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Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2024) | Viewed by 22245

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Dr. Márius Vicent Fuentes i Ferrer

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Parasites and Health UV-Research Group, Universitat de València, València, Spain
Interests: parasitic zoonoses; foodborne parasites; parasite epidemiology; neglected tropical diseases; small-mammal endoparasites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. María Trelis Villanueva

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Dr. Sandra Sáez Durán

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Dear Colleagues,

Human beings coexist in a close relationship with various animals, and this interrelation can be a source of diseases with a marked impact on public health and the social and economic well-being of the world population. These diseases, transmissible from animals to humans, either by direct contact or through contamination of water, food or the environment, are known as zoonoses. In humans, more than 1400 pathogens are known, of which about 900 species are zoonotic, with more than 200 of them being parasitic zoonoses, caused by protozoa, helminths and arthropods, not only having an impact on health but also having socioeconomic repercussions, since they also cause diseases in animals. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), has established the concept of "One Health" to promote multisectoral responses to food safety hazards, zoonosis risks and other threats to public health in the interaction between humans, animals and the ecosystem, and to provide guidance on how to reduce these risks.

The Special Issue “Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective” of the journal Animals aims to publish high-quality original research and reviews which focus on all aspects related to parasitic zoonoses and foodborne and arthropod-borne parasites, such as epidemiology, ecology, case reports, pathogenesis, treatment, diagnosis, control, taxonomy and systematics, genetics, molecular biology and immunology.

Dr. Màrius Vicent Fuentes i Ferrer
Dr. María Trelis Villanueva
Dr. Sandra Sáez Durán
Guest Editors

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Keywords

parasitic zoonosis
neglected parasitic diseases
public health
epidemiology
ecology
protozoa
helminths
arthropods
diagnosis
treatment
control
domestic animals
wildlife
exotic animals
foodborne parasites
arthropod-borne parasites

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Research

18 pages, 321 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Role of the Norway Rat, Rattus norvegicus, as a Reservoir of Zoonotic Helminth Species in the City of Barcelona (Spain)

by Màrius Vicent Fuentes, Pablo Puchades-Colera, Carla Gosálvez, Sandra Sáez-Durán, Maria Cholvi-Simó, Santiago Ruvira, Joan Sanxis-Furió, Jordi Pascual, Rubén Bueno-Marí, Sandra Franco, Víctor Peracho, Tomás Montalvo, María Trelis, Ángela L. Debenedetti and María Teresa Galán-Puchades

Animals 2025, 15(3), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030298 - 21 Jan 2025

Viewed by 834

Abstract

Synanthropic rodents are involved in the transmission of several parasitic zoonoses to humans, such as helminth parasites. As part of a multidisciplinary study concerning the rodent population in Barcelona (Spain), 300 specimens of the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, were analyzed to elucidate their helminth community, mainly species with a zoonotic potential. The sample included 263 specimens from the sewage system and 37 from public gardens. A total of 253 (84.3%) rats were found to be parasitized, and 206 (68.7%) harbored zoonotic species. Adult rats were found to be more heavily parasitized with zoonotic helminths than juveniles, but the sex and site of capture had no influence. Six zoonotic helminths were identified: Hydatigera taeniaeformis larvae (1.7%), Rodentolepis nana (8.0%), Hymenolepis diminuta (21.3%), Calodium hepaticum (46.3%), Gongylonema neoplasticum (36.7%), and Moniliformis moniliformis (2.3%). Human zoonotic helminth infections often go unreported, so that the role of R. norvegicus in their transmission is unknown. According to our results, it is advisable to monitor and control rodent populations in deprived settlements close to cities and in cities themselves, and to promote good hygienic and sanitary practices, especially among vulnerable populations and workers with high exposure such as sewage workers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective)

11 pages, 1206 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

First Report on the Frequency and Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis sp. in Extensively Reared Holstein-Friesian Cattle from Terceira Island, Azores Archipelago, Portugal

by Sara Gomes-Gonçalves, Alexandra Silva, Guilherme Moreira, Nausicaa Gantois, Rubén Garcia Dominguez, Eric Viscogliosi, Magali Chabé and João R. Mesquita

Animals 2025, 15(2), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020186 - 11 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 899

