Pub Date : 2022-05-25DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia2020012
Lance D. Erickson, P. Bassett, D. S. White, S. Gale, B. Brown, D. Hedges
An intraneuronal parasite infecting approximately one-third of the world’s population, Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with markers of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we used data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to investigate associations between T. gondii and blood pressure and hypertension. Multiple regression modelling adjusted for a range of covariates showed that T. gondii was associated with lowered probability of elevated blood pressure, with lower probability of Stages 1 and 2 hypertension, and with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These findings suggest that T. gondii might alter hemodynamic regulation, although the clinical relevance of these associations requires additional investigation.
{"title":"Association between Toxoplasma gondii and Blood Pressure and Hypertension in US Adults","authors":"Lance D. Erickson, P. Bassett, D. S. White, S. Gale, B. Brown, D. Hedges","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia2020012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia2020012","url":null,"abstract":"An intraneuronal parasite infecting approximately one-third of the world’s population, Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with markers of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we used data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to investigate associations between T. gondii and blood pressure and hypertension. Multiple regression modelling adjusted for a range of covariates showed that T. gondii was associated with lowered probability of elevated blood pressure, with lower probability of Stages 1 and 2 hypertension, and with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These findings suggest that T. gondii might alter hemodynamic regulation, although the clinical relevance of these associations requires additional investigation.","PeriodicalId":74398,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41795029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-06DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia2020011
Bruce A. Munro, B. McMorran
Onward transmission of Plasmodium falciparum from humans to mosquitoes is dependent upon a specialised transmission stage called the gametocyte. Despite its critical role in transmission, key questions regarding gametocyte biology remain to be answered, and there are no widely prescribed therapeutics to eliminate them. Advances in our understanding of the biology of the gametocyte in combination with growing information regarding the mechanism of action of anti-plasmodial therapies provide an emerging view as to which of the biological processes of the gametocyte present viable targets for drug intervention and explain the variable activity of existing therapies. A deeper understanding of the gametocyte and transmission stages of P. falciparum is a path to identifying and characterising novel drug targets. This review will examine how a selection of current and potential gametocytocidals mediate their effect.
{"title":"Antimalarial Drug Strategies to Target Plasmodium Gametocytes","authors":"Bruce A. Munro, B. McMorran","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia2020011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia2020011","url":null,"abstract":"Onward transmission of Plasmodium falciparum from humans to mosquitoes is dependent upon a specialised transmission stage called the gametocyte. Despite its critical role in transmission, key questions regarding gametocyte biology remain to be answered, and there are no widely prescribed therapeutics to eliminate them. Advances in our understanding of the biology of the gametocyte in combination with growing information regarding the mechanism of action of anti-plasmodial therapies provide an emerging view as to which of the biological processes of the gametocyte present viable targets for drug intervention and explain the variable activity of existing therapies. A deeper understanding of the gametocyte and transmission stages of P. falciparum is a path to identifying and characterising novel drug targets. This review will examine how a selection of current and potential gametocytocidals mediate their effect.","PeriodicalId":74398,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48578617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-01DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia2020010
Ingrid Carla do Nascimento Ramos, T. Lima, R. Ramos, G. A. Carvalho, L. Alves
Public spaces such as beaches develop an important role in the welfare of the human population in Brazil, where leisure and safety spaces are increasingly scant. Knowledge about the possible role of contaminated sand of beaches on the health of animals and humans is pivotal to determine risk areas and preventing future cases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the presence of eggs of nematodes of public health interest on tropical beaches. Soil samplings (n = 42) from 10 different beaches located in the Metropolitan region of Recife, Northeastern Brazil, were analyzed through the FLOTAC technique. In 80% (8/10) of beaches, eggs of nematodes were detected. In particular, if we consider each individual sample (n = 42) a positivity rate of 90.4% (38/42) was observed. Eggs belonging to the families Ascarididae (47.6%; 20/42), Ancylostomatidae (26.1%; 11/42), and Trichuridae (11.9%; 5/42) were detected. Based on these data, it is necessary to implement preventive measures and educational actions for the population in order to mitigate the potential risk of exposition to parasites of zoonotic importance. Additionally, the FLOTAC technique has been shown to be a reliable technique for assessing soil contamination by nematode eggs.
