Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports最新文献

{"title":"First identification of Trichinella britovi in a domestic dog (Canis familiaris) from Algeria","authors":"Noureddine Mechouk ,&nbsp;Georgiana Deak ,&nbsp;Angela Monica Ionică ,&nbsp;Zihad Bouslama ,&nbsp;Andrei Daniel Mihalca","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101135","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101135","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Trichinellosis is a parasitic disease affecting various mammals (including humans), birds, and reptiles, and is widespread across multiple continents except Antarctica. The disease can be caused by several species of the genus Trichinella and there are documented cases of <em>T. britovi</em> globally.</div><div>In Algeria, human cases of <em>Trichinella</em> have been reported and a study identifying <em>T. britovi</em> linked the infection to the consumption of jackal meat., with no reports of <em>Trichinella</em> spp. in animals. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the presence of <em>Trichinella</em> spp. infection among carnivorous species in Algeria.</div><div>Between February 2022 and August 2023, 33 road-killed mammals, mainly carnivores were collected from different locations across five departments: El Tarf, Annaba, Constantine, Algiers, and Oued Souf. Comprehensive parasitological necropsies were conducted, and muscle samples from the dorsal and ventral musculature of the forelimb and the diaphragm of each animal were examined using trichinoscopy. DNA was isolated from positive muscle tissue samples and analyzed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR).</div><div><em>Trichinella</em> spp. cysts were detected in one domestic dog (<em>Canis familiaris</em>) from Ain Kerma, El Tarf. Molecular analysis confirmed all cysts as <em>T. britovi</em>. This study presents the first report of the genus <em>T. britovi</em> in an animal host in Algeria, highlighting the role of domestic dogs in maintaining the sylvatic life cycle of <em>T. britovi</em> in the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Haemoprotozoan and haemorickettsial carrier status in pet and community owned dogs of south India","authors":"Gatchanda Shravan Kumar ,&nbsp;Anju Varghese,&nbsp;Christophe Angeline Felicia Bora ,&nbsp;Prabodh Kumar Hembram,&nbsp;Chundayil Kalarickal Deepa,&nbsp;Karapparambu Gopalan Ajith Kumar,&nbsp;Reghu Ravindran","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101137","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101137","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing population of dogs and changes in the climatic conditions have resulted in the emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases in canines. These vectors borne diseases in canines pose a diagnostic challenge to the field veterinarians because of co-infections with several pathogens. Comprehensive data on the prevalence of haemoparasites and haemorickettsiales in pet and community owned dogs from south India are scant. Hence, the present study aims to find and compare the prevalence of these infections in the pet and the community owned dogs of Kerala, a south Indian state. Two hundred and seventy-two pets and 150 community owned dogs were examined by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for infections with different heamoparasites and haemorickettsials from January 2018–November 2020 in the state of Kerala. A high prevalence of <em>Babesia gibsoni</em> infection (42.2–60.0 %) in pet and community owned dogs, followed by <em>Babesia vogeli</em> (5.8–39.3 %), <em>Hepatozoon canis</em> (0.7–28.0 %)<em>, Trypanosoma evansi</em> (0.0–27.3 %), <em>Ehrlichia canis</em> (0.3–0.6 %) and <em>Anaplasma platys</em> (0.0–0.6 %) was observed in the present study<em>.</em> Eighty-eight per cent (132/150) of the community owned dogs and 49.2 % (134/272) of the pet dogs were positive for at least one pathogen. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial nucleotide sequences of 18S rRNA and TRAP gene of <em>B. gibsoni</em>, 18S rRNA genes of <em>B. vogeli</em> and <em>H. canis</em> and RoTat, 1.2 virB9 and 16S rRNA genes of <em>T. evansi</em>, <em>E. canis</em> and <em>A. platys,</em> respectively was carried out. <em>B. vogeli</em>, <em>H. canis</em>, <em>E. canis</em> and <em>A. platys</em> revealed genetic relatedness between the Indian isolates and the isolates from other countries. However, <em>B. gibsoni</em> isolates from the Indian sub-continent were genetically unique compared to other Asian isolates. The clustering of <em>T. evansi</em> isolates from India in two clades <em>viz.