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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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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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Pijnacker T, Bartels R, van Leeuwen M, Teske E. Identification of parameters and formulation of a statistical and machine learning model to identify Babesia canis infections in dogs using available ADVIA hematology analyzer data. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:41. [PMID: 35093154 PMCID: PMC8801090 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05163-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease in endemic regions. One of the relevant subspecies in Europe is Babesia canis, and it can cause severe clinical signs such as hemolytic anemia. Apart from acute clinical symptoms dogs can also have a more chronic disease development or be asymptomatic carriers. Our objective was to identify readily available ADVIA hematology analyzer parameters suggestive of B. canis parasitemia in dogs and to formulate a predictive model. METHODS A historical dataset of complete blood count data from an ADVIA hematology system with blood smear or PCR confirmed parasitemia cases was used to obtain a model by conventional statistics (CS) methods and machine learning (ML) using logistical regression and tree methods. RESULTS Both methods identified that important parameters were platelet count, mean platelet volume and percentage large unstained cells. We were able to formulate a CS model and ML model to screen for Babesia parasitemia in dogs with a sensitivity of 84.6% (CS) and 100% (ML), a specificity of 97.7% (CS) and 95.7% (ML) and a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 36.78 (CS) and 23.2 (ML). CONCLUSIONS This study introduces two methods of screening for B. canis parasitemia on readily available data from ADVIA hematology systems. The algorithms can easily be introduced in laboratories that use these analyzers. When the algorithm marks a sample as 'suggestive' for Babesia parasitemia, the sample is approximately 37 times more likely to show Babesia merozoites on blood smear analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tera Pijnacker
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Bartels
- Digital Health, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martin van Leeuwen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Teske
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Ciuca L, Martinescu G, Miron LD, Roman C, Acatrinei D, Cringoli G, Rinaldi L, Maurelli MP. Occurrence of Babesia Species and Co-Infection with Hepatozoon canis in Symptomatic Dogs and in Their Ticks in Eastern Romania. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101339. [PMID: 34684287 PMCID: PMC8538781 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the distribution of Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon canis is well known in Romania, there is still a marked lack of information in many places of the country. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of these haemoparasites in symptomatic dogs and in their ticks in Iasi, eastern Romania. Ninety owned dogs were subjected to clinical examination at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Iasi and all detectable ticks (58 ticks from 15 dogs) were collected. Additionally, 124 ticks collected from the coat of other dogs (no. = 23) were included. Three Babesia species were found in dogs: Babesia canis (94.4%), Babesia vogeli (3.3%), and Babesia rossi (2.2%). All the dogs resulted negative for H. canis. The ticks were identified as follows: Ixodes ricinus (64%), Dermacentor reticulatus (33%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (3%). B. canis (Minimum Infection Rate; MIR = 81%), B. vogeli (MIR = 3%), and Babesia microti-like piroplasm (MIR = 1%) were found in ticks. Moreover, 15 ticks were positive for H. canis, 6 were co-infected with B. canis, and 1 with B. microti-like piroplasm. This is the first molecular identification of B. rossi in two symptomatic dogs from Romania, although further studies are needed to investigate the vector competence of other ticks from Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (L.R.); (M.P.M.)
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (G.M.); Tel.: +39-3661381556 (L.C.); +40-757872575 (G.M.)
| | - Gabriela Martinescu
- Parasitology Service, Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS), Mihail Sadoveau Alley, 3, 700489 Iasi, Romania; (L.D.M.); (C.R.); (D.A.)
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (G.M.); Tel.: +39-3661381556 (L.C.); +40-757872575 (G.M.)
| | - Liviu Dan Miron
- Parasitology Service, Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS), Mihail Sadoveau Alley, 3, 700489 Iasi, Romania; (L.D.M.); (C.R.); (D.A.)
| | - Constantin Roman
- Parasitology Service, Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS), Mihail Sadoveau Alley, 3, 700489 Iasi, Romania; (L.D.M.); (C.R.); (D.A.)
| | - Dumitru Acatrinei
- Parasitology Service, Clinics Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS), Mihail Sadoveau Alley, 3, 700489 Iasi, Romania; (L.D.M.); (C.R.); (D.A.)
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (L.R.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (L.R.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Via Delpino, 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (L.R.); (M.P.M.)
