Co-infections in Visceral Pentastomiasis, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Tappe, Dennis; Sulyok, Mihály; Riu, Therese; Rózsa, Lajos; Bodó, Imre; Schoen, Christoph; Muntau, Birgit; Babocsay, Gergely; Hardi, Richard

doi:10.3201/eid2208.151895

Cited by 22 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…These records are the first to quantify the zoonotic threat from pythons and large-bodied vipers of the genus Bitis sold for human consumption at rural markets of the DRC. Our results are disturbing and are in line with new data indicating an increasing number of human pentastomid infections in this area (Tappe et al 2016). Consumption of snakes as bushmeat seems to be the general reason behind the emerging epidemics of human pentastomiasis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…However, our data show that A. grandis prefers vipers and most vipers indeed host A. grandis, whereas A. armillatus prefers to parasitize pythons and accordingly, most pythons host A. armillatus. Our identification of parasite species was based only on morphology (the number of ring-like annulations), a field method that a recent molecular study had confirmed (Tappe et al 2016). To the best of our knowledge, host specificity of African Armillifer species has not been formerly tested using sample sizes comparable to ours.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In contrast, the highly symptomatic ocular pentastomiasis (when parasites reside in or around the eye) cases are rare, representing only the tip of the iceberg of the disease burden (Sulyok et al 2014). A recent observational study in the area identified 3.7% prevalence of asymptomatic abdominal pentastomiasis in patients undergoing abdominal surgery for various independent reasons (Tappe et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Armillifer-Infected Snakes Sold at Congolese Bushmeat Markets Represent an Emerging Zoonotic Threat

Hardi¹,

Babocsay

Tappe

et al. 2017

EcoHealth

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African pythons (Pythonidae) and large vipers (Bitis spp.) act as definitive hosts for Armillifer armillatus and Armillifer grandis parasites (Crustacea: Pentastomida) in the Congo Basin. Since the proportion of snakes in bushmeat gradually increases, human pentastomiasis is an emerging zoonotic disease. To substantiate the significance of this threat, we surveyed snakes offered for human consumption at bushmeat markets in the Kole district, Democratic Republic of the Congo, for the presence of adult pentastomids. In Bitis vipers (n = 40), Armillifer spp. infestations exhibited an 87.5% prevalence and 6.0 median intensity. Parasite abundance covaried positively with viper length, but not with body mass. In pythons (n = 13), Armillifer spp. exhibited a 92.3% prevalence and 3.5 median intensity. The positive correlations between parasite abundance and python length or mass were statistically nonsignificant. Ninety-one percent of A. grandis were discovered in vipers and 97% of infected vipers hosted A. grandis, whereas 81% of A. armillatus specimens were found in pythons and 63% of infected pythons hosted A. armillatus. Thus, challenging the widespread notion of strict host specificity, we found 'reversed' infections and even a case of coinfection. In this study, we also gathered information about the snake consumption habits of different tribal cultures in the area. Infective parasite ova likely transmit to humans directly by consumption of uncooked meat, or indirectly through contaminated hands, kitchen tools or washing water.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Armillifer-Infected Snakes Sold at Congolese Bushmeat Markets Represent an Emerging Zoonotic Threat

Hardi¹,

Babocsay

Tappe

et al. 2017

EcoHealth

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“…An adult Armillifer grandis specimen was collected from the lungs of a rhinoceros viper (Bitis nasicornis) in the Democratic Republic of Congo near the town of Kole (3 27 0 37 00 N, 22 26 000 E, Sankuru district) and identified morphologically to species level (Tappe et al 2016). A voucher is deposited in the pentastomid collection of the Museum f€ ur Naturkunde Berlin (R€ ohlig et al 2010) under the accession ZMB 48784.…”

Section: Mitogenome Announcementmentioning

confidence: 99%

The complete mitochondrial genome of the pentastomid Armillifer grandis (Pentastomida) from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Grau

Dunlop

Meixner³

et al. 2017

Mitochondrial DNA Part B

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“…Serological and PCR tests specific to Armillifer are possible but not usually available. 4, 13,14 Patients may have a mild eosinophilia. 2, 4,11…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incidental thoracic, hepatic and peritoneal calcifications: a case of Pentastomiasis

Flood

Karteszi²

2019

BJR|case reports

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Incidental findings are not uncommon in radiology. In this case, although the incidental findings could be described as an Aunt Minnie, the patient underwent multiple investigations due to the rarity of the causative parasite. The current literature concerning Pentastomiasis suggests it may become more common in future. Our hope is that this case report will help future patients who present with the radiological pattern described to be more rapidly diagnosed and reassured.

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Co-infections in Visceral Pentastomiasis, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract: Results of PCR and histology indicate this infection is endemic to this country.

Cited by 22 publications

References 17 publications

Armillifer-Infected Snakes Sold at Congolese Bushmeat Markets Represent an Emerging Zoonotic Threat

Armillifer-Infected Snakes Sold at Congolese Bushmeat Markets Represent an Emerging Zoonotic Threat

The complete mitochondrial genome of the pentastomid Armillifer grandis (Pentastomida) from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Incidental thoracic, hepatic and peritoneal calcifications: a case of Pentastomiasis

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