scholarly journals The Control of Zoonotic Soil-Transmitted Helminthoses Using Saprophytic Fungi

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1071
Author(s):  
Cándido Viña ◽  
María Isabel Silva ◽  
Antonio Miguel Palomero ◽  
Mathilde Voinot ◽  
María Vilá ◽  
...  

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are parasites transmitted through contact with soil contaminated with their infective eggs/larvae. People are infected by exposure to human-specific species or animal species (zoonotic agents). Fecal samples containing eggs of Ascaris suum or Lemurostrongylus sp. were sprayed with spores of the soil saprophytic filamentous fungi Clonostachys rosea (CR) and Trichoderma atrobrunneum (TA). The antagonistic effect was assessed by estimating the viability of eggs and their developmental rate. Compared to the controls (unexposed to fungi), the viability of the eggs of A. suum was halved in CR and decreased by two thirds in TA, while the viability of the eggs of Lemurostrongylus sp. was reduced by one quarter and one third in CR and TA treatments, respectively. The Soil Contamination Index (SCI), defined as the viable eggs that attained the infective stage, reached the highest percentages for A. suum in the controls after four weeks (66%), with 21% in CL and 11% in TA. For Lemurostrongylus sp., the values were 80%, 49%, and 41% for control, CR and TA treatments, respectively. We concluded that spreading spores of C. rosea or T. atrobrunneum directly onto the feces of animal species represents a sustainable approach under a One Health context to potentially reduce the risk of zoonotic STHs in humans.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Faustino ◽  
Miguel Faria ◽  
Monica Teixeira ◽  
Filipe Palavra ◽  
Maria Do Ceu Costa ◽  
...  

Coronaviruses have been responsible for major epidemic crises in 2003 with SARS-CoV-1, in 2012 with MERS-CoV and in 2019 with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), causing serious atypical pneumonia in humans. We intend, with this systematic analysis and meta-analysis, to clarify the prevalence of the various strains of coronavirus in different animal species. For this purpose, we carried out an electronic survey using Pubmed's Veterinary Science search tool to conduct a systematic assessment of published studies reporting the prevalence of different strains of coronavirus in different animal species between 2015 and 2020. We conducted different analysis to assess sensitivity, publication bias, and heterogeneity, using random and fixed effects. The final meta-analysis included 42 studies for systematic review and 29 in the meta-analysis. For the geographic regions with a prevalence greater than or equal to 0.20 (Forest plot overall; prevalence = 0.20, p < 0.01, Q = 10476.22 and I2 = 100%), the most commonly detected viruses were: enteric coronavirus (ECoV), pigeon-dominant coronavirus, (PdCoV), Avian coronavirus M41, Avian coronavirus C46, Avian coronavirus A99, Avian coronavirus JMK, MERS-CoV, Bovine coronavirus, Ro-BatCoV GCCDC1, Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Deltacoronavirus, Gamacoronavirus and human coronaviruses (HCoVs). The wide presence of different strains of coronavirus in different animal species on all continents demonstrates the great biodiversity and ubiquity of these viruses. The most recent epidemiological crises caused by coronavirus demonstrates our unpreparedness to anticipate and mitigate emerging risks, as well as the need to implement new epidemiological surveillance programs for viruses. Combined with the need to create advanced training courses in One Health, this is paramount in order to ensure greater effectiveness in fighting the next pandemics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0010062
Author(s):  
Julien Kincaid-Smith ◽  
Alan Tracey ◽  
Ronaldo de Carvalho Augusto ◽  
Ingo Bulla ◽  
Nancy Holroyd ◽  
...  

