Zoonotic pathogens in wild muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and domestic sheep (Ovis aries) from Greenland

Abstract

The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Erysipelothrix in muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and sheep (Ovis aries) from Greenland. In 2017 and 2018, faecal samples were collected from wild muskoxen from three distinct populations (Zackenberg, Kangerlussuaq, and Ivittuut) and from domestic sheep from southwest Greenland.Blood samples were collected from muskoxen from Kangerlussuaq and Ivittuut and from sheep. Faecal samples were tested for specific DNA of G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp., and blood samples were tested for antibodies against T. gondii and Erysipelothrix. The estimated prevalence of G. duodenalis was 0% (0/58), 17% (7/41) and 0% (0/55) in muskoxen from Zackenberg, Kangerlussuaq and Ivittuut, respectively, and 37% (16/43) in sheep. The estimated prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 0% (0/58), 2%(1/41), 7% (4/55) in muskoxen from Zackenberg, Kangerlussuaq, Ivittuut, respectively, and 2% (1/43) in sheep. Neither Giardia nor Cryptosporidium were detected in winter samples (0/78). Of the positive samples, Giardia from one muskox sample only was successfully typed as G. duodenalis assemblage A, and Cryptosporidium from two muskoxen was successfully typed as C. parvum, subtype IIdA20G1e. The estimated T. gondii seroprevalence was 2% (1/44) and 0% (0/8) in muskoxen from Kangerlussuaq and Ivittuut, respectively, and 1% (1/155) in sheep. The estimated Erysipelothrix seroprevalence was 2% (1/45) and 13% (1/8) in muskoxen from Kangerlussuaq and Ivittuut, respectively, and 7% (10/150) in sheep. The results of this study add to the scarce knowledge on zoonotic pathogens in the Arctic.

Rodent-adapted Cryptosporidium infection in humans: Seven new cases and review of the literature

“…All seven cases had been detected using QIAstat-Dx® Gastrointestinal Panel, and all cases apart from the C. viatorum case which was detected at the CMD in Slagelse, Denmark had initially been confirmed Cryptosporidium -positive at the CMD in Herlev-Gentofte, Denmark and later also by real-time PCR at SSI [ 4 ].…”

“…Generally, when the Laboratory of Parasitology at SSI receives sample material from CMD that was locally identified positive for Cryptosporidium , the material is first subject to DNA extraction (eMAG, bioMérieux) and real-time PCR for Cryptosporidium and Giardia [ 4 ]. If Cryptosporidium -positive by real-time PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene [ 4 ], the DNAs are subject to sequencing of the gp60 gene using nested PCR [ 5 ].…”

“…Generally, when the Laboratory of Parasitology at SSI receives sample material from CMD that was locally identified positive for Cryptosporidium , the material is first subject to DNA extraction (eMAG, bioMérieux) and real-time PCR for Cryptosporidium and Giardia [ 4 ]. If Cryptosporidium -positive by real-time PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene [ 4 ], the DNAs are subject to sequencing of the gp60 gene using nested PCR [ 5 ]. In those cases where no PCR product is produced for the gp60 gene, PCR for SSU ribosomal RNA [ 6 ], and actin [ 7 ] genes are carried out with subsequent Sanger sequencing in order to identify the species, and more specific gp60-based PCR and sequencing methods may be used as relevant.…”

Amplicon-based next-generation sequencing of eukaryotic nuclear ribosomal genes (metabarcoding) for the detection of single-celled parasites in human faecal samples

“…Primers and probe for Cryptosporidium spp. were described by Berg et al ( Berg et al, 2021 ). For each real-time PCR reaction, positive, negative, and PCR inhibition controls were included as part of the standard diagnostic protocols in place at the Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen.…”