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Walter Dos Santos Lima - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Identification of a phenoloxidase- and melanin-dependent defence mechanism in Achatina fulica infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum.
Parasites & vectors, 2018Co-Authors: Aytube Lucas Coaglio, Mônica Alves Neves Diniz Ferreira, Walter Dos Santos Lima, Cíntia Aparecida De Jesus PereiraAbstract:Angiostrongylus vasorum has different freshwater aquatic and terrestrial gastropod molluscs as an intermediate host, e.g. Arion spp. The mollusc Achatina fulica is a danger to public health, given the large diversity of nematodes utilizing it as an intermediate host, such as the parasites of the genus Angiostrongylus, of importance in human and veterinary medicine. Achatina fulica has been shown to have an excellent capacity for maintaining outbreaks and natural infections with A. cantonensis in Asia. Within the mollusc, the nematode parasites activate haemocytes and/or haemolymph factors and in some invertebrates, phenoloxidase (PO), that induces the release of toxic elements and eliminates the parasites. Despite the importance of A. fulica in the life-cycle of nematodes, little is known regarding the defence mechanisms involving PO in molluscs infected with nematodes. Here, the presence of PO and nitric oxide (NO) in the haemolymph and haemocytes of A. fulica infected with first-stage (L1) larvae of Angiostrongylus vasorum was evaluated, together with the presence of melanin in the cephalopod mollusc tissue. An increase in PO at one day post infection (dpi), in comparison with the control using the substrates L-tyrosine (F(4,90) = 6.73, P = 0.00006), L-DOPA (F(4,90) = 22.67, P = 0.02) and p-phenylenediamine (PPD) (F(4,90) = 27.58, P = 0.0019), was observed. PO increase coincided with the presence of melanin in the cephalopodal tissue. At 8 dpi, PO activity, compared to L-DOPA (F(4,90) = 22.67, P = 0.00002) and PPD (F(4,90) = 27.58, P = 0.079) decreased, while melanin increased. At 13 dpi, PO decreased with PPD (F(4,90) = 27.58, P = 0.000015) and also the amount of melanin observed in histology. At 30 dpi, PO increased along with the substrates L-DOPA and PPD, while melanin decreased. NO levels increased until 8 dpi, and decreased after 13 dpi. To our knowledge, this is the first study that illustrates PO activity in a helminth-infected A. fulica and provides the first observation of an L-tyrosine dependent PO activity in molluscs infected with A. vasorum. This work suggests that PO pathway may help to control A. vasorum infection in A. fulica.
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avaliacao de tecnicas para recuperacao de Angiostrongylus vasorum em achatina fulica um potencial hospedeiro intermediario
Revista de Patologia Tropical, 2016Co-Authors: Aytube Lucas Coaglio, Cíntia Aparecida De Jesus Pereira, Lanuze Rose Mozzer, Deborah Aparecida Negrao Correa, Walter Dos Santos LimaAbstract:Mollusks are intermediate hosts of Angiostrongylus vasorum , which is a parasite with zoonotic potential for which canids are the definitive host. In this study, 180 specimens of Achatina fulica that had been experimentally infected with 1,000 L1 of A. vasorum were finely chopped to evaluate four tissue digestion techniques: 1% potassium hydroxide (group I); 3% hydrochloric acid (group II); 1% hydrochloric acid and pepsin (group III) with procedures at 37 oC in a double boiler; and Baermann at 42 °C (group IV). On the first, eighth and thirtieth days after infection, L1, L2 and L3 were obtained, and 240 L3 recovered from group III were offered to a dog. The results were the following: group I: 59% L1, 7% L2, 13% L3; group II: 31% L1, 13% L2, 27% L3; group III: 23% L1, 22% L2, 30% L3; and group IV: 0.3% L1, 0.02% L2, 5% L3. Live larvae were observed in group III: 15.5% L1, 8.22% L3; group II: 9.8% L3; and group IV: 100% L1, L2 and L3. Larvae were detected 56 days after the dog became infected. All larvae stages of A. vasorum were recovered and identified through the techniques evaluated, thus confirming the potential of A. fulica as an intermediate host of the nematode.
