The epidemiology of Echinococcus granulosus in Great Britain. V. The status of subspecies of Echinococcus granulosus in Great Britain

Twenty-five years ago Williams and Sweatman suggested that in Great Britain there are two subspecies of Echinococcus granulosus--E. granulosus granulosus and E. granulosus equinus. Echinococcus granulosus granulosus does not mature either in foxes or in horses: E. granulosus equinus will mature in either. The prepatent period of E. granulosus granulosus in the definitive host is about 42 days while that of E. granulosus equinus is about 70 days. Each subspecies has a characteristic morphology. More recently, in the course of seven experiments, dogs, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes crucigera), arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus), badgers (Meles meles), domestic ferrets and domestic cats have been infected with protoscoleces derived from hydatid cysts of human, equine and ovine hosts from different regions of England and Wales. Transmissions to horses and sheep were always succeeded by the development of viable hydatid cysts; transmissions to dogs and foxes, by the development of gravid adults. The prepatent period in both dogs and foxes was invariably about 70 days (or longer) and the morphology of all the adult parasites in these definitive hosts was characteristic of E. granulosus equinus. All the evidence derived from these experiments supports the view that there is, in Great Britain, but one subspecies of E. granulosus. That one subspecies is E. granulosus equinus. It infects dogs, red foxes, arctic foxes (experimentally), cats (experimentally), humans, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, pigs, cattle, roe deer and reindeer (in Scotland). Attempts to transmit E. granulosus to badgers and domestic ferrets were unsuccessful. Of 123 cats infected with protoscoleces of horse origin, one gravid adult parasite was recovered from one animal.     

A retrospective study of rabies in humans in Zimbabwe, between 1992 and 2003

This study aimed at examining the epidemiological features of rabies in humans in Zimbabwe. The data were taken from internal reports of the department of veterinary technical services at Harare covering the period 1st January 1992-31st December 2003 inclusive. Positive cases were examined in relation to age and sex of the victim, animal vector involved, season, and land-use categories. The majority of the confirmed positive human cases (85.7%) were recorded in communal areas. The 5-19 year age group and males constituted a highly vulnerable group. Over 90% of the cases were due to dog bites with jackals (Canis adustus and C. mesomelas), and honey badgers (Mellivora capensis) also contributing to the positive cases. Rabid cats and rabid wild animals had a high relative risk (RR) of biting humans. Animal-to-human transmission was highest during the dry months of July to November.     

Sylvatic echinococcosis in Argentina. II. Susceptibility of wild carnivores to Echinococcus granulosus (Batsch, 1786) and host-induced morphological variation.

Domestic dogs and cats, 3 fox species, Dusicyon culpaeus (Molina,1782), D, griseus (Gray, 1837) and D. gymnocercus (Thomas, 1914), Geoffroy's cats, Felis geoffroyi (D'Orbigny and Gervais, 1843), and grisons, Galictus cuja (Molina, 1782) were fed larvae of Echinococcus granulosus (Batsch, 1786) from domestic sheep in Argentina. Dogs and the 3 species of foxes became infected. The susceptibility of D. culpaeus compared favorably to that of dogs. Most D. griseus and D. gymnocercus were less susceptible than dogs but gravid strobilae were recovered from some animals of both species. Eggs from strobilae in dogs and Dusicyon spp. were infective to CF1 mice. The mean strobilar length and the diameters of the rostellar pad and suckers of worms in foxes were significantly reduced when compared with previously reported data for strobilae from dogs. The potential significance of Dusicyon spp. as reservoir hosts of E. granulosus in Argentina is discussed as is the confusion surrounding the taxonomic identification of cestode infections previously reported from these wild carnivores. It is suggested that Echinococcus spp. reported from Argentine foxes are E. granulosus and that foxes become infected by killing and scavenging on sheep in localities where E. granulosus is endemic.     