{"title":"Contamination by Eggs of Nematodes (Nematoda) of Public Health Concern in Tropical Beaches","authors":"Ingrid Carla do Nascimento Ramos, T. Lima, R. Ramos, G. A. Carvalho, L. Alves","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia2020010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia2020010","url":null,"abstract":"Public spaces such as beaches develop an important role in the welfare of the human population in Brazil, where leisure and safety spaces are increasingly scant. Knowledge about the possible role of contaminated sand of beaches on the health of animals and humans is pivotal to determine risk areas and preventing future cases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the presence of eggs of nematodes of public health interest on tropical beaches. Soil samplings (n = 42) from 10 different beaches located in the Metropolitan region of Recife, Northeastern Brazil, were analyzed through the FLOTAC technique. In 80% (8/10) of beaches, eggs of nematodes were detected. In particular, if we consider each individual sample (n = 42) a positivity rate of 90.4% (38/42) was observed. Eggs belonging to the families Ascarididae (47.6%; 20/42), Ancylostomatidae (26.1%; 11/42), and Trichuridae (11.9%; 5/42) were detected. Based on these data, it is necessary to implement preventive measures and educational actions for the population in order to mitigate the potential risk of exposition to parasites of zoonotic importance. Additionally, the FLOTAC technique has been shown to be a reliable technique for assessing soil contamination by nematode eggs.","PeriodicalId":74398,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46570611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-04-28DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia2020009
Pornkamol Phoosangwalthong, Nam Hung Luong, Jutamas Wongwigkan, Ketsarin Kamyingkird, J. Phasuk, Khampee Pattanatanang, Nipa Thammasonthijarern, C. Kengradomkij, W. Chimnoi, P. Odermatt, T. Inpankaew
Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati are known as common roundworm in dogs and cats, respectively. The objective of the current study was to determine the molecular prevalence and risk factors associated with T. canis and T. cati infections in stray dogs and cats, respectively, in Bangkok, Thailand. In total, 1000 fecal samples (from 500 dogs and 500 cats) were collected from stray dogs and cats residing in Bangkok temples. DNA was extracted and screened for T. canis and T. cati using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The overall prevalence of T. canis in the stray dogs was 5.4% (27/500) and 0.6% (3/500) for T. cati in the stray cats. Toxocara canis infections were detected in stray dogs from 11 out of 48 districts (22.9%), with Bang Khen district having the highest proportion of infected dogs, whereas T. cati infections were only detected in the stray cats in Lat Krabang district. These results indicated that stray animals residing in Bangkok temples pose a considerable public health risk due to zoonotic parasites, especially T. canis.
