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Luz HR, Labruna MB, Pacheco RC, Gianizella SL, Nunes PH, Szabó MPJ, Gerardi M, Teixeira RHF, da Silva SC, Kmetiuk LB, Pesenato IP, Marcili A, Faccini JLH, Martins TF. Morphological anomalies in hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102219. [PMID: 37399629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102219] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Tick abnormalities have been unusual in nature, and they can be divided into local and general. In the present study, external morphological anomalies were described in 31 individual adult ticks of 15 different species of Ixodidae, which were collected on wild hosts (20 ticks), domestic hosts (7 ticks), and in the environment (4 ticks) in 11 states of Brazil from 1998 to 2022. Among the 31 tick specimens, 14 (45%) were categorized as local anomalies, and 17 (55%) as general anomalies. The ticks were taxonomically identified into 14 species of Amblyomma, and one species of Rhipicephalus. Local anomalies included malformations of scutum/alloscutum, ectromely, leg atrophy, and a third ectopic spiracular plate. General anomalies included opisthosoma duplication, no expansion of dorsal alloscutum in engorged females, and gynandromorphism; the latter is described for 13 tick specimens. Morphological anomalies in Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma humerale and Amblyomma longirostre are reported for the first time. Although the results herein expand the list of anomalous tick species in the Neotropics, future studies should be conducted to clarify the origin of these anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes R Luz
- Post-Graduation Program in Health and Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation, Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO) from the Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Richard C Pacheco
- Post-Graduation Program in Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Sergio L Gianizella
- Laboratory of Zoology, Department of Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Pablo H Nunes
- Latin American Institute of Life and Nature Sciences, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil
| | - Matias P J Szabó
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Monize Gerardi
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo H F Teixeira
- Municipal Zoological Park "Quinzinho de Barros", Sorocaba, SP, Brazil; University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Wild Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ) of the São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Silvio C da Silva
- Pasteur Institute, São Paulo State Department of Health, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Louise B Kmetiuk
- Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Isabella P Pesenato
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- Post-Graduation in Medicine and Animal Welfare, Doctorate in Single Health, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João L H Faccini
- Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences from the Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Pasteur Institute, São Paulo State Department of Health, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Okely M, Bakkes DK, Chitimia-Dobler L. Morphological abnormalities in Hyalomma dromedarii and Hyalomma rufipes (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Aswan, Egypt. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:225-241. [PMID: 36309608 PMCID: PMC9666321 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00747-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The present study reports anomalies in Hyalomma dromedarii and Hyalomma rufipes adults collected from dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Aswan, Egypt, between January and June 2022. A total of 52 adult ticks displayed one or several local and/or general anomalies. A wide variety of local anomalies was observed including atrophy of one or multiple legs, ectromely, absence of accessory adanal and subanal plates, fusion of adanal and accessory plates, and presence of sclerotized formation in the ventral plate, as well as abnormalities of the spiracle, anal groove, festoon, parma, and posteromedian groove. General anomalies comprised of asymmetries and gynandromorphism. Local anomalies were documented among H. dromedarii and H. rufipes, whereas general anomalies were documented only from H. dromedarii. The present work represents the first report of deuterogynander intrigue gynandromorphism in H. dromedarii, as well as the first report of morphological abnormalities in H. dromedarii and H. rufipes from Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Okely
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
| | - Deon K Bakkes
- Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum, Agricultural Research Council - Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa
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Kazim AR, Low VL, Houssaini J, Tappe D, Heo CC. Morphological abnormalities and multiple mitochondrial clades of Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (Ixodida: Ixodidae). EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 87:133-141. [PMID: 35817879 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00731-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides is endemic in South and Southeast Asia, and it is known to parasitise domestic animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, and dogs. Despite infestation on multiple hosts, little attention has been paid to its morphological and molecular variation. The present study describes local morphological abnormalities for the first time in R. haemaphysaloides from Malaysia, and highlights the presence of three cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) operational taxonomic units with 0.46-9.81% distances within the so-called R. haemaphysaloides in Malaysia, Thailand, and Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Rahman Kazim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Van Lun Low
- Higher Institution of Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jamal Houssaini
- Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Dennis Tappe
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chong Chin Heo
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Laatamna A, Bakkes DK, Chitimia-Dobler L. Morphological anomalies in Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.s. (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from dogs in steppe and high plateaus regions, Algeria. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 83:575-582. [PMID: 33661417 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00599-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The present report describes morphological anomalies in Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.s. collected from dogs between February 2017 and May 2019 in the steppic region of Djelfa and high plateau area of Bordj-Bou-Arreridj in Algeria. Out of 1043 ticks from 147 infested dogs, four adult ticks (0.38%), collected from four dogs, exhibited local morphological abnormalities. One male displayed ectromely of leg I left, and the other three specimens exhibited multiple associated anomalies in idiosomas and exoskeletons, festoons, stigmas (spiracles), as well as in adanal and accessory plates. This report provides additional exemplars of morphological abnormalities in tick populations of Africa, particularly North Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- AbdElkarim Laatamna
- Laboratory of Exploration and Valorisation of Steppic Ecosystems, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Djelfa, BP 3117, Moudjbara Road, Djelfa, Algeria.
