Intestinal parasites of the endangered European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) populations in Slovakia.

The present pilot research was focused on the detection of intestinal parasites in the ground squirrel populations in various regions of Slovakia. Only a very little information is currently available on the parasitic species composition of the European ground squirrel in Slovakia and across Europe. In the Slovak Republic, there are 70 locations where the ground squirrel populations are present. A total of 600 faecal samples of the European ground squirrels, collected from 36 locations all over Slovakia, were examined by applying the coprological method. The presence of the protozoan coccidian parasite of the Eimeria genus was confirmed in all of the analysed locations. The presence of eggs of four helminths were confirmed: Capillaria spp. (66.6% of locations); the Trichostrongylidae family (42.8% of locations); Hymenolepis spp. (11.9% of locations); and Citellina spp. (7.14% of locations). Dead individuals that were found in the analysed localities were subjected to necropsy and the tissues scraped off their small intestines were stained in order to confirm the presence of parasites. The post-mortem examination of the intestines and the sedimentation of the intestinal contents in a saline solution did not result in the confirmation of the presence of the eggs, adults or the larval stages of parasites. Spermophilus citellus is one of the strictly protected animal species in Slovakia. In recent years, numerous projects aimed at supporting and protecting ground squirrels have been implemented. The present pilot study on intestinal parasites and the subsequent cooperation with environmental activists will contribute to the support and stabilisation of the presence of these animals in our country.

Host-parasite relationship Octopus tehuelchus - Aggregata valdessensis in Patagonian coast, southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

Histopathology associated with the apicomplexan Aggregata valdessensis in the wild population of Octopus tehuelchus was studied. Moreover, to analyze the impact of the prevalence and infection intensity on the dorsal mantle length, sex, maturity stages, condition index and total hemocyte counts on wild O. tehuelchus, Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were applied. Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test was used to compare growth parameter (RNA/DNA ratios) in infected and uninfected octopuses. Lesions including hypertrophy of host cells and destruction of the tissue organ architecture as well as the replacement of host tissue by parasites were associated with infection. The infection caused an inflammatory defensive response in form of hemocytic infiltration.. The prevalence of apicomplexan increased with octopus dorsal mantle length (GLM, t = 2.68; p = 0.007). Infection intensity was significantly higher in male octopus (GLM, t = 2.69; p = 0.009) and decreased at higher temperatures in both sexes (GLM, t = -2.42; p = 0.018). The digestive gland condition index did not significantly vary with infection intensity, and no significant relationship between total hemocyte counts and coccidian infection was found (Lineal Model, t = 0.46; p = 0.64). The acid nucleic ratio was significantly lower in octopuses infected by A. valdessensis (Kruskal Wallis test, H = 4.8; p = 0.02), suggesting a detrimental effect on O. tehuelchus growth caused by the coccidian.

Development of a new multiplex PCR to detect fecal coccidian parasite.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium spp., Cystoisospora belli and Cyclospora cayetanensis are common intestinal coccidian parasites causing gastroenteritis. The clinical presentation caused by each parasite is indistinguishable from each other. Uniplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for these three groups of intestinal coccidian parasites was developed by us in our laboratory. Thereafter, we planned to develop a single-run multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assay to detect Cryptosporidium spp., C. belli and C. cayetanensis simultaneously from a stool sample and described it here as coccidian mPCR. METHODS: New primers for C. belli and C. cayetanensis were designed and uniplex PCRs were standardized. The coccidian mPCR was standardized with known positive DNA control isolates. It was validated with 58 known positive and 58 known negative stool samples, which were previously identified by uniplex PCR. RESULTS: The coccidian mPCR was standardized with earlier primers designed by us for Cryptosporidium spp. and C. cayetanensis, and a newly designed primer for the internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1) gene for C. belli. The coccidian mPCR was 92.1% sensitive for Cryptosporidium spp., and 100% sensitive for C. belli and C. cayetanensis each, when tested on 116 known samples. It was 100% specific for all intestinal coccidian parasites. Two representative PCR products of the newly designed ITS-1 primer for C. belli were sequenced and submitted to the GenBank, which best match with the sequences of C. belli. CONCLUSION: A highly sensitive, specific, cost-effective, indigenous, single-run coccidian mPCR has been developed, which can simultaneously detect Cryptosporidium spp., C. belli and C. cayetanensis.