Bartonella infection in shelter cats and dogs and their ectoparasites

Mainly through vector transmission, domestic cats and dogs are infected by several Bartonella spp. and represent a large reservoir for human infections. This study investigated the relationship of prevalences of Bartonella infection in shelter dogs and cats and various ectoparasite species infesting them (fleas, ticks, and lice). Moreover, relationships between Bartonella infection and animal gender and age and presence of ectoparasites were analyzed. Blood samples were collected from 120 dogs and 103 cats. There were 386 ticks and 36 fleas harvested on these dogs, and 141 fleas, 4 ticks, and 2 lice harvested on these cats. Isolation/detection of Bartonella sp. was performed by culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and partial sequencing. Bartonella was isolated from 21 (20.4%) cats and detected by PCR from 20 (19.4%) cats, 2 (1.7%) dogs, 55 (39%) fleas collected from cats, 28 (10%) ticks DNA samples, and 1 (2.8%) flea collected from dogs. When combining culture and PCR data, 27 cats and 55 fleas collected on cats were positive for Bartonella henselae or Bartonella clarridgeiae, but none were coinfected. Approximately half of the B. henselae isolates from 21 cats were B. henselae type I. Moreover, B. henselae, Bartonella phoceensis, Bartonella queenslandensis, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella elizabethae DNA was detected in ticks collected from dogs and one flea was B. clarridgeiae PCR positive. This is the first report of such a wide variety of Bartonella spp. detected in Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Further studies are required to understand the relative importance of these ectoparasites to transmit Bartonella spp. in dogs and cats.     

Evaluation of a coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of canine echinococcosis in Iran

Summary Echinococcosis is one of the most important zoonosis in Iran. Due to this fact that providing a reliable diagnostic method for detection of this infection in definitive host is a critical prerequirement for the establishment of appropriate control programs in our country, one hundred and sixteen carnivores including 80 dogs, 27 jackals, 8 foxes and one wolf were collected from rural areas of Hamadan, Azarbaijan and Tehran provinces and examined for Echinococcus granulosus infection. Canine echinococcosis was diagnosed upon direct microscopic examination of intestinal contents and mucosal scraping for adult tapeworms, and a coproantigen detection enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (CA-ELISA) for Echinococcus granulosus. The overall prevalence of canine echinococcosis using the ELISA test was 43.1 % (50/116). The relative frequency of canine echinococcosis was 37 % (43/116) by microscopic examination. The sensitivity and specificity of the CA-ELISA test as referenced by necropsy findings was 72.1 % and 74 % respectively. We found this assay to be a very suitable and advantageous method for the surveillance of canine population especially in regions with endemic echinococcosis.     

Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in animals in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To review the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among animal population of Iran. Methods: Data were systematically gathered from 1 January 2000 to 1 January 2020 in the Islamic Republic of Iran from the following electronic databases: Pub Med, Springer, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Magiran, and Scientific Information Database(SID). According to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses(PRISMA) and inclusion criteria, 88 eligible studies were obtained.Results: The pooled prevalence of cryptosporidiosis using random and fixed effects model according to heterogeneity among animals was as follows: rodents 18.8%(95% CI 12.6%-25.0%), camels 17.1%(95% CI 8.6%-25.7%), cattle 16.8%(95% CI 13.4%-20.1%), goats 14.1%(95% CI 5.2%-23.0%), horses 12.2%(95% CI 8.3%-16.2%), birds 10.5%(95% CI 7.6%-13.4%), sheep 9.9%(95% CI 2.4%-4.9%), cats 8.8%(95% CI 4.8%-12.8%) and dogs 3.7%(95% CI 7.0%-12.8%).Conclusions: Cryptosporidiosis has been reported and present in a wide range of animals in Iran over the years and has a high prevalence in most of these species.     