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the development of Angiostrongylus vasorum baillet 1866 in the freshwater snail pomacea canaliculata lamarck 1822
Journal of Helminthology, 2015Co-Authors: Lanuze Rose Mozzer, Aytube Lucas Coaglio, Ruth Massote Dracz, Vinicius Marques Antunes Ribeiro, Walter Dos Santos LimaAbstract:Angiostrongylus vasorum is a parasitic nematode that infects the heart and pulmonary artery and its branches of domestic and wild canids. The parasite can use several species of terrestrial and aquatic molluscs as intermediate hosts, although susceptibility varies. Pomacea canaliculata is a mollusc found in lakes, swamps and rivers in South America. In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility, parasite growth, oviposition and larval development of 282 P. canaliculata infected with 500 A. vasorum first-instar larvae (L1). From day 5 post-infection (pi) to day 30 pi, seven specimens per day were sacrificed to recover the larval instars. We compared 50 egg masses from infected and uninfected molluscs to determine the number of eggs per clutch, the hatching rate and the growth of the molluscs. The percentage of recovered larvae ranged from 39.17% to 67.5%. First-stage larvae (L1) were found until day 19 pi, second-stage larvae (L2) were found from days 11 to 25 pi, and third-stage larvae (L3) were recovered only after day 19 pi. Infected snails exhibited the most eggs during spawning, although the rate of hatching and shell size were lower in the infected snails compared with controls. This is the first report of an experimental infection of P. canaliculata with A. vasorum, and the results confirm the non-specificity of the nematode in relation to the intermediate host and indicate the importance of epidemiological surveys of this parasite and mollusc.
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parasitological and hematological aspects of co infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum and ancylostoma caninum in dogs
Veterinary Parasitology, 2014Co-Authors: Ruth Massote Dracz, Lanuze Rose Mozzer, Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara, Walter Dos Santos LimaAbstract:Dogs are frequently infected by one or more species of endoparasites, which can lead to secondary infections that cause high morbidity and death. In this context, 2 nematode species are of veterinary importance: Angiostrongylus vasorum, which is a parasite of the pulmonary artery and right ventricle in domestic and wild canids, and Ancylostoma caninum, which is a parasite of the small intestine in felids and domestic and wild canids. We used 20 mongrel dogs that were divided into groups and infected as follows: Group A included 5 uninfected dogs, Group B included 5 dogs infected with A. vasorum, Group C included 5 dogs infected with A. caninum, and Group D included 5 dogs co-infected with A. vasorum and A. caninum. Parasitological and hematological monitoring were performed. The counts of larvae and eggs shed in the feces varied throughout the collection period. Moreover, negativation was not observed in any of the infected groups. The animals in Group C had macrocytic and hypochromic anemia, whereas the animals in Group D had macrocytic and normochromic anemia. Infected dogs also presented with eosinophilia and lymphocytosis. These data from coproparasitological techniques provide an improved assessment of disease severity and a more thorough understanding of parasitism in the host.
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larval output of infected and re infected dogs with Angiostrongylus vasorum baillet 1866 kamensky 1905
Veterinary Parasitology, 2006Co-Authors: S D Oliveirajunior, T A Barcante, Joziana Muniz De Paiva Barcante, Silvia Regina Costa Dias, Walter Dos Santos LimaAbstract:Canine angiostrongylosis is a nematode infection in domestic dogs and wild canids. A natural infection in a domestic dog frequently leads to pneumonia, loss of physical performance, coughing, anemia, cardiac insufficiency, pulmonary fibrosis and death. The main diagnostic method is based on the finding of Angiostrongylus vasorum first-stage larvae (L1) in infected dog feces. With this objective, 11 experimentally exposed to 100 third-stage larvae (L3) per kilogram of body weight (mean = 885.45 L3/animal; S.E. = 77.7). The animals were monitored for 300 days post-single-infection (PI) and the quantity of L1 output measured. Our results showed an irregular excretion of L1 and a variation in the pre-patent period (33-76 days) and the number of L1 excreted by individual animals (1-1261 L1/g). After 300 days PI, five dogs were exposed a second time and monitored for 300 days post-re-infection (PRI) (=600 days PI). The quantity of L1 output demonstrated that double exposed dogs also presented an irregular excretion of L1 but a smaller variation in the number of L1 excreted by individual animals (4-550 L1/g).
