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Smit A, Mulandane F, Labuschagne M, Wójick SH, Malabwa C, Sili G, Mandara S, Dlamkile Z, Ackermann R, Rose Vineer H, Stoltsz WH, Huber K, Horak IG, Morar-Leather D, Makepeace BL, Neves L. Intra- and interspecific variation of Amblyomma ticks from southern Africa. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:364. [PMID: 39198812 PMCID: PMC11351087 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06394-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amblyomma spp. ticks, known for their long mouthparts, bright ornate appearance and aggressive hunting behaviour, are vectors of a number of important pathogens. In southern Africa, 17 Amblyomma spp. are currently documented. Of these species, Amblyomma hebraeum and Amblyomma variegatum have been well studied due to their wide geographical range and their status as competent vectors of pathogens that are of veterinary and medical importance. Studies on other Amblyomma spp. in southern Africa have been neglected, fostering ongoing debates on the validity of certain species such as Amblyomma pomposum. This study investigated the inter- and intra-species variation of Amblyomma ticks collected in southern Africa, focusing on resolving the dispute about A. pomposum and A. variegatum being distinct species. METHODS Four Amblyomma tick species were collected from Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and were identified morphologically as Amblyomma eburneum (208), A. hebraeum (4758), A. pomposum (191) and A. variegatum (2577) using identification keys. Gene amplification targeting the 12S and 16S rRNA, cytochrome oxidase I, cytochrome B and internal transcribed spacer-2 genes was conducted for 204 ticks, for which varying success was achieved during amplification for each of the markers. Maximum likelihood analyses were performed in IQ-TREE. RESULTS The phylogenetic topologies and ABGD analyses of each individual gene clustered A. pomposum within the A. variegatum clade, while clearly separating A. eburneum and A. hebraeum from all other species. None of the genetic markers indicated intraspecific structuring on the basis of geographical origin, despite great distances between sampling sites. CONCLUSION Our study concludes that there is insufficient molecular evidence to differentiate A. pomposum and A. variegatum from each other. We highlight the need for whole mitochondrial genome sequencing of these two species to resolve the ongoing controversies. Furthermore, we propose mating and hybrid viability studies between the two species to confirm their reproductive isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andeliza Smit
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa.
| | | | - Martinet Labuschagne
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa
| | - Stephané Heike Wójick
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa
| | | | - Gourgelia Sili
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, Huambo, Angola
| | - Stephen Mandara
- Department of Animal Production Sciences, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Marondera, Zimbabwe
| | - Zinathi Dlamkile
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa
| | - Rebecca Ackermann
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa
| | - Hannah Rose Vineer
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Wilhelm Heinrich Stoltsz
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa
| | - Karine Huber
- ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
| | - Ivan Gerard Horak
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa
| | - Darshana Morar-Leather
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa
| | - Benjamin Lawrence Makepeace
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Luis Neves
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa
- Biotechnology Center, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
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Zhong Z, Wang K, Wang J. Tick symbiosis. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 62:101163. [PMID: 38244689 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
As obligate blood-feeders, ticks serve as vectors for a variety of pathogens that pose threats on both human and livestock health. The microbiota that ticks harbor play important roles in influencing tick nutrition, development, reproduction, and vector. These microbes also affect the capacity of ticks to transmit pathogens (vector competence). Therefore, comprehending the functions of tick microbiota will help in developing novel and effective tick control strategies. Here, we summarize the effects of main tick symbiotic bacteria on tick physiology and vector competency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwei Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
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Onyiche TE, MacLeod ET. Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats in Africa: A review. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102232. [PMID: 37531888 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are leading vectors of economically important pathogens that affect small ruminants due to favourable climatic conditions across different regions of the African continent. They are responsible for both direct and indirect economic losses in the livestock industry. This review focuses on the species diversity of hard ticks, their biology, tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats including non-infectious disease, and risk factors to tick infestation in Africa. Furthermore, our review provides recent updates on distribution of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of small ruminants in Africa. It was observed that several species and subspecies of hard ticks belonging to the genera Hyalomma (Hy), Rhipicephalus (Rh), Ixodes (I) and Amblyomma (Am) were found infesting small ruminants across the different regions of the continent. Of these genera, Rhipicephalus ticks accounts for the majority of the registered species, with exactly 27 different species infesting small ruminant stocks comprising of different developmental instars and adults of the tick. Rhipicephalus decolaratus, Rh. e. evertsi and Rh. appendiculatus were the three most common Rhipicephalus species reported. Both protozoal (Babesia and Theileria) and bacterial (Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Coxiella and Mycoplasma) pathogens have being reported to be amplified in several hard tick species and/or small ruminant hosts. Furthermore, tick paralysis and lameness were non-infectious conditions attributed to tick infestations. Amblyomma hebraeum and Rh. glabroscutatum may cause lameness in goats, while Hy. rufipes is responsible for the same condition in Merino sheep. Host paralysis due to a neurotoxin released by female Rh. e. evertsi and I. rubicundus has been documented within the continent. We therefore advocate for the need of integrated control measures against tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including their arthropod vectors, to be performed simultaneously to ease the burden of vector-borne diseases in small ruminant production.
