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Mendoza FJ, Pérez-Écija A, Kappmeyer LS, Suarez CE, Bastos RG. New insights in the diagnosis and treatment of equine piroplasmosis: pitfalls, idiosyncrasies, and myths. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1459989. [PMID: 39205808 PMCID: PMC11349644 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1459989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a global tick-borne disease of equids caused by the intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, and the more recently discovered Theileria haneyi. These parasites can be transmitted by several tick species, including Dermacentor, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus, but iatrogenic and vertical transmission are also common. Clinical signs of EP include poor performance, fever, icterus, abortions, among others, and peracute or acute forms of infection are associated with high mortality in non-endemic areas. EP is a reportable disease and represents an important barrier for the international trade of horses and other equids, causing disruption of international equine sports. Tick control measures, serological and molecular diagnostic methods, and parasiticidal drugs are currently used against EP, while vaccines remain unavailable. Since most acaricides used in equids are non-environmentally friendly and linked to drug resistances, this is considered as an unsustainable approach. Imidocarb dipropionate (ID) and buparvaquone (BPQ) are currently the main drugs used to control the disease. However, while ID has several side and toxic effects and recurrent failures of treatment have been reported, BPQ is less effective in the clearance of T. equi infection and not available in some countries. Thus, novel alternative and effective therapeutics are needed. While current trade regulations require testing equids for EP before exportation, the lack of standardized PCR tests and limitations of the currently recommended serological assays entail a risk of inaccurate diagnosis. Hereby, we propose a combination of standardized PCR-based techniques and improved serological tests to diminish the risks of exporting EP-infected animals making equid international trade safer. In addition, this review discusses, based on scientific evidence, several idiosyncrasies, pitfalls and myths associated with EP, and identifies weaknesses of current methods of control and gaps of research, as initial steps toward developing novel strategies leading to control this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J. Mendoza
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Alejandro Pérez-Écija
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Lowell S. Kappmeyer
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Pullman, WA, United States
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Pullman, WA, United States
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
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Madan N, Azhahianambi P, Babu RPA, Gayen N, Tirumurugaan KG, Sridhar R, Soundararajan C. First report of occurrence of Babesia gibsoni in captive Indian wolves. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 53:101071. [PMID: 39025542 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Blood samples from fifteen captive Indian wolves (Canis lupus pallipes) maintained at Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai were screened for the presence of Babesia spp., Ehrlichia canis and Trypnosoma evansi DNA by PCR. Out of 15 wolf samples, 3 samples were found positive for Babesia spp. The amplified 18S rRNA gene fragments from 3 wolves were sequenced and confirmed as Babesia gibsoni. A maximum likelihood tree was constructed using the three sequences along with other Babesia spp. sequences derived from GenBank adopting HKY nucleotide substitution model based on the Bayesian Information Criterion. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the three sequences were of Babesia gibsoni and highly divergent from Babesia canis, B. vogeli and B. vulpes. This might be a possible spill over event of B. gibsoni from community dogs through blood feeding dog ticks. This is the first report and molecular confirmation of B. gibsoni infection in captive Indian wolves.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Madan
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600051, India
| | - P Azhahianambi
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600051, India.
| | - R P Aravindh Babu
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600051, India
| | - Neelanjana Gayen
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600051, India
| | - K G Tirumurugaan
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600051, India
| | - R Sridhar
- Central University Laboratory, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600 051, India
| | - C Soundararajan
- Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil TableNadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600 051, India
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Xiong L, Yang G. Description and molecular characterisation of Babesia ailuropodae n. sp., a new piroplasmid species infecting giant pandas. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:315. [PMID: 39033131 PMCID: PMC11265107 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06402-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesia spp. are protozoan parasites that infect the red blood cells of domesticated animals, wildlife and humans. A few cases of giant pandas (a flagship species in terms of wildlife conservation) infected with a putative novel Babesia sp. have been reported. However, comprehensive research on the morphological and molecular taxonomic classification of this novel Babesia sp. is still lacking. This study was designed to close this gap and formally describe this new Babesia sp. infecting giant pandas. METHODS Detailed morphological, molecular and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to characterise this Babesia sp. and to assess its systematic relationships with other Babesia spp. Blood samples from giant pandas infected with Babesia were subjected to microscopic examination. The 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), cytochrome b (cytb) and mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the new Babesia sp. were amplified, sequenced and assembled using DNA purified from blood samples taken from infected giant pandas. Based on the newly generated 18S rRNA, cytb and mitogenome sequences, phylogenetic trees were constructed. RESULTS Morphologically, the Babesia sp. from giant pandas exhibited various forms, including round to oval ring-shaped morphologies, resembling those found in other small canine Babesia spp. and displaying typical tetrads. Phylogenetic analyses with the 18S rRNA, cytb and mitogenome sequences revealed that the new Babesia sp. forms a monophyletic group, with a close phylogenetic relationship with the Babesia spp. that infect bears (Ursidae), raccoons (Procyonidae) and canids (Canidae). Notably, the mitogenome structure consisted of six ribosomal large subunit-coding genes (LSU1-6) and three protein-coding genes (cytb, cox3 and cox1) arranged linearly. CONCLUSIONS Based on coupled morphological and genetic analyses, we describe a novel species of the genus Babesia, namely, Babesia ailuropodae n. sp., which infects giant pandas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang Xiong
- Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, China
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Rivaz S, Nasiri V, Taiefi Nasrabadi N, Paykari H. Ticks analysis for molecular detection and phylogenetic evaluation of stray dogs infecting protozoa from Alborz, Iran. Microb Pathog 2024; 192:106721. [PMID: 38815776 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Ticks play an important role in the transmission of parasitic diseases, especially pathogenic protozoa in canine hosts, and it is very important to determine the role and extent of their infection with these pathogens in order to determine important control strategies. This study assessed the molecular prevalence of three protozoan pathogens including Hepatozoon canis, Leishmania spp. and Babesia spp., in ticks using PCR. A total 300 stray dogs were investigated and 691 ticks (171 male, 377 female and 143 nymph) were detected directly from 45 infested dogs. Species, stage of growth, and gender were determined for each tick. DNA extracted from 224 ticks (26 male, 165 female and 33 nymph). The molecular presence of three protozoan pathogens including Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA gene), Leishmania infantum (kinetoplastid minicircle DNA) and Babesia spp. (ssrRNA gene) were investigated using PCR method. One species of ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus was identified. Two of the target pathogens, Hepatozoon spp. (7/83; 8.43 %) and Babesia spp. (1/83; 1.2 %), were detected by PCR method. Sequence analysis of the ssrRNA gene of detected Babesia spp. showed a close relationship to the deposited strains of Babesia vulpis in the gene bank. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to undertake a phylogenetic analysis of H. canis and Babesia spp. in stray dogs in Alborz province, Iran and the first report about molecular detection of Babesia vulpis from tick infesting dogs in Iran. According to the above results, it seems necessary to implement tick control programs in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahla Rivaz
- Department of Pathobiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
| | - Vahid Nasiri
- Protozoology Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
| | | | - Habibullah Paykari
- Protozoology Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
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Springer A, Jordan D, Höltershinken M, Barutzki D, Strube C. Endemisation and management of Babesia divergens on a beef production farm. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 6:100188. [PMID: 39027083 PMCID: PMC11252781 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The hard tick Ixodes ricinus transmits a variety of zoonotic pathogens, including Babesia divergens, the most common cause of bovine babesiosis in northern Europe. In endemic areas, cattle are rarely clinically affected, as animals up to the age of nine months are resistant against relevant clinical disease and develop protective premunity. However, outbreaks in immunologically naïve herds may lead to considerable losses. Such an outbreak with a high mortality rate occurred in 2018 on a northern German beef production farm, as previously reported. The present study provides an update on the epidemiological situation and management strategy of the farm. In spring 2022, blood samples were taken from 46 animals for PCR and serological testing before pasture turnout. Although no clinical cases had been noticed since 2019, B. divergens DNA was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), followed by amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene, in 6.5% (3/46) of cattle blood samples. Presence of anti-B. divergens antibodies was confirmed in 26.1% (12/46) of animals, while further 10.9% (5/46) had a borderline antibody titre. The antibody status of 23 of these animals had already been determined in 2018 and/or 2020, revealing fluctuating titre patterns indicative of repeated pathogen exposure. Moreover, 457 questing I. ricinus specimens collected on the farm's pastures and 83 I. ricinus specimens detached from cattle were screened for Babesia spp. DNA by qPCR, followed by 18S rDNA amplification and sequencing. Endemisation of B. divergens was confirmed by 0.9% (4/457) positive questing I. ricinus, while the ticks detached from cattle were Babesia-negative. The farm's management strategy includes annual metaphylactic treatment with imidocarb dipropionate during the main tick exposure period in spring. However, the antibody titre fluctuations and the persistent infections at the end of the housing period indicate that the absence of clinical disease is primarily due to a rising level of premunity. Metaphylactic treatment with imidocarb seems to be a suitable management option to protect newly acquired immunologically naïve animals. The endemisation of B. divergens is also of public health significance, as the pastures are located close to a tourist destination in a popular hiking area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Daniela Jordan
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Martin Höltershinken
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hanover, Germany
| | - Dieter Barutzki
- Tierärztliches Labor Freiburg GmbH, Engesserstraße 4b, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
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Springer A, Lindau A, Probst J, Fachet K, Schäfer I, Dobler G, Mackenstedt U, Strube C. Germany-wide citizen science study reveals spread of Babesia canis-infected Dermacentor reticulatus ticks by dogs travelling within the country. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 6:100187. [PMID: 39027085 PMCID: PMC11253222 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The ornate dog tick Dermacentor reticulatus, vector of Babesia canis, has shown a considerable range expansion in several European countries. Previously, only few areas in Germany were recognised as endemic for B. canis, but a marked increase in autochthonous canine babesiosis cases and spread to new areas has been noted recently. To better assess the current risk for dogs, the present study screened 5913 specimens of D. reticulatus from all over Germany, collected in the frame of a Citizen Science study during 2019-2023. Moreover, 343 Dermacentor marginatus ticks were also included. Babesia detection was achieved by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Positive samples were confirmed by sequencing. Moreover, a MGB-probe-based triplex qPCR was established to detect and distinguish between the canine Babesia spp. relevant in Europe, i.e. B. canis, Babesia vogeli and Babesia gibsoni. Overall, B. canis DNA was detected in five D. reticulatus specimens (0.08%). Two of the B. canis-positive ticks originated from areas previously known as endemic for canine babesiosis, namely from the area of Freiburg im Breisgau, federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, and from the district St. Wendel, federal state of Saarland. Three further B. canis-positive ticks were detected in districts not yet recognised as endemic, one each in the district of Mansfeld-Suedharz, federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, the district of Ravensburg, federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg and in the city of Fürth, federal state of Bavaria. However, the tick in Fürth was found on a dog who had returned from a trip to the Breisgau region on the previous day, indicating translocation of the specimen out of this well-known endemic focus. The geographical distribution of the positive samples shows that B. canis is currently spreading in Germany, particularly via dogs travelling within the country, increasing the infection risk throughout the country. Important measures to contain a further spread of the pathogen include comprehensive year-round tick prophylaxis with licensed acaricides, not only to protect the individual pet, but also the entire dog population. Moreover, screening of dogs entering Germany from B. canis-endemic countries is required and any treatment should aim at pathogen elimination by use of appropriate imidocarb dosages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Alexander Lindau
- Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Julia Probst
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Katrin Fachet
- Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ingo Schäfer
- LABOKLIN GmbH and Co. KG, Bad Kissingen, Steubenstraße 4, 97688, Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Ute Mackenstedt
- Institute of Biology, Department of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
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Li F, Zhao P, Wang S, Luo W, Xia Y, Li D, He L, Zhao J. Babesia duncani Pyruvate Kinase Inhibitor Screening and Identification of Key Active Amino Acid Residues. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1141. [PMID: 38930523 PMCID: PMC11205445 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Babesia duncani (B. duncani), a protozoan parasite prevalent in North America, is a significant threat for human health. Given the regulatory role of pyruvate kinase I (PyK I) in glycolytic metabolism flux and ATP generation, PyK I has been considered the target for drug intervention for a long time. In this study, B. duncani PyK I (BdPyK I) was successfully cloned, expressed, and purified. Polyclonal antibodies were confirmed to recognize the native BdPyK I protein (56 kDa) using Western blotting. AlphaFold software predicted the three-dimensional structure of BdPyK I, and molecular docking with small molecules was conducted to identify potential binding sites of inhibitor on BdPyK I. Moreover, inhibitory effects of six inhibitors (tannic acid, apigenin, shikonin, PKM2 inhibitor, rosiglitazone, and pioglitazone) on BdPyK I were examined under the optimal enzymatic conditions of 3 mM PEP and 3 mM ADP, and significant activity reduction was found. Enzyme kinetics and growth inhibition assays further confirmed the reliability of these inhibitors, with PKM2 inhibitor, tannic acid, and apigenin exhibiting the highest selectivity index as specific inhibitors for B. duncani. Subsequently, key amino acid residues were mutated in both BdPyK I and Homo sapiens pyruvate kinase I (HPyK I), and two differential amino acid residues (isoleucine and phenylalanine) were identified between HPyK I and BdPyK I through PyK activity detection experiments. These findings lay foundation for understanding the role of PyK I in the growth and development of B. duncani, providing insights for babesiosis prevention and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (F.L.); (P.Z.); (S.W.); (W.L.); (Y.X.); (D.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (F.L.); (P.Z.); (S.W.); (W.L.); (Y.X.); (D.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Sen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (F.L.); (P.Z.); (S.W.); (W.L.); (Y.X.); (D.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Wanxin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (F.L.); (P.Z.); (S.W.); (W.L.); (Y.X.); (D.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Yingjun Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (F.L.); (P.Z.); (S.W.); (W.L.); (Y.X.); (D.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Dongfang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (F.L.); (P.Z.); (S.W.); (W.L.); (Y.X.); (D.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Lan He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (F.L.); (P.Z.); (S.W.); (W.L.); (Y.X.); (D.L.); (L.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (F.L.); (P.Z.); (S.W.); (W.L.); (Y.X.); (D.L.); (L.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic Products, Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan 430070, China
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Adaszek Ł, Staniec M, Dokuzeylül B, Pisarek M, Skrzypczak M, Żółkiewski P, Rutkowska-Szulczyk M, Deneka Ł, Or ME, Winiarczyk S. Vector-borne diseases imported to Poland between 2021 and 2023. J Vet Res 2024; 68:215-222. [PMID: 38947161 PMCID: PMC11210363 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2024-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of the study was to monitor the occurrence of selected vector-borne diseases in anaemic dogs arriving in or returning to Poland from areas endemic for these diseases. Material and Methods The study involved 497 dogs, of which 184 came to Poland from Ukraine with their owners fleeing the war. Other animals returned to the country from holidays spent in Croatia (n = 96), Turkey (n = 79), Italy (n = 48), Bulgaria (n = 42), Albania (n = 36) and Romania (n = 12). Molecular biology methods were used for detection of pathogens transmitted by the vectors. Results Molecular tests revealed the presence of vector-borne pathogens in 79 dogs. The most commonly diagnosed infection was caused by Babesia canis (27 dogs), followed by infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum (in 20 dogs), Mycoplasma haemocanis (15 dogs), Bartonella henselae (7 dogs), Ehrlichia canis (4 dogs), Hepatozoon canis (3 dogs), Babesia gibsoni (2 dogs) and Leishmania infantum (1 dog). Most of the sick dogs (n = 39) came from Ukraine. In dogs spending holidays with their owners outside Poland, vector-borne diseases were most often detected after their return from Turkey (n = 16), and next in descending order from Croatia (n = 7), Italy (n = 6), Albania (n = 4), Bulgaria (n = 4) and Romania (n = 3). Conclusion The wider migration crisis and increasingly frequent trips of owners with their dogs to areas of endemic infectious and parasitic diseases observed in recent years are the main risk factors for the occurrence of these diseases in Poland. Therefore, constant monitoring of vector-borne diseases, especially in dogs returning from holidays and arriving in Poland from abroad, seems to be crucial for their early detection and introduction of appropriate therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Adaszek
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
| | - Marta Staniec
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
| | - Banu Dokuzeylül
- Department of Internal Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, 34500istanbul, Turkey
| | - Maria Pisarek
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
| | - Maciej Skrzypczak
- Prof. F. Skubiszewski University School of Medicine in Lublin, Second Department of Gynaecology, 20-090Lublin, Poland
| | - Paweł Żółkiewski
- Department of Cattle Breeding and Genetic Resources Conservation, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
| | | | | | - Mehmet Erman Or
- Department of Internal Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, 34500istanbul, Turkey
| | - Stanisław Winiarczyk
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950Lublin, Poland
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Le Dortz LL, Rouxel C, Polack B, Boulouis HJ, Lagrée AC, Deshuillers PL, Haddad N. Tick-borne diseases in Europe: Current prevention, control tools and the promise of aptamers. Vet Parasitol 2024; 328:110190. [PMID: 38714064 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
In Europe, tick-borne diseases (TBDs) cause significant morbidity and mortality, affecting both human and animal health. Ticks can transmit a wide variety of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and parasites) and feed on many vertebrate hosts. The incidence and public health burden of TBDs are tending to intensify in Europe due to various factors, mainly anthropogenic and often combined. Early detection of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), preventive measures and treatment are of great importance to control TBDs and their expansion. However, there are various limitations in terms of the sensitivity and/or specificity of detection and prevention methods, and even in terms of feasibility. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA that could address these issues as they are able to bind with high affinity and specificity to a wide range of targets (e.g., proteins, small compounds, and cells) due to their unique three-dimensional structure. To date, aptamers have been selected against TBPs such as tick-borne encephalitis virus, Francisella tularensis, and Rickettsia typhi. These studies have demonstrated the benefits of aptamer-based assays for pathogen detection and medical diagnosis. In this review, we address the applications of aptamers to TBDs and discuss their potential for improving prevention measures (use of chemical acaricides, vaccination), diagnosis and therapeutic strategies to control TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Lucie Le Dortz
- ANSES, INRAE, EnvA (Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort), UMR BIPAR, Laboratory of Animal Health, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France
| | - Clotilde Rouxel
- ANSES, INRAE, EnvA (Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort), UMR BIPAR, Laboratory of Animal Health, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France
| | - Bruno Polack
- ANSES, INRAE, EnvA (Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort), UMR BIPAR, Laboratory of Animal Health, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France
| | - Henri-Jean Boulouis
- ANSES, INRAE, EnvA (Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort), UMR BIPAR, Laboratory of Animal Health, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France
| | - Anne-Claire Lagrée
- ANSES, INRAE, EnvA (Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort), UMR BIPAR, Laboratory of Animal Health, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France
| | - Pierre Lucien Deshuillers
- ANSES, INRAE, EnvA (Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort), UMR BIPAR, Laboratory of Animal Health, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France
| | - Nadia Haddad
- ANSES, INRAE, EnvA (Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort), UMR BIPAR, Laboratory of Animal Health, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France.
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10
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Feineis D, Bringmann G. Structural variety and pharmacological potential of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids. THE ALKALOIDS. CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY 2024; 91:1-410. [PMID: 38811064 DOI: 10.1016/bs.alkal.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids are a fascinating class of natural biaryl compounds. They show characteristic mono- and dimeric scaffolds, with chiral axes and stereogenic centers. Since the appearance of the last comprehensive overview on these secondary plant metabolites in this series in 1995, the number of discovered representatives has tremendously increased to more than 280 examples known today. Many novel-type compounds have meanwhile been discovered, among them naphthylisoquinoline-related follow-up products like e.g., the first seco-type (i.e., ring-opened) and ring-contracted analogues. As highlighted in this review, the knowledge on the broad structural chemodiversity of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids has been decisively driven forward by extensive phytochemical studies on the metabolite pattern of Ancistrocladus abbreviatus from Coastal West Africa, which is a particularly "creative" plant. These investigations furnished a considerable number of more than 80-mostly new-natural products from this single species, with promising antiplasmodial activities and with pronounced cytotoxic effects against human leukemia, pancreatic, cervical, and breast cancer cells. Another unique feature of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids is their unprecedented biosynthetic origin from polyketidic precursors and not, as usual for isoquinoline alkaloids, from aromatic amino acids-a striking example of biosynthetic convergence in nature. Furthermore, remarkable botanical results are presented on the natural producers of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, the paleotropical Dioncophyllaceae and Ancistrocladaceae lianas, including first investigations on the chemoecological role of these plant metabolites and their storage and accumulation in particular plant organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Feineis
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Bringmann
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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11
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Weingart C, Krücken J, Kohn B. Repeated imidocarb treatment failure suggesting emerging resistance of Babesia canis in a new endemic area in north-eastern Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102315. [PMID: 38301344 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Canine babesiosis has been increasingly diagnosed in various regions of Germany such as north-eastern Germany in recent years. A dog with several relapses of Babesia canis infection after treatment with imidocarb is described. A 9-year-old male Magyar Viszla with B. canis infection was referred after two treatments with imidocarb (dosage 2.1 mg/kg SC) because of lethargy, fever and pancytopenia (additional treatments with prednisolone and doxycycline). Merozoites were detected in the blood smear and imidocarb treatment was repeated. Clinical signs, pancytopenia and a positive B. canis PCR occurred after the 3rd (6 mg/kg SC), 4th (7.7 mg/kg SC) and 5th (7.5 mg/kg SC and doxycycline for 4 weeks in addition) imidocarb injection and thorough tick prevention with isoxazoline and permethrin products. 12 days after the 5th injection, the PCR was negative for the first time. The dog was again presented with fever 35 days after the 5th injection. The B. canis PCR was positive and laboratory examination revealed pancytopenia. Treatment with atovaquone/azithromycin for 18 days was performed and no further relapse occurred for 32 weeks. In the case of suspected imidocarb resistance in B. canis infection, treatment with atovaquone/azithromycin can be an alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Weingart
- Small Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19 b 14163, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Small Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19 b 14163, Germany
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12
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Abdoli A, Olfatifar M, Badri M, Zaki L, Bijani B, Pirestani M, Hatam‐Nahavandi K, Eslahi AV, Karanis P. A global systematic review and meta-analysis on the babesiosis in dogs with special reference to Babesia canis. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1427. [PMID: 38695207 PMCID: PMC11063922 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine babesiosis is a clinically significant tick-transmitted disease caused by several species of the intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite Babesia, which result in a wide range of clinical manifestations, from mild, transient infection to serious disease and even death. OBJECTIVES The current study aimed to estimate the global prevalence and associated risk factors of Babesia in dogs. METHODS Multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched for relevant literature published from January 2000 up to December 2022. The statistical analyses were performed based on the R software (version 3.6) meta-package. RESULTS Out of 23,864 publications, 229 studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of canine babesiosis was 0.120 (95% CI; 0.097-0.146). The highest pooled prevalence was found in Europe (0.207, 95% CI; 0.097-0.344). Among several species, Babesia canis was the most prevalent parasite (0.216, 95% CI; 0.056-0.441). The highest pooled prevalence of Babesia in dogs was observed in the summer season (0.097, 95% CI; 0.040-0.174). CONCLUSIONS Regular screening and appropriate control strategies are recommended for the prevention of transmission of tick-borne disease transmission among dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Abdoli
