15 research outputs found
The subnivium, a haven for Trichinella larvae in host carcasses
No full textParasite nematodes of the genus Trichinella are transmitted from one host to another through the ingestion of larvae present in striated muscles. The longer the survival of muscle larvae in host carcasses, the higher the probability of being ingested by a scavenging host. Thereby, these nematodes developed an anaerobic metabolism favouring their survival in decaying tissues. In addition, muscle larvae of three taxa, namely Trichinella nativa, Trichinella britovi and Trichinella T6, can survive freezing for several months to several years depending on the taxon. The aim of the present work was to investigate the survival time of T. britovi larvae in naturally infected host carcasses preserved beneath or above the snow. Fox and raccoon dog carcasses naturally infected with T. britovi larvae were preserved beneath or above the snow in a cold mountainous area. Temperature and relative humidity were recorded. Every 14 days, muscle samples collected from each carcass, were digested and larvae were counted and given per os to laboratory mice to evaluate their reproductive capacity index (RCI). The RCI of larvae in carcasses preserved beneath the snow (the subnivium) ranged from 23 to 25 at day 0, to 12–18 after 112 days. In contrast, the RCI of larvae in carcasses preserved above the snow ranged from 22 to 27 at day 0, to 0.0 after 112 days. The difference between the RCIs of larvae beneath the snow and above the snow was statistically significant (P < 0.01). These data corroborate the hypothesis that the subnivium with its environmental stability favours the survival of Trichinella larvae in host muscles, increasing the probability of their transmission to other hosts. On the other hand, the environment above the snow, characterized by sudden temperature variations, causes strong environmental stress for larvae in host carrions causing their death. Keywords: Trichinella britovi, Freezing, Snow, Temperature, Relative humidity, Subniviu
Lice (Haematopinus tuberculatus) in water buffalo farms from central Italy
No full textThe aim of the present study was to obtain information about the presence and distribution of the suckling louse Haematopinus tuberculatus in water buffalo farms in central Italy. The survey was carried out on 127 farms (epidemiological units), selected using a grid approach within a Geographical Information System, followed by proportional allocation. In each farm 6 buffaloes were examined in order to detect the louse presence. Parasitological examinations were performed on each buffalo at predilection sites. A total of 762 water buffaloes were examined. H. tuberculatus was found in the 11.0% (14/127) of the farms and in the 4.5% (34/762) of the animals. The presence H. tuberculatus should be routinely considered because it is a cause of serious health, production and economic damages in intensive breeding buffaloes
Epidemiological Study of Cystic Echinococcosis in Sheep, Cattle and Goats in Erbil Province
No full textFirst insights into the genetic diversity of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) in Serbia
No full textCystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection which is endemic in Serbia where it is subject to mandatory reporting. However, information on the incidence of the disease in humans and prevalence of hydatid infection in livestock remains limited. We used sequenced data of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox 1) mitochondrial gene to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of E. granulosus (s.s.) from intermediate hosts from Serbia. We also compared our generated nucleotide sequences with those reported for neighbouring European countries. Echinococcus canadensis was molecularly confirmed from pig and human hydatid isolates. E. granulosus (G1) was confirmed from sheep and cattle hydatid isolates as well as the first molecular confirmation in Serbia of E. granulosus G2 in sheep and E. granulosus G3 in sheep and cattle hydatid isolates. The Serbian E. granulosus (s.s.) parsimony network displayed 2 main haplotypes (SB02 and SB05) which together with the neutrality indices were suggestive of bottleneck and/or balancing selection. Haplotype analysis showed the presence of the common E. granulosus haplotype described from other worldwide regions. Investigation of the pairwise fixation (Fst) index suggested that Serbian populations of E. granulosus (s.s.) from sheep and cattle hosts showed moderate genetic differentiation. Six of the Serbian haplotypes (SB02-SB07) were shared with haplotypes from Bulgaria, Hungary and/or Romania. Further studies using a larger number of hydatid isolates from various locations across Serbia will provide more information on the genetic structure of E. granulosus (s.s.) within this region
\u3ci\u3eEchinococcus multilocularis\u3c/i\u3e in Foxes and Raccoon Dogs: An Increasing Concern for Baltic Countries
No full textBackground
In Europe, the life cycle of Echinococcus multilocularis is predominantly sylvatic, involving red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as the main definitive hosts and rodents such as muskrats and arvicolids as intermediate hosts. The parasite is the etiological agent of human alveolar echinococcosis, a malignant zoonotic disease caused by the accidental ingestion of eggs shed by definitive hosts in their feces. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and to study the environmental factors favoring the perpetuation of the parasite in Latvia.
