The first report of Dirofilaria repens infection in dogs from Colombia.

Dirofilariasis is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Dirofilaria parasites, affecting both wild and domestic animals, including humans considered as accidental hosts. Dirofilaria repens is the principal causative agent of dirofilariasis in the Old World, with increasing reports of the parasite in countries where it has not been previously identified, due to several factors such as the expansion of mosquito vectors' geographical distribution. By utilizing newly designed primers for molecular detection and confirming through next-generation sequencing, here, we report the first plausible cases of D. repens in dogs from Colombia. Our results support the classification of this species as an emergent pathogen in the Americas. Finally, we encourage an increase in diagnostic and surveillance efforts to prevent and control the current and future dirofilariasis cases in this region.

Comparison between five coprological methods for the diagnosis of Balantidium coli cysts in fecal samples from pigs.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Balantidium coli is a protozoan that can infect humans and non-human primates, being the domestic pigs the animals most affected by this parasite. This study aimed to compare the performance of five coprological methods for diagnosis of Balantidium coli cysts in fecal samples from pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September to December 2019, 558 fecal samples were collected from the rectum of backyard pigs in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area, Colombia. The average age of the sampled animals was 3-4 months. Fecal samples collected were tested using the following coprological techniques: Direct examination with Lugol's iodine solution, buffered saline, centrifugation/flotation and McMaster techniques, and Ziehl-Neelsen method. RESULTS: The results indicate that B. coli cysts were diagnosed most frequently through direct examination with Lugol's iodine solution (52.7% of the samples) followed by direct examination with a buffered saline solution (37.6%). Moderate concordance (k=0.41; p<0.05) was determined between direct method with Lugol's iodine and buffered saline solution, McMaster and buffered saline (k=0.35; p<0.05), and centrifugation/flotation and buffered saline (k=0.28; p<0.05) showed a fair degree of concordance. The rest of the comparisons were classified as poor. The flotation techniques (centrifugation/flotation and McMaster) did not show good recovery of cysts. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the most efficient method for diagnosing this parasitosis was to an association between direct examination with Lugol's iodine solution and buffered saline.

Current status of prevalence and risk factors associated with liver fluke Fasciola hepatica in cattle raised in different altitudinal regions of Colombia.

Fasciola hepatica is a trematode parasite with a worldwide distribution that affects mammals, including humans, and is considered a major food safety and public health problem. A research was conducted in three hundred eighty-five livestock farms located in different altitudinal regions of Colombia between February 2017 and March 2018 with the aim to determine the coprological prevalence, seroprevalence (SP) and risk factors associated with liver fluke F. hepatica. A total of 5620 fecal sample were collected from cattle and processed using sedimentation technique. Additionally, 597 blood samples were collected and processed by an ELISA test. The coprological prevalence of F. hepatica in animals and herds was 6.4% and 38.4%, respectively. Regarding the prevalence by municipalities, there was statistical association (P < .05), indicating that the prevalence was higher in those municipalities above 2000 masl (meters above sea level). Regarding risk factors, cattle raised in municipalities at 2000 to 3000 masl showed about 4 (OR = 3.96 [CI95% 3.1-5]; P < .05) times higher probability for infection than those raised at lower altitude. Cattle from 2 to 3 year of age, showed almost 4 times (OR = 3.7[CI95% 2.5-5.4]; P < .05), increased infection risk. Females and dairy breeds showed almost 2 (OR = 1.9 [CI95% 1.3-2.6]; P < .05) and 10 times (OR = 10 [CI95% 7.8-12.8]; P < .05), respectively, increased infection risk. The presence of antibodies anti- F. hepatica (SP = 37.8%; [CI95% 35.8-39.7]; P < .05) in cattle of the region under study is confirmed, which suggests an endemic behavior of this parasitosis. The present study provides current information on the prevalence of F. hepatica in different altitudinal regions of Colombia, and these findings could be useful for designing new holistic control measures for the liver fluke F. hepatica infection.

Prevalence and risk factors of gastrointestinal parasites in backyard pigs reared in the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, Colombia.

Backyard pigs have been associated with poor sanitary conditions and the development of parasitic diseases, often causing public health and food safety problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal parasites in backyard pigs. 279 animals were sampled from thirty-two backyard pig farms located in the Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Giron and Piedecuesta municipalities, from Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, Colombia. Fecal samples were taken directly from the rectum and processed by four coprological techniques. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 91%, being the highest values for Balantidium coli and Eimeria sp. Regarding the prevalence by municipalities, there was no statistical association (p ≥ 0.05) indicating that the prevalence was similar in the region under study. Floridablanca municipality, free-ranging pigs, access to latrines, and consumption of spring water showed to be a risk factor for nematodes, while Giron municipality, pigs > 7 months of age and access to latrines, increased infection risk for coccidian. We concluded that there is a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in backyard pigs from the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, and that it could be controlled by improving management practices and farm facilities.

Prevalence and risk factors of gastrointestinal parasites in backyard pigs reared in the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, Colombia / Prevalência e fatores de risco de parasitos gastrointestinais em suínos criados na Área Metropolitana de Bucaramanga, Colombia

Abstract Backyard pigs have been associated with poor sanitary conditions and the development of parasitic diseases, often causing public health and food safety problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal parasites in backyard pigs. 279 animals were sampled from thirty-two backyard pig farms located in the Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Giron and Piedecuesta municipalities, from Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, Colombia. Fecal samples were taken directly from the rectum and processed by four coprological techniques. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 91%, being the highest values for Balantidium coli and Eimeria sp. Regarding the prevalence by municipalities, there was no statistical association (p ≥ 0.05) indicating that the prevalence was similar in the region under study. Floridablanca municipality, free-ranging pigs, access to latrines, and consumption of spring water showed to be a risk factor for nematodes, while Giron municipality, pigs > 7 months of age and access to latrines, increased infection risk for coccidian. We concluded that there is a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in backyard pigs from the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, and that it could be controlled by improving management practices and farm facilities.

