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Abduch NG, Reolon HG, Ligori VA, Silva RMDO, Veríssimo CJ, Paz CCP, Stafuzza NB. Resistance to natural tick infestation varies with age and coat and hair traits in a tropically adapted beef cattle breed. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 50:101017. [PMID: 38644040 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus causes considerable livestock production losses. Knowledge of the traits that influence tick resistance contributes to the development of breeding strategies designed to improve herd productivity. Within this context, this study evaluated the resistance of Caracu, a tropically adapted cattle breed, to R. microplus. Tick count, hair length, coat thickness, and coat color were evaluated in 202 naturally tick-infested females (cows and heifers) over a period of 18 months. Blood samples were collected from all animals during the winter season for hematological analysis. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations, generalized linear models, and principal component analysis. Correlation coefficients of tick count with coat color, coat thickness, and hair length were estimated within each season. Hematological parameters were only included in the winter season analysis and were analyzed by the restricted maximum likelihood method using log-transformed data. No differences in blood parameters were observed between animals with and without ticks. However, tick count was negatively correlated with erythrocytes (-0.29) and hematocrit (-0.24) and positively correlated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin (0.21) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (0.25). These findings suggest that higher tick counts lead to a decrease in erythrocytes but also to an increase in the amount of hemoglobin per erythrocyte, which could reduce the damage caused by low erythrocyte levels due to tick hematophagy, delaying or preventing anemia. Although tick infestation on pasture was demonstrated by the infestation of all staff members during herd management, none of the animals exhibited high tick counts, providing evidence of resistance of Caracu animals to R. microplus. Tick infestation was influenced by age class (cows > heifers), season (spring and summer > fall and winter), coat thickness (>1.5 mm > <1.5 mm), and hair length (>6 mm > <6 mm). Three components were extracted by principal component analysis, which accounted for 69.46% of data variance. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of efficient strategies aimed at reducing economic losses due to tick infestation and could be applied in animal breeding to select for tick resistance traits, reducing chemical control strategies and consequently improving sustainable livestock production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalya Gardezani Abduch
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, SP 140349-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Viviane Andrade Ligori
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Animal Science Institute (IZ), Sertaozinho, SP 14160-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Cecília José Veríssimo
- Sao Paulo Agency of Agribusiness and Technology, Animal Science Institute (IZ), Nova Odessa, SP 13380-011, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Cristina Paro Paz
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, SP 140349-900, Brazil; Sustainable Livestock Research Center, Animal Science Institute, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP 15130-000, Brazil
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Raza A, Schulz BL, Nouwens A, Naseem MN, Kamran M, Mantilla Valdivieso EF, Kerr ED, Constantinoiu C, Jonsson NN, James P, Tabor AE. Application of quantitative proteomics to discover biomarkers for tick resistance in cattle. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1091066. [PMID: 36793724 PMCID: PMC9924087 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1091066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Breeding for tick resistance is a sustainable alternative to control cattle ticks due to widespread resistance to acaricidal drugs and the lack of a protective vaccine. The most accurate method used to characterise the phenotype for tick resistance in field studies is the standard tick count, but this is labour-intensive and can be hazardous to the operator. Efficient genetic selection requires reliable phenotyping or biomarker(s) for accurately identifying tick-resistant cattle. Although breed-specific genes associated with tick resistance have been identified, the mechanisms behind tick resistance have not yet been fully characterised. Methods This study applied quantitative proteomics to examine the differential abundance of serum and skin proteins using samples from naïve tick-resistant and -susceptible Brangus cattle at two-time points following tick exposure. The proteins were digested into peptides, followed by identification and quantification using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion mass spectrometry. Results Resistant naïve cattle had a suite of proteins associated with immune response, blood coagulation and wound healing that were significantly (adjusted P < 10- 5) more abundant compared with susceptible naïve cattle. These proteins included complement factors (C3, C4, C4a), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), beta-2-glycoprotein-1, keratins (KRT1 & KRT3) and fibrinogens (alpha & beta). The mass spectrometry findings were validated by identifying differences in the relative abundance of selected serum proteins with ELISA. The proteins showing a significantly different abundance in resistant cattle following early and prolonged tick exposures (compared to resistant naïve) were associated with immune response, blood coagulation, homeostasis, and wound healing. In contrast, susceptible cattle developed some of these responses only after prolonged tick exposure. Discussion Resistant cattle were able to transmigrate immune-response related proteins towards the tick bite sites, which may prevent tick feeding. Significantly differentially abundant proteins identified in this research in resistant naïve cattle may provide a rapid and efficient protective response to tick infestation. Physical barrier (skin integrity and wound healing) mechanisms and systemic immune responses were key contributors to resistance. Immune response-related proteins such as C4, C4a, AGP and CGN1 (naïve samples), CD14, GC and AGP (post-infestation) should be further investigated as potential biomarkers for tick resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Raza
