scholarly journals One Health Approach to Zoonotic Parasites: Molecular Detection of Intestinal Protozoans in an Urban Population of Norway Rats, Rattus norvegicus, in Barcelona, Spain

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 311
Author(s):  
María Teresa Galán-Puchades ◽  
María Trelis ◽  
Sandra Sáez-Durán ◽  
Susana Cifre ◽  
Carla Gosálvez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Population ◽  
One Health ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Norway Rat ◽  
The One ◽  
Zoonotic Parasites ◽  
Norway Rats

Rattus norvegicus, the brown or Norway rat, is the most abundant mammal after humans in urban areas, where they live in close proximity to people. Among rodent-borne diseases, the reservoir role of Norway rats of zoonotic parasites in cities has practically been ignored. Considering the parasitic diseases in the One Health approach, we intended to identify and quantify the zoonotic intestinal protozoans (ZIP) in an urban population of R. norvegicus in the city of Barcelona, Spain. We studied the presence of ZIP in 100 rats trapped in parks (n = 15) as well as in the city’s sewage system (n = 85) in the winter of 2016/17. The protozoans were molecularly identified by means of a multiplex PCR (AllplexTM Gastrointestinal Panel-Parasite Assay). We also investigated the presence of co-infections among the species found. Four ZIP were identified, presenting significant prevalences in sewers, specifically Blastocystis (83.5%), Giardia duodenalis (37.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (34.1%), and Dientamoeba fragilis (14.1%). Several co-infections among the detected ZIP were also detected. The reservoir role of ZIP that Norway rats play in cities as well as the role rats may play as sentinels of zoonotic parasites affecting humans in urban areas are strongly backed up by our findings. The increasing worldwide urbanization, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic are factors that are producing an increase in human–rat interactions. Our results should be considered a warning to the authorities to intensify rat control and surveillance in public health interventions.

scholarly journals Role of dogs in contamination of urban environment with causes of parasitic zoonoses

2006 ◽  
Vol 60 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 377-383
Author(s):  
Ivan Pavlovic ◽  
Zoran Kulisic ◽  
Slavisa Djurdjevic ◽  
Zorana Misic ◽  
Jana Momcilovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptosporidium Parvum ◽  
Giardia Lamblia ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Toxocara Canis ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Parasitic Zoonoses ◽  
The One ◽  
Zoonotic Parasites

Dogs belong to the group of animals that were the first to be domesticated. They live in cohabitation with humans and share their environment much more intimately than any other animal specie. The close contact between strays and pets, on the one side, and the pollution of urban areas with the feces of these animals, on the other, close the chain of infection with parasites, which jeopardizes also human health in the final link of that chain. Dogs are carriers and the true hosts to large numbers of species of zoonotic parasites - Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, Echinoccocus granulosus, Dipyllidium caninum, Toxocara canis, Ancylostomidae spp. and others, whose eggs or other developmental forms they eliminate into the environment through feces. The increase in the number of cases of toxocarosis in humans (syndrome of visceral larvae migrans), ancylostomosis (cutanea larvae migrans), hydatidosis, toxoplasmosis, or cryptosporidiosis are the best indicators of these relations. In order to resolve this problem, it is necessary to conduct systematic investigations of their parasitic fauna with the maximum cooperation of the animal owners, compulsory health education of the population in the area of the diseases that are transferred from animals to humans, and, certainly, carrying out the dehelminthization of dogs.

scholarly journals Intestinal Parasites of Owned Dogs and Cats from Metropolitan and Micropolitan Areas: Prevalence, Zoonotic Risks, and Pet Owner Awareness in Northern Italy

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Aurelio Zanzani ◽  
Alessia Libera Gazzonis ◽  
Paola Scarpa ◽  
Federica Berrilli ◽  
Maria Teresa Manfredi
Keyword(s):  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Zoonotic Potential ◽  
Pet Owners ◽  
Zoonotic Parasites ◽  
Pet Owner

Intestinal parasites of dogs and cats are cosmopolitan pathogens with zoonotic potential for humans. Our investigation considered their diffusion in dogs and cats from northern Italy areas, specifically the metropolitan area of Milan and two micropolitan areas of neighboring provinces. It included the study of the level of awareness in pet owners of the zoonotic potential from these parasites. A total of 409 fresh fecal samples were collected from household dogs and cats for copromicroscopic analysis and detection ofGiardia duodenaliscoproantigens. The assemblages ofGiardiawere also identified. A questionnaire about intestinal parasites biology and zoonotic potential was submitted to 185 pet owners. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites resulted higher in cats (47.37%−60.42%) and dogs (57.41%−43.02%) from micropolitan areas than that from the metropolis of Milan (dogs:P=28.16%; cats:P=32.58%). The zoonotic parasites infecting pets under investigation wereT. canisandT. cati,T. vulpis, Ancylostomatidae, andG. duodenalisassemblage A. Only 49.19% of pet owners showed to be aware of the risks for human health from canine and feline intestinal parasites. Parasitological results in pets and awareness determination in their owners clearly highlight how the role of veterinarians is important in indicating correct and widespread behaviors to reduce risks of infection for pets and humans in urban areas.

Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) as a potential reservoir for Echinococcus granulosus: A public health implication

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled A. Abdel-Moein ◽  
Dalia A. Hamza
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Public Health Implication ◽  
Norway Rat ◽  
Suburban Areas ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Potential Reservoir ◽  
Cystic Hydatidosis ◽  
Norway Rats

AbstractCystic hydatidosis is a re-emerging parasitic zoonosis with worldwide distribution. The current study was carried out to investigate the possible role of rats in the epidemiology of such disease in urban and suburban areas. For this purpose, a total of 50 feral Norway rats (

scholarly journals Field trials of flocoumafen against warfarin-resistant infestations of the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus Berk)

1986 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Buckle
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Anticoagulant Rodenticide ◽  
Complete Control ◽  
Norway Rat ◽  
Norway Rats ◽  
Farm Buildings

SUMMARYThe anticoagulant rodenticide flocoumafen was tested against warfarin-resistant Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) infesting farm buildings. Complete control was obtained in 10–21 days (mean 14·2 days) in six treatments in which baits poisoned with 0·005% flocoumafen were maintained, in surplus, until rats ceased to feed from them. A further six treatments, in which the application of poisoned bait was restricted to periodic placements of 50 g, were also completely successful in 15–30 days (mean 21·0 days). Less poisoned bait was used in the restricted flocoumafen treatments than in the unrestricted treatments but the time taken to control the rat infestations was significantly longer.

scholarly journals Strengthening the One Health Agenda: The Role of Molecular Epidemiology in Aspergillus Threat Management

Genes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eta Ashu ◽  
Jianping Xu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
One Health ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Aspergillus Species ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Health Initiative ◽  
Threat Management ◽  
The One

The United Nations’ One Health initiative advocates the collaboration of multiple sectors within the global and local health authorities toward the goal of better public health management outcomes. The emerging global health threat posed by Aspergillus species is an example of a management challenge that would benefit from the One Health approach. In this paper, we explore the potential role of molecular epidemiology in Aspergillus threat management and strengthening of the One Health initiative. Effective management of Aspergillus at a public health level requires the development of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools to not only identify the infecting pathogen to species level, but also to the level of individual genotype, including drug susceptibility patterns. While a variety of molecular methods have been developed for Aspergillus diagnosis, their use at below-species level in clinical settings has been very limited, especially in resource-poor countries and regions. Here we provide a framework for Aspergillus threat management and describe how molecular epidemiology and experimental evolution methods could be used for predicting resistance through drug exposure. Our analyses highlight the need for standardization of loci and methods used for molecular diagnostics, and surveillance across Aspergillus species and geographic regions. Such standardization will enable comparisons at national and global levels and through the One Health approach, strengthen Aspergillus threat management efforts.

scholarly journals Leptospira in breast tissue and milk of urban Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)

2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (11) ◽  
pp. 2420-2429 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. DE OLIVEIRA ◽  
C. P. FIGUEIRA ◽  
L. ZHAN ◽  
A. C. PERTILE ◽  
G. G. PEDRA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Breast Tissue ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Norway Rat ◽  
First Time ◽  
Globally Distributed ◽  
Norway Rats

SUMMARYLeptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The disease is globally distributed and a major public health concern. The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) is the main reservoir of the pathogen in urban slums of developing and developed countries. The potential routes of intra-specific leptospire transmission in rats are largely unknown. Herein, we identified pathogenic Leptospira spp. in breast tissue and milk of naturally infected rats. We examined kidney, breast tissue and milk from 24 lactating rats for the presence of leptospires using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and scanning electronic microscopy. All 24 rats had evidence for Leptospira in the kidneys, indicating chronic carriage. The majority of kidney-positive rats had detectable leptospires in milk (18, 75%) and breast tissue (16, 67%), as evidenced by immunofluorescence assay and immunohistochemistry. Four (17%) milk samples and two (8%) breast tissue samples were positive by quantitative real-time PCR. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of leptospires in breast tissue. No major pathological changes in breast tissue were found. This study, for the first time, identified leptospires in the milk and breast tissue of wild Norway rats, suggesting the possibility of milk-borne transmission of leptospirosis to neonates.

scholarly journals Evidence of multiple intraspecific transmission routes for Leptospira acquisition in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (16) ◽  
pp. 3438-3448 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. MINTER ◽  
P. J. DIGGLE ◽  
F. COSTA ◽  
J. CHILDS ◽  
A. I. KO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Cumulative Risk ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Prevalence Data ◽  
Norway Rat ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Norway Rats

SUMMARYInfectious diseases frequently have multiple potential routes of intraspecific transmission of pathogens within wildlife and other populations. For pathogens causing zoonotic diseases, knowing whether these transmission routes occur in the wild and their relative importance, is critical for understanding maintenance, improving control measures and ultimately preventing human disease. The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) is the primary reservoir of leptospirosis in the urban slums of Salvador, Brazil. There is biological evidence for potentially three different transmission routes of leptospire infection occurring in the rodent population. Using newly obtained prevalence data from rodents trapped at an urban slum field site, we present changes in cumulative risk of infection in relation to age-dependent transmission routes to infer which intra-specific transmission routes occur in the wild. We found that a significant proportion of animals leave the nest with infection and that the risk of infection increases throughout the lifetime of Norway rats. We did not observe a significant effect of sexual maturity on the risk of infection. In conclusion, our results suggest that vertical and environmental transmission of leptospirosis both occur in wild populations of Norway rats.