</em>, livestock origin (cattle, buffalo) and others indicated their genetic variability. The present study summarizes the prevalence of some of the haemoparasites and haemorickettsials in the dog populations of Kerala (south India) and also determined their genetic relationship with the isolates prevalent in dogs in other countries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parasites of veterinary importance of ornamental fish commercialized in Mexico","authors":"Amelia Paredes-Trujillo ,&nbsp;Luisa Cano Rufino ,&nbsp;Ariadne Hernández-Pérez","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The wild and farm-raised ornamental fish trade is an industry that generates substantial economic profits worldwide. We report the parasitic fauna of imported marine and freshwater ornamental fish from ten aquarium wholesaler shops from two important localities in Mexico: Morelos Market in Mexico City and Merida in the state of Yucatan. Between February 2016 and March 2020, a total of 631 fish were examined for parasites, of which 66 species belong to 19 families of marine ornamental fish and 22 species from 9 families of freshwater ornamental fish. Twelve parasite species were recovered in marine fish belonging to three taxa: 7 Digenea, 3 Monogenea and 2 Nematoda. In freshwater fish, four parasite species belonging to four taxa were found: Protozoa, Digenea, Nematoda and Cestoda. Infection of individual fish species by specific parasites ranged from 0.20 to 4.55 %. The monogeneans <em>Neobenedenia girellae</em> and <em>Pseudempleurosoma haywardi</em> were the most prevalent parasites. Spearman's rank correlation test showed a significant association between various aquarium biosecurity practices, such as the absence of a quarantine area, low water exchange rates, lack of prophylactic treatments, inadequate removal of dead fish, and insufficient disinfection of water and equipment with the prevalence of <em>N. girellae</em> and <em>P. haywardi</em>. This knowledge can aid in the development of effective management strategies to promote the health of ornamental fish populations imported, minimize disease outbreaks and ensure the sustainable growth of this industry in Mexico.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142537157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Eurytrematosis: An emerging parasitosis in cattle from Northeast Argentina","authors":"J. Pantiu Andrea ,&nbsp;Bischoff Ruben ,&nbsp;Olmos Leandro ,&nbsp;Signorini Marcelo ,&nbsp;S. Aguirre Laura ,&nbsp;Avellaneda-Cáceres Agustín ,&nbsp;F. Micheloud Juan","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101133","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study was carried out in the northwest region of Misiones Province, Argentina, focusing on the clinical, pathological, epidemiological, and parasitological aspects of <em>Eurytrema</em> spp. in cattle. Clinical monitoring of five cattle cases exhibiting chronic weight loss revealed that affected animals had enlarged pancreases, with severe fibrosis and presence of <em>Eurytrema coelomaticum</em> in the pancreatic ducts. Histopathological analysis confirmed severe fibrosing periductal lymphoplasmacytic interstitial pancreatitis with intralesional trematodes. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted from June 2018 to May 2021, involving 44 farms and 718 fecal samples. Coproparasitological analysis revealed a within-farm prevalence of 70.7 %, with an animal-level prevalence of 37.5 %. A multivariable generalized linear model identified the abundance of snails, the limited availability of monthly veterinary assistance, and loss of body condition as significant risk factors for <em>Eurytrema</em> sp. prevalence. Spatial analysis detected three significant clusters with varying prevalence levels, highlighting areas of high and low parasite occurrence. This study represents the first detailed investigation of <em>Eurytrema</em> sp. in Argentina, confirming its endemic presence in the central-northern region of Misiones Province. The findings underscore the need for further research to evaluate the parasite's spread across the province and its potential impact on livestock production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Richness and abundance of ticks associated with domestic animals at different altitudes in Southern Mexico","authors":"Armando Ulloa-García ,&nbsp;Jorge A. Torres-Monzon ,&nbsp;José Balam Guillen Toledo ,&nbsp;Noe López-López ,&nbsp;Daniel Galvez-Velazquez ,&nbsp;Daymer Velazquez-Figueroa ,&nbsp;Sergio E. Bermúdez ,&nbsp;Angel Herrera-Mares","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101136","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101136","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study was to determine the richness, abundance, and altitudinal distribution of ticks collected from domestic animals in five municipalities and sixteen distinct