{"title":"Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati in Stray Dogs and Cats in Bangkok, Thailand: Molecular Prevalence and Risk Factors","authors":"Pornkamol Phoosangwalthong, Nam Hung Luong, Jutamas Wongwigkan, Ketsarin Kamyingkird, J. Phasuk, Khampee Pattanatanang, Nipa Thammasonthijarern, C. Kengradomkij, W. Chimnoi, P. Odermatt, T. Inpankaew","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia2020009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia2020009","url":null,"abstract":"Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati are known as common roundworm in dogs and cats, respectively. The objective of the current study was to determine the molecular prevalence and risk factors associated with T. canis and T. cati infections in stray dogs and cats, respectively, in Bangkok, Thailand. In total, 1000 fecal samples (from 500 dogs and 500 cats) were collected from stray dogs and cats residing in Bangkok temples. DNA was extracted and screened for T. canis and T. cati using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The overall prevalence of T. canis in the stray dogs was 5.4% (27/500) and 0.6% (3/500) for T. cati in the stray cats. Toxocara canis infections were detected in stray dogs from 11 out of 48 districts (22.9%), with Bang Khen district having the highest proportion of infected dogs, whereas T. cati infections were only detected in the stray cats in Lat Krabang district. These results indicated that stray animals residing in Bangkok temples pose a considerable public health risk due to zoonotic parasites, especially T. canis.","PeriodicalId":74398,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47459440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-04-11DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia2020008
A. Tabbabi, Daiki Mizushima, D. Yamamoto, H. Kato
Sand flies are a significant public health concern in many parts of the world where they are known to transmit agents of several zoonotic diseases to humans, such as leishmaniasis. Vector control remains a key component of many anti-leishmaniasis programs and probably will remain so until an effective vaccine becomes available. The sand fly gut microbiota has recently emerged as an encouraging field for the exploration of vector-based disease control. In particular, the gut microbiome was previously reported to either enhance or inhibit parasite activity depending on the species of bacteria and, thus, has the potential to alter vector competence. Here, we describe the technological advances that are currently expanding our understanding of microbiota composition in sand flies. The acquisition and composition of microbiomes are influenced by several abiotic and biotic factors, including host immunity, genetics, and the environment. Therefore, the microbiomes of sand flies can vary substantially between individuals, life stages, species, and over geographical space, and this variation likely contributes to differences in host phenotypes, highlighting opportunities for novel vector control strategies.
{"title":"Sand Flies and Their Microbiota","authors":"A. Tabbabi, Daiki Mizushima, D. Yamamoto, H. Kato","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia2020008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia2020008","url":null,"abstract":"Sand flies are a significant public health concern in many parts of the world where they are known to transmit agents of several zoonotic diseases to humans, such as leishmaniasis. Vector control remains a key component of many anti-leishmaniasis programs and probably will remain so until an effective vaccine becomes available. The sand fly gut microbiota has recently emerged as an encouraging field for the exploration of vector-based disease control. In particular, the gut microbiome was previously reported to either enhance or inhibit parasite activity depending on the species of bacteria and, thus, has the potential to alter vector competence. Here, we describe the technological advances that are currently expanding our understanding of microbiota composition in sand flies. The acquisition and composition of microbiomes are influenced by several abiotic and biotic factors, including host immunity, genetics, and the environment. Therefore, the microbiomes of sand flies can vary substantially between individuals, life stages, species, and over geographical space, and this variation likely contributes to differences in host phenotypes, highlighting opportunities for novel vector control strategies.","PeriodicalId":74398,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69781819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-04-02DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia2020007
C. Bouchet, Q. Deng, S. Umair
Internal parasitism, a significant cause of production losses in sheep, is routinely controlled by anthelmintic drenches. A better understanding and alternative control strategies are needed to combat the increasing resistance. This study investigated the presence of resident bacteria in the field strain of Haemonchus contortus. Adult female worms were collected from the abomasa of sheep. DNA was extracted from adult female worms and parasite eggs laid in vitro using long or shorter enzymatic incubation methods. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed using universal bacterial and phylum Firmicutes-specific primers; PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The analysis of the sequences shows a majority of the sequences belong to rumen bacteria, mainly Ruminococcus. Streptococcus was detected in four eggs, and adult worm samples and the sequences had a very high homology to the Streptococcus sequences in the database. Clostridium was detected only in the adult samples, whereas Nevskia and Pseudomonas were detected only in the egg samples. Three antibiotics, Ampicillin (Amp), Gentamycin (Gen) and Tetracycline (Tet), individually or combination, were tested to establish proof of concept that abomasal nematode parasites can be controlled by killing the resident bacteria. A larval migration inhibition assay was used to test the hypothesis. Tet (10 and 20 mM) resulted in around 30% mortality in larvae. Amp and Gen did not result in significant levels of larval mortality but, when given in combination, resulted in significant mortality of the larvae, suggesting the role of antibiotics in controlling the parasites by targeting the resident bacteria.
