Balantioides coli Fecal Excretion in Hunted Wild Cervids (Cervus elaphus and Dama dama) from Portugal

Mega, João; Santos‐Silva, Sérgio; Loureiro, Ana Paula; Palmeira, Josman Dantas; Torres, Rita Tinoco; Rivero‐Juárez, Antonio; Carmena, David; Mesquita, João R.

doi:10.3390/pathogens11111242

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The B. coli prevalence of 14.6% found in the wild boar population studied was slightly higher than that from a study conducted in neighboring Spain, where an 11.7% prevalence rate was reported [1]. Interestingly, a recent study has identified B. coli in the wild cervids of Portugal [87], suggesting potentially different novel transmission routes. Nevertheless, the discrepancies observed in prevalence between the present study and the study mentioned before conducted in Spain may be explained, at least partially, by epidemiologic factors, as samples from the study were retrospectively studied up to 20 years ago.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 69%

Survey of Zoonotic Diarrheagenic Protist and Hepatitis E Virus in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) of Portugal

Santos‐Silva

Moraes

López‐López

et al. 2023

Animals

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Enteropathogenic parasites and viruses have been frequently reported in swine and can infect a wide range of mammals, including humans. Among the wide variety of parasites infecting swine, diarrhoeagenic protists are among those that cause significant morbidity. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has also been reported both in domestic pigs and wild boar and is known to have an important public health significance. These agents share the fecal–oral transmission route, but data on their fecal shedding and circulation pathways are still lacking or incomplete. Hence, the aim of the present study was to characterize the presence of microeukaryotes and HEV in the wild boar of Portugal. Wild boar stool samples (n = 144) were obtained during the official hunting seasons (October to February) in 2018/2019, 2019/2020, and 2021/2022 and tested for Cryptosporidium spp., Balantioides coli, Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi and HEV by molecular assays, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. We have detected Cryptosporidium scrofarum (1.4%, 95% CI: 0.2–4.9), B. coli (14.6%, 95% CI: 9.2–21.4), Blastocystis ST5 (29.2%, 95% CI: 21.9–37.2) and HEV genotype 3 (2.8%, 95% CI: 0.7–6.9; subgenotypes 3e and 3m). Co-infections were observed in thirteen animals where two were positive for both HEV and B. coli, one was positive for both C. scrofarum and Blastocystis ST5, and ten were positive for both B. coli and Blastocystis ST5. Giardia duodenalis and E. bieneusi were not detected in the surveyed wild boar population. As far as we know, this is the first report describing protist infections by Cryptosporidium spp., B. coli, and Blastocystis sp., as well as the first identification of the emerging HEV genotype 3m in wild boar of Portugal. The present work shows that potentially zoonotic protozoa and HEV are circulating in wild boar populations in Portugal. Awareness and epidemic-surveillance network implementation measures targeting wild boar are needed to prevent the spread of these pathogenic agents to humans.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 69%

Survey of Zoonotic Diarrheagenic Protist and Hepatitis E Virus in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) of Portugal

Santos‐Silva

Moraes

López‐López

et al. 2023

Animals

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“…Even though none of our analyzed wild and domestic ungulate samples yielded positive results for B. coli, genotypes A and B were previously described in Portugal in red deer and wild boar [51,52], as well as in wild boar populations from Spain [41,44] and Poland [53] (Table 1). Contrary to the other free-ranging livestock species, pigs (B. coli primary host) are raised inside enclosures in the sampled areas, restricting their contact with wild boars, which can explain why we did not find this parasite in any of the analyzed samples.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Cryptosporidium Spp In Wild and Domesticmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…In Portugal, data on the occurrence and molecular diversity of these three enteric parasites in wild species are limited to the report of C. scrofarum in wild boar [51] and B. coli genotypes A and B in red deer and wild boar [51,52] (Table 1). Regarding domestic animals, G. duodenalis assemblages B, C, and D have been reported in dogs Canis lupus familiaris [86,87] and A, B, and E in cattle Bos taurus [101].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Detection and Distribution of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. Infections in Wild and Domestic Animals in Portugal

