scholarly journals Molecular survey of vector-borne diseases in two groups of domestic dogs from Lisbon, Portugal

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Mafalda Dordio ◽  
Relja Beck ◽  
Telmo Nunes ◽  
Isabel Pereira da Fonseca ◽  
Jacinto Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Status ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
Hepatozoon Canis ◽  
Clinical Approach ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Southern Portugal ◽  
Vector Borne

Abstract Background Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a wide range of pathogens transmitted by arthropods. They have been an issue of growing importance in recent years; however, there is limited information about the vector-borne pathogens circulating in Portugal. The aim of the present study was to detect canine vector-borne bacteria and protozoa of veterinary and zoonotic importance using molecular methods. Methods One hundred and forty-two dogs from Lisbon, southern Portugal, were tested: 48 dogs from a veterinary hospital clinically suspected of vector-borne diseases and 94 apparently healthy dogs from shelters. Anaplasma spp./Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp., and Mycoplasma spp. infections were detected by PCR from blood samples and examined under light microscopy. Other information including clinical status and diagnostic test results were collected for each animal. Results Infections were detected by PCR in 48 (33.80%) dogs. Single infections were found in 35 dogs (24.64%), and co-infections were found in 13 (9.15%) dogs. Twenty-nine (20.42%) dogs were positive for Hepatozoon spp., 15 (10.56%) for Mycoplasma spp., 11 (7.75%) for Anaplasma spp./Ehrlichia spp., and six (4.21%) for Babesia spp. DNA sequencing was used to identify Babesia vogeli (2.81%), Babesia canis (1.40%), Hepatozoon canis (20.42%), Mycoplasma haematoparvum (2.11%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (8.45%), Anaplasma platys (7.04%), and Ehrlichia canis (0.70%). Conclusions This is the first molecular identification of B. canis and M. haematoparvum in dogs from southern Portugal. This study highlights the importance of molecular methods to identify CVBD pathogens in endemic areas and helps to guide the clinical approach of veterinarians in practice.

scholarly journals Wolbachia: endosymbiont of onchocercid nematodes and their vectors

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranju Ravindran Santhakumari Manoj ◽  
Maria Stefania Latrofa ◽  
Sara Epis ◽  
Domenico Otranto
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Veterinary Importance ◽  
Wolbachia Endosymbiont ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
And Control

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

scholarly journals Application of advanced molecular techniques to detect vector borne pathogens from stray dogs and cats in two different climatic zones of Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah D Alanazi ◽  
Jan Šlapeta ◽  
Abulaziz Alouffi ◽  
Nichola Calvani ◽  
Mohamed Alyousif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Background: Vector-borne diseases have been increasing worldwide and reported in many animals including dogs and cats. Limited or no data are currently available regarding canine and feline vector-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia and limited information is available from other Middle Eastern countries. The aim of this study was to compare vector-borne disease prevalence between two bio-climatically distinct regions of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh province that is arid positioned at low elevation and Asir province that is humid at high elevation. Methods: Blood samples from 74d ogs from Riyadh province and 70 dogs and 44 cats from Asirprovince were collected and examined for the presence of genomic DNA of Babesias pp, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichias pp., Bartonella spp., Mycoplasma spp., and Hepatozoon spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Multiplex-tandem PCR (MT-PCR) and Sanger sequencing.Results: Seventy four dogs were tested from Riyadh province and found be negative of any pathogen. Of the 70 dogs examined from Asir province 45(64.3%) were positive. Specifically, 40 (57.1%) dogs were positive for A.platys, 20 (28.5%) for B.vogeli, 11(15.7%) for My.Haemocanis, two (2.85%) for Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum and one (1.4%) for Br.henselae. Fourteen out of 44 cats (31.8%) were positive for one of the detected vector-borne pathogens. Six cats (13.6%) were positive for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and My.haemofelis, respectively, four cats (9.2%) were positive for Br.Henselae, two (4.54%) for Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum and one (2.27%) for A. platys. Conclusions: The results of this study report the occurrence of A. platys, B. vogeli, Br. henselae, and My. haemocanis in dogs and of A. platys, Br. henselae, My.haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum in cats from Asir province Further molecular investigations are strongly recommended in order to reduce the risk of dogs and cats acquiring vector-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia.