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Schulz
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Amanda Nouwens
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Muhammad Noman Naseem
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Muhammad Kamran
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Emily F Mantilla Valdivieso
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Edward D Kerr
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Constantin Constantinoiu
- College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicholas N Jonsson
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Peter James
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Ala E Tabor
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
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Mantilla Valdivieso EF, Ross EM, Raza A, Naseem MN, Kamran M, Hayes BJ, Jonsson NN, James P, Tabor AE. Transcriptional changes in the peripheral blood leukocytes from Brangus cattle before and after tick challenge with Rhipicephalus australis. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:454. [PMID: 35725367 PMCID: PMC9208207 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08686-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Disease emergence and production loss caused by cattle tick infestations have focused attention on genetic selection strategies to breed beef cattle with increased tick resistance. However, the mechanisms behind host responses to tick infestation have not been fully characterised. Hence, this study examined gene expression profiles of peripheral blood leukocytes from tick-naive Brangus steers (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) at 0, 3, and 12 weeks following artificial tick challenge experiments with Rhipicephalus australis larvae. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of tick infestation on host leukocyte response to explore genes associated with the expression of high and low host resistance to ticks. Results Animals with high (HR, n = 5) and low (LR, n = 5) host resistance were identified after repeated tick challenge. A total of 3644 unique differentially expressed genes (FDR < 0.05) were identified in the comparison of tick-exposed (both HR and LR) and tick-naive steers for the 3-week and 12-week infestation period. Enrichment analyses showed genes were involved in leukocyte chemotaxis, coagulation, and inflammatory response. The IL-17 signalling, and cytokine-cytokine interactions pathways appeared to be relevant in protection and immunopathology to tick challenge. Comparison of HR and LR phenotypes at timepoints of weeks 0, 3, and 12 showed there were 69, 8, and 4 differentially expressed genes, respectively. Most of these genes were related to immune, tissue remodelling, and angiogenesis functions, suggesting this is relevant in the development of resistance or susceptibility to tick challenge. Conclusions This study showed the effect of tick infestation on Brangus cattle with variable phenotypes of host resistance to R. australis ticks. Steers responded to infestation by expressing leukocyte genes related to chemotaxis, cytokine secretion, and inflammatory response. The altered expression of genes from the bovine MHC complex in highly resistant animals at pre- and post- infestation stages also supports the relevance of this genomic region for disease resilience. Overall, this study offers a resource of leukocyte gene expression data on matched tick-naive and tick-infested steers relevant for the improvement of tick resistance in composite cattle. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08686-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F Mantilla Valdivieso
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth M Ross
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Ali Raza
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Muhammad Noman Naseem
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Muhammad Kamran
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Ben J Hayes
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Nicholas N Jonsson
- University of Glasgow, Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Peter James
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Ala E Tabor
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia. .,The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
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Genome variation in tick infestation and cryptic divergence in Tunisian indigenous sheep. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:167. [PMID: 35227193 PMCID: PMC8883713 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08321-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites considered second to mosquitos as vectors and reservoirs of multiple pathogens of global concern. Individual variation in tick infestation has been reported in indigenous sheep, but its genetic control remains unknown. Results Here, we report 397 genome-wide signatures of selection overlapping 991 genes from the analysis, using ROH, LR-GWAS, XP-EHH, and FST, of 600 K SNP genotype data from 165 Tunisian sheep showing high and low levels of tick infestations and piroplasm infections. We consider 45 signatures that are detected by consensus results of at least two methods as high-confidence selection regions. These spanned 104 genes which included immune system function genes, solute carriers and chemokine receptor. One region spanned STX5, that has been associated with tick resistance in cattle, implicating it as a prime candidate in sheep. We also observed RAB6B and TF in a high confidence candidate region that has been associated with growth traits suggesting natural selection is enhancing growth and developmental stability under tick challenge. The analysis also revealed fine-scale genome structure indicative of cryptic divergence in Tunisian sheep. Conclusions Our findings provide a genomic reference that can enhance the understanding of the genetic architecture of tick resistance and cryptic divergence in indigenous African sheep. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08321-1.
