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Pathogens
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Epidemiology of Parasitic Zoonoses
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Epidemiology of Parasitic Zoonoses

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 November 2021) | Viewed by 18347

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Coralie L'Ollivier

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
MCU-PH - Laboratoire de Parasitologie Mycologie, AP-HM La Timone - IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
Interests: infectious diseases; molecular biology; epidemiology studies; medical microbiology; toxoplasmosis
Dr. Aurélien Dumetre

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Associate Professor - UMR IRD 257 VITROME, Aix-Marseille Université, IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
Interests: Biology and transmission of environmental protozoan parasites

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues

Parasites are responsible for some of the most important zoonotic diseases transmitted to humans from wild animals, farmed animals, or pets worldwide. Parasitic zoonoses are associated with a considerable local and global burden on both human and animal health. Cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, leishmaniases, toxoplasmosis, toxocariasis, cysticercosis, alveolar and cystic echinococcosis, and food-borne trematodiases represent the major parasitic zoonoses, many of which are considered to be WHO neglected diseases.

In a fast-evolving modern anthropocene era, tackling parasitic zoonoses requires close collaboration between the fields of environmental sciences, and human and animal health following a One Health approach. The main question is how climate changes, a decline in natural wildlife habitats, modifications in landscape use, and increasing urbanization and poverty shape the epidemiology of parasitic zoonoses.

This Special Issue covers a wide range of topics related to the epidemiology of parasitic zoonoses and aims to fill gaps in our current understanding of the parasite, host, and environmental factors that determine the public health significance of such infectious diseases. Topics covering comprehensive control programs; up-to-date epidemiological studies quantifying the burden of environmental contamination from animal sources or related products; the development of specific detection tools in humans, animals, and environmental samples; and improved diagnoses of neglected parasitic diseases (e.g., point-of-care diagnostic tools) are particularly welcome. All types of papers will be considered for publication, including short reports, original research, and review articles.

Dr. Coralie L'Ollivier
Dr. Aurélien Dumetre
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

  • parasitic zoonoses
  • One Health
  • epidemiology
  • diagnosis
  • neglected diseases
  • anthropocene epoch

