Entamoeba moshkovskii Tshalaia, 1941 is prevalent in developing countries and it is considered to be primarily a free-living amoeba, which is morphologically indistinguishable, but biochemically and genetically different from the human infecting, pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica Schaudinn, 1903. The pathogenic potential of this organism is still under discussion. Entamoeba moshkovskii in human stool samples has been reported in different countries such as the United States, Italy, Australia, Iran, Turkey, Bangladesh, India (Pondicherry), Indonesia, Colombia, Malaysia, Tunisia, Tanzania and Brazil, but no data are available about the occurrence of E. moshkovskii in farm animals. This study provides data on the occurrence of E. moshkovskii in pigs in a total of 294 fresh faecal samples collected from five different regions in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Stool samples were tested by nested PCR using primers targeting SSU rDNA of E. moshkovskii. The amplified PCR products were further confirmed by RFLP technique. Purified nested PCR products were also sequenced and identified via BLAST program run on the NCBI website to confirm species along with their genetic characteristics of the E. moshkovskii isolates. Overall 5.4 % samples were identified as E. moshkovskii positive. Results of this study demonstrate that swine can host E. moshkovskii and should be considered as a potential natural reservoir for E. moshkovskii. However, the occurrence of E. moshkovskii infection in pigs was not statistically associated with their faecal consistency, sex and developmental stage.
The Gram-negative, obligate intracellular tick-transmitted pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum can cause acute febrile diseases in humans and domestic animals. The expansion of the tick Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) in northern Europe due to climate change is of serious concern for animal and human health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of A. phagocytophilum infection in moose Alces alces (Linnaeus) calves by evaluating the carcass weights of infected and non-infected animals and examining animal tissues samples for co-infections with either species of Babesia Starcovici, 1893 or bacteria of the genus Bartonella. The carcasses of 68 free-ranging moose calves were weighed by hunters during the hunting seasons from 2014 to 2017 in two regions in southern Norway and spleen samples were collected. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in moose sampled from locations infected with ticks with a prevalence of 82% (n = 46). The carcass weights of A. phagocytophilum-infected calves (n = 46) and non-infected (n = 22) calves were compared. Although the average weight of infected calves (45.6 kg) was lower than that of non-infected calves (46.5 kg), the difference was not statistically significant. Three different variants of the bacterium 16S rRNA gene were identified. The average weight of animals infected with variant I was 49.9 kg, whereas that of animals infected with variant III was 42.0 kg, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.077). Co-infections of A. phagocytophilum with Bartonella spp. or with Babesia spp. were found in 20 and two calves, respectively. A triple infection was found in two calves. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia-positive samples revealed the presence of Babesia cf. odocoilei (Emerson et Wright, 1970). Strains of Bartonella closely related to Bartonella bovis (Bermond, Boulouis, Heller, Laere, Monteil, Chomel, Sander, Dehio et Piemont, 2002) were identified based on phylogenetic analysis of the gltA and rpoB genes. The loss of body mass in moose calves in the tick-infected site was probably influenced by multiple factors.
- MeSH
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum * klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Babesia genetika MeSH
- Bartonella genetika MeSH
- DNA bakterií chemie genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- ehrlichióza komplikace epidemiologie patologie veterinární MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- oligonukleotidy chemie MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární MeSH
- sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
- slezina mikrobiologie patologie MeSH
- tělesná hmotnost MeSH
- vysoká zvěř * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Norsko MeSH
We developed a PCR assay for the detection of Babesia odocoilei based on the 18S rRNA gene. Multiple specimens of B. odocoilei were examined, and the assay consistently produced a small specific PCR product of 306 bp. The PCR assay was also challenged with DNA from 13 other Babesia species and 2 Theileria species, originating from 10 different host species; however, nonspecific DNA amplification and multiple banding patterns were observed, and the amplicon banding patterns varied between different isolates of the same species. Sensitivity was determined to be 6.4 pg of DNA, and an estimated 0.0001% parasitism. This assay can be utilized for species-specific differential detection of B. odocoilei.