Manuela Schnyder - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Fox Serum Proteomics Analysis Suggests Host-Specific Responses to Angiostrongylus vasorum Infection in Canids
'MDPI AG', 2021Co-Authors: Nina Gillis-germitsch, Christian M. O. Kapel, Lucienne Tritten, Pia Webster, Tobias Kockmann, Stig M. Thamsborg, Manuela SchnyderAbstract:Dogs infected with the cardiopulmonary nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum may suffer from respiratory distress and/or bleeding disorders. Descriptions of clinical signs in foxes are rare, despite high prevalence. To evaluate the impact of infection on coagulation and immune response, serum proteins from eight experimentally infected foxes before and after inoculation (day 0, 35, 84, 154) were subjected to differential proteomic analyses based on quantitative data and compared to available data from dogs. The number of proteins with differential abundance compared to the uninfected baseline increased with chronicity of infection. Bone marrow proteoglycan, chitinase 3-like protein 1 and pulmonary surfactant-associated protein B were among the most prominently increased proteins. The abundance of several proteins involved in coagulation was decreased. Enriched pathways obtained from both increased and decreased proteins included, among others, “platelet degranulation” and “haemostasis”, and indicated both activation and suppression of coagulation. Qualitative comparison to dog data suggests some parallel serum proteomic alterations. The comparison, however, also indicates that foxes have a more adequate immunopathological response to A. vasorum infection compared to dogs, facilitating persistent infections in foxes. Our findings imply that foxes may be more tolerant to A. vasorum infection, as compared to dogs, reflecting a longer evolutionary host–parasite adaptation in foxes, which constitute a key wildlife reservoir
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conquering switzerland the emergence of Angiostrongylus vasorum in foxes over three decades and its rapid regional increase in prevalence contrast with the stable occurrence of lungworms
Parasitology, 2020Co-Authors: Nina Gillisgermitsch, Peter Deplazes, Lucienne Tritten, Daniel Hegglin, Manuela SchnyderAbstract:Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis and Capillaria aerophila are the most common lungworms of domestic and wild canids. We investigated the short- and long-term lungworm prevalence changes in the Swiss fox population with a focus on A. vasorum. Between 2012 and 2017, lungs and hearts of 533 foxes from north-eastern Switzerland were necropsied and blood samples tested for circulating A. vasorum antigen. Angiostrongylus vasorum prevalence increased steadily from 21.5% in 2012 to 81.8% in 2017. In contrast, C. aerophila and C. vulpis prevalences fluctuated between 41.8 and 74.7%, and 3.6 and 14.9%, respectively. Based on 3955 blood samples collected between 1986 and 2017 from three geographic areas and during four time periods, antigen seropositivity increased from 2.4 to 62.0%. In north-eastern Switzerland, seropositivity was initially low (1.9 and 1.7% in the first two time periods) but increased in the following two decades to 22.2 and 62.0%, respectively. Our findings depict the spectacular expansion of A. vasorum in the past three decades. Regionally, the prevalence in foxes increased 4-fold within 6 years in some regions. This underpins the important role of foxes as reservoir hosts, likely explaining the increasing number of cases of canine angiostrongylosis in Switzerland. Our findings are representative of central Europe and may help anticipating future developments in areas where A. vasorum is present but (still) infrequent.