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 1148 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Chagas Western Blot IgG Assay for the Diagnosis of Chagas Disease
by Jean-Yves Brossas, Ballering Griselda, Margarita Bisio, Jeremy Guihenneuc, Julián Ernesto Nicolás Gulin, Stéphane Jauréguiberry, François-Xavier Lescure, Arnaud Fekkar, Dominique Mazier, Jaime Altcheh and Luc Paris
Pathogens 2021, 10(11), 1455; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10111455 - 10 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2340
Abstract
Chagas disease is a debilitating and often fatal pathology resulting from infection by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In its recommendations, the World Health Organization states that the diagnosis of T. cruzi infection is usually based on the detection of antibodies against [...] Read more.
Chagas disease is a debilitating and often fatal pathology resulting from infection by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In its recommendations, the World Health Organization states that the diagnosis of T. cruzi infection is usually based on the detection of antibodies against T. cruzi antigens and performed with two methodologically different assays. An inconclusive result can be resolved with a third “confirmatory” assay. The objective of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Chagas Western Blot IgG assay (LDBio Diagnostics, Lyon, France) as a confirmatory serologic test. The Chagas Western Blot IgG assay was performed with native antigens derived from a T. cruzi strain of the TcVI genotype. Retrospective sera were provided by two parasitology laboratories (France and Argentina). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the Chagas blot were all 100% in our sera collection. The Chagas blot is an easy and qualitative method for the diagnosis of Chagas disease, with results in less than 2 h. This immunoblot has potential as a supplemental test for the confirmation of the presence of antibodies against T. cruzi in serum specimens. Nonetheless, the very good initial results presented here will need to be confirmed in larger studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Parasitic Zoonoses)
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13 pages, 1110 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Genetic Diversity of Echinococcus multilocularis from Copro-Isolated Eggs
by Jenny Knapp, Abdou Malik Da Silva, Sandra Courquet and Laurence Millon
Pathogens 2021, 10(10), 1296; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10101296 - 08 Oct 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1531
Abstract
The genetic diversity of the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis, the infectious agent of alveolar echinococcosis, is generally assessed on adult worms after fox necropsy. We aimed to investigate E. multilocularis polymorphism through the microsatellite EmsB marker using a noninvasive approach. We tested batches [...] Read more.
The genetic diversity of the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis, the infectious agent of alveolar echinococcosis, is generally assessed on adult worms after fox necropsy. We aimed to investigate E. multilocularis polymorphism through the microsatellite EmsB marker using a noninvasive approach. We tested batches of isolated eggs (1, 5, and 10) from 19 carnivore fecal samples collected in a rural town located in a highly endemic area in France to determine the best strategy to adopt using a minimal quantity of parasite DNA while avoiding genetic profile overlapping in the analysis. Several molecular controls were performed to formally identify the Taeniidae eggs. In total, 112 egg batches were isolated and 102 EmsB electrophoregrams were obtained in duplicate. Quality sorting was performed through the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between each EmsB duplicate. Forty-nine batches with r > 0.9 remained in the analysis, mainly 5- or 10-egg batches. Three EmsB profiles were emphasized by hierarchical clustering and matched those from human lesions and adult worms previously genotyped and collected in the same area. We show that the genetic diversity of the parasite can be assessed from isolated E. multilocularis eggs in a spatiotemporal context using a noninvasive approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Parasitic Zoonoses)
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20 pages, 38156 KiB  
Article
Very High Fascioliasis Intensities in Schoolchildren from Nile Delta Governorates, Egypt: The Old World Highest Burdens Found in Lowlands
by M. Victoria Periago, M. Adela Valero, Patricio Artigas, Verónica H. Agramunt, M. Dolores Bargues, Filippo Curtale and Santiago Mas-Coma
Pathogens 2021, 10(9), 1210; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10091210 - 17 Sep 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2005
Abstract
Quantitative coprological analyses of children were performed in Alexandria and Behera governorates, Egypt, to ascertain whether individual intensities in the Nile Delta lowlands reach high levels as those known in hyperendemic highland areas of Latin America. Analyses focused on subjects presenting intensities higher [...] Read more.
Quantitative coprological analyses of children were performed in Alexandria and Behera governorates, Egypt, to ascertain whether individual intensities in the Nile Delta lowlands reach high levels as those known in hyperendemic highland areas of Latin America. Analyses focused on subjects presenting intensities higher than 400 eggs per gram of faeces (epg), the high burden cut-off according to WHO classification. A total of 96 children were found to shed between 408 and 2304 epg, with arithmetic and geometric means of 699.5 and 629.07 epg, respectively. Intensities found are the highest hitherto recorded in Egypt, and also in the whole Old World. A total of 38 (39.6%) were males and 58 (60.4%) were females, with high intensities according to gender following a negative binomial distribution. The high burden distribution shows a peak in the 7–10 year-old children group, more precocious in females than males. Results showed high burdens in winter to be remarkably higher than those known in summer. The fascioliasis scenario in Egyptian lowlands shows similarities to highlands of Bolivia and Peru. Diagnostic methods, pathogenicity and morbidity in high burdens should be considered. The need for an appropriate quantitative assessment of heavy infected children to avoid post-treatment colic episodes is highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Parasitic Zoonoses)
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16 pages, 1416 KiB  
Article
Measurement of the IgG Avidity Index in the Diagnosis of Clinical Toxocariasis Patients
by Estelle Menu, Lora Kopec, Léa Luciani, Sophie Legrand and Coralie L’Ollivier
Pathogens 2021, 10(9), 1086; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10091086 - 26 Aug 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2147
Abstract
Toxocara spp. are parasitic nematodes responsible for human toxocariasis, a common zoonotic helminth infection. The five main features of human toxocariasis are the classical ocular toxocariasis and visceral larva migrans syndrome, followed by covert toxocariasis, common toxocariasis and neurotoxocariasis. The diagnosis of toxocariasis [...] Read more.
Toxocara spp. are parasitic nematodes responsible for human toxocariasis, a common zoonotic helminth infection. The five main features of human toxocariasis are the classical ocular toxocariasis and visceral larva migrans syndrome, followed by covert toxocariasis, common toxocariasis and neurotoxocariasis. The diagnosis of toxocariasis is feasible by considering clinical symptoms, anamnestic history and serology laboratory results; however, serological criteria cannot be used to distinguish active Toxocara infection from past exposure, which is an area of much discussion in clinical practice. In this context, we developed avidity tests (ELISA and immunoblotting) and evaluated their clinical usefulness in distinguishing past from active toxocariasis. Our study involved 46 patients divided into two groups: “active toxocariasis” (n = 14) and “chronic toxocariasis” (n = 32). According to the avidity indices obtained for both the chronic and active toxocariasis groups, we proposed two thresholds: first, an AI lower than 32% supports an active infection; secondly, a threshold above 42% can exclude an active infection. In order to use this assay in routine clinical practice, however, is still requires standardisation with regards to the method and threshold values, which can be established through studies involving larger populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Parasitic Zoonoses)
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11 pages, 3470 KiB  
Article
Morphological and Phylogenetic Analysis of Eustrongylides sp. and Gnathostoma spinigerum Parasitizing the Asian Swamp Eel Monopterusalbus in China
by Sixin Zhang, Guangping Huang, Liang Li, Xianyong Liu, Xiaoli Tang and Xun Suo
Pathogens 2021, 10(6), 711; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10060711 - 07 Jun 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2883
Abstract
Nematode infections transmitted to humans by the consumption of wild or cultured eels are increasingly being reported. In the present study, 120 Asian swamp eel, Monopterus albus (Zuiew), individuals collected from China were examined for parasite infections, and 78 larval nematodes were isolated. [...] Read more.
Nematode infections transmitted to humans by the consumption of wild or cultured eels are increasingly being reported. In the present study, 120 Asian swamp eel, Monopterus albus (Zuiew), individuals collected from China were examined for parasite infections, and 78 larval nematodes were isolated. Morphological and molecular characteristics, including sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene regions, were employed to identify these nematodes at the lowest taxonomic level possible. Asian swamp eel was infected with two zoonotic parasite taxa: Gnathostoma spinigerum advanced third-stage larvae, with 6.67% prevalence and mean intensity = 1.25, and Eustrongylides sp. fourth-stage larvae, with 26.67% prevalence and mean intensity = 2.13. These findings evidence the need to enhance public hygiene and food safety awareness toward eel consumption Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Parasitic Zoonoses)
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Review