Resumo Suínos criados em fundo de quintal têm sido associados às más condições sanitárias e ao desenvolvimento de doenças parasitárias, frequentemente causando problemas de saúde pública e segurança alimentar. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência e os fatores de risco para parasitos gastrointestinais em suínos criados em fundo de quintal. Foram amostrados 279 animais de 32 fazendas de suínos localizadas nos municípios de Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Giron e Piedecuesta, da Área Metropolitana de Bucaramanga, Colômbia. As amostras fecais foram coletadas diretamente do reto e processadas por quatro técnicas coprológicas. A prevalência geral de parasitos gastrintestinais foi de 91%, sendo os maiores valores para Balantidium coli e Eimeria sp. Em relação à prevalência por municípios, não houve associação estatística (p≥ 0,05), indicando que a prevalência foi semelhante na região estudada. O município de Floridablanca, porcos caipiras, acesso a latrinas e consumo de água da nascente mostraram ser um fator de risco para os nematoides enquanto no município de Giron, porcos com mais de 7 meses de idade e acesso a latrinas, aumentou o risco de infecção por coccídios. Concluiu-se que há uma alta prevalência de parasitos gastrointestinais em suínos criados em fundo de quintal da Área Metropolitana de Bucaramanga, e que isso poderia ser controlado melhorando as práticas de manejo e as instalações agrícolas.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle and sheep in three municipalities in the Colombian Northeastern Mountain.

AIM: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in cattle and sheep from three municipalities in the Colombian Northeastern Mountain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 200 fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum in cattle and sheep. The presence of helminths eggs and coccidial oocysts in fecal samples was detected using McMaster and Dennis techniques. Identification of eggs or oocysts was done on the basis of morphology and size of the eggs or oocysts. RESULTS: The global prevalence of GI parasites was 56.3%. Regarding the prevalence by municipalities, there was no statistical association (p>0.05), indicating that the prevalence was similar in the three municipalities. The prevalence of parasitic infection was higher in sheep (63%) as compared to that of cattle (50.5%), but the difference was nonsignificant (p>0.05). The most prevalent parasites were Eimeria spp., Fasciola hepatica, and Strongylida order. Regarding the results for Eimeria spp., different degrees of positivity were observed, but there was no statistical association (p>0.05) with respect to the age group. Likewise, there was no statistical association (p>0.05) between the prevalence for Strongylida order and F. hepatica with respect to the age group. CONCLUSION: Cattle and sheep in Colombian Northeastern Mountain were infected with helminths and coccidia. The prevalence values of GI parasites were moderate in both species warranting treatment. The presence of F. hepatica represents a risk factor to health public. Future studies are required to evaluate the parasitic dynamics throughout the year and the impact on animal production.

[First report of Dioctophyma renale (Nematoda, Dioctophymatidae) in Colombia].

Dioctophymosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Dioctophyma renale (Goeze, 1782). It is distributed worldwide and it affects a large number of wild and domestic mammals.Here we report the first confirmed case of canine dioctophymosis in Colombia. The animal was found dead in the streets of the municipality of Yondó, Antioquia, and its dead body was taken to the Instituto Universitario de la Paz (UNIPAZ) to carry out a necropsy.A parasite worm was found in the right kidney and sent for identification to the Laboratorio de Parasitología of the Universidad de Santander (UDES). The specimen was identified as a male of D. renale upon observing the typical oval and transversely elongated bell-shaped bursa copulatrix with a spicule and no rays. Another important factor to confirm the diagnosis was the anatomical location in the kidney. This is the first time D. renale is reported in a stray dog in Colombia.

First report of Dioctophyma renale (Nematoda, Dioctophymatidae) in Colombia / Primer reporte de Dioctophyma renale (Nematoda, Dioctophymatidae) en Colombia

Dioctophymosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Dioctophyma renale (Goeze, 1782). It is distributed worldwide and it affects a large number of wild and domestic mammals. Here we report the first confirmed case of canine dioctophymosis in Colombia. The animal was found dead in the streets of the municipality of Yondó, Antioquia, and its dead body was taken to the Instituto Universitario de la Paz (UNIPAZ) to carry out a necropsy. A parasite worm was found in the right kidney and sent for identification to the Laboratorio de Parasitología of the Universidad de Santander (UDES). The specimen was identified as a male of D. renale upon observing the typical oval and transversely elongated bell-shaped bursa copulatrix with a spicule and no rays. Another important factor to confirm the diagnosis was the anatomical location in the kidney. This is the first time D. renale is reported in a stray dog in Colombia.

La dioctofimosis es una enfermedad parasitaria zoonótica causada por Dioctophyma renale (Goeze, 1782), de amplia distribución mundial, que afecta a un gran número de mamíferos silvestres y domésticos. Se reporta el primer caso de dioctofimosis canina en Colombia. El animal fue encontrado muerto en las calles del municipio de Yondó, Antioquia. Su cadáver fue llevado al Instituto Universitario de la Paz (UNIPAZ) donde se practicó la necropsia. En el riñón derecho se encontró un parásito, el cual fue enviado al Laboratorio de Parasitología de la Universidad de Santander para su identificación. El espécimen se identificó como un macho de D. renale por la típica bursa copulatriz oval y alargada transversalmente en forma de campana, sin rayos y con una espícula. Otro factor importante para confirmar el diagnóstico fue la ubicación anatómica en el riñón. Se reporta por primera vez la presencia de D. renale en un perro mestizo callejero en Colombia.