Opportunistic Protozoan Infections of Carnivores

AbstractGiardiasis and cryptosporidiosis are protozoan infections of the digestive tract and one of the most frequent causes of enteritis in dogs and cats, associated with acute and chronic diarrhoea. Generally, the risk of infection is higher for younger individuals in which the overall clinical picture and the course of disease are more serious. In this study we investigated the prevalence of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis in dogs in Košice district of eastern Slovakia. From September 2015 until November 2016, we examined samples of faeces from 100 dogs from two shelters. Giardia duodenalis was diagnosed by the flotation method according to Faust, and by the molecular biologic method (Nested PCR). For the diagnosis of cryptosporidium oocysts, we used a staining method according to Kinyoun, and for detection of the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. a sandwich ELISA method. The total prevalence of these protozoan infections were 22 % (22/100), and of that, 19 % of the samples (19/100) were positive for Giardia duodenalis and 3 % (3/100) for the Cryptosporidium spp. In the shelter in Haniska, the giardia cysts were present in 9/54 samples (16.6 %) and cryptosporidia oocysts in 1/54 (1.85 %) samples of the faeces. In the Malá Farma shelter, 10/46 (21.73 %) samples were positive for G. duodenalis and 2/46 (4.34 %) showed positivity for Cryptosporidium spp.

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Cryptosporidium spp. Infections in Livestock and Wild Animals in Azerbaijan Territory

Environmental Sciences Proceedings ◽

10.3390/environsciproc2020002044 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 44

Author(s):

Simuzer Mamedova ◽

Panagiotis Karanis

Keyword(s):

Staining Method ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Structural Features ◽

Cryptosporidium Spp ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Cryptosporidium Oocysts ◽

Stool Specimens ◽

Intracellular Protozoan Parasite ◽

Acid Fast Staining

Cryptosporidium is an intracellular protozoan parasite and is increasingly gaining attention as a human and an animal pathogen, mainly due to its predominant involvement in worldwide waterborne outbreaks. This paper reviews the current knowledge and understanding of Cryptosporidium spp. in terrestrial and aquatic animals in Azerbaijan. The diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis relies on the identification of oocysts in faecal samples released by the infected host. Stool specimens were processed using the modified acid-fast staining method (Ziehl-Neelsen) and microscopically examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Thirteen species of Cryptosporidium (C. fragile, C. ducismarci, C. serpentis, C. varani, C. baileyi, C. meleagridis, C. muris, C. parvum, C. ubiquitum, C. andersoni, C. bovis, C. hominis, C. suis) from amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals have been identified as a result of studies conducted between 1987 and 2019 on the structural features of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Azerbaijan territory.

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Literature Review: Coinfection in Young Ruminant Livestock—Cryptosporidium spp. and Its Companions

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens11010103 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 103

Author(s):

Cora Delling ◽

Arwid Daugschies

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Literature Review ◽

Animal Welfare ◽

Cryptosporidium Parvum ◽

Giardia Duodenalis ◽

Infectious Agent ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Course Of Disease ◽

Cryptosporidium Spp ◽

Ruminant Livestock

The protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum is one of the major causative pathogens of diarrhoea in young ruminants; therefore, it causes economic losses and impairs animal welfare. Besides C. parvum, there are many other non-infectious and infectious factors, such as rotavirus, Escherichia coli, and Giardia duodenalis, which may lead to diarrhoeic disease in young livestock. Often, more than one infectious agent is detected in affected animals. Little is known about the interactions bet-ween simultaneously occurring pathogens and their potential effects on the course of disease. In this review, a brief overview about pathogens associated with diarrhoea in young ruminants is presented. Furthermore, information about coinfections involving Cryptosporidium is provided.

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Potential role of beavers (Castor fiber) in contamination of water in the Masurian Lake District (north-eastern Poland) with protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis

Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy ◽

10.1515/bvip-2015-0033 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 219-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jacek Sroka ◽

Zygmunt Giżejewski ◽

Angelina Wójcik-Fatla ◽

Krzysztof Stojecki ◽

Ewa Bilska-Zając ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Potential Role ◽

Giardia Duodenalis ◽

Lake District ◽

Cryptosporidium Spp ◽

North Eastern ◽

Cryptosporidium Oocysts ◽

Direct Fluorescence ◽

Zoonotic Parasites ◽

Giardia Cysts

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the possible influence of beavers on the contamination of lake water with zoonotic parasites Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp., with respect to the risk to human health. A total of 79 water samples were taken around the habitats of beavers from 14 localities situated in the recreational Masurian Lake District (north-eastern Poland). Water was sampled in the spring and autumn seasons, at different distances from beavers’ lodges (0-2, 10, 30, and 50 m). The samples were examined for the presence of (oo)cysts of zoonotic protozoa Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. by direct fluorescence assay (DFA) and by nested and real time PCR. By DFA, the presence of Giardia cysts was found in 36 samples (45.6%) and the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in 26 samples (32.9%). Numbers of Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts, and summarised (oo)cysts of both parasites showed a significant variation depending on locality. The numbers of Giardia cysts significantly decreased with the distance from beavers’ lodges while the numbers of Cryptosporidium oocysts did not show such dependence. The amount of Giardia cysts in samples collected in spring was approximately 3 times higher than in autumn. Conversely, a larger number of Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in samples collected in autumn than in spring. By PCR, Giardia DNA was found in 38 samples (48.1%) whereas DNA of Cryptosporidium was found in only 7 samples (8.9%). Eleven Giardia isolates were subjected to phylogenetic analysis by restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR or sequencing which evidenced their belonging to zoonotic assemblages: A (3 isolates) and B (8 isolates). In conclusion, water in the vicinity of beavers’ lodges in the tested region was markedly contaminated with (oo)cysts of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp., which confirms the potential role of beavers as a reservoir of these parasites and indicates a need for implementation of appropriate preventive measures to protect tourists’ health.

