Search Results (12)

Helminth parasites of wild animals represent a major threat to the health of these animals, leading to significant losses in performance, health, and zoonotic implications. In some zoos, anthelmintics have traditionally been used to control these parasites, many of which are also zoonotic. Other actions, such as the removal of organic waste, have also been adopted. Few or no control measures are applied to free-ranging wild animals. Helminthophagous fungi are a promising biological alternative. When animals ingest fungal spores, they are excreted in their feces, where they trap and destroy helminth larvae and eggs, preventing and reducing the parasite load in the environment. Another alternative is to administer fungi by spraying them directly into the environment. This review aims to examine the use of helminthophagous fungi in the control of helminthiases in wild animals, highlighting their potential to minimize dependence on chemical treatments and promote sustainable animal breeding and production. There are many challenges to making this viable, such as environmental variability, stability of formulations, and acceptance of this new technology. These fungi have been shown to reduce parasite burdens in wild animals by up to 75% and can be administered through the animals’ feeding troughs. To date, evidence shows that helminthophagous fungi can reliably curb environmental parasite loads for extended periods, offering a sustainable alternative to repeated anthelmintic dosing. Their use has been linked to tangible gains in body condition, weight, and overall welfare in various captive and free-ranging wildlife species. Full article

Numerous previous studies indicate that both wild hedgehogs and those kept as pets pose a significant risk to human health. At the same time, humans can also transmit various pathogens to hedgehogs (e.g., human herpesvirus 1). The risk of human infection from hedgehogs by various bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae, and parasites, and of hedgehog infection from humans, arises from close contact with pet hedgehogs, wild hedgehogs, and/or the contaminated environment which they cohabit with humans. People can also come into close contact with hedgehogs in city parks, rescue and rehabilitation centers, gardens, suburbs, and zoos. Numerous zoos keep different species of hedgehogs, which are often used for education and interaction with visitors, especially children. In spite of certain preventive measures, periodic examinations, and disease controls being carried out, the possibility of the transmission of infectious diseases from hedgehogs to visitors and employees is not excluded. Close contact poses a risk, especially if biosecurity is not properly maintained. The anthropological effects of coexistence, habitat sharing, and frequent human intrusion into hedgehog habitats have disrupted the natural relationship between humans and animals, and have led to an increase in the prevalence of various pathogens. Although many different pathogens have been isolated in hedgehogs, there is a need to study some of them in more detail and to understand their interaction and transmission possibilities, as well as zoonotic and reverse zoonotic pathogens. Full article

Controlling parasites in zoo animals is a significant challenge, making practical infection prevention methods essential. This study evaluated a novel solution using parasitophagous fungi-treated forage seeds to reduce soil parasite persistence. We conducted two experiments to assess the soil distribution of the fungi Mucor circinelloides (ovicidal) and Duddingtonia flagrans (larvicidal). Forage seeds were immersed in a submerged culture containing 10⁶ spores/mL and subsequently sown in plastic trays (trial 1) and demarcated ground plots (40 × 30 cm) framed with wood (trial 2). Fifteen days later, Ascaris suum and cyathostomin eggs were placed above the germinated vegetation. After a 25–30-day period, the viability of roundworm eggs reduced by 62%, and half of them remained undeveloped; a 64% reduction in the counts of L3 cyathostomins was recorded. In trial 2, viability decreased by 55% in roundworm eggs, with an infectivity rate of 30%, while L3 counts lessened by 57%. It has been concluded that the risk of infection by ascarids and cyathostomins can be reduced by at least half by sowing the soil with forage seeds pre-treated with fungi, providing a practical solution for parasite control in zoos. Full article

