Over the last two decades my colleagues and I have assembled the literature on a good percentage of most of the coccidians (Conoidasida) known, to date, to parasitise: Amphibia, four major lineages of Reptilia (Amphisbaenia, Chelonia, Crocodylia, Serpentes), and seven major orders in the Mammalia (Carnivora, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Insectivora, Marsupialia, Primates, Scandentia). These vertebrates, combined, comprise about 15,225 species; only about 899 (5.8%) of them have been surveyed for coccidia and 1,946 apicomplexan valid species names or other forms are recorded in the literature. Based on these compilations and other factors, I extrapolated that there yet may be an additional 31,381 new apicomplexans still to be discovered in just these 12 vertebrate groups. Extending the concept to all of the other extant vertebrates on Earth; i.e. lizards (6,300 spp.), rodents plus 12 minor orders of mammals (3,180 spp.), birds (10,000 spp.), and fishes (33,000 spp.) and, conservatively assuming only two unique apicomplexan species per each vertebrate host species, I extrapolate and extend my prediction that we may eventually find 135,000 new apicomplexans that still need discovery and to be described in and from those vertebrates that have not yet been examined for them! Even doubling that number is a significant underestimation in my opinion.

• MeSH
• Apicomplexa izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• biodiverzita MeSH
• klasifikace MeSH
• obojživelníci parazitologie   MeSH
• obratlovci parazitologie   MeSH
• plazi parazitologie   MeSH
• ptáci parazitologie   MeSH
• ryby parazitologie   MeSH
• savci parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal larval cestodiasis induced by Mesocestoides Vaillant, 1863 (Cyclophyllidea: Mesocestoididae) is a common cause of severe infections in domestic dogs and cats, reported also from other mammals and less frequently from birds. However, there is a limited knowledge on the taxonomy of causative agents of this disease. RESULTS: In the present study, we investigated a massive, likely lethal, infection of a song thrush Turdus philomelos (Passeriformes: Turdidae) by Mesocestoides sp. tetrathyridia. We performed combined morphological and phylogenetic analysis of the tetrathyridia and compared them with the materials obtained previously from other birds and mammals. The metrical data fitted within the wide range reported by previous authors but confirmed the limited value of morphological data for species identification of tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides spp. The molecular analyses suggested that the isolates represented an unidentified Mesocestoides sp. that was previously repeatedly isolated and sequenced in larval and adult forms from domestic dogs and cats in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. In contrast to the present study, which found encysted tetrathyridia, four of the five previous studies that identified the same species described infections by acephalic metacestodes only. CONCLUSIONS: The tetrathyridia of the examined Mesocestoides sp. are described in the present study for the first time. However, the possible match with the species that were previously reported to infect birds remains uncertain. The phylogenetic analyses also suggested the rejection of two cases that were previously identified as Mesocestoides corti as they were likely caused by the same species as in the presently reported infection case. The newly provided DNA sequences should allow the assignment to species in the future, when adults of the genus Mesocestoides are more thoroughly sequenced.

• MeSH
• cysticerkóza přenos   veterinární   MeSH
• domácí zvířata parazitologie   MeSH
• fatální výsledek MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• kočky MeSH
• Mesocestoides genetika   patogenita   MeSH
• nemoci koček parazitologie   přenos   MeSH
• nemoci psů parazitologie   přenos   MeSH
• psi MeSH
• savci parazitologie   MeSH
• sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
• zpěvní ptáci parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• kočky MeSH
• psi MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH

Tissue samples from wildlife from South Africa were opportunistically collected and screened for haemoprotozoan parasites using nonspecific PCR primers. Samples of 127 individuals were tested, comprising over 50 different species. Haemogregarines were the most commonly identified parasites, but sarcocystids and piroplasmids were also detected. Phylogenetic analyses estimated from the 18S rDNA marker highlighted the occurrence of several novel parasite forms and the detection of parasites in novel hosts. Phylogenetic relationships, which have been recently reviewed, appear to be much more complex than previously considered. Our study highlights the high diversity of parasites circulating in wildlife in this biodiverse region, and the need for further studies to resolve taxonomic issues.

