Immune-mediated hookworm clearance and survival of a marine mammal decrease with warmer ocean temperatures

Indexación: Scopus.We appreciate the logistical support of the Chilean Navy, Artisanal fishermen of Quellon (Vessel crews Marimar II and Nautylus V), and the crews of the Chilean Navy lighthouse. We thank Amanda Hooper, Eugene DeRango, Elvira Vergara, Ignacio Silva, Dr. Lorraine Barbosa, Emma Milner, Sian Tarrant, Emily Morris, Suzette Miller, and Piero Becker for dedicated field assistance. We thank Dr. Vanesa Ezenwa for comments and insights in earlier versions of the manuscript. This work was supported by The Rufford Small Grant Foundation (Grant N 18815–1), Morris Animal Foundation (Grant N D16ZO-413), and the Society for Marine Mammalogy Small Grants in aid awards 2015 and 2016.Increases in ocean temperature are associated with changes in the distribution of fish stocks, and the foraging regimes and maternal attendance patterns of marine mammals. However, it is not well understood how these changes affect offspring health and survival. The maternal attendance patterns and immunity of South American fur seals were assessed in a rookery where hookworm disease is the main cause of pup mortality. Pups receiving higher levels of maternal attendance had a positive energy balance and a more reactive immune system. These pups were able to expel hookworms through a specific immune mediated mechanism and survived the infection. Maternal attendance was higher in years with low sea surface temperature, therefore, the mean hookworm burden and mortality increased with sea surface temperature over a 10-year period. We provide a mechanistic explanation regarding how changes in ocean temperature and maternal care affect infectious diseases dynamics in a marine mammal. © Seguel et al.https://elifesciences.org/articles/3843

Risk factors associated with Trypanosoma cruziexposure in domestic dogs from a rural community in Panama

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection, is a zoonosis of humans, wild and domestic mammals,including dogs. In Panama, the main T. cruzi vector is Rhodnius pallescens, a triatomine bug whose main naturalhabitat is the royal palm, Attalea butyracea. In this paper, we present results from three T. cruzi serological tests(immunochromatographic dipstick, indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA) performed in 51 dogs from 24 housesin Trinidad de Las Minas, western Panama. We found that nine dogs were seropositive (17.6% prevalence). Dogswere 1.6 times more likely to become T. cruzi seropositive with each year of age and 11.6 times if royal palms wherepresent in the peridomiciliary area of the dog’s household or its two nearest neighbours. Mouse-baited-adhesivetraps were employed to evaluate 12 peridomestic royal palms. All palms were found infested with R. pallescens withan average of 25.50 triatomines captured per palm. Of 35 adult bugs analysed, 88.6% showed protozoa flagellates intheir intestinal contents. In addition, dogs were five times more likely to be infected by the presence of an additionaldomestic animal species in the dog’s peridomiciliary environment. Our results suggest that interventions focused onroyal palms might reduce the exposure to T. cruzi infection