1,721,021 research outputs found
Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in Rhipicephalus sanguineus group ticks.
No full textThe Rhipicephalus sanguineus group includes some of the most widespread dog ticks, whose identification currently represents a difficult task due to the morphological similarities of these ixodid species. Recently, following the morphological and molecular characterization of tick specimens collected from dogs in all continents, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.), Rhipicephalus turanicus and three different operational taxonomic units (namely Rhipicephalus sp. I-III) have been identified. Therefore, a comprehensive molecular study has been herein carried out to detect selected canine vector-borne pathogens (i.e., Anaplasma platys, Cercopithifilaria spp., Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis) in ticks belonging to the R. sanguineus group. A total of 204 tick specimens from dogs were examined and identified as R. sanguineus s.l. (. n=. 81), R. turanicus (. n=. 17), Rhipicephalus sp. I (. n=. 66), Rhipicephalus sp. II (. n=. 37), and Rhipicephalus sp. III (. n=. 3). PCR assays were performed to detect mitochondrial and ribosomal target genes of Cercopithifilaria spp., A. platys, E. canis and H. canis. Out of 204 specimens examined, 2.5%, 7.4% and 21.6% scored positive to A. platys, H. canis and Cercopithifilaria spp., respectively. In addition, co-infections with two pathogens (i.e., Cercopithifilaria bainae and A. platys or H. canis) were detected in four tick specimens. This study suggests a relationship between ticks belonging to the R. sanguineus group and the geographical distribution of A. platys, H. canis and Cercopithifilaria spp. However, the role of each representative tick species within the R. sanguineus group in the transmission of these canine pathogens needs to be further investigated
Detection of Anaplasma platys in dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus group ticks by a quantitative real-time PCR.
No full textcauses canine infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia (CICT). The vector role of Rhipicephalus sang-uineus group ticks has been only suggested, but definitive evidence is lacking. Thisstudy aimed to detect and quantify A. platys DNA in infected dogs and in their respec-tive ticks through a quantitative real-time PCR assay. From March to May 2009, bloodand tick samples from dogs residing in a CICT-endemic area were collected and molec-ularly analysed. Differences (p 0.05). The mean bacterial load detected in positive dogs was lower than that in theirrespective ticks (p > 0.05). This study provides circumstantial evidence of the putative roleof Rhipicephalus sp. I as a vector of this pathogen
Gastropod-Borne Helminths: A Look at the Snail-Parasite Interplay.
Full text linkMore than 300 million people suffer from a range of diseases caused bygastropod-borne helminths, predominantly flatworms and roundworms, whoselife cycles are characterized by a diversified ecology and epidemiology. Despitethe plethora of data on these parasites, very little is known of the fundamentalbiology of their gastropod intermediate hosts, or of the interactions occurring atthe snail–helminth interface. In this article, we focus on schistosomes and meta-strongylids of human and animal significance, and review current knowledge ofsnail–parasite interplay. Future efforts aimed at elucidating key elements of thebiology and ecology of the snail intermediate hosts, together with an improvedunderstanding of snail–parasite interactions, will aid to identify, plan, and developnew strategies for disease control focused on gastropod intermediate hosts
Transstadial transmission of Hepatozoon canis from larvae to nymphs of Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
No full textHepatozoon canis is an apicomplexan parasite of dogs, which is known to become infected by ingesting Rhipicephalus sanguineus adult ticks. To investigate the possibility of H. canis transovarial and transstadial transmission from larvae to nymphs, engorged adult female ticks were collected from a private animal shelter in southern Italy, where H. canis infection is highly prevalent. Female ticks (n=35) and egg batches were tested by PCR for H. canis. All eggs examined were PCR-negative whereas 88.6% of females from the environment tested positive. Additionally, fed larvae (n=120) from a dog naturally infected by H. canis were dissected at different time points post collection (i.e. 0, 10, 20 and 30 days). Molted nymphs dissected at 20 days post collection revealed immature oocysts displaying an amorphous central structure in 50% of the specimens, and oocysts containing sporocysts with sporozoites were found in 53.3% of the nymphs dissected at 30 days post collection. This study demonstrates that H. canis is not transmitted transovarially, but it is transmitted transstadially from larvae to nymphs of R. sanguineus and develops sporozoites in oocysts that may infect dogs.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Diversity of Cercopithifilaria species in dogs from Portugal
No full textBACKGROUND:
Filarioids belonging to the genus Cercopithifilaria (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) have been described in dogs in association with Rhipicephalus sanguineus group ticks, which act as their biological vectors. This study represents the first investigation on Cercopithifilaria spp. in dogs from Portugal.
