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14 pages, 835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence, Molecular Characterization, and Ecological Associations of Filarioid Helminths in a Wild Population of Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus)

by Jorge Garrido-Bautista, Josef Harl, Hans-Peter Fuehrer, Mar Comas, Steve Smith, Dustin J. Penn and Gregorio Moreno-Rueda

Diversity 2023, 15(5), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15050609 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3098

Abstract

Filarioid nematodes (commonly known as filarial worms) are known to impact human and domestic animal health, but studies examining their ecological relevance and impacts on wildlife are still underrepresented. In the case of birds, microfilariae are typically found at low prevalence, but they may negatively affect some fitness-related traits. Here, we study the prevalence and associations of microfilariae in a wild population of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) inhabiting a woodland comprising different forestry formations. In addition, we characterize the filarioid lineages through the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence. We found a moderate prevalence of microfilariae in the blue tit population (9.4%) and that the presence of such parasites was negatively associated with host body mass. Neither forest type nor host sex influenced microfilariae presence. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of five filarioid lineages clustered in the Onchocercidae family—four out of five lineages clustered in the Splendidofilaria clade, while the remaining lineage could not be clearly assigned to a genus. In addition, this is the first study examining the filarioid lineages infecting the blue tit. Our results suggest that hosts in poorer body condition, in terms of lower body mass, are more susceptible to be parasitized by filarioid nematodes and call for further genetic studies of these parasites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity of Wildlife Pathogens)

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12 pages, 2873 KiB

Open AccessArticle

First Description of the Mitogenome Features of Neofoleyellides Genus (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) Isolated from a Wild Bird (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)

by Tingting Wu, Xiaoxiao Ma, Fengfeng Wang, Linhong Xie, Qingbo Lv, Minhao Zeng, Yu Xu, Siyuan Qin and Qiaocheng Chang

Animals 2022, 12(20), 2854; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202854 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2467

Abstract

The Onchocercidae family is composed of more than 30 valid nematode species with notable zoonotic potential. Current limitations in molecular characterization methods and species identification are the main obstacles to a better understanding of the biology of Onchocercidae species, particularly in wildlife. This study describes for the first time the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence of Neofoleyellides sp. isolated from a wild bird (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and belonging to the Neofoleyellides genus (Nematoda: Onchocercidae). The mt genome of Neofoleyellides sp. (GenBank accession number: ON641583) was a typical circular DNA molecule of 13,628 bp in size with an AT content of 76.69%. The complete mt genome comprised 36 functional subunits, including 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. The most common start codon was ATT/ATG except for nad2 with TTG, and TAA was the termination codon for all protein-coding genes (PCGs). Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated and aligned amino acid sequences of the 12 PCGs showed that the trees generated using different methods (Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood) with different partition schemes shared similar topologies. The isolated Neofoleyellides sp. was placed in the Onchocercidae family and formed a sister branch with the genera Onchocerca and Dirofilaria. The entire mt genome of Neofoleyellides sp. presented in this study could provide useful data for studying the population genetics and phylogenetic relationships of Onchocercidae species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Host–Parasite Interactions)

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12 pages, 2130 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emergent and Neglected Equine Filariosis in Egypt: Species Diversity and Host Immune Response

by Faten A. M. Abo-Aziza, Seham H. M. Hendawy, Hend H. A. M. Abdullah, Amira El Namaky, Younes Laidoudi and Oleg Mediannikov

Pathogens 2022, 11(9), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11090979 - 27 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2584

Abstract

Equine filariosis (EF) is a neglected vector-borne disease caused by nematode species belonging to the Onchocercidae and Setariidae families. Aside from their zoonotic potential, some species are responsible for serious health problems in equids worldwide, leading to significant economic difficulties. Here, we molecularly investigated equine blood samples (320 horses and 109 donkeys from Egypt) and four adult worms isolated from the peritoneal cavity of 5 out of the 94 slaughtered donkeys. In addition, quantitative enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) targeting circulating cytokines were used to identify whether the immunological profile of the infected animals is a Th1 (i.e., INF-gamma as indicator) or Th2 (i.e., IL-5 and IL-10 as indicators) response type. Overall, 13.8% and 0.3% of the donkeys and horses, respectively, were scored as positive for filaroid DNA. The 18S phylogeny revealed the occurrence of three different filaroid species, identified here as Mansonella (Tetrapetalonema) sp., Setaria digitata and Dirofilaria repens. Th1 (INF-gamma and IL-5) and Th2 (IL-10) immune response types were identified in equines infected with S. digitata and Mansonella (T.) sp., respectively. These results provide new data on the species diversity of EF in Egypt and extend knowledge of the downregulation of the protective immune response by the potentially zoonotic Mansonella (T) sp. There is an urgent need to implement control measures to preserve equine health and limit the propagation of these vector-borne filaroids in Egypt. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bacterial, Fungal and Parasitic Zoonoses)

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11 pages, 801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Filarial Nematode Infection in Ixodes scapularis Ticks Collected from Southern Connecticut

by Pabbati Namrata, Jamie M. Miller, Madari Shilpa, Patlolla Raghavender Reddy, Cheryl Bandoski, Michael J. Rossi and Eva Sapi

Vet. Sci. 2014, 1(1), 5-15; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci1010005 - 12 May 2014

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 15612

Abstract

It was recently demonstrated that the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum could harbor filarial nematodes within the genus Acanthocheilonema. In this study, Ixodes scapularis (deer) ticks collected from Southern Connecticut were evaluated for their potential to harbor filarial nematodes. Non-engorged nymphal and adult stage Ixodes scapularis ticks were collected in Southern Connecticut using the standard drag method. In situ hybridization with filarial nematode specific sequences demonstrated the presence of filarial nematodes in Ixodes ticks. Filarial nematode specific DNA sequences were amplified and confirmed by direct sequencing in Ixodes nymphal and adult ticks using either general filarial nematode or Onchocercidae family specific PCR primers. Phylogenetic analysis of the 12S rDNA gene sequence indicated that the filarial nematode infecting Ixodes scapularis ticks is most closely related to the species found in Amblyoma americanum ticks and belongs to the genus of Acanthocheilonema. Our data also demonstrated that infection rate of these filarial nematode in Ixodes ticks is relatively high (about 22% and 30% in nymphal and adult Ixodes ticks, respectively). In summary, the results from our studies demonstrated that filarial nematode infection was found in Ixodes ticks similar to what has been found in Amblyomma americanum ticks. Full article

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