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A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitic Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 24515

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Dr. Anastasia Diakou

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Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: feline and canine parasitology; cardiopulmonary nematodes; zoonotic parasites; wildlife parasitology
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Dr. Fabrizia Veronesi

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Guest Editor

Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Interests: food-borne zoonotic pathogens; water-borne zoonotic pathogens; vector-borne pathogens of domestic and wild-life animals; lungworms of companion animals; enteric protozoan parasites of small animals and ruminants
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Dr. Georgiana Deak

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Guest Editor

Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: wildlife parasitology; lungworms; parasitic diseases in pet animals; parasitic diseases in exotic animals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pet ownership is presently a common and popular practice in most parts of the world. It has been estimated that 50% of people in all developed countries keep at least 1 pet, with dogs and cats being the most popular choice among pet owners. As can be expected, for pet owners, the health and wellbeing of the animals is a primary concern; however, widespread ownership also triggers discussion concerning zoonotic diseases.

On the other hand, wild animals have a particular—and occasionally decisive—role in maintaining and spreading infectious agents; knowledge of this role is essential in research regarding both their health/conservation status and their contribution to the epizootiology of important pathogens, which may spread to domestic animals and/or to humans.

Parasites are among the most prevalent health-impairing agents affecting both pet animals and wildlife. While, in wild animals, parasitism is the norm, in pet animals, prevention and treatment aim to minimize parasitic infections/infestations. Regardless of the affected animal species and domesticated status, parasites may severely affect animals’ health, and parasitic diseases are occasionally fatal. Additionally, zoonotic parasitic diseases are a known threat to human health, and human infection can occur independently of a given individual’s contact with pets or wild animals.

In this stimulating context, Pathogens is launching a Special Issue entitled “Pets, Wildlife and Parasites”, with the aim of providing new information and knowledge to the scientific community through the publication of high-quality articles exploring these topics.

This Special Issue is open for submission of research articles, interesting case presentations and review articles. Potential topics for consideration by interested authors include—but are not limited to—the following:

Parasites and parasitic diseases of pet animals—epizootiology (occurrence, prevalence, distribution, seasonality, new host records, etc.); bridging infections between pets and wild animals; zoonotic implications and One Health approaches; new insights on diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies.
Parasites and parasitic diseases of wild animals—investigation of parasitic fauna and its impact on wild animals’ health/conservation status; new information on epizootiology; investigations of “split over” phenomena; importance for public health; strategies for surveillance, control and prevention.

Dr. Anastasia Diakou
Dr. Fabrizia Veronesi
Dr. Georgiana Deak
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

pet animals
dog
cat
wildlife
wild animals
parasites
zoonosis

Related Special Issue

Pets, Wildlife and Parasites—2nd Edition in Pathogens

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

6 pages, 223 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Pets, Wildlife and Parasites

by Anastasia Diakou, Georgiana Deak and Fabrizia Veronesi

Pathogens 2023, 12(11), 1310; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12111310 - 02 Nov 2023

Viewed by 702

Abstract

In our dynamic world, borders of different sorts are being rapidly altered or even erased [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

11 pages, 298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Dangerous Side of Being a Predator: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Birds of Prey

by Stefania Zanet, Fabrizia Veronesi, Giuseppe Giglia, Carolina Raquel Pinto Baptista, Giulia Morganti, Maria Teresa Mandara, Rachele Vada, Luis Manuel Madeira De Carvalho and Ezio Ferroglio

Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020271 - 07 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1392

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are apicomplexan protozoa of major concern in livestock and T. gondii is also considered one of the major threats and a public health concern. These protozoa have a wide range of intermediate hosts, including birds. The present work aimed to assess the prevalence of these cyst-forming parasites in migratory and sedentary birds of prey. The skeletal muscle and myocardium of 159 birds of prey from Central Italy, belonging to 19 species and recovered across 6 Wildlife Recovery Centers/Care structures along the Italian migratory route, were collected specifically for molecular (PCR) and for histopathological analysis to detect T. gondii and N. caninum. For the molecular analysis, genomic DNA was extracted. The DNA was tested by sequence typing, targeting GRA6, 529 bp repeated element, B1, PK1, BTUB, SAG2, alt.SAG2, and APICO genes for T. gondii and to end-point PCR targeting NC5 gene for N. caninum. Thirty-seven out of the one hundred and fifty-nine analyzed samples tested positive for T. gondii with a prevalence of 23.27% and nine for N. caninum, with a prevalence of 5.66%. Thirty-two sequences were obtained from the thirty-seven isolates of T. gondii. Among these, 26 presented alleles compatible with type I strain in 1 or more loci, 4 with type II strain and 2 consisted of atypical strains. Toxoplasma gondii genetic variability in birds of prey confirms previous findings of wildlife as reservoirs of atypical strains. Results from the histology showed few protozoal tissue cysts in skeletal muscle (n. 4) and hearts (n. 2). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