The genus Entamoeba infects both humans and NHPs. In zoos, visitors feeding significantly increases the frequency of human-to-NHP contact, thereby raising the risk of zoonotic transmission. In this study, six Entamoeba species were investigated and analyzed in the fecal samples of 14 NHP species from zoos in Beijing, Guiyang, Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, and Xingtai in China. A total of 19 out of 84 primate fecal samples tested positive for Entamoeba spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among these, 14 samples contained mono-detections of E. coli (7/84), E. dispar (4/84), and E. polecki (3/84). Five samples were found to have mixed detections with two or three species, suggesting the potential for zoonotic transmission; however, no pathogenic E. histolytica, E. moshkovskii, or E. nuttalli were detected. This study provides new insights into parasitic detections in NHPs in Chinese zoos and offers valuable background information for the prevention and control of zoonotic parasitic diseases. Full article

There are numerous challenges associated with helminth control in captive animals. The aim of the present paper is to provide an overview of the research on deworming of captive herbivorous mammals, the associated problems and the solutions sought, in order to derive recommendations for practice in the relevant institutions. The research was conducted by searching electronic internet databases and following the bibliographies in the published articles. The articles found are presented in summarized form. Most of the results relate to herbivores of the family Bovidae, followed by the families Cervidae, Equidae, Elephantidae, Camelidae and Giraffidae. Systematic data are presented on the types of anthelmintics used, dosages and application regimens for different animal species. Anthelmintics were administered at doses similar to or even higher than those used in farm animals, with no evidence of side effects. Treatment results often depended on the animal and parasite species. Incomplete cure, reinfection, and resistance to anthelmintics were the most common problems in the field. Based on the literature reviewed, the optimal prevention measures include the following: quarantine of newly arrived animals; daily or as intensive as possible cleaning of droppings; regular change of substrate in the enclosures; and monitoring of possible infections and their qualitative and quantitative composition (monthly or at least every two months). For treatments and monitoring effectiveness, recommendations include the following: individual assessment of the need for treatment; selective choice of anthelmintics; post-treatment examination between the 10th and 14th day after deworming; carrying out a group treatment after a preliminary drug effect test; conducting mass deworming only in case of a significant increase in fecal egg counts, highly pathogenic helminth species and a deterioration in the condition of the animals. In the future, more attention should be paid to new approaches such as biological control by saprophytic fungi or natural compounds as an alternative to anthelmintics. This would help minimize the use of anthelmintics, protect refugia and allow animals to remain healthy by maintaining a balance with the low levels of parasites present. Full article

Zoo animals, harboring zoonotic gastrointestinal protozoal diseases, pose potential hazards to the safety of visitors and animal keepers. This study involved the collection and examination of 400 fresh fecal samples from 68 animal species, obtained from five zoos. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence, genetic characteristics, and zoonotic potential of common gastrointestinal protists. PCR or nested PCR analysis was conducted on these samples to detect four specific parasites: Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis spp. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp was 0.5% (2/400), G. duodenalis was 6.0% (24/400), Blastocystis spp. was 24.5% (98/400), and E. bieneusi was 13.5% (54/400). G. duodenalis, Blastocystis spp., and E. bieneusi were detected in all of the zoos, exhibiting various zoonotic genotypes or subtypes. G. duodenalis-positive samples exhibited three assemblages (D, E, and B). Blastocystis spp. subtypes (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST8, ST10, ST13, and ST14) and one unknown subtype (ST) were identified. A total of 12 genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified, including SC02, BEB6, Type IV, pigEBITS 7, Peru8, PtEb IX, D, CD9, EbpC, SCBB1, CM4, and CM7. Moreover, significant differences in the positive rates among different zoos were observed (p < 0.01). The findings indicate that zoo animals in China are affected by a range of intestinal protozoa infections. Emphasizing molecular identification for specific parasite species or genotypes is crucial for a better understanding of the zoonotic risk. Preventing and controlling parasitic diseases in zoos is not only vital for zoo protection and management but also holds significant public health implications. Full article