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Turner N, Abeysinghe P, Peiris H, Vaswani K, Sadowski P, Cameron N, McGhee N, Logan J, Mitchell MD. Proteomic profiling of plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles: a novel tool for understanding the systemic effects of tick burden in cattle. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:6511758. [PMID: 35045163 PMCID: PMC8867580 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle ticks pose a significant threat to the health and profitability of cattle herds globally. The investigation of factors leading to natural tick resistance in cattle is directed toward targeted breeding strategies that may combat cattle tick infestation on the genetic level. Exosomes (EXs), small extracellular vesicles (EVs) of 50 to 150 nm diameter, are released from all cell types into biofluids such as blood plasma and milk, have been successfully used in diagnostic and prognostic studies in humans, and can provide essential information regarding the overall health state of animals. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a highly sensitive proteomics application that can be used to identify proteins in a complex mixture and is particularly useful for biomarker development. In this proof of principle study, EXs were isolated from the blood plasma of cattle (Bos taurus) with high (HTR) and low tick resistance (LTR) (n = 3/group). Cattle were classified as HTR or LTR using a tick scoring system, and EXs isolated from the cattle blood plasma using an established protocol. EXs were subjected to MS analysis in data-dependent acquisition mode and protein search performed using Protein Pilot against the B. taurus proteome. A total of 490 unique proteins were identified across all samples. Of these, proteins present in all replicates from each group were selected for further analysis (HTR = 121; LTR = 130). Gene ontology analysis was performed using PANTHER GO online software tool. Proteins unique to HTR and LTR cattle were divided by protein class, of which 50% were associated with immunity/defense in the HTR group, whereas this protein class was not detected in EXs from LTR cattle. Similarly, unique proteins in HTR cattle were associated with B-cell activation, immunoglobins, immune response, and cellular iron ion homeostasis. In LTR cattle, unique exosomal proteins were associated with actin filament binding, purine nucleotide binding, plasma membrane protein complex, and carbohydrate derivative binding. This is the first study to demonstrate that MS analysis of EXs derived from the blood plasma of HTR and LTR cattle can be successfully applied to profile the systemic effects of tick burden. Cattle ticks are a significant burden to cattle industries globally. Current methods to treat cattle ticks are costly and inefficient in the long term. It has been noted that while some cattle may exhibit a natural resistance to ticks, others carry a heavy tick burden. The study of small extracellular vesicles, or exosomes (EXs), isolated from cattle blood plasma provides a noninvasive way of analyzing changes at the cellular level and may be of use in understanding the systemic effects of tick burden or factors leading to natural resistance. The aim of this study was to assess high (HTR) and low tick resistance (LTR) cattle identified using a tick burden scoring system by analyzing the protein content of circulating EXs via qualitative proteomics analysis. We found that a class of proteins related to defense/immunity comprised 50% of proteins unique to HTR cattle, while this protein class was not detected in proteins unique to LTR cattle. Additionally, epidermal growth factor–calcium-binding protein domains were 2-fold increased in LTR cattle compared with HTR cattle, indicating a possible mechanism for widespread metabolic change. This is the first study to employ proteomic analysis of exosomal cargo as an approach to understanding the systemic effects of tick burden in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Turner
- Centre for Children's Health Research (CCHR), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pevindu Abeysinghe
- Centre for Children's Health Research (CCHR), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hassendrini Peiris
- Centre for Children's Health Research (CCHR), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kanchan Vaswani
- Centre for Children's Health Research (CCHR), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pawel Sadowski
- Central Analytical Research Facility (CARF), QUT Gardens Point, Brisbane City, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Jayden Logan
- Centre for Children's Health Research (CCHR), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Murray D Mitchell
- Centre for Children's Health Research (CCHR), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Abeysinghe P, Turner N, Peiris H, Vaswani K, Cameron N, McGhee N, Logan J, Mitchell MD. Differentially Expressed Extracellular Vesicle, Exosome and Non-Exosome miRNA Profile in High and Low Tick-Resistant Beef Cattle. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:780424. [PMID: 34976862 PMCID: PMC8718928 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.780424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Heavy tick burden on beef cattle account for huge economic losses globally, with an estimated value of US$22-30 billion per annum. In Australia, ticks cost the northern beef industry approximately A$170-200 million. Methods to evaluate and predict tick resistance would therefore be of great value to the global cattle trade. Exosomes (EX) are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) of ~30-150nm diameter and have gained popularity for their diagnostic and prognostic potential. EX contain, among other biomolecules, various types of RNA including micro-RNA (miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). MiRNA specifically have been validated as therapeutic biomarkers as they perform regulatory functions at the post-transcriptional level and are differentially expressed between divergent groups. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the miRNA profiles of EV and fractionated exosomal samples of high and low tick-resistant beef cattle to highlight potential miRNA biomarkers of tick resistance. Cows (n = 3/group) were classified into high or low tick resistant groups according to a novel scoring system. EVs and EX were isolated and fractionated from the blood plasma of high and low tick resistant cattle using established isolation and enrichment protocols. The resultant EX and non-EX samples were processed for next generation miRNA sequencing. Offspring of the cows in each high and low tick resistant group underwent the same processing for blood plasma EX, non-EX and miRNA analysis to evaluate the heritability of miRNA associated with tick resistance. A total of 2631 miRNAs were identified in EX and non-EX fractionated samples from high and low tick-resistant beef cattle. MiR-449a was highly expressed in maternal high tick-resistant EX samples. Of these, 174 were novel miRNAs, and 10 were differentially expressed (DE) (FDR < 0.05). These 10 DE miRNAs were also present in EVs, and three miRNAs were highly expressed: miR-2419-3p, miR-7861-3p and miR-2372-5p. Although 196 novel miRNAs were identified in fractionated samples of offspring, no miRNA were differentially expressed in these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pevindu Abeysinghe
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Natalie Turner
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hassendrini Peiris
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kanchan Vaswani
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nick Cameron
- Nindooinbah Pastoral Company, Nindooinbah, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Jayden Logan
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Murray D. Mitchell
- Centre for Children’s Health Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, The Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Obregón Alvarez D, Corona-González B, Rodríguez-Mallón A, Rodríguez Gonzalez I, Alfonso P, Noda Ramos AA, Díaz-Sánchez AA, González Navarrete M, Rodríguez Fernández R, Méndez Mellor L, Catanese HN, Peláez M, Alemán Gainza Y, Marrero-Perera R, Roblejo-Arias L, Lobo-Rivero E, Silva CB, Fonseca AH, Roque López E, Cabezas-Cruz A. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Cuba, Half a Century of Scientific Research. Pathogens 2020; 9:E616. [PMID: 32731487 PMCID: PMC7459505 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks and the vast array of pathogens they transmit, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and helminths, constitute a growing burden for human and animal health worldwide. In Cuba, the major tropical island in the Caribbean, ticks are an important cause of vector-borne diseases affecting livestock production, pet animal health and, to a lesser extent, human health. The higher number of tick species in the country belong to the Argasidae family and, probably less known, is the presence of an autochthonous tick species in the island, Ixodes capromydis. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) affecting animal and human health in Cuba. The review covers research results including ecophysiology of ticks, the epidemiology of TBPs, and the diagnostic tools used currently in the country for the surveillance of TBPs. We also introduce the programs implemented in the country for tick control and the biotechnology research applied to the development of anti-tick vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasiel Obregón Alvarez
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of Sao Paulo, Piracicaba, SP 13400-970, Brazil
| | - Belkis Corona-González
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque 32700, Cuba; (B.C.-G.); (P.A.); (R.M.-P.); (L.R.-A.); (E.L.-R.)
| | - Alina Rodríguez-Mallón
- Animal Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Avenue 31 between 158 and 190, P.O. Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba;
| | - Islay Rodríguez Gonzalez
- Department of Mycology-Bacteriology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Apartado Postal 601, Marianao 13, Havana 17100, Cuba; (I.R.G.); (A.A.N.R.)
| | - Pastor Alfonso
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque 32700, Cuba; (B.C.-G.); (P.A.); (R.M.-P.); (L.R.-A.); (E.L.-R.)
| | - Angel A. Noda Ramos
- Department of Mycology-Bacteriology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Apartado Postal 601, Marianao 13, Havana 17100, Cuba; (I.R.G.); (A.A.N.R.)
| | - Adrian A. Díaz-Sánchez
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada;
| | - Maylin González Navarrete
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Agrarian University of Havana, Carretera Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Km 23½, Mayabeque 32700, Cuba; (M.G.N.); (E.R.L.)
| | - Rafmary Rodríguez Fernández
- National Laboratory of Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, Autopista San Antonio de los Baños, Km 1½, San Antonio de los Baños, Artemisa 38100, Cuba; (R.R.F.); (L.M.M.)
| | - Luis Méndez Mellor
- National Laboratory of Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, Autopista San Antonio de los Baños, Km 1½, San Antonio de los Baños, Artemisa 38100, Cuba; (R.R.F.); (L.M.M.)
| | - Helen N. Catanese
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State, University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA;
| | - Manuel Peláez
- Direction of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ave. Boyeros y Conill, Plaza, Havana 10600, Cuba;
| | - Yousmel Alemán Gainza
- Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Campus Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal, São Paulo 14884-900, Brazil;
| | - Roxana Marrero-Perera
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque 32700, Cuba; (B.C.-G.); (P.A.); (R.M.-P.); (L.R.-A.); (E.L.-R.)
| | - Lisset Roblejo-Arias
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque 32700, Cuba; (B.C.-G.); (P.A.); (R.M.-P.); (L.R.-A.); (E.L.-R.)
| | - Evelyn Lobo-Rivero
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque 32700, Cuba; (B.C.-G.); (P.A.); (R.M.-P.); (L.R.-A.); (E.L.-R.)
| | - Claudia B. Silva
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), BR 465, Km 7, Seropedica, RJ 23890000, Brazil;
| | - Adivaldo H. Fonseca
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), BR 465, Km 7, Seropedica, RJ 23890000, Brazil;
| | - Eugenio Roque López
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Agrarian University of Havana, Carretera Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Km 23½, Mayabeque 32700, Cuba; (M.G.N.); (E.R.L.)
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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