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13 pages, 332 KiB  
Review
Challenges and Tools for In Vitro Leishmania Exploratory Screening in the Drug Development Process: An Updated Review
by Anita Cohen and Nadine Azas
Pathogens 2021, 10(12), 1608; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10121608 - 10 Dec 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2758
Abstract
Leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne diseases caused by infection with the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. Some of them, such as Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis, are zoonotic diseases transmitted from vertebrate to vertebrate by a hematophagous insect, the sand fly. As there is an [...] Read more.
Leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne diseases caused by infection with the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. Some of them, such as Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis, are zoonotic diseases transmitted from vertebrate to vertebrate by a hematophagous insect, the sand fly. As there is an endemic in more than 90 countries worldwide, this complex and major health problem has different clinical forms depending on the parasite species involved, with the visceral form being the most worrying since it is fatal when left untreated. Nevertheless, currently available antileishmanial therapies are significantly limited (low efficacy, toxicity, adverse side effects, drug-resistance, length of treatment, and cost), so there is an urgent need to discover new compounds with antileishmanial activity, which are ideally inexpensive and orally administrable with few side effects and a novel mechanism of action. Therefore, various powerful approaches were recently applied in many interesting antileishmanial drug development programs. The objective of this review is to focus on the very first step in developing a potential drug and to identify the exploratory methods currently used to screen in vitro hit compounds and the challenges involved, particularly in terms of harmonizing the results of work carried out by different research teams. This review also aims to identify innovative screening tools and methods for more extensive use in the drug development process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Parasitic Zoonoses)

Other

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7 pages, 788 KiB  
Case Report
“Chiclero’s Ulcer” Due to Leishmania mexicana in Travelers Returning from Central America: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
by Carole Eldin, Coralie l’Ollivier, Stephane Ranque, Philippe Gautret and Philippe Parola
Pathogens 2021, 10(9), 1112; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10091112 - 31 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3399
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to a New World species of Leishmania is increasingly seen among returning international travelers, and most cases arise from travel to Mexico, Central and South America. We described a case of CL in a women presenting a nonhealing ulceration [...] Read more.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to a New World species of Leishmania is increasingly seen among returning international travelers, and most cases arise from travel to Mexico, Central and South America. We described a case of CL in a women presenting a nonhealing ulceration under her right ear with slight increase of size of the left parotid gland under the skin lesion, evolving for 4 months. In her history of travel, she reported a ten-day stay in Mexico during the Christmas vacation in the Yucatan region with only half a day walking in the tropical forest. Diagnosis of CL due to Leishmania mexicana was done via PCR detection and sequencing from swab sampling of the lesion. The patient recovered without antiparasitic treatment. Clinicians should consider diagnosing Chiclero’s ulcer in patients returning from endemic areas such as Central America and Texas who present with chronic ulceration. A noninvasive sampling is sufficient for the PCR-based diagnosis of this disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Parasitic Zoonoses)
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