Schistosomes cause schistosomiasis, the world’s second most important parasitic disease after malaria in terms of public health and social-economic impacts. A peculiar feature of these dioecious parasites is their ability to produce viable and fertile hybrid offspring. Originally only present in the tropics, schistosomiasis is now also endemic in southern Europe. Based on the analysis of two genetic markers the European schistosomes had previously been identified as hybrids between the livestock- and the human-infective species Schistosoma bovis and Schistosoma haematobium, respectively. Here, using PacBio long-read sequencing technology we performed genome assembly improvement and annotation of S. bovis, one of the parental species for which no satisfactory genome assembly was available. We then describe the whole genome introgression levels of the hybrid schistosomes, their morphometric parameters (eggs and adult worms) and their compatibility with two European snail strains used as vectors (Bulinus truncatus and Planorbarius metidjensis). Schistosome-snail compatibility is a key parameter for the parasites life cycle progression, and thus the capability of the parasite to establish in a given area. Our results show that this Schistosoma hybrid is strongly introgressed genetically, composed of 77% S. haematobium and 23% S. bovis origin. This genomic admixture suggests an ancient hybridization event and subsequent backcrosses with the human-specific species, S. haematobium, before its introduction in Corsica. We also show that egg morphology (commonly used as a species diagnostic) does not allow for accurate hybrid identification while genetic tests do.


2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (10) ◽  
pp. 2126-2130 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. VALE-GONÇALVES ◽  
J. A. CABRAL ◽  
M. C. FARIA ◽  
M. NUNES-PEREIRA ◽  
A. S. FARIA ◽  
...  

SUMMARYLeptospirosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution, caused by infection with pathogenic spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira. The wild boar (Sus scrofa), an important hunting species in Europe, seems to play a significant role in the epidemiological cycle of leptospirosis. A total of 101 serum samples from wild boar hunted in Northern Portugal were analysed for leptospiral antibodies detection by microscopic agglutination test. Sera were collected during hunting seasons (2011–2013) and tested with 17 different pathogenic serovars of Leptospira. Antibodies against nine serovars were detected in 66 (65·4%) of these sera. Serovars Tarassovi and Altodouro exhibited the highest seroreactivity rates (23·8% and 16·8%, respectively), followed by Autumnalis (7·9%) and Bratislava (6·9%). Age and district of origin were found to be risk factors for the presence of leptospiral antibodies in contrast to gender. From a One Health perspective, this study revealed that wild boar should be considered as a potential source of leptospirosis dissemination for humans and animal species (domestic and wild) in shared environments, particularly in the Trás-os-Montes region.


2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (17) ◽  
pp. 5507-5513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orin C. Shanks ◽  
Catherine A. Kelty ◽  
Mano Sivaganesan ◽  
Manju Varma ◽  
Richard A. Haugland

ABSTRACT Assessment of health risk and fecal bacterial loads associated with human fecal pollution requires reliable host-specific analytical methods and a rapid quantification approach. We report the development of quantitative PCR assays for quantification of two recently described human-specific genetic markers targeting Bacteroidales-like cell surface-associated genes. Each assay exhibited a range of quantification from 10 to 1 � 106 copies of target DNA. For each assay, internal amplification controls were developed to detect the presence or absence of amplification inhibitors. The assays predominantly detected human fecal specimens and exhibited specificity levels greater than 97% when tested against 265 fecal DNA extracts from 22 different animal species. The abundance of each human-specific genetic marker in primary effluent wastewater samples collected from 20 geographically distinct locations was measured and compared to quantities estimated by real-time PCR assays specific for rRNA gene sequences from total Bacteroidales and enterococcal fecal microorganisms. Assay performances combined with the prevalence of DNA targets in sewage samples provide experimental evidence supporting the potential application of these quantitative methods for monitoring fecal pollution in ambient environmental waters.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suresh V Kuchipudi ◽  
Meera Surendran-Nair ◽  
Rachel M Ruden ◽  
Michele Yon ◽  
Ruth H Nissly ◽  
...  

