Pet chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera): Source of zoonotic Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium ubiquitum and microsporidia of the genera Encephalitozoon and Enterocytozoon.

The domestic chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) is kept as a pet and previous studies suggest that it may play an important role as a source of zoonotic parasites, including Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and microsporidia. In this study, we examined the occurrence and genetic diversity of above mentioned parasites in pet chinchillas in the Czech Republic by PCR/sequencing of the 18S rRNA, TPI, and ITS genes. Of 149 chinchillas from 24 breeders, 91.3 % were positive for G. intestinalis, 8.1 % for Cryptosporidium spp., 2.0 % for Encephalitozoon spp., and 5.4 % for E. bieneusi. Molecular analyses revealed presence of G. intestinalis assemblage B, C. ubiquitum (XIIa family), E. bieneusi genotypes D, SCF2, and, CHN-F1, and E. intestinalis. The infection intensity of G. intestinalis determined by qRT-PCR reached up to 53,978 CPG, C. ubiquitum up to 1409 OPG, E. intestinalis up to 1124 SPG, and E. bieneusi up to 1373 SPG. Only two chinchillas with C. ubiquitum and five with G. intestinalis had diarrhoea at the time of the screening. Three chinchillas in the long-term study were consistently positive for G. intestinalis, with intermittent excretion of C. ubiquitum, E. intestinalis, and E. bieneusi over 25 weeks. The findings indicate that chinchillas are frequently infected with zoonotic parasitic protists, but that these infections rarely show clinical signs. The lack of visible signs could reduce the vigilance of pet owners when handling their chinchillas, increasing the risk of transmission within breeding groups and possibly to humans.

Molecular and histopathological features of Cryptosporidium ubiquitum infection in imported chinchillas Chinchilla lanigera in Japan.

Long-tailed chinchillas Chinchilla lanigera are popular rodent species kept both in households, where they are hand-raised as pets, and in zoological facilities. From January 2016 to February 2017, 13 juvenile chinchillas from five facilities in Japan were diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis at the animal hospital. Eight of the cases were fatal. All of the animals were imported from the Czech Republic by the same vendor. Histopathological and multilocus sequence analyses using 18S ribosomal RNA, actin, 70-kDa heat shock protein, and 60-kDa glycoprotein genes confirmed Cryptosporidium ubiquitum of subtype XIId as the etiological agent. Multilocus analysis demonstrated the presence of two new sequence types closely related to the C. ubiquitum Xlld strain isolated from a human in the USA. This study indicated that potentially zoonotic Cryptosporidium is widespread and may have caused a high number of deaths among imported juvenile chinchillas.

Occurrence of Giardia duodenalis assemblages in farmed long-tailed chinchillas Chinchilla lanigera (Rodentia) from Romania.

BACKGROUND: Giardia duodenalis is a parasitic protist that infects a large number of species, being localized in the small intestine. Two of the eight recognized assemblages have zoonotic potential, but studies regarding their distribution in less important pet or farm species are scarce. Of these species, the long-tailed chinchilla is a host for Giardia spp., although data on the spread of infection and assemblages involved are confined. The present work aimed to determine the prevalence of Giardia infection and assemblage identification in farmed chinchillas in Romania. A total of 341 fecal samples were collected from 5 farms and microscopically examined using flotation test based on saturated sodium chloride solution. DNA from all positive samples was extracted and identified by PCR targeting the gdh gene. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Giardia infection was 55.7% (190/341); there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.25) in prevalence between young animals (58.8%) and adults (52.6%). Assemblages B (151/190), D (33/190) and E (6/190) were identified. Among assemblage B, sub-assemblages BIII (6/151) and BIV (145/151) were determined. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that Giardia spp. infection is highly prevalent in farmed chinchillas from Romania, and the sub-assemblages identified are potentially zoonotic.

First description of Cryptosporidium ubiquitum XIIa subtype family in farmed fur animals.

This study investigated the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in farmed fur animals in the Czech Republic and Poland. A total of 480 faecal samples were collected from fur animals, including 300 American mink (Mustela vison), 60 silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 50 long-tailed chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera), and 70 nutrias (Myocastor coypus), at 14 farms. Samples were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium using microscopy (following aniline-carbol-methyl violet staining) and sequence analysis of PCR amplified products. Three mink and two chinchillas from two different farms tested positive for Cryptosporidium ubiquitum DNA. The presence of C. ubiquitum DNA was not associated with diarrhoea. Subtyping of C. ubiquitum isolates by sequence analysis of the 60-kDa glycoprotein gene showed that isolates belonged to the XIIa subtype family, which was previously restricted to humans and ruminants. This suggests that C. ubiquitum subtype XIIa has a broader host range than previously reported.