9 pages, 937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parasitological Survey in European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) Breeding Facilities in Southern Italy

by Leonardo Brustenga, Maria Pia Franciosini, Manuela Diaferia, Giulia Rigamonti, Laura Musa, Barbara Lidia Russomanno and Fabrizia Veronesi

Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020208 - 29 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1564

Abstract

Parasites are considered important regulating factors of hosts’ population dynamics, not only in free-ranging wildlife, but also in captive bred animals. To date, only few studies have been carried out to assess the parasitic communities of the European brown hare in Southern Italy, and only one focused on animals in captivity. The aim of the present survey was to assess the composition of the endoparasite community in game hares bred for restocking purposes. For this purpose, 215 fecal pools collected in eight different breeding facilities were examined by qualitative and quantitative coprological techniques. Parasites characterized by a direct life cycle, including six species of coccidia from the genus Eimeria and the nematode Trichostrongylus retorataeformis, proved to be the most prevalent parasites. Further helminthic infestations by Passalurus ambiguous, Strongylosides papillosus, Cittotenia spp. and Dicrocoelium dendriticum were also detected, but with an overall prevalence lower than 20%. The present study contributes to increasing knowledge on the health status of a poorly investigated species, and is useful for optimizing breeding efforts in captivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

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10 pages, 962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Presence of Dirofilaria immitis in Domestic Dogs on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

by Carla Andreea Culda, Romane Dionnet, Andra Celia Barbu, Andrada Silvia Cârstolovean, Teodora Dan, Jaime Grijalva, Priscilla Espin, Rommel Lenin Vinueza, Marylin Cruz, Diego Páez-Rosas, Leon Renato and Andrei Daniel Mihalca

Pathogens 2022, 11(11), 1287; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11111287 - 02 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1707 | Correction

Abstract

This study's concept was outlined around the principle of conservation medicine in a biodiversity hotspot from the Neotropical realm: the Galapagos Islands. The wildlife balance has been modified by multi-host parasites introduced with some domestic animals (dogs and cats). The endemic and endangered species, the Galapagos sea lion (GSL, Zalophus wollebaeki), has been exposed to pathogens of canine and feline origin that could become a significant conservation problem for this species. One of these potential cases is the filarial heartworm infection, Dirofilaria immitis, which has been reported on other pinnipeds, with fatalities and clinical symptoms. Therefore, this study evaluated the presence of the microfilaria of D. immitis in dogs from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, where the largest rookery of GSLs lives and where the proximity to domestic dogs is the most intimate compared to other rookeries of the archipelago. Between July and September 2021, 587 blood samples were collected from owned dogs of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Overall, 10 dogs (1.7%) were positive for the presence of the microfilaria of D. immitis with a confidence interval of 0.7–2.8%. No other filarial species were identified. Significant differences in prevalence between different dog categories were observed only for the age (p = 0.001). This study represents the first report of D. immitis, the agent of canine heartworm disease, in dogs from San Cristobal Island. Hence, the presence of the microfilaria of D. immitis in the blood of dogs could increase the risk of infection to which the GSL is exposed in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

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7 pages, 1347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

European Hares, Lepus europaeus, Represent a Reservoir Host for Thelazia callipaeda in Romania

by Vlad-Dan Cotuțiu, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Katarzyna Anna Hołówka, Angela Monica Ionică, Cristina Daniela Cazan and Călin Mircea Gherman

Pathogens 2022, 11(11), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11111225 - 24 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1317

Abstract

Thelaziosis caused by Thelazia callipaeda is an emerging disease in Europe. Only two reports of naturally infected lagomorphs have been published so far. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of the Romanian populations of European brown hares, Lepus europaeus as reservoir hosts for T. callipaeda. Between November 2019 and November 2021, the eyes of 326 L. europaeus carcasses were examined for the presence of ocular parasites. Nematodes were stored in plastic vials with physiological saline, followed by morphological and molecular identification. QGis 3.20 and EpiInfo^TM 7 were used for mapping and statistical analysis. Four (1.23%) hares harbored T. callipaeda infection, with a total of 84 nematodes collected (mean intensity 21 nematodes/host), with 45 males, 39 females (two sexually immature, seven with only eggs, and 30 with eggs and larvae). One specimen from each host was successfully sequenced resulting in a 100% similarity with several other sequences of T. callipaeda haplotype 1. Statistical analysis revealed no significant results. The current study represents a first report of T. callipaeda in the European brown hare in Romania, and the second in Europe, also reiterating the role of lagomorphs as reservoir hosts for this zoonotic ocular nematode. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

