First report of the zoonotic nematode Baylisascaris procyonis in non-native raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Italy

Baylisascaris procyonis is a nematode parasite of the raccoon (Procyon lotor), and it can be responsible for a severe form of larva migrans in humans. This parasite has been reported from many countries all over the world, after translocation of its natural host outside its native geographic range, North America. In the period between January and August 2021, 21 raccoons were cage-trapped and euthanized in Tuscany (Central Italy), in the context of a plan aimed at eradicating a reproductive population of this non-native species. All the animals were submitted for necroscopic examination. Adult ascariids were found in the small intestine of seven raccoons (prevalence 33.3%). Parasites have been identified as B. procyonis based on both morphometric and molecular approaches. The aim of the present article is to report the first finding of this zoonotic parasite from Italy, highlighting the sanitary risks linked to the introduction of alien vertebrate species in new areas. Graphical Abstract

Bioinformatics Applications on Cryptosporidium Research: A Review

The biology of Cryptosporidium has been studied increasingly since it was recognized as a pathogen of humans more than a century. Its recent recognition as a second leading cause of diarrhoea or cryptosporidiosis immunocompromised patients globally has led many researchers to study on this parasite. Many new technologies such as high-throughput omics and bioinformatics tools have been implemented to investigate this zoonotic parasite in a better approach. The aim of this review article is mainly to briefly describe recent applications of structural bioinformatics in order to reveal the potentiality of a suitable therapeutic target in Cryptosporidium. This review was written based on the search of cited publications in SCOPUS website with the combination of word ‘Cryptosporidium’ with other words like bioinformatics, protein structure, structural biology and homology modeling. The search results then were selected based on the relativeness of updated information needed to be prepared in this review. Several cited publications were used to elaborate the review accordingly despitelimitedreviewupdatesrelatedtoprotein bioinformation of thisparasite. As a conclusion, bioinformatics is a commonly known to be cutting-edge technology that has been recognised for its power to reveal the secret of parasite biology in silico including a neglected parasite, Cryptosporidium. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21(1) 2022 Page : 8-18

Plasmodium vivax malaria serological exposure markers: assessing the degree and implications of cross-reactivity with P. knowlesi

SummarySerological exposure markers are a promising tool for surveillance and targeted interventions for Plasmodium vivax malaria. P. vivax is closely related to the zoonotic parasite P. knowlesi, which also infects humans. P. vivax and P. knowlesi are co-endemic across much of South East Asia, making it important to design P. vivax serological markers that minimise cross-reactivity in this region. Our objective was to determine the degree of IgG antibody cross-reactivity against a panel of P. vivax serological markers in samples from human participants with P. knowlesi malaria. We observed higher levels of IgG antibody reactivity against P. vivax proteins that had high levels of sequence identity with their P. knowlesi ortholog. IgG reactivity peaked at 7 days post P. knowlesi infection and was short-lived, with minimal responses detected at 1-year post-infection. Using these data, we designed a panel of 8 P. vivax proteins with low-levels of cross-reactivity with P. knowlesi. This panel was able to accurately classify recent P. vivax infections whilst reducing misclassification of recent P. knowlesi infections.

Ultrastructural aspects of the intestinal cells surface of Angiostrongylus cantonensis by using of transmission electron microscopy

Summary The rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a zoonotic parasite and the main cause of eosinophilic meningitis in the world. Its main source of nutrients originates from the degradation of host hemoglobin in blood-feeding helminths, such as A. cantonensis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the ultrastructure of the intestinal cells by using of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A. cantonensis worms obtained from Rattus norvegicus (norway rats) from endemic area were used for TEM. The ultrastructural analysis was performed using fragments cut from the middle part of the worms, and the TEM study revealed the cells with microvilli and nuclei containing areas of loose and condensed chromatin and the presence of macrovesicles and microvesicles of digestion and it was observed in this study that intestinal epithelium is look like a syncytium. The ultrastructural aspects of the intestinal cells surface of A. Cantonensis the indicate that the intestinal epithelium is a multinucleate mosaic or syncytium.

Detection of toxoplasmosis in pets and stray cats through molecular and serological techniques in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Background Toxoplasma gondii is an important parasite that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa, distributed globally, causing major health issues for a wide range of hosts, including humans, native and wild animals. Methods In the present study, we detected IgG and IgM antibodies through an ELISA kit and DNA of T. gondii through PCR in 197 pets and stray cats in Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan) to estimate the existence of feline toxoplasmosis. Results The current study revealed that stray cats have a significant infection rate of T. gondii (74.6%) as compared to pet cats (25.4%). In all the four districts, the prevalence of T. gondii was pointedly higher in district Kohat (95.5%) in the feline population. In comparison to the female (75.18%) and male (both pets and stray) cats have a maximum infection of (81.66%) non-significantly. The prevalence of T. gondii was observed to be significantly higher (91.66%) in the older and greater than 4 year old population of cats as compared to the younger ones. In poor health condition, the cat populations has a higher risk of infection of 92.3% as compared to healthy and poor body condition (73.91%) and (82.6%) respectively. The chronic and reactivated chronic conditions of toxoplasmosis were higher (58.37%) as compared to the acute condition. Conclusion It has been concluded that toxoplasmosis is widely spread in the studied population.The outcomes of the present study show that T. gondii infection has a significant impact on the type of cat, age, and area, which implies a serious threat to human beings. Therefore, genotyping of T. gondii strains from different hosts is needed to forecast the current approach for prevention and control of this zoonotic parasite.

