Novos dados sobre Echinococcus spp. no sul do Brasil

40 Echinococcus isolates from sheep and cattle in Southern Brazil were genetically analysed in order to obtain further data on the presence of different taxa of the Echinococcus granulosus complex. Differentiation was done using a PCR technique and sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1). Most samples (38) could be allocated to the sheep strain (G1) of E. granulosus, while two samples belonged to E. ortleppi, previously known as cattle strain (G5) of E. granulosus. Due to the shorter prepatent period in dogs of the latter taxon, this records have important implications for the design of control measures in this endemic region.Quarenta isolados de Echinococcus provenientes de ovinos e bovinos do sul do Brasil foram analisados geneticamente com o objetivo de obter dados a respeito das diferentes cepas dentro do gênero Echinococcus granulosus. A diferenciação foi feita empregando-se a técnica de PCR a o seqüenciamento da subunidade 1 da citocromo c oxidase (CO1). A maior parte das amostras (38) pôde ser alocada na cepa ovina (G1) enquanto duas amostras pertenceram ao gênero E. ortleppi, anteriormente conhecido como cepa bovina (G5) do E. granulosus. Devido ao menor período pré-patente em cães deste último gênero ressalta-se a importância do presente registro devido às implicações no delineamento de medidas de controle nesta região endêmica

Polymerase chain reaction for detection of patent infections of Echinococcus granulosus ("sheep strain”) in naturally infected dogs

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the identification of eggs of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus ("sheep strain”) was evaluated with primers derived from mitochondrial sequences. Specificity of these primers was confirmed by investigating DNA of other strains of E. granulosus and of 14 helminth species which inhabit the intestines of dogs. This PCR assay was used to investigate 131 purged dogs from Kazakhstan. Eighteen dogs harboured Echinococcus worms, ten of them in mixed infections with Taenia spp. Coproantigen detection was positive in 15 and taeniid eggs could be recovered from 13 of these specimens. Eight of the egg-containing samples were positive in the PCR for E. granulosus and four in a Echinococcus multilocularis -specific PCR revealing one mixed infection. Egg-containing faeces from two dogs harbouring both Taenia spp. and Echinococcus spp. were negative in both PCRs. The combination of egg isolation and PCR will also be of value in epidemiological studies when investigating environmental sample

Blood Parasites of Vangas and Other Corvoidea on Madagascar

Madagascar hosts a great diversity of bird species. This study focuses on the description of the diversity and prevalence of blood parasites (Haemosporida, trypanosomes and filarioid nematodes) in 131 blood samples of 14 species of Corvoidea, namely vangas (Vangidae), Coracina cinerea (Campephagidae), Dicrurus forficatus (Dicruridae) and Terpsiphone mutata (Monarchidae) found in primary rainforests on Madagascar. Blood parasites were detected using both molecular and microscopic methods. Multiplex PCR was used to detect mixed haemosporidian infections and nested PCR was used to describe a 479 bp fragment of the haemosporidian cytochrome b (cytb) gene. Furthermore, a 770 bp SSU rRNA fragment of trypanosomes, and, for microfilariae, a 690 bp fragment of 28S rRNA, as well as a 770 bp fragment of 28S rRNA, were amplified for identification using nested PCRs. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out for all sequences obtained from all blood parasite taxa. Over half of the samples (54.2%; n = 71) were infected with Haemosporida, whereas only 21.4% (n = 28) were infected with Trypanosoma and 5.3% (n = 7) contained filarioid nematode DNA. Fourteen of 56 blood smears contained some of the above-mentioned parasite taxa. The results corroborate the great diversity of blood parasites in the different bird species studied, especially in vangas. Vangas had the greatest diversity of parasites found, as well as the highest number of multiple infections, which may be due to their morphological diversity and resulting habitat use. Fifteen haemosporidian lineages, seven Trypanosoma and five filarioid nematode isolates were newly discovered in the avian species studied, particularly in the vangas. Members of the other Corvoidea families on Madagascar showed a lower susceptibility for avian haemosporidian parasites than vangas, which could be attributed to possible resistance against those parasites. The study confirmed the host specificity of some Haemosporida and microfilariae; however, it demonstrated that this was not the case for Trypanosoma