scholarly journals From the Approach to the Concept: One Health in Latin America-Experiences and Perspectives in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Pettan-Brewer ◽  
Andreza Francisco Martins ◽  
Daniel Paiva Barros de Abreu ◽  
Ana Pérola Drulla Brandão ◽  
David Soeiro Barbosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
One Health ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Health Concept ◽  
The One ◽  
Interdisciplinary Interaction

Professionals throughout the world have been working to assess the interdisciplinary interaction and interdependence between health and wellbeing in a constantly changing environment. The One Health concept was developed to encourage sustainable collaborative partnerships and to promote optimal health for people, animals, plants, the environment, and the whole planet. The dissemination of scientific discoveries and policies, by working directly with diverse communities, has been one of the main goals for Global One Health. The One Health concept has also been referred or related to as “One Medicine, One Medicine-One Health, One World-One Health, EcoHealth,” and Planetary Health,” depending on each fundamental view and approach. In Latin America, despite the concept still being discussed among health professionals and educators, several One Health initiatives have been used daily for more than decades. One Health action has been applied especially in rural and underserved urban areas where low socioeconomic status, lack of health professionals, and scarcity of medical resources may require professionals to work together. Local communities from diverse social and economic statuses, including indigenous populations have been working with institutions and social organizations for many years, accomplishing results through grassroots movements. These “bottom-up” socio-community approaches have also been tools for the prevention and control of diseases, such practice has preceded the One Health concepts in Latin American countries. It is strongly believed that collaborative, multidisciplinary, political, and economic initiatives with prosocial focus may become investments toward obtaining significant results in the face of global, economic and health challenges; working for a healthier world with inclusivity, equity, and equality. In this study, it is briefly presented how the One Health approach has been initiated and developed in Latin America, highlighting the events and actions taken in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.

scholarly journals Trichinellosis in Serbia and possibilities to improve control measures

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-115
Author(s):  
Milena Zivojinovic ◽  
Ivan Dobrosavljevic ◽  
Zoran Kulisic ◽  
Sonja Radojicic ◽  
Tamara Boskovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
One Health ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Balkan Region ◽  
The One ◽  
Zoonotic Parasites ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Eu

Background. Trichinellosis is zoonotic disease caused by parasites of the genus Trichinella, which have a cosmopolitan distribution. In the Balkan region, including Serbia, trichinellosis is endemic. Although trichinellosis shows a decreasing incidence in Serbia, this disease remains a serious problem for human health and animal husbandry. Scope and Approach. To prevent and control Trichinella spp. infections in domestic and sylvatic animals, risk analysis for these zoonotic parasites should be conducted. In Serbia, a limited number of Trichinella have been identified to the species level so far. An institutional, multi-sectoral surveillance system, supported by an adequate legal framework for the detection, surveillance, prevention, control and reporting of this infection in animals and humans, harmonised with the EU legislation, is a priority. Key Findings and Conclusions. One of the main goals of the Serbian veterinary and public health services should be progressive improvement of animal rearing practices, food safety, and hunters? and consumers? education through the ?One-health? approach.

scholarly journals A One Health Perspective on the Human–Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A.M. Overgaauw ◽  
Claudia M. Vinke ◽  
Marjan A.E. van Hagen ◽  
Len J.A. Lipman
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
One Health ◽  
Objective Evaluation ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
The One

Over time the human–animal bond has been changed. For instance, the role of pets has changed from work animals (protecting houses, catching mice) to animals with a social function, giving companionship. Pets can be important for the physical and mental health of their owners but may also transmit zoonotic infections. The One Health initiative is a worldwide strategy for expanding collaborations in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment. However, in One Health communications the role of particularly dogs and cats is often underestimated. Objective: Evaluation of positive and negative One Health issues of the human–companion animal relationship with a focus on zoonotic aspects of cats and dogs in industrialized countries. Method: Literature review. Results: Pets undoubtedly have a positive effect on human health, while owners are increasing aware of pet’s health and welfare. The changing attitude of humans with regard to pets and their environment can also lead to negative effects such as changes in feeding practices, extreme breeding, and behavioral problems, and anthropozoonoses. For the human, there may be a higher risk of the transmission of zoonotic infections due to trends such as sleeping with pets, allowing pets to lick the face or wounds, bite accidents, keeping exotic animals, the importation of rescue dogs, and soil contact. Conclusions: One Health issues need frequently re-evaluated as the close human–animal relationship with pet animals can totally differ compared to decennia ago. Because of the changed human–companion animal bond, recommendations regarding responsible pet-ownership, including normal hygienic practices, responsible breeding, feeding, housing, and mental and physical challenges conforming the biology of the animal are required. Education can be performed by vets and physicians as part of the One Health concept.

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