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dirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum the current situation of two major canine heartworms in portugal
Veterinary Parasitology, 2018Co-Authors: Ana Margarida Alho, Manuela Schnyder, José Meireles, Silvana Belo, Peter Deplazes, Luís Madeira De CarvalhoAbstract:Cardiopulmonary nematodes are life-threatening pet parasites increasingly reported throughout Europe, with overlapping endemic areas. Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne whilst Angiostrongylus vasorum is a snail-borne pathogen. Both adult nematodes reside in the pulmonary arteries and right cardiac ventricle of domestic and wild canids, causing a wide spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from cough, dyspnoea and exercise intolerance to severe vascular and pulmonary disease with hearth failure that may lead to death. Information about the prevalence and distribution of cardiopulmonary parasites is essential for the control of animal diseases and, in the case of D. immitis, for the control of potentially associated illnesses in humans. However, in Portugal, heartworm studies are limited to few surveys and case reports, possibly underestimating the relevance of these nematodes. The present work reviews the data on cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis and angiostrongylosis in dogs in Portugal, providing a comprehensive update of the epidemiological situation during the past 20 years.
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Hyperfibrinolysis and Hypofibrinogenemia Diagnosed With Rotational Thromboelastometry in Dogs Naturally Infected With Angiostrongylus vasorum.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 2017Co-Authors: Nadja Sigrist, Nathalie Hofer-inteeworn, R S Jud Schefer, Claudia Kuemmerle‐fraune, Manuela Schnyder, Annette P N KutterAbstract:Background The pathomechanism of Angiostrongylus vasorum infection-associated bleeding diathesis in dogs is not fully understood. Objective To describe rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) parameters in dogs naturally infected with A. vasorum and to compare ROTEM parameters between infected dogs with and without clinical signs of bleeding. Animals A total of 21 dogs presented between 2013 and 2016. Methods Dogs with A. vasorum infection and ROTEM evaluation were retrospectively identified. Thrombocyte counts, ROTEM parameters, clinical signs of bleeding, therapy, and survival to discharge were retrospectively retrieved from patient records and compared between dogs with and without clinical signs of bleeding. Results Evaluation by ROTEM showed hyperfibrinolysis in 8 of 12 (67%; 95% CI, 40–86%) dogs with and 1 of 9 (11%; 95% CI, 2–44%) dogs without clinical signs of bleeding (P = .016). Hyperfibrinolysis was associated with severe hypofibrinogenemia in 6 of 10 (60%; 95% CI, 31–83%) of the cases. Hyperfibrinolysis decreased or resolved after treatment with 10–80 mg/kg tranexamic acid. Fresh frozen plasma (range, 14–60 mL/kg) normalized follow-up fibrinogen function ROTEM (FIBTEM) maximal clot firmness in 6 of 8 dogs (75%; 95% CI, 41–93%). Survival to discharge was 67% (14/21 dogs; 95% CI, 46–83%) and was not different between dogs with and without clinical signs of bleeding (P = .379). Conclusion and Clinical Importance Hyperfibrinolysis and hypofibrinogenemia were identified as an important pathomechanism in angiostrongylosis-associated bleeding in dogs. Hyperfibrinolysis and hypofibrinogenemia were normalized by treatment with tranexamic acid and plasma transfusions, respectively.