河北唐山市犬、猫肠道寄生虫感染情况调查

目的  了解唐山市犬、猫肠道寄生虫感染情况。 方法  收集唐山市区（煤医里小区、北新里社区）、宠物市场和流浪动物救助站犬、猫粪便标本198份, 包括犬粪113 份, 猫粪85 份。其中家养犬、猫粪 25 份, 宠物市场犬 、猫粪 55份, 流浪动物救助站犬、猫粪118份。采用直接涂片法和饱和盐水浮聚法检查肠道寄生虫虫卵、卵囊、包囊和滋养体。 结果  犬、猫粪便寄生虫阳性24份,检出肠道寄生虫6 种,包括犬弓首蛔虫、犬钩虫、犬球虫、等孢球虫、华支睾吸虫、蓝氏贾第鞭毛虫。犬、猫感染率分别为15.04%和8.24%。其中家养犬、猫感染率为8.00%,宠物市场犬、猫感染率3.64%,流浪动物救助站犬、猫感染率16.95%。 结论  唐山市犬、猫肠道寄生虫感染率较高,人群存在人兽共患寄生虫病感染风险。     

An observational study on the current distribution of visceral leishmaniasis in different geographical zones of Iran and implication to health policy

Visceral leishmaniasis is one of the most important parasitic diseases that is endemic in some parts of Iran. This study aimed to determine current distribution of visceral leishmaniasis in four distinct geographical zones of Iran. A cross-sectional study was conducted using direct agglutination test (DAT) on 9396 and 2559 serum samples collected from humans and domestic dogs, respectively during the period of 2007 through 2009. Altogether, 403 (4.3%) out of 9396 human serum samples collected from 4 distinct geographical locations showed anti-Leishmania antibodies with titers ≥ 1:3200. Physical examinations performed on 142 sero-positive cases with anti-Leishmania antibodies at titers of 1: 3200 to 1:102400 among whom fever (94.4%), paleness (67.6%) and hepato-splenomegaly (42.2%) were the predominant clinical signs and symptoms. The highest sero-prevalence rate (1.55%) was found in children ≤ 5 years old. Out of 2559 serum samples collected from domestic dogs, 212 (8.3%) were DAT positive (≥ 1:320). Leishmania infantum is the principal causative agent of the disease was isolated from both infected humans and dogs in Iran. Our findings indicate that Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis with different distribution occurs in different geographical locations of Iran.     

First surveys to investigate the presence of canine leishmaniasis and its phlebotomine vectors in Hungary

Hungary is regarded as free of leishmaniasis because only a few imported cases have been reported. However, southern Hungary has a sub-Mediterranean climate, and so it was included in the EU FP6 EDEN project, which aimed to map the northern limits of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in Europe. The numbers of traveling and imported dogs have increased in the last decade, raising concerns about the introduction of CanL caused by Leishmania infantum. Serum samples were collected from 725 dogs (22 localities, 6 counties) that had never traveled to endemic countries, as well as from other potential reservoir hosts (185 red foxes and 13 golden jackals). All sera were tested by the indirect fluorescent antibody test, but they were sero-negative using the OIE cut-off of 1:80 serum dilution except for those of two dogs resident since birth in southern Hungary. These had not received a blood transfusion, but the mode of transmission is unclear because no sandfly vectors were caught locally. From 2006 to 2009, phlebotomine sandflies were sampled in the summer months at 47 localities of 8 counties. They were trapped with castor-oil-impregnated sticky-paper, light, and CO(2)-baited traps. Small numbers of two vectors of Leishmania infantum were found. Phlebotomus neglectus occurred in three villages near to Croatia and one in north Hungary at latitude 47 °N, and Phlebotomus perfiliewi perfiliewi was trapped at two sites in a southeastern county close to the sites where it was first found in 1931-1932. Our report provides baseline data for future investigations into the northward spread of CanL into Hungary, which we conclude has yet to occur.     

