Visceral Leishmaniasis in Immunocompetent Hosts in Brescia: A Case Series and Analysis of Cytokine Cascade.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by Leishmania spp. that usually manifests itself in immunocompromised subjects. It is a rare and neglected disease, and it is not endemic in the province of Brescia (Italy). Three cases of human VL occurred in Brescia from October to December 2021 in immunocompetent patients. We evaluated the patients looking for signs of underlying immunodeficiencies and conducted further epidemiological evaluations in the province of Brescia without success. An analysis of the sera levels of the main cytokines involved in the immune response to VL was performed. All patients presented a significant augmentation of CXCL-10, CCL-4, and IL-6. The patients tested during the acute phase showed an elevation of IL-1α, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-12, while in the recovery phase, higher levels of TNF-α and IL-7 were detected. Altogether, a predominant activation of the T-helper-2 pathway emerged during the acute phase of the parasite infection, while the cytokines associated with the T-helper-1 pathway were less represented. This imbalanced immune response to the parasite infection might play a crucial role in the development of VL in immunocompetent patients.

Cystic Echinococcosis of Liver and Spleen Communicating to the Lung: A Rare Case.

The annual cystic echinococcosis (CE) incidence in endemic countries is between 1 and 200 per 100,000 population. The clinical manifestations of CE are associated with damage or dysfunction of target organs and affect primarily the liver in around 70% of cases and lungs in around 20% of cases. The involvement of the spleen is rarely seen, representing 2 to 6% of all CE cases. We describe a 60-year-old female patient who presented with 15 days' history of intermittent fever and abdominal distension, having significant hepatosplenomegaly. CE was diagnosed involving the liver, spleen, and lungs and was confirmed radiologically and microbiologically. CE is caused by the larval or cystic stage of the zoonotic dog-tapeworm. Humans can be infected by ingestion of contaminated food or water. At present, there are nine species under the genus Echinococcus with E. granulosus sensu stricto having worldwide distribution, while the rest are focally distributed. CE involving multiple organs is rare. CE should be taken into consideration in patients with these symptoms in endemic areas.

Molecular characterization of canine filarioids in a previously non-endemic area of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

Dirofilaria immitis is the causative agent of canine heartworm disease, a severe health problem in dogs, especially in coastal areas of tropical and subtropical regions of the world. We employed molecular methods to investigate the occurrence of canine infection by filarioids in five municipalities of Baixada Fluminense (Magé, Duque de Caxias, Guapimirim, Nova Iguaçu, and São João de Meriti), a non-endemic area of Rio de Janeiro State, Southeast Brazil. A total of 110 canine blood samples collected from 2017 to 2018 and positive for microfilariae at the modified Knott's test were screened by cPCR targeting DNA fragments of the 12S rDNA gene for filarial nematodes. Seventy-seven samples (70%) tested positive at the molecular analysis. Of these, 72 were identified as D. immitis and 5 (4.5%) as Acanthocheilonema reconditum. Dirofilaria repens was not detected in the studied municipalities of Baixada Fluminense. This is the first record of D. immitis and A. reconditum in the Baixada Fluminense region, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The prevalence of D. immitis cases in the five municipalities suggests the establishment and maintenance of its enzootic cycle in the studied region, which indicate vulnerability to the occurrence of epidemic cycles and, possibly, human cases.

Seroprevalencia de la infección por Trypanosoma cruzi y factores asociados en población de Cumaral, Meta, Colombia / Seroprevalence of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi and associated factors in a population of Cumaral, Meta, Colombia

