Alexander Mathis
Publications
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2.08Impact points
Helminths of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Lithuania.
Parasitology. 01/2012; 139(1):120-7.
Red foxes and raccoon dogs are hosts for a wide range of parasites including important zoonotic helminths. The raccoon dog has recently invaded into Europe from the east. The contribution of this exotic species to the epidemiology of parasitic diseases, particularly parasitic zoonoses is unknown. Th... [more] Red foxes and raccoon dogs are hosts for a wide range of parasites including important zoonotic helminths. The raccoon dog has recently invaded into Europe from the east. The contribution of this exotic species to the epidemiology of parasitic diseases, particularly parasitic zoonoses is unknown. The helminth fauna and the abundance of helminth infections were determined in 310 carcasses of hunted red foxes and 99 of raccoon dogs from Lithuania. Both species were highly infected with Alaria alata (94·8% and 96·5% respectively) and Trichinella spp. (46·6% and 29·3%). High and significantly different prevalences in foxes and raccoon dogs were found for Eucoleus aerophilus (97·1% and 30·2% respectively), Crenosoma vulpis (53·8% and 15·1%), Capillaria plica (93·3% and 11·3%), C. putorii (29·4% and 51·5%), Toxocara canis (40·5% and 17·6%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (76·9% and 98·8%). The prevalences of the rodent-transmitted cestodes Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia polyacantha, T. crassiceps and Mesocestoides spp. were significantly higher in foxes than in raccoon dogs. The abundances of E. multilocularis, Mesocestoides, Taenia, C. plica and E. aerophilus were higher in foxes than those in raccoon dogs. A. alata, U. stenocephala, C. putorii and Echinostomatidae had higher abundances in raccoon dogs. The difference in prevalence and abundance of helminths in both animals may reflect differences in host ecology and susceptibility. The data are consistent with red foxes playing a more important role than raccoon dogs in the transmission of E. multilocularis in Lithuania.
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Echinococcus granulosus (‘pig strain’, G6/7) in Southwestern Lithuania
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. 01/2010;
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Emerging alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in humans and high prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes and raccoon dogs in Lithuania
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. 01/2010;
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Detection of infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum (Nematoda, Strongylida) by PCR
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. 01/2010;
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2.11Impact points
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1.51Impact points
Local transmission of the eye worm Thelazia callipaeda in southern Germany.
Parasitology research. 11/2009;
This report describes the first assumed locally transmitted case of the eye worm Thelazia callipaeda in a dog living in southern Germany. A 4-year-old male golden retriever from the town of Bühl in north eastern Baden-Württemberg, about 10 km from the German-French border, showed one sided lacrimati... [more] This report describes the first assumed locally transmitted case of the eye worm Thelazia callipaeda in a dog living in southern Germany. A 4-year-old male golden retriever from the town of Bühl in north eastern Baden-Württemberg, about 10 km from the German-French border, showed one sided lacrimation for over 2 weeks. Despite the application of antibiotics, there was no improvement, and the dog additionally showed blepharospasmus, epiphora and red conjunctivas. A deepened eye inspection revealed five whitish filiform parasites that were morphologically identified as T. callipaeda. The partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1, 605 bp) from one specimen revealed a novel haplotype, which differs by 1.3% from the only one (haplotype 1) identified in Europe so far. Since the infected dog had never been abroad with the exception of two daytrips to the close Alsace region in France, the transmission of T. callipaeda most probably was domestic. With the presence of end hosts and Phortica flies nourishing on lachrymal secretions acting as intermediate hosts and an increasing number of dogs travelling to and coming from endemic regions in the South, the establishment of T. callipaeda in large parts of Europe cannot be excluded.
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1.37Impact points
Babesia capreoli infections in alpine chamois (rupicapra R. Rupicapra), roe deer (capreolus C. Capreolus) and red deer (cervus elaphus) from Switzerland.
Journal of wildlife diseases. 08/2009; 45(3):748-63.
