A quantum leap in the evolution of platyhelminths: Host-switching from turtles to hippopotamuses illustrated from a phylogenetic meta-analysis of polystomes (Monogenea, Polystomatidae).

While monogenean worms are mainly parasites of the gills and skin of fish, and to a lesser extent parasites of the oral cavity, urinary bladder, and/or conjunctival sacs of amphibians and freshwater turtles, Oculotrema hippopotamiStunkard, 1924 is the single monogenean polystome reported from a mammal, the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius Linnaeus). Several hypotheses have been suggested in the last decade to explain the origin of this enigmatic parasite which infects the conjunctival sacs of H. amphibius. Based on a molecular phylogeny inferred from nuclear (28S and 18S) and mitochondrial (12S and COI) sequences of O. hippopotami and chelonian polystomes, we found a sister group relationship between O. hippopotami and Apaloneotrema moleri (Du Preez & Morrison, 2012). This result suggests lateral parasite transfer between freshwater turtles and hippopotamuses, thus likely reflecting one of the most exceptional known examples of host-switching in the course of vertebrate evolution. It also demonstrates that the proximity in the ecological habitat of parasites within host species is an important feature for their speciation and diversification. Because A. moleri and its host, the Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox (Schneider)), are restricted to the USA, we suggest that an ancestral stock of parasites may have been isolated on primitive African trionychids after they diverged from their American relatives, and then switched to hippopotamuses or anthracotheres in Africa.

Forecasting parasite sharing under climate change.

Species are shifting their distributions in response to climate change. This geographic reshuffling may result in novel co-occurrences among species, which could lead to unseen biotic interactions, including the exchange of parasites between previously isolated hosts. Identifying potential new host-parasite interactions would improve forecasting of disease emergence and inform proactive disease surveillance. However, accurate predictions of future cross-species disease transmission have been hampered by the lack of a generalized approach and data availability. Here, we propose a framework to predict novel host-parasite interactions based on a combination of niche modelling of future host distributions and parasite sharing models. Using the North American ungulates as a proof of concept, we show this approach has high cross-validation accuracy in over 85% of modelled parasites and find that more than 34% of the host-parasite associations forecasted by our models have already been recorded in the literature. We discuss potential sources of uncertainty and bias that may affect our results and similar forecasting approaches, and propose pathways to generate increasingly accurate predictions. Our results indicate that forecasting parasite sharing in response to shifts in host geographic distributions allow for the identification of regions and taxa most susceptible to emergent pathogens under climate change. This article is part of the theme issue 'Infectious disease macroecology: parasite diversity and dynamics across the globe'.

Invasive snails, parasite spillback, and potential parasite spillover drive parasitic diseases of Hippopotamus amphibius in artificial lakes of Zimbabwe.

BACKGROUND: Humans impose a significant pressure on large herbivore populations, such as hippopotami, through hunting, poaching, and habitat destruction. Anthropogenic pressures can also occur indirectly, such as artificial lake creation and the subsequent introduction of invasive species that alter the ecosystem. These events can lead to drastic changes in parasite diversity and transmission, but generally receive little scientific attention. RESULTS: In order to document and identify trematode parasites of the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) in artificial water systems of Zimbabwe, we applied an integrative taxonomic approach, combining molecular diagnostics and morphometrics on archived and new samples. In doing so, we provide DNA reference sequences of the hippopotamus liver fluke Fasciola nyanzae, enabling us to construct the first complete Fasciola phylogeny. We describe parasite spillback of F. nyanzae by the invasive freshwater snail Pseudosuccinea columella, as a consequence of a cascade of biological invasions in Lake Kariba, one of the biggest artificial lakes in the world. Additionally, we report an unknown stomach fluke of the hippopotamus transmitted by the non-endemic snail Radix aff. plicatula, an Asian snail species that has not been found in Africa before, and the stomach fluke Carmyerius cruciformis transmitted by the native snail Bulinus truncatus. Finally, Biomphalaria pfeifferi and two Bulinus species were found as new snail hosts for the poorly documented hippopotamus blood fluke Schistosoma edwardiense. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that artificial lakes are breeding grounds for endemic and non-endemic snails that transmit trematode parasites of the common hippopotamus. This has important implications, as existing research links trematode parasite infections combined with other stressors to declining wild herbivore populations. Therefore, we argue that monitoring the anthropogenic impact on parasite transmission should become an integral part of wildlife conservation efforts.