Presence of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts in human semen: Toxoplasmosis as a potential sexually transmissible infection.

OBJECTIVES: Toxoplasma gondii is a widely prevalent protozoan parasite in human populations. This parasite is thought to be primarily transmitted through undercooked meat and contamination by cat feces. Here, we seek to determine if Toxoplasma gondii cysts can be found within human semen. METHODS: We used a mixture of histological and immunofluorescence stains to visualize Toxoplasma gondii cysts in thin smears of human semen. Further, we probed for presence of bradyzoite-specific mRNA transcription using in-situ hybridization. RESULTS: We visualized Toxoplasma gondii cysts in ejaculates of immune-competent and latently infected human volunteers. We confirmed the encystment by probing transcription of a bradyzoite-specific gene in these structures. These observations extend previous observations of the parasite in semen of several non-human host species, including rats, dogs, and sheep. CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasma gondii infection is a clinically significant infection, in view of its high prevalence, its purported role in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, as well as in the more serious form of congenital toxoplasmosis. Our demonstration of intact Toxoplasma gondii cysts in the ejaculate supports the possibility of sexual transmission of the parasite and provides an impetus for further investigations.

Distinctive location of piscine intestinal coccidiosis in Asian seabass fingerlings.

Background and Aim: Coccidian infection (coccidiosis) is one of the most important causes of illness and death in the fish population, including Asian sea bass. The fingerling developmental stage is sensitive to various infectious agents. Economic losses are sustained by the sea bass aquaculture industry due to coccidiosis annually. However, the related pathological changes in the Asian sea bass fingerlings' three-part intestine remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the Asian sea bass fingerlings' infection rate, infection location and site, and specific pathological lesions in the small intestinal tissues in a marine cage farming operation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 44 fingerling fishes. Major coccidia proportions were identified morphologically at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. The infection number was determined based on coccidia presence at various intestinal locations and sites. All areas were assessed for pathological lesions using semi-quantitative grading. Analysis of variance was used to perform all data analyses using the SPSS software. Data were expressed as means ± standard deviation. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: All Asian sea bass fingerlings studied were infected with coccidia. Enteritis and mucosal necrosis were distinct lesions found in the anterior intestine, which had the highest infection rate (49.94%), followed by the mid intestine (35.63%), and the posterior intestine (22.43%). The most common coccidian infection site was extracellular (subepithelial), followed by intracytoplasmic, and epicellular sites. Histopathological lesion determination revealed that intestinal tissue inflammation and epithelial injuries were predominantly seen in the anterior gut (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There was a high coccidian infection rate in Asian sea bass fingerlings from marine cage farming operations. Infection and intestinal damage at the anterior intestine, a major site, led to fingerling death. Disease prevention in the nursery should be intensive from the fingerling period to decrease the fatality rate caused by coccidia.

In Vitro Antiparasitic Activity of Propyl-Propane-Thiosulfinate (PTS) and Propyl-Propane-Thiosulfonate (PTSO) from Allium cepa against Eimeria acervulina Sporozoites.

Among the alternatives to control avian coccidiosis, alliaceous extracts stand out due to their functional properties. Despite this, most of the references are focused just on garlic. In this study, we analyze the in vitro effects of propyl-propane thiosulfinate (PTS) and propyl-propane thiosulfonate (PTSO), two organosulfur compounds from onion, on MDBK cells infected with sporozoites of Eimeria acervulina. To this aim, two different experiments were performed. In the first experiment, sporozoites were previously incubated for 1 h at 1, 5 and 10 µg/mL of PTS or PTSO and added to MDBK cells. In the second experiment, MDBK cells were first incubated for 24 h at different concentrations of PTS or PTSO and then infected with E. acervulina sporozoites. Then, 24 h after inoculation, the presence of E. acervulina was quantified by qPCR. MDBK viability was measured at 72 h post-infection. Sporozoites incubated at 10 µg/mL of PTS and PTSO inhibited the capability to penetrate the cells up to 75.2% ± 6.44 and 71.7% ± 6.03, respectively. The incubation of MDBK with each compound resulted in a preventive effect against sporozoite invasion at 1 µg/mL of PTS and 1 and 10 µg/mL of PTSO. Cells incubated with PTSO obtained similar viability percentages to uninfected cells. These results suggest that the use of PTS and PTSO is a promising alternative to coccidiosis treatment, although further in vivo studies need to be performed.