Introducción: La Enfermedad de Chagas es una zoonosis parasitaria causada porTrypanosoma cruzi, un protozoario que se transmite principalmente de manera vectorial al ser humano. Estudios de campo predicen que un tercio de un estimado de 18 millones de personas infectadas en Latinoamérica morirán de Enfermedad de Chagas. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la seroprevalencia de la infección por Trypanosoma cruzi y factores asociados en población del municipio de Cumaral, Meta, Colombia. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de tipo transversal, en el cual se recolectaron sueros de toda persona habitante del municipio de Cumaral por más de seis meses y que habitara en área urbana o rural. Se utilizó el método de ELISA de extractos totales (Primera prueba) para la detección de IgG antiTripanosoma cruzy; a los positivos se les realizó prueba confirmatoria por ELISA recombinante; los resultados dudosos fueron enviados al Instituto Nacional de Salud para su confirmación mediante la inmunofluorescencia indirecta. Para el análisis de la información se utilizó el paquete estadístico Prism versión 8.2.1 para MacOS. Resultados: En la tamización de la prueba para Chagas del presente estudio, resultó positivo 2,7 por ciento de los evaluados; al contrastar los sujetos con resultado positivo con los negativos, se observaron diferencias en la edad, la escolaridad y el material de las paredes de sus viviendas. Conclusiones: Los resultados proporcionan información útil de condiciones de vivienda y seroprevalencia de la enfermedad, que ayudan a evaluar la efectividad del acuerdo que facilita y fortalece el acceso al diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad(AU)

Introduction: Chagas disease is a parasitic zoonosis caused byTrypanosoma cruzi, a vector-born protozoan that is transmitted to humans. Field studies predict that one-third of around 18 millionT cruzi-infected humans will die of Chagas disease in Latin America. Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of the infection with Trypanosoma cruzi and to identify some risk factors associated with this condition in Cumaral, Meta, Colombia. Material and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. Blood samples were collected from subjects that had been living in urban and rural areas of Cumaral municipality for more than six months. An ELISA-IgG method with total extracts (first test) was used for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzy IgG. A recombinant-based ELISA was performed as a confirmatory test. Doubtful results were sent to the National Institute for Health for confirmation by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Prism 8 for MacOS (version 8.2.1) was used for statistical analysis. Results: In the screening for Chagas disease, 2,7 percent of all the cases tested were positive. When comparingsubjects with positiveandnegative results, differences between age, scholarship and materials used in the construction of house walls were evidenced. Conclusions: The results provide useful information about housing conditions and seroprevalence of the disease that help to evaluate the effectiveness of the arrangement that provides and strengthens the access to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease(AU)

The first records of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae), a causative agent of human sparganosis, in Latvian wildlife.

Diphyllobothriid tapeworms of the genus Spirometra are causative agents of sparganosis, food-borne zoonotic parasitic disease. They have been recorded in broad spectrum of hosts, including humans, in all continents except Antarctica. Spirometra tapeworms have been intensively studied in several Asian countries; however, they have been rather neglected in Europe. The aim of this study was to provide a pilot screening of Spirometra spp. in Latvia, where data on sparganosis are not available. Tapeworms morphologically identified as diphyllobothriid species were isolated from grey wolves Canis lupus and Eurasian lynxes Lynx lynx from Latvia during the hunting periods 2013-2019. The parasites were subjected to molecular genotyping using sequences of the partial large (LSU rDNA; 615 bp) and small (SSU rDNA; 720 bp) subunits of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene and complete (1566 bp) cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene of the mitochondrial DNA (cox1 mtDNA). Analyses of both ribosomal subunits of 13 tapeworms revealed no intraspecific variation within the respective rDNA subunits. On the other hand, sequence analysis of mitochondrial cox1 revealed intraspecific polymorphism displayed by 12 cox1 haplotypes. Comparison of the current data with sequences of the corresponding DNA regions deposited in the GenBank revealed 99.3-99.5% (LSU rDNA), 99.2% (SSU rDNA) and 99.6-100% (cox1 mtDNA) identity of studied tapeworms with Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, which provided the first confirmation of this diphyllobothriid tapeworm in Latvia. Since S. erinaceieuropaei is probably prevalent in Latvian wildlife and may also occur in other potential host species, further studies are needed in order to acquire complex data on its geographic distribution and transmission in the natural environment of Latvia, as well as on the spectrum of its intermediate, paratenic, and definitive hosts.