Investigating Neolithic caprine husbandry in the Central Pyrenees: Insights from a multi-proxy study at Els Trocs cave (Bisaurri, Spain).

Sheep remains constitute the main archaeozoological evidence for the presence of Early Neolithic human groups in the highlands of the Southern Pyrenees but understanding the role of herding activities in the Neolithisation process of this mountain ecosystem calls for the analysis of large and well-dated faunal assemblages. Cova de Els Trocs (Bisaurri, Huesca, Spain), a cave located at 1564 m a.s.l on the southern slopes of the Central Pyrenees, is an excellent case study since it was seasonally occupied throughout the Neolithic (ca. 5312-2913 cal. BC) and more than 4000 caprine remains were recovered inside. The multi-proxy analytical approach here presented has allowed us to offer new data elaborating on vertical mobility practices and herd management dynamics as has not been attempted up until now within Neolithic high-mountain sites in the Iberian Peninsula. For the first time, δ18O and δ13C stable isotope analyses offer direct evidence on both the regular practice of altitudinal movements of sheep flocks and the extended breeding season of sheep. Autumn births are recorded from the second half of the fifth millennium cal. BC onwards. Age-at-death distributions illustrate the progressive decline in caprine perinatal mortality together with the rising survival rate of individuals older than six months of age and the larger frequency of adults. This trend alongside the 'off-season' lambing signal at the implementation of husbandry techniques over time, probably aiming to increase the size of the flocks and their productivity. Palaeoparasitological analyses of sediment samples document also the growing reliance on herding activities of the human groups visiting the Els Trocs cave throughout the Neolithic sequence. In sum, our work provides substantial arguments to conclude that the advanced herding management skills of the Early Neolithic communities arriving in Iberia facilitated the anthropisation process of the subalpine areas of the Central Pyrenees.

Tsetse blood-meal sources, endosymbionts and trypanosome-associations in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a wildlife-human-livestock interface.

African trypanosomiasis (AT) is a neglected disease of both humans and animals caused by Trypanosoma parasites, which are transmitted by obligate hematophagous tsetse flies (Glossina spp.). Knowledge on tsetse fly vertebrate hosts and the influence of tsetse endosymbionts on trypanosome presence, especially in wildlife-human-livestock interfaces, is limited. We identified tsetse species, their blood-meal sources, and correlations between endosymbionts and trypanosome presence in tsetse flies from the trypanosome-endemic Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya. Among 1167 tsetse flies (1136 Glossina pallidipes, 31 Glossina swynnertoni) collected from 10 sampling sites, 28 (2.4%) were positive by PCR for trypanosome DNA, most (17/28) being of Trypanosoma vivax species. Blood-meal analyses based on high-resolution melting analysis of vertebrate cytochrome c oxidase 1 and cytochrome b gene PCR products (n = 354) identified humans as the most common vertebrate host (37%), followed by hippopotamus (29.1%), African buffalo (26.3%), elephant (3.39%), and giraffe (0.84%). Flies positive for trypanosome DNA had fed on hippopotamus and buffalo. Tsetse flies were more likely to be positive for trypanosomes if they had the Sodalis glossinidius endosymbiont (P = 0.0002). These findings point to complex interactions of tsetse flies with trypanosomes, endosymbionts, and diverse vertebrate hosts in wildlife ecosystems such as in the MMNR, which should be considered in control programs. These interactions may contribute to the maintenance of tsetse populations and/or persistent circulation of African trypanosomes. Although the African buffalo is a key reservoir of AT, the higher proportion of hippopotamus blood-meals in flies with trypanosome DNA indicates that other wildlife species may be important in AT transmission. No trypanosomes associated with human disease were identified, but the high proportion of human blood-meals identified are indicative of human African trypanosomiasis risk. Our results add to existing data suggesting that Sodalis endosymbionts are associated with increased trypanosome presence in tsetse flies.

