clove and Filariasis

The presence of the filarial genus Litomosa in Malagasy bats is demonstrated by the finding of L. goodmani n. sp. from Miniopterus gleni and Litomosa sp. (male unknown) from M. manavi, both in the Special Reserve of Ankarana. These materials are compared to the 22 Litomosa species, including two Indian species originally placed in the genus Litomosoides, L. fotedari (Gupta and Trivedi, 1989) n. comb. and L. tewarii (Gupta and Trivedi, 1989) n. comb., and the new taxon L. seurati n. sp. (= L. beaucournui Bain, 1966 pro parte), type-host Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum, Algeria, distinguished by the narrow area rugosa and the female caudal extremity with two conspicuous points, instead of several small ones. The Malagasy material belongs to a group of species close to the type, L. filaria, which have a male area rugosa composed of cuticular bosses and microfilariae folded within the sheath, and which are parasitic in Vespertilionidae, Hipposideridae and Rhinolophidae from Africa and Europe. The two Malagasy species resemble L. seurati n. sp., L. beshkovi Jancev, 1971, L. chiropterum Ortlepp, 1932, L. adami Petit, 1980 and L. ottavianii Lagrange et Bettini, 1948, with the enlarged third segment of the buccal capsule. L. goodmani n. sp. is distinct with its small size and female caudal extremity with a single point, which is suppressed in old mature worms; the females of Litomosa sp. have two conical points. Relationships among Litomosa species appear to be dependent upon both the chiropteran host groups and the geographical region.

Topics: Animals; Chiroptera; Female; Filariasis; Filarioidea; Madagascar; Male; Phylogeny; Sex Characteristics; Species Specificity

Madagascar is a hotspot of biodiversity, but poverty and population growth provoke a high risk of conflict between food security and biodiversity conservation in this tropical country. Numerous vector-borne diseases, including viral infections, affect public health in Madagascar and a continuous expansion of anthropogenically used areas intensifies contact on the human-wildlife interface. However, data on human and animal pathogens in potential insect vectors is limited. Therefore, we conducted a parasitological and virological survey of 785 adult female mosquitoes between March and May 2016 at the Ankarafantsika National Park in northwestern Madagascar. Screening included Alpha-, Phlebo-, and Flaviviridae and the recently described filarial nematode species, Lemurfilaria lemuris. The predominant mosquito genus was Culex (91%), followed by Mansonia (4.1%), Anopheles (3.4%), and Aedes (0.9%). Viral screening revealed no arboviruses, but an insect-specific flavivirus in two Culex sitiens pools. No pools screened positive for the lemur-specific filarial nematode L. lemuris.

Topics: Aedes; Animals; Anopheles; Biodiversity; Culex; Disease Reservoirs; Filariasis; Flavivirus; Lemur; Madagascar; Mosquito Vectors; Nematoda; Virus Diseases

Madagascar is one of the world's top twelve "megadiversity" hot spots hosting unique and threatened flora and fauna. Parasites are a major component of biodiversity but remain largely uncharacterized in wildlife. In this study we combine microscopic and molecular assessment of hemoparasites in endemic reptile species from Madagascar. We detected three distinct parasites: the apicomplexans Hepatozoon and Sarcocystis, and filarial nematodes. The prevalence and intensity of these apicomplexans were low overall, while microfilarial infections in chameleons were relatively high. We detected mixed infections of two Hepatozoon haplotypes in Madagascarophis colubrinus, and of Hepatozoon and microfilariae in a Furcifer sp. Phylogenetic analyses of Hepatozoon showed evidence of prey-predator transmission, with identical sequences found in the snakes M. colubrinus and Ithycyphus oursi, and their prey Furcifer sp. Based on previous studies regarding the life cycle of Hepatozoon domerguei Landau, Chabaud, Michel, and Brygoo, 1970 in these hosts and due to their morphological similarity, we propose that this Hepatozoon haplotype is Hepatozoon domerguei. Future studies, including the examination of invertebrate hosts, are needed to verify this preliminary taxonomic identification. A distinct hemogregarine haplotype was found in Oplurus sp., which displayed morphologically different gametocytes, some of which were apparently inside leukocytes. The Sarcocystis identified from Tracheloptychus petersi was identical to that reported in a North African snake, indicating that the same lineage is found in geographically distinct regions. By combining morphological and genetic information, Foleyella furcata (Linstow, 1899) filarial nematodes were identified in several Furcifer chameleons. This study provides insights into the distribution, diversity and host-parasite interactions of hemoparasites in wild reptile populations from Madagascar.

