Evaluation of cross-reactivity to Taenia hydatigena and Echinococcus granulosus in the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay for the diagnosis of porcine cysticercosis.

BACKGROUND: Taenia solium is an important zoonotic parasite that infects humans as definitive host (taeniasis) and pigs as intermediate host (cysticercosis). Serological diagnosis of porcine cysticercosis is limited to antigen detection using ELISA, which is known to cross-react with other Taenia species, and antibody detection using the lentil-lectin glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (LLGP EITB), which has not been adequately evaluated for cross-reactivity to other parasites. Field studies suggest that the GP50 diagnostic band of the LLGP EITB may cross-react to Taenia hydatigena, a common non-zoonotic parasitic infection of pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the specificity of the LLGP EITB assay in pigs infected experimentally with T. hydatigena and Echinococcus granulosus. RESULTS: Twelve three-month-old seronegative were divided into two groups; six were each given an oral challenge with a single gravid proglottid of T. hydatigena and the other six were each given an oral challenge with 50 gravid proglottids of E. granulosus. Serum samples were collected biweekly until 14 weeks when all pigs underwent a detailed necropsy. Taenia hydatigena cysticerci were found in two of six pigs from the first group. Four T. hydatigena-exposed pigs were seropositive at the GP50-band only on EITB LLGP; two of these had cysts at necropsy while no seronegative pigs had cysts. One E. granulosus-exposed pig was positive to EITB LLGP, again with reactivity only to GP50; all six pigs had hepatic echinococcosis on necropsy. CONCLUSION: These results provide definitive evidence that the GP50 diagnostic band in pigs cross-reacts with T. hydatigena. Evidence of cross-reaction with E. granulosus was not conclusive.

Molecular and morphological evidence of Taenia omissa in pumas (Puma concolor) in the Peruvian Highlands.

A total of 41 cestodes were collected during necropsy examination on 2 pumas (Puma concolor) that were found in 2 communities in Canchis province, Cuzco region, Peru, at 4500 meters above sea level (Peruvian Andes). The cestodes were evaluated morphologically and molecularly. A fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1) was used as a genetic marker. All the cestodes were identified as Taenia omissa. In the present report, we give a brief description by molecular and morphological diagnosis of the cestodes and compare nucleotide sequences with previous isolates from GenBank. Upon comparison, the sequences showed a difference in the cox1 gene of 5.1 to 5.3% with other teniids sequences. This finding constitutes the first report of T. omissa in Peru and expands the geographic distribution of this parasite.

Molecular and morphological evidence of Taenia omissa in pumas (Puma concolor) in the Peruvian Highlands / Evidência molecular e morfológica de Taenia omissa em onça-pardas (Puma concolor) dos Andes Peruanos

Abstract A total of 41 cestodes were collected during necropsy examination on 2 pumas (Puma concolor) that were found in 2 communities in Canchis province, Cuzco region, Peru, at 4500 meters above sea level (Peruvian Andes). The cestodes were evaluated morphologically and molecularly. A fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1) was used as a genetic marker. All the cestodes were identified as Taenia omissa. In the present report, we give a brief description by molecular and morphological diagnosis of the cestodes and compare nucleotide sequences with previous isolates from GenBank. Upon comparison, the sequences showed a difference in the cox1 gene of 5.1 to 5.3% with other teniids sequences. This finding constitutes the first report of T. omissa in Peru and expands the geographic distribution of this parasite.

Resumo Um total de quarenta e um cestóides foram coletados durante a necropsia de duas onça-pardas (Puma concolor) encontradas em duas comunidades na província de Canchis, em Cuzco, a 4500 metros acima do nível do mar, nos Andes peruanos. Os cestóides foram avaliados morfologicamente e molecularmente. Um fragmento do gene citocromo C oxidase subunidade 1 (cox1) foi utilizado como marcador genético. Todos os cestóides foram identificados como Taenia omissa. No presente relato, dá-se uma breve descrição dos cestóides e compara-se sequências de nucleotídeos com isolados anteriores presentes no GenBank. Após a comparação, as sequências mostraram uma diferença de 5,1-5,3% entre o gene cox1 e outras sequências de tênias. Esse achado constitui o primeiro relato de T. omissa no Peru e amplia a informação sobre a distribuição geográfica deste parasita.

Longevity and viability of Taenia solium eggs in the digestive system of the beetle Ammophorus rubripes.

