- MeSH
- Alopecia MeSH
- COVID-19 * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Gonadal Steroid Hormones MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
- T-Lymphocytes MeSH
- Trichuris MeSH
- COVID-19 Vaccines * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Comment MeSH
Helminth infections are among the World Health Organization's top neglected diseases with significant impact in many Less Economically Developed Countries. Despite no longer being endemic in Europe, the widespread presence of helminth eggs in archaeological deposits indicates that helminths represented a considerable burden in past European populations. Prevalence of infection is a key epidemiological feature that would influence the elimination of endemic intestinal helminths, for example, low prevalence rates may have made it easier to eliminate these infections in Europe without the use of modern anthelminthic drugs. To determine historical prevalence rates we analysed 589 grave samples from 7 European sites dated between 680 and 1700 CE, identifying two soil transmitted nematodes (Ascaris spp. and Trichuris trichiura) at all locations, and two food derived cestodes (Diphyllobothrium latum and Taenia spp.) at 4 sites. The rates of nematode infection in the medieval populations (1.5 to 25.6% for T. trichiura; 9.3-42.9% for Ascaris spp.) were comparable to those reported within modern endemically infected populations. There was some evidence of higher levels of nematode infection in younger individuals but not at all sites. The genetic diversity of T. trichiura ITS-1 in single graves was variable but much lower than with communal medieval latrine deposits. The prevalence of food derived cestodes was much lower (1.0-9.9%) than the prevalence of nematodes. Interestingly, sites that contained Taenia spp. eggs also contained D. latum which may reflect local culinary practices. These data demonstrate the importance of helminth infections in Medieval Europe and provide a baseline for studies on the epidemiology of infection in historical and modern contexts. Since the prevalence of medieval STH infections mirror those in modern endemic countries the factors affecting STH decline in Europe may also inform modern intervention campaigns.
- MeSH
- Anthelmintics therapeutic use MeSH
- Ascaris MeSH
- Ascariasis epidemiology transmission MeSH
- Helminths genetics MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Genetic Variation MeSH
- Helminthiasis drug therapy epidemiology transmission MeSH
- Nematoda MeSH
- Infant MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Infant, Newborn MeSH
- Neglected Diseases epidemiology MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Prevalence MeSH
- Soil parasitology MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Intestines parasitology MeSH
- Toilet Facilities MeSH
- Trichuriasis epidemiology transmission MeSH
- Trichuris MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Infant MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Infant, Newborn MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
The arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), an apex predator with an omnipresent distribution in the Arctic, is a potential source of intestinal parasites that may endanger people and pet animals such as dogs, thus posing a health risk. Non-invasive methods, such as coprology, are often the only option when studying wildlife parasitic fauna. However, the detection and identification of parasites are significantly enhanced when used in combination with methods of molecular biology. Using both approaches, we identified unicellular and multicellular parasites in faeces of arctic foxes and carcasses of sibling voles (Microtus levis) in Svalbard, where molecular methods are used for the first time. Six new species were detected in the arctic fox in Svalbard, Eucoleus aerophilus, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Eimeria spp., and Enterocytozoon bieneusi, the latter never found in the arctic fox species before. In addition, only one parasite was found in the sibling vole in Svalbard, the Cryptosporidium alticolis, which has never been detected in Svalbard before.