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12 pages, 1330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Survey of Helminths of Dogs in Rural and Urban Areas of Uzbekistan and the Zoonotic Risk to Human Population

by Alisher Safarov, Andrei D. Mihalca, Gab-Man Park, Firuza Akramova, Angela M. Ionică, Otayorjon Abdinabiev, Georgiana Deak and Djalaliddin Azimov

Pathogens 2022, 11(10), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11101085 - 23 Sep 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1989

Abstract

Dogs are very popular pets that can be infected with a wide diversity of endo- and ectoparasites, some of which have zoonotic potential. The aim of the present study was to determine the diversity and prevalence of helminths in rural and urban dogs in Tashkent, Samarkand and Karakalpakstan regions of Uzbekistan. A total of 399 dogs from rural and urban areas were examined by necropsy between November 2016 and March 2022. All helminth species were morphologically identified. A total of 31 species belonging to the classes Trematoda (3), Cestoda (9), Nematoda (18) and Acanthocephala (1) were identified in 378 dogs (94.7%). Twenty-one species are indicated for the helminth fauna of urban dogs and 31 species for rural dog populations. From the 31 species of helminths identified 18 species are zoonotic and four of them (Echinicoccus granulosus, Dipylidium cani-num, Toxocara canis, Dirofilaria repens) have a significant epidemiological importance. The study showed that the prevalence and diversity of helminths in dogs in rural areas of Uzbekistan is higher than in urban dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

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8 pages, 3606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The European Badger as a New Host for Dirofilaria immitis and an Update on the Distribution of the Heartworm in Wild Carnivores from Romania

by Angela Monica Ionică, Georgiana Deak, Radu Boncea, Călin Mircea Gherman and Andrei Daniel Mihalca

Pathogens 2022, 11(4), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11040420 - 30 Mar 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1824

Abstract

Dirofilaria immitis is an important mosquito-borne nematode, being of both veterinary and public health concern. The typical final host is represented by the domestic dog, Canis familiaris, but it is able to infect a large variety of mammalian species. During the present study (March 2016–February 2022), a total of 459 wild carnivore carcasses belonging to 17 species, from Romania, were evaluated for the presence of adult D. immitis by necropsy. Overall, 20 animals (4.36%) were positive: twelve golden jackals, C. aureus (19.05%); four red foxes, Vulpes vulpes (6.67%); one raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides; two wild cats, Felis silvestris (4.65%); and one European badger, Meles meles (0.87%). This study provides further evidence of the occurrence of the canine heartworm, D. immitis, in Romania, expanding the known host spectrum, reports a new host species for this parasite, the European badger, and a new host for Europe, the raccoon dog. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

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Review

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36 pages, 1045 KiB

Open AccessReview

Wild Mesocarnivores as Reservoirs of Endoparasites Causing Important Zoonoses and Emerging Bridging Infections across Europe

by Fabrizia Veronesi, Georgiana Deak and Anastasia Diakou

Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020178 - 23 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5046

Abstract

Mesocarnivores are small- or mid-sized carnivore species that display a variety of ecologies and behaviours. In Europe, wild mesocarnivores are represented by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), the golden jackal (Canis aureus), the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), the Mustelidae of the genera Meles, Martes, Mustela, Lutra, the invasive species of raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and American mink (Neogale vison). These abundant animals thrive in various habitats and often develop their activity close to human settlements. Thus, they may play an important role in the introduction, maintenance, and transmission of major parasitic zoonoses and promote bridging infections with domestic animals. Against this background, this article reports and discusses some of the most important endoparasites of wild mesocarnivores living in Europe, on the basis of their actual role as reservoirs, spreaders, or sentinels. The data derived from epizootiological studies in different European countries, and the proven or speculated implications of the detected endoparasites in human and domestic animals’ health, are discussed. Through older and recent literature review, the state-of-the-art knowledge on the occurrence and prevalence of the parasites under consideration is presented, showing further, warranted investigations and the need for surveillance and vigilance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

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Other

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2 pages, 207 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Culda et al. The Presence of Dirofilaria immitis in Domestic Dogs on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos. Pathogens 2022, 11, 1287

Pathogens 2023, 12(7), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070856 - 21 Jun 2023

Viewed by 453

Abstract

There was an error in the original publication [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

8 pages, 2876 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Taenia crassiceps Cysticercosis in a Wild Muskrat and a Domestic Dog in the Northeastern United States

by Yufei Zhang, Amira Abdu, Timothy Wu, María J. Forzán, Kimberly Hammer and Manigandan Lejeune

