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Human strongyloidiasis is an important neglected tropical disease primarily caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis , and to a lesser extent Strongyloides fuelleborni which mainly infects non-human primates. Zoonotic sources of infection have important implications for control and prevention of morbidity and mortality caused by strongyloidiasis. Recent molecular evidence suggests that for S. fuelleborni, primate host specificity is variable among genotypes across the Old World, and consequently that these types likely vary in their capacity for human spillover infections. Populations of free-roaming vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus), introduced to the Caribbean Island of Staint Kitts from Africa, live in close contact with humans, and concern has arisen regarding their potential to serve as reservoirs of zoonotic infections. In this study, we sought to determine the genotypes of S. fuelleborni infecting St. Kitts vervets to explore whether they are potential reservoirs for human-infecting S. fuelleborni types. Fecal specimens were collected from St. Kitts vervets and S. fuelleborni infections were confirmed microscopically and by PCR. Strongyloides fuelleborni genotypes were determined from positive fecal specimens using an Illumina amplicon sequencing-based genotyping approach targeting the mitochondrial cox1 locus and 18S rDNA hypervariable regions I and IV of Strongyloides species. Phylogenetic analysis of resultant genotypes supported that S. fuelleborni from St. Kitts vervets is of an exclusively African variety, falling within the same monophyletic group as an isolate which has been detected previously in a naturally infected human from Guinea-Bissau. This observation highlights that St. Kitts vervets may serve as potential reservoirs for zoonotic S. fuelleborni infection, which warrants further exploration. [Display omitted] • Free-roaming vervets on the Caribbean Island of Saint Kitts are infected with S. fuelleborni. • We genotyped S. fuelleborni from St. Kitts vervets to assess the zoonotic potential of these worms. • St. Kitts vervets are infected with an African S. fuelleborni type that has been found previously in a human. • St. Kitts vervets may therefore represent a reservoir of human S. fuelleborni infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here molecular characterization of complete genomic segment-2 of picobirnavirus (PBV) strains PBV/Cat/KNA/K40/2014 and PBV/Dog/KNA/RVC7/2015 detected in a cat ( Felis catus ) and a dog ( Canis lupus familiaris ), respectively, on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. To obtain the full-length nucleotide (nt) sequence of gene segment-2 of the canine and feline PBV strains, the 5′- and 3′- portions of gene segment-2 containing an overlapping region were amplified using a non-specific primer-based amplification method with modifications. The complete gene segment-2 of feline PBV strain K40 and canine PBV strain RVC7 was 1784 nt and 1689 nt long, respectively, and encoded a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of 534 amino acid (aa) and 531 aa, respectively. The complete gene segment-2 of strains K40 and RVC7 exhibited a high degree of genetic diversity between themselves, and with those of PBVs from other host species. On the other hand, both the canine and feline PBV strains retained the 5′- and 3′- end nucleotide sequences and the three domains of putative RdRp that are conserved in PBVs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on molecular characterization of complete gene segment-2 of PBV strains detected in cats and dogs, allowing us to study the features of putative RdRps of PBVs in these host species, and providing important insights into the genetic makeup and evolution of feline and canine PBV strains. PBVs were detected for the first time in cats and dogs from the Caribbean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Few data are available for the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis in the Caribbean region. This frequently under diagnosed soil-transmitted helminth (STH) can result in long-term low intensity chronic infections that are asymptomatic or can cause varied intestinal disturbances. With autoinfections, infections lasting over 60 years can occur and hyperinfections lead to high morbidity and mortality. Methodology/principal findings Historical literature was searched to determine the prevalence of S. stercoralis in the Caribbean island countries with some additional countries and islands included for comparative data. A previously published model was used to calculate prevalence taking in to account the sensitivity of the diagnostic methods used. Data for 17 islands/Caribbean countries were found and sufficient data were located to calculate prevalence for 14 locations. Prevalence ranges from <1% to 20.3% and while it has decreased in many islands it has not decreased at the same rate as other