Explore the vast range of titles available.

This study's concept was outlined around the principle of conservation medicine in a biodiversity hotspot from the Neotropical realm: the Galapagos Islands. The wildlife balance has been modified by multi-host parasites introduced with some domestic animals (dogs and cats). The endemic and endangered species, the Galapagos sea lion (GSL, Zalophus wollebaeki), has been exposed to pathogens of canine and feline origin that could become a significant conservation problem for this species. One of these potential cases is the filarial heartworm infection, Dirofilaria immitis, which has been reported on other pinnipeds, with fatalities and clinical symptoms. Therefore, this study evaluated the presence of the microfilaria of D. immitis in dogs from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, where the largest rookery of GSLs lives and where the proximity to domestic dogs is the most intimate compared to other rookeries of the archipelago. Between July and September 2021, 587 blood samples were collected from owned dogs of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Overall, 10 dogs (1.7%) were positive for the presence of the microfilaria of D. immitis with a confidence interval of 0.7–2.8%. No other filarial species were identified. Significant differences in prevalence between different dog categories were observed only for the age (p = 0.001). This study represents the first report of D. immitis, the agent of canine heartworm disease, in dogs from San Cristobal Island. Hence, the presence of the microfilaria of D. immitis in the blood of dogs could increase the risk of infection to which the GSL is exposed in the region.

Intestinal parasites are a global public health concern, affecting both humans and animals, particularly in neglected and underserved communities. These parasites can lead to severe health complications and have zoonotic potential, especially in areas with close human–animal interactions and poor sanitation. This study investigates the ecoepidemiology and zoonotic relationship of intestinal parasites in humans and their domestic dogs in marginalized urban and rural sectors of the Ecuadorian coast. A total of 500 domestic dogs and 160 human participants from four neglected areas of Guayas province were studied between April and October 2024. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed using coproparasitic techniques (direct, flotation, sedimentation, and modified Baermann), followed by morphometric confirmation. Sociodemographic surveys, environmental assessments, and epidemiological indicators were also collected. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression models, were used to identify associations between parasite prevalence and socioenvironmental variables. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 31.87% in humans and 78% in domestic dogs. The most common parasites in humans were Entamoeba coli (18.13%), Entamoeba. histolytica (10%), and Hymenolepis nana (3.75%). In dogs, Ancylostoma caninum (53.6%), Taenia spp. ( Echinococcus granulosus ) (15.2%) and Toxocara canis (12.4%), were the most prevalent. Zoonotic parasitic diseases identified included cutaneous larva migrans, hydatidosis, and strongyloidiasis. Significant associations were found between parasitic infections and factors such as water source, sanitation infrastructure, barefoot walking, and peridomiciliary habitat of dogs. The findings highlight a high burden of intestinal parasitism in both humans and dogs in neglected coastal communities of Ecuador, driven by inadequate sanitation, poor socioeconomic conditions, and environmental risk factors. The study underscores the need for integrated One Health approaches, including education, improved hygiene, and routine deworming, to prevent zoonotic transmission and improve public health outcomes.

Background The extraordinary Galapagos Islands, with an impressive number of endemic and native species, maintain the interest and curiosity for researchers from all over the world. The native species are known to be vulnerable to new pathogens, cointroduced with their invasive hosts. In the case of invasive parasitic arthropods, their evolutionary success is related to the association with other invasive hosts (such as domestic animals). These associations could become a significant driver of change, as occasionally they can seek another hosts and have the capacity to transmit pathogens between domestic and wild animals. The current study aims to identify the distribution and abundance of canine vector-borne parasites in the Galapagos Islands based on the possibility that some of them could spill over to endemic mammals. Methods A total of 1221 blood samples were randomly collected from privately owned dogs on San Cristóbal, Isabela, Santa Cruz, and Floreana Islands during the years 2021 and 2022. All samples were examined for vector-borne pathogens using the modified Knott’s test and conventional, nested, and multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), followed by sequencing. Results The PCR and Knott tests confirmed the presence of Dirofilaria immitis (2%, 25/1221) in all islands. While molecular analyses showed heartworm DNA only in dogs from the San Cristóbal (3.3%) and Isabela (2.4%) Islands. Moreover, other pathogens Babesia vogeli (3%, 37/1221) and Hepatozoon canis (0.2%, 2/1221) were detected for the first time by molecular analyses. Conclusions Dogs from Galapagos are hosts to various pathogens, of which some are potentially zoonotic while some other could be spill-over to endemic endangered carnivores, such as sea lions. To understand and limit their impact, long-term surveillance, control, and awareness is needed. Graphical abstract

Bovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by an obligate intercellular Gram-negative bacterium named Anaplasma (A.) marginale. In this study, we report the seasonal prevalence, potentially associated risk factors and phylogeny of A. marginale in cattle of three different breeds from Multan District, Southern Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 1020 blood samples (crossbred, n = 340; Holstein Friesian, n = 340; and Sahiwal breed, n = 340) from apparently healthy cattle were collected on a seasonal basis from March 2020 to April 2021. Based on PCR amplification of the msp5 partial sequence, overall, the A. marginale prevalence rate was estimated at 11.1% (113/1020) of the analyzed cattle samples. According to seasons, the highest prevalence rate was observed in autumn (16.5%), followed by winter (10.6%) and summer (9.8%), and the lowest was recorded in the spring (7.5%). The crossbred and Sahiwal cattle were the most susceptible to A. marginale infection, followed by Holstein Friesian cattle (7.9%). Analysis of epidemiological factors revealed that cattle reared on farms where dairy animals have tick loads, dogs coinhabit with cattle and dogs have tick loads have a higher risk of being infected with A. marginale. In addition, it was observed that white blood cell, lymphocyte (%), monocyte (%), hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations were significantly disturbed in A. marginale-positive cattle compared with non-infested cattle. Genetic analysis of nucleotide sequences and a phylogenetic study based on msp5 partial sequencing demonstrated that this gene appears to be highly conserved among our isolates and those infecting apparently healthy cattle from geographically diverse worldwide regions. The presented data are crucial for estimating the risk of bovine anaplasmosis in order to develop integrated control policies against bovine anaplasmosis and other tick-borne diseases infecting cattle in the country.