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Meerkats (Suricata suricatta), a new definitive host of the canid nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum
Elsevier, 2017Co-Authors: Nina Gillis-germitsch, Marta B. Manser, Monika Hilbe, Manuela SchnyderAbstract:Angiostronglyus vasorum is a cardiopulmonary nematode infecting mainly canids such as dogs (Canis familiaris) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Natural infections have also been reported in mustelids and red pandas (Ailurus fulgens fulgens). We report the occurrence of natural A. vasorum infections in a group of captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta), housed at a university facility in Switzerland. A. vasorum first-stage larvae (L1) were initially identified in a pooled faecal sample. Individual samples, investigated with the Baermann-Wetzel technique, revealed that 41% (7/17) of the meerkats were infected, with ranges of 2–125 L1/g faeces. PCR and sequencing of part of the ITS-2 region resulted in 100% identity with A. vasorum. Infected animals did not show clinical signs. One meerkat died two days after diagnosis. Upon necropsy one adult specimen was recovered; histological examination of the lung revealed granulomatous pneumonia caused by A. vasorum larvae and eggs as well as intima and media hyperplasia and isolated arteriosclerosis of larger lung vessels. However, the cause of death was a spleen rupture with associated blood loss. All meerkats were topically treated with 10 mg imidacloprid/2.5 mg moxidectin per animal, after which they became negative in all follow up faecal examinations. Potential intermediate (gastropods) and paratenic hosts (birds) were collected from within or outside the meerkats enclosure. Gastropods were examined by PCR and bird samples by digestion. Four out of 193 (2.1%) gastropod samples were positive for A. vasorum, whereas none of the bird samples were positive. Meerkats, belonging to the Herpestidae, therefore are suitable definitive hosts for A. vasorum, with production and excretion of live L1. Meerkats kept in captivity in areas where A. vasorum is endemic and with potential contact to intermediate hosts are at risk of infection. Regular faecal examinations including Baermann-Wetzel technique should be considered. Keywords: Angiostrongylus vasorum, Cardiopulmonary nematode, Meerkat, Suricata suricatta, New definitive hos
Carlos Hermosilla - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mono- and co-infections with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis and Troglostrongylus brevior, unknown Aelurostrongylus sp. and Angiostrongylus sp.
2019Co-Authors: Felipe Penagos-tabares, Anja Taubert, Carlos Hermosilla, Malin K. Lange, Juan Vélez, Jörg Hirzmann, Jesed Gutiérrez-arboleda, Jenny Chaparro J. GutiérrezAbstract:Mono- and co-infections with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis and Troglostrongylus brevior, unknown Aelurostrongylus sp. and Angiostrongylus sp.
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Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus: Neglected and underestimated parasites in South America
Parasites & Vectors, 2018Co-Authors: Felipe Penagos-tabares, Anja Taubert, Malin K. Lange, Jenny J. Chaparro-gutiérrez, Carlos HermosillaAbstract:The gastropod-borne nematodes Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus are global causes of cardio/pulmonary diseases in dogs and cats. In the last decade, the number of reports on canine and feline lungworms has increased in several areas of Europe and North America. The unspecific clinical signs and prolonged course of these diseases often renders diagnosis challenging. Both infections are considered as emerging and underestimated causes of disease in domestic pets. In South America, little information is available on these diseases, apart from occasional reports proving the principle presence of A. vasorum and A. abstrusus . Thus, the purpose of this review is to summarize reports on infections in both domestic and wildlife animals in South America and to increase the awareness on gastropod-borne metastrongyloid parasites, which also include important zoonotic species, such as A. cantonensis and A. costaricensis. This review highlights the usefulness of diagnostic tools, such as the Baermann funnel technique, serology and PCR, and proposes to include these routinely on cases with clinical suspicion for lungworm infections. Future national epidemiological surveys are recommended to be conducted to gain a deeper insight into the actual epidemiological situation of gastropod-borne parasitoses in South America.
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Additional file 1: Table S1. of Prevalence survey on lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, Eucoleus aerophilus) infections of wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central Germany
2018Co-Authors: Kathrin Schug, Roland Schaper, Carlos Hermosilla, Jörg Hirzmann, Friederike Krämer, Klaus Failing, Anja TaubertAbstract:Distribution of Angiostrongylus vasorum (Av), Crenosoma vulpis (Cv) and Eucoleus aerophilus (Ea) positive carcasses per county/city in the Federal State of Hesse (percentage and total numbers). (DOCX 18 kb
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Additional file 3: Table S3. of Prevalence survey on lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, Eucoleus aerophilus) infections of wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central Germany
2018Co-Authors: Kathrin Schug, Roland Schaper, Carlos Hermosilla, Jörg Hirzmann, Friederike Krämer, Klaus Failing, Anja TaubertAbstract:Distribution of Angiostrongylus vasorum (Av), Crenosoma vulpis (Cv) and Eucoleus aerophilus (Ea) positive carcasses per county/city in the Federal State of Thuringia (percentage and total numbers). (DOCX 17 kb
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Gastropod-derived haemocyte extracellular traps entrap metastrongyloid larval stages of Angiostrongylus vasorum, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior
Parasites & Vectors, 2017Co-Authors: Malin K. Lange, Felipe Penagos-tabares, Helena Mejer, Roland Schaper, Carlos Hermosilla, Tamara Muñoz-caro, Ulrich Gärtner, Anja TaubertAbstract:Background Phagocyte-derived extracellular traps (ETs) were recently demonstrated mainly in vertebrate hosts as an important effector mechanism against invading parasites. In the present study we aimed to characterize gastropod-derived invertebrate extracellular phagocyte trap (InEPT) formation in response to larval stages of important canine and feline metastrongyloid lungworms. Gastropod haemocytes were isolated from the slug species Arion lusitanicus and Limax maximus, and the snail Achatina fulica, and exposed to larval stages of Angiostrongylus vasorum, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior and investigated for gastropod-derived InEPT formation.