• MeSH
• Apicomplexa klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• biodiverzita * MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• plazi parazitologie   MeSH
• protozoální DNA analýza   MeSH
• protozoální infekce zvířat parazitologie   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S analýza   MeSH
• savci parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Jihoafrická republika MeSH

Toxoplasma gondii is protozoan parasite with ability of causing disease in wide-spectrum of animals; many species of animals in captivity died of clinical toxoplasmosis. The monitoring of T. gondii antibodies in zoo animals can be an important indicator of T. gondii circulation in zoo. The aim of this study was to examine sera of animals from eight Czech zoos by latex agglutination test with statistical evaluation and detect T. gondii DNA in stray cats and rodents captured in the zoos. T. gondii antibodies were detected in 33% of 1043 zoo animals without statistical difference between birds (27%, n = 74) and mammals (33%, n = 969). In birds, the chance to be infected with T. gondii was higher in Accipitriformes (71%) compared to Pelecaniformes (6%) (p < 0.0001). In mammals, the chance to be infected with T. gondii was higher in Carnivora (63%) compared to Cetarodactyla (30%), Perissodactyla (26%), Primates (28%) and Rodentia (13%) (p < 0.0001) and higher in Felidae (70%) compared to Bovidae (28%) and Equidae (28%) (p < 0.0001). Mammals with carnivore/scavenger way of feeding were in a higher risk of T. gondii infection compared to herbivores and omnivores (p < 0.0001). T. gondii DNA was detected in tissue of one stray cat while in none of 77 rodents caught in zoo. This study is the first report on toxoplasmosis in zoos from the Czech Republic including seroepidemiology and molecular detection.

• MeSH
• Carnivora krev   imunologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• divoká zvířata krev   imunologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• hlodavci krev   imunologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• kočky MeSH
• latex fixační testy MeSH
• protilátky protozoální imunologie   MeSH
• protozoální DNA krev   MeSH
• ptáci krev   imunologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• savci krev   imunologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• Toxoplasma genetika   imunologie   MeSH
• toxoplazmóza zvířat krev   epidemiologie   imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata v ZOO krev   imunologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• kočky MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

Ticks are vectors of pathogens affecting human and animal health worldwide. Nevertheless, the ecological and evolutionary interactions between ticks, hosts, and pathogens are largely unknown. Here, we integrated a framework to evaluate the associations of the tickIxodes ricinuswith its hosts and environmental niches that impact pathogen circulation. The analysis of tick-hosts association suggested that mammals and lizards were the ancestral hosts of this tick species, and that a leap to Aves occurred around 120 M years ago. The signature of the environmental variables over the host's phylogeny revealed the existence of two clades of vertebrates diverging along a temperature and vegetation split. This is a robust proof that the tick probably experienced a colonization of new niches by adapting to a large set of new hosts, Aves. Interestingly, the colonization of Aves as hosts did not increase significantly the ecological niche ofI. ricinus, but remarkably Aves are super-spreaders of pathogens. The disparate contribution of Aves to the tick-host-pathogen networks revealed thatI. ricinusevolved to maximize habitat overlap with some hosts that are super-spreaders of pathogens. These results supported the hypothesis that large host networks are not a requirement of tick survival but pathogen circulation. The biological cost of tick adaptation to non-optimal environmental conditions might be balanced by molecular mechanisms triggered by the pathogens that we have only begun to understand.

• MeSH
• biologická adaptace MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• ekologie metody   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a patogenu MeSH
• ještěři parazitologie   MeSH
• klíšťata mikrobiologie   parazitologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• klíště klasifikace   parazitologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci přenášené klíšťaty parazitologie   přenos   MeSH
• obratlovci klasifikace   parazitologie   MeSH
• ptáci klasifikace   parazitologie   MeSH
• savci klasifikace   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Problems with parasitic infections and their interspecies transmissions are common in zoological gardens and could pose serious health damage to captive animals. This study presents results of eight-year monitoring of intestinal parasites in animals from Zoo Ljubljana, Slovenia. A total of 741 faecal samples from 40 animal species were collected two to four times per year and examined microscopically. Intestinal parasites were detected in 45% of samples, with detection of helminths (Cestoda, Nematoda - Ascaridida, Enoplida, Strongylida, Oxyurida, Rhabditida and Trichurida) and protists (Apicomplexa and Ciliophora) in 25% and 13% of samples, respectively; mixed infection was found in 7% of samples. The mostly infected were ungulates (61%), followed by reptiles (44%), ratites (29%), primates (22%) and carnivores (7%). During the observation period, the number of infected animal species increased from 8 to 25. This is the first long-term monitoring study of intestinal parasites in zoo animals from Slovenia. Routine monitoring of parasitic infection and regular deworming and hygienic measures are necessary to prevent gastrointestinal infections in captive animals.