The burden of gastrointestinal parasites in zoo animals has serious implications for their welfare and the health of veterinarians and visitors. Zhuyuwan Zoo is located in the eastern suburb of Yangzhou city in eastern China, in which over 40 species of zoo animals are kept. In order to understand the infection status of GI parasites in Zhuyuwan Zoo, a total of 104 fresh fecal samples collected randomly from birds (n = 19), primates (n = 19), and non-primate mammals (n = 66) were analyzed using the saturated saline flotation technique and nylon sifter elutriation and sieving method for eggs/oocysts, respectively. Two Ascaris species were molecularly characterized. The results showed that the overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 42.3% (44/104). The parasitic infection rate in birds, primates, and non-primate mammals were 26.3% (5/19), 31.6% (6/19), and 50.0% (33/66), respectively. A total of 11 species of parasites were identified, namely, Trichostrongylidae, Capillaria sp., Trichuris spp., Strongyloides spp., Amidostomum sp., Toxascaris leonina, Baylisascaris transfuga, Parascaris equorum, Paramphistomum spp., Fasciola spp., and Eimeria spp. Paramphistomum spp. eggs were first detected from the captive Père David’s deer, and Fasciola spp. eggs were first reported from sika deer in zoo in China. A sequence analysis of ITS-2 and cox1 showed that the eggs isolated from the African lion (Panthera leo Linnaeus, 1758) were T. leonina, and the eggs from the brown bear (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758) were B. transfuga. The public health threat posed by these potential zoonotic parasitic agents requires attention. These results lay a theoretical foundation for prevention and control of wild animal parasitic diseases at zoos in China. Full article

In recent decades, important modifications have been introduced in zoos in order to guarantee the welfare of captive wild animals. Thus, many of these species are housed in enclosures with access to vegetation, where they can enjoy habitats close to those in their natural surroundings, interact with the environment, etc. These habitats present beneficial conditions for some species of parasites to survive and spread. This is a very similar problem to that affecting livestock, and the same solution, based on deworming, is currently being applied. However, the free-living stages of certain parasites that develop in the soil are responsible for high rates of ground contamination throughout the year, so that animals become infected soon after successful deworming, resulting in chemical parasiticides being frequently administered. Preventive measures are seldom considered, which worsens the situation. This entry summarizes the usefulness of the dissemination of certain saprophytic filamentous fungi with proven antagonism against some of the parasites. Full article

The aim of this study was to document a case of parasite co-infection in a captive Bactrian camel and to supply morphometric data of the found pathogens. It concerned a 20-year-old male animal inhabiting Sofia Zoo, Bulgaria. A decreased appetite and gastrointestinal disorders were observed in it during the summer of 2022. Improvement in the animal’s condition was achieved after the administration of antibiotics, sulfonamides, and other symptomatic medicines. However, two weeks after treatment, clinical symptoms reappeared. Then, a diarrheal fecal sample from the animal was subjected to parasitological examination by direct smear and flotation and sedimentation techniques. Multiple infections by helminths (Trichostrongylus sp., Haemonchus sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Trichuris sp., and Dicrocoelium sp.), ciliates (Buxtonella cameli), and protozoa (Eimeria cameli) were found, with E. cameli being reported for the first time in zoo conditions. Deworming led to the recovery of the general condition and appearance of the animal’s feces, but two weeks later, it died suddenly. We considered that the parasitic infection was not the direct cause of the fatal outcome, and its presence, other health disorders, and the advanced age of the animal were among the contributing factors. This case reveals the need to combine planned preventive deworming with routine parasitological diagnostics to take timely and targeted actions to protect the health of animals inhabiting zoo facilities. Full article