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Affiliation(s)
- ThankGod E Onyiche
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria; Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa.
| | - Ewan Thomas MacLeod
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
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Zygner W, Gójska-Zygner O, Bartosik J, Górski P, Karabowicz J, Kotomski G, Norbury LJ. Canine Babesiosis Caused by Large Babesia Species: Global Prevalence and Risk Factors-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2612. [PMID: 37627403 PMCID: PMC10451873 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is a disease caused by protozoan pathogens belonging to the genus Babesia. Four species of large Babesia cause canine babesiosis (B. canis, B. rossi, B. vogeli, and the informally named B. coco). Although canine babesiosis has a worldwide distribution, different species occur in specific regions: B. rossi in sub-Saharan Africa, B. canis in Europe and Asia, and B. coco in the Eastern Atlantic United States, while B. vogeli occurs in Africa, southern parts of Europe and Asia, northern Australia, southern regions of North America, and in South America. B. vogeli is the most prevalent large Babesia species globally. This results from its wide range of monotropic vector species, the mild or subclinical nature of infections, and likely the longest evolutionary association with dogs. The most important risk factors for infection by large Babesia spp. include living in rural areas, kennels or animal shelters, or regions endemic for the infection, the season of the year (which is associated with increased tick activity), infestation with ticks, and lack of treatment with acaricides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Zygner
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Olga Gójska-Zygner
- Labros Veterinary Clinic, Św. Bonifacego 92, 02-940 Warsaw, Poland; (O.G.-Z.); (G.K.)
| | - Justyna Bartosik
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Paweł Górski
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Justyna Karabowicz
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Grzegorz Kotomski
- Labros Veterinary Clinic, Św. Bonifacego 92, 02-940 Warsaw, Poland; (O.G.-Z.); (G.K.)
| | - Luke J. Norbury
- Department of Biosciences and Food Technology, School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia;
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de Oliveira CM, Yang TS, Duarte MA, Marr H, McManus CM, André MR, Birkenheuer AJ, Paludo GR. Canine piroplasmids: Molecular detection and laboratory characterization in dogs from Brasilia, Brazil, with the first molecular evidence of dog exposure to a novel opossum-associated Babesia sp. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102181. [PMID: 37084584 PMCID: PMC10698754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Canine piroplasmid infections can be caused by Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Rangelia vitalii. In Brazil, canine babesiosis caused by Babesia vogeli is endemic and reported throughout the country. On the other hand, Rangeliosis caused by R. vitalii has only been described so far in the South and Southeast regions. Despite that, studies analyzing the laboratory and molecular characterization of these hemoprotozoa are still scarce. To investigate the occurrence, the laboratory features, the molecular characterization, and the diversity of piroplasmids from Midwestern Brazil, a survey was performed using blood samples obtained from 276 domestic dogs from Brasília, Federal District, Midwestern Brazil. A broad-range quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU4) was used to detect piroplasmid DNA. The overall molecular occurrence of piroplasmids was 11.2% (31/276), with 9.7% (27/276) of the sequences identified as Babesia vogeli (98-100% identity to B. vogeli isolate from the USA). Based on a partial 18S rRNA sequence pairwise alignment (-250 bp), 1.4% (4/276) of the sequences showed only 76.8% identity with B. vogeli but 100% identity with opossum-associated Babesia sp. (MW290046-53). These findings suggest the exposure of dogs from Brazil to a recently described Babesia sp. isolated from white-eared opossum. None of the analyzed dogs was positive for Theileria spp. or R. vitalii. Subsequently, all positive sequences were submitted to three additional PCR assays based on the 18S rRNA, cox-1, and cytb genes, aiming at performing a haplotype network analysis. Haplotype network using cox-1 sequences showed the presence of six different haplotypes of B. vogeli; one of them was shared with isolates from Brazil, the USA, and India. When including animals co-infected with other vector-borne diseases, piroplasmid-positive dogs had 2.3 times higher chance of having thrombocytopenia than the negative ones. The molecular results demonstrated that the compared Babesia vogeli sequences showed a low variability as well as evidence of exposure to a putative novel opossum-associated Babesia sp. in dogs from Midwestern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Manoel de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, CEP, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Tzushan Sharon Yang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Matheus Almeida Duarte
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, CEP, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Henry Marr
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Concepta Margaret McManus
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Jaboticabal São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adam Joseph Birkenheuer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Giane Regina Paludo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária (FAV/UnB), Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Centro - Asa Norte, CEP, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil.
