Evaluation of terrestrial gastropods as possible intermediate hosts of Gurltia paralysans in southern Chile / Avaliação de gastrópodes terrestres como possíveis hospedeiros intermediários de Gurltia paralysans no sul do Chile

Abstract Gurltia paralysans is the causal agent of gurltiosis in domestic cats in South America. Although the life cycle of G. paralysans is unknown, it is thought that gastropods could act as intermediate hosts (IHs), as is the case for several nematodes in the Angiostrongylidae family. The aim of this study was to search for G. paralysans larvae in terrestrial gastropods and determine their role in the life cycle of this nematode species. Terrestrial gastropod samples (n=835) were collected in Punucapa, Valdivia, southern Chile, where cases of gurltiosis had been reported before. The samples included species from the families Arionidae, Limacidae, Helicidae and Milacidae. All gastropods were subjected to enzymatic digestion to isolate G. paralysans larvae. Ten percent of the gastropod samples were analyzed using seminested PCR targeting the 28S rRNA gene, while 2.6% were analyzed by histopathological examination. The results indicated the absence of G. paralysans when using any of the three methods. In conclusion, further studies are needed to evaluate specific species of aquatic or native gastropods acting as possible IHs (in this geographic location).

Resumo Gurltia paralysans é o agente etiológico da gurltiose em gatos domésticos na América do Sul. Embora o ciclo biologico de G. paralysans seja desconhecido, provavelmente é indireto com gastrópodes atuando como hospedeiros intermediários (HIs), como no caso de vários nematoides da família Angiostrongylidae. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a presença de larvas de G. paralysans em gastrópodes terrestres para avaliar seu papel no ciclo de vida do parasito. Amostras de gastrópodes terrestres (n = 835) foram coletadas em Punucapa, Valdivia, sul do Chile, onde casos de gurltiose foram relatados anteriormente. As amostras incluíram espécies das famílias Arionidae, Limacidae, Helicidae e Milacidae. Todos os gastrópodes foram submetidos à digestão enzimática para isolar as larvas de G. paralysans. 10% das amostras foram analisadas, utilizando-se seminested PCR para o gen 28S RNAr de G. paralysans, enquanto 2,6% foram analisados ​​por exame histopatológico. Os resultados indicaram ausência de G. paralysans em todos os três métodos. Os dados permitem concluir que são necessários mais estudos para avaliar espécies específicas de gastrópodes aquáticos ou nativos, que atuam como possíveis hospedeiros intermediários nessa localização geográfica.

Infection by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in both humans and the snail Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica in the city of Macapá, in the Amazon Region of Brazil

In January and February 2019, a malacological survey was conducted in the area surrounding the residence of a 12-year-old child that had contracted cerebral angiostrongyliasis in the municipality of Macapá, capital of the Amapá State, northern Brazil. The serological examination was positive for Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, the principal etiological agent of this parasitosis. A sample of 54 molluscs was artificially and individually digested for parasitological analysis, containing 38 specimens of Achatina fulica, nine specimens of Bulimulus tenuissimus and seven specimens of Sarasinula linguaeformis. A. fulica was the most abundant mollusc, and the only species infected with A. cantonensis, as well as presenting co-infections with other nematodes. This is the first report of cerebral angiostrongyliasis in the Amazon Region, and the first record of A. fulica infected with A. cantonensis in Amapá. These findings highlight the potential risks of human angiostrongyliasis, and the need to implement public health measures to control the spread of the disease.

Angiostrongylus (Parastrongylus) cantonensis en huéspedes intermediarios y definitivos en Ecuador, 2014-2017 / Angiostrongylus (Parastrongylus) cantonensis on intermediate and definitive hosts in Ecuador, 2014-2017

