No evidence of Sarcocystis calchasi involvement in mammalian meningoencephalitis of unknown origin.
Abstract: Sarcocystis calchasi has recently been identified as the cause of pigeon protozoal encephalitis, PPE, a lethal brain disease in pigeons and parrots. While only avian species have been identified so far to be susceptible to this pathogen as definitive or intermediate hosts, we speculated whether mammals may be susceptible as well, as in Sarcocystis neurona and other related apicomplexan parasites. Specifically, we hypothesized its involvement in mammalian meningoencephalitis of unknown origin, MUO. A total of 143 archived formalin fixed, paraffin embedded brain samples with MUO from dogs, cats, pigs, cattle, sheep, guinea pigs, horses, goats, mice, raccoon, ferret, hamster, mink and maned wolf were examined pathohistologically and by PCR for parasitic stages or DNA, respectively, of Sarcocystis calchasi or other apicomplexan parasites. All samples had non-suppurative, lymphoplasmacytic and/or granulomatous encephalitis or meningoencephalitis typical of MUO with many similarities to PPE in pigeons. However, neither parasitic structures nor DNA of Sarcocystis calchasi or other apicomplexan parasites were detected. It thus appears that, despite histological similarities between mammalian MUO and pigeon PPE and despite seemingly high prevalence of PPE and a persistent threat by Sarcocystis calchasi in pigeons, based on histopathology and PCR there is no evidence for a role of this parasite in MUO in mammals as intermediate or aberrant hosts.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2016-05-17 PubMed ID: 31014499DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.05.006Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates whether the parasite Sarcocystis calchasi, known to cause a lethal brain disease in birds, could also be responsible for unexplained brain inflammation in mammals. However, the study found no evidence to support this hypothesis.
Background
- The study was driven by the recently discovered role of the parasite Sarcocystis calchasi in causing pigeon protozoal encephalitis (PPE), a deadly brain disease in pigeons and parrots.
- Currently, only bird species have been found to host this parasite. However, this study explored the possibility of mammals also being susceptible.
- This was motivated by the emergence of similar parasites like Sarcocystis neurona and other related apicomplexan parasites that can infect both birds and mammals.
- The researchers hypothesized that Sarcocystis calchasi might be involved in “mammalian meningoencephalitis of unknown origin” (MUO), a condition characterized by brain inflammation where the cause is not yet known.
Methods
- The researchers examined 143 preserved brain samples from a variety of mammals such as dogs, cats, pigs, and even humans. These samples were diagnosed with MUO.
- They used pathohistology, the study of changes in tissues caused by disease, to look for physical signs of the parasite in the samples.
- Additionally, they used PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), a technique used to amplify tiny amounts of DNA, to look for the DNA of Sarcocystis calchasi or other similar parasites.
Results and Conclusion
- All samples displayed signs of encephalitis or meningoencephalitis, the typical of MUO, with many similarities to PPE in pigeons.
- However, no parasitic structures or DNA of Sarcocystis calchasi or any similar parasites were found in any of the mammal samples.
- The research thus found no evidence to suggest the involvement of this specific parasite in cases of MUO in mammals.
- Despite the similarities in the disease presentation between PPE in pigeons and MUO in mammals, and the widespread prevalence of PPE among pigeons, Sarcocystis calchasi does not appear to cross over to mammal hosts based on their findings.
Cite This Article
APA
Żuraw A, Plog S, Lierz M, Gruber AD.
(2016).
No evidence of Sarcocystis calchasi involvement in mammalian meningoencephalitis of unknown origin.
Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 3-4, 49-52.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.05.006 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag Str. 15, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag Str. 15, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag Str. 15, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag Str. 15, 14163 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: achim.gruber@fu-berlin.de.
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Matiasek K, Pfaff F, Weissenböck H, Wylezich C, Kolodziejek J, Tengstrand S, Ecke F, Nippert S, Starcky P, Litz B, Nessler J, Wohlsein P, Baumbach C, Mundhenk L, Aebischer A, Reiche S, Weidinger P, Olofsson KM, Rohdin C, Weissenbacher-Lang C, Matt J, Rosati M, Flegel T, Hörnfeldt B, Höper D, Ulrich RG, Nowotny N, Beer M, Ley C, Rubbenstroth D. Mystery of fatal 'staggering disease' unravelled: novel rustrela virus causes severe meningoencephalomyelitis in domestic cats.. Nat Commun 2023 Feb 4;14(1):624.
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