- MeSH
- Ancylostomatoidea isolation & purification MeSH
- Arvicolinae parasitology MeSH
- Helminths isolation & purification MeSH
- Cryptosporidium isolation & purification MeSH
- Animals, Wild parasitology MeSH
- Eimeria isolation & purification MeSH
- Feces parasitology MeSH
- Nematoda isolation & purification MeSH
- Foxes parasitology MeSH
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic veterinary MeSH
- Dogs MeSH
- Toxocara canis isolation & purification MeSH
- Trichuris isolation & purification MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Dogs MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Arctic Regions MeSH
- Svalbard MeSH
Nematodes belonging to the Trichuris genus are prevalent soil-transmitted helminths with a worldwide distribution in mammals, while humans are mainly affected in areas with insufficient sanitation such as in Africa, Asia and South America. Traditionally, whipworms infecting primates are referred to Trichuris trichiura, but recent molecular and morphological evidence suggests that more than one species may be able to infect humans and non-human primates. Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity and phylogeny of Trichuris infecting five different non-human primate species kept in captivity using sequencing of three mitochondrial genes (cox1, rrnL and cob). Phylogenetic analyses of both single and concatenated datasets suggested the presence of two main evolutionary lineages and several highly supported clades likely existing as separate taxa. The first lineage included Trichuris infecting the mantled guereza (Colobus guereza kikuyensis), the chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) and the green monkeys (Chlorocebus spp.), clustering together with Trichuris suis; the second lineage included Trichuris infecting the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) and the hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas), clustering together with Trichuris spp. infecting humans. These results were supported by the genetic distance between samples, which suggested that at least two taxa are able to infect macaques, baboons and humans. The present study improves our understanding of the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships among Trichuris spp. infecting primates. It moreover suggests that multiple Trichuris spp. may circulate among host species and that Trichuris in non human primates (NHPs) may be zoonotic. Further studies are important to better understand the epidemiology of Trichuris in primates and for implementing appropriate control and/or conservation measures.
- MeSH
- Phylogeny * MeSH
- Genetic Variation MeSH
- DNA, Mitochondrial genetics MeSH
- Primate Diseases parasitology MeSH
- Primates MeSH
- Trichuriasis parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Trichuris classification genetics MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- MeSH
- Cytapheresis methods MeSH
- Fecal Microbiota Transplantation * methods MeSH
- Phytotherapy methods MeSH
- Therapy with Helminths methods MeSH
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases * therapy MeSH
- Complementary Therapies * methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Plasmapheresis methods MeSH
- Trichuris MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
Throughout history, humans have been afflicted by parasitic worms, and eggs are readily detected in archaeological deposits. This study integrated parasitological and ancient DNA methods with a large sample set dating between Neolithic and Early Modern periods to explore the utility of molecular archaeoparasitology as a new approach to study the past. Molecular analyses provided unequivocal species-level parasite identification and revealed location-specific epidemiological signatures. Faecal-oral transmitted nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura) were ubiquitous across time and space. By contrast, high numbers of food-associated cestodes (Diphyllobothrium latum and Taenia saginata) were restricted to medieval Lübeck. The presence of these cestodes and changes in their prevalence at approximately 1300 CE indicate substantial alterations in diet or parasite availability. Trichuris trichiura ITS-1 sequences grouped into two clades; one ubiquitous and one restricted to medieval Lübeck and Bristol. The high sequence diversity of T.tITS-1 detected in Lübeck is consistent with its importance as a Hanseatic trading centre. Collectively, these results introduce molecular archaeoparasitology as an artefact-independent source of historical evidence.
- MeSH
- Archaeology MeSH
- Helminths classification physiology MeSH
- History, 15th Century MeSH
- History, 16th Century MeSH
- History, 17th Century MeSH
- History, Ancient MeSH
- History, Medieval MeSH
- Feces parasitology MeSH
- Genetic Variation MeSH
- Cultural Evolution * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Parasitology MeSH
- Parasite Egg Count MeSH
- DNA, Ancient analysis MeSH
- Trichuriasis epidemiology history parasitology MeSH
- Trichuris genetics physiology MeSH
- Cities MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- History, 15th Century MeSH
- History, 16th Century MeSH
- History, 17th Century MeSH
- History, Ancient MeSH
- History, Medieval MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Historical Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Germany MeSH
- Cities MeSH
The aim of this study was to identify Trichuris species in wild ruminants from 32 localities in the Czech Republic using morphological and molecular methods (ITS1-5.8S RNA-ITS2 region polymorphisms). Trichurids were obtained from 176 wild ruminants (roe deer, sika deer, red deer, fallow deer and mouflons) that were culled between 2009 and 2017. Trichuris discolor is the predominant trichurid of all of the above-mentioned wild ruminants, whereas Trichuris ovis was identified less frequently in roe deer, fallow deer, sika deer and mouflons. Red deer were parasitised exclusively by T. discolor. Young hosts under 1 year of age were more intensively infected by trichurids than were adults (χ2 = 32.02, p = 0.00). Trichurid prevalence results obtained through coprological methods and those based on parasitological dissections differed significantly (χ2 = 16.26, p = 0.00). The regression analysis indicated that the eggs per gram (EPG) threshold (20 EPG) was exceeded only if the host was parasitised by more than 7 trichurid females. Full concordance between the positive results obtained by the coprological methods and those obtained via direct dissections was achieved when the number of trichurid females per host exceeded 51.