communities along the Pacific coast of southern Mexico in Chiapas. Ticks were sampled from dogs, horses, and cows in each range. A total of 311 hosts were sampled, of which 264 (85 %) were dogs, 26 (8 %) were horses, and 21 (7 %) were cows. Of these, 83 (26 %), 17 (5 %), and 7 (2 %) hosts were infested, respectively. A total of 583 ticks were collected, representing four genera and six species. The most prevalent species was <em>Rhipicephalus linnaei</em> (68.61 %, n = 400), followed by <em>Rhipicephalus microplus</em> (0.51 %, n = 3), <em>Amblyomma ovale</em> (1.71 %, n = 10), <em>Amblyomma mixtum</em> (1.71 %, n = 10), <em>Ixodes</em> ci. <em>boliviensis</em> (2.22 %, n = 13), and <em>Dermacentor dissimilis</em> (25.21 %, n = 147). Of the identified ticks, <em>A. mixtum</em>, <em>A. ovale</em>, <em>R. microplus</em>, and <em>R</em>. <em>linnaei</em> were distributed at elevations between 0 and 1000 m, while at elevations between 1000 and 2000 m, only the species <em>I</em>. ci. <em>boliviensis</em> and <em>D. dissimilis</em> were found. The characteristics of each locality are discussed in order to explain the abundance of ticks and to assess their potential risk as vectors of public health pathogens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of Babesia spp., and Theileria spp., in sheep across diverse provinces of Iran","authors":"Gholamreza Habibi ,&nbsp;Mohammad Hossein Fallah Mehrabadi ,&nbsp;Saeid Fathi ,&nbsp;Kasra Esmaeilnia ,&nbsp;Amin Shahedi ,&nbsp;Fereshteh Yazdani ,&nbsp;Asghar Afshari","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101131","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101131","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to identify the diversity of <em>Babesia</em> and <em>Theileria</em> species in sheep across various regions of Iran using microscopic and molecular techniques, including species-specific PCR and enzymatic digestion. A total of 373 blood samples were collected from sheep during the tick vector activity period, from 2018 to 2021, in provinces such as Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, Hamedan, West Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Fars.</div><div>Results showed that 101 samples (27 %) exhibited piroplasms including 78 samples of <em>Theileria</em> spp. and 23 samples of <em>Babesia</em> spp. A molecular approach using general primers detected piroplasm parasites in 145 samples (38 %). <em>Theileria ovis</em> was notably present in 91 samples (24.39 %), followed by <em>Theileria lestoquardi</em> in 24 samples (6.43 %). <em>Babesia ovis</em> infection was detected in 30 samples (8.4 %). Despite extensive molecular evaluation, no other <em>Babesia</em> species, including <em>Babesia motasi</em>, were identified. Co-infections involving <em>T. ovis</em> and <em>T. lestoquardi</em> (4 samples; 1.07 %) and <em>T. ovis</em> and <em>B. ovis</em> (6 samples; 1.60 %) were observed. No <em>Babesia</em> spp. were detected in Kerman and Fars provinces, although <em>T. ovis</em> and <em>T. lestoquardi</em> were present.</div><div>Blast analysis of the sequences indicated 100 % intra-species similarity, with inter-species similarities of 83.3 % (<em>B. ovis</em> and <em>T. lestoquardi</em>), 84.4 % (<em>B. ovis</em> and <em>T. ovis</em>), and 96.44 % (<em>T. ovis</em> and <em>T. lestoquardi</em>). In conclusion, <em>B. ovis</em> was the main cause of Babesiosis, while Theileriosis was predominantly attributed to <em>T. ovis</em> and <em>T. lestoquardi</em>. Molecular diagnostics play a key role in accurately distinguishing between these species, particularly in cases of co-infection involving <em>Babesia</em> spp. and <em>Theileria</em> spp.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142419825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ramming the parasites: Evaluation of quarantine procedures against Haemonchus contortus at sheep markets in Sweden","authors":"Johan Höglund ,&nbsp;Giulio Grandi ,&nbsp;Nizar Enweji ,&nbsp;Katarina Gustafsson","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Sweden, it is recommended to treat rams at sheep markets with ivermectin and then keep them in quarantine to minimise the risk of transmission of <em>Haemonchus contortus</em> between farms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this practise. Accordingly the gastrointestinal parasite status of 50 rams purchased at two sheep markets in central Sweden in autumn 2019 was investigated using faecal samples collected on the day of sale (test 1), 12 ± 3 days after ivermectin injection (test 2, in quarantine) and a few months later before inclusion in the new flocks (test 3). We used both traditional diagnostic methods (i.e. identification of nematode eggs in faeces or larvae in cultures when <em>H. contortus</em> eggs