Abstract

This study is the first to report Blastocystis sp. in dairy cattle from Terceira Island, part of the Azores Archipelago. Blastocystis sp. is an enteric protozoan with high genetic diversity and is associated with both zoonotic and non-zoonotic subtypes (STs). The present survey aimed to fill the gap in knowledge regarding the occurrence and genetic characterization of Blastocystis sp. isolates in Holstein-Friesian cattle in this geographical area. A total of 116 stool samples were thus collected from dairy cows, and Blastocystis sp. DNA was detected using qPCR. The results revealed a 14.7% occurrence rate (17/116), with seven STs identified including ST3, ST5, ST7, ST10, ST14, ST25, and ST42, with variable frequency. Some of these STs (ST5, ST7, ST10, and ST14) are potentially zoonotic, underscoring their potential public health significance. However, the low frequency of Blastocystis sp. in this animal cohort possibly attributed to the extensive grazing system practiced on Terceira Island and the limited presence of zoonotic isolates, suggests a minimal risk of transmission from cattle to humans. This study highlights the importance of further research on the transmission dynamics of Blastocystis sp., particularly in regions with varying farming practices, to better understand its epidemiology and zoonotic potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective)

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12 pages, 1229 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Gastrointestinal Parasites in Non-Human Primates in Zoological Gardens in Northern Italy

by Erica Marchiori, Lucia Bono, Laura Voltan, Giorgia Dotto, Cinzia Tessarin and Federica Marcer

Animals 2024, 14(17), 2607; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14172607 - 7 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1063

Abstract

Non-human primates (NHPs) host a variety of helminth and protist parasites that are able to cause infection in humans. Gastrointestinal parasites in NHPs living in two zoological gardens of Northern Italy were studied. An total of 96 faecal pools were collected from 26 groups of NHPs. The mini-Flotac method was applied to fecal samples to detect gastrointestinal helminthiases, while the detection of the protists Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis sp. and Giardia duodenalis was performed by targeting SSU rRNA through nested PCR and real-time PCR; they were further studied by sequencing the same gene for Blastocystis and βgiardine and triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) genes for Giardia. Twenty-two out of the 96 examined fecal pools (22.9%) were positive for one or more helminth species, including Hymenolepis diminuta, Trichurid, Capillariid and Strongylid eggs. All samples were negative for Cryptosporidium spp., while 16/26 (61.5%) animals were positive for G. duodenalis in the real-time PCR; the sequences obtained assigned them all to sub-assemblage BIV. Blastocystis sp. was detected in 22/26 of the NHPs (84.6%); molecular analyses attributed the isolates to ST 4, allele 92. Analyses of the feces of sympatric rats revealed the presence of the same allele, as well as of Hymenolepis diminuta eggs, raising concern about their role as parasite reservoirs in the facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective)

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13 pages, 3541 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens: Investigating the Prevalence of Zoonotic Parasites in Dogs and Humans in a Hyperenzootic Area

by Dimitris Dimzas, Georgios Aindelis, Andronki Tamvakis, Sapfo Chatzoudi, Katerina Chlichlia, Maria Panopoulou and Anastasia Diakou

Animals 2024, 14(17), 2529; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14172529 - 30 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1581

Abstract

The mosquito-borne zoonotic nematode parasites Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens primarily affect dogs. In recent years, their distribution has expanded due to various factors influencing vector-borne pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the comparative prevalence of infection in dogs and humans within a hyperenzootic region of Europe, and to estimate the proportional relationship between infection prevalence in dogs and humans, within the concept of “One Health”. To this end, 604 blood samples from dogs and 625 serum samples from humans living in the Thrace region of northeastern Greece were collected. The dog samples were examined for Dirofilaria spp. microfilariae using Kott’s test and for D. immitis antigen using a commercial serological test. The human sera were analyzed for both parasites by Western blot. The overall prevalence of infection in dogs was 177 (29.3%), with 173 (28.6%) testing positive for D. immitis and 7 (1.2%) for D. repens, including 6 (1%) cases of mixed infection. Specific IgG antibodies were detected in 42 (6.7%) human samples, with 24 (3.8%) positive for D. immitis and 18 (2.9%) for D. repens. The infection proportion in humans was 23.4% of the corresponding canine infections, indicating a high risk of human infection in this hyperenzootic region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective)

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17 pages, 1522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seroprevalence Assessment and Risk Factor Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Goats from Northeastern Algeria

by Abdeldjalil Dahmane, Daniela Almeida, Nassiba Reghaissia, Djamel Baroudi, Houssem Samari, Amine Abdelli, AbdElkarim Laatamna and João R. Mesquita

Animals 2024, 14(6), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060883 - 13 Mar 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2025