FINDINGS:
Dogs (n = 102) from the Algarve region (south of Portugal) were sampled by skin snip collection and tissues were left to soak overnight in saline solution. Sediments were observed under a light microscope and the detected microfilariae identified according to their morphology. Twenty-four dogs (23.5%) were found infected with at least one species of Cercopithifilaria, namely C. bainae (9.8%), C. grassii (3.9%) and Cercopithifilaria sp. II sensu Otranto et al., 2013 (13.7%). Results were confirmed by molecular amplification of partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 12S rRNA genes and sequence analysis. Co-infections with more than one Cercopithifilaria species were detected in 3.9% of the animals.
CONCLUSIONS:
This is the first report of Cercopithifilaria spp. in dogs from Portugal. The estimated level of infection with C. bainae, C. grassii and Cercopithifilaria sp. II suggests that these filarioids are prevalent in the canine population of southern Portugal
Zoonotic Onchocerca lupi Infection in Dogs, Greece and Portugal, 2011-2012.
No full textOnchocerca lupi infection is reported primarily in symptomatic
dogs. We aimed to determine the infection in dogs
from areas of Greece and Portugal with reported cases. Of
107 dogs, 9 (8%) were skin snip–positive for the parasite.
DNA sequences of parasites in specimens from distinct dog
populations differed genetically from those in GenBank
Occurrence of Hepatozoon canis and Cercopithifilaria bainae in an off-host population of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks.
No full textHepatozoon canis (Eucoccidiorida, Hepatozoidae) and the filarioid Cercopithifilaria bainae (Spirurida, Onchocercidae) are tick-transmitted infectious agents of dogs, highly prevalent in the Mediterranean basin in association with Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Ticks were collected from the environment every 25±2 days in a confined location in southern Italy where a community of dogs lives, from August 2012 to July 2013. In order to study the occurrence of H. canis and C. bainae, 1091 tick specimens (770 adults; 271 nymphs, and 50 larvae) were dissected, and oocysts of H. canis and larvae of C. bainae were morphologically identified. Out of 1091 dissected ticks, 13.47% (n=147) were positive for H. canis, with the highest prevalence recorded in unfed adults (16.4%; 126/770), followed by nymphs collected as larvae and allowed to moult (14%; 7/50), unfed nymphs dissected immediately after collection (3%; 8/271), and adults collected as nymphs and allowed to moult (2%; 6/271). The highest number of H. canis-positive ticks (35.5%; 43/121; P<0.05) was recorded during the summer months (i.e., June-July). In addition, 6% of adult ticks (n=66) were positive for third-stage larvae of C. bainae, with the highest number in June (17%; 14/84; P<0.05). Based on the results reported herein, H. canis and C. bainae infections in the study area seem to be dependent on the seasonality of vector tick populations. Hence, dogs living in these areas are more exposed to both pathogens during the warmer months. These findings provide new insights into the ecology of both H. canis and C. bainae
Survival of first-stage larvae of the cat lungworm Troglostrongylus brevior (Strongylida: Crenosomatidae) under different conditions
No full textTroglostrongylus brevior has recently been recognised as a neglected causative agent of broncho-pulmonary infestation in domestic cats. Nonetheless, information on the biology and ecology of this nematode is still scarce. In this study, the survival of T. brevior first-stage larvae (L1) was evaluated in water and in faecal samples at different controlled temperatures in the laboratory (i.e., 4 and 26°C) or in the outdoor environment (mean temperature 14±3.1°C). Vitality of larvae was microscopically assessed every 7days, until their death. Larval survival ranged from 7days in both water and faeces at 26°C up to 142days at 4°C, respectively. Larvae maintained in the environment (14°C) survived from 35 up to 63days in faeces and water, respectively. Data herein presented clearly indicate that the survival of T. brevior L1s is negatively correlated with temperature (P<0.001). According to the results of this study, the infection in mollusc intermediate hosts in the Mediterranean area may easily occur during winter/spring, while during hot and dry seasons a reduction of transmission should be expected
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