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Highly sensitive and specific detection of Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium spp. in human stool samples by the BD MAX™ Enteric Parasite Panel

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-017-5720-7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 117 (2) ◽

pp. 447-451 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Marijo Parčina ◽

Ingrid Reiter-Owona ◽

Frank P. Mockenhaupt ◽

Valerija Vojvoda ◽

Jean Bosco Gahutu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Entamoeba Histolytica ◽

Giardia Duodenalis ◽

Specific Detection ◽

Cryptosporidium Spp ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Stool Samples ◽

Human Stool

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Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs from different living conditions in Uberlândia, Brazil

Veterinary Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.09.039 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 144 (3-4) ◽

pp. 356-359 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

M.J.S. Mundim ◽

L.A.G. Rosa ◽

S.M. Hortêncio ◽

E.S.M. Faria ◽

R.M. Rodrigues ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Giardia Duodenalis ◽

Living Conditions ◽

Cryptosporidium Spp

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Prevalence and determinants of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in smallholder dairy cattle in Iringa and Tanga Regions of Tanzania

Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.4102/ojvr.v74i1.136 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

E.S. Swai ◽

N.P. French ◽

E.D. Karimuribo ◽

J.L. Fitzpatrick ◽

M.J. Bryant ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Animal Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cryptosporidium Spp ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

The Family ◽

Cryptosporidium Oocysts ◽

Smallholder Dairy ◽

Family House

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in a cross-sectional study of dairy cattle, from two contrasting dairying regions in Tanzania, were determined by staining smears of faecal samples with the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. Of the 1 126 faecal samples screened, 19.7% were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. The prevalence was lower in Tanga Region than in Iringa Region. The prevalence of affected farms was 20% in Tanga and 21% in Iringa. In both regions, the probability of detecting Cryptosporidium oocysts in faeces varied with animal class, but these were not consistent in both regions. In Tanga Region, Cryptosporidium oocysts were significantly more likely to be found in the faeces of milking cows. In Iringa Region, the likelihood that cattle had Cryptosporidium-positive faeces declined with age, and milking cattle were significantly less likely to have Cryptosporidium positive faeces. In this region, 7% of cattle were housed within the family house at night, and this was marginally associated with a higher likelihood that animals had Cryptosporidium-positive faeces. Our study suggests that even though herd sizes are small, Cryptosporidium spp. are endemic on many Tanzanian smallholder dairy farms. These protozoa may impact on animal health and production, but also on human health, given the close associations between the cattle and their keepers. Further studies are required to assess these risks in more detail, and understand the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in this management system.

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Refractory Giardiasis in an Immunosuppressed Patient in Turkey

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.9669 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (03) ◽

pp. 204-207

Author(s):

Filiz Kaya ◽

Ahmet Çağkan İnkaya ◽

Salih Maçin ◽

Yakut Akyön ◽

Sibel Ergüven

Keyword(s):

Small Intestine ◽

Giardia Duodenalis ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Chronic Diarrhoea ◽

Immunosuppressed Patient ◽

Predisposing Factor ◽

Giardia Infection ◽

Stool Samples ◽

Higher Doses ◽

Immunocompetent Patients

Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis. In immunocompetent patients the infection is usually self-limited and no treatment may be needed. Immunodeficiency, however, is a predisposing factor for the development of severe Giardia infection. In this report, a case of recurrent giardiasis refractory to nitroimidazoles and nitazoxanides presented. A 28-year-old male patient with hypogammaglobulinemia admitted to our hospital because of chronic diarrhoea. Microscopic examination of stool revealed a high number of Giardia trophozoites and cysts. Treatment with higher doses and a longer course of metronidazole, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ornidazole and albendazole failed. Administration of nitazoxanide, which has been reported to be effective against Giardia duodenalis refractory to nitroimidazoles, was commenced, but his symptoms persisted and stool samples demonstrated Giardia trophozoites and cysts again.

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Toxocara cati and other parasitic enteropathogens: more commonly found in owned cats with gastrointestinal signs than in clinically healthy ones

10.21203/rs.3.rs-153658/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aurora L. Ursache ◽

Adriana Györke ◽

Viorica Mircean ◽

Mirabela Oana Dumitrache ◽

Andrei Răzvan Codea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Giardia Duodenalis ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Toxocara Cati ◽

The Public ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Flotation Method

Abstract Gastrointestinal parasites are involved in the health and wellbeing of cats and some of them, due to their zoonotic character represent a problem for the public health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of parasitic infections in cats with digestive symptoms. Faecal samples collected from 137 cats were analysed by the flotation method using sodium chloride saturated solution. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites was 56.6%. GI parasites were significantly (p=0.005) more common in cats with digestive symptoms (69.8%) than in clinically healthy ones (23.0%). Toxocara cati (40.2%) was the most frequently identified GI parasite, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (10.2%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (3.7%), Taenia spp. (2.2), Giardia duodenalis (2.2%), and Toxoplasma gondii-like oocysts (0.7%). T. cati (53.3%, p<0.0001) and Cystoisospora spp. (15.6%, p<0.001) were significantly more frequently diagnosed in cats with digestive symptoms. Lack of deworming in the last three months (OR: 15.9), outdoor access (OR: 13.8), the presence of digestive symptoms (OR: 5.4), and young age (OR: 4.2) were identified as risk factors for T. cati infection by logistic regression analysis. Regardless of the age, symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and inappetence were positively associated with T. cati.

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