Clinicobacteriological study of Pasteurella multocida as a zoonosis (1). Condition of dog and cat carriers of Pasteurella, and the influence for human carrier rate by kiss with the pets]

Pasteurella multocida is a gram-negative short rod-shaped bacteria, which is a part of the indigenous flora of the oral cavity of many animals other than man. The number of reports on cases of infections with this bacterium due to animal bites and/or scratches, bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, sepsis due to this organism and death caused by the bacteria have been increasing in recent years. We investigated P. multocida in the hair and oral cavity of 3 dogs and 29 cats according to the classification of Mutters et al.. We also studied the relationship between the carrier rate for Pasteurella in the oral cavity and kissing of pets in 24 pet owners (3 dogs and 11 cats). No P. multocida was isolated from the hair of neither dogs nor cats. One strain of P. multocida subsp. multocida and two strains of P. stomatis, were isolated from the oral cavity of dogs, and 35 strains of Pasteurella were isolated from the oral cavity of cats. Two strains of P. multocida subsp. multocida, whose biochemical properties were different, were detected in the oral cavity of one cat. In three cats, Pasteurella other than P. multocida subsp. multocida was isolated from the same oral cavity. No Pasteurella was detected in the oral cavity of 19 pet owners who had not kissed their cats, whereas P. stomatis was isolated from the oral cavity of one of 2 pet owners who had kissed their cats and in 2 of 3 pet owners who had kissed their dogs (the same bacteria was isolated from a dog that was being kept by some of these positive pet owners).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Successful Elimination of Sylvatic Rabies Using Oral Vaccination of Foxes in Slovenia

Sylvatic rabies was present in Slovenia between 1973 and 2013, with the red fox as the main reservoir of the rabies virus. The first oral rabies vaccination (ORV) control program in foxes started in 1988, using the manual distribution of baits. Significant improvement of fox vaccination was achieved with the aerial distribution of baits, starting in 1995 and successfully finished with the final, fifty-ninth vaccination campaign in 2019. Between 1979 and 2019, a total of 86,471 samples were tested, and 10,975 (12.69%) rabies-positive animals were identified. Within the ORV, two different vaccines were used, containing modified live virus strain Street Alabama Dufferin (SAD) B19 and SAD Bern, while the last ORV campaigns were completed in 2019, with a vaccine containing a genetically modified strain of SPBN GASGAS. Molecular epidemiological studies of 95 rabies-positive samples, originating from red foxes, badgers, cattle, dogs, martens, cats, and horses, revealed a low genetic diversity of circulating strains and high similarity to strains from neighboring countries. During the elimination program, few vaccine-induced rabies cases were detected: three in red foxes and one case in a marten, with no epidemiological relevance. Slovenia has been officially declared a country free of rabies since 2016.     

Leptospirosis in wild and domestic carnivores in natural areas in Andalusia, Spain

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that affects humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Carnivores are at the top of the feeding chain, thus being exposed to pathogens through their preys. From June 2004 to April 2007, we analyzed for evidences of contact with 14 serovars of Leptospira interrogans Sensu Lato serum (analyzed by indirect Microscopic Agglutination Test) and urine or kidney samples (analyzed by microscopic observation, immunostaining and culture) collected from 201 wild and domestic carnivores, including 26 free-living Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), 33 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 33 Egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon), 25 common genets (Genetta genetta), two Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) and one Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), and 53 free-roaming cats and 28 rural dogs in protected areas in Andalusia (southern Spain). Twenty-three percent of the animals presented evidences of contact, being the prevalence similar among wild (23.5%) and domestic species (22.2%). Contact with Lesptospira was detected in all the species but the otter. Prevalence was: lynx (11% by bacteriological detection, 32% by serology), fox (0%, 47%), mongoose (5%, 20%), genet (0%, 12%), badger (0%, 50%), cat (20%, 14%), dog (only serology: 36%). Serovar Icterohemorragiae accounted for 2/3 of the cases. Serovar Canicola was detected in half of the positive dogs and one lynx. Other serovars detected were Ballum, Sejro?, and Australis. No macroscopic lesions were observed in necropsied animals that showed evidence of contact with the agent, although histopathologic lesions (chiefly chronic interstitial nephritis) were observed in 7 out of the 11 microscopically analyzed individuals. Thus, L. interrogans may cause previously unrecorded disease in wild carnivores in Spain. Wild and free-roaming carnivores may not act as reservoir of L. interrogans but as a dead-end hosts, though the dog may act as reservoir of serovar Canicola. Carnivores are apparently good sentinels for the epidemiological monitorization of leptospirosis.     