Pathogens 2023, 12(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020204 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3348

Abstract

Taenia crassiceps is a parasite of wild canids and dogs that serve as definite hosts, harboring the adult cestode, whereas rodents are the intermediate hosts in which the metacestode/cysticercus/larval stage occurs. Fecal-oral transmission ensures the parasite’s lifecycle. At times, dogs and humans act as accidental intermediate hosts. Despite the public health concern this parasite warrants, its epidemiology remains unclear. In this report, we document the occurrence of metacestodes of T. crassiceps in a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) and a domestic dog from the northeastern United States, a development that necessitates increased awareness and surveillance to tackle this disease of “one health” significance. Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis was confirmed in an adult male muskrat in February 2018 and in a 4-year-old female spayed Staffordshire Bull Terrier in December 2020. Parasitological and histopathologic examination of both cases revealed cysticerci with the characteristic rostellar hook morphology that aided in Taenia species identification. In the muskrat case specifically, partial sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene confirmed the species identity as T. crassiceps. We report T. crassiceps occurrence in a muskrat in New York State for the first time and document a case presentation in a domestic dog from New Jersey that was infected with metacestode stages of this parasite. Given the detection of this parasite in the northeastern United States, T. crassiceps infection, which otherwise is considered a rare disease, should be on the radar of veterinary, medical and wildlife biologists for timely diagnosis and interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

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7 pages, 3783 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Toxoplasma gondii and Alternaria sp.: An Original Association in an Immunosuppressed Dog with Persistent Skin Lesions

by Radu Blaga, Virginie Fabres, Vincent Leynaud, Jean-Jacques Fontaine, Edouard Reyes-Gomez, Amaury Briand, Odile Crosaz, Isabelle Lagrange, Amandine Blaizot, Delphine Le Roux, Veronica Risco Castillo, Pavlo Maksimov, Jacques Guillot, Jens Peter Teifke and Gereon Schares

Pathogens 2023, 12(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12010114 - 10 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2200

Abstract

Dogs and cats may suffer from a variety of diseases, mainly immune mediated, that require the administration of immunosuppressive drugs. Such therapies can cause adverse effects either by the toxicity of the drugs or as a consequence of immune suppression and associated opportunistic infections. Here we present an, yet unknown, association of Toxoplasma gondii and Alternaria fungus, within cutaneous lesions in a dog under long-term immunosuppressive therapy. The diagnosis of such infections is laborious and not obvious at first glance, since the clinical signs of cutaneous toxoplasmosis, neosporosis or alternariosis are not specific. A further laboratory confirmation is needed. Therefore, we currently recommend that dogs and cats should undergo serologic testing for toxoplasmosis or neosporosis prior to immunosuppressive therapy and a regular dermatological evaluation during the immunosuppressive therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

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7 pages, 4155 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Ovarian Filariasis in a Wild Southern Tamandua (Tamanduatetradactyla; Mammalia: Myrmecophagidae)

by Lilja Fromme, Débora Regina Yogui, Mario Henrique Alves, Josué Díaz-Delgado, Arnaud Leonard Jean Desbiez, André Luis Quagliatto Santos, Juliana Mariotti Guerra, Marion Langeheine, Ursula Siebert, Ralph Brehm, José Luiz Catão-Dias and Pedro Enrique Navas-Suárez

Pathogens 2022, 11(8), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11080918 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1544

Abstract

Knowledge of reproductive health in wild southern tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla; Mammalia: Myrmecophagidae) is fragmentary. During necropsies of roadkill xenarthran species in Brazil, a case of ovarian filariasis in an adult female southern tamandua was observed. Macroscopically, both ovaries were irregularly enlarged and had numerous smooth protuberances. Histologically, the affected ovarian parenchyma presented adult nematodes (including females with microfilaria) surrounded by pleocellular inflammatory infiltrates. The morphological characteristics of the nematodes were consistent with the superfamily Filarioidea (order Spirurida). The adjacent ovarian parenchyma had developing and atretic follicles at different stages of maturation. Filarial nematodes were not observed in other tissues. The cause of death of this tamandua was fatal acute polytrauma as a consequence of the motor vehicle collision. This case adds to a prior report of ovarian filariasis in two southern tamanduas in Nicaragua and Guatemala, dating back almost 100 years, and suggests filarial infections could potentially have an impact on reproductive success in southern tamanduas and possibly other xenarthrans. Several xenarthran species are under different levels of threat and knowledge of their basic reproductive health is crucial for conservation programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pets, Wildlife and Parasites)

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