Figueiredo,

Köster,

Dashti

et al. 2023

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

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Enteric protozoan parasites Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and, to a lesser extent, the ciliate Balantioides coli are responsible for severe human and animal intestinal disorders globally. However, limited information is available on the occurrence and epidemiology of these parasites in domestic, but especially wild species in Portugal. To fill this gap of knowledge, we have investigated G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and B. coli occurrence, distribution, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential by analyzing 756 fecal samples from several wild carnivores (n = 288), wild ungulates (n = 242), and domestic species (n = 226) collected across different areas of mainland Portugal. Overall, infection rates were 16.1% (122/756; 95% CI: 13.59–18.96) for G. duodenalis and 2.7% (20/756; CI: 1.62–4.06) for Cryptosporidium spp., while no ungulate sample analyzed yielded positive results for B. coli. Giardia duodenalis was found across a wide range of hosts and sampling areas, being most prevalent in the Iberian lynx (26.7%), the Iberian wolf (24.0%), and the domestic dog (23.9%). Cryptosporidium spp. was only identified in wild boar (8.4%), red fox (3.4%), Iberian lynx (3.3%), red deer (3.1%), and Iberian wolf (2.5%). Sequence analysis of G. duodenalis determined zoonotic assemblage A (subassemblage AI) in one roe deer sample, canine-specific assemblages C and D in Iberian wolf, red fox, and domestic dog, and ungulate-specific assemblage E in wild boar, sheep, cattle, and horse. Six Cryptosporidium species were identified: C. scrofarum in wild boar, C. canis in the Iberian wolf and red fox, C. ubiquitum in red deer and wild boar, C. felis in the Iberian lynx, and both C. ryanae and C. occultus in red deer. Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. coinfections were observed in 0.7% (5/756) of the samples. This is the first, most comprehensive, and largest molecular-based epidemiology study of its kind carried out in Portugal, covering a wide range of wild and domestic hosts and sampling areas. The detection of zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis subassemblage AI demonstrates the role of wild and domestic host species in the transmission of these agents while representing a potential source of environmental contamination for other animals and humans.

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“…Data on the occurrence of G. duodenalis and B. coli in European hedgehogs are limited. While the presence of B. coli has not yet been confirmed in hedgehogs, its recent detection in wild animals from Portugal, including wild boars [40] and wild cervids [41], suggests the potential for this parasite to exist in the country's wildlife population. While G. duodenalis was not detected in the present study, its presence has been documented in other investigations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Thorny Tale of Parasites: Screening for Enteric Protozoan Parasites in Hedgehogs from Portugal

Gomes-Gonçalves,

Santos-Silva,

Cruz

et al. 2024

Animals

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Enteric protozoan parasites, such as Blastocystis sp., Balantioides coli, Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia duodenalis, may have implications for both animal and human health.Transmitted through the fecal–oral route, these parasites cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. This study investigated the presence of these enteric protozoan parasites and genetically characterized them in hedgehogs from Portugal. A total of 110 hedgehog stool samples were collected. Molecular detection methods showed an overall occurrence of protozoa in 1.82% (2/110 95% CI: 0.22–6.41) of hedgehogs, with Blastocystis being found in one hedgehog and Cryptosporidium being found in another. No evidence for the presence of B. coli or G. duodenalis was found. This study suggests that there is a need to stay aware of hedgehogs as potential hosts of enteric protozoa. Ongoing research and surveillance efforts are recommended to explore practical prevention and control strategies. The results contribute to the limited knowledge of these parasites in Portuguese hedgehog populations and underscore their potential relevance to both veterinary and public health.

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Balantioides coli Fecal Excretion in Hunted Wild Cervids (Cervus elaphus and Dama dama) from Portugal

Cited by 5 publications

References 36 publications

Survey of Zoonotic Diarrheagenic Protist and Hepatitis E Virus in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) of Portugal

Survey of Zoonotic Diarrheagenic Protist and Hepatitis E Virus in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) of Portugal

Molecular Detection and Distribution of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. Infections in Wild and Domestic Animals in Portugal

A Thorny Tale of Parasites: Screening for Enteric Protozoan Parasites in Hedgehogs from Portugal

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