A New Species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875 from the Saffron Finch, Sicalis flaveola (Aves: Passeriformes) in Brazil.

PURPOSE: The present study describes a new species of Eimeria found in free-living S. flaveola that inhabit the city of Eugenópolis in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: Fecal samples from all captured birds were filtered through double gauze, mixed with 2.5% potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), placed in a Petri dish and incubated at 23-28 °C until 70% of the oocysts were sporulated. RESULTS: Eimeria flaveola n. sp. from the saffron finch, Sicalis flaveola (Aves: Passeriformes), was described in Brazil. Sporulated oocysts are subspherical; 22.67 ± 1.57 (18.47-26.48) × 21.19 ± 1.42 (16.69-24.91) µm; with a shape-index of 1.07 ± 0.05 (1.00-1.25) µm and a smooth, bilayered wall, ~ 1.09 µm. A micropyle and an oocyst residuum are absent, but one polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 14.24 ± 1.71 (9.02-19.33) × 9.98 ± 1.02 (6.80-12.87) µm; with a shape-index of 1.43 ± 0.16 (0.74-2.11). The Stieda body is button-shaped; sub-Stieda body and para-Stieda absent. The sporocyst residuum is formed by a compact rounded mass of granules. The sporozoite is claviform, 11.53 µm in length and 2.84 µm in width, with a refractile body and a nucleus. CONCLUSIONS: Based on its morphological and morphometric characteristics, we consider E. flaveola a newly identified species.

Cyclosporiasis in an immunocompromised patient who had undergone renal allograft transplant-A rare case report.

Cyclospora spp. is an important cause of traveler's diarrhea or water and food-borne diarrhoeal diseases. We present an interesting but rare case report of cyclosporiasis in a 51-year-old male who had undergone renal allograft transplant six years ago. He also had a past history of tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and hepatitis C infection and was being treated with immunosuppressants. The patient had a prolonged history of gastrointestinal manifestations with recent acute onset of watery diarrhea associated with abdominal cramps. Stool examination after modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining revealed oocysts of Cyclospora spp. The patient was successfully treated with cotrimoxazole.

A case of severe diarrhoea caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis in an immunocompromised patient in northern Spain.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite that causes intestinal disease that can be especially severe in immunocompromised patients. Most cases occur in tropical and subtropical areas, and in industrialized countries their diagnosis is mostly linked to international travel or the ingestion of imported food. We describe this case of severe diarrhoea in a patient with diffuse large B cell lymphoma and no epidemiological risk factors that was successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-STX). C. cayetanensis is a pathogen that should be taken into account in patients with chronic diarrhoea, especially immunocompromised patients, even when no epidemiological risk factors are present.

The strong influence of management factors on coccidian infections in smallholder pig farms and the first molecular identification of Cystoisospora suis in Myanmar.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate coccidian infection and associated factors in smallholder pigs, and to identify Cystoisospora oocysts by PCR. A total of 500 pig faecal samples from 330 smallholder farms were collected in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The faecal flotation method was used to identify Eimeria and Cystoisospora species, and oocyst counts per gram (OPG) of faeces were recorded. Oocysts were differentiated after sporulation. Oocyst DNA was subjected to ITS1-targeted Cystoisospora-specific PCR. The overall coccidian oocyst detection rate by microscopic was 89.0% (445/500). Among the studied samples, 74.0% (370/500) and 70.6% (353/500), were found to be positive with Eimeria spp. and Cystoisospora suis oocysts, respectively. The sequences of C. suis detected were 100% identical to those of C. suis reported from Japan, and had 99.5% resemblance to sequences from Australia and China. Weaner pigs showed the significantly highest (p < 0.05) OPG when compared to other age groups. The highest intensity of coccidian infection (p < 0.05) was found in pigs fed local feed, pigs raised on earthen floors and pigs under poor hygienic conditions. Factors such as age, breed, feed type, and housing floors were found to be significantly associated with coccidian infection (p < 0.05). Age, as well as management factors including floor type, feed type, and hygiene practices on the farm, had a strong influence on the occurrence of coccidian infection in pigs. This is the first study in Myanmar on coccidian infection in pigs and molecular detection of C. suis.