- Zoonoses Research CenterJahrom University of Medical SciencesJahromIran
- Department of Parasitology and MycologyJahrom University of Medical SciencesJahromIran
| | - Meysam Olfatifar
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Diseases Research CenterQom University of Medical SciencesQomIran
| | - Milad Badri
- Medical Microbiology Research CenterQazvin University of Medical SciencesQazvinIran
| | - Leila Zaki
- Department of Parasitology and EntomologyFaculty of Medical SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Behzad Bijani
- Medical Microbiology Research CenterQazvin University of Medical SciencesQazvinIran
| | - Majid Pirestani
- Department of Parasitology and EntomologyFaculty of Medical SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Kareem Hatam‐Nahavandi
- Department of Parasitology and MycologySchool of MedicineIranshahr University of Medical SciencesIranshahrIran
| | - Aida Vafae Eslahi
- Medical Microbiology Research CenterQazvin University of Medical SciencesQazvinIran
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- Medical Faculty and University HospitalUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
- Department of Basic and Clinical SciencesUniversity of Nicosia, Medical School, Anatomy CentreNicosiaCyprus
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13
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Ilbeigi K, Barata C, Barbosa J, Bertram MG, Caljon G, Costi MP, Kroll A, Margiotta-Casaluci L, Thoré ES, Bundschuh M. Assessing Environmental Risks during the Drug Development Process for Parasitic Vector-Borne Diseases: A Critical Reflection. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1026-1033. [PMID: 38533709 PMCID: PMC11019539 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Parasitic vector-borne diseases (VBDs) represent nearly 20% of the global burden of infectious diseases. Moreover, the spread of VBDs is enhanced by global travel, urbanization, and climate change. Treatment of VBDs faces challenges due to limitations of existing drugs, as the potential for side effects in nontarget species raises significant environmental concerns. Consequently, considering environmental risks early in drug development processes is critically important. Here, we examine the environmental risk assessment process for veterinary medicinal products in the European Union and identify major gaps in the ecotoxicity data of these drugs. By highlighting the scarcity of ecotoxicological data for commonly used antiparasitic drugs, we stress the urgent need for considering the One Health concept. We advocate for employing predictive tools and nonanimal methodologies such as New Approach Methodologies at early stages of antiparasitic drug research and development. Furthermore, adopting progressive approaches to mitigate ecological risks requires the integration of nonstandard tests that account for real-world complexities and use environmentally relevant exposure scenarios. Such a strategy is vital for a sustainable drug development process as it adheres to the principles of One Health, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more sustainable world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayhan Ilbeigi
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Carlos Barata
- Institute
of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - João Barbosa
- Blue
Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Michael G. Bertram
- Department
of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Department
of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18b, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
- School of
Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, 3800 Melbourne, Australia
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department
of Life Sciences, University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alexandra Kroll
- Swiss
Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Luigi Margiotta-Casaluci
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, WC2R 2LS London, United Kingdom
| | - Eli S.J. Thoré
- Department
of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Department
of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18b, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
- TRANSfarm - Science, Engineering,
& Technology Group, KU
Leuven, 3360 Lovenjoel, Belgium
| | - Mirco Bundschuh
- iES
Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences,
RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
- Department
of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences, Lennart Hjelms väg 9, SWE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
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14
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da Silva AS, de Medeiros Silva MM, de Oliveira Mendes Aguiar C, Nascimento PRP, da Costa EG, Jeronimo SMB, de Melo Ximenes MDFF. Challenges of animals shelters in caring for dogs infected with Leishmania and other pathogens. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 49:100988. [PMID: 38462297 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.100988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The incidence of human Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) has decreased in Brazil; however, the number of areas reporting human and canine cases has increased, with Leishmania infantum usually preceding human infection. This study aimed to analyze the profile of infectious diseases that are endemic for both human and canine VL, in dogs housed in a shelter located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast Brazil. Data was obtained between November/2021 to April/2022. All dogs residing at the shelter (98 dogs) were examined and blood was collected for testing for L. infantum, Ehrlichia canis, and Babesia sp. Statistical analyses considered the clinical and laboratory findings. Of the 98 animals, approximately 43% were positive for L. infantum antibodies, 19% were positive for L. infantum kDNA, and 18% were L. infantum positive by culture. Greater levels of anti-leishmania antibodies were observed in dogs with symptoms suggestive of VL. The dogs tested positive for E. canis (19/98) and B. canis (18/98). Lutzomyia longipalpis was captured inside the shelter, representing 74.25% (n = 225) of whole sandflies in the dog shelter. Concomitant infection by L. infantum and E. canis increased the odds of death. Treatment of VL included the use of allopurinol (n = 48) and miltefosine (n = 8). Treated animals showed more signs of Leishmania infection. Tickborn parasites and Leishmania were prevalent in sheltered dogs in a VL-endemic area, which increases the odds of death and poses an additional challenge for caring for abandoned dogs and at the same time setting protocols to manage reservoirs of L. infantum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Salles da Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Development and Environment, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Marcel Miranda de Medeiros Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Development and Environment, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Carolina de Oliveira Mendes Aguiar
- Institute of Tropical Medicine of Rio Grande do Norte, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Paulo Ricardo Petrucio Nascimento
- Institute of Tropical Medicine of Rio Grande do Norte, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Eliardo Guimarães da Costa
- Department of Statistics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Selma M B Jeronimo
- Institute of Tropical Medicine of Rio Grande do Norte, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Maria de Fátima Freire de Melo Ximenes
- Postgraduate Program in Development and Environment, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-900, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
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15
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Wang Y, Xu Z, Zhang H, Zhou Y, Cao J, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Zhou J. Towards modelling tick-virus interactions using the weakly pathogenic Sindbis virus: Evidence that ticks are competent vectors. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1334351. [PMID: 38567020 PMCID: PMC10985168 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1334351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Most tick-borne viruses (TBVs) are highly pathogenic and require high biosecurity, which severely limits their study. We found that Sindbis virus (SINV), predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes, can replicate in ticks and be subsequently transmitted, with the potential to serve as a model for studying tick-virus interactions. We found that both larval and nymphal stages of Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides can be infected with SINV-wild-type (WT) when feeding on infected mice. SINV replicated in two species of ticks (R. haemaphysaloides and Hyalomma asiaticum) after infecting them by microinjection. Injection of ticks with SINV expressing enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (eGFP) revealed that SINV-eGFP specifically aggregated in the tick midguts for replication. During blood-feeding, SINV-eGFP migrated from the midguts to the salivary glands and was transmitted to a new host. SINV infection caused changes in expression levels of tick genes related to immune responses, substance transport and metabolism, cell growth and death. SINV mainly induced autophagy during the early stage of infection; with increasing time of infection, the level of autophagy decreased, while the level of apoptosis increased. During the early stages of infection, the transcript levels of immune-related genes were significantly upregulated, and then decreased. In addition, SINV induced changes in the transcription levels of some functional genes that play important roles in the interactions between ticks and tick-borne pathogens. These results confirm that the SINV-based transmission model between ticks, viruses, and mammals can be widely used to unravel the interactions between ticks and viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengmao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Houshuang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongzhi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Cao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zedong Wang
- Center of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
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16
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Vijaykumar LK, Chikkachowdappa PG, Venkatappa MH, Gowda AKJ, Jacob SS, Mani S, Bayyappa MRG. Analysis of Genetic Diversity of cytb gene from Babesia gibsoni Isolates from Naturally Infected Dogs in Karnataka, India. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:375-383. [PMID: 38133744 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00757-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aimed to investigate genetic diversity in Babesia gibsoni, the causative agent of canine babesiosis, and to assess the presence of atovaquone-resistant isolates in naturally infected dogs. METHODS A total of 24 blood samples confirmed for B. gibsoni infection was subjected to PCR amplification and sequencing based on cytb gene. Genetic characterization of B. gibsoni as well as attempts to detect the point mutation rendering atovaquone resistance was carried out based on the analysis of nucleotide sequence of cytb gene using bioinformatics software. RESULTS The findings indicated that the B. gibsoni isolates in the investigation exhibited a high nucleotide identity with the Asian genotype, ranging from 98.41 to 98.69%. Notably, none of the isolates carried cytb gene variants associated with atovaquone resistance. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering of most isolates with those from Japan and China, except for one isolate forming a distinct subclade. Haplotype network analysis indicated a high diversity with 22 distinct haplotypes among the B. gibsoni isolates, emphasizing the genetic variability within the studied population. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the cytb gene exhibited remarkable conservation among the twenty-four B. gibsoni isolates studied and the study represents the first genetic diversity assessment of B. gibsoni using the cytb gene in dogs from India. These findings shed light on the genetic characteristics of B. gibsoni in the region and provide valuable insight for addressing the challenges posed by this life-threatening disease in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavanya K Vijaykumar
- Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560024, India
- Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560024, India
| | | | | | | | - Siju Susan Jacob
- ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Yelahanka, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560064, India
| | - Saminathan Mani
- ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP, 243122, India
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17
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Borowski S, Viljoen A, D'Hanis L, Mahabir S, Geurden T. Evaluation of the efficacy of Simparica Trio ® in the prevention of the transmission of Babesia canis by infected Dermacentor reticulatus to dogs. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:51. [PMID: 38308372 PMCID: PMC10836058 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06115-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesia canis is a clinically relevant vector-borne pathogen in dogs, and its presence is expanding. The efficacy of Simparica Trio® (Zoetis) in the prevention of B. canis transmission was evaluated at the minimum recommended label dose of 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, 24 µg/kg moxidectin and 5 mg/kg pyrantel per kg bodyweight. METHODS Twenty-four (24) dogs were randomly allocated to either a placebo-treated group or one of two treatment groups with Simparica Trio. Dogs were infested with B. canis-infected Dermacentor reticulatus ticks 21 or 28 days after treatment administration. Blood samples for antibody and DNA detection were collected from each dog prior to tick infestation until 28 days after infestation. A dog was defined as being B. canis positive if it tested positive by both an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and PCR at any time during the study. RESULTS No treatment-related adverse reactions were recorded during the study. All placebo-treated animals displayed clinical signs due to babesiosis and tested positive on both IFA and PCR. None of the Simparica Trio-treated animals displayed any clinical symptoms or tested positive, resulting in a 100% efficacy in the prevention of canine babesiosis (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS A single treatment with Simparica Trio at the minimum recommended label dose of 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, 24 µg/kg moxidectin and 5 mg/kg pyrantel per kg bodyweight prevents the transmission of B. canis by infected D. reticulatus to dogs for at least 28 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stasia Borowski
- Zoetis Belgium SA, Veterinary Medicine Research & Development, Mercuriusstraat 20, 1930, Zaventem, Belgium.
