An extrainlestinal coccidian parasite was identified in Schneider’s skinks Eumeces schneideri Daudin, 1802. Numerous tissue cysts were found in melanomacrophage aggregations in the liver of six of ten examined skinks. No tissue cysts were found in other tissues. Tissue cysts were 22-26 x 9-13 pm and contained a single sporozoite. Sporozoitcs were 10-13 x 2-4 pm, and contained a single nucleus, homogeneous inclusion and PAS positive granules, and were surrounded by PAS negative, 1.5-3.0 pm thick cyst wall. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the tissue cyst wall was composed of granular material and the sporozoites contained crystalloid body with regular arrangements of units. Appearance of tissue cyst and structure of crystalloid body indicate that Schneider's skinks represent a paratenic host for non-determined Isospora species.
Based on previously published data, the Czech Republic is regarded an endemic country of the onchocercid nematodes Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) and Dirofilaria repens Railliet et Henry, 1911. Nevertheless, while cases of D. repens are commonly reported from dogs in South Moravia, no recent records of D. immitis are available. Therefore, the present study was performed to clarify the occurrence of both species of Dirofilaria Railliet et Henry, 1910. Blood samples of 551 dogs sampled during 2015 and 2016 were analysed microscopically for presence of microfilariae and blood sera were examined by IDEXX SNAP® 4Dx® test (IDEXX, USA). DNA from blood of microscopically positive dogs was extracted and PCR protocol amplifying fragment of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene was performed; PCR products were then sequenced. All dogs from the Bohemian part of the Czech Republic were negative. The prevalence of D. repens in the Moravian region was 5.7 % (27/476). BLAST analyses of obtained sequences confirmed the presence of D. repens (99-100% identical to KX265049). All sampled animals showed a negative result for D. immitis antigen in IDEXX SNAP® 4Dx® test. Our study confirmed the previously reported occurrence of D. repens in South Moravia and revealed its spreading from the epicentre to the north and west. PCR with subsequent sequencing together with negative results for D. immitis antigen in IDEXX SNAP® 4Dx® test revealed only D. repens infection. A previously published autochthonous infection of dogs with D. immitis in South Moravia was not confirmed.
Tsetse flies are well-known vectors of trypanosomes pathogenic for humans and livestock. For these strictly blood-feeding viviparous flies, the host blood should be the only source of nutrients and liquids, as well as any exogenous microorganisms colonising their intestine. Here we describe the unexpected finding of several monoxenous trypanosomatids in their gut. In a total of 564 individually examined Glossina (Austenia) tabaniformis (Westwood) (436 specimens) and Glossina (Nemorhina) fuscipes fuscipes (Newstead) (128 specimens) captured in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic, 24 (4.3%) individuals were infected with monoxenous trypanosomatids belonging to the genera Crithidia Léger, 1902; Kentomonas Votýpka, Yurchenko, Kostygov et Lukeš, 2014; Novymonas Kostygov et Yurchenko, 2020; Obscuromonas Votýpka et Lukeš, 2021; and Wallacemonas Kostygov et Yurchenko, 2014. Moreover, additional 20 (3.5%) inspected tsetse flies harboured free-living bodonids affiliated with the genera Dimastigella Sandon, 1928; Neobodo Vickerman, 2004; Parabodo Skuja, 1939; and Rhynchomonas Klebs, 1892. In the context of the recently described feeding behaviour of these dipterans, we propose that they become infected while taking sugar meals and water, providing indirect evidence that blood is not their only source of food and liquids.
Současná rychlost úbytku biodiverzity je alarmující, dosahující ročně až 0,25 % druhů. Mezi nejvýznamnější příčiny patří biologické invaze zahrnující i šíření patogenů člověka, zvířat a rostlin. Jejich podíl na ztrátě biodiverzity je však zřejmě podceněn. Termínem Emerging infectious diseases (EID) označujeme nově se objevující nebo šířící infekční onemocnění. Autoři na několika příkladech EID u volně žijících živočichů (malárie ptáků, psinka masožravců, infekce goril, chytridiomykóza žab) osvětlují některé z příčin a mechanismů vedoucích k jejich vzniku. Na rozdíl od lokálních environmentálních změn a problémů s managementem chráněných území a jednotlivých druhů s sebou infekční onemocnění volně žijících zvířat nesou obrovské riziko v tom, že mohou udeřit i v jinak nedotčených územích, aktivně se šířit a během velmi krátké doby zdecimovat zasažené populace pod udržitelnou úroveň. V případě fragmentovaných populací je nebezpečí fatálního dopadu a extinkce o to větší. Současná úroveň veterinární medicíny a biomedicínských disciplín nabízí širokou škálu preventivních i terapeutických zákroků, kterými je možno přispět k záchraně populací zvířat ohrožených infekcemi. Boj možná není zcela ztracen... and The current speed of biodiversity loss is alarming. Biological invasions are among the most prominent reasons, involving a variety of pathogens of humans, animals and plants. The term Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) is used for novel or suddenly spreading diseases. The authors give several examples of EID in wild animals and explain the causes of EIDs and the mechanisms of their emergence and spread.
