Journal of Parasitic Diseases最新文献

Domestic animals play a vital role in the spread and transmission of various zoonotic agents to humans. Giardia duodenalis, an important enteric zoonotic parasite, is widespread globally. This research aimed to assess the presence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis assemblages in domestic animals in Shiraz, southern Iran. A total of 245 fresh fecal samples were collected from 87 dogs, 63 cats, and 95 cattle in Shiraz, the capital city of Fars province, between July 2021 and August 2022. None of the animals showed gastrointestinal signs such as diarrhea, and all fecal samples had normal consistency. Upon parasite observation using light microscopy, a DNA fragment of G. duodenalis tpi gene was amplified using nested-PCR. Using direct wet mount and Wheatley's trichrome staining examination, 9 out of 245 samples (3.7%; 1 from dogs and 8 from cattle) tested positive for G. duodenalis. Molecular methods confirmed 1.1% (1/87) of dogs and 8.4% (8/95) of cattle to be positive. Giardiasis was not detected in cats. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Giardia isolates infecting dogs and cattle in Shiraz belonged to three genotypes/assemblages: A, B (zoonotic), and E (non-zoonotic). In cattle, assemblage E (75%; 6/8), A (12.5%; 1/8), and B (12.5%; 1/8) were identified, while dogs were infected with assemblage A (100%; 1/1). In Shiraz, southwestern Iran, cattle and dogs could potentially transmit G. duodenalis infections to humans.

The ear mite, Otodectes cynotis Hering, 1838 (Family: Psoroptidae) is the common cause of a worldwide parasitic infestation in cats, feline otoacariasis. The current study aimed to detect the occurrence of Otodectes cynotis in owned cats of various breeds in Cairo, Giza and Beni-Suef provinces, Egypt. Risk factors including age, sex, breed and seasons were considered. Questionnaire of cat owners was done. Mites were collected from cats and underwent laboratory investigations for further identification. Conventional PCR was done using specific primers targeting mtDNA CO1 and the revealed mite sequences genetically compared to those recorded in GenBank using phylogenetic analysis. The overall prevalence of mites was 25.47% (174/683). Clinically, various degrees of clinical signs were exhibited; mostly, brownish granular/waxy ear discharge, pruritis head rubbing, erythematous dermatitis and unilateral ear scratching. The recovered mites were microscopically identified. Adult males, females as well as developmental stages, including eggs, protonymphs and deuto-/tritonymphs, were recognized. Specific diagnostic PCR band revealed at 655 bp. Phylogenetically, the recovered mite species was closely related to similar species recorded in GenBank. The mite was predominant in the ear canal of infested cats. Among risk factors, it has been found that age, seasons and breed significantly influenced the prevalence of Otodectes cynotis. On the other hand, no statistical significance relative to the sex was obtained. Based on the revealed criteria, it has been found that the recovered mite was Otodectes cynotis. Further investigations are needed for control programming in terms of hygiene.

The aim of this study was to isolate Toxoplasma gondii from equids destined for slaughter in a Brazilian slaughterhouse. A total of 354 equids were analyzed, with blood samples collected from all the animals and samples of masseter muscle and brain tissue collected from 319 animals. A serological test was conducted to detect equids with specific antibodies for T. gondii. Molecular detection of T. gondii by nested PCR was performed on the tissue samples collected. Tissue samples were tested by murine bioassay in an attempt to isolate either the parasite or the parasite DNA. Real-time PCR was performed on the brain samples from 11 mice which seroconverted after inoculation, to quantify the parasitic DNA. Genotyping was performed in masseter tissues samples from positive horses or from tissues of mice inoculated with masseter. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 19.2%. Nested PCR showed that 5.3% of the equines and 28.8% of the mice from the bioassays were positive for T. gondii. Nine masseter muscle samples were positive (either on nested-PCR or in bioassay). Genotyping by PCR-RFLP was attempeted on all 12 isolates and was successful in seven, revealing six recombinant and one atypical genotype. The detection of T. gondii DNA in masseter muscle tissue of horses destined for consumption clearly indicates a risk to human health.