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Zaki AA, Attia MM, Ismael E, Mahdy OA. Prevalence, genetic, and biochemical evaluation of immune response of police dogs infected with Babesia vogeli. Vet World 2021; 14:903-912. [PMID: 34083939 PMCID: PMC8167514 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.903-912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Babesia species are tick-borne protozoan parasites of apicomplexan type which infect the erythrocytes of dogs it ranges from subclinical to severe cases, depending on different factors such as immune status, age, and presence of other co-infections with the Babesia species. Hence, this study aimed to identify the protozoan parasites infecting police dogs of different breeds, ages, and both sexes in Egypt. Concerning molecular detection of Babesia vogeli using conventional polymerase chain reaction sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, followed by the assessment of immunological and biochemical status of infected dogs. Materials and Methods: The blood of 242 police K9 dogs was collected. The age, breed, sex, and health status with clinical signs of dogs were recorded. Hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress analyses of the blood were performed together with gene expression analysis using two genes (gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]). The identification of the causative agent was performed using molecular analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). The 18S rRNA region of canine Babesia spp. was successfully amplified, and sequencing data were deposited in GenBank (accession number: MT565474.1), which resembled those of B. vogeli. Results: The results of blood samples screening revealed that of the 242 blood samples, 62 were positive for B. vogeli infection. The infection rate in male dogs was higher than that in female dogs. The police dogs were classified into the following three groups of dogs: (1st group) healthy, (2nd infected with B. vogeli, and mixed infection of B. vogeli and Ehrlichia canis). The oxidative stress biomarkers levels in B. vogeli infected dogs were greater than that of healthy dogs. Likewise, IFN-γ and TNF-α level in B. vogeli infected dogs were elevated in infected dogs. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that B. vogeli had completely adverse effects on the health condition of the police dogs that may lead to death in some dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Adel Zaki
- Veterinary Health Care Unit at k9-Departmeant of Police Academy, First settlement at Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa Mohamed Attia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211 Giza, Egypt
| | - Elshaimaa Ismael
- Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Olfat Anter Mahdy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211 Giza, Egypt
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Khanmohammadi M, Zolfaghari-Emameh R, Arshadi M, Razmjou E, Karimi P. Molecular Identification and Genotyping of Babesia canis in Dogs from Meshkin Shahr County, Northwestern Iran. J Arthropod Borne Dis 2021; 15:97-107. [PMID: 34277859 PMCID: PMC8271237 DOI: 10.18502/jad.v15i1.6489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Canine babesiosis is one of the mainly worldwide-distributed tick-borne haemoprotozoan parasitic diseases in dogs. Methods A total of 43 blood samples were randomly collected from naturally infected dogs in seven villages from different geographical areas of Meshkin Shahr, Ardabil Province, Iran. The presence of Babesia species detected with standard methods including parasitological and gene sequencing techniques targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Results Our results revealed that four dogs 9.3% (4/43) including one female and three male dogs were infected with Babesia. All four Babesia-infected dogs were confirmed B. canis by the molecular-based method. Sequence alignments comparison of the B. canis genotypes A and B, it was revealed that all B. canis isolates belonged to genotype B. Conclusion This study provides essential data for subsequently define the critical importance of the molecular studies in management and prevention of the canine babesiosis in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Khanmohammadi
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Marand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marand, Iran
| | - Reza Zolfaghari-Emameh
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, Division of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Arshadi
- Al-Zahra Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Razmjou
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Poorya Karimi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Epidemiological Study of Canine Babesiosis and Hepatozoonosis in the South of Romania. Acta Parasitol 2020; 65:669-678. [PMID: 32300950 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-020-00199-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of canine babesiosis and hepatozoonosis in the south of Romania as well as to assess if there are differences in the prevalence between regions in that area. METHODS Blood samples from 300 dogs from the south of Romania were screened for the presence of piroplasmids by PCR. Positive samples were further tested for the presence of Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon canis. Pearson's chi-square with Yates correction was used to determine if there is statistical difference between infected populations. RESULTS Fifty-four percent (163/300) of the dogs were positive for Hepatozoon spp. or piroplasmids. Forty-eight percent (143/300) were infected with H. canis and 9.6% (29/300) were positive to B. canis. Three percent (9/300) of the dogs were co-infected with Babesia spp. and H. canis. The prevalence of H. canis in the south-west of Romania was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of three other regions while the prevalence of Babesia spp. infection in the south-east of the country was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to its south-west. CONCLUSIONS A high rate of H. canis infection was found in the stray dog population surveyed with the highest infection rate detected in south-western Romania. Babesia canis was found to pose the highest threat in south-eastern Romania, whereas B. vogeli infection was focused in the same region of high H. canis infection in south-western Romania. These infections should be of important concern to veterinarians and dog owners in Romania.
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Kuo CY, Zhao C, Cheng T, Tsou CC, Li YC, Zhang Y, Hsieh MC, Haung SB, Chen WY. Rapid identification of Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni (Asian genotype) in canine blood samples using a customized portable real-time PCR analyzer and TaqMan-based assay. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101362. [PMID: 31883909 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is a serious infectious disease in subtropical and tropical regions. Typically, clinical detection of canine babesiosis is performed by blood smear observation or the traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Herein, we developed a new TaqMan-based real-time PCR assay combined with a customized portable real-time PCR platform for a rapid and accurate detection of canine babesiosis. Two new primer/probe pairs (B18S and BITS1) were designed based on 18S ribosomal RNA and an internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequence to differentiate Babesia canis and B. gibsoni (Asian genotype) DNAs from canine blood samples. Additionally, a corresponding customized compact real-time PCR platform with low 6-carboxyfluorescein fluorescence detection (≤5 nM), including a fast and accurate thermal cycling ability with a user-friendly interface for thermal control and data analysis, was designed for the limited space use. Both assays (B18S and BITS1) demonstrated a sensitivity of 100 copies/reaction based on the 95 % confidence interval evaluation method. The self-developed customized portable real-time PCR analyzer presented high repeatability and reproducibility with the TaqMan-based assay. Moreover, 501 clinical specimens were collected for evaluating the performance of the proposed PCR. The positive and negative predictive values were 90 % (18 of 20) and 100 % (226 of 226), respectively, for samples suspected with B. canis infection and 98 % (55 of 56) and 100 % (199 of 199), respectively, for samples suspected with B. gibsoni infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yen Kuo
- PreciGen Laboratories Business Department, Delta Electronics, Inc., Taiwan
| | - Chihyu Zhao
- PreciGen Laboratories Business Department, Delta Electronics, Inc., Taiwan
| | - TsunLi Cheng
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | | | - Yi-Chen Li
- Delta Research Center, Delta Electronics, Inc., Taiwan
| | - Yong Zhang
- Delta Research Center, Delta Electronics, Inc., Singapore
| | - Ming-Che Hsieh
- PreciGen Laboratories Business Department, Delta Electronics, Inc., Taiwan
| | - Song-Bin Haung
- PreciGen Laboratories Business Department, Delta Electronics, Inc., Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Ying Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan.
