International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife最新文献

{"title":"European Brown hare (Lepus europaeus) as an accidental host of Trypanosoma pestanai","authors":"Lucie Veitova ,&nbsp;Jiri Pikula ,&nbsp;Jan Votýpka ,&nbsp;Petr Linhart ,&nbsp;Vendula Kokesova ,&nbsp;Paulina Maria Lesiczka ,&nbsp;Vladimir Piacek ,&nbsp;Jana Sedlackova ,&nbsp;Anna Sindelarova ,&nbsp;Tomas Heger ,&nbsp;Hana Bandouchova","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101079","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101079","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Europe, trypanosomes are not considered a serious threat to humans or domestic animals; however, their potential ecological impact on wildlife remains largely unknown. This study investigates presence of trypanosomes in European brown hare (<em>Lepus europaeus</em>) in Czechia, where this species is an important game species and plays a significant role in ecosystems. Using nested PCR targeting 18S rDNA, trypanosome DNA was detected in two of 435 blood samples, representing the first confirmation of trypanosomes in the genus <em>Lepus</em>. Subsequent sequencing identified <em>Trypanosoma pestanai</em>, a species previously reported in the European badger (<em>Meles meles</em>). These findings suggest that <em>T. pestanai</em> may have a broader host range than previously recognized, emphasizing the need for further research into its ecological impact and its potential transmission dynamics in wildlife populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101079"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143929594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of latitude, host body size and host body weight on helminth species richness and abundance in two Neotropical marsupials","authors":"Bruna Silva Cirino ,&nbsp;Sócrates Fraga da Costa Neto ,&nbsp;Thiago dos Santos Cardoso ,&nbsp;Arnaldo Maldonado Júnior ,&nbsp;Rosana Gentile","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101077","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101077","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parasite species richness can be influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors of their hosts, such as host body size and latitude. Although these factors have been studied for several taxa, few studies have investigated them for helminths of wild mammals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of host body size, body weight and latitude on the species richness and abundance of the helminths of <em>Didelphis aurita</em> and <em>Didelphis albiventris.</em> Data on helminths and the geographic coordinates of the collection localities of the hosts were obtained from the Collection of Wild Mammal Reservoirs and the database of the Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Wild Mammal Reservoirs. The influences of latitude and host body size and body weight on helminth species richness (HSR) and helminth abundance were analysed using linear regressions. We evaluated the effect of latitude on helminth species composition using redundancy analysis followed by ANOVA. The HSR ranged from 1 to 9 for <em>D. aurita</em> and from 1 to 7 for <em>D. albiventris</em>. We found a positive relationship between latitude and total HSR for <em>D. aurita</em> (<em>p</em> = 0.012). The ANOVA revealed the influence of latitudinal variation on the species composition variation of helminths only for <em>D. aurita</em> (<em>p</em> = 0.001). With respect to body size, we did not find a significant relationship between this variable and HSR or abundance for either species. However, we found a positive relationship between host body weight and helminth abundance for <em>D. aurita</em> (<em>p</em> = 0.004). We conclude that the increase in latitude was an explanatory factor for the increasing HSR along infracommunities, contradicting the general pattern of increasing species with decreasing latitude observed in free-living species. Moreover, host intrinsic factors may be more relevant to endoparasite occurrence and development than latitude because they directly influence the parasite niche.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101077"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144116313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diphyllobothrium stemmacephalum infections in harbor porpoises (Phocoena Phocoena) in German waters","authors":"Lotte C. Striewe ,&nbsp;Peter Wohlsein ,&nbsp;Ursula Siebert ,&nbsp;Kristina Lehnert","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101076","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101076","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Harbor porpoises (<em>Phocoena</em>) are definitive hosts for intestinal <em>Diphyllobothrium</em> sp. cestodes, zoonotic parasites with a heterogeneous life cycle and fishes as second intermediate hosts. Prevalence and level of infection of Diphyllobothrium cestodes in 661 dead-found harbor porpoises from the