Human Pathogens and the Canada Goose

1. Human Pathogens and the Canada Goose Tyler Baratko Bio 548

2. Group Phylum Name Flagellates Mastigophora Ciliates Ciliophora Sporozoans Sporozoa Rhizopods Sarcodina Protozoans • Eukaryotes • Heterotrophic • Motile • Unicellular

3. Cryptosporidium

4. Taxonomy Phylum: Apicomplexa Class: Conoidasida Subclass: Coccidiasina Order: Eucoccidiorida Suborder: Eimeriorin Family: Cryptosporidiidae Genus: Cryptosporidium *The Different Species are of particular interest

5. Cryptosporidium parvum • Zoonotic, or animal adapted • Majority of human disease • Infects both ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, deer) and humans • human-to-human and zoonotic transmission pathways

6. Cryptosporidiumhominis • Previously known as C. parvum • Recent genetic discoveries have revealed small differences in the genome • Infects mostly humans • Transmitted from human to humans • Zoonotic pathways have not been observed

7. Cryptosporidiosis • Symptoms • Diarrhea • Abdominal pain • Nausea • Fever • Fatigue • Can be life-threatening in immunocompromised

9. A few more facts….. • 1976 was the first reported case of Cryptosporidiosis • 1993-the largest outbreak of waterborne illness in US history. • Milwaukee, WI • 400,000 infected

10. Facts cont’d • Prevalence • 90% of sewage samples • 75% of river waters • 28% of drinking water • Resistance • Small size (4-6μm) evade sand filters • Disinfectants

11. Giardia

12. Taxonomy Phylum: Sarcomastigophora Subphylum: Mastigophora Class: Zoomastigophora Order: Diplomonadida Family: Hexamitidae Genus: Giardia

13. Giardia lamblia(G. duodenalis, G. intestinalis) • Most Common in children • Cyst contaminated water • Zoonotic with deer, rodents, household pets, or cattle being carriers

14. Giardiasis • Symptoms • Diarrhea • Cramps • Anorexia • Can be chronic

16. Facts • Larger than Cryptosporidium @ 7-10 by 8-12 μm • Disinfectants still useless • Sand-filtering usually removes them

18. Canada Goose and Protozoans… Where’s the Connection?

19. Research • Strong correlation • B. Canadensis and Cryptosporidium • Documented Carriers

21. A bit more research… • Relatively knew • Only handful of studies • Contradictory information • Controversial • Still many unanswered questions

22. Let me pose a couple (think know and answer later) Why are oocysts dormant in the goose GI tract and not ours? Is it really a serious problem, and if so, should the Canada Goose be held responsible?

23. Studies • Fecal droppings of migratory Canada geese, were collected from nine sites near the Chesapeake Bay • Were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia

24. C. parvum found at 7 of the 9 sites • Giardia found at all 9 • Remember…these two are both thought to be zoonotic (disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans) • The pathogenesis of the oocysts were tested in mice • Each inoculated with approximately 9.0 × 104 oocysts • Intestines revealed developmental stages of C.Parvum

25. This appears to be a problem! Many are jumping to conclusions!

26. For example… • A study was conducted by the following: • Monmouth County Health Department • Monmouth University • Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene & Public Health • Blame the C. Goose for many health problems

27. Their numbers 1999:  10,000 geese x 1.5 lbs./day x 365 days/yr. = 2,737.5 Tons manure • In N.J., the C. Goose population doubles every 7 years. Keeping this in mind, they estimated that this year, the numbers will look like this: 20,000 geese x 1.5 lbs./day x 365 days/yr. = 5,475 Tons manure •If the C. Goose is the main culprit for spreading the pathogens (as Monmouth County assumes), than something must be done to prevent widespread infection.

28. A golf example…

29. Their Solutions

30. Giardiasis Prevention • Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before handling food • Boil your drinking water for 1 minute • Avoid areas that are heavily contaminated with goose feces • Wash hands and feet after being in an area that is contaminated . • Take care not to track contamination into your home. • Do not swim in a pool that is frequented by waterfowl. Pool chlorination does not kill the giardia cysts.

31. Cryptosporidiosis - Prevention • Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before handling food • Boil drinking water for 1 minute • Avoid areas that are heavily contaminated with goose feces • Be careful not to track contamination into your home • Do not swim in a pool that is frequented by waterfowl • Stay away from domestic and farm animals- especially young animals with diarrhea

32. Does the Canada Goose REALLY deserve most of the blame?

33. Prevalence of Pathogenic Genotypes • 13 sites in Ohio and Illinois • Analysis of fecal droppings (209 specimens) for Crypt. Genotypes • Crypt. Goose Type 1 and Type 2 • Crypt. Duck • Crypt. Hominis and Parvum(zoonotic types) • PCR to analyze SSU rRNA gene for bp differences.

34. The results… • 49 of 209 positive • Crypt. Goose Type 1 in 36 • Crypt. Goose Type 2 in 9 • Crypt. Duck Type found for the first time! • Crypt. Hominis and Crypt. Parvum were found a combined 5 times. That’s only about 10%!

35. The implications • The majority of the genotypes found are not zoonotic. • Goose genotypes are probably actually parasitic to the Geese, but the pathogencity is not known • This study shows the Canada goose as merely an accidental carrier of the infectious types.

36. Conclusion • Very new stuff • Still being studied • Many other variables • Canada Goose DO contribute • Extent is still uncertain

37. Questions revisited Why are oocysts dormant in the goose GI tract and not ours? Is it really a serious problem, and if so, should the Canada Goose be held responsible?