Ectoparasites and Endoparasites of New Zealand White Rabbits from North West of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Rabbits contain several parasites that can be harmful to their health as well as human being's health due to the probability of causing parasitic zoonosis. The present research was designed to study ectoparasites and endoparasites of New Zealand White rabbits in North West of Iran and potential risks of parasitic zoonosis for researchers and owners. METHODS: Totally, 50 rabbits were purchased from rabbit sellers and breeders in suburbs of Urmia and Tabriz between Jul and Dec 2016. The rabbits were assessed for ectoparasites by hair brushing, skin scraping, acetate tape preparation and othic swabs. They were euthanized and inspected for helminths and protozoa infection. Faecal sampling was carried out directly from recti and the oocysts or cysts were isolated using sedimentation and floatation techniques and the sporulated oocyst were identified based on morphological. RESULTS: The following parasites, with their respective prevalence; Nematoda: Passalurus ambigus 54%, Trichostrongylus retortaeformis 42%, Nematodirus leporis 32%, Cestoda: Cysticercus pisiformis 26%, Protozoa: Eimeria steidae 44%, E. magna 30%, E. media 12% and Arthropoda: Sarcoptes scabiei 18% and Cheyletiella parasitivorax 38%. No significant difference was recorded in infection rate between male and female rabbits. CONCLUSION: Both domestic and wild rabbits are a potential source of human parasitic zoonosis, and strict hygienic practices are recommended during and after handling rabbits or in case of exposure to their feces.

Lagochilascaris minor (Nematoda, Ascarididae) in a domestic cat in a coastal city of the state of São Paulo.

This paper describes the discovery of Lagochilascaris minor parasitizing a stray cat (Felis catus) in São Sebastião, a coastal city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The cat presented fistulas with purulent secretion in the ventral cervical region. A thorough evaluation revealed nematodes in the site. The parasites were removed, amounting to a total of about 100 specimens. The parasite species was identified based on measurements and morphological characteristics of adult worms. This report of parasitism by L. minor in domestic cats in the state of São Paulo reinforces the need for greater attention to this parasitosis, given the increase in cases among carnivores in Brazil.

Zoonotic nematodes of wild carnivores.

For a long time, wildlife carnivores have been disregarded for their potential in transmitting zoonotic nematodes. However, human activities and politics (e.g., fragmentation of the environment, land use, recycling in urban settings) have consistently favoured the encroachment of urban areas upon wild environments, ultimately causing alteration of many ecosystems with changes in the composition of the wild fauna and destruction of boundaries between domestic and wild environments. Therefore, the exchange of parasites from wild to domestic carnivores and vice versa have enhanced the public health relevance of wild carnivores and their potential impact in the epidemiology of many zoonotic parasitic diseases. The risk of transmission of zoonotic nematodes from wild carnivores to humans via food, water and soil (e.g., genera Ancylostoma, Baylisascaris, Capillaria, Uncinaria, Strongyloides, Toxocara, Trichinella) or arthropod vectors (e.g., genera Dirofilaria spp., Onchocerca spp., Thelazia spp.) and the emergence, re-emergence or the decreasing trend of selected infections is herein discussed. In addition, the reasons for limited scientific information about some parasites of zoonotic concern have been examined. A correct compromise between conservation of wild carnivores and risk of introduction and spreading of parasites of public health concern is discussed in order to adequately manage the risk of zoonotic nematodes of wild carnivores in line with the 'One Health' approach.

Invasive forms of canine endoparasites as a potential threat to public health - A review and own studies.

