup suffering from Taenia infection that was successfully managed with a combination of praziquantel and fenbendazole.

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Serological Evidence of Filovirus Infection in Nonhuman Primates in Zambia

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13071283 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 1283

Author(s):

Katendi Changula ◽

Edgar Simulundu ◽

Boniface Pongombo Lombe ◽

Eri Nakayama ◽

Hiroko Miyamoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nonhuman Primates ◽

Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Vervet Monkeys ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Positive Rate ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

Potential Risks ◽

Reston Virus

Ebolaviruses and marburgviruses are filoviruses that are known to cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs). While some bat species are suspected to be natural reservoirs of these filoviruses, wild NHPs often act as intermediate hosts for viral transmission to humans. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we screened two NHP species, wild baboons and vervet monkeys captured in Zambia, for their serum IgG antibodies specific to the envelope glycoproteins of filoviruses. From 243 samples tested, 39 NHPs (16%) were found to be seropositive either for ebolaviruses or marburgviruses with endpoint antibody titers ranging from 100 to 25,600. Interestingly, antibodies reactive to Reston virus, which is found only in Asia, were detected in both NHP species. There was a significant difference in the seropositivity for the marburgvirus antigen between the two NHP species, with baboons having a higher positive rate. These results suggest that wild NHPs in Zambia might be nonlethally exposed to these filoviruses, and this emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of filovirus infection in wild animals to better understand the ecology of filoviruses and to assess potential risks of outbreaks in humans in previously nonendemic countries.

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One or two intermediate hosts in the life cycle ofMesocestoides (Cyclophyllidea, Mesocestoididae)?

Zeitschrift für Parasitenkunde Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/bf00928692 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 77 (8) ◽

pp. 726-728 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Brigitte Loos-Frank

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Intermediate Hosts

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THE AUTOECIOUS SPECIES OF PUCCINIA ON HELIANTHEAE IN NORTH AMERICA

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b67-248 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 45 (12) ◽

pp. 2267-2327 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

J. A. Parmelee

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Life Cycle ◽

North America ◽

Type Material ◽

Material Distribution ◽

New Combinations ◽

New Varieties

Sixty-two taxa are recognized in this study of the species of Puccinia completing their life cycle on Heliantheae. Six new species are described: Puccinia guatemalensis Parmelee on Zexmenia spp. and Wedelia spp., P. ghiesbreghtii Parmelee on Wedelia ghiesbreghtii, P. abramsii Parmelee on Geraea viscida (= Encelia viscida), P. chloracae Parmelee on Viguiera spp., P. calanticariae Parmelee on Viguiera spp., and P. praetermissa Parmelee on Lagascea spp. Six new varieties are recognized: Puccinia electrae var. robusta Parmelee and P. electrae var. depressiporosa Parmelee on Zexmenia brevifolia, P. caleae var. cuernavacae Parmelee on Calea spp., P. cognata var. echinulata Parmelee on Verbesina spp., P. cognata var. fraseri Parmelee on Viguiera fraseri, and P. affinis var. triporosa Parmelee on Viguiera spp. Three taxa have been restored from synonomy under P. abrupta, viz. P. subglobosa, P. ximenesiae, and P. affinis, the last two parasitic on Verbesina spp., the first on Rhysolepis (= Viguiera). P. tithoniae, P. nanomitra, and P. ordinata, are reduced to synonomy with P. enceliae var. enceliae, P. iostephanes, and P. melampodii respectively. New combinations include: P. enceliae var. aemulans (Syd.) Parmelee and P. abrupta var. partheniicola (Jacks.) Parmelee. A key based on uredinial and telial characters, others based initially on the hosts, and a host index are provided. Each taxon is illustrated by a photomicrograph from type material. Distribution and host extensions, supplementary to those given in Arthur's Manual of the Rusts, are indicated.

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Comparative Life Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment of Renewable Electricity Generation Systems: A Practical Approach Towards Europe, North America and Oceania

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3941687 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

M. A. Parvez Mahmud ◽

Shahjadi Hisan Farjana

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

North America ◽

Environmental Impact ◽

Impact Assessment ◽

Environmental Impact Assessment ◽

Electricity Generation ◽

Practical Approach ◽

Renewable Electricity ◽

Renewable Electricity Generation

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Chrysomyxa abietis (needle rust of fir).

10.1079/cpc.13247.20210101974 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

New Zealand ◽

North America ◽

Rust Fungus ◽

Significant Problem ◽

Northern Europe ◽

Native Range ◽

Obligate Parasite ◽

The Usa ◽

Accidental Introduction

Abstract C. abietis is a microcyclic rust fungus; an obligate parasite completing its life cycle on species of Picea (spruce). Only the current year's needles of Picea are infected and those needles are shed early. Reported from northern Europe and Asia, the fungus is a Regulated Pest for the USA. It is absent from North America, where susceptible species are native, and Australia and New Zealand, where they are introduced. Although usually not a significant problem in its native range, because conditions are not favourable for heavy infections every year (Smith et al., 1988; Hansen, 1997), this rust could be more damaging as an invasive in other temperate areas. Due to the fact that small amounts of infection may be overlooked, accidental introduction could occur through importation of infected seedlings or young trees.

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