Blood Parasites of Vangas and Other Corvoidea on Madagascar

Madagascar hosts a great diversity of bird species. This study focuses on the description of the diversity and prevalence of blood parasites (Haemosporida, trypanosomes and filarioid nematodes) in 131 blood samples of 14 species of Corvoidea, namely vangas (Vangidae), Coracina cinerea (Campephagidae), Dicrurus forficatus (Dicruridae) and Terpsiphone mutata (Monarchidae) found in primary rainforests on Madagascar. Blood parasites were detected using both molecular and microscopic methods. Multiplex PCR was used to detect mixed haemosporidian infections and nested PCR was used to describe a 479 bp fragment of the haemosporidian cytochrome b (cytb) gene. Furthermore, a 770 bp SSU rRNA fragment of trypanosomes, and, for microfilariae, a 690 bp fragment of 28S rRNA, as well as a 770 bp fragment of 28S rRNA, were amplified for identification using nested PCRs. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out for all sequences obtained from all blood parasite taxa. Over half of the samples (54.2%; n = 71) were infected with Haemosporida, whereas only 21.4% (n = 28) were infected with Trypanosoma and 5.3% (n = 7) contained filarioid nematode DNA. Fourteen of 56 blood smears contained some of the above-mentioned parasite taxa. The results corroborate the great diversity of blood parasites in the different bird species studied, especially in vangas. Vangas had the greatest diversity of parasites found, as well as the highest number of multiple infections, which may be due to their morphological diversity and resulting habitat use. Fifteen haemosporidian lineages, seven Trypanosoma and five filarioid nematode isolates were newly discovered in the avian species studied, particularly in the vangas. Members of the other Corvoidea families on Madagascar showed a lower susceptibility for avian haemosporidian parasites than vangas, which could be attributed to possible resistance against those parasites. The study confirmed the host specificity of some Haemosporida and microfilariae; however, it demonstrated that this was not the case for Trypanosoma

Polymerase chain reaction for detection of patent infections of Echinococcus granulosus (“sheep strain”) in naturally infected dogs

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the identification of eggs of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus ("sheep strain”) was evaluated with primers derived from mitochondrial sequences. Specificity of these primers was confirmed by investigating DNA of other strains of E. granulosus and of 14 helminth species which inhabit the intestines of dogs. This PCR assay was used to investigate 131 purged dogs from Kazakhstan. Eighteen dogs harboured Echinococcus worms, ten of them in mixed infections with Taenia spp. Coproantigen detection was positive in 15 and taeniid eggs could be recovered from 13 of these specimens. Eight of the egg-containing samples were positive in the PCR for E. granulosus and four in a Echinococcus multilocularis -specific PCR revealing one mixed infection. Egg-containing faeces from two dogs harbouring both Taenia spp. and Echinococcus spp. were negative in both PCRs. The combination of egg isolation and PCR will also be of value in epidemiological studies when investigating environmental sample

Avian malaria on Madagascar: bird hosts and putative vector mosquitoes of different Plasmodium lineages

