Search

BACKGROUND: Exotic reptiles have become increasingly common domestic pets worldwide and are well known to be carriers of different parasites including some with zoonotic potential. The need of accurate diagnosis of gastrointestinal endoparasite infections in domestic reptiles is therefore essential, not only for the well-being of captive reptiles but also for the owners. Here, two different approaches for the detection of parasite stages in reptile faeces were compared: a combination of native and iodine stained direct smears together with a flotation technique (CNF) versus the standard SAF-method. RESULTS: A total of 59 different reptile faeces (20 lizards, 22 snakes, 17 tortoises) were coprologically analyzed by the two methods for the presence of endoparasites. Analyzed reptile faecal samples contained a broad spectrum of parasites (total occurence 93.2%, n=55) including different species of nematodes (55.9%, n=33), trematodes (15.3%, n=9), pentastomids (3.4%, n=2) and protozoans (47.5%, n=28). Associations between the performances of both methods to detect selected single parasite stages or groups of such were evaluated by Fishers exact test and marginal homogeneity was tested by the McNemar test. In 88.1% of all examined samples (n=52, 95% confidence interval [CI]=77.1 - 95.1%) the two diagnostic methods rendered differing results, and the McNemar test for paired observations showed highly significant differences of the detection frequency (P

Es wurden Untersuchungsbefunde von Kotproben, die einem kommerziellen tierärztlichen Untersuchungslabor von Tierärzten in den Jahren 2004–2006 zugesandt worden waren, ausgewertet. Somit konnten aktuelle Daten die Häufigkeit des Vorkommens von Parasitosen des Verdauungs- und Atmungstrakts bei Hunden und Katzen in Deutschland liefern. Bei Hunden wurden mittels ZnCl2-NaCl-Flotationsverfahren Toxocara-Eier in 4,6 %, Oozysten von Isospora spp. (Isospora canis, Isospora burrowsi/ohioensis) in 4,5 %, Hakenwurmeier in 1,3 %, Eier von Trichuris vulpis in 0,9 %, Eier von Toxascaris leonina und Capillaria spp. in je 0,6 %, Taeniiden-Eier in 0,27 %, Neospora caninumähnliche Oozysten in 0,13 %, Sarcocystis-Sporozysten in 0,06 % sowie Strongyloides-Eier in < 0,01 % aller Kotproben (n = 53.693) nachgewiesen. Giardiaoder Cryptosporidium-spezifische Koproantigene wurden mittels Kopro-ELISA (n = 53.534; n = 1.554 Proben) in 22,8 % bzw. 10 % der Proben festgestellt. Mittels Baermann-Trichterverfahren waren Crenosoma vulpis-Larven in 2,2 % und Angiostrongylus vasorum-Larven in 1 % von 509 Proben nachzuweisen. In weniger als 0,01 % aller eingesandten Kotproben wurden makroskopisch Proglottiden von Taenia spp., Mesocestoides spp. oder Diplopylidium/Joyeuxiella spp. gefunden. Bei Katzen wurden im Flotationsverfahren Toxocara-Eier in 4,8 %, Oozysten von Isospora spp. (Isospora felis, Isospora rivolta) in 3,8 %, Capillaria spp.-Eier in 0,5 %, Toxoplasma gondii-ähnliche Oozysten in 0,4 %, Taeniiden-Eier in 0,2 %, Hakenwurmeier und Sarcocystis-Sporozysten in je 0,1% sowie Toxascaris-Eier in 0,04 % der Kotproben (n = 26.491) nachgewiesen. Giardia-(n = 26.092 Proben) oder Cryptosporidium-spezifische (n = 624 Proben) Koproantigene wurden mittels Kopro- ELISA in 15,4 % bzw. 8,3 % der Proben festgestellt. Larven von Aelurostrongylus abstrusus waren mittels Baermann-Trichterverfahren in 2,6 % von 114 Kotproben zu finden. Weniger als 0,1 % aller eingesandten Kotproben enthielten Proglottiden von Taenia spp., Mesocestoides spp., Dipylidium caninum oder Diplopylidium/Joyeuxiella spp. Die mit dem indirekten Immunfluoreszenz-Antikörper-Test ermittelte Seroprävalenz von T. gondii-spezifischen IgM-Antikörpern (Titer ≥ 1:16) und IgG-Antikörpern (Titer ≥ 1:64) betrug 6,2 % (n = 2.616 Seren) bzw. 38,3 % (n = 3.693 Seren). Mischinfektionen mit Einzellern, Nematoden und Cestoden konnten nachgewiesen werden. Bei den Giardia-Koproantigen positiven Hunden im Alter zwischen 3 und 6 Monate besteht eine erhöhte Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass sie auch I. burrowsi/ohioensis- Oozysten ausscheiden. Bei der gleichen Altersklasse ist es eher unwahrscheinlich, dass sie eine Mischinfektion mit T. canis und Giardien bzw. I. canis aufweisen. Katzen, die Ausscheider von Giardia-Koproantigen und T. cati-Eiern und jünger als 6 Monate sind, scheiden höchst wahrscheinlich auch keine I. felis-Oozysten über den Kot aus. Bei ganz jungen Katzen (< 3 Monate) ist eine Mischinfektion mit Giardien und T. cati nicht zu erwarten. Direktnachweise von Babesia canis, Mikrofilarien und Hepatozoon canis gelangen in 2,1%, 0,2% bzw. 0,05% der Giemsa-gefärbten Blutausstriche (n = 7.923). Mikrofilarien wurden in 4,5% der mit dem Knott-Test