[b]Abstract [/b] Dogs serve as the vectors of serious zoonotic parasitic diseases. In the month of May 2012 - 2014, 339 dog faeces samples from seven public sites in Chelmno, a town in northern Poland, were collected and examined to determine the gastrointestinal parasite fauna of dogs. Each faecal sample was dissected with a needle, checked for tapeworm segments and examined for parasite eggs and oocysts using the flotation and decantation method and a modified Baermann technique. Differences were observed in the degree of parasite species occurrence. The most dominant were [i]Toxocara canis[/i] and Ancylostomatidae. The detected species included: [i]T. canis [/i]and [i]Toxascaris leonina[/i] eggs (23.4% and 10.2%, respectively), as well as eggs from the[i] Ancylostomatidae[/i] family (16.2%),[i] Trichuris vulpis [/i]eggs (6.6%), [i]Taenia[/i] type eggs (4.6%),[i] Dipylidium caninum[/i] (5.2%) and [i]Cystoisospora [/i](Isospora) spp. oocysts (10.9%).

Canine parasitic zoonoses in India: status and issues.

Dogs play valuable roles in human society. In addition to serving as pets and companions, dogs have also been important in hunting and, in recent times, as therapy animals. In India, the number of pet dogs is estimated to be around 5 million. The stray dog population in India is estimated to be 19 million and still increasing, due to ineffective control measures. Stray dogs pose substantial risks to public health due to injury and transmission of zoonoses such as rabies. Both pet and stray dogs may act as reservoirs of zoonotic parasites in India, which has a climate conducive to the environmental survival and transmission of many zoonotic parasites. At present, visceral larva migrans, cutaneous larva migrans and echinococcosis are the most important parasitic zoonoses in India. Leishmaniosis, dirofilariosis, Brugia malayi infection and giardiosis are potentially significant emerging parasitic zoonoses, and theleziosis, gnathostomiosis and dipylidiosis occur sporadically. Because of their biomedical and public health significance, and the lack of literature and compiled data on parasitic zoonoses of dogs in India, the authors provide a concise review on this topic along with potential control strategies.

Les chiens jouent un rôle précieux dans les sociétés humaines. En plus de servir d'animaux de compagnie, les chiens ont, depuis toujours, une fonction importante dans la chasse ainsi que, depuis peu, dans les thérapies assistées par l'animal. En Inde, on estime à environ 5 millions le nombre de chiens de compagnie. La population de chiens errants est estimée pour sa part à 19 millions d'individus et ne cesse de croître en raison de l'inefficacité des mesures de contrôle appliquées. Les chiens errants font peser des risques considérables sur la santé publique en raison des blessures qu'ils provoquent et de leur capacité à transmettre des zoonoses comme la rage. En outre, les chiens tant domestiques qu'errants sont des réservoirs potentiels pour nombre de parasites zoonotiques en Inde, pays dont le climat est propice à la survie de ces parasites dans l'environnement et à leur transmission. À l'heure actuelle, les zoonoses parasitaires les plus importantes en Inde sont le syndrome de larva migrans viscéral, le syndrome de larva migrans cutané et l'échinococcose. La leishmaniose, la dirofilariose, l'infection à Brugia malayi et la giardiose sont des zoonoses parasitaires émergentes potentiellement significatives tandis que la thélaziose, la gnathostomose et la dipylidiose font des incursions sporadiques. Compte tenu de l'importance biomédicale des maladies parasitaires zoonotiques du chien et de leur impact sur la santé publique en Inde, mais aussi du manque de publications scientifiques ou de données collectées les concernant, les auteurs font rapidement le point sur le sujet et proposent quelques stratégies de lutte possibles.

El perro cumple importantes funciones en la sociedad humana. Además de ser animal de compañía, también ha sido históricamente importante para la caza y, en los últimos tiempos, como animal terapéutico. Se calcula que en la India hay alrededor de 5 millones de perros que viven como mascota. Pero el país también alberga hoy, según los cálculos, una población de 19 millones de perros vagabundos, número que sigue creciendo debido a la ineficacia de las medidas de control. Estos perros suponen un importante riesgo para la salud pública, pues causan heridas y transmiten zoonosis como la rabia. El perro, ya sea mascota o vagabundo, puede ejercer de reservorio de parásitos zoonóticos en la India, cuyo clima favorece la supervivencia en el medio y la transmisión de muchos de tales parásitos. A día de hoy, las zoonosis parasitarias más importantes en el país son las de la larva migrante visceral, la larva migrante cutánea y la equinococosis. La leishmaniosis, la dirofilariosis, la infección por Brugia malayi y la giardiosis son zoonosis parasitarias emergentes que pueden llegar a cobrar importancia, mientras que la telaziosis, la gnatostomiosis y la dipilidiosis se dan esporádicamente. Los autores, dada la importancia que revisten las zoonosis parasitarias caninas desde el punto de vista biomédico y de salud pública, así como la falta de bibliografía y datos centralizados sobre su presencia en la India, hacen un breve repaso de la cuestión y apuntan a posibles estrategias de lucha.