The present study evaluated the capacity of Ammophorus rubripes beetles to carry Taenia solium eggs, in terms of duration and viability of eggs in their digestive system. One hundred beetles were distributed into five polyethylene boxes, and then they were infected with T. solium eggs. Gravid proglottids of T. solium were crushed and then mixed with cattle feces. One gram of this mixture was placed in each box for 24 hours, after which each group of beetles was transferred into a new clean box. Then, five beetles were dissected every three days. Time was strongly associated with viability (r=0.89; P<0.001) and the calculated time to cero viability is 36 days. The eggs in the intestinal system of each beetle were counted and tested for viability. Taenia solium eggs were present in the beetle's digestive system for up to 39 days (13th sampling day out of 20), gradually reducing in numbers and viability, which was 0 on day 36 post-infection. Egg viability was around 40% up to day 24 post-infection, with a median number of eggs of 11 per beetle at this time. Dung beetles may potentially contribute towards dispersing T. solium eggs in endemic areas.

Longevity and viability of Taenia solium eggs in the digestive system of the beetle Ammophorus rubripes / Duração e viabilidade de ovos de Taenia solium no sistema digestivo do besouro Ammophorus rubripes

The present study evaluated the capacity of Ammophorus rubripes beetles to carry Taenia solium eggs, in terms of duration and viability of eggs in their digestive system. One hundred beetles were distributed into five polyethylene boxes, and then they were infected with T. solium eggs. Gravid proglottids of T. solium were crushed and then mixed with cattle feces. One gram of this mixture was placed in each box for 24 hours, after which each group of beetles was transferred into a new clean box. Then, five beetles were dissected every three days. Time was strongly associated with viability (r=0.89; P<0.001) and the calculated time to cero viability is 36 days. The eggs in the intestinal system of each beetle were counted and tested for viability. Taenia solium eggs were present in the beetle's digestive system for up to 39 days (13th sampling day out of 20), gradually reducing in numbers and viability, which was 0 on day 36 post-infection. Egg viability was around 40% up to day 24 post-infection, with a median number of eggs of 11 per beetle at this time. Dung beetles may potentially contribute towards dispersing T. solium eggs in endemic areas.

Este estudo avaliou a duração e viabilidade de ovos de Taenia solium no sistema digestivo do besouro Ammophorus rubripes como portador dos ovos de T. solium. Cem besouros foram distribuídos em cinco caixas de polietileno, contendo um grama de fezes bovina misturada à proglotes grávidas de T. solium trituradas. Após 24 horas, cada grupo de besouros foi transferido para uma caixa limpa e, a cada três dias, cinco besouros foram dissecados para determinar a contagem e viabilidade dos ovos nos intestinos de cada besouro. Ovos de T. solium foram detectados no sistema digestivo até 39 dias (13° dia da amostragem de 20), observando-se uma redução gradativa do número e viabilidade dos ovos, até 36 dias após a infecção. A viabilidade dos ovos foi de 40% após 24 horas da infecção, com uma média de 11 ovos por cada besouro. Besouros coprófagos têm potencial para contribuírem na dispersão dos ovos de T. solium em áreas endêmicas.

A case of nasal myiasis due to Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae) in a llama (Lama glama) / Um caso de miíase nasal devido a Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae) em lhama (Lama glama)

Infection by the larval form of Oestrus ovis (sheep bot fly) is common in many areas of Peru. This is an obligate parasite of sheep and goats, and it is the cause of oestrosis, or nasal myiasis, which can lead to severe clinical manifestations in livestock. A case of myiasis caused by O. ovis in a llama (Lama glama) in Cuzco, Peru, is reported here. This llama presented with respiratory distress and died due to bilateral hemorrhagic pneumonia. During the necropsy, six intact dipterous larvae were recovered from the nasal fossae and cranial sinuses being identified as O. ovis. This is the first report of nasal myiasis in llamas due to O. ovis in Peru.

Infecção pela forma larval de Oestrus ovis (bicho da cabeça) é comum em muitas regiões do Peru. Este é um parasito obrigatório de ovinos e caprinos, e é a causa de oestrose ou miíase nasal, que pode conduzir à manifestações clínicas graves nos animais. Relatou-se um caso de miíase causada por O. ovis numa lhama (Lama glama) em Cuzco, Peru. A lhama apresentou insuficiência respiratória e morreu de pneumonia bilateral hemorrágica. Durante a necropsia, seis larvas intactas do díptero foram recuperadas das fossas nasais e dos seios cranianos e identificadas como O. ovis. Este é o primeiro relato de miíase nasal em lhamas por O. ovis no Peru.

A case of nasal myiasis due to Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae) in a llama (Lama glama).