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Leica L, Mitrea IL, Ionita M. Clinical Occurrence of Canine Babesiosis in the Coastal Area of the Black Sea (Dobrogea) in Southeastern Romania and Associated Epidemiological Implications. J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/18-137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laurenţiu Leica
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases and Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 105 Splaiul Independentei, 050097, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioan Liviu Mitrea
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases and Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 105 Splaiul Independentei, 050097, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mariana Ionita
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases and Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 105 Splaiul Independentei, 050097, Bucharest, Romania
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Kovačević Filipović MM, Beletić AD, Ilić Božović AV, Milanović Z, Tyrrell P, Buch J, Breitschwerdt EB, Birkenheuer AJ, Chandrashekar R. Molecular and Serological Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. platys, Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeenses, E. ewingii, Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia canis, B. gibsoni and B. vogeli among Clinically Healthy Outdoor Dogs in Serbia. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2018; 14:117-122. [PMID: 31014716 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Data concerning combined molecular and serological prevalence of emerging canine tick-borne pathogens in Serbia are lacking. A large population of outdoor living dogs in Belgrade, Serbia's' capital, present an excellent population for epidemiology study. Blood samples were collected from 111 dogs, including 46 shelter, 31 free roaming, and 34 hunting dogs. Species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook Maine, USA) was applied for the molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. platys, Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, B. gibsoni and B. vogeli. A research based SNAP assay (SNAP® M-A, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook Maine, USA) that uses genus and species-specific peptides was used to asses Anaplasma spp., A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, Ehrlichia spp., E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii and Borrelia burgdorferi antibody status. B. canis, B. gibsoni and B. vogeli antibody status was assessed with an indirect immunofluorescence test (MegaCor Diagnostic, Horbranz, Austria). Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. DNA was not amplified. One quarter of the dogs were A. phagocytophilum, one dog was A. platys, one was E. ewingii and two dogs were B. burgdorferi seroreactive with the SNAP® M-A. Babesia canis or B. gibsoni DNA was amplified by PCR from 16.2% of dogs, whereas 67.6% were seroreactive to one or more Babesia spp. Babesia vogeli was not PCR amplified. We conclude that outdoor dogs in this territory are reservoirs for B. canis and B. gibsoni and are frequently co-exposed to combinations of Anaplasma and Babesia spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica M Kovačević Filipović
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, Belgrade 11000, Serbia.
| | - Anđelo D Beletić
- Center for Medical Biochemistry, Clinical Center of Serbia, Pasterova 2, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Anja V Ilić Božović
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Zorana Milanović
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | | | | | | | - Adam J Birkenheuer
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Ionita M, Nicorescu IM, Pfister K, Mitrea IL. Parasitological and molecular diagnostic of a clinical Babesia caballi outbreak in Southern Romania. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2333-2339. [PMID: 29766270 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5899-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by Babesia caballi and/or Theileria equi, which is endemic in many tropical and temperate areas of the world. However, clinical outbreaks of EP in Romania during the last decades have not been reported Therefore, the aim of this paper is (i) to describe a clinical B. caballi outbreak in horses on several farms in Southern Romania using a diagnostic and therapeutic approach and (ii) the molecular diagnostic of EP in an endemic area of Romania. In the first case, a 10-month-old stallion male was presented with lethargy, anorexia, fever (40.9 °C), pale mucosal/mucous/membranes and a marked anemia. In the subsequent weeks, three horses from other farms located in the same area, displayed similar clinical signs. B. caballi was diagnosed in all the horses based on Giemsa-stained blood smears and the diagnosis was further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using a single-round and multiplex PCR and sequencing. All four horses were treated with imidocarb dipropionate, at a dose rate of 2.2 mg/kg body weight (two injections at 48 h apart), and all horses clinically recovered within 24-48 h, post-treatment. This report presents the first molecularly characterized B. caballi outbreak in Romania in clinically affected horses, confirmed by DNA sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Ionita
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Disease & Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Spl. Independentei 105, sector 5, 050097, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Isabela Madalina Nicorescu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Disease & Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Spl. Independentei 105, sector 5, 050097, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Kurt Pfister
- Parasite Consulting GmbH, CH-3006, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ioan Liviu Mitrea
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Disease & Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Spl. Independentei 105, sector 5, 050097, Bucharest, Romania.