{"title":"Bacteria Associated with the Parasitic Nematode Haemonchus contortus and Its Control Using Antibiotics","authors":"C. Bouchet, Q. Deng, S. Umair","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia2020007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia2020007","url":null,"abstract":"Internal parasitism, a significant cause of production losses in sheep, is routinely controlled by anthelmintic drenches. A better understanding and alternative control strategies are needed to combat the increasing resistance. This study investigated the presence of resident bacteria in the field strain of Haemonchus contortus. Adult female worms were collected from the abomasa of sheep. DNA was extracted from adult female worms and parasite eggs laid in vitro using long or shorter enzymatic incubation methods. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed using universal bacterial and phylum Firmicutes-specific primers; PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The analysis of the sequences shows a majority of the sequences belong to rumen bacteria, mainly Ruminococcus. Streptococcus was detected in four eggs, and adult worm samples and the sequences had a very high homology to the Streptococcus sequences in the database. Clostridium was detected only in the adult samples, whereas Nevskia and Pseudomonas were detected only in the egg samples. Three antibiotics, Ampicillin (Amp), Gentamycin (Gen) and Tetracycline (Tet), individually or combination, were tested to establish proof of concept that abomasal nematode parasites can be controlled by killing the resident bacteria. A larval migration inhibition assay was used to test the hypothesis. Tet (10 and 20 mM) resulted in around 30% mortality in larvae. Amp and Gen did not result in significant levels of larval mortality but, when given in combination, resulted in significant mortality of the larvae, suggesting the role of antibiotics in controlling the parasites by targeting the resident bacteria.","PeriodicalId":74398,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42353616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-29DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia2020006
Kundu L. S. Nigo, Bata T. John, Doris L. Lobojo, Emmanuel P. Lita, A. Osman, Y. Shuaib
A cross-sectional study was conducted at Gumbo slaughter slab in Juba, Central Equatoria State (CES) in South Sudan, between October and December 2015, to determine the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) and to estimate the direct economic losses associated with condemnation of infected organs in slaughtered goats. A thorough postmortem examination was conducted on carcasses of a total of 1126 goats selected by systematic random sampling for detection of CE in the lungs, liver, heart, kidneys, and the spleen. Moreover, CE-related direct financial losses were estimated by using a standardized formula. The overall prevalence of CE was found to be 281 (24.9%, 95% CI 22.5–27.6). Furthermore, old age (OR = 2.61, p value < 0.001), Mubende breed (OR = 2.97, p value < 0.001), and Ugandan geographical origin (OR = 2.97, p value < 0.001) were associated with higher prevalence of CE. The lungs were the most affected organ with a prevalence of 55.2% followed by liver (44.1%), and the spleen (0.07%). A direct CE-related monetary loss of 78,820 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) per year was estimated. This loss is equivalent to USD 43,788. In conclusion, CE is considerably prevalent and is associated with significant direct financial losses among goats slaughtered at Gumbo slaughter slab in Juba, CES, South Sudan.
{"title":"Prevalence and Financial Losses of Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Goats at Gumbo Slab in Juba County, South Sudan","authors":"Kundu L. S. Nigo, Bata T. John, Doris L. Lobojo, Emmanuel P. Lita, A. Osman, Y. Shuaib","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia2020006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia2020006","url":null,"abstract":"A cross-sectional study was conducted at Gumbo slaughter slab in Juba, Central Equatoria State (CES) in South Sudan, between October and December 2015, to determine the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) and to estimate the direct economic losses associated with condemnation of infected organs in slaughtered goats. A thorough postmortem examination was conducted on carcasses of a total of 1126 goats selected by systematic random sampling for detection of CE in the lungs, liver, heart, kidneys, and the spleen. Moreover, CE-related direct financial losses were estimated by using a standardized formula. The overall prevalence of CE was found to be 281 (24.9%, 95% CI 22.5–27.6). Furthermore, old age (OR = 2.61, p value < 0.001), Mubende breed (OR = 2.97, p value < 0.001), and Ugandan geographical origin (OR = 2.97, p value < 0.001) were associated with higher prevalence of CE. The lungs were the most affected organ with a prevalence of 55.2% followed by liver (44.1%), and the spleen (0.07%). A direct CE-related monetary loss of 78,820 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) per year was estimated. This loss is equivalent to USD 43,788. In conclusion, CE is considerably prevalent and is associated with significant direct financial losses among goats slaughtered at Gumbo slaughter slab in Juba, CES, South Sudan.","PeriodicalId":74398,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48146856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-04DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia2010005