Abstract Background Avian malaria occurs almost worldwide and is caused by Haemosporida parasites ( Plasmodium , Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon ). Vectors such as mosquitoes, hippoboscid flies or biting midges are required for the transmission of these parasites. There are few studies about avian malaria parasites on Madagascar but none about suitable vectors. Methods To identify vectors of avian Plasmodium parasites on Madagascar, we examined head, thorax and abdomen of 418 mosquitoes from at least 18 species using a nested PCR method to amplify a 524\ua0bp fragment of the haemosporidian mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Sequences obtained were then compared with a large dataset of haemosporidian sequences detected in 45 different bird species ( n \u2009=\u2009686) from the same area in the Maromizaha rainforest. Results Twenty-one mosquitoes tested positive for avian malaria parasites. Haemoproteus DNA was found in nine mosquitoes (2.15%) while Plasmodium DNA was found in 12 mosquitoes (2.87%). Seven distinct lineages were identified among the Plasmodium DNA samples. Some lineages were also found in the examined bird samples: Plasmodium sp. WA46 (EU810628.1) in the Madagascar bulbul, Plasmodium sp. mosquito 132 (AB308050.1) in 15 bird species belonging to eight families, Plasmodium sp. PV12 (GQ150194.1) in eleven bird species belonging to eight families and Plasmodium sp. P31 (DQ839060.1) was found in three weaver bird species. Conclusion This study provides the first insight into avian malaria transmission in the Maromizaha rainforest in eastern Madagascar. Five Haemoproteus lineages and seven Plasmodium lineages were detected in the examined mosquitoes. Complete life-cycles for the specialist lineages WA46 and P31 and for the generalist lineages mosquito132 and PV12 of Plasmodium are proposed. In addition, we have identified for the first time Anopheles mascarensis and Uranotaenia spp. as vectors for avian malaria and offer the first description of vector mosquitoes for avian malaria in Madagascar

New data on Echinococcus spp. in Southern Brazil Novos dados sobre Echinococcus spp. no sul do Brasil

40 Echinococcus isolates from sheep and cattle in Southern Brazil were genetically analysed in order to obtain further data on the presence of different taxa of the Echinococcus granulosus complex. Differentiation was done using a PCR technique and sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1). Most samples (38) could be allocated to the sheep strain (G1) of E. granulosus, while two samples belonged to E. ortleppi, previously known as cattle strain (G5) of E. granulosus. Due to the shorter prepatent period in dogs of the latter taxon, this records have important implications for the design of control measures in this endemic region.<br>Quarenta isolados de Echinococcus provenientes de ovinos e bovinos do sul do Brasil foram analisados geneticamente com o objetivo de obter dados a respeito das diferentes cepas dentro do gênero Echinococcus granulosus. A diferenciação foi feita empregando-se a técnica de PCR a o seqüenciamento da subunidade 1 da citocromo c oxidase (CO1). A maior parte das amostras (38) pôde ser alocada na cepa ovina (G1) enquanto duas amostras pertenceram ao gênero E. ortleppi, anteriormente conhecido como cepa bovina (G5) do E. granulosus. Devido ao menor período pré-patente em cães deste último gênero ressalta-se a importância do presente registro devido às implicações no delineamento de medidas de controle nesta região endêmica

Linking predator exposure and patterns of treatments with anticoagulant rodenticides by using faeces

International audienceRodent predators are largely exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) and, to mitigate their exposure, drivers of transfer should be better characterized. The measurement of ARs residues in faeces appears as a potential non-invasive indicator to assess vole predator exposure. However it is unknown whether ARs residues in faeces could be related to treatment patterns. In 2011, fox-like faeces were sampled in 2 contexts of ARs usage, "plant protection product (PPP)/biocide" or "biocide only". PPP treatments using bromadiolone were carried out to control water vole Arvicola terrestris populations. PPP treatments were quantified and located. In each usage, 160 faeces of vole predators were geo-referenced and then, stored at 20°C for further ARs titration (LC-ESI/MS/MS) and species identification (DNA-PCR). DNA was amplified for 37.2% of faeces. Among them, the most frequent species was the red fox (73.9%), then cat (21.8%) and finally dog (4.2%). ARs occurrence did not differ between fox, cat and PCR unidentified faeces (p=0.35). Every positive faeces contained only bromadiolone except one (biocide context) with chlorophacinone. ARs were detected more frequently where PPP treatments occurred (p<0.001). In PPP/biocide context, the ratio of positive faeces varied non-linearly with the area of PPP treatments within a 1km-radius around faeces (p<0.001; pseudo-r²=0.43). It increased exponentially up to 70% until a 0.4 km² area treated. Then this ratio increased almost linearly to reach 90% for 0.85 km2. Those results indicate that faeces collected in situ may be a relevant non-invasive target to monitor AR exposure comparatively