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Epidemiological Survey on Tick-Borne Pathogens with Zoonotic Potential in Dog Populations of Southern Ethiopia. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8020102. [PMID: 36828518 PMCID: PMC9962431 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8020102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Dogs are known to host several tick-borne pathogens with zoonotic potential; however, scant information is available on the epidemiology of these pathogens in low-income tropical countries and in particular in sub-Saharan Africa. With the aim of investigating a wide range of tick-borne pathogens (i.e., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Erhlichia spp., Borrelia spp., Hepatozoon spp. and Babesia spp.), 273 blood samples were collected from dogs in selected districts of Ethiopia and analyzed by real-time and/or end-point PCR. The results of the study showed that Hepatozoon canis was the most prevalent pathogen (53.8%), followed by Anaplasma phagocythophilum (7.0%), Babesia canis rossi (3.3%), Ehrlichia canis (2.6%) and Anaplasma platys (2.2%). Furthermore, five samples tested positive for Borrelia spp., identified as Borrelia afzelii (n = 3) and Borrelia burgdorferi (n = 2), and two samples for Rickettsia spp., identified as Rickettsia conorii (n = 1) and Rickettsia monacensis (n = 1). The finding of Anaplasma phagocythophilum and different species of the genera Borrelia and Rickettsia with zoonotic potential was unexpected and alarming, and calls for further investigation on the roles of dogs and on the tick, species acting as vector in this specific context. Other pathogens (Hepatozoon canis, Babaesia canis rossi, Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis) are already known to have an important impact on the dogs' health but have minor zoonotic potential as they were rarely or never reported in humans. Dogs from rural areas were found to be at higher risk for different pathogens, probably due to the presence of other wild canids in the same environment. The findings of the present study contribute to a better knowledge of the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens, which is relevant to human and animal health.
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Tawana M, Onyiche TE, Ramatla T, Mtshali S, Thekisoe O. Epidemiology of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Domestic Ruminants across Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region from 1980 until 2021: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080929. [PMID: 36015049 PMCID: PMC9414594 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that are capable of infesting a wide range of mammals, including domestic animals, ruminants, wildlife, and humans across the world, and they transmit disease-causing pathogens. Numerous individual epidemiological studies have been conducted on the distribution and prevalence of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in the Southern African Developing Community (SADC) region, but no effort has been undertaken to synchronize findings, which would be helpful in the implementation of consolidated tick control measures. With the aim of generating consolidated pooled prevalence estimates of ticks and TBDs in the SADC region, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published articles using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A deep search was performed on five electronic databases, namely, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, AJOL, and Springer Link. Of the 347 articles identified, only 61 of the articles were eligible for inclusion. In total, 18,355 tick specimens were collected, belonging to the genera Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus (including Boophilus) across several countries, including South Africa (n = 8), Tanzania (n = 3), Zambia (n = 2), Zimbabwe (n = 2), Madagascar (n = 2), Angola (n = 2), Mozambique (n = 1), and Comoros (n = 1). The overall pooled prevalence estimate (PPE) of TBPs in livestock was 52.2%, with the highest PPE in cattle [51.2%], followed by sheep [45.4%], and goats [29.9%]. For bacteria-like and rickettsial TBPs, Anaplasma marginale had the highest PPE of 45.9%, followed by A. centrale [14.7%], A. phagocytophilum [2.52%], and A. bovis [0.88%], whilst Ehrlichia ruminantium had a PPE of 4.2%. For piroplasmids, Babesia bigemina and B. bovis had PPEs of 20.8% and 20.3%, respectively. Theileria velifera had the highest PPE of 43.0%, followed by T. mutans [29.1%], T. parva [25.0%], and other Theileria spp. [14.06%]. Findings from this study suggest the need for a consolidated scientific approach in the investigation of ticks, TBPs, and TBDs in the whole SADC region, as most of the TBDs are transboundary and require a regional control strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mpho Tawana