could not be identified) and a molecular test based on the digital droplet PCR platform to further identify positive samples. In test 1, conducted in autumn, 40 % of rams were FEC-positive, but only 12 % (six rams) were infected with <em>H. contortus</em> according to conventional routine diagnostics. In test 2, 8 % (four rams) were FEC-positive, including one with 1050 eggs, 90 % of which were identified as <em>H. contortus</em>. This ram was therefore returned to the supplier. However, ivermectin was found to be effective when this animal and a group of lambs from the same farm were treated and tested again. Test 3 was performed on 44 of the same rams (in addition to the returned ram, two rams died in quarantine and the samples from three rams were never provided by the owners). The proportion of FEC-positive animals was 42 %, with an even higher proportion (27 %) of animals being <em>H. contortus</em>-positive than in test 1. The corresponding results for tests 1, 2 and 3 with the ddPCR assay were 18 %, 4 % and 76 %, respectively. This study demonstrates the superiority of DNA detection over microscopy, which is the mainstay in most diagnostic laboratories. Although the combined results confirm that <em>H. contortus</em> survived quarantine in two rams, in the other cases it is not clear whether the spring infection rates are due to re-emergence of persistent larvae from quarantine or reinfection on the new farm. These results suggest not only that we should recommend that sheep farmers use a more sensitive molecular test when purchasing and introducing new animals to their flock, but also that the reliability of injectable ivermectin as a quarantine treatment for removal of adult and larval stages needs further investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142419740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular screening of selected vector-borne pathogens circulating in owned dogs in the Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe (France)","authors":"Mélody Imbert ,&nbsp;Clara Muñoz-Hernández ,&nbsp;Marta Sánchez-Sánchez ,&nbsp;Luis V. Monteagudo ,&nbsp;Isabel G. Fernández de Mera ,&nbsp;Javier Millán","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101132","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101132","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vector-borne diseases represent a major health challenge, both because of the complexity of their control, their common zoonotic nature, or the pathology they can cause in the individual. In tropical areas, surveillance of these diseases is even more important, since the activity of vectors is usually continuous throughout the year. To develop effective prophylaxis and surveillance programs, it is important to know the identity and prevalence of these pathogens as well as their distribution in a given territory. In Guadeloupe, a French archipelago located in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean, no information exists about vector-borne diseases in companion animals. With this aim, blood samples were obtained from 46 owned dogs with outdoor access from five different veterinary clinics located in the two mainland islands, and the presence of DNA of the main canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBP) was investigated through diverse PCR protocols. At least one pathogen was detected in 30.4 % of the dogs. The most frequently detected CVBP was <em>Coxiella burnetii</em> (17.4 %), followed by <em>Dirofilaria immitis</em> (8.7 %), and <em>Candidatus</em> Mycoplasma haematoparvum, <em>Hepatozoon canis</em> and <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. (2.2 % in all cases). One dog was coinfected with <em>Candidatus</em> M. haematoparvum and <em>D. immitis</em>. All samples were negative for <em>Anaplasma</em> spp., <em>Ehrlichia</em> spp., <em>Bartonella</em> spp., <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> sensu lato, piroplasmids, and <em>Leishmania</em> spp. No significant differences in pathogen occurrence were observed between the two main islands or according to the dog's sex and age groups. This study contributes to filling a relevant gap in the knowledge of vector-borne diseases in the Caribbean.