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Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and dogs (Canis familiaris) are definitive hosts for zoonotic parasites such as Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia sp., Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma sp., and Giardia duodenalis. Eggs/cystst of these parasites, shed by these animals, can infect humans, and thus poses a public health concern. The occurrence of the zoonotic tapeworm E. multilocularis, that can cause severe disease in a small number of humans, was previously reported in the fox population in South-Limburg. The occurrence of this parasite was expected to be extending in northwesterly direction. Current study was designed to determine the occurrence of E. multilocularis in Limburg and assess the possible northward extension of its occurrence. Hunters in mid-and north Limburg were asked to send in fecal samples from foxes. Fox (n=46) scats were analyzed by magnetic capture-based DNA extraction and qPCR for the presence of E. multilocularis. Additionally, the role of dogs as definitive hosts of E. multilocularis was investigated, as well as the occurrence of multiple other zoonotic parasites in dogs. Dog owners in Limburg were asked to participate in the study by sending in fecal samples of their dog(s). Fecal samples (n=125) of domestic dogs from Limburg were analyzed by centrifuge sedimentation flotation and FLOTAC. Associations between dogs’ lifestyles/behaviors and patent infections were evaluated using answers of a questionnaire filled out by dog owners Awareness about E. multilocularis was assessed among dog owners as well as veterinarians and pet store owners both being selling points of anthelmintics. There was no evidence found that the endemic area for E. multilocularis has expanded to more northern parts of Limburg. Two positive samples (22.2%; 95% confidence interval 0 – 49.1%) were however found in the control area (adjacent to Maastricht). Additionally, no E. multilocularis cases were found in dogs. The majority of veterinarians give advice to (some) dog owners about E. m

A longitudinal study was performed to (i) investigate the continuity of shedding of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in dogs without clinical signs, (ii) identify dominant plasmid-mediated ESBL genes, and (iii) quantify ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in feces. Fecal samples from 38 dogs were collected monthly for 6 months. Additional samples were collected from 7 included dogs on a weekly basis for 6 weeks. Numbers of CFU per gram of feces for non-wild-type Enterobacteriaceae were determined by using MacConkey agar supplemented with 1 mg/liter cefotaxime (MCC), and those for total Enterobacteriaceae were determined by using MacConkey agar. Cefotaxime-resistant isolates were screened by PCR and sequence analysis for the presence of blaCTX-M, blaCMY, blaSHV, blaOXA, and blaTEM gene families. Bacterial species were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. PCR-negative isolates were tested by a double-disk synergy test for enhanced AmpC expression. A total of 259 samples were screened, and 126 samples were culture positive on MCC, resulting in 352 isolates, 327 of which were Escherichia coli. Nine dogs were continuously positive during this study, and 6 dogs were continuously negative. Monthly or weekly shifts in fecal shedding were observed for 23 dogs. Genotyping showed a large variety of ESBL genes and gene combinations at single and multiple consecutive sampling moments. The ESBL genes blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-14, blaCTX-M-15, blaSHV-12, and blaCMY-2 were most frequently found. The mean number of CFU of non-wild-type Enterobacteriaceae was 6.11 × 108 CFU/g feces. This study showed an abundance of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in dogs in the Netherlands, mostly in high concentrations. Fecal shedding was shown to be highly dynamic ove

Background: Environmental contamination with Toxocara eggs is considered the main source of human toxocariasis. The contribution of different groups of hosts to this contamination is largely unknown. Current deworming advices focus mainly on dogs. However, controversy exists about blind deworming regimens for >6-month-old dogs, as most of them do not actually shed Toxocara eggs. We aim to estimate the contribution of different non-juvenile hosts to the environmental Toxocara egg contamination and to assess the effects of different Toxocara-reducing interventions for dogs. Methods: A stochastic model was developed to quantify the relative contribution to the environmental contamination with Toxocara eggs of household dogs, household cats, stray cats, and foxes, all older than 6 months in areas with varying urbanization degrees. The model was built upon an existing model developed by Morgan et al. (2013). We used both original and published data on host density, prevalence and intensity of infection, coprophagic behaviour, faeces disposal by owners, and cats' outdoor access. Scenario analyses were performed to assess the expected reduction in dogs' egg output according to different deworming regimens and faeces clean-up compliances. Estimates referred to the Netherlands, a country free of stray dogs. Results: Household dogs accounted for 39 % of the overall egg output of >6-month-old hosts in the Netherlands, followed by stray cats (27 %), household cats (19 %), and foxes (15 %). In urban areas, egg output was dominated by stray cats (81 %). Intervention scenarios revealed that only with a high compliance (90 %) to the four times a year deworming advice, dogs' contribution would drop from 39 to 28 %. Alternatively, when 50 % of owners would always remove their dogs' faeces, dogs' contribution would drop to 20 %. Conclusion: Among final hosts of Toxocara older than 6 months, dogs are the main contributors to the environmental egg contamination, though cats in total (i.

The purpose of this master research internship was to examine whether the primates at Stichting AAP, excrete and so have, the pathogenic gastrointestinal protozoa Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar. It also was examined if it is possible to determine how many of these protozoa they have in their feces. In this research the feces was examined for Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, because only these protozoa are known to cause diarrhea in NHP (Non Human Primates) (Levecke, 2010). Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. are both very common in NHP and cause in general not much harm, but can have clinical importance. Entamoeba histolytica can cause more serious symptoms and a sudden outbreak of diarrhea. The presence and clinical impact on primates is still unknown (Levecke et al., 2007). Additionally it was examined whether there was a link between the presence of each of these three species of protozoa and the fecal consistency. For seven weeks feces of the primates was tested for the three species of protozoa. The primates at Stichting AAP were housed both individually and in groups. There were also changes between the individuals and groups. This research included 32 primates. The animals were all housed on deep litter. Diarrhea, mush and normal feces were collected and examined during seven weeks, two to three times a week. The samples were taken randomly out of the enclosures of the primates. Fecal samples were collected when the enclosures of the primates were cleaned. The collection and further processing of the feces samples was done as sterile as possible and, the keepers were instructed how to do this. In this study all three species of examined pathogenic protozoa were found in the feces samples of the primates. These protozoa were found in solid, mush and diarrhea feces samples in more or less the same percentages. Also after statistical analysis, with this research could not be proven that t

Met samenvatting in het Engels onder de titel Introduction of Leishmania species in the Netherlands.; Met literatuuropgave., Leishmania is een door zandvliegen overgedragen infectieziekte, waarvan honden ernstig ziek kunnen zijn en tevens het reservoir voor de protozoaire parasiet kunnen vormen. Het Europees Aziatisch verspreidingsgebied van de parasiet strekt zich uit van Portugal, het Middellandse zeegebied tot Europees Rusland, Afghanistan en India tot in China. Het aantal honden, dat meegenomen is op militaire missies in bijvoorbeeld Afghanistan vertoont een stijgende lijn.