- MeSH
- Babesia * genetika MeSH
- babezióza * diagnóza MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární MeSH
- protozoální DNA genetika MeSH
- RNA ribozomální 18S genetika MeSH
- Theileria * genetika MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic infection of worldwide occurrence. Bats, like other mammalian reservoirs, may be long-term carriers that maintain endemicity of infection and shed viable leptospires in urine. Direct and/or indirect contact with these Leptospira shedders is the main risk factor as regards public health concern. However, knowledge about bat leptospirosis in the Palearctic Region, and in Europe in particular, is poor. We collected urine from 176 specimens of 11 bat species in the Czech Republic, Poland, Republic of Armenia and the Altai Region of Russia between 2014 and 2019. We extracted DNA from the urine samples to detect Leptospira spp. shedders using PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA and LipL32 genes. Four bat species (Barbastella barbastellus n = 1, Myotis bechsteinii n = 1, Myotis myotis n = 24 and Myotis nattereri n = 1) tested positive for Leptospira spp., with detected amplicons showing 100% genetic identity with pathogenic Leptospira interrogans. The site- and species-specific prevalence range was 0%-24.1% and 0%-20%, respectively. All bats sampled in the Republic of Armenia and Russia were negative. Given the circulation of pathogenic leptospires in strictly protected Palearctic bat species and their populations, non-invasive and non-lethal sampling of urine for molecular Leptospira spp. detection is recommended as a suitable surveillance and monitoring strategy. Moreover, our results should raise awareness of this potential disease risk among health professionals, veterinarians, chiropterologists and wildlife rescue workers handling bats, as well as speleologists and persons cleaning premises following bat infestation.
- MeSH
- Chiroptera * MeSH
- Leptospira * genetika MeSH
- leptospiróza * epidemiologie veterinární MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární MeSH
- RNA ribozomální 16S genetika MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
In the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, small-scale chicken farming is common. However, high levels of disease or mortality in such flocks impair economic development and challenge the livelihoods of many rural households. We investigated 61 diseased small-scale flocks (122 chickens) for evidence of infection with 5 bacteria, 4 viruses, and helminths. Serological profiles (ELISA) were also determined against 6 of these pathogens. The aims of this study were the following: (1) to investigate the prevalence of different pathogens and to compare the probability of detection of bacterial pathogens using PCR and culture; (2) to investigate the relationship between detection of organisms in birds' tissues and the observed morbidity and mortality, as well as their antibody profile; and (3) to characterize risk factors for infection with specific viral or bacterial pathogens. We used PCR to test for viral (viruses causing infectious bronchitis [IB], highly pathogenic avian influenza [HPAI], Newcastle disease, and infectious bursal disease [IBD]) and bacterial pathogens (Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Pasteurella multocida, Avibacterium paragallinarum, and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale [ORT]). The latter two were also investigated in respiratory tissues by conventional culture. Colisepticemic Escherichia coli was investigated by liver or spleen culture. In 49 of 61 (80.3%) flocks, at least one bacterial or viral pathogen was detected, and in 29 (47.5%) flocks, more than one pathogen was detected. A. paragallinarum was detected in 62.3% flocks, followed by M. gallisepticum (26.2%), viruses causing IBD (24.6%) and IB (21.3%), septicemic E. coli (14.8%), ORT (13.1%), and HPAI viruses (4.9%). Of all flocks, 67.2% flocks were colonized by helminths. Mortality was highest among flocks infected with HPAI (100%, interquartile range [IQR]: 81.6-100%) and lowest with flocks infected with ORT (5.3%, IQR: 1.1-9.0%). The results indicated slight agreement (kappa ≤ 0.167) between detection by PCR and culture for both A. paragallinarum and ORT, as well as between the presence of cestodes and ORT infection (kappa = 0.317). Control of A. paragallinarum, viruses causing HPAI, IBD, and IB, M. gallisepticum, and gastrointestinal helminths should be a priority in small-scale flocks.