Abstract

T. gondii is the causal agent of toxoplasmosis, a worldwide zoonotic disease relevant in human and veterinary medicine. In Algeria, few reports focused on the presence and circulation of this parasite in the local goat population. The aim of the survey was to evaluate toxoplasmosis seroprevalence and associated risk factors. Sera from 460 goats reared on 72 farms in northeastern Algeria were collected and tested for IgG antibodies to T. gondii by an indirect ELISA. To identify risk factors, a linear regression analysis of the variables was performed. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were found in 94.44% (68/72; 95% CI: 73.34–119.73) of goat farms and in 53.26% (245/460; 95% CI: 46.80–60.36) at the individual level. The multivariable analysis showed that seasonal pasture (OR = 3.804; 95% CI: 3.321–4.358; p = 0.003), presence of water source in pasture area (OR = 4.844; 95% CI: 1.942–7.789; p = 0.0004), use of anthelminthics (OR = 2.640; 95% CI: 1.592–3.146; p = 0.036), number of cats, hygiene, proportion of abortions, number of abortions in the last year, year of sampling, region, and season were the variables significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity. Abortions in goat herds seem to be related to T. gondii exposure, thus it is crucial to undertake measures and strategies to reduce, control, and prevent toxoplasmosis infection in goats, and thereby in humans, from Algeria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective)

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33 pages, 812 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Wild Animals in Captivity: An Analysis of Parasite Biodiversity and Transmission among Animals at Two Zoological Institutions with Different Typologies

by Lorena Esteban-Sánchez, Juan José García-Rodríguez, Juncal García-García, Eva Martínez-Nevado, Manuel Antonio de la Riva-Fraga and Francisco Ponce-Gordo

Animals 2024, 14(5), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050813 - 6 Mar 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3611

Abstract

We have conducted a 10-year-long coprological study of the animals housed in two zoological institutions (ZooAquarium and Faunia, Madrid, Spain) to assess the parasite biodiversity, prevalence, and their relation with host class, diet, and enclosure type (soil type and level of isolation from wild fauna). A total of 4476 faecal samples from 132 mammal species and 951 samples from 86 avian species were examined. The results indicated that only 12.8% of avian species had parasites at least once during the study period, whereas 62.1% of mammal species tested positive. Predominantly, protists (Entamoeba, flagellates, and ciliates) and nematodes (mainly Trichuris) were identified in the findings. Carnivorous species were primarily infected by nematodes, while herbivorous and omnivorous species were mainly infected by protists. The number of infected herbivorous and omnivorous species was significantly greater than carnivorous species. Differences were observed based on soil type (artificial, natural, mixed) and isolation level (isolated/accessible), but these differences were not statistically significant. Several parasites (Entamoeba spp., Giardia spp., Balantidoides coli, Trichuris spp.) could potentially be transmitted between humans and some mammals and birds. Regular animal analyses and a personnel health program in the institutions would minimise transmission risks between zoo animals, wildlife, and humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective)

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17 pages, 9920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Prevalence of Bovine Cardiac Cysticercosis in Upper Egypt: An Epidemiological and Histopathological Study

by Fatma A. S. Anwar, Eman A. Negm, Maha Abdelhaseib, Fatma M. Abdel-maksoud, Ahmed A. Mohammed, Sara Abdel-Aal Mohamed, Ahmed Gareh, Nady Khairy Elbarbary, Manal F. El-khadragy, Ehssan Ahmed Hassan and Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy

Animals 2024, 14(1), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010158 - 3 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2825

Abstract

Bovine cysticercosis is categorized as a serious parasitic zoonotic infestation. The infection is mainly caused by the tapeworm Taenia saginata, which infects cattle and humans. The larval stage, Cysticercus bovis (C. bovis), is found in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of infected cattle. Despite its potential public health concern, few studies have been conducted on cardiac cysticercosis in Upper Egypt. This study investigates the prevalence, epidemiology, and impact of cardiac cysticercosis in Upper Egypt, emphasizing how histopathological changes in cardiac muscle and physiological parameters might be associated with the infection. From December 2022 to October 2023, a total of 941 animals from Assiut province, Upper Egypt, were slaughtered and their cardiac muscles were examined for the presence of C. bovis. Cysts were classified as viable or degenerated through macroscopic inspection. The overall prevalence of C. bovis infected hearts made up 10.8% of the total examined. The highest prevalence rate was in the summer season followed by spring; winter had the lowest infections. The histopathological examination of infected tissues revealed immune cell infiltration around Cysticercus-infected areas. Additionally, Bax immunostaining demonstrated the apoptotic effect of cysticercosis. Regarding the measured physiological parameters, there were non-significant changes in plasma levels of total protein and albumin in cattle infected with cysticercosis compared with control animals. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) combined with a significant increase in lipid peroxide (Malondialdehyde) (MDA), troponin T, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in infected animals. The present work documented a set of epidemiological and pathological findings, revealing that C. bovis is a potentially harmful parasite and can cause significant health problems in both cattle and humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective)