Small-scale food animal production has been celebrated as a means of economic mobility and improved food security but the use of veterinary antibiotics among these producers may be contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance in animals and humans. In order to improve antibiotic stewardship in this sector, it is critical to identify the drivers of producers’ antibiotic use. This study assessed the determinants of antibiotic use in small-scale food animal production through simulated client visits to veterinary supply stores and surveys with households that owned food animals (n = 117) in Ecuador. Eighty percent of households with food animals owned chickens and 78% of those with chickens owned fewer than 10 birds. Among the households with small-scale food animals, 21% reported giving antibiotics to their food animals within the last six months. Simulated client visits indicated that veterinary sales agents frequently recommended inappropriate antibiotic use, as 66% of sales agents recommended growth promoting antibiotics, and 48% of sales agents recommended an antibiotic that was an inappropriate class for disease treatment. In contrast, few sales agents (3%) were willing to sell colistin, an antibiotic banned for veterinary use in Ecuador as of January 2020, which supports the effectiveness of government regulation in antibiotic stewardship. The cumulative evidence provided by this study indicates that veterinary sales agents play an active role in promoting indiscriminate and inappropriate use of antibiotics in small-scale food animal production.

There was an error in the original publication [...]

The current study investigates the presence and prevalence of Anaplasma species in dogs from the Galapagos Islands, focusing on the potential vectorial role of Rhipicephalus linnaei in the transmission of these pathogens. Blood samples were collected from 1221 dogs across four islands, with tick collections for morphological and genetic identification. The results revealed a significant molecular prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum (20.3%), predominantly in Santa Cruz (35.16%) and Isabela (18.9%), while A. platys was identified in 2.9% of samples. Genetic analysis identified the presence of A. phagocytophilum ecotype I, aligning more closely with European strains. Furthermore, R. linnaei was confirmed as the only tick species associated with dogs, suggesting its role as a vector for both A. phagocytophilum and A. platys . This study marks the first molecular confirmation of these pathogens in the Galapagos, contributing with important insights into the epidemiology of tick‐borne diseases in this ecosystem. The findings highlight the need for improved surveillance and control to reduce the risk and further spread of these tick‐borne diseases.

Bovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by an obligate intercellular Gram-negative bacterium named Anaplasma (A.) marginale. In this study, we report the seasonal prevalence, potentially associated risk factors and phylogeny of A. marginale in cattle of three different breeds from Multan District, Southern Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 1020 blood samples (crossbred, n = 340; Holstein Friesian, n = 340; and Sahiwal breed, n = 340) from apparently healthy cattle were collected on a seasonal basis from March 2020 to April 2021. Based on PCR amplification of the msp5 partial sequence, overall, the A. marginale prevalence rate was estimated at 11.1% (113/1020) of the analyzed cattle samples. According to seasons, the highest prevalence rate was observed in autumn (16.5%), followed by winter (10.6%) and summer (9.8%), and the lowest was recorded in the spring (7.5%). The crossbred and Sahiwal cattle were the most susceptible to A. marginale infection, followed by Holstein Friesian cattle (7.9%). Analysis of epidemiological factors revealed that cattle reared on farms where dairy animals have tick loads, dogs coinhabit with cattle and dogs have tick loads have a higher risk of being infected with A. marginale. In addition, it was observed that white blood cell, lymphocyte (%), monocyte (%), hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations were significantly disturbed in A. marginale-positive cattle compared with non-infested cattle. Genetic analysis of nucleotide sequences and a phylogenetic study based on msp5 partial sequencing demonstrated that this gene appears to be highly conserved among our isolates and those infecting apparently healthy cattle from geographically diverse worldwide regions. The presented data are crucial for estimating the risk of bovine anaplasmosis in order to develop integrated control policies against bovine anaplasmosis and other tick-borne diseases infecting cattle in the country.

This study's concept was outlined around the principle of conservation medicine in a biodiversity hotspot from the Neotropical realm: the Galapagos Islands. The wildlife balance has been modified by multi-host parasites introduced with some domestic animals (dogs and cats). The endemic and endangered species, the Galapagos sea lion (GSL, Zalophus wollebaeki), has been exposed to pathogens of canine and feline origin that could become a significant conservation problem for this species. One of these potential cases is the filarial heartworm infection, Dirofilaria immitis, which has been reported on other pinnipeds, with fatalities and clinical symptoms. Therefore, this study evaluated the presence of the microfilaria of D. immitis in dogs from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, where the largest rookery of GSLs lives and where the proximity to domestic dogs is the most intimate compared to other rookeries of the archipelago. Between July and September 2021, 587 blood samples were collected from owned dogs of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Overall, 10 dogs (1.7%) were positive for the presence of the microfilaria of D. immitis with a confidence interval of 0.7–2.8%. No other filarial species were identified. Significant differences in prevalence between different dog categories were observed only for the age (p = 0.001). This study represents the first report of D. immitis, the agent of canine heartworm disease, in dogs from San Cristobal Island. Hence, the presence of the microfilaria of D. immitis in the blood of dogs could increase the risk of infection to which the GSL is exposed in the region.