Concurrent infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis and Giardia duodenalis in a chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera f. dom.).

A 3-year-old, female chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera f. dom.) suffered from prolonged vaginal discharge. Sonographically, multiple nodules were detected in the uterus, and the lung showed a diffuse radiodensity. Ovario-hysterectomy was performed and histology of the uterus revealed a severe multifocal pyogranulomatous metritis with myriads of acid-fast rod-shaped bacilli. Microbiological culture of formalin-fixed uterine tissue and a native vaginal swab resulted in the growth of mycobacteria that were identified as Mycobacterium (M.) avium subsp. hominissuis. The animal was euthanized and pathomorphological examination revealed severe multifocal granulomatous inflammation of lung, mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes, intestine, pancreas and kidneys. In addition, an infection of the small intestine with Giardia duodenalis was confirmed immunohistochemically. This is the first report describing a concurrent infection with M. avium subsp. hominissuis and Giardia duodenalis in a chinchilla. Both pathogens represent a potential health risk especially for young or immunosuppressed persons, in particular if infected animals show unspecific clinical symptoms.

Occurrence and molecular typing of Giardia isolates in pet rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs and ferrets collected in Europe during 2006-2012.

A total of 1180 faecal samples (528 from rabbits, 531 from chinchillas and 121 from guinea pigs) collected during 2006-2012 by veterinarians in Germany and in other European countries were submitted to a diagnostic laboratory for Giardia testing by means of coproantigen ELISA. Of these samples, 40 rabbits (7.6 per cent), 326 chinchillas (61.4 per cent) and five guinea pigs (4.1 per cent ) were found to be positive. To gain insights into the genetic identity of Giardia in small mammals, ELISA-positive samples from 23 chinchillas, five ferrets, a rabbit, and a Desmarest's hutia were investigated by PCR and sequencing of fragments of the small subunit ribosomal DNA (ssu), the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) and the ß-giardin (bg) genes. At the ssu locus, assemblage B was identified in 28 of 30 isolates, whereas assemblage A and D were each detected in one sample. The majority of isolates from chinchillas and those from ferrets had Giardia duodenalis sequences identical to sub-assemblages AI or BIV, based on either a single locus (tpi or bg) or multiple loci (tpi and bg). As sub-assemblages AI or BIV are associated with human infection, these results indicate that small mammals can act as reservoirs of cysts potentially infectious to humans.

Generalized Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis in a chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera).

Taenia crassiceps is a cestode parasite that uses carnivores as definitive hosts and rodents and rabbits as main intermediate hosts, but other animal species and humans may also get infected. One adult male chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) from an animal shelter in Switzerland presented widespread subcutaneous fluctuant swellings extended over the forehead, nose, face and thoracic regions with a progressive growth over 3 months. The thoracic swelling was surgically resected, and it consisted of numerous 3-4mm small transparent vesicles, mainly confined to the subcutaneous tissue, which were morphologically identified as cysticerci of T. crassiceps. The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR and DNA sequence analysis of fragments of the mitochondrial small subunit rRNA and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 genes. After 1.5 months, due to enlargement of the swollen areas and deterioration of the general health condition, the chinchilla was euthanized and a necropsy was performed. Thousands of small cysticerci were observed widespread in the subcutis, involving underlying musculature of the whole body, in the thoracic cavity, larynx, pharynx and in the retropharyngeal region. Additionally, three larger metacestodes were detected in the liver and morphologically and molecularly identified as Taenia taeniaeformis strobilocerci. The present case represents an indicator of the environmental contamination with Taenia eggs, highlighting the risk of infection for susceptible animals and humans. Besides the clinical relevance for pets, T. crassiceps is a zoonotic parasite and can be also cause of severe cysticercosis in humans.

Chinchilla laniger can be used as an experimental model for Taenia solium taeniasis.

