Prevalence survey of gastrointestinal and respiratory parasites of shelter cats in northeastern Georgia, USA.

The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal and respiratory parasites of shelter cats from northeast Georgia, thus promoting a more targeted approach in parasite diagnosis and treatment. Fecal samples of cats kept in a shelter located in Lavonia, northeastern Georgia, USA, were processed for the presence of parasites using double centrifugation sugar flotation (n = 103) and Baermann techniques (n = 98). Flotation revealed eggs of Toxocara cati (17.5%), Ancylostoma sp. (11.7%), Taeniidae (3.9%), Spirometra mansonoides (2.9%), Mesocestoides sp. (1%), Dipylidium caninum (1%), and Eucoleus aerophilus (1%), and oocysts of Cystoisospora felis (16.5%), and Cystoisospora rivolta (8.7%). Baermann diagnosed Aelurostrongylus abstrusus larvae in 5 cats (5.1%), while fecal flotation alone identified only 2 of these infections. Taeniidae eggs were identified to species-level by PCR and sequencing targeting the cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (cox1) of the mitochondrial DNA. All isolates belong to Hydatigera taeniaeformis sensu stricto, which is the first unequivocal report of the species in North America. Overall, 45.6% of the cats were infected with at least one parasite. This prevalence of infection is much higher than what is generally reported in client owned animals, highlighting the importance of using appropriate fecal diagnostic techniques to detect gastrointestinal and respiratory parasites on newly adopted cats. Correct diagnosis may direct appropriate treatment and control strategies, which would mitigate the risk of infection of other animals in household, and human exposure to zoonotic parasites.

Identifying anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies in horses of Mexico / Identificação de anticorpos IgG anti-Toxocara em cavalos do México

Both the presence of owned dogs and stray dogs allows the spread of Toxocara, a parasite whose eggs can be found in soil, water and food. Animals, including horses, serve as definitive and paratenic hosts. In México, where consumption of horse meat is common, Toxocara is a zoonotic parasite. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in work horses and horses intended for human consumption by ELISA. ELISA was chosen for analysis as paratenic hosts do not shed Toxocara eggs in their feces. Blood samples were collected from a total of 188 horses, 94 of which were work horses and 94 horses from the slaughter house. Samples were analyzed by ELISA, and the general equine seroprevalence was found to be 44.6% (n = 188). Adult horses for slaughter had a 61.7% greater presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies (p = 0.006). Toxocara IgG antibodies were found in horses, confirming that horses are paratenic hosts and possible sources of infection for other animals and people.(AU)

Tanto a presença de cães com dono quanto de cães vadios permitem a disseminação de Toxocara, e o parasita está presente no solo, na água e nos alimentos. Animais, incluindo cavalos, apresentam-se como hospedeiros definitivos e paratênicos. No México, o consumo de carne de cavalo é comum, e Toxocara é um parasita zoonótico. ELISA foi escolhido para análise, já que hospedeiros paratênicos não jogam ovos de Toxocara em suas fezes. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a presença de anticorpos anti-Toxocara por ELISA, em cavalos de trabalho e em cavalos para o consumo humano. As amostras de sangue foram retiradas de 188 cavalos: 94 cavalos de trabalho e 94 cavalos de trabalho do matadouro. Soros dos animais foram analisados por ELISA e 44,6% dos equinos apresentaram anticorpos anti-Toxocara. Cavalos adultos para abate têm 61,7% mais elevada a presença de anticorpos anti-Toxocara (P = 0,006). Anticorpos IgG Toxocara foram encontrados em cavalos, confirmando cavalos paratênicos como hospedeiros e possíveis fontes de infecção para outros animais e pessoas.(AU)

In vitro effect of Nigella sativa oil on adult Toxocara vitulorum.