Direct and Indirect Social Drivers and Impacts of Vector-Borne Diseases

2020 ◽  
pp. 247-266
Author(s):  
Sadie J. Ryan ◽  
Catherine A. Lippi ◽  
Kevin L. Bardosh ◽  
Erika F. Frydenlund ◽  
Holly D. Gaff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Storms ◽  
Poverty Trap ◽  
Cultural Perceptions ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Developed Nations

Vector borne diseases (VBDs) are often seen by the highly developed nations of the world as an issue of poor tropical countries. While framing the problem this way—through the paradigm of a poverty-trap—may leverage aid and motivate political will toward disease control, it misses a wide range of socio-political contexts both driving, and driven by, vector borne diseases. In this chapter, we present a series of global vignettes, to illustrate different facets of the broad remit of social drivers and interactions with VBDs. We approach the urban social-ecological context in Latin America and the Caribbean, impacts and aftermath of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tropical storms, struggles with trust in intervention implementation in Haiti, and drivers and impacts of ruminant arbovirus emergence events in Europe. We conclude that incorporating an understanding of social context, including political history and cultural perceptions, is a key part of VBD research and intervention practice.

scholarly journals Outwitting planarian’s antibacterial defence mechanisms:Rickettsialesbacterial trans-infection fromParamecium multimicronucleatumto planarians

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letizia Modeo ◽  
Alessandra Salvetti ◽  
Leonardo Rossi ◽  
Michele Castelli ◽  
Franziska Szokoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Trans Infection ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dugesia Japonica ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Hematophagous Arthropods

AbstractMost of the microorganisms belonging to genera responsible for vector-borne diseases (VBD) have hematophagous arthropods as vector/reservoir. Recently, many new species of microorganisms phylogenetically related to agents of VBD were found in a variety of aquatic eukaryotic hosts, in particular, numerous new bacterial species related to the genusRickettsia(Alphaproteobacteria, Rickettsiales) were discovered in protist ciliates and other unicellular eukaryotes. Although their pathogenicity for humans and terrestrial animals is not known, these bacteria might act as etiological agents of possible VBD of aquatic organisms, with protist as vectors. In the present study, we characterized a novel strain of theRickettsia-Like Organism (RLO) endosymbiont “Candidatus(Ca.) Trichorickettsia mobilis” in the macronucleus of the ciliateParamecium multimicronucleatumthrough FluorescenceIn SituHybridization (FISH) and molecular analyses. Ultrastructural investigations on the presence of flagella confirmed previous studies on the same bacterial species. The potential trans-infection perosof this bacterium to planarians (Dugesia japonica), a widely used model system able to eliminate a wide range of bacteria pathogenic to humans and other Metazoa, was further verified. Ciliate mass cultures were set up, and trans-infection experiments were performed by adding homogenized paramecia to food of antibiotic-treated planarians, performed. Treated and non-treated (i.e. control) planarians were investigated at day 1, 3, and 7 after feeding for endosymbiont presence by means of PCR and ultrastructural analyses. Obtained results were fully concordant and suggest that this RLO endosymbiont can be transferred from ciliates to metazoans, being detected up to day 7 in treated planarian enterocytes inside and, possibly, outside phagosomes.

scholarly journals Antileishmanial Activity of the Genus Piper: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 21-44
Author(s):  
Caroline G. Macêdo ◽  
Kelly Christina F. Castro ◽  
Edilene Oliveira da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Significant Morbidity ◽  
Chemical Substances ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Etiological Agents

Background: Leishmaniases are anthropozoonotic vector-borne diseases, caused by the protozoan Leishmania spp. These diseases have significant morbidity and mortality worldwide and, as there are currently no vaccines available for their treatment, chemotherapy remains the mainstay for anti-leishmanial therapeutics. However, the severe side effects, reduced bioavailability, high cost and chemoresistance, amongst other problems, limit the use of available drugs. In recent years, natural compounds have shown promise as anti-leishmanial agents, especially those extracted from medicinal plants. The genus Piper has been used in traditional medicine and widely explored for its biological properties and bioactive phytocompounds. Aim: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review of the biological activity of the genus Piper against the etiological agents of leishmaniasis, to provide a perspective for effective and safe phytotherapics, new drugs or potentially active prototype chemical substances. Methodology: This systematic review was prepared in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The databases used for this review were SciELO, Pubmed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, using a temporal profile of 2009 to 2020. Conclusion: In this review, we summarize a wide range of isolated compounds, extracts and essential oils of the genus Piper that are worth screening given their potential for development as effective anti-leishmanial drugs.