| | - Alta Viljoen
- Clinvet International, Uitzich Road, Bainsvlei, Bloemfontein, 9338, South Africa
| | - Lina D'Hanis
- Zoetis Belgium SA, Veterinary Medicine Research & Development, Mercuriusstraat 20, 1930, Zaventem, Belgium
| | - Sean Mahabir
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research & Development, 333 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
| | - Thomas Geurden
- Zoetis Belgium SA, Veterinary Medicine Research & Development, Mercuriusstraat 20, 1930, Zaventem, Belgium
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18
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Huggins LG, Colella V, Young ND, Traub RJ. Metabarcoding using nanopore long-read sequencing for the unbiased characterization of apicomplexan haemoparasites. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13878. [PMID: 37837372 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan haemoparasites generate significant morbidity and mortality in humans and other animals, particularly in many low-to-middle income countries. Malaria caused by Plasmodium remains responsible for some of the highest numbers of annual deaths of any human pathogen, whilst piroplasmids, such as Babesia and Theileria can have immense negative economic effects through livestock loss. Diagnosing haemoparasites via traditional methods like microscopy is challenging due to low-level and transient parasitaemia. PCR-based diagnostics overcome these limitations by being both highly sensitive and specific, but they may be unable to accurately detect coinfections or identify novel species. In contrast, next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based methods can characterize all pathogens from a group of interest concurrently, although, the short-read platforms previously used have been limited in the taxonomic resolution achievable. Here, we used Oxford Nanopore Technologies' (ONT) long-read MinION™ sequencer to conduct apicomplexan haemoparasite metabarcoding via sequencing the near full-length 18S ribosomal RNA gene, demonstrating its ability to detect Babesia, Hepatozoon, Neospora, Plasmodium, Theileria and Toxoplasma species. This method was tested on blood-extracted DNA from 100 dogs and the results benchmarked against qPCR and Illumina-based metabarcoding. For two common haemoparasites, nanopore sequencing performed as well as qPCR (kappa agreement statistics > 0.98), whilst also detecting one pathogen, Hepatozoon felis, missed by the other techniques. The long-reads obtained by nanopore sequencing provide an improved species-level taxonomic resolution whilst the method's broad applicability mean it can be used to explore apicomplexan communities from diverse mammalian hosts, on a portable sequencer that easily permits adaptation to field use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas G Huggins
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vito Colella
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Traub
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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19
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Jasik KP, Kleczka A, Franielczyk A. Histopathological Aspects of the Influence of Babesia microti on the Placentas of Infected Female Rats. Vet Sci 2024; 11:18. [PMID: 38250924 PMCID: PMC10819886 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is perceived mainly an animal disease; however, awareness that Babesia spp. parasites that can cause diseases in humans is increasing significantly. Babesiosis is spread by the bite of an infected tick (Ixodes spp.), but it can also be transmitted by transfusion of infected blood and from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth. The parasites multiply in the bloodstream and destroy red blood cells. This study aimed to assess the influence of Babesia microti on the histological structure of the placenta. Histopathological material collected from pregnant rats infected with Babesia microti was used in the experiment. Microscopic images of the placentas were assessed by Mallory staining and by using methylene blue-stained semi-thin sections. In addition, FISH was used to detect parasite DNA. The presence of piroplasms in both maternal and fetal vessels was demonstrated. Babesia microti infection caused vacuolization of syncytioblasts and cytotrophoblasts, accumulation of collagen fibers in placental villi, and increased adhesion of erythrocytes to the vascular walls. These results indicate that Babesia may influence the course of pregnancy and invite further research on the mechanism of piroplasm penetration into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof P. Jasik
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Ostrogórska 30, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland;
| | - Anna Kleczka
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Ostrogórska 30, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland;
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20
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Salant H, Nachum-Biala Y, Zivotofsky D, Tzur TE, Baneth G. Babesia negevi infection in dogs and response to treatment. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102282. [PMID: 37989015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is an important protozoan tick-borne disease associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia and caused by several different Babesia spp. Babesia negevi was first reported to infect dogs in the Middle East in 2020. This study describes the presentation, clinical signs, parasitemia levels quantified by molecular techniques, laboratory findings and treatment of dogs infected with B. negevi following the first description of this species. Clinical findings in the infected dogs, a 3-year old female and two 8-week old male and female pups, included extreme lethargy and pale mucous membranes, anemia and thrombocytopenia found in all three animals. Fever was present in the older female and icterus in the female pup. Babesia parasites resembling B. negevi were detected by microscopy of blood smears from the dogs. PCR of blood targeting the 18S rRNA and cox1 genes confirmed that babesiosis was caused by B. negevi and PCR targeting the Borrelia flagellin gene indicated co-infection with Borrelia persica in two dogs. Treatment of the dogs with imidocarb dipropionate resulted in clinical improvement and initial decrease in the B. negevi parasite load as detected by quantitative PCR in two dogs, however the female pup continued to deteriorate and died. The parasite load in the 3-year old female decreased from 43,451 parasites/µl blood pre-imidocarb dipropionate treatment to 803 parasites/µl within two weeks. In the surviving pup, it decreased from 3,293,538 parasites/µl pre-treatment to 20,092 parasites/µl after two weeks. Babesia negevi DNA was still recovered from blood samples by PCR despite repeated treatment with imidocarb dipropionate one-month post-treatment in the surviving pup and up to seven months post-treatment in the 3-year old female. Only treatment with atovaquone and azithromycin for ten days eliminated B. negevi in both dogs as confirmed by negative PCR two weeks later. In conclusion, treatment with imidocarb dipropionate was helpful for recovery from clinical disease but did not facilitate parasite elimination, and it is therefore recommended to treat canine B. negevi infection with the combination of atovaquone and azithromycin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Tsachi Even Tzur
- American Medical Laboratories, 37 Havazelet Hasharon Street, Herzlia, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Gandy S, Medlock J, Cull B, Smith R, Gibney Z, Sewgobind S, Parekh I, Harding S, Johnson N, Hansford K. Detection of Babesia species in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in England and Wales. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102291. [PMID: 38061320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Babesiosis, a disease in humans and animals is caused by piroplasms from the genus Babesia and is transmitted by ixodid ticks. Bovine babesiosis, commonly called redwater fever, is reported in cattle from many regions of the British Isles. The presence of Babesia in questing ticks in the United Kingdom (UK) and its potential impact on public and animal health has not been widely studied. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the presence of Babesia spp. in England and Wales using ticks collected over a six-year period. Questing Ixodes ricinus nymphs were collected at 20 recreational areas between 2014 and 2019 and screened for Babesia. Of 3912 nymphs tested, Babesia spp. were detected in 15, giving an overall prevalence of 0.38% [95%CI: 0.21-0.63%]. A number of Babesia species were identified including B. venatorum (n = 9), B. divergens/capreoli (n = 5) and B. odocoilei-like species (n = 1). Based on the low prevalence of Babesia detected in questing I. ricinus nymphs in the recreational areas studied, the likelihood of exposure to Babesia-infected ticks is lower compared to other pathogens more widely studied in the UK (e.g. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.). However, localized areas of elevated risk may occur in pockets in England and Wales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gandy
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, United Kingdom.
| | - Jolyon Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, United Kingdom; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Cull
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Rob Smith
- Health Protection Division, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Zoë Gibney
- Emerging Infections and Zoonoses Team, UK Health Security Agency, United Kingdom
| | | | - Insiyah Parekh
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Harding
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, United Kingdom; Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Kayleigh Hansford
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, United Kingdom
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22
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Schäfer I, Helm CS, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Krücken J, Kottmann T, Holtdirk A, Kohn B, Hendrickx G, Marsboom C, Müller E. Molecular detection of Babesia spp. in dogs in Germany (2007-2020) and identification of potential risk factors for infection. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:396. [PMID: 37919757 PMCID: PMC10621212 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06005-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Europe, canine babesiosis is most frequently caused by Babesia canis and Babesia vogeli, and occasionally by Babesia gibsoni.. In Germany, B. canis is recognized as endemic. The aims of this study were to assess how often Babesia spp. infections were diagnosed in a commercial laboratory in samples from dogs from Germany, and to evaluate potential risk factors for infection. METHODS The database of the LABOKLIN laboratory was screened for Babesia spp.-positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for dogs for the period January 2007-December 2020. Sequencing was performed for positive tests from 2018 and 2019. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of sex, season, and year of testing. Questionnaires were sent to the submitting veterinarians to obtain information on travel abroad, tick infestation, and ectoparasite prophylaxis of the respective dogs. Fisher's exact test was used to calculate statistical significance and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS In total, 659 out of 20,914 dogs (3.2%) tested positive for Babesia spp. by PCR. Of 172 sequenced samples, B. canis was identified in 156, B. vogeli in nine, B. gibsoni in five, and B. vulpes in two. Season had a statistically significant impact on test results when summer/winter (1.6% tested positive) was compared to spring/autumn (4.7%), with peaks in April (5.2%) and October (7.4%) [P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 3.16]. Sex (male 3.5%, female 2.8%; P = 0.012, OR = 1.49) and age (< 7 years old 4.0%, ≥ 7 years old 2.3%; P < 0.001, OR = 1.76) of the tested dogs also had a statistically significant effect. A statistically significant impact was demonstrated for observed tick attachment (P < 0.001, OR = 7.62) and lack of ectoparasite prophylaxis (P = 0.001, OR = 3.03). The frequency of positive Babesia spp. tests did not significantly differ between the 659 dogs that had never left Germany and the 1506 dogs with known stays abroad (P = 0.088). CONCLUSIONS The possibility of canine infection with B. canis needs to be especially taken into consideration in spring and autumn in Germany as the activity of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus, a potential vector for canine babesiosis, is highest in these seasons. Travel and importation of dogs are considered major factors associated with canine babesiosis in Germany. However, autochthonous Babesia spp. infections also occur in a considerable number of dogs in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Schäfer
- LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG, Steubenstraße 4, Bad Kissingen, 97688, Germany.
| | - Christina Sabine Helm
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, Berlin, 14163, Germany
| | - Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, Berlin, 14163, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, Berlin, 14163, Germany
| | - Tanja Kottmann
- Clinical Research Organization Dr. med. Kottmann GmbH & Co. KG, Beverstraße 64, Hamm, 59007, Germany
| | - Annette Holtdirk
- Clinical Research Organization Dr. med. Kottmann GmbH & Co. KG, Beverstraße 64, Hamm, 59007, Germany
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Small Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, Berlin, 14163, Germany
| | - Guy Hendrickx
- R&D Department, AVIA GIS, Risschotlei 33, Zoersel, 2980, Belgium
| | - Cedric Marsboom
- R&D Department, AVIA GIS, Risschotlei 33, Zoersel, 2980, Belgium
| | - Elisabeth Müller
- LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG, Steubenstraße 4, Bad Kissingen, 97688, Germany
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23
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Deepa CK, Varghese A, Ajith Kumar KG, Nandini A, Kumar GS, Hembram PK, Dinesh CN, Juliet S, Vergis J, Sindhu OK, Ravindran R. Evaluation of recombinant Babesia gibsoni thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (BgTRAP) for the sero-diagnosis of canine babesiosis. Exp Parasitol 2023; 254:108621. [PMID: 37722650 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Canine babesiosis, caused by Babesia gibsoni is one of the most significant tick-borne illnesses across the world. Light microscopy as well as polymerase chain reaction may fail in the diagnosis of disease when the level of parasitaemia is very low during subclinical and chronic cases. The serological techniques using a recombinant protein will be useful for the accurate and sensitive surveillance of the disease, especially in chronic cases. The present study describes the evaluation of recombinant N-terminal B. gibsoni Thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (BgTRAP) based indirect ELISA for the sero-diagnosis of B. gibsoni infection in dogs. A partial N-terminal BgTRAP gene (870 bp) of B. gibsoni, was expressed in Escherichia coli using a pET32a (+) vector. The recombinant BgTRAP based indirect ELISA was compared with the PCR targeting the same gene. A sensitivity and a specificity of 84% and 73.33% were observed in the indirect ELISA. The accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 78.18%, 72.30%, 84.60% respectively. The rBgTRAP antigen did not show any cross-reactivity with sera from dogs infected with common helminth parasites viz. Ancylostoma caninum, Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens, Spirometra spp., Toxocara canis and haemoparasites like Trypanosoma evansi, Babesia vogeli, Hepatozoon canis and Ehrlichia canis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chundayil Kalarickal Deepa
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Anju Varghese
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Karapparambu Gopalan Ajith Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Ashwathappa Nandini
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Gatchanda Shravan Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Prabodh Kumar Hembram
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Chemmangattuvalappil Narendranath Dinesh
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Sanis Juliet
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Jess Vergis
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Ollukkara Krishnan Sindhu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Reghu Ravindran
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India.
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24
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Santos-Silva S, Santos N, Boratyński Z, Mesquita JR, Barradas PF. Diversity of Rickettsia spp. in ticks from wild mammals of Morocco and Mauritania. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102235. [PMID: 37531889 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are known as vectors and reservoirs of rickettsiae and, wildlife vertebrate hosts as suitable dispersers of ticks contributing to the life cycle of rickettsial agents in nature. In the herein study, the presence of rickettsiae was investigated in ticks from wild mammals (Gerbillus and Jaculus, Vulpes rueppellii, Canis anthus, Felis lybica and Felis margarita) in Mauritania and Morocco. Morphological and molecular analysis of ticks allowed their identification as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Hyalomma impeltatum. A total of 126 partially engorged adult ticks, collected from 40 animals, were screened for the presence of rickettsial DNA by conventional PCR targeting the ompB gene, followed by ompA and gltA targets and bidirectional sequencing. As a result of the sequence analyses, that at least three different species of pathogenic spotted fever group rickettsiae were detected. Rickettsia parkeri-like was detected in a R. sanguineus s.l. (n=1) collected from an African wildcat from Morocco. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in a H. impeltatum (n=1) collected from a gerbil rodent. Rickettsia massiliae was detected in R. sanguineus s.l. ticks (n=5) collected from two Ruppells' foxes. The herein study demonstrates that pathogenic Rickettsia species are circulating in Morocco and Mauritania wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Santos-Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Santos
- CIBIO/InBio, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Campus of Vairão, University of Porto, Vila do Conde 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Zbyszek Boratyński
- BIOPOLIS, CIBIO/InBio, Research Center in Biodiversity & Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - João R Mesquita
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia F Barradas
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal; Department of Sciences, CESPU, CRL, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Gandra, Portugal.
