Prevalence of filarial parasites in domestic and stray cats in Selangor State, Malaysia

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of the filarial parasites,ie.,Brugia malayi, Brugia, Brugia pahangi(B. pahangi), Dirofilaria immitisandDirofilaria repens (D. repens) in domestic and stray cats.MethodsA total of 170 blood sample were collected from domestic and stray cats and examined for filarial worm parasites in two localities, Pulau Carey and Bukit Gasing, Selangor State, Malaysia.ResultsThe overall prevalence of infection was 23.5% (40/170; 95% CI = 17.4–30.6). Of this, 35% (14/40; 95% CI = 22.1–50.5) and 50% (20/40; 95% CI = 35.2–64.8) were positive for single B. pahangi nd D. repens, respectively. The remaining of 15% (6/40; 95% CI = 7.1–29.1) were positive for mixed B. pahangi and D. repens. In addition, 75% of the infected cats were domestic, and 25% were strays. No Brugia malayi and Dirofilaria immitis was detected. Eighty-four cats were captured at Pulau Carey, of which 35.7% (30/84) were infected. Among the cats determined to be infected, 93% (28/30; 95% CI = 78.7–98.2) were domestic, and only 6.7% (2/30; 95% CI = 19.0–21.3) were strays. Conversely, the number of infected cats was three times lower in Bukit Gasing than in Pulau Carey, and most of the cats were stray.ConclusionsB. pahangi and D. repens could be the major parasites underlying filariasis in the study area. Adequate prophylactic plans should be administrated in the cat population in study area

Prevalence of filarial parasites in domestic and stray cats in Selangor State, Malaysia

Objective: To determine the prevalence of the filarial parasites,ie.,Brugia malayi, Brugia, Brugia pahangi(B. pahangi), Dirofilaria immitisandDirofilaria repens (D. repens) in domestic and stray cats. Methods: A total of 170 blood sample were collected from domestic and stray cats and examined for filarial worm parasites in two localities, Pulau Carey and Bukit Gasing, Selangor State, Malaysia. Results: The overall prevalence of infection was 23.5% (40/170; 95% CI = 17.4–30.6). Of this, 35% (14/40; 95% CI = 22.1–50.5) and 50% (20/40; 95% CI = 35.2–64.8) were positive for single B. pahangi nd D. repens, respectively. The remaining of 15% (6/40; 95% CI = 7.1–29.1) were positive for mixed B. pahangi and D. repens. In addition, 75% of the infected cats were domestic, and 25% were strays. No Brugia malayi and Dirofilaria immitis was detected. Eighty-four cats were captured at Pulau Carey, of which 35.7% (30/84) were infected. Among the cats determined to be infected, 93% (28/30; 95% CI = 78.7–98.2) were domestic, and only 6.7% (2/30; 95% CI = 19.0–21.3) were strays. Conversely, the number of infected cats was three times lower in Bukit Gasing than in Pulau Carey, and most of the cats were stray. Conclusions: B. pahangi and D. repens could be the major parasites underlying filariasis in the study area. Adequate prophylactic plans should be administrated in the cat population in study area

Stress exacerbates infectivity and pathogenicity of Blastocystis hominis: in vitro and in vivo evidences.

BACKGROUND: Stress alters the oxidant-antioxidant state and immune cell responses which disrupts its function to combat infection. Blastocystis hominis, a common intestinal protozoan has been reported to be opportunistic in immunocompromised patients namely cancer. B. hominis infectivity in other altered immune system conditions especially stress is unknown. We aimed to demonstrate the stress effects towards the susceptibility and pathogenicity of B. hominis infection. METHODS/FINDINGS: Three-week-old Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (a)control; (b)stress-induced; (c)B. hominis infected; (d)stress-induced with B. hominis infection; (n = 20 respectively). Stress was induced for an hour daily (30 days) using a Belly Dancer Shaker. Weight gain was monitored, stool samples were collected for B. hominis screening and blood for the determination of differential count, levels of immunoglobulin, oxidative damage, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation upon induction with solubilized antigen of B. hominis (Blasto-Ag). Group (b) exhibited the highest level of weight gain. Group (d) had higher levels of parasite cyst count in stools, serum IgE, oxidized protein and lipid compared to the group (c). Levels of monocyte and antioxidant in group (d) were decreased and their PBMCs showed highest inhibition of proliferation level when exposed to Blasto-Ag. Monocyte level in Group (b) showed insignificant difference compared to group (a) but was significantly lower compared to group (c). Antioxidant levels in group (c) were generally lower compared to group (a) and (b). Inhibition level exhibited by Blasto-Ag treated PBMCs of group (c) was higher compared to group (a) and (b). CONCLUSION: The pathogenicity and augmentation of B. hominis infection is enhanced when stress is present. Lifestyles today are becoming increasingly stressed and the present findings suggest that the parasite which has been reported to be one of the most common organisms seen in stool surveys, namely in developing countries, may tend to be more pathogenic in stressful situations

Levels of serum a) IgG, b) IgE, and c) IgM in the study groups according to study duration.

<p>Data is given in mean ± SD. *P<0.05 is the comparison done against Normal group using Student's t-test. ^aP<0.05 is the significant comparison done against Stressed group using One-way ANOVA analysis.</p

Proliferation of PBMCs introduced with 1 µg/ml of Blasto-Ag according to study duration.

<p>PHA, mitogen (20 µg/ml) was used as positive control. Values are given in mean ± SD. Values are normalized against sample blank where Blasto-Ag was substituted with sterile Jones medium (without any supplements). ^*P<0.05 is the comparison done against Normal group by Student's t-test. ^aP<0.05 and ^bP<0.05 is the comparison done against Stressed and Blasto group respectively using One-way ANOVA analysis.</p

Effects of stress and <i>B. hominis</i> infection on weight gain.

<p>Mean weight gain is compared with their initial weight at week 1. Data shown is in mean ± SD. WK =  week.</p

Levels of serum oxidative indices: a) AOPP, b) LHP, c) FRAP and d) GPx in the study groups according to study duration.

<p>Data is given in mean ± SD. *P<0.05 is the comparison done against Normal by Student's t-test. ^aP<0.05 and ^bP<0.05 is the comparison done against Stressed and Blasto group respectively using One-way ANOVA analysis.</p

Correlation analysis of AOPP, LHP, FRAP and GPx levels in the study groups.

<p>Pearson's correlation coefficient test; differences were considered significant when p<0.05.</p

Illustration on the a) effects of stress on various parameters and b) overview of results obtained from this study.

<p>Text box shaded in a) yellow represents general facts and hypothesis, b) blue represents the parameters used, c) grey represents observations obtained, and d) pink represents implications of the current study.</p

Observations of scrotal mass, liver mass, haemolytic jaundice, and central vestibular disorder in brugia pahangi-infected dogs

Brugia pahangi is known to infect humans and dogs. Its associated symptoms and complications, however, have not been fully understood in dogs. Herein, we reported the observations of B. pahangi infections in dogs with scrotal mass, liver mass, haemolytic jaundice, and central vestibular disorder. © 2019, Malaysian Society for Parasitology. All rights reserved