The concern about the protection of wildlife has been gathering attention from researchers worldwide. Zoos and aquariums have become widely recognized sites for the conservation of wildlife. However, the persistence of the illegal trade of wild animals, such as reptiles, and their use as pets can endanger not only the preservation of the species, but also allow the introduction of new pathogens and zoonotic diseases. It is important to highlight that preventive exams should be carried out prior to introducing these animals into a new facility to guarantee zoological management strategies. There are several reports of parasitism in reptiles, some of them with zoonotic potential, such as the genus Cryptosporidium spp. In Brazil, reports that explore the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in reptiles are scarce, and very few have used molecular methods for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp., or the genotyping of its species and subtypes. This review aims to help professionals in the area and encourage them to increase their attention to this protozoan, which is usually neglected. Full article

Monitoring of infectious diseases is one of the most important pillars of preventive medicine in zoos. Screening for parasitic and bacterial infections is important to keep animals and equipment safe from pathogens that may pose a risk to animal and human health. Zoos usually contain many different animal species living in proximity with people and wild animals. As an epidemiological probe, 188 animals (122 mammals, 65 birds, and one reptile) from a zoo in Slovenia were examined for selected pathogens. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum were detected by ELISA in 38% (46/122) and 3% (4/122) of mammals, and in 0% (0/64) and 2% (1/57) of birds, respectively; the reptile (0/1) was negative. A statistically significant difference in T. gondii prevalence was found in Carnivora compared to Cetartiodactyla and primate antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected by IFAT in 44% (52/118) of mammals and 20% (11/56) of birds, respectively; the reptile (0/1) was negative. Herbivores had a higher chance of being infected with E. cuniculi compared to omnivores. Antibodies to Chlamydia abortus and Coxiella burnetii were not detected in any of the 74 tested zoo animals. The sera of 39 wild rodents found in the zoo were also examined; they were negative for all three parasites. The parasite T. gondii was detected by PCR in the tissue of two mute swans (Cygnus olor), three eastern house mice (Mus musculus), one yellow-necked field mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), and one striped field mouse (A. agrarius). Positive samples were genotyped by a single multiplex PCR assay using 15 microsatellite markers; one sample from a mute swan was characterized as type II. This micro-epidemiological study offers a better understanding of pathogens in zoo animals and an understanding of the role of zoos in biosurveillance. Full article

Introduction: Endoparasites in captive wildlife might pose a threat to public health; however, very few studies have been conducted on this issue, and much remains to be learned, especially in limited-resource settings. This study aimed to investigate endoparasites of captive wildlife in Bangladesh. Perception and understanding of veterinarians regarding one health and zoonoses were also assessed. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to August 2020. A total of 45 fecal samples from 18 different species of wild animals (i.e., 11 species of mammals: herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, six birds, and a single reptile species) were collected randomly. Parasitological assessments were done by modified formalin ether sedimentation technique and rechecked by Sheather’s sugar floatation technique. Molecular identification of Spirometra spp. was conducted by amplifying the cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) gene. Questionnaire surveys among 15 veterinarians and an in-depth interview (IDI) with a zoo officer were conducted. Results: Helminths (Spirometra sp., Capillaria sp., Ascaridia/Heterakis, opisthorchiid, strongyles, acuariid, hookworms, roundworms, and unidentified nematode larvae) and protozoa (coccidian oocyst) were identified, and the overall prevalence was 48.9% (22/45). The cox1 sequences (341 bp) of the Bangladesh-origin Spirometra species from lion showed 99.3–99.7% similarity to the reference sequences of Spirometra decipiens (GenBank No: KJ599679.1; MT122766). The majority of study participants (86.6%) agreed about the importance of endoparasite control in zoo animals, and 73.3% expressed that the one health concept should be promoted in Bangladesh. Only 6.7% of veterinarians perceived confidence in diagnosing parasitic diseases and preventing antiparasiticidal resistance. Conclusions: In the present survey, we found a considerable prevalence of endoparasites in captive wildlife. For the first time, zoonotically important S. decipiens from lion was molecularly characterized in Bangladesh. Veterinarian training is required to improve parasite control knowledge and practice. This study highlights the need for routine parasitological assessment, promotion of one health, and improvement of the implementation of current parasite control strategies in zoo animals. Full article