Anja Taubert - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mono- and co-infections with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis and Troglostrongylus brevior, unknown Aelurostrongylus sp. and Angiostrongylus sp.
2019Co-Authors: Felipe Penagos-tabares, Anja Taubert, Carlos Hermosilla, Malin K. Lange, Juan Vélez, Jörg Hirzmann, Jesed Gutiérrez-arboleda, Jenny Chaparro J. GutiérrezAbstract:Mono- and co-infections with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis and Troglostrongylus brevior, unknown Aelurostrongylus sp. and Angiostrongylus sp.
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Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus: Neglected and underestimated parasites in South America
Parasites & Vectors, 2018Co-Authors: Felipe Penagos-tabares, Anja Taubert, Malin K. Lange, Jenny J. Chaparro-gutiérrez, Carlos HermosillaAbstract:The gastropod-borne nematodes Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus are global causes of cardio/pulmonary diseases in dogs and cats. In the last decade, the number of reports on canine and feline lungworms has increased in several areas of Europe and North America. The unspecific clinical signs and prolonged course of these diseases often renders diagnosis challenging. Both infections are considered as emerging and underestimated causes of disease in domestic pets. In South America, little information is available on these diseases, apart from occasional reports proving the principle presence of A. vasorum and A. abstrusus . Thus, the purpose of this review is to summarize reports on infections in both domestic and wildlife animals in South America and to increase the awareness on gastropod-borne metastrongyloid parasites, which also include important zoonotic species, such as A. cantonensis and A. costaricensis. This review highlights the usefulness of diagnostic tools, such as the Baermann funnel technique, serology and PCR, and proposes to include these routinely on cases with clinical suspicion for lungworm infections. Future national epidemiological surveys are recommended to be conducted to gain a deeper insight into the actual epidemiological situation of gastropod-borne parasitoses in South America.
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Additional file 1: Table S1. of Prevalence survey on lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, Eucoleus aerophilus) infections of wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central Germany
2018Co-Authors: Kathrin Schug, Roland Schaper, Carlos Hermosilla, Jörg Hirzmann, Friederike Krämer, Klaus Failing, Anja TaubertAbstract:Distribution of Angiostrongylus vasorum (Av), Crenosoma vulpis (Cv) and Eucoleus aerophilus (Ea) positive carcasses per county/city in the Federal State of Hesse (percentage and total numbers). (DOCX 18 kb
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Additional file 3: Table S3. of Prevalence survey on lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, Eucoleus aerophilus) infections of wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central Germany
2018Co-Authors: Kathrin Schug, Roland Schaper, Carlos Hermosilla, Jörg Hirzmann, Friederike Krämer, Klaus Failing, Anja TaubertAbstract:Distribution of Angiostrongylus vasorum (Av), Crenosoma vulpis (Cv) and Eucoleus aerophilus (Ea) positive carcasses per county/city in the Federal State of Thuringia (percentage and total numbers). (DOCX 17 kb
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Gastropod-derived haemocyte extracellular traps entrap metastrongyloid larval stages of Angiostrongylus vasorum, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior
Parasites & Vectors, 2017Co-Authors: Malin K. Lange, Felipe Penagos-tabares, Helena Mejer, Roland Schaper, Carlos Hermosilla, Tamara Muñoz-caro, Ulrich Gärtner, Anja TaubertAbstract:Background Phagocyte-derived extracellular traps (ETs) were recently demonstrated mainly in vertebrate hosts as an important effector mechanism against invading parasites. In the present study we aimed to characterize gastropod-derived invertebrate extracellular phagocyte trap (InEPT) formation in response to larval stages of important canine and feline metastrongyloid lungworms. Gastropod haemocytes were isolated from the slug species Arion lusitanicus and Limax maximus, and the snail Achatina fulica, and exposed to larval stages of Angiostrongylus vasorum, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior and investigated for gastropod-derived InEPT formation.
