Veterinary parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Genetic diversity analysis of benzimidazole resistance-associated genes in Haemonchus contortus from four regions in southern Xinjiang","authors":"Reyilanmu Tuerhong ,&nbsp;Waresi Tuersong ,&nbsp;Ailixire Maimaiti ,&nbsp;Hailiqiemu Maimaitiyiming ,&nbsp;Ying Zhang ,&nbsp;Dilare Xuekelaiti ,&nbsp;Abudusaimaiti Tuoheti ,&nbsp;Lianxi Xin ,&nbsp;Saifuding Abula","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110426","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110426","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To assess the genetic diversity of the I β-tubulin haplotype gene associated with benzimidazoles (BZs) resistance in <em>Haemonchus contortus</em> populations across southern Xinjiang, the sampled populations from four distinct areas to detect the BZs resistance-related I-β tubulin gene and analyse its genetic sequences and structure. The results revealed substantial haplotype diversity and nucleotide polymorphisms across the four populations, with nucleotide diversity (Pi) ranging from 0.03471 to 0.10390 and haplotype diversity (Hd) from 0.945 to 1.000. A low genetic differentiation index (Fst) among populations in the four regions ranging from 0.03354 to 0.12056 suggests weak genetic structure differentiation and frequent gene flow between populations. AMOVA indicated that 91 % of genetic variation was due to within-population differences, suggesting minimal impact of geographical location on <em>H. contortus</em> population structure in southern Xinjiang. Phylogenetic and network analyses showed that 36 <em>H. contortus</em> haplotypes from diverse geographic sources clustered into a single branch with interwoven patterns. Notably, drug resistance mutations showed two origins at E198A, while multiple origins likely exist for the F200Y mutation. This study provides the first genetic diversity analysis of benzimidazole resistance-related genes in <em>H. contortus</em> populations in southern Xinjiang, offering preliminary insights into the spread of resistance and supporting disease control efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"336 ","pages":"Article 110426"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143562524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global research landscape and trends in Toxoplasma gondii from 2003 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis","authors":"Shi-Jie Fan ,&nbsp;Ming Pan ,&nbsp;Chen-Yang Xia ,&nbsp;Pin Yang ,&nbsp;Si-Yang Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110438","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110438","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Toxoplasmosis is a globally prevalent zoonotic disease with significant public health impact, yet effective prevention and control measures remain lacking. This study analyzed 10,737 publications from 2003 to 2022 in the Web of Science and Scopus databases using bibliometric methods. Key metrics, including annual publication trends, journals, core authors, contributing countries, citations, and keywords, were examined. The findings indicate that publication output in toxoplasmosis research has remained stable, with core journals predominantly in the parasitology field. The United States leads in research capacity and contributions, followed by Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, while China shows promising potential. Epidemiological research has been a longstanding hotspot in this field, encompassing areas such as diagnosis, prevention, treatment, virulence analysis, and genotyping. The field is expanding towards mechanistic research and translational applications, shifting its emphasis from basic science to practical public health applications and disease prevention strategies. Current research frontiers and emerging trends focus on host-pathogen interactions, innovative prevention and control methods, and the global public health implications of toxoplasmosis. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the past two decades of progress in toxoplasmosis research, offering valuable insights for future studies and academic development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 110438"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143551671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dolphins share Toxoplasma gondii Type II genotypes with terrestrial animals: Evidence of terrestrial T. gondii contamination in marine environments","authors":"Yi-Jou Chen ,&nbsp;Heather Fenton ,&nbsp;Jane Hall ,&nbsp;Karrie Rose ,&nbsp;Victor M. Peddemors ,&nbsp;Jan Šlapeta","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110439","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110439","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is