| | - Deon K Bakkes
- Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Shuaib YA, Isaa MH, Ezz-Eldin MIE, Abdalla MA, Bakhiet AO, Chitimia-Dobler L. Morphological abnormalities in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from domestic animal species in Sudan. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 82:161-169. [PMID: 32809185 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00534-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Morphological abnormalities in ticks have rarely been reported in nature. The existing knowledge about anomalies in ticks collected in Africa is very sparse. In this paper, we describe abnormalities in Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus ticks collected from cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and horses in Kassala and North Kordofan states, Sudan, between January and August 2017. A number of 15 adult ticks displayed one or several local anomalies, such as ectromely, abnormalities of the ventral plates, and body deformities, besides newly described multiple cuticula scars. This study presents the first report of local anomalies in ticks belonging to three genera in Sudan and highlights the need to investigate the association between such morphological abnormalities and tick biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassir Adam Shuaib
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum North, Sudan
| | | | | | | | - Amel Omer Bakhiet
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum North, Sudan
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Molaei G, Little EAH. A case of morphological anomalies in Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from nature. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:279-285. [PMID: 32500391 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00510-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We describe a case of morphological anomalies in Amblyomma americanum, a medically important species associated with several human diseases and medical conditions. Based on morphological characters using dichotomous morphological keys, high-resolution light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy imaging, the tick was identified as Am. americanum nymph exhibiting various morphological anomalies including ectromely associate with asymmetry, olygomely (lack) of the fourth left leg, and schizomely (bifurcation of palpus) on the right side. We believe this is the first report of the presence of several spontaneous anomalies in one Am. americanum specimen. Morphological identity of the specimen was corroborated by DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial 16S region. We discuss recent reports of morphological anomalies in ixodid ticks and emphasize the significance of additional studies of teratology in medically important tick species and its potential implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goudarz Molaei
- Department of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
- Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, P.O. Box 208034, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Eliza A H Little
- Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
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A seven-legged tick: Report of a morphological anomaly in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) biting a human host from the Northeastern United States. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101304. [PMID: 31564642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cases of morphological anomalies in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae), have recently been reported from the Northeastern and upper Midwestern United States, potentially complicating identification of this important vector of human disease-causing pathogens. We hereby report a case of a morphological anomaly in I. scapularis, biting a human host residing in Norwich, Connecticut. Using a dichotomous morphological key, high-resolution and scanning electron microscopy images, as well as DNA sequencing, the tick was identified as an adult female I. scapularis with three legs on the left side of the abdomen versus four on the right side, which we believe is the first case of ectromely in an adult I. scapularis. Using diagnostic genes in polymerase chain reaction, the specimen tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agents for Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, respectively, and also showed evidence of a rickettsial endosymbiont. Here we discuss recent reports of morphological anomalies in I. scapularis, and emphasize the significance of additional studies of teratology in this important tick species and its potential implications.
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Abnormal Development of Hyalomma Marginatum Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Induced by Plant Cytotoxic Substances. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11080445. [PMID: 31357471 PMCID: PMC6723890 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11080445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing application of toxic plant substances to deter and fight ticks proves the need for investigations focused on the elucidation of their impact on the developmental stages and populations of these arthropods. We examined the course of embryogenesis and egg hatch in Hyalomma marginatum ticks under the effect of cytotoxic plant substances. The investigations demonstrated that the length of embryonic development of egg batches treated with 20 μL of a 0.1875% colchicine solution did not differ significantly from that in the control group. Colchicine caused the high mortality of eggs (16.3%) and embryos (9.7%), disturbances in larval hatch (8.1%), and lower numbers of normal larval hatches (65.6%). In 0.2% of the larvae, colchicine induced anomalies in the idiosoma (67.6%) and gnathosoma (22.5%) as well as composite anomalies (8.5%). The study demonstrates that cytotoxic compounds with an effect similar to that of colchicine can reduce tick populations and cause teratological changes, which were observed in the specimens found during field studies. Since there are no data on the toxic effects of active plant substances on other organisms and the risk of development of tick resistance, a strategy for the use of such compounds in tick control and the management of plant products should be developed.