German North and Baltic Seas within a 30-year period were investigated. Molecular species identification of cestodes was carried out, using ribosomal and mitochondrial gene markers. Pathogenic impact of cestodes on intestinal tissue was analyzed by using review of histopathological records. With 18 cestode-infected harbor porpoises, prevalence was low (3 %) in both ecosystems. Infected animals were mostly young and exhibited mild infection levels. Cestode infection did not contribute significantly to cause of death and disease of the infected individuals and histopathological alterations of intestinal tissue were mostly mild. Tapeworms were molecularly identified as <em>D. stemmacephalum</em>. The findings validate past morphological records in the study area for the first time and confirm harbor porpoises as definitive hosts for <em>D. stemmacephalum</em>. <em>D. stemmacephalum</em> can accidentally infect humans. Future research on cetacean definitive host populations and species-specificity as well as life cycle and intermediate host species of <em>D. stemmacephalum</em> is crucial for a risk assessment in the sense of the One Health concept.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101076"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143921568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Drivers and consequences of nest ectoparasite pressure in tit nestlings","authors":"Sofía I. Arce ,&nbsp;Jorge Garrido-Bautista ,&nbsp;Catarina G. Cascão ,&nbsp;Inês S.C. Vilhena ,&nbsp;José Manuel Arjona ,&nbsp;Ana Rita Cabral ,&nbsp;Fábio Marengo ,&nbsp;Joana Girão ,&nbsp;Gregorio Moreno-Rueda ,&nbsp;Jaime A. Ramos ,&nbsp;Ana Cláudia Norte","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101075","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101075","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ectoparasites impose significant costs to their hosts and modulate their life-history traits. We evaluated the prevalence and abundance of louse flies, blowflies, fleas and mites in great tits (<em>Parus major</em>) and blue tits (<em>Cyanistes caeruleus</em>) breeding in nest boxes in Central Portugal during two consecutive breeding seasons and assessed: (a) the potential physiological consequences of infestation for nestlings; (b) how nest box re-use and presence of anthropogenic materials in nests affected the ectoparasite abundance; (c) how host reproductive parameters were related to ectoparasitism; and (d) how different nest-dwelling arthropod groups, including ectoparasites, and their diversity correlated. Tit nestlings reared in nests with more blowflies showed symptoms of anaemia, such as lower haemoglobin levels and high erythrocyte maturation index, and tended to grow less. Nestlings from nests with higher number of obligatory parasitic mites had increased polychromasia, and blue tits tended to have lower probability to fledge. Great tit nestlings from nests with fleas also had increased polychromasia compared with those from non-infested nests. Nest box re-use increased the probability of infestation by louse flies and obligatory parasitic mites. In both tit species, broods that were reared later in the season had higher abundance of blowflies and obligatory parasitic mites in their nests. In great tit nests, anthropogenic materials were negatively correlated with flea abundance, and positively correlated with the abundance of Histeridae coleopterans. In great and blue tit nests, obligatory parasitic mites were less abundant when nests showed a higher abundance of Staphylinidae coleopterans and Collembola. Overall, this study shows strong negative effects of nest ectoparasite pressure, particularly blowflies and obligatory parasitic mites, on physiological and fitness measures of hole nesting birds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101075"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143881767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trypanosoma cruzi in wild mammals from an endemic area of Chagas disease on the coast of Ecuador","authors":"Ana Soto-Vivas ,&nbsp;Alexander Nicolalde ,&nbsp;María Mercedes Gavilanez ,&nbsp;Juan Carlos Benalcázar ,&nbsp;Camila Acosta-López ,&nbsp;Jhocelyn Chiluiza ,&nbsp;María Isabel Calvopiña ,&nbsp;Édison Encalada ,&nbsp;Germán Jacóme ,&nbsp;Jonathan Liria","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101073","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101073","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Trypanosoma cruzi</em> is a protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease, endemic in Ecuador. In the province of Los Ríos, where the vector <em>Triatoma dimidiata</em> is present, vector-borne transmission is considered the primary route of infection. Many mammalian are involved in the transmission cycle of <em>T. cruzi</em>. Nonetheless, significant gaps remain regarding mammalian reservoirs along the Ecuadorian coast, especially in ecologically altered areas. To investigate the role of wild and domestic