Wednesday 16 October 2013

Monday 14 October 2013

Emerging parasitic zoonoses in Estonia, and why the Northern Big Brother should be concerned

On Thursday, October 17th, Brian Lassen will hold a seminar at Evira Headquarters, Mustialankatu 3, Viikki, in Kalevi lecture hall, at 15.00-16.00, about EMERGING PARASITIC ZOONOSES IN ESTONIA, AND WHY THE NORTHERN BIG BROTHER SHOULD BE CONCERNED.

The talk will be on emerging, re-emerging and endemic parasitic zoonoses in Estonia, some of them well-known also in Finland, some with evident potential to spread into Finland.

Thursday 13 June 2013

Ascaris worm found in a swimming pool in Tartu

In April 2013 Delfi brought an article on the finding of a worm in a public swimming pools in Tartu city, Estonia (link to article below).

The worm was identified as the nematode Ascaris sp. (roundworm) at the Department of Zoology, University of Tartu.

As a response to the finding the owners of the public pool closed the facility temporarily and increased the chlorine content in the water with the attempt of removing the possible contamination of Ascaris sp. eggs in the pool waters. However, chlorination alone has not been shown to be able to successfully inactivate Ascaris eggs (see article below).

Previous knowledge considered the intestinal nematode Ascaris lumbricoides as a species specific for human infections, while pigs were considered to be infected with Ascaris suum. Studies have shown what was previously considered two species had zoonotic potential (Ascaris suum infecting humans, and possibly the other way around). Recent advances in molecular biology show that this is very likely the case as Asarcis lumbricoides and Ascaris suum do not vary significantly genetically nor in morphology and should probably be considered a single species (see article below).

The Estonian University of Life Sciences is currently investigating how commonly Estonians and specific risk groups are exposed to Ascaris infections as part of the project "Epidemiology and risk factors of emerging zoonosis in Estonia. Investigation of needs for surveillance and development of surveillance systems" funded by the program "Tervishoiutehnoloogia teadus- ja arendustegevuse toetamine".  

Image: www.visualphotos.com


Full article on Ascaris in a public pool (in Estonian):
Aura keskuse külastaja leidis veest solkmetaolise ussi

Further reading on the effect of chlorine on Ascaris eggs:
Bandala ERGonzález LSanchez-Salas JLCastillo JH. 2012. Inactivation of Ascaris eggs in water using sequential solar driven photo-Fenton and free chlorineJ Water Health10(1):20-30.

Further reading on why Ascaris is a zoonosis:
Leles DGardner SLReinhard KIñiguez AAraujo A. 2012. Are Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum a single species? Parasit Vectors5:42.


Further reading on Ascaris distribution in the world
de Silva NRBrooker SHotez PJMontresor AEngels DSavioli L. 2003. Soil-transmitted helminth infectionsupdating the global pictureTrends Parasitol.,19(12):547-51.

Trichinella sp. found in wild boar after being eaten lightly cooked

Eight people, including three children, ate meat of wild boar that was infected with Trichinella sp. in Estonia. A meat sample tested positive afterwards, and treatment for the infection was started.

Full article here (in Estonian):

Saturday 25 May 2013

Final work of veterinary students in parasitology, defenses 2013

Upcoming defenses in parasitology (final work of veterinary students)

Location and time:
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Kreutzwaldi 62, room A201
Tartu
Estonia

Time: 9:00

Kaisa Velström
Wild boar Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and hunters feeding grounds as parasitic hubs
Toxoplasma gondii seroloogiline levimus metssigadel ja jahimeeste seatud ulukite söötmispaigad parasiitidega nakatumise keskustena
Supervisor: Brian Lassen
Opponent: Lea Tummeleht

Sini-Maria Peltola
Efficiancy of Ivermectin and Pyrantel against nematoda in Estonian horses
Ivermektiini ja püranteeli efektiivsus ümarusside tõrjes Eesti hobustel.
Supervisor: Brian Lassen
Opponent: Reet Herm


Friday 11 January 2013

Study: Toxoplasma gondii in Estonian cats


We have started a new research project:
Toxoplasma gondii in Estonian cats

Toxoplasma infections in Estonian cats have not been previously studied. This study aims to estimate the proportion of the Estonian cats that have been exposed to the parasite, and to detect risk factors for the infection. 

The results will be relevant for public health professionals and for ensuring the welfare of the cats, as Toxoplasma can infect both humans and animals. Most infections cause only mild symptoms or clinical signs, but at worst toxoplasmosis can be severe and even life-threatening. Most feared are the infections during pregnancy, because the parasite may be transmitted to the fetus..

There are ways to prevent the infections, and cat owners could do a lot to protect their cats from this parasite. This would also diminish the presence of the parasite in the environment.

Sample collection time: 1st January - 31st December 2013

Samples to be investigated are leftover sera and plasma from blood samples that are taken from pet cats and shelter cats to some other diagnostic purposes. No blood is drawn solely for this study. Participation is voluntary, and with the owner’s consent. 

The results of this study are reported only in aggregate form, and the results of an individual cat will not be available.

If you are a cat owner and your veterinarian is sending a sample of your cat to the diagnostic laboratory EMÜ VLI verelaboratoorium (Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu) and you wish to participate in this study, the sample can be accompanied by a signed consent form and filled questionnaire [download consent form].  All information collected will be treated confidentially and used for research purposes only. 

If you are a veterinarian sending samples to the diagnostic laboratory EMÜ VLI verelaboratoorium (Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu), it would be highly appreciated if you print out these forms [download consent form] to your clinic and promote our study. If you are a veterinarian working in a cat shelter and interested to participate, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

Thank you for your interest in our study!

Kärt Must, kart.must[at]emu.ee 
Brian Lassen, brian.lassen[at]gmail.com
Estonian University of Life Sciences