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Balinandi S, Mugisha L, Bbira J, Kabasa W, Nakayiki T, Bakkes DK, Lutwama JJ, Chitimia-Dobler L, Malmberg M. General and Local Morphological Anomalies in Amblyomma lepidum (Acari: Ixodidae) and Rhipicephalus decoloratus Infesting Cattle in Uganda. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:873-877. [PMID: 30576463 PMCID: PMC6467642 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Morphological abnormalities in ticks seem to be rare phenomena in nature, and are underreported in Africa. In this article, we describe general and local anomalies in two Amblyomma lepidum females and one Rhipicephalus decoloratus female collected from cattle in Moroto and Kasese districts, Uganda. One A. lepidum specimen displayed metagynander gynandromorphism with the presence of both male and female features in the same organism. The second A. lepidum female showed slight asymmetry and lacked a genital aperture. The R. decoloratus displayed multiple anomalies that included asymmetry on the right side in association with ectromely, chitinous formations and constrictions on the left side. This article presents the first report of metagynander gynandromorphism, as well as genital aperture absence which is not linked to gynandromorphism, in A. lepidum collected from cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Balinandi
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Reemrging Infections, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lawrence Mugisha
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Ecohealth Research Group, Conservation & Ecosystem Health Alliance (CEHA), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Johnson Bbira
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - William Kabasa
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Teddy Nakayiki
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Reemrging Infections, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Deon K Bakkes
- Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum, Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Julius J Lutwama
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Reemrging Infections, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Department of Virology-Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Maja Malmberg
- Section of Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- SLU Global Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Molaei G, Little EA. A nine-legged tick: Report of a morphological anomaly in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) from the northeastern United States. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Chitimia-Dobler L, Bestehorn M, Bröker M, Borde J, Molcanyi T, Andersen NS, Pfeffer M, Dobler G. Morphological anomalies in Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes inopinatus collected from tick-borne encephalitis natural foci in Central Europe. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 72:379-397. [PMID: 28755284 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0163-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In 2015, 0.02% nymphs displayed anomalies (ectromely) out of the 6744 collected ticks as part of a tick-borne encephalitis program in Germany. In 2016, questing Ixodes ricinus (n = 14,527) and Ixodes inopinatus (n = 75) ticks were collected by flagging as part of a tick-borne encephalitis program in Germany, Slovakia and Denmark. A total of 278 (1.9%) out of 14,602 nymph and adult ticks showed morphological anomalies. The anomalies were divided into general anomalies (body asymmetry) and local anomalies (anomalies of appendages, malformation of capitulum, exoskeleton anomalies and anal groove deformation) with nymphs being the most affected life stage. Most important, leg atrophy was the most common anomaly (209 nymphs, 11 females and three males) followed by asymmetry (10 nymphs, five females and a male) and ectromely (nine nymphs). Two females and one male displayed multiple anomalies on legs, palps and exoskeleton. Anal groove deformation was observed in three females and three nymphs. In 2016, the frequency of anomalies in I. inopinatus was found five times higher (9.3%) than in I. ricinus (1.9%). This is the first report of anomaly (ectromely, leg atrophy, idiosoma deformation) in flagged I. inopinatus and the first report of schizomely in I. ricinus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.
- German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Malena Bestehorn
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 35, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Michael Bröker
- , Pappelweg 30, 35041, Marburg, Federal State Hesse, Germany
| | - Johannes Borde
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetterstraße 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Praxis Dr. Borde, Am Markplatz 8, 77704, Oberkirch, Germany
| | - Tomas Molcanyi
- Surgeon General Office, Armed Forces of Slovak Republic, gen. M. Vesela 23, Ružomberok, Slovakia
| | - Nanna Skaarup Andersen
- Clinical Center of Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections, Odense University Hospital and Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern, Odense, Denmark
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
- German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Munich, Munich, Germany
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 35, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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