Infection by the larval form of Oestrus ovis (sheep bot fly) is common in many areas of Peru. This is an obligate parasite of sheep and goats, and it is the cause of oestrosis, or nasal myiasis, which can lead to severe clinical manifestations in livestock. A case of myiasis caused by O. ovis in a llama (Lama glama) in Cuzco, Peru, is reported here. This llama presented with respiratory distress and died due to bilateral hemorrhagic pneumonia. During the necropsy, six intact dipterous larvae were recovered from the nasal fossae and cranial sinuses being identified as O. ovis. This is the first report of nasal myiasis in llamas due to O. ovis in Peru.

Seroprevalencia de cisticercosis porcina en caseríos rurales del departamento de Tumbes, Perú / Seroprevalence of porcine cysticercosis in rural villages of the department of Tumbes, Peru

Se determinó la seroprevalencia de cisticercosis porcina en caseríos de la zona de Tumbes, Perú. Se evaluó el 97% (1872/1927) del total de cerdos mayores a 7 meses de edad, provenientes de 17 caseríos rurales de la provincia de Tumbes, departamento de Tumbes, mediante la prueba de Electroinmunotransferencia. Además, se evaluó las variables caserío de procedencia, edad y sexo para determinar si existía asociación respecto a la presentación de la enfermedad, mediante la prueba de Chi Cuadrado y el análisis de Regresión Logística. La seroprevalencia corregida fue de 45 ± 2.3%. Los caseríos que presentaron las seroprevalencias más altas fueron La Capitana, Carretas y Rica Playa (70 ± 7.8, 69 ± 12.3 y 64 ± 6.8%, respectivamente). Los seroprevalencia en cerdos mayores de 12 meses fue de 49 ± 3.1% en tanto que en cerdos de 8 a 12 meses fue de 40 ± 3.3% (p<0.05). No se encontró diferencias estadísticas por efecto del sexo. Los resultados demuestran que la cisticercosis porcina constituye un serio problema de salud pública para los caseríos estudiados.

The porcine cysticercosis seroprevalence was determined in rural villages of Tumbes, Peru. Samples from 97% (1872/1927) of pigs, older than 7 months of age, from 17 rural villages of Tumbes province, Peru, were analyzed by the Electroimmunotransfer test. Also, village of origin, age, and sex were assessed to determine whether there was association with regard to the presentation of the disease by the Chi square test and logistic regression analysis. Seroprevalence was 45 ± 2.3%. Villages with higher seroprevalences were La Capitana, Carretas, and Rica Playa (70 ± 7.8, 69 ± 12.3, and 64 ± 6.8% respectively). Seroprevalence in pigs older than 12 months of age was 49 ± 3.1%, while in pigs 8 to 12 months of age was 40 ± 3.3% (p<0.05). There was no statistical difference due to sex. The results show that porcine cysticercosis is a serious public health problem for the villages surveyed.

Frecuencia de hidatidosis en niños y adolescentes hospitalizados en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño (Periodo 1996-2005) / Frequency of hydatidosis of children and adolescent hospitalized in the National Child Health Institute (period 1996-2005)

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la frecuencia de pacientes conhidatidosis en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño (INSN), Lima, durante el periodo 1996-2005. Se revisaron 177 historias clínicas de un total de 235 pacientes con diagnóstico de hidatidosis. La frecuencia de pacientes hospitalizados con diagnóstico de hidatidosis fue de 0.21% (235/109 550). El mayor número de pacientes procedió del departamento de Lima (33.9%, 60/177), seguido por Junín y Pasco. El 55.4% (98/177) de los pacientes fueron varones y el 50.8% (90/177) de los casos se dio en pacientes entre 5 y 9 años de edad. El 44.0% (78/177) de pacientes sufrió de hidatidosis pulmonar y el 23.2% (41/177) padeció de hidatidosis hepática. Los resultados indican que podría estar ocurriendo un ciclo urbano de la enfermedad.

The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of patients with hydatidosis at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño (INSN), Lima, during the period 1996-2005. Clinical records of 177 patients out of 235 patients diagnosed with hydatidosis were analyzed. The frequency of patients with hydatidosis was 0.21% (235/109 550). The largest number of patients were from Lima department (33.9%, 60/177), followed by Junín and Pasco. The 55.4% (98/177) of patients was male and 50.8% (90/177) of patients were between 5 and 9 years of age. The 44.0% (78/177) of patients suffered pulmonary hydatidosis and 23.2% (41/177) had hepatic hydatidosis. Results indicated that an urban cycle of the diseases would be occurring.