STHs in the last 40 years within the Caribbean region. Conclusions/significance S. stercoralis continues to be an important STH within the Caribbean. Potential reasons for the current prevalence include: long lasting infections, populations not targeted with mass drug administration (MDA) programs being infected, low efficacy of commonly used drugs in MDA programs, and under-diagnosis resulting in infections not being treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Strongyloides stercoralis is frequently under-diagnosed due to the low sensitivity of common faecal diagnostic methods used in clinical laboratories. This leads to a belief that prevalence is low and that S. stercoralis is not an important soil-transmitted helminth (STH). S. stercoralis diagnostic methods with higher sensitivity are available but often not used. Reasons for their lack of use need to be identified and addressed in order to increase awareness of this neglected parasite. Methodology/principal findings A survey was conducted with public health (14) and private laboratories (15) within the Caribbean region to determine current diagnostic methods used and technological capabilities within the laboratories. Formal-ether concentration and direct smears were the primary methods used. Five of the laboratories used a specific method for S. stercoralis (Baermann and/or agar plate culture). A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for a modified Baermann tailored to be compatible with the technological capabilities of the laboratories was developed and demonstrated at ten laboratories to determine limitations to adopting a S. stercoralis specific method. The primary limitations were: cost of using two diagnostic methods for one submitted sample; lack of communication with the physician regarding the reason for the faecal analysis; general lack of awareness of S. stercoralis ; and lack of awareness of differences in sensitivity of diagnostic methods. Conclusions/significance Changing diagnostic methods involves more than ensuring the method fits within the technological capabilities of the laboratories. Several factors that influence the method used are external to the laboratory. To improve diagnosis of any of the STHs, these external factors must be addressed. Within the laboratory, more education on the sensitivity of diagnostic methods, differences in excretion levels of diagnostic stages with low infection, and increased awareness of S. stercoralis is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum cortisol levels, physiological parameters and behavior were used to assess stress experienced by cats examined using equivalent low stress handling techniques in two different environments: their home and an idealized veterinary clinic setting. Healthy cats ( n = 18) were examined in a randomized cross-over study design: 10 were examined in a clinic setting first and eight in the home first with standardization of the examination procedure including personnel and duration between examinations. All procedures were captured on video for behavioral analysis. Serum cortisol was not significantly different between the two examination environments. However, cortisol was lower on their second visit regardless of examination environment ( P < 0.01). There was a significant difference for blood glucose between the clinic and home with blood glucose being higher in the clinic ( P < 0.01). The behavioral analyses revealed that cats were more likely to hide in the clinic ( P < 0.05). In the context of this study, where low stress handling techniques were employed throughout both environments, familiarity with the veterinary examiner and procedure were associated with decreased stress experienced by the cat. Higher blood glucose and more hiding behavior in the clinic support the hypothesis that the clinic is more stressful than the home. In the clinic setting, familiarity with the veterinary examiner and the use of low stress handling techniques potentially masked other physiological parameters associated with stress. Also, the use of low stress handling and the lack of marked extremes of fear or aggression in the cats, made the estimation of stress based on behavioral cues challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The interest in novel methods of controlling helminth infections in ruminants is driven primarily by the development of parasite resistance to currently available anthelmintics. While the purpose of anthelmintics is to achieve high efficacy, i.e. >90% reduction of adult and/or larval parasites in the target host animal, the purpose of novel parasite control methods is rather to assist in maintaining parasite infections below the economic threshold. The ability to maintain parasite levels below the economic threshold is related not only to the efficacy of the control method, but also to the epidemiology of the parasites, climatic conditions, the livestock management program, and integration in a sustainable parasite control program. Because