Peter Deplazes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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conquering switzerland the emergence of Angiostrongylus vasorum in foxes over three decades and its rapid regional increase in prevalence contrast with the stable occurrence of lungworms
Parasitology, 2020Co-Authors: Nina Gillisgermitsch, Peter Deplazes, Lucienne Tritten, Daniel Hegglin, Manuela SchnyderAbstract:Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis and Capillaria aerophila are the most common lungworms of domestic and wild canids. We investigated the short- and long-term lungworm prevalence changes in the Swiss fox population with a focus on A. vasorum. Between 2012 and 2017, lungs and hearts of 533 foxes from north-eastern Switzerland were necropsied and blood samples tested for circulating A. vasorum antigen. Angiostrongylus vasorum prevalence increased steadily from 21.5% in 2012 to 81.8% in 2017. In contrast, C. aerophila and C. vulpis prevalences fluctuated between 41.8 and 74.7%, and 3.6 and 14.9%, respectively. Based on 3955 blood samples collected between 1986 and 2017 from three geographic areas and during four time periods, antigen seropositivity increased from 2.4 to 62.0%. In north-eastern Switzerland, seropositivity was initially low (1.9 and 1.7% in the first two time periods) but increased in the following two decades to 22.2 and 62.0%, respectively. Our findings depict the spectacular expansion of A. vasorum in the past three decades. Regionally, the prevalence in foxes increased 4-fold within 6 years in some regions. This underpins the important role of foxes as reservoir hosts, likely explaining the increasing number of cases of canine angiostrongylosis in Switzerland. Our findings are representative of central Europe and may help anticipating future developments in areas where A. vasorum is present but (still) infrequent.
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dirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum the current situation of two major canine heartworms in portugal
Veterinary Parasitology, 2018Co-Authors: Ana Margarida Alho, Manuela Schnyder, José Meireles, Silvana Belo, Peter Deplazes, Luís Madeira De CarvalhoAbstract:Cardiopulmonary nematodes are life-threatening pet parasites increasingly reported throughout Europe, with overlapping endemic areas. Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne whilst Angiostrongylus vasorum is a snail-borne pathogen. Both adult nematodes reside in the pulmonary arteries and right cardiac ventricle of domestic and wild canids, causing a wide spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from cough, dyspnoea and exercise intolerance to severe vascular and pulmonary disease with hearth failure that may lead to death. Information about the prevalence and distribution of cardiopulmonary parasites is essential for the control of animal diseases and, in the case of D. immitis, for the control of potentially associated illnesses in humans. However, in Portugal, heartworm studies are limited to few surveys and case reports, possibly underestimating the relevance of these nematodes. The present work reviews the data on cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis and angiostrongylosis in dogs in Portugal, providing a comprehensive update of the epidemiological situation during the past 20 years.