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - ThankGod E. Onyiche
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri 600230, Nigeria
| | - Tsepo Ramatla
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-18-299-2521
| | - Sibusiso Mtshali
- Foundational Research and Services, South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Zoological Gardens, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa
| | - Oriel Thekisoe
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
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Palomar AM, Molina I, Bocanegra C, Portillo A, Salvador F, Moreno M, Oteo JA. Old zoonotic agents and novel variants of tick-borne microorganisms from Benguela (Angola), July 2017. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:140. [PMID: 35449022 PMCID: PMC9022410 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05238-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks and tick-borne diseases constitute a real threat for the livestock industry, which is increasing in Angola. In addition, ticks are vectors of zoonoses of public health concern, and scarce information is available from this country. In an effort to contribute to the prevention of zoonotic infectious diseases affecting humans and animals, the molecular screening of certain tick-related microorganisms collected on cattle in Angola was performed under a ‘One Health’ scope. Methods Ticks collected from cattle in Cubal (Benguela Province, Angola) in July 2017 were analysed in pools using specific PCR assays for bacteria (Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia, Coxiella and Spiroplasma) and protozoa (Theileria and Babesia) detection. Results A total of 124 tick specimens were grouped in 25 pools (two Amblyomma variegatum, three Hyalomma truncatum, 16 Rhipicephalus decoloratus, two Rhipicephalus duttoni, one Rhipicephalus evertsi mimeticus and one Rhipicephalus sp.). The amplified microorganisms were (pools): Rickettsia africae (two A. variegatum and one R. decoloratus), Rickettsia aeschlimannii (three H. truncatum), Ehrlichia spp. (six R. decoloratus), Coxiella spp. (all but H. truncatum), Francisella sp. (one H. truncatum), Spiroplasma sp. closely related to Spiroplasma ixodetis (three R. decoloratus), Babesia bigemina (two R. decoloratus) and Babesia spp. (two A. variegatum). The obtained nucleotide sequences from Ehrlichia spp., two Coxiella genotypes (from R. duttoni and Rhipicephalus sp.), Francisella sp. and Babesia spp. (from A. variegatum) reached low identities with known genetically characterized species. Conclusions This study demonstrates the circulation in Angola of the pathogen R. aeschlimannii and potential novel tick-related microorganisms belonging to Ehrlichia, Coxiella, Francisella, Spiroplasma and Babesia spp. and corroborates the presence of R. africae and B. bigemina. Our results should be considered in developing protocols for the management of fever of unknown origin and for veterinary practices. Further studies are required to evaluate the risk of tick-borne diseases in Angola. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05238-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Palomar
- Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases (CRETAV), San Pedro University Hospital-Center of Biomedical Research From La Rioja (CIBIR), Piqueras, 98, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Israel Molina
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Bocanegra
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Portillo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases (CRETAV), San Pedro University Hospital-Center of Biomedical Research From La Rioja (CIBIR), Piqueras, 98, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Fernando Salvador
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - José A Oteo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases (CRETAV), San Pedro University Hospital-Center of Biomedical Research From La Rioja (CIBIR), Piqueras, 98, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain.
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Ganzinelli S, Byaruhanga C, Primo ME, Lukanji Z, Sibeko K, Matjila T, Neves L, Benitez D, Enkhbaatar B, Nugraha AB, Igarashi I, Florin-Christensen M, Schnittger L. International interlaboratory validation of a nested PCR for molecular detection of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina causative agents of bovine babesiosis. Vet Parasitol 2022; 304:109686. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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The basis of molecular diagnostics for piroplasmids: Do the sequences lie? Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101907. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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