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11 pages, 1114 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of Blastocystis in Sheep and Pigs in Shanxi Province, North China: From a Public Health Perspective

by Chang-Ning Wei, Rui-Lin Qin, Zhen-Huan Zhang, Wen-Bin Zheng, Qing Liu, Wen-Wei Gao, Xing-Quan Zhu and Shi-Chen Xie

Animals 2023, 13(18), 2843; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13182843 - 7 Sep 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1713

Abstract

Blastocystis is a common zoonotic intestinal protozoan and causes a series of gastrointestinal symptoms in humans and animals via the fecal–oral route, causing economic losses and posing public health problems. At present, the prevalence and genetic structure of Blastocystis in sheep and pigs in Shanxi province remains unknown. Thus, the present study collected 492 sheep fecal samples and 362 pig fecal samples from three representative counties in northern, central and southern Shanxi province for the detection of Blastocystis based on its SSU rRNA gene. The results showed that the overall prevalence of Blastocystis in the examined sheep and pigs were 16.26% and 14.09%, respectively. Sequences analyses showed that four known subtypes (ST5, ST10, ST14 and ST30) in sheep and two subtypes (ST1 and ST5) in pigs were detected in this study, with ST5 being the predominate subtype among the study areas. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the same subtypes were clustered into the same branch. This study reveals that sheep and pigs in Shanxi province are hosts for multiple Blastocystis subtypes, including the zoonotic subtypes (ST1 and ST5), posing a risk to public health. Baseline epidemiological data are provided that help in improving our understanding of the role of zoonotic subtypes in Blastocystis transmission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective)

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16 pages, 1523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Detection and Epidemiology of Potentially Zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) from Eastern Spain

by Alba Martí-Marco, Samantha Moratal, Irene Torres-Blas, Jesús Cardells, Victor Lizana and María Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela

Animals 2023, 13(15), 2501; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152501 - 3 Aug 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3346

Abstract

The protozoans Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are common causes of gastrointestinal disease in humans and animals. While both are commonly documented in domestic animals, few studies have analysed their presence in wildlife. To assess the prevalence of both parasites in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Valencian Community (eastern Spain), 498 wild boar faecal samples were collected from 2018 to 2022. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected by performing a nested PCR targeting a 578 bp sequence of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA), followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. For G. duodenalis, a qPCR amplifying a fragment of 62 bp from the SSU rRNA was employed. Positive samples were genotyped for glutamate dehydrogenase and β-giardin genes. Different epidemiological factors were considered potential modulating variables in the transmission of both parasites. G. duodenalis prevalence was 1.20%, while Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence reached 21.7%. Coinfection was observed in 0.2%. Genotyping of G. duodenalis isolates only detected genotype E. Two species of Cryptosporidium spp. were identified: Cryptosporidium scrofarum and Cryptosporidium suis. The results of this study demonstrate that the exposure to Cryptosporidium spp. in wild boars is high, particularly among young individuals belonging to the Typical Mediterranean climate. Moreover, the probability of infection is dependent on both the season and the density of wild boars. On the other side, exposure to G. duodenalis seems scarce and is influenced, in turn, by the climate. Both Cryptosporidium species detected in the present study have been reported in humans. Due to wild boar increasing in number and their colonisation of urban and peri-urban areas, this could represent an inherent health risk for the human population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective)

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12 pages, 938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occurrence of Giardia duodenalis in Cats from Queretaro and the Risk to Public Health

by Nerina P. Veyna-Salazar, Germinal J. Cantó-Alarcón, Andrea M. Olvera-Ramírez, Felipe J. Ruiz-López, Rodolfo Bernal-Reynaga, Isabel Bárcenas-Reyes and Marina Durán-Aguilar

Animals 2023, 13(6), 1098; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13061098 - 20 Mar 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2688

Abstract

Giardia is a protozoan that affects humans as well as a wide range of domestic species. It is distributed worldwide, and the highest frequency is seen in developing countries. Due to the potential for domestic cats to be carriers of this parasite and subsequently transmit the infection to humans, it is important to know the risk of transmission. For this reason, the objective of this study was to determine the frequency of this parasite in the cat population of the city of Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico, and identify the assemblages present to determine the role this host plays in public health, this being the first study of its type to be performed in the country. This was a cross-sectional study during which 200 fecal samples were collected from cats of both sexes and varying ages and strata of origin. The samples were analyzed by microscopy following the flotation technique, having obtained a general frequency of 25%. Giardia cysts were found at higher frequency in pasty stools. The assemblages found were zoonotic, specifically assemblage A, which suggests that the cat poses an important risk for the dissemination of the parasite to humans, making it an important public health problem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Zoonoses: From a Public Health Perspective)

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