Seroprevalencia de cisticercosis porcina en cuatro caseríos del Distrito de Omia, Amazonas / Seroprevalence of porcine cysticercosis in four villages of the Omia district, Amazon

La cisticercosis es una enfermedad zoonótica de distribución mundial y en el Perú representa la principal zoonosis parasitaria con seroprevalencias que alcanzan el 17% en humanos y 75% en porcinos, calificando al país como área endémica. El objetivo de este trabajo fue obtener un valor representativo del grado de infección de la forma larvaria de Taenia soliumen cerdos criados en los caseríos de Omia, Nuevo Chirimoto, Mashuyacu y Tocuya del distrito de Omia, Amazonas. Se muestreó a 48 animales, resultando el 27.1% (13/48) positivo a la prueba de Electroinmuno Transferencia Blot (EITB). Estos valores se ingresaron en un programa de simulaciones estocásticas de distribución beta (@Risk®), calculándose una seroprevalencia media de 28.0% con una distribución entre 18.2 y 38.8%. La seroprevalencia media para el caserío de Tocuya fue de 14.3% (0.8-39.3%), Nuevo Chirimoto de 4.8% (0.3-13.9%), Mashuyacu de 71.4% (50.5-88.7%) y Omia de 35.7% (16.6-57.2%), con diferencia estadística entre caseríos. Sin embargo, los caseríos con mayores valores fueron aquellos con mejores rutas de acceso y mejor infraestructura sanitaria, por lo que se asume que deben de existir otros factores reconocidos como predisponentes para la presentación de la cisticercosis. No hubo diferencia estadística entre grupos etáreos, sexo, edad y tipo de crianza con respecto a la enfermedad.

The cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease of world-wide distribution and in Peru represents the main parasitic zoonosis with 17 and 75% seroprevalence in humans and pigs respectively. The high seroprevalence indicates that Peru is an endemic area. The objective of this study was to obtain a representative level of infection with T. solium larvae in pigs of Omia, Nuevo Chirimoto, Mashuyacu and Tocuya villages, Omia district, Amazonas. Sampling was conducted in 48 animals, resulting 27.1% (13/48) of positives to the Electroimmuno Transference Blot (EITB) test. Data was analyzed in a program that uses stochastic simulations of the beta distribution (@Risk®) resulting in a mean seroprevalence of 28% with a distribution between 18.2 and 38.8%. Seroprevalence for Tocuya was 14.3% (0.8-39.3%), Nuevo Chirimoto was 4.8% (0.3-13.9%), Mashuyacu was 71.4% (50.5-88.7%), and Omia was 35.7% (16.6-57.2%), with statistical differences between villages. However, villages with higher values had better access routes and sanitary infrastructure, so it is assumed the existence of other factors that have intervened for the presentation of cysticercosis. None significant difference was found between age groups, sex, and rearing type in relation to the disease.

Ocurrencia de Ascaridia hermaphrodita (Nematode: Ascaridiidae) en el loro de Cabeza Azúl (Pionus menstruus) en Perú / Occurrence of Ascaridia hermaphrodita (Nematode: Ascaridiidae) in Blue-Headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus) in Peru

Reportamos por primera vez la presencia del nematodo, Ascaridia hermaphrodita Froelich, 1789, parasitando el intestino delgado de un Loro de cabeza azul (Pionus menstruus Linnaeus, 1776). El espécimen fue enviado al Laboratorio de Patología Aviar de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria de la Universidad San Marcos, Lima, Perú. Dieciocho nematodos (12 hembras y 6 machos) fueron estudiados e identificados como A. hermaphrodita. El hallazgo de esta especie en P. menstruus constituye el primer registro en el Perú.

We report for first time the presence of nematode, Ascaridia hermaphrodita Froelich, 1789, parasiting small intestine of a Blue-Headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus Linnaeus, 1776). The specimen was sent to Avian Pathology Laboratory of Veterinary School of San Marcos University, Lima, Peru. Eighteen nematodes (12 females and 6 males) were studied and identified as A. hermaphrodita. The dicovery of this specie in P. menstruus is the first record in Perú.

Occurrence of Moniezia expansa (Rud, 1810) Blanchard, 1891 (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) in domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica Linnaeus, 1758) in Perú.

The presence of Moniezia expansa (Rud, 1810) Blanchard, 1891, is reported in domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica Linnaeus, 1758). Four tapeworms were collected and identified as M. expansa. This is the first report of M. expansa collected in a domestic pig in Perú.