Ectoparasites infesting animals living in close contact with human beings: a real trouble for One Health perspective?

There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The number of domestic animals living with human beings is rapidly increasing in parallel with an enhanced risk of transmission of their parasites and the pathogens they might carry. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of hematophagous arthropods infesting domestic animals from Northeastern Brazil and to remark the implications of their occurrence on the epidemiology and control of selected veterinary and human diseases. From January 2017 to April 2019, ectoparasites infesting domestic cats, dogs and horses were collected for their respective hosts and identified. Overall, ectoparasites were sampled from 86 domestic animals, living in different anthropic settings. A total of 401 specimens (344 ticks and 57 fleas) were collected from different hosts [i.e., 10 (2.49%), 96 (23.94%) and 295 (73.57%) from cats, dogs and horses, respectively]. Two flea (i.e., Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis) and 5 tick species (i.e., Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma sculptum, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) were identified. This study provides data on the ectoparasite fauna infesting domestic animals from Northeastern Brazil. The diagnosis and treatment of these parasites should not be underestimated, considering the role that hematophagous arthropods display as vectors of pathogens of medical and veterinary concern.

Translated abstract

RESUMO O número de animais domésticos infestados por ectoparasitos vivendo em estreito contato com seres humanos está aumentando, elevando o risco de infecção pelos patógenos transmitidos por vetores. Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar a ocorrência de ectoparasitos infestando animais do nordeste do Brasil e discutir as implicações desse parasitismo na epidemiologia e no controle de doenças de importância médico-veterinária. De janeiro de 2017 a abril de 2019, artrópodes foram coletados de gatos, cães e cavalos, e identificados morfologicamente. Ectoparasitos foram removidos de 86 animais infestados provenientes de áreas urbanas e rurais. Foram identificados 401 espécimes (344 carrapatos e 57 pulgas) coletados de diferentes hospedeiros (10 (2,49%), 96 (23,94%) e 295 (73,57%) de gatos, cães e cavalos, respectivamente. Duas espécies de pulgas (Ctenocephalides canis e Ctenocephalides felis) e cinco espécies de carrapatos (Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma sculptum, Dermacentornitens, Rhipicephalus microplus e Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) foram identificadas. Este estudo fornece informações sobre a ectofauna de animais domésticos do nordeste do Brasil. Portanto, o diagnóstico e o tratamento desses parasitos não devem ser subestimados, considerando que os artrópodes aqui relatados podem veicular patógenos de importância médico-veterinária.

Related collections

Most cited references 30

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: found

Is Open Access

One Health, emerging infectious diseases and wildlife: two decades of progress?

Andrew Cunningham, Peter Daszak, James L N Wood (2017)

Infectious diseases affect people, domestic animals and wildlife alike, with many pathogens being able to infect multiple species. Fifty years ago, following the wide-scale manufacture and use of antibiotics and vaccines, it seemed that the battle against infections was being won for the human population. Since then, however, and in addition to increasing antimicrobial resistance among bacterial pathogens, there has been an increase in the emergence of, mostly viral, zoonotic diseases from wildlife, sometimes causing fatal outbreaks of epidemic proportions. Concurrently, infectious disease has been identified as an increasing threat to wildlife conservation. A synthesis published in 2000 showed common anthropogenic drivers of disease threats to biodiversity and human health, including encroachment and destruction of wildlife habitat and the human-assisted spread of pathogens. Almost two decades later, the situation has not changed and, despite improved knowledge of the underlying causes, little has been done at the policy level to address these threats. For the sake of public health and wellbeing, human-kind needs to work better to conserve nature and preserve the ecosystem services, including disease regulation, that biodiversity provides while also understanding and mitigating activities which lead to disease emergence. We consider that holistic, One Health approaches to the management and mitigation of the risks of emerging infectious diseases have the greatest chance of success. This article is part of the themed issue ‘One Health for a changing world: zoonoses, ecosystems and human well-being’.

