PCR-based coprodiagnostic tools reveal dogs as reservoirs of zoonotic ancylostomiasis caused by Ancylostoma ceylanicum in temple communities in Bangkok

A survey of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and humans from temple communities in Bangkok revealed that 58% of dogs and 3.4% of humans, among those sampled, were infected with hookworms utilising faecal flotation techniques and microscopy. A previously established polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-RFLP approach was utilised to determine the species of hookworms infecting dogs found positive for hookworm eggs. Single infections with Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Ancylostoma caninum were recorded in 77% and 9% of hookworm positive dogs, respectively and mixed infections with both species of Ancylostoma were recorded in 14% of dogs. A single-step PCR for the multiplex detection of Ancylostoma species and Necator americanus DNA in human faeces was developed and applied to characterise the species of hookworms in microscopy positive individuals. Single infection with N. americanus was recorded in five and A.ceylanicum infection in two, out of seven individuals positive for hookworm. This study demonstrates that humans are at risk of acquiring infection with A. ceylanicum in communities where this species of hookworm is endemic in dogs.     

Autolysis and Characterization of Sarcoplasmic and Myofibril Associated Proteinases of Oxeye Scad (Selar boops) Muscle

ABSTRACT

The autolytic profile of oxeye scad mince was characterized. Mince showed higher proteolytic activity than washed mince. The highest autolysis was observed at 65 and 60°C for mince and washed mince, respectively. Both mince and washed mince showed the optimum pH for autolysis at pH 9.0, and their activities decreased with increasing NaCl concentration (0–3.5%). Autolysis of washed mince was markedly inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), suggesting that myofibril-associated proteinase was serine proteinase. Sarcoplasmic proteinase was characterized to be heat-activated alkaline proteinase having the optimal pH and temperature of 9.0 and 60°C, respectively. The activities were stable at pH range of 8.0–11.0 at 20–40°C. The crude proteinase was inhibited by N-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone, SBTI, and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, suggesting the predominance of serine proteinases, especially trypsin. NaCl suppressed the activity while β-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, and CaCl₂ activated the activity. Therefore, trypsin-like proteinase is a major endogenous proteinase responsible for autolysis in oxeye scad muscle. The present results can be used as scientific guidelines to predict the gel strength of surimi made from oxeye scad muscle.