- MeSH
- Animals, Wild parasitology MeSH
- Sheep, Domestic parasitology MeSH
- Trichuriasis epidemiology parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Trichuris classification isolation & purification MeSH
- Deer parasitology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
The main aim of the study was to evaluate associations between morphological variability of Trichuris females from sheep and roe deer and their rDNA polymorphism in whipworm populations from the Czech Republic. The results introduced the use of new molecular markers based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S RNA-ITS2 region polymorphisms, as useful tools for the unambiguous differentiation of congeners Trichuris ovis and Trichuris discolor. These markers revealed both parasites in roe deer and in sheep; however, T. ovis females predominated in sheep while T. discolor females occurred mostly in roe deer. Additional analysis of ITS1-5.8 rRNA-ITS2 discovered the genetic uniformity of the analysed T. discolor but high haplotype variation of T. ovis. Simultaneously, molecularly designated female individuals of both species were categorised into four morphotypes (MT) on the basis of morphology of genital pore area. MT1 and MT4 (vulvar opening on everted vaginal appendage/on visible cuticular bulge) occurred only in T. ovis, MT2 (uneverted vagina-vulvar opening without any elevation) was identified only in T. discolor and MT3 (transient type of vulvar opening on a small swelling) was observed in both species. Statistical analysis of biometric data confirmed that morphology of vulva is not a reliable marker for the species determination. On the basis of the ITS1-5.8S RNA-ITS2 region variability, we carried out a phylogenetic analysis (maximum likelihood method, Hasegawa-Kishino-Yano model) which showed that T. ovis haplotypes from the Czech Republic and Ireland and T. discolor haplotypes from the Czech Republic, Spain, Iran and Japan are sister OTUs.
- MeSH
- DNA, Helminth MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Molecular Typing MeSH
- Sheep Diseases parasitology MeSH
- Sheep genetics parasitology MeSH
- Polymorphism, Genetic MeSH
- DNA, Ribosomal genetics MeSH
- RNA, Ribosomal MeSH
- Trichuriasis parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Trichuris anatomy & histology classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Deer parasitology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
- MeSH
- Feces parasitology MeSH
- Phylogeny * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Primates parasitology MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- Trichuris * genetics parasitology MeSH
- Eggs MeSH
- Zoonoses etiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Trichuris sp. individuals were collected from Myocastor coypus from fancy breeder farms in the Czech Republic. Using morphological and biometrical methods, 30 female and 30 male nematodes were identified as Trichuris myocastoris. This paper presents the first molecular description of this species. The ribosomal DNA (rDNA) region, consisting of internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1, 5.8 gene and ITS-2, was sequenced. Based on an analysis of 651 bp, T. myocastoris was found to be different from any other Trichuris species for which published sequencing of the ITS region is available. The phylogenetic relationships were estimated using the maximum parsimony methods and Bayesian analyses. T. myocastoris was found to be significantly closely related to Trichuris of rodents than those of ruminants.
- MeSH
- Bayes Theorem MeSH
- DNA, Helminth chemistry genetics MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- DNA, Ribosomal Spacer chemistry genetics MeSH
- DNA, Ribosomal chemistry genetics MeSH
- Base Sequence MeSH
- Trichuriasis epidemiology veterinary virology MeSH
- Trichuris * anatomy & histology classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic epidemiology MeSH