福建省狗猫寄生蠕虫种类的调查

本文报告狗猫感染人兽共患病——寄生蠕虫类的调查结果。通过福建省10个县、市的808头狗与336头猫的检查,狗感染率为91.7％;猫感染率为87.5％。寄生的蠕虫有15个属19种,其中吸虫类9种;线虫类6种;绦虫类4种。人兽(狗猫)共患的16种,已与当地居民互相传播的有10种。以上调查结果显示,狗猫是人兽共患的寄生蠕虫病中重要的宿主。     

Prevalence and risks for fishborne zoonotic trematode infections in domestic animals in a highly endemic area of North Vietnam

Fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) are endemic in humans and cultured fish in Vietnam but little is known about FZT in domestic animals. A study was designed to determine FZT prevalence and species diversity, and risk factors for infection, in dogs, cats and pigs. Faecal samples from 186 dogs, 94 cats and 168 pigs belonging to 132 households in Nghia Hung district, Nam Dinh province, were examined for small trematode eggs; those were trematode eggs with length less than 50 μm. Prevalence of FZT varied significantly between cats (70.2%), dogs (56.9%) and pigs (7.7%). Forty-nine of the egg-positive animals (25 dogs, 20 cats and 4 pigs) were necropsied to obtain adult trematodes for identification. The liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis, and 11 species of intestinal flukes including Haplorchis, Stellantchasmus, Stictodora and Centrocestus were recovered from the infected animals. The practice of feeding raw fish to the animals was a significant risk factor for infection; this risk was reduced if the animals were periodically treated with anthelmintics. Based on the high prevalence of FZT and certain risky husbandry practices, domestic animals are likely to be major contributors of FZT eggs to the environment. Therefore, education of farmers to avoid feeding raw fish and to perform regular anthelmintic treatment of dogs, cats and pigs is needed in integrated FZT control programs.     

SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Viral Isolations among Serially Tested Cats and Dogs in Households with Infected Owners in Texas,USA

Understanding the ecological and epidemiological roles of pets in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for animal and human health, identifying household reservoirs, and predicting the potential enzootic maintenance of the virus. We conducted a longitudinal household transmission study of 76 dogs and cats living with at least one SARS-CoV-2-infected human in Texas and found that 17 pets from 25.6% of 39 households met the national case definition for SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals. This includes three out of seventeen (17.6%) cats and one out of fifty-nine (1.7%) dogs that were positive by RT-PCR and sequencing, with the virus successfully isolated from the respiratory swabs of one cat and one dog. Whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from all four PCR-positive animals were unique variants grouping with genomes circulating among people with COVID-19 in Texas. Re-sampling showed persistence of viral RNA for at least 25 d-post initial test. Additionally, seven out of sixteen (43.8%) cats and seven out of fifty-nine (11.9%) dogs harbored SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies upon initial sampling, with relatively stable or increasing titers over the 2–3 months of follow-up and no evidence of seroreversion. The majority (82.4%) of infected pets were asymptomatic. ‘Reverse zoonotic’ transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from infected people to animals may occur more frequently than recognized.     

Localization of motilin-containing cells in the intestinal tract of mammals: A further comparison using region-specific motilin antisera

Region-specific antimotilin sera were used to investigate the presence of motilin-containing cells in the intestines of humans, dogs, cats, and rats. Motilin-containing cells were observed in the duodenal mucosa of humans, dogs, and cats. However, motilin-like immunoreactivity was not detected in any region of the rat intestinal tract. Results of this study suggest that motilin is not present in the intestinal tract of the rat or that it exists in a storage from that differs significantly from that of other species.     

