Insight into One Health Approach: Endoparasite Infections in Captive Wildlife in Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Endoparasites in captive wildlife might pose a threat to public health; however, very few studies have been conducted on this issue, and much remains to be learned, especially in limited-resource settings. This study aimed to investigate endoparasites of captive wildlife in Bangladesh. Perception and understanding of veterinarians regarding one health and zoonoses were also assessed. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to August 2020. A total of 45 fecal samples from 18 different species of wild animals (i.e., 11 species of mammals: herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, six birds, and a single reptile species) were collected randomly. Parasitological assessments were done by modified formalin ether sedimentation technique and rechecked by Sheather’s sugar floatation technique. Molecular identification of Spirometra spp. was conducted by amplifying the cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) gene. Questionnaire surveys among 15 veterinarians and an in-depth interview (IDI) with a zoo officer were conducted. Results: Helminths (Spirometra sp., Capillaria sp., Ascaridia/Heterakis, opisthorchiid, strongyles, acuariid, hookworms, roundworms, and unidentified nematode larvae) and protozoa (coccidian oocyst) were identified, and the overall prevalence was 48.9% (22/45). The cox1 sequences (341 bp) of the Bangladesh-origin Spirometra species from lion showed 99.3–99.7% similarity to the reference sequences of Spirometra decipiens (GenBank No: KJ599679.1; MT122766). The majority of study participants (86.6%) agreed about the importance of endoparasite control in zoo animals, and 73.3% expressed that the one health concept should be promoted in Bangladesh. Only 6.7% of veterinarians perceived confidence in diagnosing parasitic diseases and preventing antiparasiticidal resistance. Conclusions: In the present survey, we found a considerable prevalence of endoparasites in captive wildlife. For the first time, zoonotically important S. decipiens from lion was molecularly characterized in Bangladesh. Veterinarian training is required to improve parasite control knowledge and practice. This study highlights the need for routine parasitological assessment, promotion of one health, and improvement of the implementation of current parasite control strategies in zoo animals.

Insights to helminth infections in food and companion animals in Bangladesh: Occurrence and risk profiling

“…Cestodes belonging to the genus Spirometra occasionally reported diverse host groups of mammals, including humans across the globe, including Bangladesh ( Nath et al, 2021a ; Jeon and Eom, 2019 ). Man gets infection through ingestion of infected cyclops or undercooked intermediate or paratenic host or by application contaminated tissues on skin as poultices.…”

“…One aliquot was used for the formol-ether concentration technique, while the other was kept for cross-checking. Parasitological assessment was done by modified formalin ether sedimentation method ( Nath et al, 2021a ) and sugar floatation techniques ( Nath et al, 2021b ). For modified formalin ether sedimentation technique, the procedure began with thorough mixing of fecal suspension and sieving through gauze into a test tube.…”

A study on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in carnivores and its potential implications on human health

“…While previous researches were based on understanding the interaction of host-microbe and its portent (Marathe et al, 2002;Ruth et al, 2008), recent studies have shifted the focus more on zoonotic diseases and development of evidence-based risk assessment of humans and animals as a whole Keatts et al, 2021;Nath et al, 2021;Plowright et al, 2021).…”

“…and Opisthorchis spp. that are reported to occur mostly in domesticated animal species (cattles, dog and cat) (Nath et al, 2021;Sarvi et al, 2018;Sevá et al, 2018). This may be due to cross-transmission from domestic animals as carnivores like Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Dhole (Cuon alpinus) and Golden jackal (Canis aureus) are known to feed on poultry, cattles and their intestinal remains in the region (Per.…”

“…With the development of 'One health movement' more focus has been laid on the recognition of wildlife as a major source of zoonotic infections, thereby encouraging intensive research in the detection of wildlife pathogens (Nath et al, 2021;Wicker et al, 2017). Given the potential for transmission of diseases between wildlife, humans and livestock, an attempt was made to study the prevalence of parasites in wild carnivores of Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram, India and its potential implications on human health.…”