TITLE: Forte influence des facteurs de gestion sur les infections à coccidies dans les petites exploitations porcines et première identification moléculaire de Cystoisospora suis au Myanmar. ABSTRACT: Une étude transversale a été menée pour étudier l'infection coccidienne et les facteurs associés chez les porcs dans des petites exploitations, et pour identifier les oocystes de Cystoisospora par PCR. Au total, 500 échantillons de matières fécales de porcs provenant de 330 petites exploitations agricoles ont été collectés dans la région de Nay Pyi Taw, au Myanmar. La méthode de flottation fécale a été utilisée pour identifier les espèces d'Eimeria et de Cystoisospora, et le nombre d'oocystes par gramme (OPG) de matières fécales a été déterminé. Les oocystes ont été différenciés après sporulation. L'ADN des oocystes a été soumis à une PCR spécifique à Cystoisospora, ciblée sur ITS1. Le taux global de détection d'oocystes de coccidies au microscope était de 89,0 % (445/500). Parmi les échantillons étudiés, respectivement 74,0 % (370/500) et 70,6 % (353/500) ont été trouvés positifs pour Eimeria spp. et les oocystes de Cystoisospora suis. Les séquences de C. suis détectées étaient identiques à 100 % à celles de C. suis signalées au Japon, et avaient 99,5 % de ressemblance avec des séquences d'Australie et de Chine. Les porcs sevrés ont montré un OPG significativement plus élevé (p < 0,05) par rapport aux autres groupes d'âge. L'intensité la plus élevée de l'infection coccidienne (p < 0,05) a été observée chez les porcs nourris avec des aliments locaux, les porcs élevés sur des sols en terre battue et les porcs dans de mauvaises conditions d'hygiène. Des facteurs tels que l'âge, la race, le type d'alimentation et les étages se sont avérés être significativement (p < 0,05) associés à l'infection coccidienne. L'âge, ainsi que les facteurs de gestion, notamment le type de sol, le type d'alimentation et les pratiques d'hygiène dans la ferme, ont eu une forte influence sur la survenue d'une infection coccidienne chez les porcs. Il s'agit de la première étude au Myanmar sur l'infection coccidienne chez le porc et la détection moléculaire de C. suis.

Gastro-intestinal parasites of sympatric red panda and livestock in protected areas of Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Disease transmission among humans, domestic animals and wildlife can have profound consequences in human health, wildlife conservation and maintenance of biodiversity. The issue of disease transmission can be particularly important for threatened wildlife species, yet such information remains scarce due to logistic constraints and government regulation on animal handlings. The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is one of the globally threatened species challenged with habitat fragmentation and human disturbance. In Nepal, livestock grazing is recognised as one of the major threats to the red panda. AIM: We aimed to provide the first empirical data on gastro-intestinal parasites for sympatric livestock and red panda from two geographically isolated regions in Nepal. METHODS: In this study, we systematically sampled, and examined the faecal of livestock and red panda in two separate protected areas to provide the first empirical data on their gastro-intestinal parasite, including the prevalence, parasite richness and load. RESULTS: We documented 11 parasite taxa (7 nematodes, 2 cestodes, 1 trematode and 1 coccidian), of which 8 are shared by both livestock and red panda. Furthermore, parasite prevalence, parasite load and parasite richness were generally higher in the livestock than the red panda. CONCLUSION: The data provided from this systematic survey on parasites of sympatric livestock and red panda in wild raises the concern about the potential role of livestock mediating disease dynamics in the red panda. Our study suggests that cross-transmission of parasites between livestock and red panda are likely, and the livestock may be a competent agent bringing disease to both red panda and human. Therefore, managing human-livestock-wildlife contact to reduce disease risk to all groups should be a key component in conservation planning of protected areas.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Eimeria leuckarti (Eimeriidae, Coccidia, Apicomplexa) infecting domestic horses (Equus ferus caballus).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Eimeria leuckarti (Eimeriidae, Coccidia, Apicomplexa) was obtained. This morphologically distinctive coccidium is considered to be the only valid Eimeria species of equids and it infects a range of both domestic and wild horses and their relatives. Despite the distinctive appearance of the oocysts of E. leuckarti, the mitochondrial genome organization and gene contents were comparable to other Eimeria spp. and related eimeriid coccidia infecting a range of mammals and birds. The greatly reduced 6242 bp genome is circular-mapping and contains three protein-coding genes (COI, COIII, CytB), 18 fragments encoding the large subunit rRNA (LSU), and 13 fragments encoding the small subunit (SSU) rRNA. No tRNA was encoded similar to other Apicomplexa. A Bayesian inference tree based on aligned CDS and rDNA fragments from Eimeria leuckarti and 34 other coccidia demonstrated that this mt genome has close phylogenetic affinities to Eimeria and Isospora species, and related eimeriid coccidia.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST KLOSSIA SPECIES (APICOMPLEXA: EUCOCCIDIORIDA: ADELEORINA: ADELEIDAE) INFECTING A PULMONATE LAND SNAIL, TRIODOPSIS HOPETONENSIS (MOLLUSCA: POLYGYRIDAE), IN NORTH AMERICA.

