Background: Typically, carnivores serve as definitive hosts for Sarcocystis spp. parasites; currently, their role as intermediate hosts is being elucidated. The present study aimed to identify and molecularly characterize Sarcocystis cysts detected in striated muscle of red foxes from different populations in Latvia, Lithuania and Spain.
Methods: Muscle samples from 411 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 269 racoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) from Latvia, 41 red foxes from Lithuania and 22 red foxes from Spain were examined for the presence of Sarcocystis sarcocysts by light microscopy (LM). Sarcocystis spp. were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular biology techniques.
Results: Sarcocystis cysts were detected in 11/411 (2.7%) Latvian, 3/41 (7.3%) Lithuanian, and 6/22 (27.3%) Spanish red foxes, however, cysts were not observed in the muscles of racoon dogs. Based on LM, TEM, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, ITS1, cox1 and rpoB sequences, Sarcocystis arctica and Sarcocystis lutrae cysts were identified in red fox muscles from Latvia and Lithuania, whereas only S. arctica was detected in Spain. The 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and ITS1 sequences from the 21 isolates of S. arctica from Latvia, Lithuania and Spain were identical. By contrast, two and four haplotypes were determined based on mtDNA cox1 and apicoplast rpoB sequences, respectively. Polymorphisms were not detected between the two isolates of S. lutrae from Latvia and Lithuania. Based on phylogenetic results, S. arctica and S. lutrae were most closely related to Sarcocystis spp. using predatory mammals as intermediate hosts and to Sarcocystis species with a bird-bird life-cycle.
Conclusions: Based on current knowledge, the red fox and Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) could act as intermediate host for the same two Sarcocystis species. Molecular results suggest the existence of two genetic lineages of S. arctica, and such divergence relies on its geographical distribution but not on their intermediate host species.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5848442 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2694-y | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Understanding resource use and dietary niche partitioning in a high-altitude predator guild using seasonal sampling and DNA metabarcoding.
PLoS One
December 2024
Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration Beijing, Beijing, China.
Understanding of predator feeding ecology, interactions among co-occurring predator species, and seasonal changes is critical for conservation management given the important role that predators play in shaping their ecosystems, but is lacking for most regions of the world. Dietary studies have demonstrated varying conclusions in the role that resource partitioning plays in the maintenance of predator communities due to complex inter-related factors that may shape prey use. We used DNA metabarcoding on 581 scat samples to determine the dietary composition, similarity, diversity, and niche overlap of eight predator species (Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Tibetan brown bear (Ursus arctos pruinosus), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), Tibetan fox (Vulpes ferrilata), red fox (V.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFspp. Are Associated with Co-Infection in Wild and Domestic Canids.
Animals (Basel)
December 2024
Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", LV-1076 Riga, Latvia.
spp. and are zoonotic food- and water-borne protozoa of veterinary importance. They are one of the main causes of diarrhea in domestic dogs ().
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLarge-scale molecular survey for piroplasmids in Iberian wild carnivores.
Parasitol Res
December 2024
Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Piroplasmids are vector-borne hemoprotozoan parasites belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa that are of veterinary and medical importance. Wild carnivores are hosts for diverse piroplasmids, some of which are highly pathogenic for domestic dogs and cats. A large-scale survey including samples from 244 individuals belonging to eleven different species that were opportunistically obtained between 1993 and 2015 in four Autonomous Regions in Spain were tested for piroplasmid DNA with two different nested-PCR assays targeting the 18S rRNA gene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTRICHINELLA INFECTIONS IN WILDLIFE FROM PENNSYLVANIA: VARIATION IN EXPOSURE AMONG COYOTE (CANIS LATRANS), GRAY FOX (UROCYON CINEREOARGENTEUS), AND RED FOX (VULPES VULPES).
J Parasitol
December 2024
Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802.
During a survey for Sarcocystis infections in Pennsylvania in wild canids, muscles from the tongue and limb were examined microscopically for sarcocysts. Between 9 February 2024 and 11 February 2024, muscle samples were collected from 76 coyotes, 46 gray foxes, and 21 red foxes from Pennsylvania hunter harvested animals. Around 5 g of muscle was examined microscopically by compression between a glass slide and coverslip.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDetection of Dirofilaria immitis in golden jackals (Canis aureus L.) but not in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes L.) and European badgers (Meles meles L.) in Croatia.
Parasit Vectors
November 2024
Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
Article Synopsis
- Dirofilariosis is a parasite disease caused by Dirofilaria species, mainly affecting wild carnivores and raising concerns about animal health and potential transmission to domestic dogs and humans.
- In a study in Croatia, researchers examined wild carnivores, finding D. immitis in 6.5% of golden jackals, but none in red foxes or European badgers.
- Infected jackals showed varying parasite loads and possible health impacts, highlighting the need for further research on their role as potential infection reservoirs for other species.
Want 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!