mammals as hosts, we assessed the presence of <em>T. cruzi</em> in two localities of Quevedo canton. Sampling focused on wild, domestic, and peridomestic mammals using live capture techniques such as mist nets for bats and Sherman and Tomahawk traps for terrestrial mammals. Blood samples were collected from all individuals, and DNA was extracted using a commercial kit. PCR was performed targeting three regions of the <em>T. cruzi</em> genome. In total, 383 mammals were sampled: 66 domestic animals, 6 peridomestic, and 317 wild individuals. Of the wild mammals, 216 were captured in La Virginia 2 and 95 in the Jacome Forest. Four wild individuals tested positive for <em>T. cruzi</em>, including three <em>Glossophaga soricina</em> and one <em>Marmosa simonsi</em>, all collected from La Virginia 2, a peri-urban community. None of the domestic or peridomestic animals were infected. This study reports, for the first time, the infection of <em>M. simonsi</em> with <em>T. cruzi</em>. The presence of positive cases exclusively in an area close to human settlements raises concern about the risk of parasite transmission in transitional landscapes. Transmission cycles of the parasite are known to be influenced by land-use change, deforestation, and host community composition. These factors may alter ecological interactions between vectors and hosts, potentially favoring transmission. Further research is needed in Ecuador to understand how ecosystem alterations shape the sylvatic cycle of <em>T. cruzi</em>, particularly the role of bats in disease maintenance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101073"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143851769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular diagnosis of trypanosomatids in Didelphis marsupialis reveals risk areas for Trypanosoma cruzi transmission and sympatric circulation with T. rangeli in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia","authors":"Jeiczon Elim Jaimes-Dueñez ,&nbsp;Vladimir Quintero-Sánchez ,&nbsp;Andrea Ardila-Gélvez ,&nbsp;Luz H. Patiño ,&nbsp;Carlos M. Ospina ,&nbsp;Ángela Patricia Jiménez-Leaño ,&nbsp;Ian Sebastián Murcia-Cueto ,&nbsp;Juan David Ramírez","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101072","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101072","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The adaptation of wild animals to urban environments can lead to increased contact with humans and a higher risk of exposure to zoonotic agents. <em>Didelphis marsupialis</em> (common opossum) is an important reservoir of <em>Trypanosoma cruzi</em> and <em>Leishmania</em> spp., which commonly affect human populations in Latin America. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the frequency of trypanosomatid infections and characterize <em>T. cruzi</em> DTUs in common opossums from the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga (MAB), Santander, Colombia. A total of 70 individuals from four municipalities (Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Girón, and Piedecuesta) were analyzed by PCR using blood samples, of which 14.3 % (95 % CI: 7.95–24.3 %) tested positive for trypanosomatids. Next-generation sequencing of 18S and Hsp70 genes in positive samples identified <em>T. cruzi</em> DTU TcI and <em>T. rangeli</em> in nine (12.9 %, 95 % CI: 6.91–22.66 %) and two (2.86 %, 95 % CI: 0.79–9.83 %) samples, respectively, including one case of co-infection (1.43 %, 95 % CI: 0.04–7.7 %). A heatmap revealed a high concentration of <em>T. cruzi</em>-positive cases in peripheral neighborhoods of Bucaramanga adjacent to forested areas. This study confirms the presence of an enzootic transmission cycle of <em>T. cruzi</em> in the MAB, highlighting the role of <em>D. marsupialis</em> as an important reservoir, particularly in peripheral neighborhoods of Bucaramanga. The sympatric circulation of <em>T. cruzi</em> and <em>T. rangeli</em> in opossums from the MAB introduces new epidemiological challenges for Chagas disease control in these areas, emphasizing the need for improved diagnostic strategies to differentiate both parasites in patients and epidemiological studies including vectors and reservoirs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101072"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143839074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular detection and characterisation of Toxoplasma gondii in eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) in Victoria, Australia","authors":"K.L.D. Tharaka D. Liyanage ,&nbsp;Michael Lynch ,&nbsp;Oluwadamilola S. Omotainse ,&nbsp;Chunlei Su ,&nbsp;Jasmin Hufschmid ,&nbsp;Abdul Jabbar","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101071","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101071","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Australian marsupials are particularly susceptible to <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>, an introduced zoonotic protozoan parasite. Molecular