Effects of Toxocara larvae on brain cell survival by in vitro model assessment.

Neuroinvasive larvae of the common dog and cat roundworms, Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, may cause severe neurological and neuropsychological disturbances in humans. Despite their pathogenic potential and high prevalence worldwide, little is known about their cell-specific influences and cerebral host-pathogen interactions in neurotoxocarosis. To address this discrepancy, a co-culture system of viable larvae with murine neuronal (CAD), oligodendrocytal (BO-1) and microglial (BV-2) cell lines has been established. Additionally, murine adult brain slices have been co-cultured with Toxocara larvae to consider complex organotypic cell-cell interplay. Cytotoxicity of larval presence was measured enzymatically and microscopically. Microscopic evaluation using trypan blue exclusion assay revealed to be less reliable and sensitive than the lactate dehydrogenase activity assay. Ultimately, even low numbers of both T. canis and T. cati larvae have impaired survival of differentiated CAD cells, which morphologically resemble primary neurons. In contrast, viability of oligodendrocytal and microglial cells as well as brain slices was not impaired by larval presence. Therefore, immune-mediated mechanisms or trauma by migrating larvae presumably induce the in vivo pathology rather than acute cytotoxic effects. Conclusively, the helminthic larvae co-culture system presented here is a valuable in vitro tool to study cell-specific effects of parasitic larvae and their products.

Expect the unexpected: a case of isolated eosinophilic meningitis in toxocariasis.

We present the case of a young police officer suffering from headache without other neurological symptoms caused by isolated eosinophilic meningitis, which resulted from an infection with Toxocara cati, along with a discussion of the differential diagnosis.

Economic losses due to cystic echinococcosis in India: Need for urgent action to control the disease.

Cystic ehinococcosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus remains a neglected zoonotic disease despite its considerable human and animal health concerns. This is the first systematic analysis of the livestock and human related economic losses due to cystic echinococcosis in India. Data about human cases were obtained from a tertiary hospital. Human hydatidosis cases with and without surgical interventions were extrapolated to be 5647 and 17075 per year assuming a total human population of 1210193422 in India. Data about prevalence of hydatid cysts in important food producing animals were obtained from previously published abattoir based epidemiological surveys that reported a prevalence of 5.39% in cattle, 4.36% in buffaloes, 3.09% in pigs, 2.23% in sheep and 0.41% in goats. Animal population data were sourced from the latest census conducted by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, India. Other input parameters were obtained from published scientific literature. Probability distributions were included for many input values to account for variability and uncertainty. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of important parameters on the estimated economic losses. The analysis revealed a total annual median loss of Rs. 11.47 billion (approx. US $ 212.35 million). Cattle and buffalo industry accounted for most of the losses: 93.05% and 88.88% of the animal and total losses, respectively. Human hydatidosis related losses were estimated to be Rs. 472.72 million (approx. US $ 8.75 million) but are likely to be an under-estimate due to under-reporting of the disease in the country. The human losses more than quadrupled to Rs. 1953 million i.e. approx. US $ 36.17 million, when the prevalence of human undiagnosed cases was increased to 0.2% in the sensitivity analyses. The social loss and psychological distress were not taken into account for calculating human loss. The results highlight an urgent need for a science based policy to control and manage the disease in the country.