Five cases of fatal babesiosis in free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) attributed to infections with Babesia capreoli were recently recorded in two regions of the Swiss Alps. To investigate the ecologic factors that possibly lead to those fatal B. capreoli infections in chamois, blood, tick... [more] Five cases of fatal babesiosis in free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) attributed to infections with Babesia capreoli were recently recorded in two regions of the Swiss Alps. To investigate the ecologic factors that possibly lead to those fatal B. capreoli infections in chamois, blood, ticks, and demographic data of 46 roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus), 48 chamois, and nine red deer (Cervus elaphus) were collected in 2006 and 2007 in both affected regions. Whereas no parasitic inclusions were found by microscopical examination of blood smears, B. capreoli was identified by polymerase chain reaction/sequencing in blood of 12 roe deer (26%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.3-41.1), one chamois (2%, CI: 0-6.1), and one red deer (11%, CI: 0.3-48.2). Prevalence of B. capreoli was significantly higher in roe deer compared with chamois (P<0.001). All 214 ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus, and significantly more roe deer (63%, CI: 47.5-76.8) were infested compared with chamois (21%, CI: 10.5-35.0, P<0.001). Overall, prevalences of both tick infestation and Babesia infection increased significantly (P<0.001) with decreasing altitude, and Babesia-positive samples were detected significantly more often from animals with tick infestation compared with animals without ticks (P = 0.040). Our results indicate that roe deer may play an important reservoir role for B. capreoli. It is hypothesized that the expansion of the presumed vector I. ricinus to higher elevations and its increased abundance in overlapping habitats of roe deer and chamois may favor the spillover of B. capreoli from roe deer to chamois.
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2.11Impact points
MoisturePlus Contact Lens Solution as a Source of Acanthamoeba Keratitis.
Cornea. 03/2009; 28(2):219-20.
Recently, it was suggested that the use of the Advanced Medical Optics Complete MoisturePlus multipurpose cleaning solution might be a risk factor for contracting Acanthamoeba keratitis, and the manufacturer voluntarily recalled it in May 2007. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing ... [more] Recently, it was suggested that the use of the Advanced Medical Optics Complete MoisturePlus multipurpose cleaning solution might be a risk factor for contracting Acanthamoeba keratitis, and the manufacturer voluntarily recalled it in May 2007. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of a variable part of the 18S rRNA gene allowed for the first time tracking of Advanced Medical Optics Complete MoisturePlus-associated Acanthamoeba keratitis isolate from a patient back to the lens cleaning solution itself.
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1.51Impact points
Echinococcus multilocularis-adaptation of a worm egg isolation procedure coupled with a multiplex PCR assay to carry out large-scale screening of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Norway.
Parasitology research. 11/2008;
Echinococcus multilocularis, causing alveolar echinococcosis in humans, is a highly pathogenic emerging zoonotic disease in central Europe. The gold standard for the identification of this parasite in the main host, the red fox, namely identification of the adult parasite in the intestine at necrops... [more] Echinococcus multilocularis, causing alveolar echinococcosis in humans, is a highly pathogenic emerging zoonotic disease in central Europe. The gold standard for the identification of this parasite in the main host, the red fox, namely identification of the adult parasite in the intestine at necropsy, is very laborious. Copro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been suggested as an acceptable alternative, but no commercial copro-ELISA tests are currently available and an in-house test is therefore required. Published methods for taeniid egg isolation and a multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous identification of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus and other cestodes were adapted to be carried out on pooled faecal samples from red foxes in Norway. None of the 483 fox faecal samples screened were PCR-positive for E. multilocularis, indicating an apparent prevalence of between 0% and 1.5%. The advantages and disadvantages of using the adapted method are discussed as well as the results pertaining to taeniid and non-taeniid cestodes as identified by multiplex PCR.
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2.28Impact points
Babesia divergens-like organisms from free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus) are distinct from B. divergens of cattle origin - an epidemiological and molecular genetic investigation.
Veterinary parasitology. 06/2008; 154(1-2):14-20.
In 2005 and 2006, three adult female chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) were found dead with signs of acute babesial infection in the eastern Swiss Alps. PCR on DNA extracted from blood or spleen of the carcasses revealed sequence identity of the amplified part of the 18S rRNA gene with GenBank entrie... [more] In 2005 and 2006, three adult female chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) were found dead with signs of acute babesial infection in the eastern Swiss Alps. PCR on DNA extracted from blood or spleen of the carcasses revealed sequence identity of the amplified part of the 18S rRNA gene with GenBank entries attributed to Babesia divergens of cattle origin or B. capreoli of wild ruminant origin which have never been described before in this region. Examination of 424 blood samples from 314 head of cattle from this area by IFAT, microscopy and PCR provided no evidence for babesial infection. Six of 887 ticks collected from cattle were PCR-positive, and sequencing revealed Babesia sp. genotype EU1 in five and B. divergens/B. capreoli in one of them. A Babesia isolate of chamois, two isolates of roe deer from the same region and one isolate of a roe deer from the north-western Swiss Alps were genetically compared with two Swiss B. divergens isolates of cattle origin by analysing the genomic rDNA locus. Whereas the near full length sequences of the 18S rRNA gene were virtually identical among all six isolates (>99.4% identity), distinct differences between the two isolates from cattle on the one hand and the four isolates from free-ranging ruminants on the other hand were observed in the sequences of the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1, ITS2) and part of the 28S rRNA gene. These results indicate that, albeit genetically very closely related, these babesial organisms from cattle and from free-ranging ruminants indeed are distinguishable organisms with different host specificities, and they support the use of the discrete species name B. capreoli for the B. divergens-like organisms from chamois and roe deer.