of this fundamental difference, novel parasite control methods need to be evaluated using efficacy criteria different from that adopted for anthelmintics. Although the efficacy of novel parasite control methods may be demonstrated in classic dose-confirmation studies, the impact on livestock production parameters can only be evaluated when tested on-farm. In this paper, the rationale for evaluating novel methods differently from anthelmintics is reviewed, potential performance expectations are presented, and four novel parasite control methods (vaccines, nematophagous fungi, condensed tannins, and immunonutrition) are assessed based on the potential performance criteria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Much of the tropics encompass middle-to-low income countries. • Poor environmental hygiene standards and large stray animal populations coexist. • Parasites pose a high risk to companion animals and humans. • TroCCAP developed guidelines for dog and cat parasites in the tropics. • These guidelines will help improving veterinary practice in the tropics. The Tropical Council for Companion Animal Parasites Ltd. (TroCCAP) is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to independently inform, guide and make best-practice recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and control of companion animal parasites in the tropics and sub-tropics, with the aim of protecting animal and human health. In line with this primary mission, TroCCAP recently developed guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and control of feline and canine parasites in the tropics. The development of these guidelines required unique and complex considerations to be addressed, often inapplicable to developed nations. Much of the tropics encompass middle-to-low income countries in which poor standards of environmental hygiene and large populations of stray dogs and cats coexist. In these regions, a range of parasites pose a high risk to companion animals, which ultimately may place their owners at risk of acquiring parasitic zoonoses. These considerations led to the development of unique recommendations with regard, for example, to deworming and endoparasite testing intervals for the control of both global and 'region-specific' parasites in the tropics. Moreover, the 'off-' or 'extra'-label use of drugs for the treatment and control of parasitic infections is common practice in many tropical countries and many generic products lack manufacturers' information on efficacy, safety, and quality control. Recommendations and advice concerning the use of such drugs and protocols are also addressed in these guidelines. The formation of these guidelines is an important first step towards improving the education of veterinarians specifically regarding best-practice for the diagnosis, treatment and control of canine and feline parasites in the tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here whole genome analysis of a porcine rotavirus-A (RVA) strain RVA/Pig-wt/KNA/ET8B/2015/G5P[13] detected in a diarrheic piglet, and nearly whole genome (except for VP4 gene) analysis of a simian RVA strain RVA/Simian-wt/KNA/08979/2015/G5P[X] detected in a non-diarrheic African green monkey (AGM) on the island of St. Kitts, Caribbean region. Strain ET8B exhibited a G5-P[13]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T7-E1-H1 genotype constellation that was identical to those of Brazilian porcine RVA G5P[13] strains RVA/Pig-wt/BRA/ROTA01/2013/G5P[13] and RVA/Pig-wt/BRA/ROTA07/2013/G5P[13], the only porcine G5P[13] RVAs that have been analyzed for the whole genome so far. Phylogenetically, all the 11 gene segments of ET8B were closely related to those of porcine and porcine-like human RVAs within the respective genotypes. Although the porcine G5P[13] RVAs exhibited identical genotype constellations, ET8B did not appear to share common evolutionary pathways with the Brazilian porcine G5P[13] RVAs. Interestingly, the VP2, VP3, VP6, VP7, and NSP1-NSP5 genes of simian RVA strain 08979 were closely related to those of porcine and porcine-like human RVA strains, exhibiting 99%–100% nucleotide sequence identities to cognate genes of co-circulating porcine RVA strain ET8B. On the other hand, the VP1 of 08979 appeared to be genetically divergent from porcine and human RVAs within the R1 genotype, and its exact origin could not be ascertained. Taken together, these observations suggested that simian strain 08979 might have been derived from interspecies transmission events involving transmission of ET8B-like RVAs from pigs to AGMs. In St. Kitts, AGMs often stray from the wild into livestock farms. Therefore, it may be possible that the AGM acquired the infection from a pig farm on the island. To our knowledge, this is the first report on detection of porcine-like RVAs in monkeys. Also, the present study is the first to report whole genomic analysis of a porcine RVA strain from the Caribbean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]