Search

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.

The wildcat ( Felis silvestris ) and the Iberian lynx ( Lynx pardinus ) are important species in Spain, considered as near-threatened and endangered, respectively. Both can be infected by Toxoplasma gondii , a parasite that can cause morbidity and mortality in transplacentally-infected or immunocompromised mammals. The data on the prevalence of this parasite in wild populations of these species in Spain are outdated. The objective of this study was to update information and evaluate the role of these felines in parasite epidemiology and the potential impact of the parasite on their conservation. Blood and fecal samples were collected from captured animals, as well as the tongue, diaphragm, and spleen, from animals killed in road accidents in central Spain. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to detect parasite antibodies in serum, microscopy and molecular analysis were used to detect oocysts in feces, and molecular analysis was used to determine the existence of tissue cysts. Seroprevalence was 85% in wildcats and 45% in lynx, and parasite DNA was detected in the feces of one wildcat and in tissue samples from 10 wildcats and 11 Iberian lynxes. These results highlight the epidemiological importance and high risk of T. gondii infection in animals and humans in the studied areas. Considering feline susceptibility to infection, monitoring programs are needed to assess the health status of wild felines.

Wild chimpanzee populations in West Africa ( Pan troglodytes verus ) have dramatically decreased as a direct consequence of anthropogenic activities and infectious diseases. Little information is currently available on the epidemiology, pathogenic significance, and zoonotic potential of protist species in wild chimpanzees. This study investigates the occurrence and genetic diversity of intestinal and blood protists as well as filariae in faecal samples ( n = 234) from wild chimpanzees in the Dindefelo Community Nature Reserve, Senegal. PCR-based results revealed the presence of intestinal potential pathogens ( Sarcocystis spp.: 11.5%; Giardia duodenalis : 2.1%; Cryptosporidium hominis : 0.9%), protist of uncertain pathogenicity ( Blastocystis sp.: 5.6%), and commensal species ( Entamoeba dispar : 18.4%; Troglodytella abrassarti : 5.6%). Entamoeba histolytica , Enterocytozoon bieneusi , and Balantioides coli were undetected. Blood protists including Plasmodium malariae (0.4%), Trypanosoma brucei (1.3%), and Mansonella perstans (9.8%) were also identified. Sanger sequencing analyses revealed host-adapted genetic variants within Blastocystis , but other parasitic pathogens ( C. hominis , P. malariae , T. brucei , M. perstans ) have zoonotic potential, suggesting that cross-species transmission between wild chimpanzees and humans is possible in areas where both species overlap. Additionally, we explored potential interactions between intestinal/blood protist species and seasonality and climate variables. Chimpanzees seem to play a more complex role on the epidemiology of pathogenic and commensal protist and nematode species than initially anticipated.

Preservation and conservation of biological specimens, including faecal samples, is a challenge in remote areas or poor-resource settings where the cold chain cannot be maintained. This study aims at evaluating the suitability of filter cards for long-term storage of faecal samples of animal and human origin positive to the diarrhoea-causing protozoan parasites, Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium hominis . Three commercially available Whatman ® Filter Cards were comparatively assessed: the FTA ® Classic Card, the FTA ® Elute Micro Card, and the 903 Protein Saver Card. Human faecal samples positive to G. duodenalis ( n = 5) and C. hominis ( n = 5) were used to impregnate the selected cards at given storage (1 month, 3 months, and 6 months) periods and temperature (-20 °C, 4 °C, and room temperature) conditions. Parasite DNA was detected by PCR-based methods. Sensitivity assays and quality control procedures to assess suitability for genotyping purposes were conducted. Overall, all three Whatman ® cards were proven useful for the detection and molecular characterisation of G. duodenalis and C. hominis under the evaluated conditions. Whatman ® cards represent a simple, safe, and cost-effective option for the transportation, preservation, and storage of faecal samples without the need of the cold chain.

Little information is currently available on the epidemiology of parasitic and commensal protist species in captive non-human primates (NHP) and their zoonotic potential. This study investigates the occurrence, molecular diversity, and potential transmission dynamics of parasitic and commensal protist species in a zoological garden in southern Spain. The prevalence and genotypes of the main enteric protist species were investigated in faecal samples from NHP ( n = 51), zookeepers ( n = 19) and free-living rats ( n = 64) by molecular (PCR and sequencing) methods between 2018 and 2019. The presence of Leishmania spp. was also investigated in tissues from sympatric rats using PCR. Blastocystis sp. (45.1%), Entamoeba dispar (27.5%), Giardia duodenalis (21.6%), Balantioides coli (3.9%), and Enterocytozoon bieneusi (2.0%) (but not Troglodytella spp.) were detected in NHP. Giardia duodenalis (10.5%) and Blastocystis sp. (10.5%) were identified in zookeepers, while Cryptosporidium spp. (45.3%), G. duodenalis (14.1%), and Blastocystis sp. (6.25%) (but not Leishmania spp.) were detected in rats. Blastocystis ST1, ST3, and ST8 and G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AII were identified in NHP, and Blastocystis ST1 in zookeepers. Giardia duodenalis isolates failed to be genotyped in human samples. In rats, four Cryptosporidium ( C. muris , C. ratti , and rat genotypes IV and V), one G. duodenalis (assemblage G), and three Blastocystis (ST4) genetic variants were detected. Our results indicate high exposure of NHP to zoonotic protist species. Zoonotic transmission of Blastocysts ST1 was highly suspected between captive NHP and zookeepers.