Question of agent of camel balantidiosis solved: Molecular identity, taxonomic solution and epidemiological considerations

Esteban-Sánchez, Lorena; Panayotova-Pencheva, Mariana; Qablan, Moneeb; Modrý, David; Hofmannová, Lada; Ponce-Gordo, F.

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109984

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…These camels entered the zoo a year ago and lived separately from the dead camel. Parasitological tests of the new camels revealed ciliate cysts that were identified by genetic analysis as B. cameli [35]. This led us to consider that the ciliates found in the deceased camel likely corresponded to B. cameli.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Severe Parasite Co-Infection in a Captive Bactrian Camel: Case Report

Panayotova-Pencheva,

Ponce-Gordo

2023

JZBG

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The aim of this study was to document a case of parasite co-infection in a captive Bactrian camel and to supply morphometric data of the found pathogens. It concerned a 20-year-old male animal inhabiting Sofia Zoo, Bulgaria. A decreased appetite and gastrointestinal disorders were observed in it during the summer of 2022. Improvement in the animal’s condition was achieved after the administration of antibiotics, sulfonamides, and other symptomatic medicines. However, two weeks after treatment, clinical symptoms reappeared. Then, a diarrheal fecal sample from the animal was subjected to parasitological examination by direct smear and flotation and sedimentation techniques. Multiple infections by helminths (Trichostrongylus sp., Haemonchus sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Trichuris sp., and Dicrocoelium sp.), ciliates (Buxtonella cameli), and protozoa (Eimeria cameli) were found, with E. cameli being reported for the first time in zoo conditions. Deworming led to the recovery of the general condition and appearance of the animal’s feces, but two weeks later, it died suddenly. We considered that the parasitic infection was not the direct cause of the fatal outcome, and its presence, other health disorders, and the advanced age of the animal were among the contributing factors. This case reveals the need to combine planned preventive deworming with routine parasitological diagnostics to take timely and targeted actions to protect the health of animals inhabiting zoo facilities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Severe Parasite Co-Infection in a Captive Bactrian Camel: Case Report

Panayotova-Pencheva,

Ponce-Gordo

2023

JZBG

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“…From a human and animal health viewpoint, the ciliate species with greater relevance are vestibuliferid ciliates ( Balantioides and Buxtonella ) from some hoofed animals (camels, suids, and tapirs) and from NHPs. They can be transmitted to humans (at least B. coli ) and have been considered by several authors as potentially pathogenic for their hosts [ 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 ]. Based on cyst size, our findings in some hoofed animals (the sitatunga, Tragelaphus spekii , the moose, Alces alces , the collared peccary, Dicotyles tajacu , the red river hog, and the pigs) and in NHPs would correspond to B. coli , while in large bovids (the European bison, Bison bonasus , the yak, Bos grunniens , and the African buffalo, Syncerus caffer ), the ciliate was identified as Buxtonella sulcata .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on cyst size, our findings in some hoofed animals (the sitatunga, Tragelaphus spekii , the moose, Alces alces , the collared peccary, Dicotyles tajacu , the red river hog, and the pigs) and in NHPs would correspond to B. coli , while in large bovids (the European bison, Bison bonasus , the yak, Bos grunniens , and the African buffalo, Syncerus caffer ), the ciliate was identified as Buxtonella sulcata . The species infecting camels, usually reported as B. coli , is Buxtonella cameli [ 88 ]. The identification of B. coli of the NHP cysts should be considered tentative, as an unnamed Buxtonella sp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wild Animals in Captivity: An Analysis of Parasite Biodiversity and Transmission among Animals at Two Zoological Institutions with Different Typologies

Esteban-Sánchez,

García-Rodríguez,

García-García

et al. 2024

Animals

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We have conducted a 10-year-long coprological study of the animals housed in two zoological institutions (ZooAquarium and Faunia, Madrid, Spain) to assess the parasite biodiversity, prevalence, and their relation with host class, diet, and enclosure type (soil type and level of isolation from wild fauna). A total of 4476 faecal samples from 132 mammal species and 951 samples from 86 avian species were examined. The results indicated that only 12.8% of avian species had parasites at least once during the study period, whereas 62.1% of mammal species tested positive. Predominantly, protists (Entamoeba, flagellates, and ciliates) and nematodes (mainly Trichuris) were identified in the findings. Carnivorous species were primarily infected by nematodes, while herbivorous and omnivorous species were mainly infected by protists. The number of infected herbivorous and omnivorous species was significantly greater than carnivorous species. Differences were observed based on soil type (artificial, natural, mixed) and isolation level (isolated/accessible), but these differences were not statistically significant. Several parasites (Entamoeba spp., Giardia spp., Balantidoides coli, Trichuris spp.) could potentially be transmitted between humans and some mammals and birds. Regular animal analyses and a personnel health program in the institutions would minimise transmission risks between zoo animals, wildlife, and humans.

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