Historically, leishmaniasis can be traced back to more than 2500 BC, according to several hypotheses, fossil records, and molecular results on archaeological resource samples. In this article, we delve into history to provide some facts and preliminary information serving as a historical overview of leishmaniasis in Algeria, an endemic country ranked second worldwide for the cutaneous form. This article provides an overview of the current situation based on an in-depth analysis of epidemiological data, scientific publications, and official reports. It aims to strengthen data and information on this zoonosis in this country to encourage and prompt more responsible social and scientific behavior. We started with Algerian leishmaniasis before Algeria's French colonial period (before 1830), then the colonial period (between 1830 and 1962), and finally, the country's current period of independence (after 1962). The overall aim of this work is to update the data provided on this parasitosis and make a positive contribution to the fight against this pathology, which remains, until now, a source of mortality and physical and psychological after-effects for all affected patients in this country.

Cryptosporidium infection is a significant parasitic disease affecting both humans and animals worldwide. However, there is limited data on its prevalence in canine populations across Africa. This study was carried out between December 2021 and August 2022 to assess the burden of Cryptosporidium infection in dogs on the continent through a meta-analysis and a targeted survey of dogs presented at veterinary clinics in Nigeria. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using available studies on Cryptosporidium prevalence in dogs from African countries to determine the pooled prevalence. Additionally, a survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in 309 dogs presented at veterinary clinics across several Nigerian states using microscopy and the presence of Cryptosporidium DNA was confirmed using the nested PCR methods. Data suitable for meta-analysis were found from only three African countries - Nigeria, Zambia, and Mozambique - highlighting a significant research gap across the continent. The pooled estimates of Cryptosporidium infection in Africa was 13.7% (95% CI: 7.7, 22.9), with country-specific rates of 22% in Nigeria, 5.9% in Zambia, and 6.4% in Mozambique. The survey conducted in Nigeria revealed a low prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts (6.7%) in dogs presented at clinics, while PCR confirmed the presence of Cryptosporidium DNA in positive samples. The findings highlight the significance of Cryptosporidium as a health concern in African canine populations, with prevalence rates comparable to global figures. The low prevalence observed in clinical settings indicates that routine screening should still be prioritized to ensure early detection and treatment, given the potential zoonotic risk posed by C. canis (the dominant species in dogs). Further research is needed to address the geographic and diagnostic gaps identified and to explore the clinical and public health implications of Cryptosporidium infection in dogs across Africa.

In the present study the parasitic nematode, Camallanus cotti (Camallanidae) was identified for the first time in a new host fish, Barilius bola (Cyprinidae), from the Jaldhaka river in North Bengal, the northern part of West Bengal, India, during the period from January 2023 to December 2023. The parasite infected the gastrointestinal region and was protruding from the anal opening, showing excessive mucus secretion in the anal region of its host. Sixty-six (58.41%) out of 113 medium-sized fish were infected. Marked variations in the prevalence, mean intensity, and relative abundance were observed in the summer. These variations might be due to the environmental conditions during different seasons and the presence of an intermediate host for this parasite. Worms were described morphologically and morphometrically by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Previously identified novel characters were confirmed and reassessed. More studies are required to determine the internal problems of the fish and the impact, establishment and spread of this parasite.

