Epidemiology of Giardiasis in Tasmania: A Potential Risk to Residents and Visitors

Kettlewell, Jennifer S.; Bettiol, SS; Davies, Norman J.; Milstein, Tal; Jm, Goldsmid

doi:10.1111/j.1708-8305.1998.tb00485.x

Cited by 15 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Our 24.1% prevalence estimate for wild devils was also higher than previous prevalence estimates of Giardia in devils of 8.3% ( n = 12) [24] and 6.0% ( n = 32) [23]. This higher estimate is likely due to the use of molecular techniques in this study, which are more sensitive than faecal flotation methods [47, 48] used in prior studies of Giardia in Tasmanian devils [23, 24]. …”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 67%

“…Our estimate of prevalence of Giardia in wild Tasmanian devils (24.1%) is higher than prevalence estimates for mainland Australian marsupials (range 1.3–13.8%) [8, 13, 15, 16], but sits within the range of prevalence estimates for Tasmanian marsupials (6.25–61.5%) [46]. Our 24.1% prevalence estimate for wild devils was also higher than previous prevalence estimates of Giardia in devils of 8.3% ( n = 12) [24] and 6.0% ( n = 32) [23]. This higher estimate is likely due to the use of molecular techniques in this study, which are more sensitive than faecal flotation methods [47, 48] used in prior studies of Giardia in Tasmanian devils [23, 24].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

“…Two protozoal genera, Giardia and Sarcocystis , have been detected in Tasmanian devils, but studies of these parasites in this host have relied on classical techniques, and have therefore not been able to identify the parasites beyond a genus level [22–24]. Two such studies have reported on the prevalence of Giardia in Tasmanian devils with the first estimate of 8.3% ( n = 12) [24] and the second 6.0% ( n = 32) [23]. An unpublished report identified a novel genotype of Giardia from a Tasmanian devil [1], however there is not genetic data for this genotype on GenBank, nor is there information on the origin of the host.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

et al. 2017

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The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial found only in the wild in Tasmania, Australia. Tasmanian devils are classified as endangered and are currently threatened by devil facial tumour disease, a lethal transmissible cancer that has decimated the wild population in Tasmania. To prevent extinction of Tasmanian devils, conservation management was implemented in 2003 under the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. This study aimed to assess if conservation management was altering the interactions between Tasmanian devils and their parasites. Molecular tools were used to investigate the prevalence and diversity of two protozoan parasites, Cryptosporidium and Giardia, in Tasmanian devils. A comparison of parasite prevalence between wild and captive Tasmanian devils showed that both Cryptosporidium and Giardia were significantly more prevalent in wild devils (p < 0.05); Cryptosporidium was identified in 37.9% of wild devils but only 10.7% of captive devils, while Giardia was identified in 24.1% of wild devils but only 0.82% of captive devils. Molecular analysis identified the presence of novel genotypes of both Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The novel Cryptosporidium genotype was 98.1% similar at the 18S rDNA to Cryptosporidium varanii (syn. C. saurophilum) with additional samples identified as C. fayeri, C. muris, and C. galli. Two novel Giardia genotypes, TD genotype 1 and TD genotype 2, were similar to G. duodenalis from dogs (94.4%) and a Giardia assemblage A isolate from humans (86.9%). Giardia duodenalis BIV, a zoonotic genotype of Giardia, was also identified in a single captive Tasmanian devil. These findings suggest that conservation management may be altering host-parasite interactions in the Tasmanian devil, and the presence of G. duodenalis BIV in a captive devil points to possible human-devil parasite transmission.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 67%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

et al. 2017

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“…Giardiasis incidence and spread is thought to be mainly a result of anthroponotic risk factors and transmission [91], [92], [93], [94]. So, the slightly elevated summer highs shown in the USA, UK and Canada may imply increased person-to-person transmission in warmer months as a consequence of outdoor activities [95] and exposure to untreated water sources [96].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonality in Human Zoonotic Enteric Diseases: A Systematic Review

et al. 2012

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Background Although seasonality is a defining characteristic of many infectious diseases, few studies have described and compared seasonal patterns across diseases globally, impeding our understanding of putative mechanisms. Here, we review seasonal patterns across five enteric zoonotic diseases: campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis, vero-cytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC), cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in the context of two primary drivers of seasonality: (i) environmental effects on pathogen occurrence and pathogen-host associations and (ii) population characteristics/behaviour. Methodology/Principal Findings We systematically reviewed published literature from 1960–2010, resulting in the review of 86 studies across the five diseases. The Gini coefficient compared temporal variations in incidence across diseases and the monthly seasonality index characterised timing of seasonal peaks. Consistent seasonal patterns across transnational boundaries, albeit with regional variations was observed. The bacterial diseases all had a distinct summer peak, with identical Gini values for campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis (0.22) and a higher index for VTEC (Gini = 0.36). Cryptosporidiosis displayed a bi-modal peak with spring and summer highs and the most marked temporal variation (Gini = 0.39). Giardiasis showed a relatively small summer increase and was the least variable (Gini = 0.18). Conclusions/Significance Seasonal variation in enteric zoonotic diseases is ubiquitous, with regional variations highlighting complex environment-pathogen-host interactions. Results suggest that proximal environmental influences and host population dynamics, together with distal, longer-term climatic variability could have important direct and indirect consequences for future enteric disease risk. Additional understanding of the concerted influence of these factors on disease patterns may improve assessment and prediction of enteric disease burden in temperate, developed countries.

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“…While most infections in Australia have been controlled it has led to over-confidence regarding their importance (or even existence) today. Unfortunately, while ubiquitous protozoan species have been reported in wildlife across Australia [51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61] the life cycles, ecology, and general biology of most parasites of wildlife in Australia are poorly understood. Much of the work to date has been opportunistic with unreliable funding opportunities, but with modern methods and 'omic' technology [62] offering an avenue for major advances in the field, there is potential for renewed support and interest.…”

Section: Historical Overview Of Tasmania and Parasites Of Medical Impmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Medicine, Parasites, and Tasmania

Bettiol

2020

TropicalMed

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Until the 1970s, infectious disease training in most medical schools was limited to those diseases common in the area of instruction. Those wishing to explore a more globalised curriculum were encouraged to undertake specialist postgraduate training at schools or institutes of tropical medicine. However, the increase in global trade and travel from the 1970s onward led to dramatic changes in the likelihood of returning travellers and new immigrants presenting with tropical infections in temperate regions. Furthermore, population growth and the changing relationships between animals, the environment, and man in agriculture accentuated the importance of a wider understanding of emerging infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases and parasitic infections. These epidemiological facts were not adequately reflected in the medical literature or medical curriculum at the time. The orientation on tropical infections needed specialised attention, including instruction on diagnosis and treatment of such infections. We describe key global health events and how the changing field of global medicine, from the 1970s to early 2000, impacted on medical education and research. We describe the impact of global health changes in the Tasmanian context, a temperate island state of Australia. We retrospectively analysed data of patients diagnosed with parasites and present a list of endemic and non-endemic parasites reported during this period. Finally, we reflect on the new approaches to the changing needs of global health and challenges that medical programmes, learners and educators face today.

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Epidemiology of Giardiasis in Tasmania: A Potential Risk to Residents and Visitors

Cited by 15 publications

References 9 publications

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

Seasonality in Human Zoonotic Enteric Diseases: A Systematic Review

Global Medicine, Parasites, and Tasmania

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