Many animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and could potentially act as reservoirs, yet transmission in non-human free-living animals has not been documented. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), the predominant cervid in North America, are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and experimentally infected fawns transmit the virus to other captive deer. To test the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 may be circulating in deer, we evaluated 283 retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) samples collected from 151 free-living and 132 captive deer in Iowa from April 2020 through December of 2020 for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Ninety-four of the 283 deer (33.2%; 95% CI: 28, 38.9) samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA as assessed by RT-PCR. Notably, between Nov 23, 2020, and January 10, 2021, 80 of 97 (82.5%; 95% CI 73.7, 88.8) RPLN samples had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-PCR. Whole genome sequencing of the 94 positive RPLN samples identified 12 SARS-CoV-2 lineages, with B.1.2 (n = 51; 54.5%), and B.1.311 (n = 19; 20%) accounting for ~75% of all samples. The geographic distribution and nesting of clusters of deer and human lineages strongly suggest multiple zooanthroponotic spillover events and deer-to-deer transmission. The discovery of sylvatic and enzootic SARS-CoV-2 transmission in deer has important implications for the ecology and long-term persistence, as well as the potential for spillover to other animals and spillback into humans. These findings highlight an urgent need for a robust and proactive One Health approach to obtaining a better understanding of the ecology and evolution of SARS-CoV-2.


2022 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yogendra Shah ◽  
Sarad Paudel ◽  
Kishor Pandey ◽  
Govind Prasad Gupta ◽  
Eddie Samuneti Solo ◽  
...  

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in humans and animals. Numbers of multi drug resistance TB (MDR-TB), extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) and zoonotic TB cases are increasingly being reported every year in Nepal posing a major public health problem. Therefore, the Government of Nepal should act immediately to strengthen the screening facilities across the country to be able to identify and treat the TB infected patients as well as detect zoonotic TB in animal species. Endorsement of One Health Act by the Government of Nepal is an opportunity to initiate the joint programs for TB surveillance among human and animal species using one health approach to reduce the TB burden in Nepal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 162 (5) ◽  
pp. 163-170
Author(s):  
Anna Valkó ◽  
Melinda Medgyaszai

Összefoglaló. A mikroszkóp felfedezése óta tudjuk, hogy az egymással szoros közelségben élő egyedeknek nem csupán a látható élőhelyük közös, hanem szemmel nem érzékelhető mikroorganizmusokat is megosztanak egymással, melyek bizonyos fokban adaptálódtak gazdáikhoz. Az emberek életterének bővülésével és ezzel párhuzamosan az állatok élőhelyének csökkenésével azonban új állatfajok kerülhetnek veszélyes közelségbe, ami következményes mikrobaátadással és az új gazdában a mikroba eltérő viselkedésével járhat. Feltételezhetően ez a jelenség vezetett a súlyos akut légzőszervi szindróma koronavírus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) kialakulásához, mely 2019-ben jelent meg először emberekben, és néhány hónap leforgása alatt milliókat fertőzött meg az egész világon. A pandémia leküzdéséhez és az újabb járványok megelőzéséhez minden lehetséges eszközt fel kell használni, ami együttműködést kíván a humánorvoslás és az állatgyógyászat, valamint az ökológiai, evolúciós és környezeti tudományok szakemberei között a globális „Egy Egészség” keretében. A közös célok érdekében történő összefogás jegyében a jelen tanulmány állatorvos és humánorvos szerzőpárosa összefoglalja azon ismereteket, amelyek a SARS-CoV-2 vonatkozásában mindkét szakma számára érdemlegesek lehetnek. Bemutatásra kerül a vírus eredete, természetes és mesterséges előfordulása különböző állatfajokban, valamint az állati koronavírusokkal kapcsolatos azon tapasztalatok, amelyek hozzájárulhatnak a SARS-CoV-2 működésének megértéséhez és az ellene való védekezés tökéletesítéséhez. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(5): 163–170. Summary. Introduction: Since the discovery of the microscope, we have known that individuals living in close proximity to each other share not only their visible habitat, but also invisible microorganisms that have adapted to some degree to their hosts. However, as human habitat expands and, in parallel, animal territory declines, new animal species can come into dangerous proximity, which may result in consequential transmission of microbes and different microbial behaviour in the new host. Presumably, this phenomenon led to the development of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which first appeared in humans in 2019 and infected millions over the course of a few months worldwide. All possible means must be used to combat the pandemic and prevent further epidemics, which will require cooperation between professionals in human medicine and veterinary medicine as well as in the ecological, evolutionary and environmental sciences, within the framework of the global “One Health”. In a spirit of working together for common goals, the authors of this study, a veterinarian and a human physician, summarize the knowledge that may be relevant to both professions for SARS-CoV-2. The origin of the virus, its natural and artificial occurrence in different animal species, and experiences with animal coronaviruses that may contribute to the understanding of the functioning of SARS-CoV-2 and the development of protection against it are presented. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(5): 163–170.


Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott P Kenney

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen transmitting both human to human via the fecal oral route and from animals to humans through feces, direct contact, and consumption of contaminated meat products. Understanding the host range of the virus is critical for determining where potential threats to human health may be emerging from and where potential reservoirs for viral persistence in the environment may be hiding. Initially thought to be a human specific disease endemic to developing countries, the identification of swine as a primary host for genotypes 3 and 4 HEV in industrialized countries has begun a long journey of discovering novel strains of HEV and their animal hosts. As we continue identifying new strains of HEV in disparate animal species, it is becoming abundantly clear that HEV has a broad host range and many of these HEV strains can cross between differing animal species. These cross-species transmitting strains pose many unique challenges to human health as they are often unrecognized as sources of viral transmission.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoel Eduardo Silva ◽  
Fabio Ribeiro Braga ◽  
Pedro Mendoza de Gives ◽  
Jair Millán-Orozco ◽  
Miguel Angel Mercado Uriostegui ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to assess antagonism of nematophagous fungi and species producers metabolites and their effectiveness onHaemonchus contortusinfective larvae (L3). Assay A assesses the synergistic, additive, or antagonistic effect on the production of spores of fungal isolates of the speciesDuddingtonia flagrans,Clonostachys rosea,Trichoderma esau, andArthrobotrys musiformis; Assay B evaluates in vitro the effect of intercropping of these isolates grown in 2% water-agar (2% WA) on L3ofH. contortus.D. flagrans(Assay A) produced 5.3 × 106spores and associated withT. esau,A. musiformis, orC. roseareduced its production by 60.37, 45.28, and 49.05%, respectively.T. esauproduced 7.9 × 107conidia and associated withD. flagrans,A. musiformis, orC. roseareduced its production by 39.24, 82.27, and 96.96%, respectively.A. musiformisproduced 7.3 × 109spores and associated withD. flagrans,T. esau, orC. roseareduced its production by 99.98, 99.99, and 99.98%, respectively.C. roseaproduced 7.3 × 108conidia and associated withD. flagrans,T. esau, orA. musiformisreduced its production by 95.20, 96.84, and 93.56%, respectively. These results show evidence of antagonism in the production of spores between predators fungi.


Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (6) ◽  
pp. 1085-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shangang Li ◽  
Xuejin Chen ◽  
Zhenfu Fang ◽  
Jianjun Shi ◽  
Hui Z Sheng

Somatic cell nuclear transfer offers new opportunities for genetic engineering and genome preservation in mammalian animal species. We show that, in addition to cumulus cells, cultured adult rabbit fibroblasts are also capable of supporting full-term development after nuclear transfer. Nuclear transfer embryos constructed using serum-starved fibroblasts showed a significantly higher developmental rate than non-starved fibroblasts through preimplantation stages. A total of 467 nuclear transfer embryos were transferred into the oviducts of pseudo pregnant mothers. Eight of the 20 surrogate rabbits carried the pregnancy to term and five of them gave birth naturally to a total of nine rabbits. However, all of the offspring died before postnatal day 10. A Caesarean section was performed on three surrogates, giving birth to a total of five rabbits, three of them survived and grew into healthy adults. DNA analyses confirmed that these rabbits were genetically identical to the donor male rabbit. The present study demonstrates that rabbits can be cloned from adult fibroblasts after culture.


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