Currently, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) treatment is facing a problem due to the increase in drug resistance. Nanoparticles, due to their characteristics, are suitable candidates for disease treatment. The aim of this study is the in vitro evaluation of zinc nanoparticles coated with peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil on Leishmania major. The effects of different concentrations of Zn-Mp and meglumine antimoniate (MA; as a positive control) were studied on the promastigote and amastigote of Leishmania major, and their selectivity index (SI) was evaluated. The peaks at 2361.02 cm^-1 (C-N stretching), 1213.78 cm^-1 (CO-NH stretching), and 1110.83 cm^-1 (C=O stretching) were attributed to Zn-Mp. The inhibitory concentration 50 (IC₅₀) was 17.48 μg/mL for Zn-Mp and 19.09 μg/mL for MA on promastigote (P = 0.47). It was 11.3 μg/mL for Zn-Mp and 14.1 μg/mL for MA on amastigote (P = 0.79). Lower IC₅₀ on amastigote for Zn-Mp indicated better effectiveness on L. major compared to MA, but higher SI for MA (37.55) as compared to Zn-Mp (18.9) (P = 0.0002), highlighting more safety for MA. Compared to MA, the anti-leishmanial effect of Zn-Mp and its nontoxic effects on macrophages (SI > 10) show that Zn-Mp can be a candidate for the treatment of CL and it should be further studied on animal models.

Hepatic capillariasis is a global neglected zoonotic disease with small rodents and lagomorphs as host animals although cases have occurred in over 140 mammals, including in humans to underscore its health implications to both animals and humans. A total of 20 free-living Cricetomys gambianus were sampled from the wild within the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, for the presence of and effects of Capillaria hepatica between August 2023 - May 2024. The lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys of the sampled rats were promptly harvested, observed and recorded, and fixed in 10% formalin for histopathological evaluations after humane animal sacrifice according to standard procedures. There were no obvious gross lesions while cellular changes occurred only in the liver that were characterized by the presence of clusters of parasitic eggs with hepatic necrosis and inflammatory responses. The presence of the ellipsoidal-shaped and double layered straited shelled-eggs with operculum and the hepatic cellular changes led to a definitive diagnosis of Capillaria hepatica with a 10% prevalence rate. The findings highlighted the health risk to the animal and the human consumers of infected. Cricetomys gambianus whose meat is considered a delicacy within the study area and other parts of the world. Outside the probable role of host animal's adaptation strategy being responsible for the non-typical granulomatous inflammation and hepatic septal fibrotic cellular changes, there is a need for more studies to further elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease condition in this particular animal species in the patho-epidemiology of hepatic capillariasis within the study area.

Metformin (Met), a well-known anti-diabetic drug with a potent autophagy induction property, has been proven to be effective against several parasitic diseases. In the present in vitro study, the effect of Met on the viability and ultrastructure of Schistosoma mansoni adults and juveniles in comparison with the standard anti-schistosomal drug, praziquantel (PZQ), was investigated. Adults and juveniles were treated in vitro with 5 µM PZQ and/or 10 mM Met. The viability of the treated worms was screened over a three-day period by light microscopy and recorded as mortality rates (MR). The alterations in the ultrastructure were verified using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Met showed significant anti-schistosomal activity against both adults and juveniles and resulted in severe tegumental damage in the form of loss of integrity and architecture, with evident vacuolation suggestive of increased autophagy. Met might be a potential drug either alone or as an adjuvant to PZQ for the treatment of schistosomiasis mansoni and warrant its further assessment in animal models of disease.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) have a considerable impact on the livestock husbandry and health conditions in Iran as well as worldwide. The infected animals with GIN mostly need chemical therapy which leads to the development of anthelmintic drug resistance. The main objective of the current study was to determine the frequency of β-tubulin isotype 1 gene polymorphism to albendazole (Alb) in Teladorsagia circumcincta isolated from sheep abomasum in Urmia city, Iran. A total number of 140 sheep abomasa were randomly collected and 57(40.7%) were infected with T. circumcincta (157 adult T. circumcincta per sheep). Alb resistance in T. circumcincta determined using Allele-Specific PCR (ASP) technique. Molecularly, the frequency of resistant alleles to Alb in examined T. circumcincta was 48.3%, i.e. 51.7% homozygous susceptible (SS), 6.9% homozygous resistant (rr) and 41.4% heterozygous susceptible (Sr). It was concluded that Alb-resistance alleles were increasingly widespread in examined T. circumcincta, therefore prevention and control program should be lunched in the region.