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Wang J, Zhang J, Kelly P, Zheng X, Li M, You J, Huang K, Qiu H, Wang Y, Zhang R, Li J, Dong J, Feng Y, Zhou J, Wang C. First description of the pathogenicity of Babesia vogeli in experimentally infected dogs. Vet Parasitol 2018; 253:1-7. [PMID: 29604992 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease that occurs worldwide with the most recognized Babesia species that infect dogs being Babesia canis, B. vogeli, B. rossi and B. gibsoni. While B. vogeli is reported in dogs worldwide, clinical and laboratory data on infections is based on reports of naturally infected dogs. To provide reliable data on the clinical and laboratory abnormalities associated with acute and more chronic infections in healthy dogs free of other tick-borne diseases, we experimentally infected dogs with a Chinese strain of B. vogeli. All of the six infected Beagles, three of which were splenectomized, became infected with B. vogeli detected in blood smears taken the day following infection and the organism detected by FRET-qPCRs in most blood samples (77/86; 90%) collected about every 4 days until the end of the experiment on day 95. All the infected dogs showed fever, partial anorexia and malaise that was more severe in the splenectomized dogs that did not gain weight for three weeks in the period after initial infection. Regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia and decreased white blood cell counts were seen in all dogs but were more severe in the splenectomized dogs, of which two had life threatening infections and had to be removed from the study for treatment. Following re-infection on day 66, none of the dogs showed clinical signs and copy numbers did not change significantly although all the dogs were negative by FRET-qPCR on at least some of the subsequent sampling days. Laboratory values in the non-splenectomized dogs were relatively unchanged while in the splenectomized dog there was a temporary small increase in the platelet and white blood cell counts and a temporary slight worsening of the anemia. In summary, our study shows dogs experimentally infected with a B. vogeli strain from China develop only mild clinical signs that are followed by asymptomatic infections that can last for least 95 days. In splenectomized dogs, however, severe life threatening signs may develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Wang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jilei Zhang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Patrick Kelly
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Xiaofeng Zheng
- Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Min Li
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jinfeng You
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Ke Huang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Haixiang Qiu
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Yaoyao Wang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jianji Li
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Junsheng Dong
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Yi Feng
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Chengming Wang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
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13
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A new PCR assay for the detection and differentiation of Babesia canis and Babesia vogeli. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:862-865. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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14
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Andersson MO, Tolf C, Tamba P, Stefanache M, Radbea G, Rubel F, Waldenström J, Dobler G, Chițimia-Dobler L. Babesia, Theileria, and Hepatozoon species in ticks infesting animal hosts in Romania. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:2291-2297. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5537-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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15
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Mitková B, Hrazdilová K, D'Amico G, Duscher GG, Suchentrunk F, Forejtek P, Gherman CM, Matei IA, Ionică AM, Daskalaki AA, Mihalca AD, Votýpka J, Hulva P, Modrý D. Eurasian golden jackal as host of canine vector-borne protists. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:183. [PMID: 28410591 PMCID: PMC5391582 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2110-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Jackals are medium-sized canids from the wolf-like clade, exhibiting a unique combination of ancestral morphotypes, broad trophic niches, and close phylogenetic relationships with the wolf and dog. Thus, they represent a potential host of several pathogens with diverse transmission routes. Recently, populations of the Eurasian golden jackal Canis aureus have expanded into the Western Palaearctic, including most of Europe. The aim of our study was to examine Eurasian golden jackals from Romania, Czech Republic and Austria for a wide spectrum of vector-borne protists and to evaluate the role of this species as a reservoir of disease for domestic dogs and/or humans. Results Diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA amplifications revealed 70% of jackals to be positive for Hepatozoon, 12.5% positive for piroplasms, and one individual positive for Leishmania infantum. Phylogenetic analyses of partial 18S rDNA sequences invariably placed sequenced isolates of Hepatozoon into the H. canis clade. For piroplasms, both the 18S and cox1 sequences obtained confirmed the presence of Babesia canis and “Theileria annae” in 5 and 2 individuals, respectively, providing the first records of these two piroplasmids in Eurasian golden jackals. A single animal from Dolj County (Romania) was PCR-positive for L. infantum, as confirmed also by sequencing of ITS1-5.8S. Conclusions Apparently, expanding populations of jackals can play a significant role in spreading and maintaining new Babesia canis foci in Central Europe. The role of jackals in the epidemiology of “Theileria annae” and H. canis is probably similar to that of red foxes and should be taken into account in further research on these parasites. Also the presence of L. infantum deserves attention. Our study confirms that once established, the populations of Eurasian golden jackals constitute natural reservoirs for many canine vector-borne diseases, analogous to the role of the coyotes in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Mitková
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic. .,CEITEC-VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- CEITEC-VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Gianluca D'Amico
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Georg Gerhard Duscher
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz Suchentrunk
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pavel Forejtek
- Animal Protection, Welfare and Behaviour, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Game Ecology, Šumavská 416/15, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Călin Mircea Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Adriana Matei
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Aikaterini Alexandra Daskalaki
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic.,Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hulva
- Department of Zoology, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Ostrava, Dvořákova 7, 701 03, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC-VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tr. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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16
