Does Opisthorchis viverrini circulate between humans and domestic cats in an endemic area in Thailand?

The liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini is a foodborne trematode that, in chronic infection, is a leading cause of bile-duct cancer ­ cholangiocarcinoma. Cats and dogs are acknowledged as reservoir hosts of this parasite. However, this assumption is based on morphological similarity of flukes recovered from these hosts, without any molecular genetic evidence. The aim of this study was to obtain molecular data from O. viverrini eggs present in feces of humans and cats in the same locality in Thanya sub-district, Kalasin, Thailand. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene was used as the marker for a population-genetic study. A DNA fragment of the cox1 gene was amplified from stool samples and subjected to nucleotide sequencing. Phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses were performed. The cox1 sequences of O. viverrini eggs from humans and cats largely formed separate clades on the phylogenetic trees, with an Fst value of 0.64 (P < 0.05), indicating largely distinct populations in the 2 species. However, 5 samples from cats were placed in the human cluster and 1 sample from a human was placed in the cat cluster. This suggests that host specificity of 'human' and 'cat' clades is not absolute. These results indicate that there are 2 populations of O. viverrini, one circulates primarily in humans and the other in cats. However, cross-transmission can occur between these 2 hosts. Taken altogether, the population-genetic evidence from this study partially supports the assumption that the cat can act as a reservoir host of O. viverrini.

Prevalence estimates of Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis infection in the Greater Mekong subregion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Opisthorchiasis and clonorchiasis, caused by Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis, respectively, are significant yet neglected foodborne trematodiases in the Great Mekong Subregion (GMS). Despite the reporting of the prevalence of these human liver flukes in the region over the past decades, there has been a lack of a comprehensive and systematic consolidation of this data. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a thorough systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize and analyze time-trend prevalence estimates of both O. viverrini and C. sinensis across the GMS for the past 30 years. METHODS: This study undertakes a systematic review using a comprehensive search for published articles in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane and Thai Journal Online databases until early 2023. The pooled prevalence of O. viverrini and C. sinensis infection was analyzed through a random-effects meta-analysis, with meta-regression analysis used to quantify associations with study characteristics. Sub-group analysis was conducted, whenever comparison data were available, to assess the risk of O. viverrini and C. sinensis infection in each GMS country. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the Q statistic and quantified by using the I 2 Index. RESULTS: From a total of 2997 articles, 155 articles comprising 218 datasets and 751,108 participants were included for review. The GMS prevalence of O. viverrini was 21.11% [45,083/260,237; 95% confidence interval (CI): 17.74-24.47%]. Pooled prevalence estimates were highly observed in Laos (34.06%, 95% CI: 26.85-41.26%), followed by Thailand (18.19%, 95% CI: 13.86-22.51%), and Cambodia (10.48%, 95% CI: 5.52-15.45%). Myanmar and Vietnam had limited data sources for calculation. Clonorchis sinensis infection in GMS was 25.33% (95% CI: 18.32-32.34%), with Guangxi, China, exhibiting the highest prevalence rates at 26.89% (95% CI: 18.34-35.43%), while Vietnam had a prevalence rate of 20.30% (95% CI: 9.13-31.47%). O. viverrini prevalence decreased significantly over time, whereas C. sinensis infection appeared to be stable consistently over time in both China and Vietnam. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive study, drawing from the largest datasets to date, offers an in-depth systematic prevalence review of human liver flukes in the Greater Mekong Subregion. It underscores the imperative for systematic surveillance, data collection, and the implementation of intervention and control measures for these infectious diseases of poverty.

Association between Opisthorchis viverrini infection in cats and humans: Non-spatial and spatial analyses.

Cats are recognized as significant reservoir hosts for human opisthorchiasis, particularly in areas with a high prevalence of infection. Despite this, the precise role of cats in the transmission of Opisthorchis viverrini between humans and felines remains unclear. This study investigates the association between these two hosts through both spatial and non-spatial analyses in the endemic Thanya sub-district of Thailand. A total of 105 owned cats were randomly sampled from 15 villages within the sub-district for stool examination. A questionnaire was administered to 66 cat owners to explore the human-pet relationship. Household locations were collected using GPS devices. Non-spatial analyses revealed a positive association between the two hosts (P= 0.011; OR 7, 95% CI: 1.6-30.9), highlighting two independent significant risk factors: cat owners consuming raw fish (P = 0.028; OR = 4.52, 95% CI: 1.25-19.45) and feeding cats raw fish (P = 0.011; OR = 16.41, 95% CI: 2.78-317.04) according to multivariate analysis. Spatial analysis provided further support to the non-spatial findings (p = 0.0123; OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 0.88-13.61). Multiple autologistic regression confirmed two significant risk factors: cat owners consuming raw fish (p = 0.054; OR = 3.37, 95% CI: 0.98-11.59) and feeding cats raw fish (p = 0.014; OR = 7.43, 95% CI: 1.49-37.05). Risk mapping identified the western part of the study site as a hotspot for O. viverrini infection. Hyper-endemic focusing revealed a union of human and cat buffers at 0.46 km², with an overlapping area of 0.22 km² (47.83%). This study underscores the impact of owners' behaviors, specifically consuming and feeding raw fish to cats, on the increased probability of infection in cats. It emphasizes the need for effective opisthorchiasis control through health education targeting cat owners in endemic areas.

Feline leptospirosis prevalence worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic approaches.