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25
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Altay K, Erol U, Sahin OF, Aydin MF, Aytmirzakizi A, Dumanli N. First Molecular Evidence of Babesia vogeli, Babesia vulpes, and Theileria ovis in Dogs from Kyrgyzstan. Pathogens 2023; 12:1046. [PMID: 37624006 PMCID: PMC10460036 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne parasitic diseases cause mild to severe infections among vertebrate hosts, including dogs. Species in the genus Babesia are important tick-borne pathogens and have worldwide distributions. Although there are data on the prevalence and distribution of Babesia species among dogs around the world, there is no information available in Kyrgyzstan, according to a literature review. In this study, 337 dogs were screened by nested PCR for the presence of the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S SSU rRNA) gene of piroplasm species. Overall prevalence was 6.23% (21/337) for Babesia/Theileria spp. DNA sequencing of positively tested samples revealed that eighteen samples were infected with Babesia vogeli (B. vogeli) (5.34%), two samples with B. vulpes (0.59%), and one sample with Theileria ovis (T. ovis) (0.29%). The phylogenetic analyses and nucleotide sequences in contrast with those present in GenBank revealed that two nucleotide substitutions (594th and 627th) were found between B. vogeli isolates, including ours, indicating that the mutation is relatively rare. The sequences of other pathogens obtained in this study confirmed 100% nucleotide identity with B. vulpes and T. ovis sequences in GenBank. To the best of our knowledge, B. vogeli, B. vulpes, and T. ovis were detected for the first time in dogs from Kyrgyzstan, and it is thought that results will contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of canine tick-borne pathogens in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kursat Altay
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, Türkiye; (U.E.); (O.F.S.)
| | - Ufuk Erol
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, Türkiye; (U.E.); (O.F.S.)
| | - Omer Faruk Sahin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, Türkiye; (U.E.); (O.F.S.)
| | - Mehmet Fatih Aydin
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, 70100 Karaman, Türkiye;
| | - Ayperi Aytmirzakizi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Bishkek 720044, Kyrgyzstan;
| | - Nazir Dumanli
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119 Elazig, Türkiye;
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Zygner W, Gójska-Zygner O, Bartosik J, Górski P, Karabowicz J, Kotomski G, Norbury LJ. Canine Babesiosis Caused by Large Babesia Species: Global Prevalence and Risk Factors-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2612. [PMID: 37627403 PMCID: PMC10451873 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is a disease caused by protozoan pathogens belonging to the genus Babesia. Four species of large Babesia cause canine babesiosis (B. canis, B. rossi, B. vogeli, and the informally named B. coco). Although canine babesiosis has a worldwide distribution, different species occur in specific regions: B. rossi in sub-Saharan Africa, B. canis in Europe and Asia, and B. coco in the Eastern Atlantic United States, while B. vogeli occurs in Africa, southern parts of Europe and Asia, northern Australia, southern regions of North America, and in South America. B. vogeli is the most prevalent large Babesia species globally. This results from its wide range of monotropic vector species, the mild or subclinical nature of infections, and likely the longest evolutionary association with dogs. The most important risk factors for infection by large Babesia spp. include living in rural areas, kennels or animal shelters, or regions endemic for the infection, the season of the year (which is associated with increased tick activity), infestation with ticks, and lack of treatment with acaricides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Zygner
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Olga Gójska-Zygner
- Labros Veterinary Clinic, Św. Bonifacego 92, 02-940 Warsaw, Poland; (O.G.-Z.); (G.K.)
| | - Justyna Bartosik
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Paweł Górski
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Justyna Karabowicz
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Grzegorz Kotomski
- Labros Veterinary Clinic, Św. Bonifacego 92, 02-940 Warsaw, Poland; (O.G.-Z.); (G.K.)
| | - Luke J. Norbury
- Department of Biosciences and Food Technology, School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia;
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Chiummo R, Zschiesche E, Capári B, Farkas R, Chiquet M, Rapti D, Postoli R, Audry A, Leschnik M. Field efficacy of fluralaner (Bravecto ® chewable tablets) for preventing Babesia canis infection transmitted by Dermacentor reticulatus ticks to dogs. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:252. [PMID: 37501160 PMCID: PMC10373369 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05820-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The isoxazoline fluralaner is effective for prevention of Babesia canis transmission from infected Dermacentor reticulatus ticks to dogs for 84 days in a controlled environment. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of fluralaner chewable tablets for sustained prevention of B. canis infection of dogs in endemic areas under natural conditions. METHODS In Europe, privately owned, clinically healthy pet dogs were enrolled and randomized either to receive fluralaner at 25-56 mg/kg (Bravecto® chewable tablets) on days 0 and 84, or to remain untreated during the D. reticulatus season. Blood samples were collected to evaluate B. canis exposure: on days 0 and 21 (exposure before day 0), during the study and at the end of the tick season (dogs suspected of having become infected after day 0). Efficacy was determined by the percentage reduction in B. canis transmission risk based on the difference in B. canis-positive tests in fluralaner-treated dogs compared with untreated dogs. In addition, ticks collected at monthly intervals throughout the study were identified to species level and females tested for B. canis DNA. RESULTS A total of 152 dogs were enrolled in the study, although nine dogs were excluded because they tested positive for B. canis DNA or antibodies within 21 days after enrollment. During the study period, no fluralaner-treated dog became positive for B. canis, resulting in calculated efficacy of 100%. However, babesiosis infection was diagnosed in five untreated control dogs (Fisher's exact test, left-sided, P = 0.0312). Tick analyses revealed that one sample collected in Hungary was infected with B. canis. CONCLUSION Oral administration of Bravecto chewable tablets at the recommended dosage to dogs completely prevented B. canis transmission under field conditions in an endemic area for 12 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Chiummo
- MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Zur Propstei, 55270 Schwabenheim, Germany
| | - Eva Zschiesche
- MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Zur Propstei, 55270 Schwabenheim, Germany
| | | | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078 Hungary
| | - Mathieu Chiquet
- Artemis Animal Health, 7, rue du Clos Rouillé, Champtocé-sur-Loire, France
| | - Dhimitër Rapti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Rezart Postoli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Alain Audry
- Clinique Vétérinaire, 2c Route de Grayan, 33780 Soulac sur Mer, France
| | - Michael Leschnik
- University Clinic for Small Animals, Veterinary University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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28
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de Oliveira CM, Yang TS, Duarte MA, Marr H, McManus CM, André MR, Birkenheuer AJ, Paludo GR. Canine piroplasmids: Molecular detection and laboratory characterization in dogs from Brasilia, Brazil, with the first molecular evidence of dog exposure to a novel opossum-associated Babesia sp. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102181. [PMID: 37084584 PMCID: PMC10698754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Canine piroplasmid infections can be caused by Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Rangelia vitalii. In Brazil, canine babesiosis caused by Babesia vogeli is endemic and reported throughout the country. On the other hand, Rangeliosis caused by R. vitalii has only been described so far in the South and Southeast regions. Despite that, studies analyzing the laboratory and molecular characterization of these hemoprotozoa are still scarce. To investigate the occurrence, the laboratory features, the molecular characterization, and the diversity of piroplasmids from Midwestern Brazil, a survey was performed using blood samples obtained from 276 domestic dogs from Brasília, Federal District, Midwestern Brazil. A broad-range quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU4) was used to detect piroplasmid DNA. The overall molecular occurrence of piroplasmids was 11.2% (31/276), with 9.7% (27/276) of the sequences identified as Babesia vogeli (98-100% identity to B. vogeli isolate from the USA). Based on a partial 18S rRNA sequence pairwise alignment (-250 bp), 1.4% (4/276) of the sequences showed only 76.8% identity with B. vogeli but 100% identity with opossum-associated Babesia sp. (MW290046-53). These findings suggest the exposure of dogs from Brazil to a recently described Babesia sp. isolated from white-eared opossum. None of the analyzed dogs was positive for Theileria spp. or R. vitalii. Subsequently, all positive sequences were submitted to three additional PCR assays based on the 18S rRNA, cox-1, and cytb genes, aiming at performing a haplotype network analysis. Haplotype network using cox-1 sequences showed the presence of six different haplotypes of B. vogeli; one of them was shared with isolates from Brazil, the USA, and India. When including animals co-infected with other vector-borne diseases, piroplasmid-positive dogs had 2.3 times higher chance of having thrombocytopenia than the negative ones. The molecular results demonstrated that the compared Babesia vogeli sequences showed a low variability as well as evidence of exposure to a putative novel opossum-associated Babesia sp. in dogs from Midwestern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Manoel de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, CEP, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Tzushan Sharon Yang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Matheus Almeida Duarte
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, CEP, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Henry Marr
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Concepta Margaret McManus
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Jaboticabal São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adam Joseph Birkenheuer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Giane Regina Paludo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, CEP, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil.