a protozoan parasite that can infect all warm-blooded animals, leading to toxoplasmosis. Dolphins are invaluable sentinel species informing potential risks of zoonotic pathogen infection in humans through raw or undercooked seafood consumption. Between 2019 and 2023, 14 dolphins from coastal New South Wales, Australia were examined as part of ongoing marine animal health monitoring programs. Based on the histological lesions of inflammation associated with protozoal structures, <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> infection is interpreted to have contributed to morbidity and mortality of four of these dolphins as identified via real-time PCR for B1 and REP genes on genetic material extracted from lung and brain samples. Additional genetic characterisation was performed on three <em>T. gondii</em> dolphin samples utilising multiplex multilocus nested PCR-RFLP (Mn-PCR-RFLP) targeting 13 genetic markers: B1, SAG1, 5’ and 3’ SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico. A Type II variant genotype, also called ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #3, was identified in four tissues. Three of the samples displayed a unique genotype on the SAG3 marker, and one of the samples showed unique genotypes on both B1 and c22-8 markers. Our findings suggest that <em>T. gondii</em> of the same genotype has been circulating in New South Wales for the past decade. Although temporal data is limited, all examined animals were found stranded during multi-year La Niña events. The notable increase in rainfall in 2022 is considered a potential factor leading to <em>T. gondii</em> infections in these dolphins, likely due to run-off containing feline faecal contamination highlighting the widespread impact of invasive species in Australia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 110439"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143551670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A chemiluminescence immunoassay for detection of Toxoplasma gondii antibody in porcine based on GRA6 and SAG1","authors":"Ran Wu ,&nbsp;Ya-Fei Song ,&nbsp;Yanlong Gu,&nbsp;Jiang Li,&nbsp;Zhipeng Niu,&nbsp;Dong-Hui Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110437","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110437","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic protozoan disease caused by <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>. Swine serve as intermediate hosts in the transmission of <em>T. gondii</em>, rendering the detection of this pathogen in swine populations is essential for public health. The chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) is a highly regarded quantitative serological technique recognized for its exceptional sensitivity, specificity, and extensive linear range, thereby facilitating its application in the detection of swine diseases. In this study, we developed CLIA assays using GRA6 (dense granule protein 6), SAG1 (surface antigens 1), and GRA6-SAG1 antigens to detect <em>T. gondii</em> in pigs, achieving results in just 20 minutes. Testing 148 serum samples revealed that the GRA6-SAG1 CLIA had the highest diagnostic performance, with a sensitivity of 97.96 %, specificity of 100.00 %, and an intra-batch coefficient of variation below 8.00 %. Furthermore, analysis of 300 serum samples collected from swine in Fujian province showed the positive rates the <em>T. gondii</em> detection by the GRA6, SAG1, and GRA6-SAG1 CLIA assays is 66.00 %, 68.67 %, and 74.67 %, respectively. The <em>T. gondiii</em> positive rates were higher than those of commercial ELISA kits A (61.00 %) and B (16.33 %) as well as indirect hemagglutination (IHA) kit C (8.33 %). The GRA6-SAG1 CLIA developed in this study presents a rapid, specific, sensitive, and stable method for the detection of antibodies against <em>T. gondii</em>, holding significant potential for the accurate diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in swine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 110437"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143527541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modeling the spatial distribution and environmental factors of dominant ixodid tick species parasitizing cattle in northwest Ethiopia","authors":"Zewdu Seyoum Tarekegn ,&nbsp;Samson Leta ,&nbsp;Shimels Dagnachew Nigatu ,&nbsp;Sefinew Alemu Mekonnen ,&nbsp;Wassie Molla","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110436","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110436","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasites that transmit pathogens to animals and humans, ranking as the second most significant epidemiological agents next to