The Pathology of Pathogenic Theileriosis in African Wild Artiodactyls.

The published literature on schizont-"transforming," or pathogenic theileriosis, in African wild artiodactyls is dated and based on limited information. Here the authors review the taxonomy, diagnosis, epidemiology, hematology, pathology, and aspects of control in various species. Molecular studies based on 18S and 16S rRNA gene sequences have shown that African wild artiodactyls are commonly infected with diverse Theileria spp., as well as nontheilerial hemoprotozoa and rickettsia-like bacteria, and coinfections with pathogenic and nonpathogenic Theileria species are often recorded. Although theileriosis is still confusingly referred to as cytauxzoonosis in many species, the validity of a separate Cytauxzoon genus in artiodactyls is debated. The epidemiology of theileriosis is complex; the likelihood of fatal disease depends on the interplay of parasite, vertebrate host, tick vector, and environmental factors. Roan calves (Hippotragus equinus) and stressed animals of all host species are more susceptible to fatal theileriosis. Even though regenerative anemia is common, peripheral blood piroplasm parasitemia does not correlate with disease severity. Other than anemia, common macroscopic lesions include icterus, hemorrhages (mucosal, serosal, and tissue), fluid effusions into body cavities, lung edema, and variably sized raised cream-colored foci of leukocyte infiltration in multiple organs. Histopathologic findings include vasocentric hyperproliferation and lysis of atypical leukocytes with associated intracellular schizonts, parenchymal necrosis, hemorrhage, thromboembolism, and edema. Immunophenotyping is required to establish the identity of the schizont-transformed leukocytes in wild ungulates. Throughout the review, we propose avenues for future research by comparing existing knowledge on selected aspects of theileriosis in domestic livestock with that in African wild artiodactyls.

Gastrointestinal helminths from the common warthog, Phacochoerus africanus (Gmelin) (Suidae), in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, with comments on helminths of Suidae and Tayassuidae worldwide.

Thirty warthogs, Phacochoerus africanus, were collected in the Pongola Game Reserve, South Africa and examined for helminths. Gastrointestinal helminth assemblages comprised Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus, the cestode genus Moniezia and seven species of nematodes. A single warthog harboured a metacestode of Taenia hydatigena in the mesenteries. No helminths were found in the heart, lungs or liver of the warthogs. Probstmayria vivipara and Murshidia spp. were the most prevalent as well as abundant helminth species, followed by Physocephalus sexalatus. The incidence of Moniezia did not differ between hosts of different sex or age. Numbers of Murshidia spp. were not affected by host sex, but were higher in adults than in juveniles. Conversely, burdens of Trichostrongylus thomasi were not affected by host age, but were higher in males than in females. While not highly significant, helminth assemblages in male warthogs were more species rich than in females. Helminth communities in the three genera of wild sub-Saharan suids are largely unique, but Ph. africanus and Hylochoerus meinertzhageni share more worm species with each other than with Potamochoerus larvatus, possibly because the former two are more closely related. Overlap between helminth communities of African wild suids and those of other suids and Tayassuidae worldwide is limited.

Morphological Studies of Developmental Stages of Oculotrema hippopotami (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) Infecting the Eye of Hippopotamus amphibius (Mammalia: Hippopotamidae) Using SEM and EDXA with Notes on Histopathology.