0 comments Cited 134 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Transmission and epidemiology of zoonotic protozoal diseases of companion animals.

Kevin Esch, Christine Petersen (2013)

Over 77 million dogs and 93 million cats share our households in the United States. Multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of pets in their owners' physical and mental health. Given the large number of companion animals in the United States and the proximity and bond of these animals with their owners, understanding and preventing the diseases that these companions bring with them are of paramount importance. Zoonotic protozoal parasites, including toxoplasmosis, Chagas' disease, babesiosis, giardiasis, and leishmaniasis, can cause insidious infections, with asymptomatic animals being capable of transmitting disease. Giardia and Toxoplasma gondii, endemic to the United States, have high prevalences in companion animals. Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi are found regionally within the United States. These diseases have lower prevalences but are significant sources of human disease globally and are expanding their companion animal distribution. Thankfully, healthy individuals in the United States are protected by intact immune systems and bolstered by good nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene. Immunocompromised individuals, including the growing number of obese and/or diabetic people, are at a much higher risk of developing zoonoses. Awareness of these often neglected diseases in all health communities is important for protecting pets and owners. To provide this awareness, this review is focused on zoonotic protozoal mechanisms of virulence, epidemiology, and the transmission of pathogens of consequence to pet owners in the United States.

0 comments Cited 95 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Pet Ownership and Older Women: The Relationships Among Loneliness, Pet Attachment Support, Human Social Support, and Depressed Mood

Cheryl A Krause-Parello (2012)

Pets can play a positive role in the both the physical and psychological health of older adults. This cross sectional study investigated the relationships among loneliness, pet attachment support, human social support, and depressed mood in a convenience sample of 159 pet-owning older women residing in the community. Participants completed loneliness, pet attachment support, human social support, and depressed mood scales. The results supported significant relationships between loneliness, pet attachment support, human social support, and depressed mood. No relationship was found between human social support and depressed mood. Pet attachment support, but not human social support, influenced the relationship between loneliness and depressed mood indicating the importance of pet attachment as a greater form of support in this sample. Clinical and social implications for nurses working with the geriatric population were identified and discussed.

0 comments Cited 49 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

All references

Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): abmvz

Title: Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia

Abbreviated Title: Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec.

Publisher: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Veterinária (Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil )

ISSN (Print): 0102-0935

ISSN (Electronic): 1678-4162

Publication date (Print and electronic): February 2021

Volume: 73

Issue: 1

Pages: 55-61

Affiliations

[3] Recife Pernambuco orgnameUniversidade Federal de Pernambuco Brazil

[2] Garanhuns PE orgnameUniversidade Federal do Agreste de Pernambuco Brazil

[1] Recife Pernambuco orgnameUniversidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco Brazil

[4] Lille orgnameVaxinano orgdiv1Faculté de Medecine França

Article

Publisher ID: S0102-09352021000100055 Publisher ID: S0102-0935(21)07300100055

DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-12084

SO-VID: 48240969-0e9f-4899-9ea5-d9871af0abc3

License:

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

History

Date received : 12 June 2020

Date accepted : 01 September 2020

Page count

Figures: 0, Tables: 0, Equations: 0, References: 30, Pages: 7

Product

SciELO Brazil

Ectoparasites infesting animals living in close contact with human beings: a real trouble for One Health perspective? Translated title: [Ectoparasitos infestando animais que vivem em contato próximo com seres humanos: um problema real para a perspectiva Saúde Única?]

Read this article at

Abstract

Translated abstract

Related collections

SciELO Brazil

Most cited references 30

One Health, emerging infectious diseases and wildlife: two decades of progress?

Transmission and epidemiology of zoonotic protozoal diseases of companion animals.

Pet Ownership and Older Women: The Relationships Among Loneliness, Pet Attachment Support, Human Social Support, and Depressed Mood

Author and article information

Journal

Affiliations

Article

History

Page count

Product

Categories

Comments

Comment on this article

Similar content 345

Most referenced authors 331