mosquitoes. Ethiopia hosts seven genera and 60 species of ticks; however, our limited understanding of their spatial distribution and influencing factors hampers prevention and control efforts for ticks and tick-borne diseases. This study examined six predominant tick species in northwest Ethiopia: <em>Amblyomma lepidum</em>, <em>A. variegatum</em>, <em>Hyalomma rufipes</em>, <em>Rhipicephalus decoloratus</em>, <em>R. evertsi,</em> and <em>R. praetextatus</em>. Utilizing the MaxEnt model and QGIS, we identified key habitat factors influencing tick occurrence and mapped their potential distribution under current climate conditions. Our findings revealed that tick distribution and habitat suitability vary by species, all benefiting from precipitation during the coldest quarter, land cover, and densities of sheep and goats. The annual temperature range and mean diurnal range influenced the distribution of <em>A. lepidum</em>, <em>A. variegatum</em>, <em>R. evertsi,</em> and <em>R. praetextatus</em>, while cattle densities impacted <em>A. variegatum</em>, <em>R. decoloratus</em>, <em>R. evertsi,</em> and <em>R. praetextatus</em>. Habitat suitability for <em>H. rufipes</em> and <em>R. decoloratus</em> was influenced by the annual temperature range and mean diurnal range<em>,</em> respectively. <em>Amblyomma lepidum</em> and <em>H. rufipes</em> were primarily influenced by the mean temperature of the driest quarter, while <em>A. variegatum</em>, <em>R. decoloratus</em>, and <em>R. evertsi</em> were affected by the mean diurnal range and <em>R. praetextatus</em> by land cover. <em>Amblyomma lepidum</em> and <em>H. rufipes</em> preferred warmer lowland habitats, while <em>A. variegatum</em>, <em>R. decoloratus</em>, and <em>R. evertsi</em> thrived in the mid-highlands around Lake Tana, and <em>R. praetextatus</em> favored northeastern and northwestern lowlands. This study is the first to model tick distribution in Ethiopia, offering valuable insights into tick distribution and the risk of tick-borne diseases in northwest Ethiopia. We recommend further studies to incorporate additional environmental and human factors affecting tick populations, as well as diverse modeling and evaluation methods, while enhancing the quantity and quality of tick occurrence data.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 110436"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143510541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution administered pour on at 1 mg per kg body weight against Przhevalskiana silenus myiasis in goats","authors":"Ettore Napoli ,&nbsp;Susana Remesar ,&nbsp;Giovanni De Benedetto ,&nbsp;Francesca Arfuso ,&nbsp;Gabriella Gaglio ,&nbsp;Emanuele Brianti ,&nbsp;Lidia Pansera ,&nbsp;Becky Fankhauser ,&nbsp;Katrin Kley ,&nbsp;Steffen Rehbein","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110434","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110434","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The larvae of the goat warble fly, <em>Przhevalskiana silenus</em>, chiefly parasitize domestic goats. Its occurrence in Europe is restricted to the southeastern Mediterranean and the southern Balkans; however, the parasite is prevalent and of considerable economic impact in the Middle East and in parts of Asia. Eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution (EPRINEX® Multi, Boehringer Ingelheim) administered at 1 mg eprinomectin per kg body weight pour on was recently authorized as an anthelmintic for sheep and goats with zero hours milk withdrawal in several European countries. Considering that the product in cattle has claims against a broad range of parasites including infestation with warble fly larvae (<em>Hypoderma</em> spp.), this study aimed to test the efficacy of eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution against <em>P. silenus</em> myiasis in goats. Forty-five goats sourced from a farm with a history of <em>P. silenus</em> infestation were randomly assigned to three groups of 15 animals each. Group 1 was untreated (control) while Groups 2 and 3 were treated once with eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution at 1 mL per 5 kg body weight, either in the absence of clinical evidence of <em>P. silenus</em> larvae (Day 0, Group 2) or after warbles had formed (Day 167, Group 3). Goats were examined for warbles on Days 89, 103, 117, 131, 163, 174 and 181, and larvae were collected, examined for viability and speciated. On Day 186, the goats were euthanized, skinned, and examined for remaining larvae. No live larvae were recovered from goats included in treated groups while live larvae were collected from six of the 15 untreated animals (1–3 per animal) (P &lt; 0.01 at α=0.05) demonstrating complete efficacy of the treatments. All