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Beck A, Huber D, Polkinghorne A, Kurilj AG, Benko V, Mrljak V, Reljić S, Kusak J, Reil I, Beck R. The prevalence and impact of Babesia canis and Theileria sp. in free-ranging grey wolf (Canis lupus) populations in Croatia. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:168. [PMID: 28376903 PMCID: PMC5379697 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2106-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. are important emerging causes of disease in dogs. Alongside these domesticated hosts, there is increasing recognition that these piroplasms can also be found in a range of wild animals with isolated reports describing the presence of these pathogen in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and captive grey wolves (Canis lupus). The prevalence and impact of these infections in free-ranging populations of canids are unknown. To gain a better insight into the epidemiology and pathogenesis of piroplasm infections in free-ranging grey wolves, pathological and molecular investigations into captive and free-ranging grey wolves in Croatia were performed. RESULTS The carcasses of 107 free-ranging wolves and one captive wolf were the subjects of post-mortem investigations and sampling for molecular studies. A blood sample from one live captured wolf for telemetric tracking was also used for molecular analysis. PCR amplification targeting the 18S RNA gene revealed that 21 of 108 free-ranging wolves and one captive animal were positive for Theileria/Babesia DNA. Subsequent sequencing of a fragment of the 18S RNA gene revealed that 7/22 animals were positive for Babesia canis while the other amplified sequence were found to be identical with corresponding 18S rDNA sequences of Theileria capreoli isolated from wild deer (15/22). Haematological and cytological analysis revealed the presence of signet-ring shaped or pear-shaped piroplasms in several animals with the overall parasite burden in all positive animals assessed to be very low. Pathological investigation of the captive animal revealed fatal septicemia as a likely outcome of hemolytic anaemia. There was little or no evidence of hemolytic disease consistent with babesiosis in other animals. CONCLUSION Importantly, the presence of B. canis in free-ranging grey wolves has not been described before but has been reported in a single fox and domestic dogs only. That B. canis infections cause disease in dogs but have little impact on wolf health possibly suggests that the wolf is the natural and the domestic dog is a secondary host. Surprisingly, the frequent finding of Theileria capreoli in wolves suggests that this Theileria species is not restricted to ungulates (cervids) but commonly infects also this carnivore species. Nevertheless, the potential role that these asymptomatically infected animals may play in the dispersal of these pathogens to susceptible sympatric species such as domesticated dogs requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Beck
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Vjekoslava Heinzela 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Doroteja Huber
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Vjekoslava Heinzela 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, 4556 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Andrea Gudan Kurilj
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Vjekoslava Heinzela 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Valerija Benko
- Internal Diseases Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Vjekoslava Heinzela 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Mrljak
- Internal Diseases Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Vjekoslava Heinzela 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Slaven Reljić
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Vjekoslava Heinzela 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josip Kusak
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Vjekoslava Heinzela 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Irena Reil
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Relja Beck
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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17
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Andersson MO, Tolf C, Tamba P, Stefanache M, Waldenström J, Dobler G, Chițimia-Dobler L. Canine tick-borne diseases in pet dogs from Romania. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:155. [PMID: 28335825 PMCID: PMC5364683 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2092-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne diseases are of substantial concern worldwide for animals as well as humans. Dogs have been a human companion for millennia, and their significant impact on human life renders disease in dogs to be of great concern. Tick-borne diseases in dogs represent a substantial diagnostic challenge for veterinarians in that clinical signs are often diffuse and overlapping. In addition, co-infections with two or more pathogens enhance this problem further. Molecular methods are useful to disentangle co-infections and to accurately describe prevalence and geographical distribution of tick-borne diseases. At this point, this information is lacking in many areas worldwide. Romania is one such area, where prevalence and distribution of several important pathogens need to be further investigated. To address this, we screened blood samples from 96 sick dogs with molecular methods for eight different pathogens including Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis", Mycoplasma spp., and Borrelia spp. RESULTS As many as 45% (43/96) of the dogs in the study were infected with protozoan parasites. Babesia canis was the most frequent of these (28 infected dogs), whereas Hepatozoon canis was detected in 15% (14/96) and Babesia gibsoni was found in a single sample. Bacterial infection with Mycoplasma spp. occurred in 18% (17/96) of the sampled dogs. Obtained bacterial sequences revealed the occurrence of two species: Mycoplasma canis and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum". In several cases co-infection with protozoan parasites and Mycoplasma sp. were detected. All dogs were negative for Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., "Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis", and for Borrelia spp. CONCLUSIONS The results from the present study reinforce the notion that Babesia canis is an important pathogen in the Romanian dog population. However, more surprisingly, another protozoan species, H. canis, seems to be infecting dogs to a larger extent than previously recognized in Romania. Well-known tick-borne bacterial disease agents such as Anaplasma spp. and Borrelia spp. were not detected. In contrast, less well-studied bacteria such as hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. were detected frequently. Moreover, co-infection might aggravate disease and complicate diagnosis and should be further studied in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin O Andersson
- Center for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS), Linnaeus University, SE-391 82, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Conny Tolf
- Center for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS), Linnaeus University, SE-391 82, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Paula Tamba
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Jonas Waldenström
- Center for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS), Linnaeus University, SE-391 82, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D-80937, Munich, Germany.