The present study was performed to observe histopathological effects of Oculotrema hippopotami Stunkard, 1924 infection in the eye of Hippopotamus amphibius, as well as to reveal new details of morphology and structural features of this monogenean and its comparison between 2 age stages of the parasite. This was done using both light and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) and histopathology. The presence of a mixture of different generations (adult and sub-adult) in one host individual is common for Oculotrema Stunkard, 1924 in contrast to Polystoma Zeder, 1800. New metrical and graphical information obtained for adults and sub-adults compared with the previous studies. Here we show the presence of genital papillae in adults, metrical data on the distal part of the vas deferens. SEM micrographs of sperm ejaculatory structures and information about the flattened dorsal side of the body provided for the first time. Histopathological changes, such as necrosis and hemorrhage in host tissues as a result of O. hippopotami attachment structures are described. Structural analysis of different body parts of O. hippopotami of both age groups are also included. We show qualitative differences in the presence of hardening ions (S, P, Ca) in attachment structures (oral and haptor suckers) that increase with the age of the worm. The presence of sub-adults and adults on the same host, together with high levels of infection without high pathogenicity may account for Oculotrema being one of the most successful parasites among the Monogenea.

Migratory behaviour predicts greater parasite diversity in ungulates.

Long-distance animal movements can increase exposure to diverse parasites, but can also reduce infection risk through escape from contaminated habitats or culling of infected individuals. These mechanisms have been demonstrated within and between populations in single-host/single-parasite interactions, but how long-distance movement behaviours shape parasite diversity and prevalence across host taxa is largely unknown. Using a comparative approach, we analyse the parasite communities of 93 migratory, nomadic and resident ungulate species. We find that migrants have higher parasite species richness than residents or nomads, even after considering other factors known to influence parasite diversity, such as body size and host geographical range area. Further analyses support a novel 'environmental tracking' hypothesis, whereby migration allows parasites to experience environments favourable to transmission year-round. In addition, the social aggregation and large group sizes that facilitate migration might increase infection risk for migrants. By contrast, we find little support for previously proposed hypotheses, including migratory escape and culling, in explaining the relationship between host movement and parasitism in mammals at this cross-species scale. Our findings, which support mechanistic links between long-distance movement and increased parasite richness at the species level, could help predict the effects of future environmental change on parasitism in migratory animals.

Remarkable richness of trypanosomes in tsetse flies (Glossina morsitans morsitans and Glossina pallidipes) from the Gorongosa National Park and Niassa National Reserve of Mozambique revealed by fluorescent fragment length barcoding (FFLB).

Trypanosomes of African wild ungulates transmitted by tsetse flies can cause human and livestock diseases. However, trypanosome diversity in wild tsetse flies remains greatly underestimated. We employed FFLB (fluorescent fragment length barcoding) for surveys of trypanosomes in tsetse flies (3086) from the Gorongosa National Park (GNP) and Niassa National Reserve (NNR) in Mozambique (MZ), identified as Glossina morsitans morsitans (GNP/NNR=77.6%/90.5%) and Glossina pallidipes (22.4%/9.5%). Trypanosomes were microscopically detected in 8.3% of tsetse guts. FFLB of gut samples revealed (GNP/NNR): Trypanosoma congolense of Savannah (27%/63%), Kilifi (16.7%/29.7%) and Forest (1.0%/0.3%) genetic groups; T. simiae Tsavo (36.5%/6.1%); T. simiae (22.2%/17.7%); T. godfreyi (18.2%/7.0%); subgenus Trypanozoon (20.2%/25.7%); T. vivax/T. vivax-like (1.5%/5.2%); T. suis/T. suis-like (9.4%/11.9%). Tsetse proboscises exhibited similar species composition, but most prevalent species were (GNP/NNR): T. simiae (21.9%/28%), T. b. brucei (19.2%/31.7%), and T. vivax/T. vivax-like (19.2%/28.6%). Flies harboring mixtures of trypanosomes were common (~ 64%), and combinations of more than four trypanosomes were especially abundant in the pristine NNR. The non-pathogenic T. theileri was found in 2.5% while FFLB profiles of unknown species were detected in 19% of flies examined. This is the first report on molecular diversity of tsetse flies and their trypanosomes in MZ; all trypanosomes pathogenic for ungulates were detected, but no human pathogens were detected. Overall, two species of tsetse flies harbor 12 species/genotypes of trypanosomes. This notable species richness was likely uncovered because flies were captured in wildlife reserves and surveyed using the method of FFLB able to identify, with high sensitivity and accuracy, known and novel trypanosomes. Our findings importantly improve the knowledge on trypanosome diversity in tsetse flies, revealed the greatest species richness so far reported in tsetse fly of any African country, and indicate the existence of a hidden trypanosome diversity to be discovered in African wildlife protected areas.