Chinchilla laniger has been reported as an experimental definitive host for Taenia solium; however no information about its suitability and yield of gravid tapeworm proglottids containing viable and infective eggs has been published. In total 55 outbred female chinchillas were infected with 4 cysticerci each; hosts were immunodeppressed with 6 or 8 mg of methyl-prednisolone acetate every 14 days starting the day of infection and their discomfort was followed. Kinetics of coproantigen ELISA or expelled proglottids was used to define the infection status. Efficiency of tapeworm establishment was 21% and of parasite gravidity was 8%; chinchillas showed some degree of suffering along the infection. Viability of eggs obtained from gravid proglottids was tested comparing methods previously published, our results showed 62% viability with propidium iodide, 54% with trypan blue, 34% with neutral red, 30% by oncosphere activation and 7% with bromide 3-(4,5-dimetil-tiazol-2-il)-2,5-difenil-tetrazolio (MTT) reduction; no statistical differences were obtained between most techniques, except activation. Four piglets were infected with 50,000 eggs each, necropsy was performed 3 months later and, after counting the number of cysticerci recovered, the percentage of infection was similar to data obtained with T. solium eggs recovered from humans. Our results demonstrate that the experimental model of T. solium taeniasis in C. laniger is a good alternative for providing eggs and adult tapeworms to be used in different types of experiments; optimization of the model probably depends on the use of inbred hosts and on the reduction of infected animals' suffering.

Comparação da infecção por protozoários em chinchila (Chinchilla lanigera) de uma criação comercial do município de Viamão-RS, Brasil, e de chinchilas no seu habitat natural, Chile / Comparison of protozoan infection between chinchillas chinchilla lanigera) from a commercial breeding facility in southern Brazil and chinchillas from a natural reserve in Chile

Chinchilla lanígera é um roedor proveniente do Chile e sua criação é com fins comerciais. As doencas parasitarias, principalmente giardíase podem causar problemas clínicos e sanitarios, causando perdas produtivas e económicas. Foram colhidas amostras de fezes de 220 chinchilas de urna criação comercial no sul do Brasil e 35 amostras de chinchilas da Reserva Nacional las Chinchillas no Chile, e submetidas ão método de Faust e colaboradores. O total de amostras positivas para cistos de Giardia sp. foi de 31,37 por cento (80/255); da criação comercial foi de 36,36 por cento(80/220). O número de amostras que apresentaram mais de 5 cistos/campo foi 4,55 por cento(10/220). Todas as amostras dos animáis da Reserva foram negativas. Não houve associação entre a positividade e a faixa etária dos animais analisados.

Chinchilla lanígera is a rodent native to Chile which is bred for commercial purposes. Parasitic diseases, mainly giardiasis, may cause clinical and sanitary problems and lead to production and economic losses. Fecal samples were collected from 220 chinchillas pertaining to a commercial breeding facility in southern Brazil and from 35 chinchillas from Las Chinchillas National Reserve in Chile. All samples were analyzed using the method proposed by Faust et al. Positive samples for Giardia cysts amounted to 31.37 percent (80/255); 36.36 percent (80/220) was recovered from the commercial breeding facility. The rate of samples with over 5 cysts/field was equivalent to 4.55 percent (10/220). All of the samples collected from the National Reserve were negative for Giardia sp. No association was found between positive rates for Giardia sp. and the age of chinchillas.

First description of natural Echinococcus multilocularis infections in chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger) and Prevost's squirrel (Callosciurus prevostii borneoensis).

This report describes for the first time the occurrence of alveolar echinococcosis in two exotic rodent species in Europe. A pet chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger) was euthanized due to a painful enlargement of the abdominal cavity, and a Prevost's squirrel (Callosciurus prevostii borneoensis) was found dead in the enclosure of a zoo. At necropsy, extended liver lesions consisting of small vesicles and cysts were observed in the livers of both animals. Histological examination revealed that these cysts were composed of an outer, homogenous, eosinophilic layer and an inner, cellular germinal layer. The cysts from both animals contained numerous protoscolices. The morphological diagnosis of Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode infections was confirmed by molecular means.

Protozoan parasites in captive chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) raised in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The aim of the present study was to identify Giardia sp., Eimeria spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples of chinchillas, respectively raised on farms located in the cities of Gravataí and Porto Alegre (State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), Giardia sp. was detected in 8 percent of 250 samples. The variables age (p = 0.47) and gender (p = 0.07), submitted to Fisher's exact test, were not related to the results obtained through the method of Faust et al. (1939) apud Hoffmann (1987). Oocysts of Eimeria spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. were not identified in any of the samples.

Viscachataenia n. g., with the redescription of V. quadrata (von Linstow, 1904) n. comb. (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) in Lagidium viscacia (Rodentia: Chinchillidae) from Argentina.

