The Spiky Side of Urban Wildlife, First Detection of a Zoonotic Assemblage of Giardia duodenalis in European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from Italy

IF 1.2 3区 农林科学 Q4 PARASITOLOGY
Leonardo Brustenga, Giulia Rigamonti, Iolanda Moretta, Giulia Morganti, Valentina Calgaro, Giuseppe Giglia, Manuela Diaferia, Elvio Lepri, Livia Lucentini, Marco Lalle, Fabrizia Veronesi
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Giardia duodenalis is a flagellate protozoan parasite of several mammals, that is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and causes gastrointestinal diarrheal illness. Molecular analyses of several genetic markers have classified G. duodenalis into eight assemblages (A to H) exhibiting different host specificities. Assemblages A and B have zoonotic potential and infect a broad range of hosts. The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is one of the wild species well-adapted to live in close proximity to humans. Therefore, surveying potential zoonotic parasites harbored by hedgehogs can also be of public health concern, particularly in urban settings with high animal densities.

Recent findings

Coproparasitological examinations are routinely conducted on hedgehogs admitted to WildUmbria Wildlife Rescue Center. Giardia duodenalis cysts were found in the fecal flotation of a hedgehog and were further tested using a direct immunofluorescent assay and PCR-RFLP molecular analysis of the β-giardin gene for assemblage and sub-assemblage characterization. The RFLP protocol attributed the samples to the AI-like zoonotic assemblage. Additionally, trophozoites attached to the intestinal mucosa of the small intestine were detected via histological techniques.

Summary

Although G. duodenalis has been detected in hedgehogs from several countries, it was never before reported in Italian hedgehogs. The identification of a zoonotic assemblage in hedgehogs suggests the potential for the parasite to be shared between wild and domestic environments, with pets possibly serving as bringing hosts.

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来源期刊
Acta Parasitologica
Acta Parasitologica 医学-寄生虫学
CiteScore
3.10
自引率
6.70%
发文量
149
审稿时长
6-12 weeks
期刊介绍: Acta Parasitologica is an international journal covering the latest advances in the subject. Acta Parasitologica publishes original papers on all aspects of parasitology and host-parasite relationships, including the latest discoveries in biochemical and molecular biology of parasites, their physiology, morphology, taxonomy and ecology, as well as original research papers on immunology, pathology, and epidemiology of parasitic diseases in the context of medical, veterinary and biological sciences. The journal also publishes short research notes, invited review articles, book reviews. The journal was founded in 1953 as "Acta Parasitologica Polonica" by the Polish Parasitological Society and since 1954 has been published by W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. Since 1992 in has appeared as Acta Parasitologica in four issues per year.
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