C. Audebert, N. Gantois, Sébastien Ducrocq, Marianne Darras, S. Merlin, S. Martel, E. Viscogliosi, Gaël Even, M. Chabé
Despite the major impact of Blastocystis sp. in terms of prevalence in human and animal populations and the risk of zoonotic transmission, no epidemiological survey has yet been conducted in cattle herds in France. The aim of this study was thus to assess the prevalence and molecular diversity of Blastocystis sp. and associated factors in dairy cattle from the north of France. A total of 1581 fecal samples were collected from 1246 animals reared in 20 farms. Molecular detection of the protozoan was performed by real-time PCR and indicated an overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. Reaching 54.8% in the study population. Important inter-herd variation (from 22.2% to 76.5%) of Blastocystis sp. Prevalence was also reported. Sequence analysis of 159 positive samples highlighted a very large predominance of ST10 (36/159) and ST14 (64/159), and ST2 was only found in 2 samples. Mixed subtype infections were common, representing 35.8% of sequenced samples (57/159). A putative correlation between Blastocystis sp. colonization and various animal and herd characteristics or feed intake was subsequently investigated. The protozoan was less prevalent in cows that have recently calved but Blastocystis sp. carriage was not significantly related to age. Blastocystis sp. colonization also decreased with high beet pulp and pasture grass consumption and increased with corn silage intake. Finally, the only significant association between Blastocystis sp. STs and animal and herd characteristics was the number of lactations of cows, with a predominance of ST14 in cows that calved once only.
{"title":"Animal, Herd and Feed Characteristics Associated with Blastocystis Prevalence and Molecular Diversity in Dairy Cattle from the North of France","authors":"C. Audebert, N. Gantois, Sébastien Ducrocq, Marianne Darras, S. Merlin, S. Martel, E. Viscogliosi, Gaël Even, M. Chabé","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia2010005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia2010005","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the major impact of Blastocystis sp. in terms of prevalence in human and animal populations and the risk of zoonotic transmission, no epidemiological survey has yet been conducted in cattle herds in France. The aim of this study was thus to assess the prevalence and molecular diversity of Blastocystis sp. and associated factors in dairy cattle from the north of France. A total of 1581 fecal samples were collected from 1246 animals reared in 20 farms. Molecular detection of the protozoan was performed by real-time PCR and indicated an overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. Reaching 54.8% in the study population. Important inter-herd variation (from 22.2% to 76.5%) of Blastocystis sp. Prevalence was also reported. Sequence analysis of 159 positive samples highlighted a very large predominance of ST10 (36/159) and ST14 (64/159), and ST2 was only found in 2 samples. Mixed subtype infections were common, representing 35.8% of sequenced samples (57/159). A putative correlation between Blastocystis sp. colonization and various animal and herd characteristics or feed intake was subsequently investigated. The protozoan was less prevalent in cows that have recently calved but Blastocystis sp. carriage was not significantly related to age. Blastocystis sp. colonization also decreased with high beet pulp and pasture grass consumption and increased with corn silage intake. Finally, the only significant association between Blastocystis sp. STs and animal and herd characteristics was the number of lactations of cows, with a predominance of ST14 in cows that calved once only.","PeriodicalId":74398,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41580479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia2010004
J. Lozano, C. Almeida, Manuela Oliveira, A. Paz-Silva, L. M. Madeira de Carvalho
This review describes the current research status regarding the implementation of predatory fungi in the biological control approach of bird gastrointestinal (GI) parasitosis. The main GI parasites of Galliformes (e.g., broilers, layers, peacocks, pheasants) and Ratites (e.g., ostriches, emus, rheas) are addressed, as well as their impact on farms, zoos, and private collections. The main characteristics regarding biocontrol with predatory fungi are briefly described, such as their mode of action and efficacy against GI parasites of different animal hosts. The state of the art regarding the use of predatory fungi in birds is reviewed here by describing all associated articles already published in the main databases, techniques, and their main findings. Ovicidal fungi such as Pochonia chlamydosporia, Metarhizium spp. and Acremonium spp., and larvicidal fungi, namely Duddingtonia flagrans, Arthrobotrys spp. and Monacrosporium thaumasium, have shown promising predacious activity against ascarid eggs and nematode larvae from chickens and ostriches, both in vitro and in vivo, also revealing tolerance to the GI passage in chickens and maintenance of predacious capacity. Further studies are needed to understand the fungi–parasite–host gut microbiota interactions and target other avian GI parasitic species, such as nematodes, coccidia, cestodes, and trematodes.