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142419739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trypanosoma cruzi infection in American black bears (Ursus americanus): A case report in a cub from California and serologic survey for exposure in wild black bears from several states","authors":"Reece Hughes ,&nbsp;Raquel Francisco ,&nbsp;Kayla Garrett ,&nbsp;Kevin Willitts ,&nbsp;Brandon Munk ,&nbsp;Justin Brown ,&nbsp;Carlos Rodriguez ,&nbsp;Alexa Rosypal von Dohlen ,&nbsp;Sterling McCarrall ,&nbsp;T’Keyah Dennard ,&nbsp;Timothy Champion ,&nbsp;Tracy Brown-Fox ,&nbsp;Jennifer Strules ,&nbsp;Colleen Olfenbuttel ,&nbsp;Christopher DePerno ,&nbsp;Sarah A. Hamer ,&nbsp;Michael J. Yabsley","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Trypanosoma cruzi</em> is an important cause of disease and death in humans and dogs, and although wildlife infections are common, less is known about disease manifestations. A 12-week-old male American black bear (<em>Ursus americanus</em>) cub with mild lethargy and anorexia presented to a wildlife rehabilitation center in Lake Tahoe, California. The cub continued to become increasingly weak and showed decreasing interest in play and other activities. The cub was anemic and had increased γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) liver enzymes. A large number of trypanosomes were noted on a thin blood smear. <em>Trypanosoma cruzi</em> was isolated in culture from a subsequent blood collection. Proliferative bony lesions were noted on radiographs, but this finding was considered unrelated to the <em>T. cruzi</em> infection. The number of parasites observed in thin blood smears dramatically dropped over time, but it remained PCR positive until at least nine months. The cub continued to gain weight and became increasingly active. Serum samples from the cub were positive with three different serologic assays (IFA, ELISA, and ICT). The bear was not treated because of the decreasing parasitemia and the improvement in activity and appetite. Although the bear could not be released due to issues unrelated to <em>T. cruzi</em>, it remains healthy in a captive facility. Sequence analysis of the DHFR-TS and COII-ND1 gene sequences confirmed the bear was infected with DTC TcIV. Following the detection of this clinical case, a serologic survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of <em>T. cruzi</em> exposure of black bears in California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Because no serologic assay has been validated for use in bears, three different assays were used. Marked differences in apparent seroprevalence range from 1% (requiring all three assays to be positive) to ∼20.7% (requiring only one assay to be positive). Black bears are naturally exposed to <em>T. cruzi</em> across the United States. Future studies using PCR testing of tissues or blood would be needed to better understand the prevalence of <em>T. cruzi</em> in wild black bears, lineages most commonly associated with infection, and if <em>T. cruzi</em> represents a health threat to bears.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142419731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) identified as a new intermediate host for Sarcocystis neurona","authors":"Jitender P. Dubey ,&nbsp;Aditya Gupta ,&nbsp;Rafael Calero-Bernal ,&nbsp;Larissa S. de Araujo ,&nbsp;María L. García-Gil ,&nbsp;Jaquin Battle ,&nbsp;Ankrah Ankarah ,&nbsp;Kyle Van Why ,&nbsp;Justin D. Brown ,&nbsp;Benjamin M. Rosenthal","doi":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101122","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101122","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The protozoan <em>Sarcocystis neurona</em> can cause severe disease in horses, marine mammals, and several other animal species in North America. The Virginia opossum (<em>Didelphis virginiana</em>) is its definitive host, and the raccoon (<em>Procyon lotor</em>) has been considered its primary intermediate host in the USA. Although canids have not previously been identified as important intermediate hosts for this parasite, we here report several natural cases in the gray fox (<em>Urocyon cinereoargenteus</em>). We identified muscular infections in 11 (23.9 %) of 46 gray foxes from Pennsylvania, USA. In hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections of tongue and limb muscles, only 13 sarcocysts were detected in 7 of 46 foxes, in limb muscle of 4 and in tongue of 4. In HE-stained sections, the sarcocyst wall was up to 2.7 μm-thick and contained finger-like villar protrusions. In unstained muscle squashes, 44 sarcocysts were detected; they were up to 1200 μm long and 69 μm wide. From each infected fox, only one morphologic type of sarcocyst was found. By transmission electron microscopy, these sarcocysts appeared identical to those in animals experimentally infected with <em>S. neurona</em>. Molecularly, sarcocysts were characterized using <em>18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, cox1, ITS1, rpoB, RON1, RON2, RON3, GAPDH1, ROP20, ROP21, ROP39, SnSRS21</em> and <em>TUBA1</em>; results confirmed the presence of <em>S. neurona</em> in the gray fox. This is the first report of muscular sarcocysts in the gray fox.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23600,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}