| | - Lidia Chițimia-Dobler
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Bucharest, Romania.,Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D-80937, Munich, Germany
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18
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Łyp P, Bartnicki M, Staniec M, Winiarczyk S, Adaszek Ł. Occurrence of different strains of Babesia canis in dogs in eastern Poland. J Vet Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1515/jvetres-2016-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to carry out a genetic analysis of Babesia canis isolates detected in dogs in eastern Poland and to study the correlation of the protozoa variant with a specific geographical region. Material and Methods: PCR was used to identify strains of B. canis from naturally infected animals (240 dogs from four provinces: Mazowieckie, Lublin, Podlasie, and Podkarpacie) by amplifying and sequencing a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Results: Sequencing the PCR products led to the identification of four variants of B. canis. Two previously described protozoa variants (18S rRNA-A and 18S rRNA-B) were observed in all provinces. Additionally, in the Mazowieckie and Lublin provinces a B. canis variant which contributed to the development of acute or atypical babesiosis was observed. The fourth variant of B. canis was detected only in dogs from the Lublin province, and the course of the disease was subclinical in all dogs infected with this variant. Conclusion: These results indicate the appearance of a new fourth B. canis genotype in Poland and confirm that it is still necessary to study the relationships between the genetic structure of protozoa, geographical distribution of the parasites, and clinical course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Łyp
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Lublin, 20-612, Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Bartnicki
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Lublin, 20-612, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marta Staniec
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Lublin, 20-612, Lublin, Poland
| | - Stanisław Winiarczyk
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Lublin, 20-612, Lublin, Poland
| | - Łukasz Adaszek
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Lublin, 20-612, Lublin, Poland
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19
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Detection and molecular identification of Hepatozoon canis and Babesia vogeli from domestic dogs in Palestine. Parasitology 2016; 144:613-621. [PMID: 27938422 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016002201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Dogs serve as hosts for a great number of parasites, which may affect their health and wellbeing. This study aimed to observe tick borne pathogens in dogs from Palestine including Hepatozoon canis and Babesia species. The prevalence of both H. canis and Babesia species infections in apparently healthy dogs, from ten districts of the West Bank was surveyed. DNA was extracted from blood samples obtained from dogs (n = 362) and ticks (n = 213) collected from dogs (n = 77). A primer set that amplifies a partial sequence of the Babesia and Hepatozoon 18S rRNA gene was used for PCR and the DNA sequences of the PCR products of all samples were determined. Twenty-nine (8·0%) of the dogs were found infected including 20 with H. canis (5·5%), seven with Babesia vogeli (1·9%) and two with undefined Babesia spp. (0·6%). Twelve Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l ticks were pathogen-positive, including ten with H. canis (4·7%), one with B. vogeli (0·5%), and one with Hepatozoon felis (0·5%). The results indicated that a wide range of tick borne pathogens is circulating in the canine population in the surveyed region. This study is the first report on the prevalence of H. canis, B. vogeli and Babesia spp. in dogs in Palestine and its results will assist in the management of diseases associated with these blood parasites.
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20
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Solano-Gallego L, Sainz Á, Roura X, Estrada-Peña A, Miró G. A review of canine babesiosis: the European perspective. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:336. [PMID: 27289223 PMCID: PMC4902949 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1596-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is a significant tick-borne disease caused by various species of the protozoan genus Babesia. Although it occurs worldwide, data relating to European infections have now been collected for many years. These data have boosted the publication record and increased our working knowledge of these protozoan parasites. Both the large and small forms of Babesia species (B. canis, B. vogeli, B. gibsoni, and B. microti-like isolates also referred to as "B. vulpes" and "Theileria annae") infect dogs in Europe, and their geographical distribution, transmission, clinical signs, treatment, and prognosis vary widely for each species. The goal of this review is to provide veterinary practitioners with practical guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of babesiosis in European dogs. Our hope is that these guidelines will answer the most frequently asked questions posed by veterinary practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Solano-Gallego
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Ángel Sainz
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Clinic Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Roura
- Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Clinic Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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21
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Ciucă L, Genchi M, Kramer L, Mangia C, Miron LD, Prete LD, Maurelli MP, Cringoli G, Rinaldi L. Heat treatment of serum samples from stray dogs naturally exposed to Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in Romania. Vet Parasitol 2016; 225:81-5. [PMID: 27369579 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Revised: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Pre-heating of serum samples has been shown to reverse false negative antigen tests for Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs. Here the authors report the results of serum sampling in a population of dogs naturally exposed to D. immitis and Dirofilaria repens infection by testing in ELISA before and after heat treatment. Of 194 dogs sampled from four cities in Romania, D. immitis circulating antigens were found in 16 (8.2%) non heated samples and in 52 (26.8%) heated samples. Of the 108 dogs examined by Knott test, 24 dogs (22.2%) were positive for circulating mf. Subsequent PCR identification showed six dogs had D. immitis mf only, 12 dogs, had only D. repens mf, and 5 were positive for both. Fifty% of dogs with circulating D. immitis mf had positive antigen tests before and after heating, while the other 50% reverted to positive only after heat treatment. Sixty% of dogs with mixed D. immitis/D. repens infection were antigen positive before and after heating, while the other 40% converted to positive after heating. Antigen testing for D. immitis in the 12 dogs with only D. repens mf gave conflicting results. Only two dogs (16%) were antigen negative both before and after heat treatment. Six dogs (50%) became antigen positive after heating and four dogs (30%) were antigen positive both before and after heat treatment. Results would suggest that: false negative result for antigen testing can be reverted by heating of the serum sample; dogs infected with D. repens may have also an occult infection with D. immitis; heat treatment of serum from D. repens-infected dogs can reveal an occult infection with D. immitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ciucă
- Ion Ionescu de la Brad, University of AgriculturalSciences and Veterinary Medicine Iasi, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, M. Sadoveanu Alley No. 8, 700489, Iasi, Romania
| | - M Genchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio 10, 43121, Parma, Italy
| | - L Kramer
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio 10, 43121, Parma, Italy.
| | - C Mangia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio 10, 43121, Parma, Italy
| | - L D Miron
- Ion Ionescu de la Brad, University of AgriculturalSciences and Veterinary Medicine Iasi, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, M. Sadoveanu Alley No. 8, 700489, Iasi, Romania
| | - L Del Prete
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy
| | - M P Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy
| | - G Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy
| | - L Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy
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Tiškina V, Capligina V, Must K, Berzina I, Ranka R, Jokelainen P. Fatal Babesia canis canis infection in a splenectomized Estonian dog. Acta Vet Scand 2016; 58:7. [PMID: 26810086 PMCID: PMC4727263 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-016-0189-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A previously splenectomized dog from Estonia was presented with a sudden lack of appetite and discoloration of the urine. Despite supportive therapy, its condition deteriorated dramatically during 1 day. Severe thrombocytopenia and high numbers of protozoan hemoparasites were evident in blood smears, and the hematocrit dropped from 46 to 33 %. The dog was euthanized before specific antibabesial treatment was initiated. Blood samples from the dog and from two other dogs in the same household tested positive for Babesia using molecular methods, and the sequences of partial 18S rRNA gene confirmed the causative species as Babesia canis canis. The risk of severe, rapidly progressing babesiosis in splenectomized dogs merits awareness.
