Molecular identification of hookworms in stray and shelter dogs from Guangzhou city, China using ITS sequences

Abstract

Canine hookworm infections are endemic worldwide, with zoonotic transmission representing a potentially significant public health concern. This study aimed to investigate hookworm infection and identify the prevalent species from stray and shelter dogs in Guangzhou city, southern China by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. From March 2011 to July 2012, fresh faecal samples from a total of 254 dogs were obtained from five locations, namely Conghua, Baiyun, Liwan, Haizhu and Panyu, in Guangzhou. These samples were screened for the presence of hookworm eggs using light microscopy, with an overall prevalence of 29.53% being recorded. The highest prevalence of 45.28% was found in suburban dogs from Conghua compared with lower values recorded in urban dogs in Haizhu (21.43%), Baiyun (18.97%), Panyu (18.18%) and Liwan (15%). The prevalence in stray dogs was significantly higher than that in shelter dogs. PCR-RFLP analysis showed that 57.33% were detected as single hookworm infections with Ancyclostoma caninum, and 22.67% as A. ceylanicum, while 20% were mixed infections. This suggests that high prevalences of both hookworm species in stray and shelter dogs in China pose a potential risk of transmission from pet dogs to humans.

A Multiplex PCR for Simultaneous Detection of Three Zoonotic ParasitesAncylostoma ceylanicum,A. caninum,andGiardia lambliaAssemblage A

“…In addition to the veterinary importance, those parasites can also cause zoonotic diseases in human. To date, many methods have been developed for the identification and detection of those parasites, such as the high-resolution melting (HRM) assay established by Zhang et al, which could identify the G. lamblia assemblages A and B [ 24 ]; the PCR-RFLP developed by Liu et al could effectively distinguish A. ceylanicum and A. caninum [ 14 ]; the PCR-RFLP established by Bertrand et al was an effective tool to detect G. lamblia assemblages A and B [ 25 ]. However, prior to the present study, there had been no report on the utilization of multiplex PCR approaches for detection of hookworm and G. lamblia .…”

“…To date, among the eight assemblages of G. lamblia found, only assemblages A and B are associated with human infections but are also recovered from a broad range of hosts, including dogs and cats [ 10 ]. Recent epidemiological surveys in China show that the G. lamblia zoonotic assemblage infected dogs and cats was assemblage A, and assemblage B was not found [ 11 , 12 ], while the aetiological agents of hookworm infections were A. ceylanicum and A. caninum [ 13 , 14 ]. Dogs and cats (pet animals) are often infected with these three zoonotic parasites, thus posing great potential risk to public health.…”

The Zoonotic Risk ofAncylostoma ceylanicumIsolated from Stray Dogs and Cats in Guangzhou, South China

“…There were also reports of human infection with A. ceylanicum in Taiwan [8] and Fujian [9]. In Guangzhou, the infection rate of A. ceylanicum in stray dogs and cats was 42.67% [10] and 40.2% [11], respectively. Considering the zoonotic potential of A. ceylanicum infection between animals and humans, it is very important to evaluate the zoonotic risk of A. ceylanicum .…”

Case of Th2 Cytokines in a Japanese Girl Who Acquired Hookworm-Related Cutaneous Larva

“…We discussed regarding the type of parasite that may have caused HrCLM and transition of Th2 cytokines in the current case. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue at resection, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using specific primers for A. ceylanium [4][5][6], A. caninum [4][5][6], A. Brasiliense [6,7], A. duodenale [4], U. stenocephala [6], and N. americanus [4]; however, no amplification was detected. For further investigation, the eosinophil count, IgE level, and serum immune-related Th2 cytokine levels (IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-18, and IL-33) were measured at the first visit, after 2 days postoperatively, at the time of recurrence (after 9 days), after the first dose of ivermectin (after 16 days), and after the second dose of ivermectin (after 42 days).…”