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Malgwi SA, Ogunsakin RE, Oladepo AD, Adeleke MA, Okpeku M. A Forty-Year Analysis of the Literature on Babesia Infection (1982-2022): A Systematic Bibliometric Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6156. [PMID: 37372744 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Babesia infection is a tick-borne protozoan disease associated with significant veterinary, economic, and medical importance. This infection affects many hosts, ranging from wild to domestic animals and including man. All vertebrates serve as potential carriers due to the huge diversity of the species. Babesiosis has been associated with severe economic loss in livestock production, especially in cattle farming, and is also a major public health concern in man, which could be fatal. The infection is usually opportunistic, ranging from asymptomatic to symptomatic, usually in immunocompromised subjects or under conditions of stressful management. This study was designed to uncover trends in relation to publication growth and further explore research output regarding babesiosis from data indexed in the WoS. The WoS is the only platform used to map publications on Babesia infection. The search term "babesiosis" or "Babesia infection" was used to extract articles published across the study period from 1982 to 2022. The inclusion criteria were restricted to only articles for the analysis. The results from the search query showed that a total of 3763 articles were published during the study period with an average of 91.70 ± 43.87 articles annually and an average total citation (n = 1874.8). An annual growth rate of 2.5% was recorded during the study period. The year 2021 had the highest number of published articles (n = 193, 5.1%) and citations (n = 7039). The analysis of the most relevant keywords and titles showed that infection (n = 606, 16.1%), babesiosis (n = 444, 11.7%), and Babesia (n = 1302, 16%) were the most relevant keyword plus (ID), author keyword (DE), and title, respectively. The common conceptual framework analysis through K-means clustering showed two clusters comprising 4 and 41 elements, respectively. The United States of America is the top-performing country in terms of article production (n = 707, 20.8%) and the leading funder for babesiosis research, with two of its agencies ranked at the top. These are the Department of Health and Human Services (n = 254, 6.7%) and the National Institute of Health (n= 238,6.3%). Igarashi I. is the top-performing author (n = 231, 6.1%), while Veterinary Parasitology is ranked the top journal (n = 393, 10.4%) in terms of babesiosis publications. Overall, an increase in publications was observed in the study period, with significant output from developed nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson Anjikwi Malgwi
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Westville, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Ropo Ebenezer Ogunsakin
- Biostatistics Unit, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing & Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Abolade David Oladepo
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Westville, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Matthew Adekunle Adeleke
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Westville, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Moses Okpeku
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Westville, Durban 4000, South Africa
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Ionita M, Leica L, Wassermann M, Mitrea E, Nicorescu IM, Mitrea IL. Detection and Molecular Characterization of Canine Babesiosis Causative Agent Babesia canis in Naturally Infected Dogs in the Dobrogea Area (Southeastern Romania). Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1354. [PMID: 37374136 DOI: 10.3390/life13061354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease of major veterinary concern in Europe. Its prevalence has increased in the last two decades and is spreading rapidly toward the north. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of Babesia spp. strains isolated from naturally infected dogs in a tick-endemic area (Dobrogea) in southeastern Romania. For this purpose, a total of twenty-three samples from dogs diagnosed with various clinical forms of babesiosis, evaluated by means of clinical history, physical examination, and hematological tests, were subjected to a molecular investigation using PCR, sequencing analysis, and genetic characterization. A microscopic examination of thin Diff-quick-stained blood smears revealed large intra-erythrocytic Babesia piroplasms in all dogs. The PCR and sequencing analysis results indicated the presence of Babesia canis in 22 dogs (95.7%) and Babesia vogeli in 1 dog (4.3%). Among the B. canis isolates, two genotypes were distinguished based on two nucleotide substitutions (GA→AG) observed in the 18S rRNA gene sequences (at positions 609 and 610), with the AG genotype predominating (54.5% of samples), while the GA variant was identified in 9.1% of samples. In the remaining isolates (36.4%), both variants were identified. The B. vogeli-positive dog also tested positive for antibodies against Ehrlichia canis and displayed severe disease. This study reports, for the first time, the presence of genetically heterogenic B. canis strains in dogs with clinical babesiosis in Romania. These findings provide a basis for future studies on the relationship between the genetic structure of the causative agents of canine babesiosis in Romania and the course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Ionita
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases & Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 11464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Laurentiu Leica
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases & Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 11464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marion Wassermann
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Emanuel Mitrea
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases & Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 11464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Isabela Madalina Nicorescu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases & Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 11464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioan Liviu Mitrea
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases & Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 11464 Bucharest, Romania
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Silvestrini P, Lloyd-Bradley B, Glanemann B, Barker EN, Badham H, Tappin S, Pascual M, Haines A, Mas A, Roura X, Piviani M. Clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations, treatment protocols and outcomes of dogs diagnosed with tick-borne diseases living in the United Kingdom: 76 cases (2005-2019). J Small Anim Pract 2023; 64:392-400. [PMID: 36727469 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To report the presence of tick-borne diseases in dogs living in the United Kingdom. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dogs with a final diagnosis of tick-borne diseases made between January 2005 and August 2019 at seven referral institutions in the United Kingdom were included in the study. RESULTS Seventy-six dogs were included: 25 were diagnosed with ehrlichiosis, 23 with babesiosis, eight with Lyme borreliosis and six with anaplasmosis. Fourteen dogs had co-infections with two or three pathogens. Except for those dogs with anaplasmosis and Lyme borreliosis, most dogs with tick-borne diseases had a history of travel to or from endemic countries. However, three dogs with ehrlichiosis, and one dog each infected with Babesia canis and Babesia vulpes did not have any history of travel. A variety of non-specific clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities were reported. Targeted treatment was successful at achieving clinical remission in 64 (84%) dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Even in non-endemic areas, veterinary surgeons should consider tick-borne diseases in dogs with compatible clinical presentation and laboratory findings and especially where there is a history of travel. As autochthonous transmission of tick-borne-pathogens does occur, an absence of travel should not rule out tick-borne diseases. Specific diagnostic testing is required to confirm infection, and this enables prompt targeted treatment and often a positive outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Silvestrini
- Ryan Veterinary Hospital, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - B Lloyd-Bradley
- Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK
- Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom, UK
| | - B Glanemann
- Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College - University of London, Hatfield, UK
| | - E N Barker
- Small Animal Hospital, Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Langford, UK
| | - H Badham
- Davies Veterinary Specialists, Hitchin, UK
| | - S Tappin
- Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom, UK
| | - M Pascual
- Dick White Referrals, Six Mile Bottom, UK
| | - A Haines
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, UK
| | - A Mas
- Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, Winchester, UK
| | - X Roura
- Hospital Clinic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - M Piviani
- Ryan Veterinary Hospital, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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32
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Morelli S, Diakou A, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Colombo M, Simonato G, Di Cesare A, Passarelli A, Pezzuto C, Tzitzoudi Z, Barlaam A, Beall M, Chandrashekar R, Pantchev N, Traversa D. Use of In-Clinic Diagnostic Kits for the Detection of Seropositivity to Leishmania infantum and Other Major Vector-Borne Pathogens in Healthy Dogs. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050696. [PMID: 37242366 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBDs) are widespread in Europe and enzootic in many other countries. Though severe illnesses may occur, dogs living in enzootic areas often show vague or no clinical signs of CVBDs. Undiagnosed infections/co-infections in subclinically infected animals favor the spread of CVBDs and increase the risk of transmission to other animals and, in some cases, humans. This study has evaluated the exposure of dogs living in key enzootic countries, i.e., Italy and Greece, to major CVBDs via the use of in-clinic diagnostic kits. Overall, 300 privately owned dogs without/with single mild clinical signs living in different regions of Italy (n. 150) and Greece (n. 150) were included in the study. As part of a clinical examination, a blood sample was collected from each dog and subjected to two serological rapid tests, i.e., the SNAP® 4Dx®Plus (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) for the detection of antibodies against Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Dirofilaria immitis antigen and the SNAP®Leishmania (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) for the detection of antibodies against Leishmania infantum. In all, 51 dogs (17%; 95% CI 12.9-21.7) were seropositive to at least 1 pathogen, i.e., 4 in Italy (2.7%; 95% CI 1.4-13.1) and 47 in Greece (31.3%; 95% CI 24-39.4). Dirofilaria immitis antigens were found in 39 dogs (13%; 95% CI 9.4-17.3), while antibodies against Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Leishmania were detected in 25 (8.3%; 95% CI 5.5-12.1), 8 (2.7%; 95% CI 1.2-5.2) and 5 (1.7%; 95% CI 0.5-3.8) dogs, respectively. None of the dogs tested seropositive for B. burgdorferi s.l. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate associations between exposure to CVBDs and possible risk factors. The present results indicate that dogs living in enzootic areas may be seropositive for one or more CVBDs in absence of clinical signs. Rapid kits are among first line tools for the detection of CVBDs in clinical settings, as they are cost-effective, straightforward and quick to use. Also, in-clinic tests used herein allowed detection of co-exposure to CVBDs investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Morelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Mariasole Colombo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Giulia Simonato
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Pezzuto
- Ambulatorio Veterinario Pezzuto Carlo/Piano Noemi, 86010 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Zoe Tzitzoudi
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alessandra Barlaam
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Donato Traversa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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Investigation of comorbidities in dogs with leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 39:100844. [PMID: 36878629 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
In endemic areas, dogs with leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum frequently have comorbidities, including mostly neoplastic, infectious, and parasitic diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of comorbidities among dogs that are not infected by L. infantum, dogs that are infected but do not present leishmaniosis, and dogs with leishmaniosis, and to examine if certain comorbidities are independent risk factors for the infection by L. infantum and/or for the development of canine leishmaniosis (CanL). A total of 111 dogs, older than 1-year and non-vaccinated against CanL, were allocated into three groups: group A (n = 18) included dogs that were not infected by L. infantum, group B (n = 52) included dogs that were infected by L. infantum but did not present CanL, and group C (n = 41) included dogs with CanL. Signalment and historical data were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Laboratory examinations included complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, fecal parasitology, modified Knott's test, microscopic examination of capillary blood, buffy coat, lymph node, bone marrow and conjunctival smears, qualitative serology for Dirofilaria immitis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum/A. platys, Borrelia burgdorferi and E. canis, IFAT for L. infantum, ELISA for Babesia spp. and Neospora caninum, and real-time PCR for L. infantum in bone marrow, skin biopsies and conjunctival swabs. A variety of comorbidities were found in all three groups. No independent risk factors for infection by L. infantum were found. On the contrary, among dogs infected by L. infantum, being a mongrel [odds ratio (OR): 11.2], not receiving prevention for dirofilariosis (OR: 26.5) and being seropositive to N. caninum (OR: 17.1) or to Babesia spp. (OR: 37.6), were independent risk factors for presenting CanL. Although no comorbidities influence the probability of canine infection by L. infantum, certain comorbidities may be precipitating factors for the transition from the subclinical infection by L. infantum to the overt CanL.
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Li H, Ji S, Galon EM, Zafar I, Ma Z, Do T, Amer MM, Ma Y, Yamagishi J, Liu M, Xuan X. Identification of three members of the multidomain adhesion CCp family in Babesia gibsoni. Acta Trop 2023; 241:106890. [PMID: 36907290 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Babesia gibsoni is an intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasite transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis and causes canine babesiosis. Within the tick, the Babesia parasite undergoes sexual conjugation and the sporogony process of its life cycle. To control B. gibsoni infection, prompt and effective treatment of acute infections and curing chronic carriers are urgently needed. Gene disruption of Plasmodium CCps resulted in blocking the transition of sporozoites from the mosquito midgut to the salivary glands, showing that these proteins are potential targets for the development of a transmission-blocking vaccine. In this study, we described the identification and characterization of three members of the CCp family in B. gibsoni, named CCp1, CCp2, and CCp3. The B. gibsoni sexual stages were induced in vitro by exposing parasites to xanthurenic acid (XA), dithiothreitol (DTT), and tris (2-carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP) at serial concentrations. Among them, 100 µM XA-exposed and cultured at 27 °C without CO2B. gibsoni presented diverse morphologies, including parasites with long projections, gradually increased free merozoites, and aggregated and round forms, indicative of sexual stage induction. Then, the expression of CCp proteins of induced parasites was confirmed by real-time reverse transcription PCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot. The results showed that BgCCp genes were highly significantly increased at 24 h post-sexual stage induction (p < 0.01). The induced parasites were recognized by anti-CCp mouse antisera and anti-CCp 1, 2, and 3 antibodies weakly reacted with sexual stage proteins of expected molecular weights of 179.4, 169.8, and 140.0 KDa, respectively. Our observations on morphological changes and confirmation of sexual stage protein expression will advance elemental biological research and lay the foundation for the development of transmission-blocking vaccines against canine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Li
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Shengwei Ji
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Eloiza May Galon
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Iqra Zafar
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Zhuowei Ma
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Thom Do
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Moaz M Amer
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yihong Ma
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Junya Yamagishi
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
| | - Mingming Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China.
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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Gallego MM, Triana-Chávez O, Mejia-Jaramillo AM, Jaimes-Dueñez J. Molecular characterization of Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli reveals multiple genogroups associated with clinical traits in dogs from urban areas of Colombia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102111. [PMID: 36574738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli are vector-borne pathogens that infect blood cells and produce the diseases Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) and Babesiosis in dogs. Considering the lack of studies on these pathogens in Colombia, this study aims to determine the molecular prevalence and genetic characterization of E. canis and Babesia spp., in dogs from the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga (MAB), Santander, a region with one of the greatest pet densities in Colombia. One hundred eighty-five dogs were surveyed and analyzed through molecular, clinical, and hematological approaches. The molecular detection of E. canis and Babesia spp., was performed by conventional PCR targeting the dsb and 18S rRNA genes, respectively. To identify genogroups, E. canis positive samples underwent a hemi-nested PCR of the trp36 gene, and the PCR products were subsequently sequenced. Molecular analyses showed a prevalence of 13% (24/185; CI 95%, 8.1 - 18.0%) and 1.09% (2/185; CI 95,% -0.43 - 2.6%) for E. canis and B. vogeli respectively, as well as the presence of the genogroups US (USA), BR (Brazil), and CR (Costa Rica), in 62.5, 16.6, and 16.6% of E. canis positive samples, respectively. Values of hematocrit, hemoglobin, platelets, erythrocytes, white blood cell (WBC) count, lymphocytes, and eosinophils showed significant differences between animals infected with the different genogroups of E. canis (p< 0.05). In contrast, hematocrit values, hemoglobin, platelets, red blood cells, and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) were lower in B. vogeli positive animals. Statistical analysis indicated that E. canis infection was associated with specific socioeconomic sectors as well as with some household features (p< 0.05). In conclusion, our results present evidence of the circulation of multiple genogroups of E. canis in the MAB, which is associated with different geographical origins and clinical traits. Epidemiological analyses suggest a need to increase molecular surveillance and prevention campaigns especially in lower socioeconomic sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Marin Gallego
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas - BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Omar Triana-Chávez
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas - BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ana Maria Mejia-Jaramillo
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas - BCEI, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jeiczon Jaimes-Dueñez
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Animales GRICA, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia UCC, Calle 30 No. 33-51, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia.