- MeSH
- bakteriální infekce epidemiologie mikrobiologie veterinární MeSH
- kur domácí * MeSH
- morbidita MeSH
- mortalita MeSH
- nemoci drůbeže epidemiologie mikrobiologie parazitologie virologie MeSH
- parazitární nemoci u zvířat epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- tvorba protilátek MeSH
- virové nemoci epidemiologie veterinární virologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Vietnam MeSH
BACKGROUND: Bamboo rats are widely farmed in southern China for meat, but their potential in transmitting pathogens to humans and other farm animals remains unclear. METHODS: To understand the transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. in these animals, 709 fecal samples were collected in this study from Chinese bamboo rats (Rhizomys sinensis) on nine farms in Jiangxi, Guangxi and Hainan provinces, China. They were analyzed for Cryptosporidium spp. using PCR and sequence analyses of the small subunit rRNA gene. Cryptosporidium parvum, C. parvum-like and C. ubiquitum-like genotypes identified were subtyped by sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. RESULTS: Altogether, Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 209 (29.5%) samples. The detection rate in samples from animals under two months of age (70.0%,105/150) was significantly higher than in samples from animals above 2 months (18.6%, 104/559; χ2 = 150.27, df = 1, P < 0.0001). Four Cryptosporidium species/genotypes were identified: C. parvum (n = 78); C. occultus (n = 1); a new genotype that is genetically related to C. ubiquitum (n = 85); and another new genotype that is genetically related to C. parvum (n = 44). Among them, C. parvum (27,610 ± 71,911 oocysts/gram of feces) and the C. parvum-like genotype (38,679 ± 82,811 oocysts/gram of feces) had higher oocyst shedding intensity than the C. ubiquitum-like genotype (2470 ± 7017 oocysts/gram of feces) and the C. occultus (1012 oocysts/gram of feces). The C. parvum identified belonged to three subtypes in two rare subtype families, including IIpA9 (n = 43), IIpA6 (n = 6) and IIoA15G1 (n = 9), while the C. parvum-like and C. ubiquitum-like genotypes generated very divergent gp60 sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study suggest that bamboo rats on the study farms were infected with diverse Cryptosporidium species and divergent C. parvum subtypes, which probably had originated from their native habitats. As similar C. parvum subtypes have been recently detected in humans and farmed macaques, attentions should be paid to the potential role of these new farm animals in the transmission of zoonotic pathogens.
- MeSH
- Cryptosporidium parvum genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Cryptosporidium genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- farmy * MeSH
- feces parazitologie MeSH
- genotyp MeSH
- geny rRNA MeSH
- kryptosporidióza epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- molekulární epidemiologie MeSH
- Muridae parazitologie MeSH
- oocysty MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární MeSH
- protozoální DNA MeSH
- zoonózy diagnóza parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Čína MeSH
Escherichia albertii is a recently discovered species with a limited number of well characterized strains. The aim of this study was to characterize four of the E. albertii strains, which were among 41 identified Escherichia strains isolated from the feces of living animals on James Ross Island, Antarctica, and Isla Magdalena, Patagonia. Sequencing of 16S rDNA, automated ribotyping, and rep-PCR were used to identify the four E. albertii isolates. Phylogenetic analyses based on multi-locus sequence typing showed these isolates to be genetically most similar to the members of E. albertii phylogroup G3. These isolates encoded several virulence factors including those, which are characteristic of E. albertii (cytolethal distending toxin and intimin) as well as bacteriocin determinants that typically have a very low prevalence in E. coli strains (D, E7). Moreover, E. albertii protein extracts caused cell cycle arrest in human cell line A375, probably because of cytolethal distending toxin activity.
- MeSH
- Charadriiformes mikrobiologie MeSH
- Escherichia genetika izolace a purifikace metabolismus MeSH
- feces mikrobiologie MeSH
- multilokusová sekvenční typizace veterinární MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární MeSH
- pulzní gelová elektroforéza veterinární MeSH
- ribotypizace veterinární MeSH
- RNA ribozomální 16S genetika MeSH
- Spheniscidae mikrobiologie MeSH
- tuleňovití mikrobiologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Antarktida MeSH
- Chile MeSH
Host- and age-specificity of Cryptosporidium avium were studied in 1-, 21- and 365-day-old chickens (Gallus gallus), domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) under experimental conditions. Cryptosporidium avium was not infectious for ring-necked pheasants, but it was infectious for ducks and chickens at all age categories. The course of infection in ducks did not differ among age categories, but 365-day-old chickens had less severe infections than 1- and 21-day-old chickens. The patent period in chickens and ducks was >30 DPI, but ducks started to shed oocysts of C. avium earlier (5-6 DPI) and at a lower intensity (accumulated value of infection intensity of 58,000-65,000 OPG) than chickens (9-11 DPI and accumulated value of infection intensity of 100,000-105,000 OPG). Experimentally infected birds showed no clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis.