Snails identified as Triodopsis hopetonensis were collected (n = 18) from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus in December 2018. Additional snails were collected in April 2019 (n = 9) and in September 2019 (n = 9). Kidney tissues were examined using light microscopy, and polysporocystic oocysts were observed. Sporulated oocysts (n = 2) measured 78 ± 3.4 µm × 76 ± 2.9 µm with an irregular oocyst residuum and contained an estimated 44-55 tetrazoic sporocysts. The sporocysts (n = 10) measured 13 ± 0.5 µm × 11 ± 1.5 µm with an indistinct, irregularly placed, sporocyst residuum and usually contained 4 sporozoites, although an octozoic variant was observed. DNA was extracted from the snail kidney tissues and used as a template for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR was used to determine the infection status of the snails; 13 of 36 (36%) specimens were found to be infected with a new Klossia species, and only 3 (8%) of these infections were detected using light microscopy. The complete nuclear 18S ribosomal DNA (1,800 bp) and mitochondrial genomes (6,775 bp) were generated, and they differentiated this parasite from the type species Klossia helicina and support the description of this new Klossia species, Klossia razorbacki n. sp. This is the first Klossia species to be described from any North American snail.

First report on the prevalence of Klossiella muris in Mus musculus for S. Miguel Island - Azores (Portugal).

Klossiella is a genus of apicomplexan coccidian parasites with a global distribution, whose members typically infect the renal tissue of a wide variety of vertebrate hosts with a high level of host specificity. The presence of this parasite has been previously associated with kidney inflammatory processes. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the prevalence of Klossiella muris in the house mouse (Mus musculus) in Portugal (São Miguel Island - Azores). The prevalence of K. muris was determined through histopathological examination of renal tissue collected during necropsy of 130 mice captured between the years of 2011-2019. K. muris was diagnosed in 45.38% (CI95: 40.9-85.4) of the examined mice. Infection with this parasite was associated with mild to severe kidney inflammation, assessed by the presence of inflammatory processes in the renal cortex and medulla. CAPSULE: First record on coccidiosis caused by infection of Klossiella muris in Mus musculus in Portugal.

Molecular Characterization of New Haplotype of Genus Sarcocystis in Seabirds from Magdalena Island, Southern Chile.

Evidence of sarcocystid infection was investigated in samples of 16 penguins (Spheniscus. magellanicus), four Dominican gulls (Larus dominicanus) and two Chilean skuas (Stercorarius chilensis) found in Madalenas Islands, Chile, in 2017. Samples of skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and brain from all birds were screened by a pan-sarcocystid nested-PCR targeting a short fragment of the gene encoding the small ribosomal unit (nPCR-18Sa). The only two positive samples by nPCR-18Sa, both from skuas, were tested by a nested-PCR directed to the internal transcribed spacer 1 (nPCR-ITS1), also a pan-sarcocystidae nested-PCR, and to a nested-PCR directed to the B1 gene (nPCR-B1), for the exclusive detection of Toxoplasma gondii. The two nPCR-18Sa-positive samples were nPCR-ITS1-positive and nPCR-B1-negative. The nPCR-ITS1 nucleotide sequences from the two skuas, which were identical to each other, were revealed closely related to homologous sequences of Sarcocystis halieti, species found in seabirds of northern hemisphere. Larger fragments of genes encoding 18S and partial sequences of genes coding for cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 were also analyzed, corroborating ITS1 data. The haplotypes found in the skuas are unprecedent and closely related to species that use birds as the definitive host. Further studies need to be carried out to detect, identify and isolate this parasite to understand the epidemiology of the infection and its impact on the health of marine fauna.

Occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in pigs in the State of Pará, Brazil / Ocorrência de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em suínos no estado do Pará, Brasil

Abstract We investigated the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum antibodies in pigs raised in the Northeast of Pará, Brazil. At Study I, convenience sampled 151 pigs at two slaughterhouses, with and without state inspection; and Study II, which assessed 159 pigs with probabilistic sampling from nine pig farms. Serological analysis was performed using indirect fluorescent antibody test for T. gondii and N. caninum with a cutoff of 64 and 50, respectively. Overall, 6.77% pigs were seropositive for T. gondii and 5.16% for N. caninum. In Study I, pigs slaughtered with and without state inspection presented similar occurrence for both coccidia (p>0.05). Study II found an association between N. caninum seropositivity and sludge discarded into the soil, feeding pigs with animal-based protein, subsistence system, and absence of nipple drinkers. No association was found for T. gondii. Pigs from Pará are a potential source of T. gondii infection to humans. To our best knowledge, this is the first study to report anti-N. caninum antibodies in the serum of pigs in Pará State, Brazilian Amazon.

Resumo Foi investigada a ocorrência de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em suínos criados no nordeste do Pará, Brasil. No Estudo I, foram amostrados 151 porcos em dois matadouros, com e sem inspeção estadual. O Estudo II avaliou 159 suínos com amostragem probabilística de nove granjas de suínos. Para sorologia, utilizou-se o teste de imunofluorescência indireta para T. gondii e N. caninum com ponto de corte de 1:64 e 1:50, respectivamente. No geral, 6,77% dos suínos foram soropositivos para T. gondii e 5,16% para N. caninum. No Estudo I, suínos abatidos em matadouros com e sem inspeção estadual apresentaram ocorrência semelhante para ambos os coccídios (p> 0,05). Os animais amostrados de Belém, Benevides, Marituba, Bujaru, Castanhal e Igarapé-Miri foram positivos para T. gondii, enquanto os soropositivos para N. caninum foram encontrados em Belém, Bujaru, Castanhal e Santo Antônio do Tauá. O Estudo II encontrou associação entre soropositividade de N. caninum e esterco descartado no solo, alimentação dos suínos com proteína de origem animal, criação de subsistência e ausência de bebedores tipo "nipple". Não foi encontrada associação para T. gondii. A carne suína apresenta potencial risco de transmissão de T. gondii para os habitantes da região. De acordo com nosso conhecimento, este é o primeiro relato de anticorpos anti-N. caninum em suínos no estado do Pará, Amazônia brasileira.

Profile of intestinal parasitic infections in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients in Northeast India.

INTRODUCTION: Diarrhea is one of the major complications occurring in over 90% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals in developing countries. Coccidian group of parasitic infections remain the standout opportunistic pathogens in many parts of the world. AIM: The objective was to understand the profile of diarrheagenic parasites in HIV/AIDS patients along with analysis of the changing trends in the profile of parasitic diarrhea with special context to coccidian parasitic infections. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was performed at "ID CENTRE FOR NORTHEAST," Shillong, from January 2014 to October 2017. Stool samples collected were observed microscopically for parasites both on direct and concentrated stool samples under ×10 and ×40 magnification. Modified acid-fast staining was used for the detection of coccidian parasites. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS software, Version 24.0. RESULTS: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 40.99%, coccidian parasitic infection accounted for 85.13% of total intestinal parasitic infections. Cryptosporidium parvum was the most common cause of diarrhea (70.64%), followed by Cystoisospora belli (23.81%) and Cyclospora spp. (5.55%). Trend analysis of coccidian etiology during the study revealed a significant rise in the positivity of Cryptosporidium spp. and a decrease in the Cystoisosporiasis belli infection. The common noncoccidian parasites identified include hookworm (8.1%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (4.7%). CONCLUSION: The magnitude of parasitic infections is considerably high among the HIV/AIDS patients in Northeast India, and it is essential for screening and periodic monitoring of all the HIV patients for coccidian parasites by stool microscopy.

