Zoonoses
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Date
2025
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University of Oum El Bouaghi
Abstract
This document is a university course on parasitic zoonoses intended for Master 2 students in Parasitology, written by Dr. Tolba Mounia.It definesparasitic zoonoses as diseasesnaturallytransmittedbetweenvertebrateanimals and humans. The course beginswith a detailed classification of parasitic zoonoses basedon:
• Etiologicalagents:protozoanoses, trematodoses, cestodoses, nematodoses.
• Transmission cycle: direct zoonoses, cyclozoonoses (obligatory or non-obligatory), metazoonoses (types I–IV), saprozoonoses (includingsaproanthropozoonoses, saproamphixenoses, saprometanthropozoonoses).
• Reservoirhosts: anthropozoonoses, zooanthropozoonoses, amphixenoses.
• Main host involved:livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs, fish, dogs, cats), wildlife.
• Transmission route:food-borne, vector-borne, waterborne, soil-borne, rawvegetables.
The course thencovers major parasitic zoonoses in detail:
Protozoal zoonoses
• Africantrypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness / Nagana): Trypanosomabruceigambiense and T. b. rhodesiense, transmitted by tsetseflies. Clinicalsigns in humansinclude chancre, fever, lymphadenopathy, meningoencephalitis. Diagnosis by bloodsmear, CSF examination;treatmentwitharsenicals; prophylaxisincludesvector control.
• Intestinal giardiasis: Giardia intestinalis (direct cycle). Symptoms:diarrhea, abdominal pain. Diagnosis by stool exam (cysts/trophozoites);treatmentwithmetronidazole; preventionthroughhygiene.
• Amoebiasis: Entamoeba histolytica. Cycle includescysts and trophozoites (minuta and histolytica forms). Causes intestinal amoebicdysentery and hepaticabscess. Diagnosis by stool exam or serology;treatmentwithmetronidazole; prevention by hygiene and sanitation.
Nematode zoonoses
• Hookwormdisease (Ancylostomaduodenale, Necatoramericanus): Transmission via skin penetration of L3 larvae. Causes dermatitis, pulmonarysymptoms, anemia. Diagnosis by stooleggcount;treatmentwithbenzimidazoles; prevention: wearingshoes, sanitation.
• Enterobiasis (Enterobiusvermicularis): Anal pruritus, direct transmission. Diagnosis by Graham scotch test;treatmentwithmebendazole or pyrantel.
• Trichuriasis (Trichuristrichiura):Oftenasymptomatic; massive infections cause colitis, rectal prolapse, anemia. Diagnosis by characteristiclemon-shapedeggs;treatmentwithbenzimidazoles.
Trematode zoonoses
• Fascioliasis (Fasciolahepatica):Liverfluke of herbivores and humans. Intermediatehost: Limnea snail. Transmission by ingestion of metacercariae on aquatic plants. Symptoms:hepaticcolic, jaundice, hypereosinophilia. Treatment:triclabendazole; control: molluscicides, hygiene.
• Schistosomiasis (Schistosomahaematobium, S. mansoni, etc.): Causes urogenital or intestinal bilharzia. Intermediatehost: Bulinus or Planorbis snails. Transmission by furcocercariaepenetrating skin. Symptoms:hematuria, hepatosplenomegaly. Treatment: praziquantel; prevention: avoidcontaminated water.
Cestode zoonoses
• Diphyllobothriasis (Diphyllobothriumlatum): Fish tapeworm. Requirestwointermediate hosts (crustacean and fish). Transmission by eatingraw/undercookedfreshwaterfish. Symptoms: digestive disorders, rare megaloblasticanemia. Prevention: cooking or freezingfish.
• Echinococcosis (Echinococcusgranulosus):Hydatidcystdisease. Definitivehosts:canids (dogs); intermediate hosts: sheep, humans. Transmission by ingestion of eggsfrom dog feces. Cystsdevelop in liver, lungs. Treatment:surgery + albendazole; prevention: dewormingdogs, hygiene.
The course concludeswithgeneralprevention and control strategies:healtheducation, environmentalsanitation, safefood and water, vector control, regulardeworming of reservoir hosts, and surveillance.
Description
Keywords
Parasitic zoonoses ; Anthropozoonosis; Cyclozoonosis; Metazoonosis; Saprozoonosis; Food-borne; Vector-borne; waterborne; soil-borne; Protozoa; Trypanosomiasis; Sleeping sickness; Giardia; Amoebiasis; Entamoeba histolytica; Nematodes; Hookworm; Ancylostoma; Necator; Enterobiasis, Trichuriasis, Trematodes, Fasciolahepatica, Fascioliasis, Schistosoma, Schistosomiasis; Bilharzias; Cestodes; Diphyllobothriumlatum; Diphyllobothriasis; Echinococcusgranulosus; Hydatidcyst; Echinococcosis; Zoonotic transmission; Reservoir host; Vector; Life cycle; Diagnosis; treatment; Prophylaxis; Prevention; Hygiene; Sanitation.