- MeSH
- Cryptosporidium klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- divoká zvířata MeSH
- feces parazitologie MeSH
- Galliformes parazitologie MeSH
- gastrointestinální obsah parazitologie MeSH
- genotypizační techniky MeSH
- hospodářská zvířata MeSH
- hostitelská specificita MeSH
- kachny parazitologie MeSH
- kryptosporidióza imunologie parazitologie MeSH
- kur domácí parazitologie MeSH
- nemoci drůbeže imunologie parazitologie MeSH
- nemoci ptáků imunologie parazitologie MeSH
- odolnost vůči nemocem MeSH
- oocysty izolace a purifikace MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární MeSH
- protozoální DNA chemie genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- RNA ribozomální chemie genetika MeSH
- věkové faktory MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Avian haemosporidian parasites (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida) are widespread pathogens that cause malaria (Plasmodium spp.) and other haemosporidioses (Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon spp.) in birds. The Special Protection Area Durankulak Lake (SPA DL) is a coastal lake in northeast Bulgaria, part of the Natura 2000 network that was declared as important area for wintering, breeding and migratory birds. Despite a number of conservation efforts outlined for the SPAs of Natura 2000 network, the potential threats and influences of haemosporidians and other parasites on occurring birds were not considered. In the present study, we aim to investigate the richness of haemosporidian parasites in birds captured in the protected area and to report the parasite species/DNA lineages that undergo local transmission in the region. We used both microscopic examination and PCR-based methods to diagnose haemosporidian infections in juvenile (captured in the year of hatching) and adult birds. The overall prevalence of haemosporidian parasites was significantly higher in the adult birds compared to juveniles. We identified five out of 21 recorded cytochrome b (cyt b) parasite lineages that are locally transmitted in the SPA DL (one of the genus Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890 and four of genus Plasmodium Marchiafava and Celli, 1885): cyt b lineages hRW2 of Haemoproteus belopolskyi, pSGS1 of Plasmodium relictum, pCOLL1, pYWT4 and pPADOM01 of Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) spp. It is likely that the majority of the parasites with local transmission are widespread host generalists and that host exchange is rather frequent among the birds inhabiting SPA DL.
- MeSH
- cytochromy b genetika MeSH
- Haemosporida klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- malárie ptačí epidemiologie parazitologie přenos MeSH
- nemoci ptáků epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- Plasmodium genetika MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- protozoální DNA genetika MeSH
- ptáci parazitologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Bulharsko epidemiologie MeSH
A molecular screening for tick-borne pathogens was carried out in engorged and in questing ticks collected in Verbano Cusio Ossola county, Piemonte region, Italy. Engorged ticks were removed from wild and domestic animal hosts. The most abundant and common tick species in the area was Ixodes ricinus (192 adults, 907 nymphs). Few individuals of Ixodes hexagonus (15) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (7) were found among the ticks removed from domestic animals (46 examined ticks). The presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu latu, Francisella tularensis and Coxiella burnetii was evaluated by PCR and sequencing in 392 individuals of I. ricinus (adult and nymphal stages) and 22 individuals of the two other tick species. Five Borrelia species (i.e. B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. valaisiana and B. lusitaniae), proved or suspected to cause clinical manifestations of Lyme disease in humans, showed 10.5 and 2.2% combined prevalence in questing and engorged I. ricinus, respectively. In addition, two species of rickettsiae (R. helvetica and R. monacensis) were identified and reported with 14.5 and 24.8% overall prevalence in questing and in engorged ticks. The prevalence of F. tularensis in the ticks collected on two wild ungulate species (Capreolus capreolus and Cervus elaphus) was 5.7%. This work provided further data and broadened our knowledge on bacterial pathogens present in ticks in Northwest Italy.
- MeSH
- Bacteria klasifikace MeSH
- divoká zvířata parazitologie MeSH
- fyziologie bakterií * MeSH
- hospodářská zvířata parazitologie MeSH
- klíště růst a vývoj mikrobiologie MeSH
- larva růst a vývoj mikrobiologie MeSH
- nymfa růst a vývoj mikrobiologie MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární MeSH
- Rhipicephalus sanguineus růst a vývoj mikrobiologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Itálie MeSH