Inter‐ and intraspecies transmission of canine influenza virus (H3N2) in dogs,cats, and ferrets

Background The emergence of zoonotic viruses in domestic animals is a significant public health concern. Canine influenza virus (CIV) H3N2 is a virus that can infect companion animals and is, therefore, a potential public health concern. Objective This study investigated the inter‐ and intraspecies transmission of CIV among dogs, cats, and ferrets, under laboratory conditions, to determine whether transmission of the virus was possible between as well as within these domestic animal species. Method The transmission routes for inter‐ and intraspecies transmission were airborne and direct contact, respectively. Transmission was conducted through intranasal infection of dogs followed by exposure to either cats or ferrets and by comingling infected and naïve animals of the same species. Results The interspecies transmission of CIV H3N2 via airborne was only observed from dogs to cats and not from dogs to ferrets. However, direct intranasal infection of either cats or ferrets with CIV could induce influenza‐like clinical signs, viral shedding, and serological responses. Additionally, naïve cats and ferrets could be infected by CIV via direct contact with infected animals of the same species. Conclusion Cats appear to be another susceptible host of CIV H3N2, whereas ferrets are not likely natural hosts. The molecular‐based mechanism of interspecies and intraspecies transmission of CIV H3N2 should be further studied.     

我国首次从犬中检出Negri小体

温州市 1999年前无狂犬病疫情报告 ,2 0 0 0年 12月以来该市的部分县 (市 )相继发生狂犬病病人。为了解新的狂犬病流行区动物狂犬病感染情况 ,对当地犬、猫等动物的脑组织进行Negri小体的病理学检测。共检查 13只犬和 2只猫。先将这些动物处死 ,获取其脑组织 ,用福尔马林固定。然后进行染色 ,检查Negri小体。结果显示 ,13只犬中有 1只检出Negri小体 ,而 2只猫则未检出。从犬中检出Negri小体在我国为首次。检测动物Negri小体有助于人狂犬病疫情监测 ,并可为疫情控制提供依据。     

Report of One-Year Prospective Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Dogs and Cats in France with Various Exposure Risks: Confirmation of a Low Prevalence of Shedding,Detection and Complete Sequencing of an Alpha Variant in a Cat

Despite the probable zoonotic origin of SARS-CoV-2, only limited research efforts have been made to understand the role of companion animals in SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology. According to recent serological prevalence studies, human-to-companion animal transmission is quite frequent, which led us to consider that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from animal to human, albeit negligible in the present context, may have been underestimated. In this study, we provide the results of a prospective survey that was conducted to evaluate the SARS-CoV-2 isolation rate by qRT-PCR in dogs and cats with different exposure risks and clinical statuses. From April 2020 to April 2021, we analyzed 367 samples and investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using qRT-PCR. Only four animals tested positive, all of them being cats. Three cats were asymptomatic and one presented a coryza-like syndrome. We describe in detail the infection in two cats and the associated clinical characteristics. Importantly, we obtained SARS-CoV-2 genomes from one infected animal and characterized them as Alpha variants. This represents the first identification of the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant in an infected animal in France.     

Leptospirosis in dogs and cats on the Island of Trinidad: West Indies

Confirming previous observations on dog populations in other parts of the world, notably Japan, the Philippine Islands, and some countries in South America, we found that a high percentage of dogs in Trinidad are infected with organisms from many serogroups of Leptospira. Serogroups Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae were most commonly found. Ten isolates obtained from 50 kidneys from stray dogs (20% infectivity rate) were typed as portland-vere (six) and canicola (two) of the Canicola serogroup, copenhageni of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup (one), and georgia in the Hebdomadis serogroup (one). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of a serotype in the Hebdomadis serogroup being isolated from a dog. A cat isolation was identified as canicola. Serological results showed that 55% or more of stray dogs had been exposed as opposed to only 12.5% of the cats examined. Serogroups Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Hebdomadis are found most frequently in dogs, cats, mongooses, and man in Trinidad.