Resumen Introducción. Angiostrongylus cantonensis es un serio problema de salud pública y está ampliamente distribuido en el país. Cuando el parásito infecta a los caracoles terrestres Achatina, se enquista en su interior y puede infectar accidentalmente a las personas y otros mamíferos. Objetivo. Establecer la distribución geográfica de A. cantonensis en huéspedes intermediarios (Achatina fulica) y definitivos (Rattus spp.) en Ecuador entre el 2014 y el 2017. Materiales y métodos. Se recolectaron 2.908 ejemplares de A. fulica en 16 provincias utilizando el método de captura por unidad de esfuerzo durante 30 minutos. Se capturaron 211 ejemplares de las especies huéspedes, de los cuales 20 eran Rattus rattus y 191 R. norvegicus. Los ejemplares fueron transportados para su análisis al Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública e Investigación en Guayaquil. En los tejidos del caracol se identificaron y se contabilizaron larvas L3 que luego se inocularon en ratas de laboratorio para reproducir el ciclo de vida. En los roedores se disecaron los cerebros, los corazones, las arterias pulmonares y los pulmones, y se identificaron los parásitos por morfología taxonómica. Resultados. De los caracoles recolectados se encontraron 441 positivos para A. cantonensis (15,2 %) y un total de 6.166 larvas L3. En los ejemplaresRattus spp. capturados (211), 77 (36,5 %) estaban infectados con A. cantonensis, con un total de 220 parásitos (larvas L4-L5 y adultos). Conclusiones. Se constató la presencia de A. cantonensis en varias provincias, lo que confirma el carácter endémico de esta zoonosis en el territorio nacional. La presencia de Rattus spp., huésped definitivo del parásito, y de huéspedes intermediarios, indica el potencial zoonótico de esta infección parasitaria.

Abstract Introduction: Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a serious public health problem and is widely distributed in the country. When the parasite infects the snails, it becomes deeply embedded in their interior and accidentally, it can infect people and other mammals. Objective: To establish the geographical distribution of A. cantonensis intermediate hosts (Achatina fulica) and definitive hosts (Rattus spp.) in Ecuador from 2014 to 2017. Materials and methods: We collected 2,908 A. fulica specimens in 16 provinces using the capture method per unit of effort for 30 minutes. We captured 211 hosts of which 20 were Rattus rattus and 191 R. norvegicus. The specimens were transported to the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública e Investigación in Guayaquil where the larvae L3 were identified and counted in the tissues of the snail, which were then inoculated in laboratory rats to reproduce the life cycle. In the rodents, the brains, hearts, lung arteries and lungs were dissected, and the parasites were identified by taxonomic morphology. Results: Of the snails harvested, 441 were positive for A. cantonensis (15.2%) and a total of 6,166 L3 larvae were found; 77 (36.5%) specimens of Rattus spp., were infected with A. cantonensis and a total of 220 parasites (L4-L5 larvae and adult worms) were collected. Conclusions: We confirmed the presence of A. cantonensis in several provinces, which ratifies the endemic nature of this zoonosis in the national territory. Rattus spp. specimens constitute the definitive hosts of the parasite, which together with the presence of intermediate hosts, indicates the zoonotic potential of this parasitic infection.

Prevalencia de helmintos intestinales en gatos domésticos del departamento del Quindío, Colombia / Prevalence of intestinal helminths in cats in Quindío, Colombia

Introducción. Las enfermedades producidas por helmintos están ampliamente distribuidas en el mundo y muchas de ellas se consideran zoonosis. Los animales de compañía cumplen un papel trascendental en la transmisión a los humanos. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de helmintos intestinales en gatos del departamento del Quindío. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 121 gatos domésticos del departamento del Quindío, de los cuales se registraron los datos de sexo, edad y condición corporal. Se recolectaron heces y se procesaron mediante las técnicas de Ritchie modificada y de Kato-Katz. Resultados. De los 121 gatos, 42,14 % (IC95%: 33,35-50,94) y 45,45 % (IC95%: 36,58-54,32) resultaron parasitados con alguna especie de helminto adulto según la presencia de huevos en sus heces, mediante las técnicas de Ritchie y de Kato-Katz, respectivamente. Toxocara cati fue el parásito más prevalente(Ritchie: 37,2 %; Kato-Katz: 43 %), seguido por Ancylostoma spp. (Ritchie: 7,43 %; Kato-Katz: 5,78 %) y Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Ritchie: 0,82 %). Sesenta y cinco (53,71 %) gatos eran hembras y 56 (46,28 %) eran machos; la prevalencia de infección fue similar en ambos sexos. Los felinos mayores de 4 años de edad presentaron mayor prevalencia de parásitos (81,8 %), seguidos por los de 1 a 4 años (48,8 %) y, por último, por los menores de un año (28,6 %). Se encontró una buena condición corporal en 77,68 % y este grupo presentó menor frecuencia de helmintos intestinales. Conclusión. La prevalencia de helmintos intestinales en gatos domésticos del departamento del Quindío fue de 43,8 %, lo que hace necesario establecer programas de vigilancia y prevención en la población humana y felina.

