A hand-raised, 5-mo-old, intact male Brazilian porcupine (Coendou prehensilis) was evaluated for chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive, and anorexia. On presentation the porcupette was dull, dehydrated, and passing yellow, malodourous, watery diarrhea. Cytologic examination of feces revealed a large number of organisms, morphologically consistent with Blastocystis. Blastocystis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed on feces was positive. Direct sequencing on two sequential samples confirmed the presence of Blastocystis ratti and a novel Blastocystis sequence. The porcupette was treated supportively, which included a 4-wk metronidazole course. Diarrhea resolved within 2 wk of treatment, and the animal's growth rate dramatically improved. Recheck PCR was negative for Blastocystis. Although an important and controversial cause of diarrhea in immunocompromised humans, this organism is not well recognized as a potential pathogen and zoonosis in zoo animals. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for disease associated with this organism, especially in immunocompromised animals.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1638/2015-0093.1 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Determinants of Anemia in Schoolchildren in the Highland Bolivia.
Microorganisms
December 2024
Unidad de Inmunología Parasitaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz 10077, Bolivia.
Anemia is a health problem of concern among schoolchildren in underprivileged rural regions, where recurrent parasitic infections are common. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 229 schoolchildren in rural highland Bolivia in the department of La Paz, an area with a high prevalence of protozoan and helminth infections, to determine the types and mechanisms of anemia. A substantial proportion of children (40.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrobiological Ecological Surveillance of Zoonotic Pathogens from Hamadryas Baboons in Southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Microorganisms
November 2024
Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Albaha University, Al Bahah 65779, Albaha, Saudi Arabia.
This study investigates parasitic and bacterial pathogens present in Hamadryas baboons () and humans in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Fecal samples were collected from Hamadryas baboons ( = 999) from three city peripheries and humans from city centers ( = 1998) and peripheries ( = 1998) of southwestern and eastern Saudi cities. Parasitic examinations and bacterial cultures were conducted on these samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssociation Between Anthropometric and Hematological Parameters and the Diagnosis of Intestinal Parasitosis in Low-Income Children.
Children (Basel)
November 2024
School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana Unión (UPeU), Lima 15464, Peru.
Objective: This study aims to determine the association between anthropometric values and laboratory tests with parasitosis diagnosis and identify diagnostic models for parasitosis without relying on copro-parasitological examinations.
Methods: Data were collected from 1894 children aged 0-14 who attended a medical center for low-income children in Lima, Peru, between 2021 and 2022. Anthropometric data (BMI, weight, height), laboratory data (red blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, eosinophils), and parasitological examination results were analyzed.
Dietary profiles of wild carnivores and Blastocystis occurrence: The case of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and systematic review.
Res Vet Sci
December 2024
CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
Recent molecular and metagenomic studies have revealed that the obligate anaerobic protist Blastocystis is found more prevalently and with higher subtype diversities in herbivore species than in carnivore species. However, information on wild carnivore species is scarce. Here, we investigated the presence of Blastocystis by molecular methods in fecal DNA samples of free-ranging and captive Iberian lynxes from Spain (n = 243) and Portugal (n = 30).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Animals coexist with complex microbiota, including bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotes (e.g., fungi, protists, and helminths).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!