Prevalence and seasonal variation of gastrointestinal nematodes and coccidia infecting ovine grazing on communal rangelands in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Nematodes and coccidia are major pathogens causing parasitic infections in livestock production. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and seasonality of gastrointestinal helminths and coccidia in communal sheep grazing in humid, semi-humid and arid zones of the Eastern Cape Province. A total of 3299 faecal samples were collected from sheep between January 2012 and December 2015. Of the collected roundworm species (faecal eggs and faecal cultures), Haemonchus contortus was the only species found. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was significantly higher in the humid zone (H. contortus 81% and coccidia 37%), followed by a semi-humid zone (H. contortus 75% and coccidia 22%) and the arid zone was the lowest (H. contortus 71% and coccidia 14%). Haemonchus contortus had significantly higher faecal egg counts (FEC) during spring (1465.73 ± 143.56) and summer (1418.73 ± 160.73) and the lowest during autumn (496.67 ± 219.13) and winter (352.05 ± 164.44) in all agro-ecological zone. The humid zone had significantly higher FEC in seasonal occurrence of H. contortus and coccidia compared with other agro-ecological zones (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) observed in the seasonal occurrence of H. contortus species in arid zone. Surprisingly, higher coccidia counts (352.17 ± 43.58) during 2012 winter season in humid zone and in summer season (0.00 ± 559.72) of 2013 in the semi-humid zone than other agro-ecological zones. However, agro-ecological zone differences and seasonal variations had an influence on H. contortus and coccidia distribution and abundance. This study confirms that helminths and coccidia are major causative agents causing parasitic infections in livestock production, and therefore, good animal health management practices including proper hygiene should be followed to prevent parasitic infection in small ruminants.

Molecular detection of Apicomplexan hemoparasites in anurans from Brazil.

Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrate groups in the world, and the main causes include climate change, habitat destruction, and emerging diseases. Herein, we investigated the occurrence and characterized molecularly Apicomplexa in anurans from southeastern Brazil. Forty individuals from seven anuran species were sampled in São Paulo state. In the molecular analyses, one Leptodactylus latrans and one Rhinella diptycha were positive in PCR assays for species of Hepatozoon. Two L. latrans were also positive for coccidian infections (Lankesterella sp. and an unidentified coccidian species). Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA clustered the sequences detected in anurans from the present study with Hepatozoon spp. detected in reptiles and other anurans from Brazil, albeit they were separate from Hepatozoon haplotypes detected in frogs from Africa and North America. Our study showed, for the first time, the molecular detection of Lankesterella sp. and another coccidian in L. latrans. Additionally, co-infection by different species of Hepatozoon haplotypes and an unidentified coccidian in anurans from Brazil was documented.

Effect of the Addition of Humic Substances as Growth Promoter in Broiler Chickens Under Two Feeding Regimens.

Humic substances (HS) from different sources have been evaluated to replace or reduce the use of growth promoter antibiotics (GPA) in the feeds of broiler chickens. The objective was to evaluate the growth performance, tibia measurements, nutrient balance, meat quality, and microbiological status of broiler fed with an HS extract (EHS) under ad libitum (ADLIB) or feed restriction (REST). Individually caged broilers (n = 180, 14-35 day of age) were assigned to a factorial arrangement of three dietary treatments: (1) positive control with bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) and salinomycin; (2) negative control without BMD nor salinomycin, and (3) same as negative control with 0.25% EHS, and two feeding regimens 1) ADLIB or REST for 24 h on d 1, 7, and 14. Results were subjected to ANOVA. Positive control and EHS-fed broilers showed higher carcass yield (p < 0.05) and lower oocyst excretion (p < 0.01) compared to negative control birds. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) were higher in negative control and EHS-broilers compared to positive control (p < 0.01). In conclusion, higher carcass yield, lower C. perfringens and oocyst excretion were found in positive control and higher carcass yield, higher LAB and lower oocyst excretion were found in EHS-fed broilers. Broilers subjected to REST had reduced growth performance and meat quality. In conclusion, EHS could be used to increase the carcass yield and beneficial LAB in broilers.