Detection of Leishmania (V) guyanensis in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from Pecari tajacu.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies identified the presence of Leishmania infantum in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and indicated the possibility that it could transmit leishmaniasis to a variety of hosts. OBJECTIVE: To identify parasites of Leishmania (Viannia) spp. in ticks collected from wild animals in an endemic area for leishmaniasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 81 individual DNA extractions from ticks collected from three Tapirus terrestris and three Pecari tajacu in Madre de Dios, Perú. Ticks were taxonomically identified and they were subsequently prepared to identify Leishmania (Viannia) spp. kDNA by PCR and the species of Leishmania by HRM-PCR. RESULTS: Leishmania (Viannia) kDNA was detected in three wild ticks of the species R. microplus, collected from a collard peccary (P. tajacu) hunted in the forests of Madre de Dios. The HRM-PCR showed that one of the positive samples had a kDNA curve compatible with L. (V) guyanensis. CONCLUSION: The results showed the presence of L. (V) guyanensis DNA in R. microplus possibly acquired after biting a collarde peccary. Therefore, it is important to design future studies to clarify R. microplus involvement in the transmission of leishmaniasis.

High rate of adaptation of mammalian proteins that interact with Plasmodium and related parasites.

Plasmodium parasites, along with their Piroplasm relatives, have caused malaria-like illnesses in terrestrial mammals for millions of years. Several Plasmodium-protective alleles have recently evolved in human populations, but little is known about host adaptation to blood parasites over deeper evolutionary timescales. In this work, we analyze mammalian adaptation in ~500 Plasmodium- or Piroplasm- interacting proteins (PPIPs) manually curated from the scientific literature. We show that (i) PPIPs are enriched for both immune functions and pleiotropy with other pathogens, and (ii) the rate of adaptation across mammals is significantly elevated in PPIPs, compared to carefully matched control proteins. PPIPs with high pathogen pleiotropy show the strongest signatures of adaptation, but this pattern is fully explained by their immune enrichment. Several pieces of evidence suggest that blood parasites specifically have imposed selection on PPIPs. First, even non-immune PPIPs that lack interactions with other pathogens have adapted at twice the rate of matched controls. Second, PPIP adaptation is linked to high expression in the liver, a critical organ in the parasite life cycle. Finally, our detailed investigation of alpha-spectrin, a major red blood cell membrane protein, shows that domains with particularly high rates of adaptation are those known to interact specifically with P. falciparum. Overall, we show that host proteins that interact with Plasmodium and Piroplasm parasites have experienced elevated rates of adaptation across mammals, and provide evidence that some of this adaptation has likely been driven by blood parasites.

Detección de Leishmania (V) guyanensis en ejemplares de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) recolectados en pecaríes de collar (Pecari tajacu) / Detection of Leishmania (V) guyanensis in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from Pecari tajacu