untersuchten Proben (n = 440) gefunden. Zirkulierendes Dirofilaria immitis-Antigen war mittels ELISA in 1,4% der Proben (n = 9.381) festzustellen. Mittels PCR wurden B. canis-DNA in 3,3% der Blutproben (n = 15.555) und Leishmania infantum-DNA in 11 % der eingesandten Proben (n = 301) nachgewiesen. Antikörper gegen L. infantum oder B. canis wurden in 23,5% bzw. 11,5% der mittels IFAT untersuchten Serumproben (n = 23.665 bzw. 2.653) festgestellt. Leishmanien-Antikörper wurden bei den aus dem Ausland stammenden Hunden (80,6 %) und bei 4 einheimischen Hunden ohne Reiseanamnese nachgewiesen. Im Blutausstrich konnten Babesien-Merozoiten häufiger bei den aus Deutschland stammenden Tieren als bei den in anderen europäischen Ländern geborenen Hunden diagnostiziert werden. Alle auf Babesien-DNA untersuchte Hunde (n=15) aus Deutschland ohne Auslandsaufenthalt waren positiv. Faecal samples from 53.693 dogs and 26.491 cats, routinely submitted to a private veterinary laboratory between 2004 and 2006 were examined using a ZnCl2-NaCl flotation method. Toxocara canis eggs were detected in 4,6 % of canine samples, followed concerning the frequency of occurrence by Isospora spp. oocysts (Isospora canis, Isospora burrowsi/ohioensis; 4,5 % ), hookworm eggs (1,3 %), Trichuris vulpis eggs (0,9 %), Toxascaris leonina and Capillaria spp. eggs (0,6 %), taeniid eggs (0,27 %), Neospora caninum-like oocysts (0,13 %), Sarcocystis spp. sporocysts (0,06 %) and Strongyloides spp. eggs (< 0,01 %). Giardia (n = 53.534) and Cryptosporidium (n = 1.554) coproantigens were detected by ELISA in 22,8 % and 10 % of canine samples, respectively. Crenosoma vulpis larvae were detected, using the Baermann technique, in 2,2 % and Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae in 1 % of a total of 509 samples, respectively. Tapeworms (Taenia spp., Mesocestoides spp. and Diplopylidium/Joyeuxiella spp.) were detected in < 0,01 % of the faecal samples . The following gastrointestinal parasites were recorded in feline faecal samples (prevalences in brackets): Toxocara cati (4,8 %), Isospora spp. (Isospora felis, Isospora rivolta; 3,8 %), Capillaria spp. (0,5 %), Toxoplasma gondii-like oocysts (0,4 %), taeniids (0,2 %), hookworms, Sarcocystis spp. (0,1%), and Toxascaris leonina (0,04 %). Giardia (n = 26.092 samples) and Cryptosporidium (n = 624 samples) coproantigens were detected in 15,4 % and 8,3 % feline samples, respectively, using ELISA. The prevalence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus was 2,6 % in a total of 114 faecal samples detected by Baermann technique. The segments of Taenia spp., Mesocestoides spp., Dipylidium caninum and Diplopylidium/Joyeuxiella spp. were found in < 0,1 % of feline samples. IgM (≥ 1:16) and IgG (≥ 1:64) antibodies against T. gondii were found in 6,2 % of 2.616 sera and in 38,3 % of 3.693 sera, respectively, tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), respectively. 208 SUMMARY Multiple parasitisation by protozoan and helminths in canine and feline faecal samples was detected. Young dogs (3 – 6 months) positive for Giardia coproantigens were at increased risk to shed also I. burrowsi/ohioensis oocysts, compared to Giardia negative puppies. Kittens positive for Giardia coproantigen younger than 6 months are not at increased risk to shed also I. felis oocysts when compared to Giardia negative kittens. Very young cats (< 3 months) are also not at increased risk to be infected with multiple parasite species (Giardia and T. cati). Blood samples were taken from dogs with a history of importation from or travelling to countries in the south or south-east of Europe, or showing clinical signs related to some vector-borne diseases. The screening of Giemsa-stained smears of 7.923 blood samples resulted in detection of Babesia canis (2,1%), microfilariae (0,2%) and Hepatozoon canis (0,05%). Knott’s Test for microfilariae was positive in 4,5% of 440 dogs. Heartworm antigen was detected by ELISA in 1,4% of 9.381 samples. Of the 15.555 and 301 blood samples analysed, 3,3 % were positive for B. canis DNA and 11 % were positive for Leishmania infantum by PCR. Antibodies against L. infantum DNA and B. canis were detected in 23,5% (n = 23.665) and 11,5% (n = 2.653) of blood samples by IFAT, respectively. Antibodies against L. infantum were detected in 80,6 % of dogs imported from endemic areas and in 4 German dogs without travel history. Babesia trophozoites were found more frequently in Giemsa-stained smears from dogs born in Germany when compared to blood samples of dogs originating from south or south-east European countries. A total of 15 blood samples of German dogs which have never been abroad, was positive for Babesia DNA.