Background and Aim: Leptospirosis in felids (domestic and wild cats) presents an ongoing challenge in our understanding. Numerous studies have reported the detection of Leptospira spp. in these feline populations, highlighting their potential as zoonotic carriers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide insight into the global prevalence of leptospirosis in domestic and wild cats. Materials and Methods: We conducted extensive searches across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Protocols guidelines. Random-effect meta-analyses were performed using R software version 4.3.0 to estimate pooled prevalence rates. Subgroup meta-analyses were conducted based on continents, diagnostic methods, sample types, and wildcat genera. Results: A total of 71 articles on leptospirosis in domestic cats and 23 articles on leptospirosis in wild cats met the eligibility criteria. Our findings indicated a significantly higher pooled seroprevalence of leptospirosis in domestic cats compared with infection prevalence (9.95% [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.60%-12.54%] vs. 4.62% [95% CI, 2.10%-7.83%], p = 0.01). In contrast, no significant difference was observed in pooled seroprevalence and infection prevalence among wild cats (13.38% [95% CI, 6.25%-21.93%] vs. 2.9% [95% CI, 0.00%-18.91%], p = 0.21). A subgroup meta-analysis of domestic cats revealed significant differences in seroprevalence across continents, sample types, and diagnostic methods. On the contrary, wild cats had no significant differences in any of the subgroups. Conclusion: Leptospira spp. have evidently been exposed to both domestic and wild cats, highlighting their potential roles as reservoir hosts for leptospirosis. These findings highlight the importance of considering felids as a possible public health threat.

Roaming behavior of the owned domestic cats (Felis catus) with possible roles in the transmission of Opisthorchis viverrini in the endemic area in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

In the endemic area of the liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) infection, effective control of opisthorchiasis using One Health approaches requires transmission interruption in all hosts in the parasite life cycle. Owned domestic cats (Felis catus) are considered an important species among mammalian reservoirs. Similar to humans, household cats become infected by eating raw, contaminated fish and spread the O. viverrini eggs to the environment by defecation. In rural areas, cat owners usually feed their cats with human food or food waste, especially fish dishes. There is a high risk for cats to become infected and deposit eggs in the peri-household environment. The lack of research on domestic cats led us to study their roaming behavior, roaming range, habitat preference and risk of disease transmission. GPS loggers were harnessed to 28 domestic cats in 7 villages around Lawa Lake, the endemic area of human opisthorchiasis. All cats were examined for the O. viverrini infection status using modified formalin-ether concentration technique (MFECT) before application of the GPS device used to observe and record their roaming distance and range area. Then, composition analysis for habitat selection was performed using the location data. Additionally, cat owners were interviewed using participatory epidemiologic methods for their perceptions and knowledge about the reservoir hosts of this trematode. Our study suggested that the prevalence of O. viverrini in cats in this area has not declined appreciably in comparison with our previous study four years ago, although the treatment and control has been applied intensively in humans. The longest distance that individual cats roamed ranged from 51 to 363 meters (mean±SD = 154.48±90.71). The cats traveled tracks around their home. There was no significant difference in the average distance that cats ranged between O. viverrini infected group (154.13±72.80 meters) and the non-infected group (154.67±101.39 meters) was found. Compositional analysis suggested that the domestic cats preferred urban habitats where food and safety were probably more available. It appears that the main transmission route for infection of cats was contaminated fish fed to cats or fish that remained in their houses. Therefore, owners should refrain from feeding their cats potentially contaminated foods, food scraps and raw fish remains and prevent their cats from accessing them. Moreover, the participatory epidemiology results suggest that awareness of villagers is not enough for the effective and sustainable control of the disease.

Prevalence of major nematodes and human factors that affect infection in the zebra dove in a closed cage system.

Background and Aim: Roundworms cause infections in the avian population that lead to illness and poor production. The singing zebra dove is an economically important animal in the Indo-Malay region. The prevalence of these parasitic groups in zebra doves is unknown. This study estimated the prevalence and associated human risk factors of gastrointestinal nematode infections in zebra dove farming. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to April 2021. The study was conducted on 184 doves in three zebra dove farms. Fecal samples were collected from pooled zebra dove droppings. Major proportions and infection intensity of gastrointestinal nematodes were morphologically identified and morphometrically investigated. Associated human factors were assessed through the interview surveys among farmers. Results: Results showed that 36.96% of the zebra doves were infected. The primary nematodes were Ascaridia galli (34.78%), Heterakis gallinarum (6.52%), Trichostrongylus tenuis (2.17%), Syngamus spp. (4.35%), and Amidostomum spp. (2.17%). The primary human factors that contribute to parasitic infection were poor hygiene, food contamination with parasites, and inappropriate deworming. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in the zebra dove in the close cage system. Human factors played key roles as risk factors, and improves farming management will help reduce parasitic infections. However, these nematodes may contribute to poor health status and poor productivity of zebra doves. Further extensive studies on clinical signs and pathological changes should be conducted.

Effectiveness of public health interventions in reducing the prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini: a protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The carcinogenic liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini is a major public health problem in the Mekong basin region. The liver flukes can induce cholangiocarcinoma, a bile duct cancer that causes a significant burden of mortality and economic loss. Various public health interventions have been conducted to reduce opisthorchiasis but the prevalence of O. viverrini remains high in endemic regions. The aim is to quantify the effectiveness of public health interventions in reducing the prevalence of O. viverrini infection. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Seven databases (including PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Thai thesis database and TCI (Thai journals online)) will be searched from initiation through to 2022 to identify studies of interventions to reduce the prevalence of O. viverrini infection. The prevalence, incidence or number of O. viverrini-infected people will be used as the source of O. viverrini prevalence data. A conventional meta-analysis and a Bayesian network meta-analysis will be conducted to undertake direct and indirect comparisons of different interventions. Meta-regression will be used to determine the effect of each intervention. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Heterogeneity between studies will be determined by forest plots and I2 and publication bias investigated with funnel plots and the Egger's test. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval will not be required because this study will only use published data. The final report of this review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and will also be presented at relevant conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022323066.