Toxoplasma gondii infection in Philippines Rattus spp. confirmed through bioassay in Mus musculus

The absence of any published work on T. gondii infection in rats in the Philippines has compelled us to embark on this present study. Toxoplasma gondii infection was serologically ascertained in 55.5% of Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus mindanensis caught in agricultural (AGR), commercial (COM) and residential (RES) sites at Dasmariñas, Cavite. Infection accounted for 60.0% in R. norvegicus and 50.0% in R. rattus mindanensis, with anti-T. gondii antibodies (Abs) titre ranging from 1:64 to 1:2048. Chronic infection (≥1:256 anti- T. gondii Abs) was detected in 53 (61.0%) rats. There was an insignificant association between parasite infectivity, rat species and collection sites. In mice, seropositivity was 65.0% (93/144), and tissue cysts were detected only among those exposed to brain tissue of RES caught R. rattus mindanensis. Although mouse infection was clearly inoculum dose related, the consistent higher infectivity of T. gondii parasite from AGR and COM relative to RES caught Rattus spp. and other biological parameters, such as clinical manifestations, parasite encystations and mortality, suggest intraspecific strain differences in T. gondii infecting the Rattus spp. populations. We are currently assessing the severity of histopathology in seropositive mice exposed to brain tissue of chronically infected R. norvegicus and R. rattus mindanensis across the three collection sites, and we hope to provide additional information that would help clarify present findings and observations. The present study represents the first confirmed report of T. gondii infection of rats in the country

Prvi dokaz invazije pasa lutalica na Filipinima protozoonom Babesia gibsoni pomoću imunokromatografskog testa.

A total of 46 stray dogs in an impounding facility comprising 17 males and 29 females were diagnosed using the Babesia gibsoni P50 truncated antigen immunochromatographic test (P50t-ICT). Thirteen dogs (28.0%) were serologically positive. There was no cross-reactivity with serum samples from Babesia canis (= B. vogeli)-infected dogs and none of the ICT strips showed invalid results, which reinforce the sensitivity and specificity of the P50t antigen and the reliability and accuracy of the P50t-ICT. Thirty-seven (80.4%) dogs had mixed tick infestations principally of the genus Rhipicephalus and Boophilus. From 11 seropositive and 20 seronegative dogs a total of 80 Rhipicephalus ticks were pooled. Among the 33 seronegative dogs, 48.5% had infestation with Rhipicephalus sp. only, 12.1% with Boophilus sp. only, 12.1% with mixed Rhipicephalus sp. and Boophilus sp., and 19.6% were un-infested. This paper documents the first account of serological detection of B. gibsoni in stray dogs and their infestation mainly with Rhipicephalus sp. suggestive of their role as putative key vectors of B. gibsoni in Philippine stray dogs.Istraživanje je provedeno kako bi se imunokromatografskim testom (P50t-ICT) dokazala prisutnost protozoona Babesia gibsoni u pasa lutalica na Filipinima. Ukupno je bilo pretraženo 46 pasa, 17 mužjaka i 29 ženki, na prisutnost antigena p50 protozoona Babesia gibsoni. Trinaest pasa (28%) bilo je serološki pozitivno. Nije ustanovljen nijedan slučaj križne reaktivnosti s uzorcima seruma pasa prirodno invadiranima protozoonom Babesia canis (Babesia vogeli). Test se pokazao prikladnim, osjetljivim, specifičnim, pouzdanim i točnim. U 37 pasa (80,4%) dokazane su mješovite infestacije krpeljima rodova Rhipicephalus i Boophilus. Na 11 serološki pozitivnih i 20 serološki negativnih pasa pronađeno je ukupno 80 krpelja iz roda Rhipicephalus. Od 33 serološki negativna psa krpelji roda Rhipicephalus dokazani su u 48,5%, roda Boophilus u 12,1%, a jedna mješovita infestacija vrstama tih rodova dokazana je također u 12,1% pasa. U 27,3% pasa krpelji nisu dokazani. Ovaj rad prvi put prikazuje mogućnost serološkoga dokaza infekcije vrstom B. gibsoni u pasa lutalica i njihovu infestaciju pretežito krpeljima roda Rhipicephalus kao ključnih prijenosnika B. gibsoni u pasa lutalica na Filipinim

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks (family ixodidae) in goats raised in a small private farm in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Central Luzon, Philippines

This study was carried out to ascertain tick infestation of goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) grown in a small private farm in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Central Luzon, Philippines. Prevalence of infestation was assessed based on ticks collected, soaked in Boardman\u27s solution, and fixed in EtOH with glycerol. Ticks were evaluated as per their developmental stages and gender, and were identified as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Prevalence was 62.5% with an average mean intensity of eight ticks/goat. Throughout the study, male goats had higher mean intensity (6-11 ticks/goat) compared to females (4-7 ticks/goat). © 2017, Department of Science and Technology. All rights reserved