diagnostic methods are a highly specific approach for the detection of parasitic infections such as <em>T. gondii</em>. Importantly, molecular methods are useful for the characterisation of <em>T. gondii</em> to understand the genetic diversity of the parasite. The eastern barred bandicoot (<em>Perameles gunnii</em>) is a small native marsupial species classified as Critically Endangered. Although the species has previously been described as highly susceptible to infection with <em>T. gondii</em>, there is currently no information on the genotypes occurring in this species. This study employed qPCR for the detection of <em>T. gondii</em> in opportunistically obtained tissue samples from eastern barred bandicoot carcasses (<em>n</em> = 113) from Victoria, followed by determination of genotype using a DNA sequence-based virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Overall, 19.5 % of the samples were positive for <em>T. gondii</em> using qPCR. The RFLP analysis revealed the dominance of <em>T. gondii</em> type II while a type II-like genotype was found in two isolates. This is the first study to provide information on prevalent genotypes of <em>T. gondii</em> in eastern barred bandicoots. Epidemiological studies of definitive and intermediate hosts, including further genotyping, are recommended to better understand <em>T. gondii</em> epidemiology for the successful recovery of eastern barred bandicoots in Australia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101071"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143829034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei causes distinct differences in sarcoptic mange disease syndromes among sympatric carnivoran species","authors":"Hannah S. Tiffin ,&nbsp;Justin D. Brown ,&nbsp;Kathleen Kelly ,&nbsp;Kyle R. Van Why ,&nbsp;Mark Ternent ,&nbsp;Andrew C. Camire ,&nbsp;Edward J.A. Schuler ,&nbsp;Richard T. Marconi ,&nbsp;Erika T. Machtinger","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101070","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sarcoptic mange, caused by <em>Sarcoptes scabiei</em>, is a pan-emerging zoonotic disease, affecting new species and expanding into novel geographic locations in recent decades yet the distinct differences in disease syndromes between species remain poorly characterized and understood. This study investigated mange severity, mite burden, and immune response as characterized by dermapathology in sympatric carnivoran species in Pennsylvania, USA, assessing black bears (<em>Ursus americanus</em>), coyotes (<em>Canis latrans</em>), grey foxes (<em>Urocyon cinereoargenteus</em>), and red foxes (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>). Scabietic and healthy individuals were evaluated using standardized metrics to assess health parameters between infested and healthy individuals and differences in mange disease syndromes between species. Mange severity varied significantly by species. Red foxes and black bears displayed more severe outward signs of mange infestation and higher mite burdens compared to coyotes, which exhibited milder physical and histologic signs of disease. Histologic analyses revealed significant differences in dermatologic lesions; black bears and red foxes more frequently had severe hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and secondary bacterial and yeast colonization, while coyotes had fewer and milder lesions. In terms of mite detection, tissue digestions were the most sensitive method, followed by cytology and histology. Serological screening detected the highest <em>S. scabiei</em> exposure rates in coyotes (53 %), followed by black bears (37 %), red foxes (17 %), and grey foxes (12 %). Notably, many seropositive coyotes showed no physical signs of mange, suggesting potential resistance or recovery. In contrast, red foxes exhibited severe disease and low seroprevalence, consistent with high mortality and limited recovery. These findings highlight species-specific differences in sarcoptic mange manifestation and host responses. Coyotes may act as reservoirs, contributing to disease persistence in the ecosystem, while red foxes and black bears suffer higher morbidity. This study emphasizes the need for integrated diagnostic and surveillance approaches to improve understanding of <em>S. scabiei</em> epidemiology and inform wildlife management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101070"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143870491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of zoonotic pathogens in zoo animals in the Republic of Korea","authors":"Jinho Um ,&nbsp;Jeongho Kim ,&nbsp;Seok-Jin Cho ,&nbsp;Min-ho Park ,&nbsp;Hyung-Chul Cho ,&nbsp;Yu-Jin Park ,&nbsp;Kyoung-Seong Choi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101067","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101067","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Zoo animals may harbor various zoonotic pathogens and may pose a potential risk to humans through