Resumen Introducción. En estudios previos se detectó la presencia de Leishmania infantum en Rhipicephalus sanguineus, lo cual planteaba la posibilidad de que R. sanguineus transmitiera la leishmaniasis a una variedad de huéspedes. Objetivo. Identificar Leishmania (Viannia) spp. en garrapatas recolectadas en animales silvestres de una zona endémica para leishmaniasis. Materiales y métodos. Se hicieron 81 extracciones individuales de ADN en las garrapatas recogidas de tres tapires o dantas (Tapirus terrestres) y tres pecaríes de collar (Pecari tajacu) cazados en Madre de Dios, Perú. Las garrapatas recolectadas se identificaron taxonómicamente y se prepararon para la identificación del cinetoblasto (kDNA) de Leishmania (Viannia) spp. mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR), así como de la especie de Leishmania mediante PCR de fusión de alta resolución (High Resolution Melt, HRM). Resultados. Se detectó el kDNA de Leishmania (V) spp. en tres garrapatas silvestres de R. (Boophilus) microplus, Canestrini, 1888, recolectadas en un pecarí de collar cazado en la selva de Madre de Dios. El análisis mediante HRM-PCR evidenció que una de las muestras positivas de kDNA tenía una curva compatible con L. (V) guyanensis. Conclusión. Los resultados evidenciaron la presencia de ADN de L. (V) guyanensis en R. (Boophilus) microplus, probablemente adquirida después de picar al pecarí. Es importante hacer nuevos estudios para aclarar la participación de R. (Boophilus) microplus en la transmisión de la leishmaniasis.

Abstract Introduction: Previous studies identified the presence of Leishmania infantum in Rhipicephalus sanguineus and indicated the possibility that it could transmit leishmaniasis to a variety of hosts. Objective: To identify parasites of Leishmania (Viannia) spp. in ticks collected from wild animals in an endemic area for leishmaniasis. Materials and methods: We performed 81 individual DNA extractions from ticks collected from three Tapirus terrestris and three Pecari tajacu in Madre de Dios, Perú. Ticks were taxonomically identified and they were subsequently prepared to identify Leishmania (Viannia) spp. kDNA by PCR and the species of Leishmania by HRM-PCR. Results: Leishmania (Viannia) kDNA was detected in three wild ticks of the species R. microplus, collected from a collard peccary (P. tajacu) hunted in the forests of Madre de Dios. The HRM-PCR showed that one of the positive samples had a kDNA curve compatible with L. (V) guyanensis. Conclusion: The results showed the presence of L. (V) guyanensis DNA in R. microplus possibly acquired after biting a collarde peccary. Therefore, it is important to design future studies to clarify R. microplus involvement in the transmission of leishmaniasis.

Echinococcus felidis in hippopotamus, South Africa.

Hydatid cysts of Echinococcus felidis are described from the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) from Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Among six hippopotami investigated, hepatic hydatids were found in three. The identification was based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. In addition, the rostellar hook morphology was analysed. This is the first morphological description of the metacestode of E. felidis, and the first molecularly confirmed report of the intermediate host of E. felidis in South Africa. The definitive host of E. felidis in South Africa is the lion (Panthera leo).

New insights from Gorongosa National Park and Niassa National Reserve of Mozambique increasing the genetic diversity of Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma vivax-like in tsetse flies, wild ungulates and livestock from East Africa.

BACKGROUND: Trypanosoma (Duttonella) vivax is a major pathogen of livestock in Africa and South America (SA), and genetic studies limited to small sampling suggest greater diversity in East Africa (EA) compared to both West Africa (WA) and SA. METHODS: Multidimensional scaling and phylogenetic analyses of 112 sequences of the glycosomal glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) gene and 263 sequences of the internal transcribed spacer of rDNA (ITS rDNA) were performed to compare trypanosomes from tsetse flies from Gorongosa National Park and Niassa National Reserve of Mozambique (MZ), wild ungulates and livestock from EA, and livestock isolates from WA and SA. RESULTS: Multidimensional scaling (MDS) supported Tvv (T. vivax) and TvL (T. vivax-like) evolutionary lineages: 1) Tvv comprises two main groups, TvvA/B (all SA and WA isolates plus some isolates from EA) and TvvC/D (exclusively from EA). The network revealed five ITS-genotypes within Tvv: Tvv1 (WA/EA isolates), Tvv2 (SA) and Tvv3-5 (EA). EA genotypes of Tvv ranged from highly related to largely different from WA/SA genotypes. 2) TvL comprises two gGAPDH-groups formed exclusively by EA sequences, TvLA (Tanzania/Kenya) and TvLB-D (MZ). This lineage contains more than 11 ITS-genotypes, seven forming the lineage TvL-Gorongosa that diverged from T. vivax Y486 enough to be identified as another species of the subgenus Duttonella. While gGAPDH sequences were fundamental for classification at the subgenus, major evolutionary lineages and species levels, ITS rDNA sequences permitted identification of known and novel genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results corroborate a remarkable diversity of Duttonella trypanosomes in EA, especially in wildlife conservation areas, compared to the moderate diversity in WA. Surveys in wilderness areas in WA may reveal greater diversity. Biogeographical and phylogenetic data point to EA as the place of origin, diversification and spread of Duttonella trypanosomes across Africa, providing relevant insights towards the understanding of T. vivax evolutionary history.