Since the integrity of Toxocara vitulorum cuticle is essential for the nutritive and protective functions, light and scanning electron microscopic studies were undertaken to assess, for the first time, whether the Nigella sativa oil (NSO) had any effect on the cuticle of adult T. vitulorum following incubation in vitro. Differences in response to NSO action were observed, depending on the used concentration. After 24 h incubation with 0.5 mg mL(-1) NSO, the cuticle of the anterior end of worms appeared to be slightly more swollen than normal. This swelling became pronounced and so severe, with lips showed wrinkled cuticular surface and deformed sensory papillae on increasing the concentration to 1.0 mg mL(-1). With the higher concentration of 1.5 mg mL(-1), extensive and severe disorganization of the cuticle and body musculature was observed. Structural alterations in the cuticle as observed in the present investigation were thus, clear indication of nematocidal activity of NSO that could offer a suitable and cheaper alternative for the more expensive anthelmintics.

Larval recovery of Toxocara cati in experimentally infected Rattus norvegicus and analysis of the rat as potential reservoir for this ascarid

Toxocara cati is a common feline parasite transmitted by the ingestion of embryonated eggs, by the transmammary route or by predation of paratenic hosts harbouring third-stage larvae in their bodies. In the present study, the larval distribution of T. cati in tissues and organs of Rattus norvegicus experimentally infected with 300 embryonated eggs was analysed. Third-stage larvae were recovered from livers, lungs, kidneys, eyes, brains and carcasses of infected rats, following tissue digestion with HCl 0.5 percent for 24 h at 37°C. Some differences from the known larval distribution of Toxocara canisin the same rodent species were found.

Evaluation of the efficacy of emodepside plus praziquantel topical solution against ascarid infections (Toxocara cati or Toxascaris leonina) in cats.

Eleven controlled studies were conducted in the United States and Europe to evaluate the efficacy of a topical solution of emodepside (3 mg/kg)+praziquantel (12 mg/kg) (Profender, Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany) against infection with various stages of the ascarid nematodes Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. Infections were induced by administration of larvated ascarid eggs, and stage-specific efficacy was evaluated by treating cats at scheduled intervals post-inoculation. All studies featured random allocation to treatment groups, placebo-treated control animals and assessment of outcome measures by masked personnel. The product (emodepside+praziquantel topical solution) was 100% effective against mature adults and immature adult T. cati. In addition, it was 96.8% effective against third stage larvae and at least 99.4% effective against fourth stage larvae of T. cati, respectively. Efficacy against mature, immature adult and L4 stages of T. leonina exceeded 93.4%, but regulatory "adequacy of infection" criteria were not met in some studies. No adverse reactions to treatment were noted in cats treated with the emodepside+praziquantel topical solution.

Eosinophilic granuloma of the liver: a characteristic lesion with relationship to visceral larva migrans.

Children with the clinical syndrome of visceral larva migrans as a result of Toxocara species have typical lesions in the liver and other viscera, consisting of palisading granulomas that contain numerous eosinophils and often Charcot-Leyden crystals; recognizable parasites are uncommon. Similar eosinophilic granulomas that are found incidentally in adults often cause diagnostic problems. To define better the clinical, laboratory, and pathologic features of these lesions, we reviewed 43 cases of hepatic eosinophilic granuloma (excluding cases of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis) collected in the files of the AFIP over a period of 31 years. The eosinophilic granulomas were found in patients of all ages (range 12 months to 77 years); 30% were younger than 20 years. There were 26 male and 17 female patients. Most patients (26 of 43; 60%) were asymptomatic, and the lesions were discovered incidentally. Others had fever (20%) or abdominal pain (20%). The granulomas were typically multiple (61%), with central necrosis surrounded by a mixed inflammatory infiltrate with numerous eosinophils and variable numbers of neutrophils. lymphocytes, and a palisade of epithelioid histiocytes and/or giant cells. Charcot-Leyden crystals were present in 19 cases (44%). Remnants of parasites (eight Toxocara sp., two Capillaria sp.) were identified in the tissue in 10 patients. There was a positive serologic test for Toxocara sp. in five additional cases. Immunohistochemical staining using polyclonal antiserum against Toxocara canis larvae demonstrated positivity in macrophages in eight of 13 cases tested. We conclude that identification of an eosinophilic granuloma in the liver should suggest the diagnosis of visceral larva migrans and prompt a search for the causative organism with serial sectioning of the block and serologic tests for Toxocara and other causative parasites.