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6.79Impact points
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2.28Impact points
Babesiosis in free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) from Switzerland.
Veterinary parasitology. 10/2007; 148(3-4):341-5.
Pathological examination of five adult chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) found dead in two different regions from the Swiss Alps revealed pale mucous membranes and musculature, swollen spleen and haemoglobinuria. Histologically, haemosiderosis in the spleen and centrilobular hepatic necrosis were the... [more] Pathological examination of five adult chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) found dead in two different regions from the Swiss Alps revealed pale mucous membranes and musculature, swollen spleen and haemoglobinuria. Histologically, haemosiderosis in the spleen and centrilobular hepatic necrosis were the predominant findings. On blood smears, small (approximately 0.84-1.47 microm), round to pyriform, peripherally located inclusions were present in the erythrocytes. PCR followed by sequencing of DNA extracted from blood or spleen of the infected animals revealed 99-100% identity of the amplified part of the 18S rRNA gene with GenBank entries attributed to Babesia divergens/Babesia capreoli. This is the first report of fatal Babesia infections in chamois raising the question of an emerging disease in this species.
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0.92Impact points
Development of a three-dimensional enteric cell culture model for in vitro studies of the intestinal eukaryotic parasites Cryptosporidium spp.
ALTEX : Alternativen zu Tierexperimenten. 01/2007; 24 Spec No:92-3.
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3.69Impact points
Babesia spp. identified by PCR in ticks collected from domestic and wild ruminants in southern Switzerland.
Applied and environmental microbiology. 11/2006; 72(10):6503-7.
Concurrent infections with vector-borne pathogens affected a cattle herd in Switzerland, and one of the pathogens was identified as Babesia bigemina, which had never been observed in this country before. Therefore, a survey of the occurrence of ruminant Babesia spp. and their tick vectors in Switzer... [more] Concurrent infections with vector-borne pathogens affected a cattle herd in Switzerland, and one of the pathogens was identified as Babesia bigemina, which had never been observed in this country before. Therefore, a survey of the occurrence of ruminant Babesia spp. and their tick vectors in Switzerland was conducted. A total of 2,017 ticks were collected from sheep, goats, cattle, and wild ruminants (deer, roe deer, and chamois) in southern parts of Switzerland and identified morphologically. The vast majority of the ticks (99.2%) were Ixodes ricinus, but 14 ticks from sheep and goats were identified as Dermacentor marginatus and two ticks from wild ruminants were identified as Hemaphysalis punctata. PCR analyses of 700 ticks revealed the presence of Babesia divergens (n = 6), Babesia sp. genotype EU1 (n = 14), and B. major (n = 2), whose suggested occurrence was confirmed in this study by molecular analysis, and the presence of novel Babesia sp. genotype CH1 (n = 4), which is closely related to B. odocoilei and to Babesia sp. genotype RD61 reported from North America. The identification of B. divergens and B. major in ticks collected from wild ruminants cast doubt on the postulated strict host specificity of these bovine Babesia species. Furthermore, the zoonotic Babesia sp. genotype EU1 was detected in ticks collected from domestic animals but was obtained predominantly from ticks collected from wild ruminants. More than one tick containing DNA of different Babesia spp. were collected from two red deer. Hence, the role of these game animals as reservoir hosts of Babesia spp. seems to be important but requires further investigation.
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1.78Impact points
Copro-DNA tests for diagnosis of animal taeniid cestodes.
Parasitology international. 02/2006; 55 Suppl:S87-90.
PCR has proven its value for the diagnosis of taeniid cestodes in animal definitive hosts, although only few specific tests are available at the moment (Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus 'sheep strain'). Additional tests with specificities for further taeniids are urgently... [more] PCR has proven its value for the diagnosis of taeniid cestodes in animal definitive hosts, although only few specific tests are available at the moment (Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus 'sheep strain'). Additional tests with specificities for further taeniids are urgently needed and new tests are currently being developed, e.g. a multiplex PCR for simultaneous detection of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus (all strains) and Taenia spp. (all species). PCR is a technically demanding and expensive technique: DNA isolation from faecal specimens remains a laborious task because of the presence of PCR-inhibitory substances, and special precautions need to be taken to avoid false-positive results due to cross-contamination of amplification reactions. PCR, therefore, is mainly used for confirmative purposes of coproantigen-positive samples or for identification of taeniid eggs recovered from faecal specimens or from environmental samples.