scholarly journals Bacterial and protozoal agents of feline vector-borne diseases in domestic and stray cats from southern Portugal

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Maia ◽  
Cláudia Ramos ◽  
Mónica Coimbra ◽  
Filipa Bastos ◽  
Ângela Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Southern Portugal ◽  
Vector Borne

Critical analysis of vector-borne infections in dogs: Babesia vogeli, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis in Punjab, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lachhman Das Singla ◽  
Deepak Sumbria ◽  
Ajay Mandhotra ◽  
M.S. Bal ◽  
Paramjit Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Hepatozoon Canis ◽  
Babesia Gibsoni ◽  
Chain Reactions ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reactions ◽  
Relationship Analysis ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Blood Smear Examination ◽  
Vector Borne

AbstractThere are few published studies on various vector borne diseases of dogs in India and most depict clinical infection in dogs, diagnosed by observation of the haemopathogens in stained blood smears. This study provides the first report regarding molecular confirmation and ancestral relationship analysis of blood smears positive cases of assorted haemopathogens in Punjab province of India. On blood smear examination, haemopathogens were observed in 124 out of 778 (15.95%, 95% CI: 13.53– 18.68) blood smears. Further polymerase chain reactions (PCR) was used on bloods smear positive cases to validate the results. Out of 778 blood samples,

scholarly journals Vector-borne pathogens in dogs of different regions of Iran and Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Iatta ◽  
Alireza Sazmand ◽  
Viet-Linh Nguyen ◽  
Farzad Nemati ◽  
Muhammad Mazhar Ayaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Hepatozoon Canis ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Pathogen Dna

AbstractCanine 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.

scholarly journals Vector-borne diseases of small companion animals in Namibia: Literature review, knowledge gaps and opportunity for a One Health approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce H. Noden ◽  
Minty Soni
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
One Health ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Hepatozoon Canis ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Surrounding Areas

Namibia has a rich history in veterinary health but little is known about the vector-borne diseases that affect companion dogs and cats. The aim of this review is to summarise the existing published and available unpublished literature, put it into a wider geographical context, and explore some significant knowledge gaps. To date, only two filarial pathogens (Dirofilaria repens and Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides) and three tick-borne pathogens (Babesia canis vogeli, Hepatozoon canis and Ehrlichia canis) have been reported. Most studies have focused solely on dogs and cats in the urban Windhoek and surrounding areas, with almost nothing reported in rural farming areas, in either the populous northern regions or the low-income urban areas where animal owners have limited access to veterinary services. With the development of several biomedical training programmes in the country, there is now an excellent opportunity to address zoonotic vector-borne diseases through a One Health approach so as to assess the risks to small companion animals as well as diseases of public health importance.

scholarly journals ZnO Nanoflower-Based NanoPCR as an Efficient Diagnostic Tool for Quick Diagnosis of Canine Vector-Borne Pathogens

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Upadhyay ◽  
Huan Yang ◽  
Bilal Zaman ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Yundi Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Hepatozoon Canis ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Target Dna ◽  
Dna Strands ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Canine Diseases

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a unique technique in molecular biology and biotechnology for amplifying target DNA strands, and is also considered as a gold standard for the diagnosis of many canine diseases as well as many other infectious diseases. However, PCR still faces many challenges and issues related to its sensitivity, specificity, efficiency, and turnaround time. To address these issues, we described the use of unique ZnO nanoflowers in PCR reaction and an efficient ZnO nanoflower-based PCR (nanoPCR) for the molecular diagnosis of canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs). A total of 1 mM of an aqueous solution of ZnO nanoflowers incorporated in PCR showed a significant enhancement of the PCR assay with respect to its sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of two important CVBDs, Babesia canis vogeli and Hepatozoon canis. Interestingly, it drastically reduced the turnaround time of the PCR assay without compromising the yield of the amplified DNA, which can be of benefit for veterinary practitioners for the improved management of diseases. This can be attributed to the favorable adsorption of ZnO nanoflowers to the DNA and thermal conductivity of ZnO nanoflowers. The unique ZnO nanoflower-assisted nanoPCR greatly improved the yield, purity, and quality of the amplified products, but the mechanism behind these properties and the effects and changes due to the different concentrations of ZnO nanoflowers in the PCR system needs to be further studied.

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