close contact. Nevertheless, epidemiological data on zoonotic diseases are scarce. Here, we conducted an epidemiological investigation and genetic characterization of <em>Coxiella burnetii</em>, <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species, <em>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</em>, and <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> in zoo animals in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and evaluated their zoonotic potential. A total of 261 fecal samples were collected from 27 animal species at one zoo between July 2022 and December 2023. Out of the four pathogens tested, one (0.4 %), twelve (4.5 %), and one (0.4 %) animals were found positive for <em>C. burnetii</em>, <em>E. bieneusi</em>, and <em>G. duodenalis</em>, respectively. <em>Cryptosporidium</em> species were not detected in zoo animals. Sequence analysis of <em>C. burnetii</em> based on the <em>IS1111</em> gene revealed that one sequence obtained from a black goat (<em>Capra hircus</em>) exhibited 100 % homology with those reported from a rodent in the ROK. A zoonotic assemblage B (<em>n</em> = 1) of <em>G. duodenalis</em> was identified in Patagonian mara (<em>Dolichotis patagonum</em>). Of the 12 <em>E. bieneusi</em>-positive samples, eleven novel genotypes (KRZB1−4 and KRZS2−8) were identified in four Asian black bears (<em>Ursus thibetanus ussuricus</em>) and eight squirrel monkeys (<em>Saimiri sciureus</em>). Phylogenetically, ten novel genotypes belonged to group 1 with zoonotic potential, and one novel genotype, KRZB4, was assigned to group 10. This study showed that <em>C. burnetii</em>, <em>E. bieneusi</em>, and <em>G. duodenalis</em> infections were identified in zoo animals in the ROK. Our findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and effective strategies to prevent and control these zoonotic pathogens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101067"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143814900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of Toxoplasma gondii (Types I, II, III and 12) and Sarcocystis spp. in the brains of river otter (Lontra canadensis) from Alberta, Canada","authors":"Kyle M. Shanebeck ,&nbsp;Adrián Hernández-Ortiz ,&nbsp;Emily J. Jenkins ,&nbsp;Philippe J. Thomas ,&nbsp;Brent R. Dixon ,&nbsp;Harriet Merks ,&nbsp;Clement Lagrue","doi":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101069","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101069","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> and <em>Sarcocystis</em> spp. are globally distributed coccidian parasites infecting endothermic vertebrates. <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> is zoonotic, with widespread global prevalence in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. <em>Sarcocystis</em> is a related and diverse genus, with species that use a range of definitive and intermediate hosts. In intermediate hosts, these tissue dwelling coccidians can be asymptomatic or cause disease through neural, hepatic, and transplacental infections. Semiaquatic mammals such as the North American river otter (<em>Lontra canadensis</em>) are at high risk of exposure to <em>T. gondii</em> and <em>Sarcocystis</em> spp. due to terrestrial runoff into freshwater environments. Their high trophic position and dual habitat use make them excellent sentinel species to monitor the presence of food and waterborne pathogens in ecosystems. Brain tissue was sampled from 89 river otters in Alberta, Canada. DNA of <em>T. gondii</em> was detected in 34 % of otters using magnetic capture sequence-specific DNA extraction and qPCR. Genotypes of <em>T. gondii</em> were identified using nested PCR and sequencing of the GRA6 and SAG2 genes, and included the most common clonal lineages in North America, Types I, II, and III, as well as Type-12 (X/A), which is highly pathogenic in sea otters. DNA of <em>Sarcocystis</em> spp. was detected in brain lysates of 30 % of otters via conventional PCR with primers targeting ITS1 and 18S ribosomal regions, and sequencing revealed <em>S. lutrae</em> and a species most closely related to, but distinct from, <em>S. kitikmeotensis</em>. This study suggests that river otters are exposed trophically to <em>T. gondii</em> shed by felids<em>,</em> and at least 2 species of <em>Sarcocystis</em> shed by unknown definitive hosts<em>.</em> Highly pathogenic <em>S. neurona</em> was not detected in this population, likely reflecting the absence of possum definitive hosts in northern Canada. The potential effects of <em>T. gondii</em> and <em>Sarcocystis</em> spp. on behaviour, health, and reproduction of river otters warrant further investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54278,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Parasitology-Parasites and Wildlife","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 101069"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143830356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}