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4.80Impact points
Mitochondrial ribosome as the target for the macrolide antibiotic clarithromycin in the helminth Echinococcus multilocularis.
Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy. 09/2005; 49(8):3251-5.
The mitochondrial rRNA of the tapeworm species Echinococcus multilocularis carries an adenine at sequence position 2058 (numbering according to that for Escherichia coli) of the large-subunit rRNA (lsrRNA), while the nucleus-encoded rRNA, as determined in this study, is characterized by 2058G. This ... [more] The mitochondrial rRNA of the tapeworm species Echinococcus multilocularis carries an adenine at sequence position 2058 (numbering according to that for Escherichia coli) of the large-subunit rRNA (lsrRNA), while the nucleus-encoded rRNA, as determined in this study, is characterized by 2058G. This indicates a dichotomy in the drug susceptibilities of ribosomes: cytoplasmic ribosomes are predicted to be resistant to macrolide antibiotics, while mitochondrial ribosomes lack the most common chromosomal resistance determinant, lsrRNA 2058G. Upon incubation with the macrolide clarithromycin, the formation of vesicles from metacestode tissue was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Electron microscopy revealed distinct morphological alterations both of the mitochondria and of the vesicle wall (e.g., loss of microtriches) in drug-treated vesicles. Adult worms lost their motility and displayed morphological changes (shortening and constriction of proglottids and the presence of vacuoles) upon incubation with clarithromycin. Our findings demonstrate that macrolides have distinct in vitro effects on E. multilocularis, endorsing the use of sequence-based in silico approaches for exploitation of available ribosomal drugs as anthelmintic agents.
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14.69Impact points
Zoonotic potential of the microsporidia.
Clinical microbiology reviews. 08/2005; 18(3):423-45.
Microsporidia are long-known parasitic organisms of almost every animal group, including invertebrates and vertebrates. Microsporidia emerged as important opportunistic pathogens in humans when AIDS became pandemic and, more recently, have also increasingly been detected in otherwise immunocompromis... [more] Microsporidia are long-known parasitic organisms of almost every animal group, including invertebrates and vertebrates. Microsporidia emerged as important opportunistic pathogens in humans when AIDS became pandemic and, more recently, have also increasingly been detected in otherwise immunocompromised patients, including organ transplant recipients, and in immunocompetent persons with corneal infection or diarrhea. Two species causing rare infections in humans, Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Brachiola vesicularum, had previously been described from animal hosts (vertebrates and insects, respectively). However, several new microsporidial species, including Enterocytozoon bieneusi, the most prevalent human microsporidian causing human immunodeficiency virus-associated diarrhea, have been discovered in humans, raising the question of their natural origin. Vertebrate hosts are now identified for all four major microsporidial species infecting humans (E. bieneusi and the three Encephalitozoon spp.), implying a zoonotic nature of these parasites. Molecular studies have identified phenotypic and/or genetic variability within these species, indicating that they are not uniform, and have allowed the question of their zoonotic potential to be addressed. The focus of this review is the zoonotic potential of the various microsporidia and a brief update on other microsporidia which have no known host or an invertebrate host and which cause rare infections in humans.
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4.16Impact points
Usefulness of PCR analysis for diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis with unusual localizations: two case studies.
Journal of clinical microbiology. 01/2005; 42(12):5954-6.
The report presents two cases where diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis was confirmed by Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus PCR. The extrahepatic osseous involvement and the absence of initial hepatic involvement are unusual in both cases. Due to limitations of serological inte... [more] The report presents two cases where diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis was confirmed by Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus PCR. The extrahepatic osseous involvement and the absence of initial hepatic involvement are unusual in both cases. Due to limitations of serological interpretation, PCR was useful to diagnose atypical echinococcosis.
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2.94Impact points
The mitochondrial ribosome of the protozoan Acanthamoeba castellanii is the target for macrolide antibiotics.
Molecular and biochemical parasitology. 07/2004; 135(2):225-9.
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2.85Impact points
Detection and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. isolated from diarrheic children in Switzerland.
The Pediatric infectious disease journal. 05/2004; 23(4):359-61.
The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in diarrheic immunocompetent children living in Switzerland was 5.5% (15 of 273). Infection rates increased significantly with age. Anthroponotic Cryptosporidium hominis was identified in 11 children, 9 with a travel history. The zoonotic Cryptosporidium parvum... [more] The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in diarrheic immunocompetent children living in Switzerland was 5.5% (15 of 273). Infection rates increased significantly with age. Anthroponotic Cryptosporidium hominis was identified in 11 children, 9 with a travel history. The zoonotic Cryptosporidium parvum bovine genotype was identified in 3 children (2 without travel history). Hence transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. is primarily of anthroponotic nature in the study area.
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