A new genus, Viscachataenia, is erected to accommodate the anoplocephalid cestode Cittotaenia quadrata von Linstow, 1904, based on a redescription of the species from material collected from the chinchillid rodent Lagidium viscacia in Argentina. The new genus is characterised by paired genitalia, a reticulate uterus and the vagina entering the genital atrium anterior to the cirrus-sac. Viscachataenia therefore has similarities with Monoecocestus Beddard, 1914, a genus which is common in South American rodents but which has a single set of genitalia in each segment. Cittotaenia viscaciae (Spasskii, 1951) and Bertiella findlayi Mazza, Parodi & Fiora, 1932, also from viscachas, are considered synonyms of V. quadrata.

Frenkelia microti infection in a chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger) in the United States.

A Frenkelia microti tissue cyst was found in the brain of a chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger) used for biomedical research. This is the first report of Frenkelia infection in this animal in the United States.

Abrocomaphthirus hoplai, a new genus and species of sucking louse from Chile and its relevance to zoogeography.

Both sexes of Abrocomaphthirus hoplai, new genus and new species (Anoplura: Polyplacidae), are described and illustrated. The endemic Chilean chinchilla rat Abrocoma bennetti Waterhouse (Rodentia: Abrocomidae) is the type host. The definition of the family Polyplacidae is amended to accommodate the new genus. Polyplax longa (Werneck), also referred to in the literature as Neohaematopinus longus Werneck, is reassigned to Abrocomaphthirus. The host of A. longus comb.n., is Abrocoma cinerea Thomas, another chinchilla rat, which inhabits parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. The erection of Abrocomaphthirus as a distinct genus has important zoogeographical and evolutionary implications. The tenuous anomaly of P. longa being the sole native representative of the genus Polyplax in South America, possibly with African affinities, is now refuted. Instead, partial colonization of the neotropics by native species of both Polyplax and Neohaematopinus appears to have been relatively recent and from North America. The phylogenetic affinities of Abrocomaphthirus are unknown, but it appears to be closely related to other, more ancient, native South American polyplacid louse genera, such as Cuyana, Eulinognathus, Galeophthirus, and Lagidiophthirus. Arguments are presented in support of an ancestral zoogeographical link to Africa for these louse genera.

Immunohistochemical labeling of Giardia trophozoites spp. in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues.

An immunoperoxidase method using rabbit anti human Giardia lamblia serum for the demonstration of giardia in paraffin embedded intestinal animal tissue is described. Specificity was tested against other protozoal parasites.

Isolation of blood and intracellular forms of Trypansoma cruzi from rats and other rodents and preliminary studies of their metabolism.

Isolation of blood and intracellular forms of Trypanosoma cruzi was made mainly from rats (90-110 g) which had received 580 rad of whole-body gamma-irradiation not more than 24 h before subcutaneous inoculation with 10(7) trypomastigotes of the Sonya strain of T. cruzi. Unirradiated chinchillas (250-350 g) were, however, used for some experiments. Blood forms were isolated using a technique involving differential centrifugation to remove most of the erythrocytes and DEAE-cellulose chromatography to remove the remaining blood cells. Overall recoveries were usually in the range 30-70%. Parasites were mainly (approximately 98%) broad forms and were motile, metabolically active (as judged by respiratory and radio-tracer incorporation studies) and had lost none of their infectivity for mice. Intracellular forms were isolated from hind-limb muscle tissue. This was disrupted in an MSE tissue homogenizer and the homogenate incubated with DNase, collagenase and trypsin. Parasites, contaminated only by a few blood cells, were then obtained by differential centrifugation. For purer preparations, a terminal sucrose gradient step was used. Recoveries ranged between 40 and 70%. About 1-3% of the parasites isolated were epimastigotes and trypomastigotes; the remainder are probably best collectively termed 'amastigotes', though they were pointed and most had a short, free flagellum. They were undamaged as judged by light and electron microscopy and metabolically active as judged by respiratory and radio-tracer incorporation studies. However, the infectivity for mice of both these purified preparations and the initial cell homogenates could be accounted for by the epimastigotes and trypomastigotes present in them. Preliminary biochemical studies with isolated parasites have shown that blood, intracellular and culture forms of T. cruzi have a respiratory system which is in part sensitive to CN- and that all forms synthesize nucleic acids and proteins when incubated in vitro. There appears, however, to be a lack of DNA synthesis in blood stages, and thus it is not surprising that these forms do not divide.