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Ebani VV, Nardoni S, Mancianti F. Arthropod-Borne Pathogens in Wild Canids. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10020165. [PMID: 36851469 PMCID: PMC9964035 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Wild canids, as well as other wild animal species, are largely exposed to bites by ticks and other hematophagous vectors where the features favoring their presence and spread are found in wooded and semi-wooded areas. Much of the information about arthropod-borne infections concerns domestic and companion animals, whereas data about these infections in wild canids are not exhaustive. The present study is a narrative review of the literature concerning vector-borne infections in wild canids, highlighting their role in the epidemiology of arthropod-borne bacteria and protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-221-6968
| | - Simona Nardoni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Probst J, Springer A, Strube C. Year-round tick exposure of dogs and cats in Germany and Austria: results from a tick collection study. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:70. [PMID: 36797779 PMCID: PMC9933410 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05693-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks and tick-borne diseases play a major role in companion animal health. Additionally, the European tick fauna is changing, for instance due to the spread of Dermacentor reticulatus, displaying a higher likelihood of winter activity than Ixodes ricinus. Therefore, we investigated current tick infestations in dogs and cats in Germany and in parts of Austria and the seasonal infestation risk. METHODS Overall, 219 veterinary practices were invited to collect ticks from cats and dogs on a monthly basis. Ticks were morphologically identified and female I. ricinus specimens were measured to estimate attachment duration. RESULTS In total, 19,514 ticks, 17,789 (91.2%) from Germany and 1506 (7.7%) from Austria, were received between March 2020 and October 2021, with 10,287 specimens (52.7%) detached from dogs, 8005 from cats (41.0%) and 1222 from other species (6.3%). In Germany, the most common tick species collected from dogs were I. ricinus (78.0%) and D. reticulatus (18.8%), while cats mainly harboured I. ricinus (91.3%) and I. hexagonus (5.5%) and only few D. reticulatus (0.6%). In Austria, collected I. ricinus reached similar proportions in dogs (90.4%) and cats (95.3%), followed by D. reticulatus in both dogs (5.2%) and cats (1.5%), with I. hexagonus (0.9%) collected only marginally from cats. The average infestation intensity amounted to 1.62 ticks/dog and 1.88 ticks/cat. The single to multiple infestation ratio was 79.1% to 20.9% in dogs and 69.0% to 31.0% in cats, with cats being significantly more often multiple infested than dogs, while the proportion of mixed-species infestations was 2.0% for both dogs and cats. The average attachment duration of female I. ricinus specimens amounted to 78.76 h for dogs and 82.73 h for cats. Furthermore, year-round tick exposure was confirmed, with 108 D. reticulatus and 70 I. ricinus received on average per month during December 2020 to February 2021. CONCLUSIONS The study shows a year-round tick infestation risk, with activity of both D. reticulatus and I. ricinus during winter, and confirms the widespread occurrence of D. reticulatus in Germany. Additionally, long average attachment durations and frequent multiple infestations underline the need for adequate year-round tick control, even during the winter months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Probst
- grid.412970.90000 0001 0126 6191Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- grid.412970.90000 0001 0126 6191Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.
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Weingart C, Helm CS, Müller E, Schäfer I, Skrodzki M, von Samson‐Himmelstjerna G, Krücken J, Kohn B. Autochthonous Babesia canis infections in 49 dogs in Germany. Vet Med (Auckl) 2023; 37:140-149. [PMID: 36629833 PMCID: PMC9889677 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector-borne diseases are of increasing importance in Germany. Since 2015, autochthonous cases have been increasingly documented in Berlin/Brandenburg. OBJECTIVES Describe autochthonous Babesia canis infection in the Berlin/Brandenburg region. ANIMALS Forty-nine dogs with autochthonous B. canis infection. METHODS Evaluation of history, clinical signs, laboratory abnormalities, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS Dogs were presented between March and August (9) and September and January (40) in the years 2015-2021. Historical and clinical findings were lethargy (100%), pale mucous membranes (63%), fever (50%), and pigmenturia (52%). Common clinicopathological findings were thrombocytopenia (100%), anemia (85%), intravascular hemolysis (52%), pancytopenia (41%), and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS; 37%). Babesia detection was based on blood smear evaluation (n = 40) and PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene of piroplasms (n = 49). Sequencing indicated 99.47% to 100% identity to B. canis sequences from GenBank. All dogs were treated with imidocarb (2.4-6.3 mg/kg; median, 5 mg/kg); 8 dogs received 1, 35 received 2, and 1 dog each received 3, 4, or 5 injections, respectively. Continued PCR-positive results were detected in 7 dogs after the 1st, in 5 after the 2nd, in 2 after the 3rd, and in 1 28 days after the 4th injection. Four dogs were euthanized and 3 dogs died. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Autochthonous B. canis infections in Berlin/Brandenburg were associated with severe clinicopathological changes, SIRS, and multiorgan involvement. Testing by PCR during and after treatment is advisable to monitor treatment success. Screening of blood donors in high-risk areas and year-round tick protection is strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Weingart
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Christina S. Helm
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary MedicineFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | | | | | - Marianne Skrodzki
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | | | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary MedicineFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
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Lesiczka PM, Rudenko N, Golovchenko M, Juránková J, Daněk O, Modrý D, Hrazdilová K. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) play an important role in the propagation of tick-borne pathogens. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102076. [PMID: 36345066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most widespread free-living carnivore in the world. Over the years, foxes have been recognized as hosts for a number of tick-borne pathogens. However, their role as reservoirs for zoonotic tick-borne diseases is poorly understood. The aim of our study was to investigate tick-borne pathogens in the red fox population in the Czech Republic. Out of 117 red foxes, 110 (94.02%) individuals tested positive for the presence of at least one pathogen by the combined PCR and sequencing approach. Hepatozoon canis was the most frequently detected pathogen (n = 95; 81.2%), followed by Babesia vulpes (n = 75; 64.1%). Babesia canis was not detected in our study. Four (3.42%) red foxes were positive for Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp., 3 (2.56%) for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and one red fox (0.85%) tested positive for the presence of Ehrlichia sp. DNA. Overall, DNA of spirochetes from the Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. complex was detected in 8.6% of the foxes and B. miyamotoi in 5.12% of the samples. As a carnivore found in all ecosystems of Central Europe, foxes obviously contribute to transmission of tick-borne pathogens such as A. phagocytophilum, B. burgdorferi s.l., and B. myiamotoi. In addition, foxes apparently harbour a community of pathogens, associated with this host in local ecological context, dominated by H. canis and B. vulpes (possibly also Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp.). These species have the potential to spread to the domestic dog population and should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile diseases with hematologic abnormalities in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Maria Lesiczka
- Department of Veterinary Sciences/CINeZ, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague, Czech Republic; CEITEC VETUNI, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Natalia Rudenko
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Maryna Golovchenko
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Juránková
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Daněk
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Department of Veterinary Sciences/CINeZ, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague, Czech Republic; Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Center, Charles University, Alej Svobody 1655/76, Plzeň, Czech Republic; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Zemědělská 1665/1, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Lane M, Kashani M, Barratt JLN, Qvarnstrom Y, Yabsley MJ, Garrett KB, Bradbury RS. Application of a universal parasite diagnostic test to biological specimens collected from animals. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 20:20-30. [PMID: 36593876 PMCID: PMC9803608 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A previously described universal parasite diagnostic (nUPDx) based on PCR amplification of the 18S rDNA and deep-amplicon sequencing, can detect human blood parasites with a sensitivity comparable to real-time PCR. To date, the efficacy of this assay has only been assessed on human blood. This study assessed the utility of nUPDx for the detection of parasitic infections in animals using blood, tissues, and other biological sample types from mammals, birds, and reptiles, known to be infected with helminth, apicomplexan, or pentastomid parasites (confirmed by microscopy or PCR), as well as negative samples. nUPDx confirmed apicomplexan and/or nematode infections in 24 of 32 parasite-positive mammals, while also identifying several undetected coinfections. nUPDx detected infections in 6 of 13 positive bird and 1 of 2 positive reptile samples. When applied to 10 whole parasite specimens (worms and arthropods), nUPDx identified all to the genus or family level, and detected one incorrect identification made by morphology. Babesia sp. infections were detected in 5 of the 13 samples that were negative by other diagnostic approaches. While nUPDx did not detect PCR/microscopy-confirmed trichomonads or amoebae in cloacal swabs/tissue from 8 birds and 2 reptiles due to primer template mismatches, 4 previously undetected apicomplexans were detected in these samples. Future efforts to improve the utility of the assay should focus on validation against a larger panel of tissue types and animal species. Overall, nUPDx shows promise for use in both veterinary diagnostics and wildlife surveillance, especially because species-specific PCRs can miss unknown or unexpected pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Lane
- Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA,Synergy America Inc., Duluth, GA, USA
| | - Mitra Kashani
- Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Joel LN. Barratt
- Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA,Corresponding author.
| | - Yvonne Qvarnstrom
- Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael J. Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA,Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kayla B. Garrett
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Richard S. Bradbury
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University, Berwick Campus, Berwick, Victoria, Australia
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Kumar B, Maharana BR, Thakre B, Brahmbhatt NN, Joseph JP. 18S rRNA Gene-Based Piroplasmid PCR: An Assay for Rapid and Precise Molecular Screening of Theileria and Babesia Species in Animals. Acta Parasitol 2022. [PMID: 36178614 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The parasites of genera such as Babesia and Theileria are called piroplasmids due to the pear-shaped morphology of the multiplying parasite stages in the blood of the vertebrate host. Because of the enormous number of parasite species and the challenges of multiplex PCR, initial screening of samples using piroplasmid-specific PCR may be a more cost-effective and efficient technique to identify parasite species, especially during epidemiological studies. Accordingly, 18S rRNA PCR was standardized and optimized on common piroplasmids of different animals like cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, dogs, horses, and leopards. METHODS Bloods samples from 1250 animals were collected from different animals in Junagadh district of Gujarat, India. 18S rRNA PCR was standardized and optimized as a primary method for molecular screening of piroplasms in domestic and wild animals. The method was checked for its analytical sensitivity and specificity. Parasite species-specific PCR and sequencing was used to validate the test. Moreover, in-silico restriction enzyme (RE) analysis was also done to assess its applicability in PCR-RFLP. RESULTS Piroplasm infections were recorded in 63.3% of animals in Junagadh. The 18S rRNA PCR detected the piroplasmid DNA in as low as 39 picograms (pg) of whole blood genomic DNA isolated from microscopically Theileria positive blood samples and no reactivity was recorded from common but unrelated haemoparasites viz., Trypanosoma evansi, Hepatozoon spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia canis was observed. The 18S rRNA PCR assay findings were confirmed by species-specific PCR and sequencing. Analysis of different sequences generated using 18S rRNA PCR revealed that the amplicon size of Babesia spp. is nearly 400 bp (393-408 bp) whereas Theileria spp. were more than 400 bp (418-424 bp). The percentage of sequence divergence among Babesia and Theileria spp. was 7.3-12.2% and 0.7-12.2%, respectively. In-silico restriction enzyme (RE) analysis reveals the presence of at least one site for a commercially available RE in 18S rRNA fragments of every parasite, which can differentiate it from its congeners. CONCLUSIONS The presented universal oligonucleotide-based PCR assay provides a highly sensitive, specific, cost-effective, and rapid diagnostic tool for the initial screening of piroplasmids infecting domestic and wild animals and is potentially helpful for large-scale epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binod Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Junagadh, Gujarat, 362001, India.
| | - Biswa Ranjan Maharana
- Referral Veterinary Diagnostic and Extension Centre, LUVAS, Uchani, Karnal, 132001, India
| | - Bhupendrakumar Thakre
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Junagadh, Gujarat, 362001, India
| | - Nilima N Brahmbhatt
- Animal Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory, Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Junagadh, Gujarat, 362001, India
| | - Joice P Joseph
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Junagadh, Gujarat, 362001, India
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Multiple point mutations in cytochrome b gene of Babesia gibsoni – A possible cause for buparvaquone resistance. Vet Parasitol 2022; 312:109823. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Sensitive and rapid detection of Babesia species in dogs by recombinase polymerase amplification with lateral flow dipstick (RPA-LFD). Sci Rep 2022; 12:20560. [PMID: 36446883 PMCID: PMC9707278 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25165-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by Babesia spp., which infects and destroys healthy erythrocytes, leading to mortality and morbidity in dogs. The diagnosis of babesiosis is tedious and time-consuming, especially in latent and chronic infections. Here, a recombinase polymerase amplification combined with a lateral flow dipstick (RPA-LFD) assay was developed for rapid and accurate detection of Babesia spp. in canine blood specimens based on the 18S rRNA region. The RPA-LFD assay using rpaBab264 gave specificity to Babesia spp. in dogs (B. vogeli and B. gibsoni) without cross-amplification to other parasites (apicomplexans and non-apicomplexans), with detection limit of at least 22.5 copies/μl (0.1 fg/µl) at 40 °C for at least 10 min. The whole process of DNA amplification by RPA and readout by LFD did not exceed 30 min. To determine the performance of the RPA-LFD assay, a total of 30 clinical samples was examined and compared with conventional PCR (cPCR) and multiplex HRM (mHRM). Eight dogs (26.67%) were detected as positive by RPA-LFD, while seven and six were found positive by cPCR and mHRM, respectively. RPA-LFD and cPCR showed high agreement with Babesia spp. detection with kappa > 0.9. We confirmed that the dogs were infected by B. vogeli from sequences of positive PCR results. Our findings suggested that RPA-LFD using the rpaBab264 assay offered a rapid, accurate, cost-effective and simple method for Babesia spp. detection that is feasibly applicable to be rapid kit at a pet hospital or point-of-care testing.