Topics: Animals; Base Sequence; Coccidia; Coccidiosis; DNA, Helminth; DNA, Protozoan; DNA, Ribosomal; Electron Transport Complex IV; Filariasis; Filarioidea; Helminth Proteins; Lizards; Madagascar; Molecular Sequence Data; Parasitemia; Phylogeny; Protozoan Proteins; RNA, Ribosomal; Sarcocystis; Sarcocystosis; Snakes; Species Specificity

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and density of haemoparasites in wild malagasy bats. Among the 440 bats, belonging to 14 species sampled in 5 localities in different bio-climatic zones of the island, 93 (21%) showed at least 1 haemoparasite with, by order of frequency, Haemoproteidae (15.7% of 440 bats), microfilariae (7.0%) and Trypanosoma (0.7%). Among these 93 bats, 92 (99%) belonged to the family Vespertilionidae. Four bat species, all endemic to the Madagascar region (Madagascar and Comoros), were found to harbour parasites: Miniopterus manavi with Haemoproteidae (38% of 129 individuals), microfilariae (23%) and Trypanosoma (2%); Myotis goudoti with Haemoproteidae (24% of 68 individuals) and microfilariae (1%); Miniopterus gleni with Haemoproteidae (23% of 13 individuals); and Triaenops furculus with Haemoproteidae (4% of 28 individuals). The sex of bats was not linked to parasite prevalence. Within Miniopterus manavi, those individuals with greater weight also had a higher prevalence of microfilariae; and within the individuals harbouring microfilariae the greatest weights corresponded to the highest density of microfilariae. Ten bat species (with 202 individuals examined) were negative for any haemoparasite. This study is the first to provide evidence of haemoparasites in Malagasy bats; it provides interesting insights, especially concerning the parasite distribution per bat species and families, the pathogenicity of this type of parasitism and the parasite transmission by arthropod vectors.

Topics: Altitude; Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Body Weight; Chiroptera; Climate; Endemic Diseases; Female; Filariasis; Humans; Madagascar; Male; Microfilariae; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Population Density; Population Surveillance; Prevalence; Sex Distribution; Trypanosomiasis

A major study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Bancroftian filariasis in 9 health districts located mainly on the east and north coast of Madagascar between 1995 and 1997. The study population included 2524 people 10 years or older. On the east and north coast, the incidence of microfilarial carriers varied depending on location from 7 p. 100 to 47 p. 100 in men and 3 p. 100 to 33 p. 100 in women. The highest incidences, i.e., around 33 p. 100 in both sexes, were observed in the southeastern districts of Ifanadiana, Manakara, and Vangaindrano. In the other districts on the east coast, the highest rates occurred mainly in men, i.e., 47 p. 100 in Vavatenina, 33 p. 100 in East Feneriva, and 33 p. 100 in Mahanoro. Only two districts on the west coast were studied, i.e., Marovoay where the incidence was zero and Ankazoabo where the prevalence was 4 p. 100 for men and 3 p. 100 for women. The results are compared with those of a study carried out in 1958. At 16.22 p. 100, chronic morbidity is relatively common in men but less disabling, i.e. mainly scrotal and member elephantiasis and hydroceles. Chronic morbidity was only 2.26 p. 100 in women, i.e. mainly member elephantiasis. Control of Bancroftian filariasis may be achievable by targeted use of drug prophylaxis and bednets in zones of high prevalence.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Animals; Carrier State; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endemic Diseases; Female; Filariasis; Humans; Incidence; Madagascar; Male; Middle Aged; Morbidity; Population Surveillance; Prevalence; Residence Characteristics; Sex Distribution; Surveys and Questionnaires; Wuchereria bancrofti

In 1958, a large study on the distribution of Bancroft filariasis was set up in Madagascar. In order to update these data, the authors have studied in the same areas the parasitological and clinical prevalence of Bancroft filariasis. Here are the preliminary results of this study, concerning 1862 people, aged 10 years and more. The mean prevalence rate of microfilaria-carriers was of 22.9%, and the average parasitic density was of 3.6 parasits/20 microliters of blood. The prevalence rate of chronic clinical symptoms was of 14.7% for men (elephantiasis, hydroceles, chyluria) and of 2% for women (elephantiasis). These were usually mild symptoms, which very little impact on way of life.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Animals; Child; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Endemic Diseases; Female; Filariasis; Humans; Incidence; Madagascar; Male; Middle Aged; Population Surveillance; Prevalence; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Distribution; Surveys and Questionnaires; Wuchereria bancrofti

Topics: Animals; Female; Filariasis; Humans; Insect Vectors; Lymphatic Diseases; Madagascar; Male; Wuchereria bancrofti

Topics: Agriculture; Disease Reservoirs; Filariasis; Humans; Madagascar; Malaria; Parasitic Diseases; Schistosomiasis; Urinary Tract Infections; Water Supply