Zoonotic Implications of Onchocerca Species on Human Health

Cambra-Pellejà, María; Gandasegui, Javier; Balaña‐Fouce, Rafael; Muñóz, José; Martínez‐Valladares, María

doi:10.3390/pathogens9090761

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 138 publications

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“…It is known that this parasite species presents a wide geographic distribution; thus, the possibility of multiple arthropod species acting as vectors (e.g., as occurs with Onchocerca volvulus, the agent of river blindness in humans in Africa and Latin America) cannot be ruled out (87). Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) should also be further investigated as possible vectors since they are known to transmit multiple Onchocerca species in the US including the equine O. cervicalis, and the bovine O. gutturosa (88)(89)(90)(91) as well as others worldwide (1,92). Although a wide range of Culicoides species are present in O. lupi endemic areas of the southwestern US, many of which are documented to feed primarily on humans (93), two subspecies within the Culicoides variipennis complex, Culicoides v. sonorensis and Culidoides v. occidentalis (94), are known to feed on both dogs and humans (93), and Culidoides v. variipennis has been shown to naturally and experimentally transmit O. cervicalis to horses in the US (95,96).…”

Section: Onchocerca Lupi Biologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Cutaneous filarioid nematodes of dogs in the United States: Are they emerging, neglected, or underdiagnosed parasites?

Gruntmeir

Kelly²,

Ramos³

et al. 2023

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Filarioid nematodes, which are vector-borne parasites of cosmopolitan distribution, of dogs are medically important. They are represented by species in which microfilariae were found to be circulating in the bloodstream (e.g., Dirofilaria sp., Acanthocheilonema sp., and Brugia sp.) or skin-dwelling (e.g., Cercopithifilaria sp. and Onchocerca sp.). Those species whose microfilariae are detected in blood have been extensively studied, especially Dirofilaria immitis, due to their clinical importance. In recent decades, there has been an increased interest by the scientific community in filarioid nematodes whose microfilariae are detected in the skin because of the zoonotic aspect of Onchocerca lupi. In the United States (US), although D. immitis has been considered the main filarioid infecting dogs, the intense animal movement and global canine filarioid diversity may indicate that the likely presence of cutaneous filarioid nematodes is more common than previously expected. Hence, a question remains: Are these canine filarioid nematodes emerging, neglected, or simply underdiagnosed in the US? In this review, we provide an overview of pertinent information that briefly summarizes the biology of the different canine filarioid nematode species, clinical signs associated with infections, and currently available diagnostic tools using molecular and microscopy-based methods and highlight knowledge gaps where research and surveillance efforts remain necessary. The data herein presented serve as an alert to the scientific community about the importance of filarioid nematodes infecting dogs other than D. immitis. Additionally, the zoonotic potential of several filarioid species reinforces the necessity of a proper diagnosis and the need for broader surveillance to understand their diversity and distribution, to highlight the potential introduction of certain species, and mitigate their establishment in the country and new animal and human cases.

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Section: Onchocerca Lupi Biologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Cutaneous filarioid nematodes of dogs in the United States: Are they emerging, neglected, or underdiagnosed parasites?

Gruntmeir

Kelly²,

Ramos³

et al. 2023

Front. Vet. Sci.

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“…comprise a group of filarial nematodes transmitted by blackflies of genera Simulium and Culicoides . They primarily infest hoofed mammals, but canids, felids, and humans are also infected ( 249 ). Onchocerca volvulus is the human pathogen and causes the disease onchocerciasis commonly referred to as “river blindness ( 250 ).…”

Section: Other Parasitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroimmunology of Common Parasitic Infections in Africa

et al. 2022

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Parasitic infections of the central nervous system are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa. The neurological, cognitive, and psychiatric sequelae of these infections result from a complex interplay between the parasites and the host inflammatory response. Here we review some of the diseases caused by selected parasitic organisms known to infect the nervous system including Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma brucei spp., and Taenia solium species. For each parasite, we describe the geographical distribution, prevalence, life cycle, and typical clinical symptoms of infection and pathogenesis. We pay particular attention to how the parasites infect the brain and the interaction between each organism and the host immune system. We describe how an understanding of these processes may guide optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to treat these disorders. Finally, we highlight current gaps in our understanding of disease pathophysiology and call for increased interrogation of these often-neglected disorders of the nervous system.

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“…Definitive hosts are horses and other equids. Zoonotic in humans ( Cambra-Pellejà et al 2020 ; Papini et al 2020 ).…”

Section: Checklist Of Eukaryotic Human Parasitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Route of infection. Introduction of L3 larvae via the bite of an infected black fly ( Cambra-Pellejà et al 2020 ).…”

Section: Checklist Of Eukaryotic Human Parasitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

An annotated checklist of the eukaryotic parasites of humans, exclusive of fungi and algae

Mathison¹,

Sapp²

2021

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The classification of “parasites” in the medical field is a challenging notion, a group which historically has included all eukaryotes exclusive of fungi that invade and derive resources from the human host. Since antiquity, humans have been identifying and documenting parasitic infections, and this collective catalog of parasitic agents has expanded considerably with technology. As our understanding of species boundaries and the use of molecular tools has evolved, so has our concept of the taxonomy of human parasites. Consequently, new species have been recognized while others have been relegated to synonyms. On the other hand, the decline of expertise in classical parasitology and limited curricula have led to a loss of awareness of many rarely encountered species. Here, we provide a comprehensive checklist of all reported eukaryotic organisms (excluding fungi and allied taxa) parasitizing humans resulting in 274 genus-group taxa and 848 species-group taxa. For each species, or genus where indicated, a concise summary of geographic distribution, natural hosts, route of transmission and site within human host, and vectored pathogens are presented. Ubiquitous, human-adapted species as well as very rare, incidental zoonotic organisms are discussed in this annotated checklist. We also provide a list of 79 excluded genera and species that have been previously reported as human parasites but are not believed to be true human parasites or represent misidentifications or taxonomic changes.

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Zoonotic Implications of Onchocerca Species on Human Health

Cited by 18 publications

References 138 publications

Cutaneous filarioid nematodes of dogs in the United States: Are they emerging, neglected, or underdiagnosed parasites?

Cutaneous filarioid nematodes of dogs in the United States: Are they emerging, neglected, or underdiagnosed parasites?

Neuroimmunology of Common Parasitic Infections in Africa

An annotated checklist of the eukaryotic parasites of humans, exclusive of fungi and algae

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