Researches:
Article title: Prevalence and Host Specificity of Bat Flies (Streblidae) from Selected Caves in Unisan, Quezon, Philippines
Authors: Maria Camila N. Obdianela · Ma. Patricia Venice V. Guanlao· Essex Vladimer E. Samaniego· Kathleen O. Pornobi
Publication title: Acta Parasitologica 66:983–988, 2021
Abstract:
Purpose Bats belong to different guilds and thus differ in the environmental resources that they exploit. They also evolved to have a very rich diversity of roosting and feeding habits. Therefore, it enables them to harbor different species of parasites that could be zoonotic and may pose public health importance. T on balls. Results Eight bat species belonging to four families, namely Hipposideridae, Vespertilionidae, Rhinolophidae, and Pteropodidae, were recovered from the study. Results showed that 130 out of 202 (64.36%) bats were infested with streblids with an overall mean intensity of 1 ectoparasite/bat. Out of four streblid species, Brachytarsina werneri, Brachytarsina amboinensis, and Raymondia pseudopagodarum were classified as stenoxenous. High specificity index was recorded for R. pseudopagodarum (STD = 3) and low specificity index for Brachytarsina species. Conclusion These results can be used by the local government in providing necessary actions that may lead to public awareness as these bats may also play a role in the transmission of zoonotic parasites in the area.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/4uu38vr3.
Article title: Prevalence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis among different species of snails in the village of Bagong Sikat Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines and its associated risk factors for zoonotic transmission
Authors: Jerico R. Cawas, Christine Joy T. Quisao, Diane Shiela C. Castillo, Kathleen O. Pornob
Publication title: Journal of Parasitic Diseases 44(6 Supplement 2), 2020
Abstract:
Snails are good source of protein and one of the delicacies in majority of the areas in the Philippines. However, they may act as an intermediate host for several parasites such as Angiostrongylus cantonensis. This parasite is commonly found in South East Asia especially in agricultural countries like the Philippines. Hence, the present study aims to determine the prevalence of A. cantonensis in their intermediate host in Village Bagong Sikat, which is situated at the rice granary of the Philippines. A total of 947 snails were randomly collected within 50 m × 50 m transect line through handpicked method. The third larvae (L3) stage from the snails was recovered through artificial tissue digestion. Results showed that 173 out of 947 snails (18.27%) were found positive with A. cantonensis L3 larvae. Three species of snails were recovered having Melanoides tuberculata to have the highest prevalence of A. cantonensis (21.54%) followed by Pomacea canaliculata (17.75%) and Vivipara angularis (17.74%). Statistical analysis further showed that prevalence of A. cantonensis and the length of snails has no significant difference (p > 0.05). The species of snails collected and found infected in the present study are considered part of the delicacies of the locals in Nueva Ecija. Thus, these results highlight the need to raise awareness of the locals regarding the zoonotic potential of A. cantonensis, which are of public health importance.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/zdzc6ku2
Article title: Detection of Potentially Zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia among Livestock in Sariaya, Quezon, Philippines
Authors: Arianne Lleva Afable, Kim Joshua De Belen Coquilla, Zosimo Galang Battad II and Kathleen Ordoñez Pornobi
Publication title: Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science 42(2):557-568, 2019
Abstract:
Livestock plays a great role in the economic development of smallholder farmers. However, the population of livestock has been affected by diseases such as cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis. Sariaya has a large production of livestock that is being distributed in Quezon Province. Thus, the current study aimed to identify the presence of Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia sp. in livestock in selected farms of Sariaya, Quezon. Risk factors were also assessed in the present study. A total of 103 collected faecal samples from livestock were subjected to microscopic and molecular detection. Faecal samples were processed through Formalin-Ether Concentration Technique (FECT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction. Microscopy results revealed that 14 out of 103 (13.59%) samples were positive for Giardia with meant intensity of 13 cysts per gram (cpg) of faeces, while molecular detection confirmed that 13 out of 103 (12.62%) had amplified for the target gene of Giardia, tpi, with expected band size of 530 bp. Sequenced samples of G. intestinalis were characterised as assemblages A, B and E. Moreover, pigs showed the highest prevalence (15.91%), while cattle had the highest mean intensity (14 cpg) for Giardia. Cryptosporidium were absent in all the samples. Statistical analysis of the risk factors such as diet, feeding floor, habit, presence of illness and faecal consistency of the animals revealed no significant association (p>0.05) in the presence of Giardia. This study revealed the presence of zoonotic Giardia species in the 558 Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sc. 42 (2): 557-568 (2019) area; however, future investigation in other possible risk factors such as the season and age is still recommended.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/pdhea62y
Article title: Parasite Contamination of Freshly Harvested Vegetables from Selected Organic and Conventional Farms in The Philippines
Authors: Kathleen N. Ordoñez, Yvonne Ai-Lian Lim, Xiang Ting Goh and Vachel Gay V. Paller
Publication title: Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science 41(4):1741-1756, 2018
Abstract:
Vegetables are considered as an important part of a healthy diet. However, there have been reports showing contamination of vegetables with parasites. This study aimed to assess parasite contamination of freshly harvested vegetables from selected organic and conventional farms in the Philippines. A total of 252 freshly harvested vegetables were collected from 20 farms through systematic random sampling and were processed by means of sedimentation technique. Positive samples were subjected to molecular analysis for further identification of species. Results showed that 58 out of 252 (23.02%) vegetable samples were contaminated with parasites eggs/cysts/oocysts. The parasites found were Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Toxocara sp., Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris suum, Hymenolepis sp., unknown trematode egg, Isospora, Balantidium, Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium. Ascaris suum had the highest contamination rate in organic and conventional farms at 13.09% and 8.33%, respectively. Cryptosporidium (≥800 oocysts/ kg) and Giardia intestinalis (≥240 cysts/kg) had the highest mean density in both farms. Also, lettuce showed the highest contamination rate among the sampled vegetables in both types of farms. Furthermore, results revealed that texture of vegetables, distance to the soil substrate, and farming practices could possibly contribute to the parasite contamination of vegetables in this study. These findings have important implications on public health that may aid regulatory agencies for prevention and control strategies for food safety.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/4a3cjbhd