larvae collected were identified as <em>P. silenus</em>. The administration of the treatments was well accepted by all animals and no related adverse events were observed. Eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution was demonstrated to be an efficacious and safe treatment against <em>P. silenus</em> myiasis both when the larvae of <em>P. silenus</em> were expected to be L1/L2 and before skin damage occur, and when warbles with L3 have already developed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 110434"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143510542","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cutaneous abdominal biopsy enabled the diagnosis of clinical Trichinella britovi infection in a hunting dog","authors":"Walter Basso ,&nbsp;Gastón Moré ,&nbsp;Hannah Pischon ,&nbsp;Sophie Merz ,&nbsp;Annemarie Beres ,&nbsp;Pierre Norkus ,&nbsp;Caroline F. Frey ,&nbsp;Nikola Pantchev","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110433","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110433","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A six-year-old mixed-breed female hunting dog, which has been imported from Bulgaria to Germany, was admitted to a private veterinary clinic presenting a swelling (approx. 10 ×10 x 1 cm) with ulceration of the skin on the left abdominal flank. The dog evidenced difficulty to climb the stairs. The mass including skin and subcutaneous tissues was surgically removed and submitted for routine histological examination. Microscopically, a severe pyogranulomatous to mixed-cellular and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, with demarcating fibrosis, involving cutis, subcutis and cutaneous muscle was observed. Multiple cyst-like structures (∼0.25 mm diameter) with an eosinophilic hyalinised wall, containing nematode larvae sections (∼26 µm wide) were detected intralesional, and a <em>Trichinella</em> infection was suspected. Consequently, DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues and a multiplex PCR for <em>Trichinella</em> species/genotype identification was performed. After electrophoresis, two bands of 129 and 253 bp were observed, which corresponds to the banding pattern of <em>T. britovi</em>. <em>Trichinella</em> T8 and T9 show a similar banding pattern; however, these genotypes are assumed to exclusively circulate in sub-Saharan Africa and Japan, respectively. The localisation of <em>Trichinella</em> in the cutaneous muscle, and the high degree and extension of inflammatory reaction observed are unusual. Consumption of hunted prey was assumed as the most probable source of infection. <em>Trichinella</em> spp. should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nematodes, which may be observed in cutaneous and muscular biopsies in dogs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 110433"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143551669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategic control of gastrointestinal nematodes in equines in an extensive livestock production system in a tropical region","authors":"Mariana Green de Freitas ,&nbsp;Gabriela Habermann dos Santos ,&nbsp;Denys Leandro Zanini Silva ,&nbsp;Talita Daiane Costa ,&nbsp;Dyego Gonçalves Lino Borges ,&nbsp;Guilherme Henrique Reckziegel ,&nbsp;Herbert Cleveland ,&nbsp;Carlos Alberto do Nascimento Ramos ,&nbsp;Felipe Bisaggio Pereira ,&nbsp;Fernando de Almeida Borges","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110425","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110425","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The strategic control of equine gastrointestinal nematodes is based on epidemiology. The aim is the reduction of the population of parasites as a whole in the hosts and environment while seeking the number of treatments that achieves the balance between not risking animal health and not exerting selection pressure for resistant parasites. This is the first study in a tropical region to assess a strategic control protocol for equines. The study was conducted in the municipality of Anastácio in the state of Mata Gross do Sul, Brazil, over a two-year period from April 2021 to March 2023, involving two groups of horses – control and treated. The animals in the treated group received oral ivermectin in the months of May and September in each year of the experiment. Every 28 days, feces were collected, the animals were weighed, the body condition score was calculated, eggs per gram (EPG) of feces were counted, and larval counts were performed in the pasture. Eggs were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction for the identification of the species <em>Strongylus vulgaris</em>. Treatment reduced the EPG count (p &lt; 0.05) and did not affect the weight or body condition score of the animals. The most prevalent taxon was Cyathostominae. Treatment was a protection factor against <em>S. vulgaris</em> (p &lt; 0.05). A significant difference was found in the dry season between the control and treated groups in the analysis of larvae in the pasture. In conclusion, strategic control with two treatments during the year was capable of reducing the egg count, number of larvae in the pasture, and the presence of <em>S. vulgaris</em> without affecting health indicators, such as weight and body condition score.