Characterization of Onthophagus sellatus as the major intermediate host of the dog esophageal worm Spirocerca lupi in Israel

Gottlieb, Yuval; Markovics, Alex; Klement, Eyal; Naor, Shachar; Samish, Michael; Aroch, Itamar; Lavy, Eran

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.03.008

Cited by 21 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In the present study, beetles were collected in summer. Prevalence of spirocercosis differs over a comparatively brief period [7,38]. In a study by Chhabra and Singh [24], prevalence of infection in beetles increased in mid-season of laboratory-infected dung beetles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Report of Spirocerca Lupi Larva in Dung Beetles (Scarabaeus Armeniacus) in Iran: A Morphological and Molecular Identification

Mohtasebi¹,

Teimouri²,

Mja³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Dung beetles are detritivores insects. They naturally use feces of vertebrates as foods and reproduction beds. This leads to frequent contacts between dung beetles and parasitic helminths. The current study was carried out to assess infections of dung beetles with larval stages of helminths in rural areas of Taleqan County, Alborz Province, Iran. In total, 200 dung beetles were randomly collected in June 2017 from the highlands of Taleqan County. Beetles were dissected in normal saline and carefully studied using stereomicroscopy. Morphological characteristics of the recovered larvae were drawn using camera lucida equipped microscope at 400× magnification. Furthermore, genomic DNAs of the recovered larvae were extracted and PCR amplifications of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) genes were carried out and the amplicons were sequenced. Results: All collected dung beetles were identified as Scarabaeus armeniacus from Scarabaeidae family (55.5% were male and 44.5% female). Three females of the beetles were infected with nematode larva, morphologically identified as the third-stage of Spirocerca lupi larvae. The average length and width of the larvae were 2.95 (2.81–3.15; CI 95%) and 0.12 (0.1–0.15; CI 95%) mm, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis showed that S. lupi belonged to a clade within Spirocercidae family, well separated from Onchocercidae family. Conclusions: In the current study, S. armeniacus was introduced as a potentially biological vector for the transmission of S. lupi to vertebrates in the region. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported on larval stages of S. lupi in S. armeniacus.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Report of Spirocerca Lupi Larva in Dung Beetles (Scarabaeus Armeniacus) in Iran: A Morphological and Molecular Identification

Mohtasebi¹,

Teimouri²,

Mja³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Larvae (L2 and L3) were dissected under a stereoscope from O. sellatus beetles, isolated in the laboratory from dog fecal dungs, collected in a public park located in a S. lupi -endemic area in Central Israel [11]. These were either stored in absolute ethanol at −20°C, or freshly used.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main vector of S. lupi in Israel is the scarab beetle Onthophagus sellatus (Coleoptera: Scarabidae) [11]. The beetle ingests S. lupi eggs upon feeding on the definite host's feces, and within the beetle intermediate host, the infective larvae (L3) develop.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel bacterial symbiont in the nematode Spirocerca lupi

et al. 2012

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThe parasitic nematode Spirocerca lupi (Spirurida: Thelaziidae), the canine esophageal worm, is the causative agent of spirocercosis, a disease causing morbidity and mortality in dogs. Spirocerca lupi has a complex life cycle, involving an obligatory coleopteran intermediate host (vector), an optional paratenic host, and a definitive canid host. The diagnosis of spirocercosis is challenging, especially in the early disease stages, when adult worms and clinical signs are absent. Thus, alternative approaches are needed to promote early diagnosis. The interaction between nematodes and their bacterial symbionts has recently become a focus of novel treatment regimens for other helminthic diseases.ResultsUsing 16S rDNA-based molecular methods, here we found a novel bacterial symbiont in S. lupi that is closely related to Comamonas species (Brukholderiales: Comamonadaceae) of the beta-proteobacteria. Its DNA was detected in eggs, larvae and adult stages of S. lupi. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization technique, we localized Comamonas sp. to the gut epithelial cells of the nematode larvae. Specific PCR enabled the detection of this symbiont's DNA in blood obtained from dogs diagnosed with spirocercosis.ConclusionsThe discovery of a new Comamonas sp. in S. lupi increase the complexity of the interactions among the organisms involved in this system, and may open innovative approaches for diagnosis and control of spirocercosis in dogs.

show abstract

“…Spirocercosis is caused by the nematode Spirocerca lupi ( S lupi ). The disease is prevalent worldwide and mainly affects dogs, but it has also been detected in other canines 1–3. The occurrence of spirocercosis is increasing in Israel with most of the cases emerging in urban areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The disease is prevalent worldwide and mainly affects dogs, but it has also been detected in other canines. [1][2][3] The occurrence of spirocercosis is increasing in Israel with most of the cases emerging in urban areas. Dogs above five years of age and specific breeds, particularly retrievers, are at an increased risk of infection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrasonography is insensitive but specific for detecting aortic wall abnormalities in dogs infected with Spirocerca lupi

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundSpirocercosis is caused by the nematode Spirocerca lupi (S lupi). The disease mainly affects dogs and is typically diagnosed by oesophagoscopy or faecal examination; however, these diagnostic tests may deliver false negative results during the migration phase of the nematode. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate whether ultrasonography could detect abnormalities in the abdominal aorta, celiac artery, and gastric wall structure as a diagnostic aid to detect S lupi infection in dogs.MethodsOesophagoscopy and a focused abdominal ultrasound scan were performed in 40 dogs that presented to the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with gastrointestinal complaints. Ultrasonography scan findings of 20 dogs with oesophageal nodules, indicating S lupi infection (study group), were compared with those of 20 control dogs.ResultsVascular wall irregularity was significantly more common in the study group than in the control group (9/20 v 1/20, respectively; P=0.008).ConclusionUltrasonographic evaluation of the abdominal aorta, celiac artery, and gastric wall structure is not a sensitive diagnostic marker for spirocercosis in dogs. However, the presence of vascular wall irregularity of the abdominal aorta or celiac artery might indicate S lupi migration.

show abstract

Characterization of Onthophagus sellatus as the major intermediate host of the dog esophageal worm Spirocerca lupi in Israel

Cited by 21 publications

References 16 publications

First Report of Spirocerca Lupi Larva in Dung Beetles (Scarabaeus Armeniacus) in Iran: A Morphological and Molecular Identification

First Report of Spirocerca Lupi Larva in Dung Beetles (Scarabaeus Armeniacus) in Iran: A Morphological and Molecular Identification

A novel bacterial symbiont in the nematode Spirocerca lupi

Ultrasonography is insensitive but specific for detecting aortic wall abnormalities in dogs infected with Spirocerca lupi

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About