Intestinal microsporidiosis was documented by detecting abundant slightly curved spores (2.9 x 1.2 pm) in the faeces of five of twelve skinks Mabuya perrotetii Duméril et Bibron, 1839 that originated from Ghana. Clinically, the microsporidiosis was characterized by decreased appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss. Histopathological changes consisted of villous atrophy, blunting of mucosa and flattening of individual epithelial cells in the large intestine. The ultrastructure of microsporidian spores was consistent with an Encephalitozoon species. The PCR-RFLP assay and the heleroduplex mobility shift analyses were used to verify that the skink microsporidian is a species of the genus Encephalitozoon Levaditi, Nicolau et Schoen, 1923 and indicate that this microsporidian is not E. hellem, E. intestinalis or a strain of E. cuniculi. The microsporidia in African skink represent an Encephalitozoon species morphologically identical to Encephalitozoon lacerine Canning, 1981.
Seven of 12 lacertid lizards Acanthodactylus boskianus (Daiidin, 1802), passed oocysts of an Isospora species. Comparison with other species of the genus Isospora Schneider, 1881 indicated that found coccidium represented a new species, for which the name /. abdallahi is proposed. Sporulated oocysts of /. abdallahi are spherical or subspherical, 25.8 (24.5-29.0) x 23.9 (23.0-25.5) pm, shape index (length/width) being 1.07 (1.00-1.16), with a smooth, bilayered oocyst wall that is slightly yellowish, about 2 pm thick. Micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 15.4 (14.0-16.0 x 9.4 (9.0-10.0) pm, with smooth and colorless sporocyst wall, shape index 1.6 (1.5-1.8). Stieda body is dome-like, substieda body spherical to subspherical. Sporocyst residuum is composed of numerous granules of different size, scattered among sporozoites. Most oocysts are passed unsporulated; sporulation was completed within 12 h at 25'C. Endogenous development occurs inside nuclei of enterocytes in the small intestine.
Caryospora duszynskii Upton, Current et Barnard, 1984 was successfully transmitted to snakes of the genus Elaphe by feeding them previously infected mice. Fifty thousand oocysts were orally administered to two mouse strains, BALB/c and Crl:CD-1(ICR)BR, which were subsequently fed to captive-born coccidia-free Elaphe guttata (L.) in two respective independent experiments. Both E. guttata expelled C. duszynskii oocysts in their faeces, beginning on day 18 and 26 post infection (p.i.) and shed oocysts continuously through the end of the experiment, day 230 and 135 p.i., respectively. There were no parasitic stages or lesions in mice, as revealed by histological examination. Experiments proved that rodents serve as paratenic hosts for C. duszynskii. In summary we discuss the life-cycle strategies of Caryospora spp. in reptiles and present three general modes of their development.
We investigated the genotypes of Cryptosporidium infecting red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in two areas of the Western Alps in Italy. Examination of 141 faecal samples from 70 red squirrels revealed oocysts of Cryptosporidium in 17 animals (24.3%). Based on 18S rRNA gene sequencing, two genotypes of Cryptosporidium species were found: 15 squirrels were positive for the Cryptosporidium ferret genotype and 2 for the Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I. The occurrence and intensity of Cryptosporidium infection did not differ between the study areas or sex. More than 85% of the positive animals were adults; however no difference was found between Cryptosporidium infection in the juvenile and adult age groups. Oocysts of the Cryptosporidium ferret genotype measured 5.5 ± 0.3 × 5.2 ± 0.2 µm (shape index 1.06) and the Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I 5.8 ± 0.3 × 5.4 ± 0.3 µm (shape index 1.07). Neonatal and adult CD1 and BABL/c mice inoculated with 1 × 103 fresh oocysts of both genotypes did not produce detectable infection.
Coprological examination of 71 samples from a breeding colony of veiled chameleons, Chamaeleo calyptratus Duméril et Duméril, 1851, revealed a presence of two species of coccidia. In 100% of the samples examined, oocysts of Isospora jaracimrmani Modrý et Koudela, 1995 were detected. A new coccidian species, Choleoeimeria hirbayah sp. n., was discovered in 32.4% of samples from the colony. Its oocysts are tetrasporocystic, cylindrical, 28.3 (25-30) × 14.8 (13.5-17.5) µm, with smooth, bilayered, ~1 µm thick wall. Sporocysts are dizoic, ovoidal to ellipsoidal, 10.1 (9-11) × 6.9 (6-7.5) µm, sporocyst wall is composed of two plates joined by a meridional suture. Endogenous development is confined to the epithelium of the gall bladder, with infected cells being typically displaced from the epithelium layer towards lumen. A taxonomic revision of tetrasporocystic coccidia in the Chamaeleonidae is provided.
A new Cryptosporidium species, C. saurophilum, is described from Schneider’s skinks Eumeces schneidert Daudin, 1802. Oocysts were fully sporulated in fresh faeces and measured 5.0 x 4.7 pm (4.4-5.6 x 4.2-5.2 pm). The new species differs from C. serpentis Levine, 1980 by having smaller oocysts, developing in a different location of intestine, and by the inability to infect snakes.