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Villanueva-Saz S, Borobia M, Fernández A, Jiménez C, Yzuel A, Verde MT, Ramo MÁ, Figueras L, Ruíz H. Anaemia in Sheep Caused by Babesia and Theileria Haemoparasites. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233341. [PMID: 36496866 PMCID: PMC9738125 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Piroplasmoses in sheep are caused by vector-borne apicomplexan protozoa, Babesia and Theileria. Different species are responsible for the disease; some species are more pathogenic than others and have a worldwide distribution. In this sense, these causative agents can cause anaemia in flocks. In general, these vector-borne diseases infect small ruminants and cause host-mediated pathology. In the case of Babesia species, a combination of different mechanisms is involved: red blood cell lysis due to intracellular parasite multiplication, activation of biogenic amines and the coagulation system with the possibility of disseminated intravascular coagulation. By contrast, less information is available on the different immunopathogenic mechanisms involved in the development of anaemia in sheep with theileriosis. However, the mechanisms of pathogenic action in theileriosis are similar to those studied in babesiosis. Diagnosis is based on compatible clinical signs, laboratory findings, specific diagnostic tests and the presence of the tick vector. Some of these tests detect the causative agent itself, such as direct identification by light microscopy and molecular analysis. In contrast, other tests detect the sheep's immune response to the organism by serology. Both diseases pose a significant diagnostic challenge for veterinary practitioners around the world. This review presents the most frequent clinical signs, pathogenesis and clinicopathological findings, diagnosis.
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The First Records of Canine Babesiosis in Dogs from Dermacentor reticulatus-Free Zone in Poland. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11111329. [PMID: 36422581 PMCID: PMC9699086 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne microorganisms belong to important etiological agents of many infectious diseases affecting humans and animals. Among them, there are haemoprotozoans of the Babesia genus, which infect erythrocytes of a host and may cause many clinical symptoms. Canine babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease in Southern and Central Europe. In this study, we report two cases of symptomatic canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis in domestic dogs from the Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, as well as the presence of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks detected on one of the Babesia-infected dogs (D. reticulatus-free zone). The molecular analysis confirmed the presence of Babesia canis in the dogs’ blood, and the sequencing analysis showed that the obtained sequence is 100% identical to the sequence of Babesia canis isolate 3469 (sequence ID: KX712122.1). Our findings should raise awareness of B. canis infection among dog owners and veterinarians in the region where B. canis was not previously reported in residential, non-traveling dogs, as well as ensuring that adequate diagnostic methods are available.
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Yin F, Mu D, Tian Z, Li D, Ma X, Wang J, Guan G, Yin H, Li F. First Report of Babesia gibsoni in Cats in China. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12223066. [PMID: 36428294 PMCID: PMC9686484 DOI: 10.3390/ani12223066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
As there are few studies of Babesia spp. infection in cats in China, or anywhere in the world, the aim of this study was to explore the epidemic features of babesiosis in pet cats in China. In total, 429 blood samples were randomly collected in four different geographical regions. The 18S rRNA gene fragment of Babesia spp. was amplified by nest polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and haplotype and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia were performed to analyze the relationship of this protozoa. The total positive rate of infection was 2.8%. BLAST analysis indicated that Babesia gibsoni was detected in 12 cats. Among these, 4.3%, 3.1%, 0.8% and 2.0% were from Chongqing, Fujian, Hubei and Shandong, respectively. Haplotype and phylogenetic analysis showed that there were nine haplotypes and no obvious genetic variation among B. gibsoni populations. This is the first report of B. gibsoni in cats in China. These findings will be helpful for understanding the epidemiology of Babesia spp. in China, and provide a foundation for developing effective preventative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (F.Y.); (D.M.); (Z.T.); (D.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Daoe Mu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (F.Y.); (D.M.); (Z.T.); (D.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Zhuojia Tian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (F.Y.); (D.M.); (Z.T.); (D.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Dong Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (F.Y.); (D.M.); (Z.T.); (D.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Xiting Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (F.Y.); (D.M.); (Z.T.); (D.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Jinming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou 730046, China; (J.W.); (G.G.)
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou 730046, China; (J.W.); (G.G.)
| | - Hong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou 730046, China; (J.W.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: (H.Y.); (F.L.)
| | - Facai Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (F.Y.); (D.M.); (Z.T.); (D.L.); (X.M.)
- Correspondence: (H.Y.); (F.L.)
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D’Amico G, Ionică AM, Györke A, Dumitrache MO. Epidemiological Survey of the Main Tick-Borne Pathogens Infecting Dogs from the Republic of Moldova. Pathogens 2022; 11:1267. [PMID: 36365018 PMCID: PMC9697118 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the significant burden of tick-borne diseases (TBDs), epidemiologic studies are missing, and TBD awareness is low in the Republic of Moldova. Our study is the first to assess the prevalence of the main tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) infecting dogs in this country and associated risk factors. In this cross-sectional, multi-centre study (June 2018-July 2019), blood samples were collected from dogs presenting in veterinary clinics (Chişinău: N = 30) and hosted in public dog shelters (Cahul: N = 42; Chişinău: N = 48). TBPs were assessed by molecular techniques and risk factors by the logistic regression model. Hepatozoon canis was the most prevalent TBP (15.8% [19/120]), followed by Babesia canis (11.7% [14/120]), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (5.8% [7/120]), and Bartonella spp. (0.8% [1/120]). Blood samples tested negative for Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Francisella tularensis, Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis. Dogs originating from the veterinary clinics had a higher prevalence of A. phagocytophilum infection than those from the shelters (16.6% versus 2.2%, respectively, p = 0.0292; OR: 27.0 [95%CI: 1.4-521.9]). Dogs from Chișinău had a higher prevalence of Hepatozoon canis infection versus those from Cahul (19.2% versus 9.5%, respectively, p = 0.0295; OR: 3.9 [95%CI: 1.1-13.4]). We recommend routine use of acaricides and deworming of dogs to prevent or/and limit TBD spread. Further TBD surveillance studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca D’Amico
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adriana Györke
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mirabela Oana Dumitrache
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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18S rRNA Gene-Based Piroplasmid PCR: An Assay for Rapid and Precise Molecular Screening of Theileria and Babesia Species in Animals. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:1697-1707. [PMID: 36178614 PMCID: PMC9523193 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00625-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The parasites of genera such as Babesia and Theileria are called piroplasmids due to the pear-shaped morphology of the multiplying parasite stages in the blood of the vertebrate host. Because of the enormous number of parasite species and the challenges of multiplex PCR, initial screening of samples using piroplasmid-specific PCR may be a more cost-effective and efficient technique to identify parasite species, especially during epidemiological studies. Accordingly, 18S rRNA PCR was standardized and optimized on common piroplasmids of different animals like cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, dogs, horses, and leopards. Methods Bloods samples from 1250 animals were collected from different animals in Junagadh district of Gujarat, India. 18S rRNA PCR was standardized and optimized as a primary method for molecular screening of piroplasms in domestic and wild animals. The method was checked for its analytical sensitivity and specificity. Parasite species-specific PCR and sequencing was used to validate the test. Moreover, in-silico restriction enzyme (RE) analysis was also done to assess its applicability in PCR–RFLP. Results Piroplasm infections were recorded in 63.3% of animals in Junagadh. The 18S rRNA PCR detected the piroplasmid DNA in as low as 39 picograms (pg) of whole blood genomic DNA isolated from microscopically Theileria positive blood samples and no reactivity was recorded from common but unrelated haemoparasites viz., Trypanosoma evansi, Hepatozoon spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia canis was observed. The 18S rRNA PCR assay findings were confirmed by species-specific PCR and sequencing. Analysis of different sequences generated using 18S rRNA PCR revealed that the amplicon size of Babesia spp. is nearly 400 bp (393–408 bp) whereas Theileria spp. were more than 400 bp (418–424 bp). The percentage of sequence divergence among Babesia and Theileria spp. was 7.3–12.2% and 0.7–12.2%, respectively. In-silico restriction enzyme (RE) analysis reveals the presence of at least one site for a commercially available RE in 18S rRNA fragments of every parasite, which can differentiate it from its congeners. Conclusions The presented universal oligonucleotide-based PCR assay provides a highly sensitive, specific, cost-effective, and rapid diagnostic tool for the initial screening of piroplasmids infecting domestic and wild animals and is potentially helpful for large-scale epidemiological studies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11686-022-00625-2.
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Babesia, Theileria, Plasmodium and Hemoglobin. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081651. [PMID: 36014069 PMCID: PMC9414693 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The Propagation of Plasmodium spp. and Babesia/Theileria spp. vertebrate blood stages relies on the mediated acquisition of nutrients available within the host’s red blood cell (RBC). The cellular processes of uptake, trafficking and metabolic processing of host RBC proteins are thus crucial for the intraerythrocytic development of these parasites. In contrast to malarial Plasmodia, the molecular mechanisms of uptake and processing of the major RBC cytoplasmic protein hemoglobin remain widely unexplored in intraerythrocytic Babesia/Theileria species. In the paper, we thus provide an updated comparison of the intraerythrocytic stage feeding mechanisms of these two distantly related groups of parasitic Apicomplexa. As the associated metabolic pathways including proteolytic degradation and networks facilitating heme homeostasis represent attractive targets for diverse antimalarials, and alterations in these pathways underpin several mechanisms of malaria drug resistance, our ambition is to highlight some fundamental differences resulting in different implications for parasite management with the potential for novel interventions against Babesia/Theileria infections.
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Molecular Prevalence of Selected Tick-Borne Pathogens in Dermacentor reticulatus Collected in a Natural Park in Italy. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080887. [PMID: 36015008 PMCID: PMC9416462 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus is one of the most important vectors of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in Europe causing diseases in animals and humans. A longitudinal study was planned, aimed to detect the molecular prevalence of tick-borne pathogens, i.e., Babesia spp. and the spotted fever group Rickettsiae, and its seasonal variation in D. reticulatus questing ticks to define the temporal infection risk. Ticks were collected monthly over a period of 15 months in a peri-urban park in Lombardy, Italy. DNA extraction and molecular analyses were performed. Statistical analysis was carried out. Out of 488, 53 (P = 10.9%) adult questing ticks were positive for Babesia DNA. A higher prevalence was revealed in male (32/241, P = 13.3%) than in female (21/247, P = 8.5%) ticks. Positive ticks were mostly collected in winter months (P = 13.3%) compared to early (P = 7.9) and late (P = 12.8) spring months. A similar percentage of positive ticks was evidenced in transects 1 and 3 (5.8% and 6.5%, respectively); instead, a significant higher prevalence was recorded in transect 2 (P = 16.0%). Obtained sequences confirmed a homology of 100% with B. canis sequences deposited in GenBank. No ticks tested positive for Rickettsia spp. DNA (0/488, P = 0%). The conspicuous circulation of B. canis infection in D. reticulatus adult questing ticks confirms their role in the epidemiology of canine babesiosis and requires preventive measures for dogs in this recreational area. Even if no tick was positive for the spotted fever group Rickettsia, its capacity as a vector of zoonotic pathogens should not be neglected.
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