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 110425"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143551668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First detection of Trichinella nativa in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Slovenia","authors":"Irena Golinar Oven ,&nbsp;Maja Gorišek ,&nbsp;Janez Posedi","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110424","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110424","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Trichinella spp</em>. is the zoonotic agent that causes trichinellosis in humans. It is traditionally associated mainly with undercooked meat from susceptible species such as domestic and wild pigs and other wild animals containing <em>Trichinella</em> larvae. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence and species distribution of <em>Trichinella spp.</em> in red foxes (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>) in Slovenia during the 2020–2021 hunting season. Six hundred and eighty red fox samples were examined and the presence of <em>Trichinella spp.</em> larvae was confirmed in six cases (0.8 %). Using multiplex PCR, <em>T. britovi</em> was detected in five cases and <em>T. nativa</em> in one case. The occurrence of <em>T. nativa</em> on the southern side of the Alps is of great epidemiological importance and raises very important public health issues.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 110424"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143444764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In situ collected small intestinal mucosal swabs as alternative analytes to diagnose Echinococcus multilocularis infection in its definitive hosts by real-time polymerase chain reaction","authors":"Alrik-Markis Kunisch ,&nbsp;Josefine Wassermann ,&nbsp;Martin Peters ,&nbsp;Kim Feldmann ,&nbsp;Eva Prinzenberg ,&nbsp;Jana C. Klink ,&nbsp;Hannes Bergmann ,&nbsp;Kerstin Wernike ,&nbsp;Pavlo Maksimov ,&nbsp;Gereon Schares","doi":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The cestode <em>Echinococcus multilocularis</em> parasitizes small intestines of carnivores such as foxes (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>) and raccoon dogs (<em>Nyctereutes procyonoides</em>) as definitive hosts and represents an important zoonotic threat. This study aimed to determine whether <em>E. multilocularis</em> DNA detection methods by real-time PCR involving easy-to-collect sample types, such as intestinal swabs could represent alternatives to traditional parasitological techniques. Three analytes from foxes and raccoon dogs were tested. i. Swabs taken immediately during necropsy (<em>in situ</em>) from the small intestinal mucosa (FastMucSwab), ii. swabs from scraped-off small intestinal mucosa (IsolMucSwab), collected for the sedimentation-counting-technique (SCT) and for comparative reasons iii. feces from the <em>Ampulla recti</em>. Only minor differences in <em>E. multilocularis</em> DNA detection, independent of sample type, were observed. High levels of concordance between PCR results were noted in the comparison of results on FastMucSwabs, IsolMucSwabs or feces. The agreement between FastMucSwab and IsolMucSwab was excellent (<em>Kappa</em> 0.86 [95 % CI: 0.79-0.92]<em>).</em> If inconclusive PCR results were excluded, PCR on FastMucSwabs had a diagnostic sensitivity of 92.7 % (95 % CI: 83.0–97.3 %) and a specificity of 91.5 % (95 % CI: 88.4–93.9 %) relative to SCT. Compared with SCT, Feces real-time PCR had a diagnostic sensitivity of 82.8 % (95 % CI: 63.5–93.5 %) and a specificity of 90.9 % (95 % CI: 81.4–95.9 %). Segmental swabbing had no diagnostic advantages. Overall, there was evidence that the DNA detection methods used here had a higher diagnostic sensitivity than SCT did. Results suggest that simple alternative methods, such as PCR on FastMucSwabs represent an efficient tool for performing larger-scale epidemiological studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23716,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary parasitology","volume":"335 ","pages":"Article 110418"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}