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Ionita M, Silaghi C, Mitrea IL, Edouard S, Parola P, Pfister K. Molecular detection of Rickettsia conorii and other zoonotic spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks, Romania. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 7:150-153. [PMID: 26507182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The diverse tick fauna as well as the abundance of tick populations in Romania represent potential risks for both human and animal health. Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are recognized as important agents of emerging human tick-borne diseases worldwide. However, the epidemiology of rickettsial diseases has been poorly investigated in Romania. In urban habitats, companion animals which are frequently exposed to tick infestation, play a role in maintenance of tick populations and as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in ticks infesting dogs in a greater urban area in South-eastern Romania. Adult ixodid ticks (n=205), including Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (n=120), Dermacentor reticulatus (n=76) and Ixodes ricinus (n=9) were collected from naturally infested dogs and were screened for SFG rickettsiae using conventional PCR followed by sequencing. Additionally, ticks were screened for DNA of Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma platys. Four zoonotic SFG rickettsiae were identified: Rickettsia raoultii (16%) and Rickettsia slovaca (3%) in D. reticulatus, Rickettsia monacensis (11%) in I. ricinus, and Rickettsia conorii (0.8%) in Rh. sanguineus s.l. Moreover, pathogens of veterinary importance, such as B. canis (21%) in D. reticulatus and E. canis (7.5%) in Rh. sanguineus s.l. were identified. The findings expand the knowledge on distribution of SFG rickettsiae as well as canine pathogens in Romania. Additionally, this is the first report describing the molecular detection of R. conorii in ticks from Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Ionita
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Spl. Independentei 105, 050097 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
| | - Ioan Liviu Mitrea
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Spl. Independentei 105, 050097 Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Sophie Edouard
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Transmissibles et Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod Borne Bacterial Diseases, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Transmissibles et Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod Borne Bacterial Diseases, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Kurt Pfister
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
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Gabrielli S, Otašević S, Ignjatović A, Savić S, Fraulo M, Arsić-Arsenijević V, Momčilović S, Cancrini G. Canine Babesioses in Noninvestigated Areas of Serbia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015; 15:535-8. [PMID: 26348245 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During the years 2012-2014, a total of 158 outdoor dogs from Pančevo and Đurđevo (northern Serbia) and Niš and Prokuplje (southern Serbia) were submitted to molecular analyses (PCR and sequencing) for canine babesioses. An overall prevalence of 21.5% was found, due to the species Babesia sp. 'spanish dog' (10.1%), B. gibsoni (5.7%), B. canis vogeli (1.9%), B. caballi (1.9%), and B. microti (1.9%). In addition, sequence analysis showed the presence of Hepatozoon canis in a dog from Niš. No significant difference between infected and noninfected dogs was found by age, sex, and place of residence, whereas there was difference regarding the presence of ticks (p<0.005) and application of preventive measures such as applying of antitick drugs/devices. Moreover, a significant difference was established by area: Dogs from Prokuplje showed infection rates (59.1%) higher than dogs from Pančevo (11.9%), Niš (4.5), and Đurđevo (where infected dogs were not found), and a different geographical distribution of the species was found. The presence of so many Babesia species and the first identification of H. canis will allow investigations on the pathogenic role played by each one and suggests entomological studies on the tick species that are more suitable vectors for each of them. Finally, the presence of so many infected dogs offers the opportunity of evaluating the hypothesis of a possible zoonotic role of babesial species affecting dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Gabrielli
- 1 Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome , Rome, Italy
| | - Suzana Otašević
- 2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš , Serbia, Niš, Serbia .,3 Center of Microbiology and Parasitology, Public Health Institute Niš , Serbia, Niš, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Ignjatović
- 3 Center of Microbiology and Parasitology, Public Health Institute Niš , Serbia, Niš, Serbia .,4 Department of Medical Statistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš , Serbia, Niš, Serbia
| | - Sara Savić
- 5 Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad , Serbia, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Maurizio Fraulo
- 1 Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome , Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stefan Momčilović
- 2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš , Serbia, Niš, Serbia
| | - Gabriella Cancrini
- 1 Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome , Rome, Italy
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Canine babesiosis in northwestern India: molecular detection and assessment of risk factors. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:741785. [PMID: 25013798 PMCID: PMC4075080 DOI: 10.1155/2014/741785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the current study, a total of 214 blood samples from dogs in and around Ludhiana, Punjab (India), suspected for canine babesiosis were examined with conventional and molecular assays. Examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral thin blood smears revealed an overall prevalence of 7.47% (16/214) for canine babesiosis encompassing 0.93% (2/214) of large Babesia and 6.54% (14/214) of Babesia gibsoni. However, molecular diagnosis revealed 15.42% (33/214) samples positive for B. gibsoni infection as evident by the presence of 671 bp amplicon. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the prevalence of B. gibsoni was associated with various risk factors, namely, age (P < 0.001; OR: 0.398; CI 95%: 0.080–1.799), sex (P = 0.022; OR: 0.849; CI 95%: 0.403–1.791), breed of host (P = 0.371; OR: 3.345; CI 95%: 1.045–10.710), and season (P = 0.230; OR: 2.143; CI 95%: 0.788–5.830). The prevalence of B. gibsoni was higher in summer as compared to winter season and in younger dogs, while breed and sex of the host were not significantly associated with the occurrence of the disease.