Introduction. Diseases caused by helminths are widely distributed in the world and many of them are considered zoonoses in which pets play a major role in transmission to humans. Objective. The prevalence of intestinal helminths was determined in cats in Quindío Province. Materials and methods. One hundred twenty-one cats were characterized --data recorded included sex, age and body condition. Fecal samples were collected and processed using the modified Ritchie and modified Kato-Katz techniques to determine the presence of intestinal helminths. Results. Of the 121 cats, 42.1%, (95% CI: 33.4-50.9) and 45.5% (95% CI: 36.6-54.3) were parasitized with at least one adult helminth species as evidenced by the presence of eggs in their fecal samples. Toxocara cati was the most prevalent parasite (Ritchie: 37.2%, Kato-Katz: 43%), followed by Ancylostoma spp. (Ritchie: 7.4%, Kato-Katz: 5.8%) and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Ritchie: 0.82%). Sixty-five cats (53.7%) were females and 56 (46.3%) males; the prevalence of infection was similar in both sexes. Cats older than 4 years had the highest prevalence (81.8%) followed by those aged 1 to 4 years (48.8%) and by those under 1 year (28.6%). The majority of cats, 77.7%, were found to be in good body condition and this group had the lowest frequency of intestinal helminths with both techniques. Conclusion. The prevalence of intestinal helminths in domestic cats in Quindío was 43.8%; it is necessary to establish surveillance and prevention programs in the human and feline populations.

Parasite meningomyelitis in cats in Uruguay / Meningomielites parasitária em gatos no Uruguai

Two outbreaks of progressive hind limb paresis in cats (Felis catus) caused by parasitic meningomyelitis in Uruguay are reported. The case studies occurred in 2008 and 2009 respectively, in the rural areas of Fray Bentos (33º 07' 40.39" S) and were characterized by hindquarter paralysis. This paralysis was progressive and had a chronic progression of approximately 12 months until the death or euthanasia of the animals. Clinical symptoms started with ataxia of the hindquarters with lateral side-to-side swaying and culminated in total paralysis. Two animals were sent for necropsy in 2009. The main histopathological findings were severe myelitis in the lumbar spinal cord with perivascular cuffing and white matter necrosis, severe nonsuppurative meningitis with thrombi in subarachnoid blood vessels, and intravascular presence of multiple adult parasites. From the morphological characteristics of the parasites and location in the leptomeninges, the parasite was identified as the nematode Gurltia paralysans.

São relatados dois surtos de paralisia progressiva dos membros posteriores em gatos (Felis catus), causada por meningomielite parasitária no Uruguai. Os estudos de casos ocorreram entre os anos 2008 e 2009, respectivamente, nas zonas rurais de Fray Bentos (33º 07' 40,39" S) e foram caracterizados por paralisia dos membros posteriores. Esta paralisia era progressiva e tinha evolução crônica de aproximadamente 12 meses, até que os animais vinham a óbito ou eram eutanasiados. Os sintomas clínicos começaram com ataxia dos membros posteriores, com movimentos laterais, terminado em paralisia total. Em 2009, dois animais foram encaminhados para necropsia. Os achados histopatológicos foram caracterizados por severa mielite na medula espinhal lombar com manguitos perivasculares linfocitarios e necrose da substância branca, severa meningite não supurativa com trombos nos vasos sanguíneos subaracnóideos, e presença intravascular de múltiplos parasitos adultos. De acordo com as características morfológicas dos parasitos e localização nas leptomeninges, este foi identificado como um nematóide da espécie Gurltia paralysans.

Evidences against a significant role of Mus musculus as natural host for Angiostrongylus costaricensis

Wild rodents have been described as the most important hosts for Angiostrongylus costaricensis in Central America and southern Brazil. Sinantropic rodents apparently do not play a significant role as natural hosts. A search for natural infection failed to document worms in 14 mice captured in the house of a patient with diagnosis of abdominal angiostrongylosis and experimental infection of a "wild" Mus musculus strain and groups of albino swiss mice were carried out. Mortality was not significantly different and varied from 42 to 80 for Swiss mice and from 26 to 80 for "wild" mice. The high mortality of a "wild" M. musculus infected with A. costaricensis was very similar to what is observed with most laboratory mice strains. These data may be taken as indications that M. musculus is not a well adapted host for A. costaricensis, although susceptibility was apparently higher with "wild" populations of M. musculus as compared to Swiss strain.