Serosurvey of anti- Leptospira sp. and anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in capybaras and collared and white-lipped peccaries.

INTRODUCTION:: Brazilian native species are reemerging as increasingly free-ranging populations. METHODS:: Sera from 31 capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and 28 peccaries (Pecari tajacu and Tayassu pecari) were tested for anti-Leptospira and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using microscopic seroagglutination test. RESULTS:: Nineteen percent of free-ranging and 10.0% of captive capybaras, along with 31.8% of collared peccaries, were seropositive for T. gondii. None was seropositive for Leptospira sp. CONCLUSIONS:: The present findings indicated low risk of disease, particularly among capybaras and white-lipped peccaries; however, active surveillance programs are important for monitoring wildlife health and public health once they are in public parks around cities.

Serosurvey of anti- Leptospira sp. and anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in capybaras and collared and white-lipped peccaries

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Brazilian native species are reemerging as increasingly free-ranging populations. METHODS: Sera from 31 capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and 28 peccaries (Pecari tajacu and Tayassu pecari) were tested for anti-Leptospira and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using microscopic seroagglutination test. RESULTS: Nineteen percent of free-ranging and 10.0% of captive capybaras, along with 31.8% of collared peccaries, were seropositive for T. gondii. None was seropositive for Leptospira sp. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicated low risk of disease, particularly among capybaras and white-lipped peccaries; however, active surveillance programs are important for monitoring wildlife health and public health once they are in public parks around cities.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in zoo and domestic animals in Jiangxi Province, China.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals throughout the world. In the present study, antibodies to T. gondii were determined using a commercial indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test in wild animals in a zoo. Three of 11 giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) (27%), 1 of 5 wolves (Canis lupus laniger) (20%), 1 of 6 hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibious) (17%), and 2 of 9 tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) (22%) were found to be positive. No antibodies were detected in leopards (Panthera pardus), wild geese (Anser cygnoides), and Eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus). Domestic species from 13 counties of Jiangxi Province, China were also investigated by an indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test. Thirty-five of 340 goats (10%), 94 of 560 water buffaloes (17%), and 4 of 35 cattle (11%) were found to be seropositive. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in animals kept in zoos and domestic animals in this province.

Fauna helmintológica de catetos (Tayassu tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) procedentes da Amazônia Brasileira / Helminthic parasites of the collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) of the Brazilian Amazon

Tayassu tajacu, popularmente conhecido como cateto, é uma espécie silvestre encontrada em quase todo o continente Americano, sendo abundante em seus locais de ocorrência. O trabalho objetivou conhecer a fauna helmintológica, bem como os indicadores de infecções, de catetos (T. tajacu) procedentes da Amazônia Brasileira. Para tanto, foram utilizados cinco animais adultos (três machos e duas fêmeas), capturados no município de Araguaína, estado do Tocantins, com auxílio de armadilhas. Os catetos foram tranquilizados, contidos quimicamente e eutanasiados segundo o Guia Brasileiro de Boas Práticas para Eutanásia em Animais do Conselho Federal de Medicina Veterinária. As espécies encontradas foram identificadas e os indicadores de infecção foram determinados (percentual de infecção, abundância, intensidade média e variação da intensidade). Foi coletado um total de 1394 helmintos, sendo nove espécies de nematódeos: Eucyathostomum dentatum, Cruzia brasiliensis, Monodontus semicircularis, Monodontus aguiari, Spiculopteragia tayassui, Texicospirura turki, Parabronema pecariae, Physocephalus sexalatus, Cooperia punctata. Os helmintos com maiores percentuais de infecção foram Physocephalus sexalatus, Parabronema pecariae e Monodontus aguiari, encontrados em 100% dos animais examinados, sendo este último o mais abundante (164), com maior intensidade média (164) e com maior número total de helmintos (820). Em contrapartida, Spiculopteragia tayassui foi a espécie que obteve menores indicadores, sendo encontrada apenas uma fêmea neste estudo. Foi relatada, neste trabalho, a primeira ocorrência de Cruzia brasiliensis parasitando catetos (T. tajacu) no Brasil, espécie até então descrita e encontrada apenas parasitando suínos domésticos.(AU)