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Dumitrache MO, Kiss B, Dantas-Torres F, Latrofa MS, D'Amico G, Sándor AD, Mihalca AD. Seasonal dynamics of Rhipicephalus rossicus attacking domestic dogs from the steppic region of southeastern Romania. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:97. [PMID: 24612483 PMCID: PMC3975290 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is one of the most interesting regions in Europe from an epidemiological point of view due to its great biodiversity, local climatic conditions and various types of habitats. Moreover, there is no data regarding the ectoparasite communities of dogs from this area. In this frame, the aims of our study were to establish the tick communities parasitizing dogs and to provide new data regarding seasonal dynamics of a neglected tick species, Rhipicephalus rossicus. Methods A survey was carried out in order to gather information regarding tick species attaching to domestic dogs from a steppic region of southeastern Romania and to establish their seasonal dynamics. The research was conducted from 1 December 2012 to 30 November 2013, on 8 dogs from Iazurile, a locality from the west-central part of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. In total, 384 examinations were made, each dog being checked for tick infestation 4 times per month, for one year. Results The 893 ticks found belonged to six species: R. rossicus (95.6%), Dermacentor reticulatus (3.2%), Ixodes ricinus (0.5%), Hyalomma marginatum (0.3%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) (0.2%) and Ixodes crenulatus (0.1%). From the 91 positive examinations, R. rossicus was found in 80 (87.9%). Single species infestation occurred in 84 examinations. In 7 out of 91 positive examinations mixed infestation were found. No ticks were found in December, January and September. Conclusions For R. rossicus, high frequency and intensity were observed in May, June and July. The activity peaks for D. reticulatus were in spring and autumn. Our results highlight that within the range of R. sanguineus s.l., the most common dog tick worldwide, selected dog populations may be predominantly infested by closely related species, like in our case, R. rossicus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
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Imre M, Farkas R, Ilie MS, Imre K, Dărăbuş G. Survey of babesiosis in symptomatic dogs from Romania: occurrence of Babesia gibsoni associated with breed. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2013; 4:500-2. [PMID: 23994336 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Revised: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Blood samples from 49 symptomatic dogs from 5 western and north-western counties of Romania were screened using microscopic examination, polymerase-chain-reaction-restriction-fragment-length-polymorphism procedure (PCR-RFLP), and sequence analysis. Results of the microscopic evaluation of stained blood smears revealed 45 positive samples with the presence of large and small intraerythrocytic piroplasms in 35 and 10 samples, respectively. Babesia canis (35/49, 71.4%) and Babesia gibsoni (14/49, 28.6%) were identified and differentiated by PCR-RFLP targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Results of the sequence analysis of all B. gibsoni and 17 randomly selected B. canis PCR products confirmed the PCR-RFLP-diagnosed species. The distribution of B. gibsoni infection was positively associated (p<0.001) with fighting dog breeds including infection in 12 American Pit Bull Terriers and one American Staffordshire Terrier. This report is the first to present molecular evidence of the occurrence of B. gibsoni in Romania confirmed by sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirela Imre
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Timişoara, Calea Aradului No. 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania
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Schaarschmidt D, Gilli U, Gottstein B, Marreros N, Kuhnert P, Daeppen JA, Rosenberg G, Hirt D, Frey CF. Questing Dermacentor reticulatus harbouring Babesia canis DNA associated with outbreaks of canine babesiosis in the Swiss Midlands. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2013; 4:334-40. [PMID: 23571114 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2013.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Revised: 01/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In 2011 and 2012, outbreaks of clinical canine babesiosis were observed in 2 areas of the Swiss Midlands that had no history of this disease so far. In one area, cases of canine babesiosis occurred over 2 consecutive tick seasons. The outbreaks involved 29 dogs, 4 of which died. All dogs were infected with large Babesia sp. as diagnosed in Giemsa-stained blood smears and/or PCR. These were identified as B. canis (formerly known as B. canis canis) by subsequent partial sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia sp. Interestingly, the sequence indicated either a genotype with heterogeneity in the ssrRNA gene copies or double infection with different B. canis isolates. None of the dogs had a recent travel history, but one had frequently travelled to Hungary and had suffered twice from clinical babesiosis 18 and 24 months prior to the outbreak in autumn 2011. Retrospective sequencing of a stored blood DNA sample of this dog revealed B. canis, with an identical sequence to the Babesia involved in the outbreaks. For the first time in Switzerland, the partial 18S rRNA gene of B. canis could be amplified from DNA isolated from 19 out of 23 adult Dermacentor reticulatus ticks flagged in the same area. The sequence was identical to that found in the dogs. Furthermore, one affected dog carried a female D. reticulatus tick harbouring B. canis DNA. Our findings illustrate that, under favourable biogeographic and climatic conditions, the life-cycle of B. canis can relatively rapidly establish itself in previously non-endemic areas. Canine babesiosis should therefore always be a differential diagnosis when dogs with typical clinical signs are presented, regardless of known endemic areas.
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