Identification of Oocyst-Driven Toxoplasma gondii Infections in Humans and Animals through Stage-Specific Serology—Current Status and Future Perspectives

The apicomplexan zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii has three infective stages: sporozoites in sporulated oocysts, which are shed in unsporulated form into the environment by infected felids; tissue cysts containing bradyzoites, and fast replicating tachyzoites that are responsible for acute toxoplasmosis. The contribution of oocysts to infections in both humans and animals is understudied despite being highly relevant. Only a few diagnostic antigens have been described to be capable of discriminating which parasite stage has caused an infection. Here we provide an extensive overview of the antigens and serological assays used to detect oocyst-driven infections in humans and animals according to the literature. In addition, we critically discuss the possibility to exploit the increasing knowledge of the T. gondii genome and the various ‘omics datasets available, by applying predictive algorithms, for the identification of new oocyst-specific proteins for diagnostic purposes. Finally, we propose a workflow for how such antigens and assays based on them should be evaluated to ensure reproducible and robust results.

High Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Slovenian Wild Boars (Sus scrofa)

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of great public health concern. Wild boars could be considered an emerging source of toxoplasmosis in humans due to the popularity of venison and their increasing population. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the Slovenian wild boar population and evaluate risk factors for human infection. Of 353 samples, 62% were positive for T. gondii using ELISA tests. This is the highest T. gondii seroprevalence reported to date in wild boar worldwide. The increase in prevalence with increasing age (p = 0.003) and weight (p = 0.002) were statistically significant, whereas gender was not (p = 0.781). Odds for being T. gondii-positive increased with age with the largest difference being between 2–3-year-old and 1–2-year-old animals (OR = 2.66, 95%CI: 1.03–6.85). Animals weighing 20–40 kg had a higher risk than animals weighing 0–20 kg (OR = 2.74, 95%CI: 1.21–6.20), whereas a further increase in the weight was not associated with increasing the odds. Due to the high Toxoplasma prevalence, the study concluded that the risk of exposure to T. gondii from handling raw or undercooked wild boar meat is high. Surveillance protocols should be established at the national level together with increased awareness within the hunting community.

Zoonotic parasite protection in the practice setting

Cats and dogs carry a wide range of parasites with zoonotic potential. While much focus is placed on protecting owners and the wider public from these infections, veterinary staff are also at risk of exposure. Veterinary nurses may be exposed to parasites through direct contact with pets, indirect surface transmission, aerosols or via vectors. The risk of zoonotic parasite transmission, however, can be minimised in the workplace with a few simple practice-wide precautions. This article considers some of the routes of parasite exposure in practice and steps to reduce them.

Development of Human Toxo IgG ELISA Kit, and False-Positivity of Latex Agglutination Test for the Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular zoonotic parasite that causes infection in a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans. The main aim of this studywas to assess the diagnostic value of the recombinant SAG1 antigen (rSAG1) for T. gondii-IgG screening through the Human Toxo IgG ELISA Kit (K). The rSAG1 was expressed in E. coli (DE3), and it was purified through metal-affinity chromatography. The rSAG1 was confirmed by immunoblotting, and it had a band on 35 kDa.Total of 400 human sera were tested by LAT and K. One hundred and twenty-two (30.5%) sera were found positive by LAT and eighty-nine (22.25%) sera were found positive by K.Out of 400 samples, 80 were selected to evaluate the performance of K through commercial Toxoplasma gondii IgG ELISA Kit (C). Out of 80 human sera, 55 (68.75%) were found positive, 25 (31.25%) were found negative by K and C, respectively. The cut-off value for K was 0.398 and it was calculated through the receiver operator characteristic curve. The ELISA plates were coated at optimized concentration of rSAG1 = 0.125 µg/mL, and the test was performed by diluting the sera at 1:50. The sensitivity and specificity of K were observed to be 98.5% and 100%, respectively. The six sera (K-L+were found positive through LAT and these human sera were later evaluated by Western blot analysis. These sera did not produce a band equivalent to 35 kDa on WB analysis thus, LAT produced false-positive results