Methods
A total of 538 red foxes and 407 raccoon dogs were collected across Latvia from 2010 to 2015. The sedimentation and counting technique was used for collecting E. multilocularis adult worms from fox and raccoon dog intestines. The morphological identification of the parasite was confirmed by molecular analysis.
Results
The prevalence of E. multilocularis was significantly higher in foxes (17.1%; intensity of infection 1–7,050 worms) (P \u3c 0.001) than in raccoon dogs (8.1%; intensity of infection 5–815 worms). In foxes, a significant positive correlation (r(10) = 0.7952, P = 0.001) was found between parasite prevalence and the intensity of infection. A positive relationship (Rs = 0.900, n = 5, P = 0.037) between parasite prevalence and precipitation was also observed. In raccoon dogs, a significant negative relationship (F(1,8) = 9.412, P = 0.015) between animal density and parasite prevalence, and a significant positive relationship (F(1,8) = 7.869, P = 0.023) between parasite prevalence and agricultural land cover, were detected.
Conclusions
The results of this study confirm the red fox as the most important definitive host of E. multilocularis and, consequently, as the main target for control programs in the Baltic countries. Raccoon dogs seem to play a secondary role in the life cycle of E. multilocularis within the investigated European region
Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes and raccoon dogs: an increasing concern for Baltic countries
No full textEpidemiological Study of Cystic Echinococcosis in Sheep, Cattle and Goats in Erbil Province
No full textCystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatid cyst (HC) caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus continues to be a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world. Since Kurdistan region is considered as endemic area, an epidemiological study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of CE isolated from sheep, cattle and goats from July 2013 to June 2014. The total rate of infection was 11.17(457/4092), with the highest rate (9.07%) in sheep and the lowest (0.54%) in goats. Regarding the sex of the infected animals, female showed slightly a higher rate than males (5.99% versus 5.18%) which statistically non-significant (P>0.05). Among the three intermediate host sheep showed the highest rate of infection (14.51%) regarding the sex females of sheep and cattle showed higher rate of infection versus males (27.36 and 20.35 versus 9.37 and 3.86). Furthermore, the highest incidence of CE in sheep, cattle and goats were found among the age group over three years (18.75, 5.41 and 1.69%, respectively), while the lowest rate was noted in the age groups less than one year (3.96 and 0.25%, o.33, respectively). On the other hand, sheep showed high rate of infection throughout the year with peaks during May to July which were 19.44%, 17.59 and 18.14%,respectively. This was followed by cattle and goats (11.67% and 5.26%) in April and December, respectively. Regarding the size, the higher numbers of small sized cysts were found in the liver (98/175), while the highest numbers of large sized cysts were found in both liver and lung which were 69/165. The liver and lungs appeared to be the site of predilection, since highest rate of infection was reported in these organs. Regarding the fertility of CE, the highest was in sheep (87.6%), followed by goats (77.27%) and then the cattle (40.63%)
Detection of Trichinella murrelli in coyotes (Canis latrans) from Oklahoma and North Texas
No full textAdditional file 1: Table S1. of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes and raccoon dogs: an increasing concern for Baltic countries
No full textPrevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes and raccoon dogs, mean density of animals, hunting bags and ratio of sampled animals out of hunted during 2010â2014 on a scale of game administrative units in Latvia. (DOCX 24Â kb
Detection of Trichinella murrelli and Trichinella pseudospiralis in bobcats (Lynx rufus) from Oklahoma
No full textTrichinella spp. infect wild carnivores throughout the world. We determined the prevalence and mean infection intensity of Trichinella spp. in bobcats (Lynx rufus) from 41 counties in Oklahoma (USA). Tongues from 306 bobcats were examined using artificial tissue digestion. The prevalence (95% confidence interval) of Trichinella spp. was 5.9% (3.7%–9.2%) in which 18 of the 301 bobcats were infected. Bobcats infected with Trichinella spp. were detected in 10 of the 41 (24.4%; 13.7%–39.5%) counties sampled. Although variable, a statistically significant difference was not detected in the prevalence of Trichinella spp. among counties where bobcats were collected. The mean (standard deviation) and median (range) infection intensity of Trichinella sp. larvae were 30.9 (39.8) and 9.6 (0.6–119.9) larvae per gram of tissue examined. Genotyping results demonstrated that 17 bobcats were infected with T. murrelliand one bobcat was infected with T. pseudospiralis. This is the first report of T. pseudospiralis in bobcats and in Oklahoma. These data suggest the bobcat, as an obligate carnivore, is likely an important host in maintaining T. murrelli sylvatic cycles in Oklahoma