Additional file 1: Table S1. Detection of several Hammondia hammondi isolates from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany and the USA by Hham-qPCR1 [Hham threshold cycle (Ct) value]. The Hham-qPCR1 included an internal control (IC) to assess inhibition.

Additional file 1: Table S1. Detection of several Hammondia hammondi isolates from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany and the USA by Hham-qPCR1 [Hham threshold cycle (Ct) value]. The Hham-qPCR1 included an internal control (IC) to assess inhibition.

Additional file 2: Table S2. H. hammondi isolates used to infect gamma interferon gene knockout (GKO) mice [C.129S7(B6)-Ifngtm1Ts/J].

Additional file 3: Table S3. Primer and probe sequences tested to establish a H. hammondi qPCR targeting the 529-base pair (bp) repeat, HhamREP-529.

Additional file 3: Table S3. Primer and probe sequences tested to establish a H. hammondi qPCR targeting the 529-base pair (bp) repeat, HhamREP-529.

Additional file 2: Table S2. H. hammondi isolates used to infect gamma interferon gene knockout (GKO) mice [C.129S7(B6)-Ifngtm1Ts/J].

BACKGROUND: Exotic reptiles have become increasingly common domestic pets worldwide and are well known to be carriers of different parasites including some with zoonotic potential. The need of accurate diagnosis of gastrointestinal endoparasite infections in domestic reptiles is therefore essential, not only for the well-being of captive reptiles but also for the owners. Here, two different approaches for the detection of parasite stages in reptile faeces were compared: a combination of native and iodine stained direct smears together with a flotation technique (CNF) versus the standard SAF-method. RESULTS: A total of 59 different reptile faeces (20 lizards, 22 snakes, 17 tortoises) were coprologically analyzed by the two methods for the presence of endoparasites. Analyzed reptile faecal samples contained a broad spectrum of parasites (total occurence 93.2%, n=55) including different species of nematodes (55.9%, n=33), trematodes (15.3%, n=9), pentastomids (3.4%, n=2) and protozoans (47.5%, n=28). Associations between the performances of both methods to detect selected single parasite stages or groups of such were evaluated by Fishers exact test and marginal homogeneity was tested by the McNemar test. In 88.1% of all examined samples (n=52, 95% confidence interval [CI]=77.1 - 95.1%) the two diagnostic methods rendered differing results, and the McNemar test for paired observations showed highly significant differences of the detection frequency (P