Tayassu tajacu, popularly known as collared peccary, is a wildlife species found throughout the American continent, being abundant in their places of occurrence. This study aimed to describe the helminthological fauna, as well as the infection indicators, of the collared peccary (T. tajacu) coming from the Brazilian Amazon. Five adult peccaries (three males and two females) were captured in the Araguaína region, Tocantins, Brazil, with the aid of traps. The collared peccaries were reassured, chemically restrained and euthanized according to the Brazilian Good Practice Guide for Animal Euthanasy of the Federal Board of Veterinary Medicine. The species found were identified and the infection indicators were determined (infection rate, abundance, mean intensity and intensity variation). A total of 1394 helminths of nine nematode species were collected: Eucyathostomum dentatum, Cruzia brasiliensis, Monodontus semicircularis, Monodontus aguiari, Spiculopteragia tayassui, Texicospirura turki, Parabronema pecariae, Physocephalus sexalatus and Cooperia punctata. Helminths with higher percentages of infection were Physocephalus sexalatus, Parabronema pecariae and Monodontus aguiari found in 100% of the examined animals; the latter was the most abundant (164) and had a highest mean intensity (164) and total number of helminths (820). In contrast, Spiculopteragia tayassui presented lower indicators, found only one female in this study. In this studythe the first occurrence of Cruzia brasiliensis parasitizing collared peccary (T. Tajacu) in Brazil was reported, specie hitherto described and only found parasitizing domestic pigs.(AU)

Molecular detection of Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Coxiella and Francisella bacteria in ticks collected from Artiodactyla in Thailand.

A total of 79 ticks collected from Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and Wild boar (Sus scrofa) were examined by PCR for the presence of Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Coxiella, and Francisella bacteria. Of the 79 ticks, 13% tested positive for Rickettsia, 15% tested positive for Anaplasma, 4% tested positive for Coxiella, and 3% tested positive for Francisella. Interestingly, triple infection with Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Francisella was determined in a Dermacentor auratus tick. Moreover, another triple infection with Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Coxiella was found in a Haemaphysalis lagrangei tick. Double infection of Rickettsia with Coxiella was also detected in another H. lagrangei tick. From the phylogenetic analyses, we found a Rickettsia sp. with a close evolutionary relationship to Rickettsia bellii in the H. lagrangei tick. We also found the first evidence of a Rickettsia sp. that is closely related to Rickettsia tamurae in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks from Thailand. H. lagrangei and Haemaphysalis obesa ticks collected from Sambar deer tested positive for Anaplasma species form the same clade with Anaplasma bovis. In contrast, other H. lagrangei ticks collected from Sambar deer and D. auratus ticks collected from Wild boar were also reported for the first time to be infected with an Anaplasma species that is closely related to Anaplasma platys. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of Coxiella bacteria revealed that Coxiella symbionts from H. lagrangei formed a distinctly different lineage from Coxiella burnetii (a human pathogen). Additionally, Francisella bacteria identified in D. auratus ticks were found to be distantly related to a group of pathogenic Francisella species. The identification of these bacteria in several feeding ticks suggests the risk of various emerging tick-borne diseases and endosymbionts in humans, wildlife, and domestic animals in Thailand.