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seroprevalence of circulating Angiostrongylus vasorum antigen and parasite specific antibodies in dogs from portugal
Parasitology Research, 2016Co-Authors: Ana Margarida Alho, Roland Schaper, Manuela Schnyder, José Meireles, Silvana Belo, Peter Deplazes, Luís Madeira De CarvalhoAbstract:Angiostrongylus vasorum is a nematode that lives in the pulmonary arteries and right cardiac ventricle of domestic dogs and wild canids. It is increasingly being reported in several European countries and North America. This parasite induces inflammatory verminous pneumonia, causing severe respiratory disease in dogs. In some instances, coagulopathies, neurological signs and even death may occur. Scant data are available regarding the occurrence of A. vasorum in Portugal. Therefore, sera of 906 shelter dogs from North to South mainland Portugal were collected. ELISAs to detect A. vasorum circulating antigen and specific antibodies against this parasite were performed. A total of six dogs [0.66 %, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 0.24–1.43] were positive for both A. vasorum antigen and antibody detection, indicating an active infection, and 12 dogs (1.32 %, CI 0.68–2.30) were A. vasorum antibody-positive only. Regions with antigen- and antibody-positive animals overlapped and were distributed over nearly all sampled areas in the country. This is the first large-scale ELISA-based serological survey for A. vasorum in dogs from Portugal. The endemic occurrence of A. vasorum in dogs from different geographical areas of Portugal is therefore confirmed.
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serological detection of circulating Angiostrongylus vasorum antigen and parasite specific antibodies in dogs from poland
Parasitology Research, 2013Co-Authors: Manuela Schnyder, Roland Schaper, Nikola Pantchev, Dagmara Kowalska, Aleksandra Szwedko, Peter DeplazesAbstract:Dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum, a potentially lethal parasite living in the heart and pulmonary arteries, may present severe respiratory and neurological sings and coagulopathies. Its occurrence is increasingly reported from various European countries, but little is known about its presence in Poland. In this first large-scale survey, 3,345 sera from polish dogs attending veterinary clinics in different parts of Poland for various reasons were collected and tested by an ELISA for the detection of circulating antigen of A. vasorum and by a separate ELISA detecting specific antibodies. A total of 0.51 % (n = 17, 95% Confidence Intervals, CI: 0.30–0.81 %) of the animals were positive in both ELISAs, while 0.78 % (n = 26, CI: 0.51–1.14 %) of the tested dogs were antigen-positive only and 1.29 % (n = 43, CI: 0.93–1.73 %) were positive for specific antibodies only. Regions with antigen- and antibody-positive animals were overlapping and distributed over the whole area of the country, with approximately one third of positives close to the Baltic Sea, and a limited number of cases close to the German border. These results confirm the occurrence of A. vasorum in dogs originating from different parts of Poland. A. vasorum serology presents significant advantages (diagnosis before patency, single serum sample instead of repeated faecal samples, rapidity and affordability particularly in case of large number of samples), and it can be considered a valid alternative for diagnosis in individuals and in epidemiological studies.
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mitochondrial genome of Angiostrongylus vasorum comparison with congeners and implications for studying the population genetics and epidemiology of this parasite
Infection Genetics and Evolution, 2012Co-Authors: Robin B Gasser, Manuela Schnyder, Peter Deplazes, Abdul Jabbar, Namitha Mohandas, Timothy D J Littlewood, Aaron R JexAbstract:Angiostrongylus vasorum is a strongylid nematode of major clinical relevance in canids, causing angiostrongylosis. In spite of its increasing importance, the genetics, epidemiology and biology of this parasite are not entirely understood. Mitochondrial (mt) DNA provides useful markers for studies of these areas, but genetic data are scant for A. vasorum and its congeners. Here, the mitochondrial genome was amplified by long-range polymerase chain reaction (long-PCR) from a portion of a single male adult of A. vasorum, sequenced using 454 technology and annotated employing a semi-automated bioinformatic pipeline. This circular mitochondrial genome is 13,422 bp and contains 12 protein-encoding, 22 transfer RNA, and two ribosomal RNA genes, consistent with its congeners and other secernentean nematodes. This mt genome represents a rich source of markers for future investigations of the population genetics and epidemiology of A. vasorum. Molecular tools, employing such mt markers, should be useful for explorations into host specificity and for prospecting for cryptic species, and might also underpin the diagnosis of canine angiostrongylosis.