{"title":"Biocontrol of Avian Gastrointestinal Parasites Using Predatory Fungi: Current Status, Challenges, and Opportunities","authors":"J. Lozano, C. Almeida, Manuela Oliveira, A. Paz-Silva, L. M. Madeira de Carvalho","doi":"10.3390/parasitologia2010004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia2010004","url":null,"abstract":"This review describes the current research status regarding the implementation of predatory fungi in the biological control approach of bird gastrointestinal (GI) parasitosis. The main GI parasites of Galliformes (e.g., broilers, layers, peacocks, pheasants) and Ratites (e.g., ostriches, emus, rheas) are addressed, as well as their impact on farms, zoos, and private collections. The main characteristics regarding biocontrol with predatory fungi are briefly described, such as their mode of action and efficacy against GI parasites of different animal hosts. The state of the art regarding the use of predatory fungi in birds is reviewed here by describing all associated articles already published in the main databases, techniques, and their main findings. Ovicidal fungi such as Pochonia chlamydosporia, Metarhizium spp. and Acremonium spp., and larvicidal fungi, namely Duddingtonia flagrans, Arthrobotrys spp. and Monacrosporium thaumasium, have shown promising predacious activity against ascarid eggs and nematode larvae from chickens and ostriches, both in vitro and in vivo, also revealing tolerance to the GI passage in chickens and maintenance of predacious capacity. Further studies are needed to understand the fungi–parasite–host gut microbiota interactions and target other avian GI parasitic species, such as nematodes, coccidia, cestodes, and trematodes.","PeriodicalId":74398,"journal":{"name":"Parasitologia (Basel, Switzerland)","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69781777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-02-17DOI: 10.3390/parasitologia2010003
P. Wongprompitak, Navapon Kusuwan, Ladawan Khowawisetsut, A. Phuakrod, D. Pipatsatitpong, S. Wongkamchai
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an important tropical disease that affects over a billion people in more than 80 countries and approximately 40 million people are currently suffering from severe disfigurement and disability. A diagnostic tool is the principal impact factor to determine the infection status of lymphatic filariasis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate nucleic acid of Wuchereria bancrofti as well as antifilarial IgG4 in a Myanmar immigrant community living along the Moei River, a natural border between Mae Sot, Tak province Thailand and Myawaddy, Myanmar which is an endemic area of bancroftian filariasis. Blood was collected from 300 Myanmar immigrants in Mae Sot district, Tak Province. The nucleic acid of W. bancrofti was assessed in the study population using our recent published miniPCR-Duplex Lateral Flow dipstick (DLFD) platform as well as the standard PCR technique. The antifilarial IgG4 was detected in the study population using the developed ELISA which used BmSxp protein as antigen. The miniPCR-DLFD method delivered results comparable to the standard PCR technique and it enables convenient and rapid visual detection of the parasite nucleic acid. Furthermore, the ELISA using BmSxp antigen demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 98.1%, 98.9%, 96.3%, and 99.4% respectively. The W. bancrofti nucleic acid and antifilarial IgG4 were detected in 1.6% (5/300), and 2% (6/300) of the study population, accordingly. The results of this study also revealed important epidemiological data about LF on the Thai–Myanmar border.
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