• MeSH
• Carnivora parazitologie   MeSH
• cizopasní červi izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• helmintózy zvířat epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• nemoci ptáků epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Palaeognathae MeSH
• parazitární nemoci střev epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• plazi parazitologie   MeSH
• primáti parazitologie   MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• savci parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata v ZOO MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Based on published records and new data accumulated by the authors, we generated a list of the helminth parasites of marine mammals from off the coast of Argentina. We found 49 reports of helminths parasitizing cetaceans and pinnipeds from Argentina from 1952 to 2015. The list includes 54 taxa of helminths (8 acanthocephalans, 24 nematodes, 11 cestodes and 11 trematodes) associated with 18 species of cetaceans and 5 species of pinnipeds. Most of the records represent adults (5 acanthocephalans, 16 nematodes, 6 cestodes and 11 trematodes), followed by larvae (10 nematodes and 3 metacestodes) and juveniles (4 acanthocephalans and 2 cestodes). The checklist contains 24 named species (5 acanthocephalans, 8 nematodes, 4 cestodes and 7 trematodes) and 30 undetermined helminth taxa (3 acanthocephalans, 16 nematodes, 7 cestodes and 4 trematodes). The present account contains a parasite/host lists and information on the habitat, developmental stage and distribution of the parasites listed, repositories of their type and voucher specimens and references. A host-parasite list is also presented. The data compiled on the helminth of marine mammals from Argentina in the present study revealed gaps in the knowledge of their taxonomic identification, composition, distribution, host specificity and life cycles. These gaps are also briefly discussed in order to provide an outline for future research.

• MeSH
• cizopasní červi klasifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• hostitelská specificita MeSH
• kontrolní seznam MeSH
• oceány a moře MeSH
• rozšíření zvířat MeSH
• savci klasifikace   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Argentina MeSH
• oceány a moře MeSH

Two morphologically similar, but phylogenetically unrelated Eimeria species from ancient mammals, African Tree Pangolin Phataginus tricuspis and Sunda Pangolin Manis javanica (Pholidota: Manidae), from two distant biogeographic realms (Afrotropical and Oriental), are characterized and compared morphologically and molecularly. Phylogenetic analyses produced an unstable topology. However, while precise position of the two Eimeria species from pangolins could not be firmly established due to the lack of related taxa, it is evident that they are not closely related and do not fall into any of the so far recognized eimerian lineages. Moreover, an eimerian found in P. tricuspis is described as a new species Eimeria nkaka n. sp., based on morphology of oocysts, endogenous developmental stages and sequence data.

• MeSH
• biologická evoluce * MeSH
• Eimeria klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• kokcidióza parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• oocysty klasifikace   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• savci klasifikace   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Afrika MeSH
• Asie MeSH

SUMMARY: Tapeworms (Cestoda) continue to be an important cause of morbidity in humans worldwide. Diphyllobothriosis, a human disease caused by tapeworms of the genus Diphyllobothrium, is the most important fish-borne zoonosis caused by a cestode parasite. Up to 20 million humans are estimated to be infected worldwide. Besides humans, definitive hosts of Diphyllobothrium include piscivorous birds and mammals, which represent a significant zoonotic reservoir. The second intermediate hosts include both freshwater and marine fish, especially anadromous species such as salmonids. The zoonosis occurs most commonly in countries where the consumption of raw or marinated fish is a frequent practice. Due to the increasing popularity of dishes utilizing uncooked fish, numerous cases of human infections have appeared recently, even in the most developed countries. As many as 14 valid species of Diphyllobothrium can cause human diphyllobothriosis, with D. latum and D. nihonkaiense being the most important pathogens. In this paper, all taxa from humans reported are reviewed, with brief information on their life history and their current distribution. Data on diagnostics, epidemiology, clinical relevance, and control of the disease are also summarized. The importance of reliable identification of human-infecting species with molecular tools (sequences of mitochondrial genes) as well as the necessity of epidemiological studies aimed at determining the sources of infections are pointed out. clinical relevance, and control of the disease are also summarized. The importance of reliable identification of human-infecting species with molecular tools (sequences of mitochondrial genes) as well as the necessity of epidemiological studies aimed at determining the sources of infections are pointed out.

• MeSH
• difylobotriáza epidemiologie   přenos   MeSH
• Diphyllobothrium fyziologie   klasifikace   MeSH
• financování organizované MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ptáci parazitologie   MeSH
• ryby parazitologie   MeSH
• savci parazitologie   MeSH
• zoonózy epidemiologie   přenos   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• přehledy MeSH

The human infection known under the names cercarial dermatitis or swimmers' itch is generally associated with swimming in lakes all over the world, however, a number of outbreaks of cercarial dermatitis developing in salt or brackish waters are also reported. The disease presents as allergic reaction which is able to trap and eliminate the parasites in the skin. However, the infection can be linked to more than skin symptoms under certain circumstances. Recent studies on bird schistosomes have shown that during primary infections of noncompatible hosts (mice) the parasites may migrate through visceral and nervous tissues of mammals. Up to date, cercarial dermatitis has been mostly associated with the cercariae of bird schistosomes of the genus Trichobilharzia. Recent findings of new genera and species indicate, however, broader spectrum of causative agents of the disease with different life cycles, host specificity and pathogenicity.

• MeSH
• dermatitida etiologie   imunologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita genetika   účinky léků   MeSH
• larva imunologie   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ptáci mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• savci parazitologie   MeSH
• Schistosoma izolace a purifikace   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Schistosomatidae izolace a purifikace   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH