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Jost J, Hirzmann J, Ďureje Ľ, Maaz D, Martin P, Stach T, Heitlinger E, Jarquín-Díaz VH. Dentition patterns and molecular diversity of Mastophorus muris (Gmelin, 1790) (Nematoda: Spiruroidea) support a host-associated subdivision. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:237. [PMID: 38856825 PMCID: PMC11164724 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08259-1] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Mastophorus muris (Gmelin, 1790) is a globally distributed parasitic nematode of broad range mammals. The taxonomy within the genus Mastophorus and the cryptic diversity among the genus are controversial among taxonomists. This study provides a detailed morphological description of M. muris from Mus musculus combined with a molecular phylogenetic approach. Moreover, descriptions and molecular data of M. muris from non-Mus rodents and wildcats complement our findings and together provide new insights into their taxonomy. The analysis of M. muris was based on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The morphological description focused on the dentition pattern of the two trilobed pseudolabia. Additionally, we described the position of the vulva, arrangement of caudal pairs of papillae, spicules and measured specimens from both sexes and the eggs. For the molecular phylogenetic approach, we amplified the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer, and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. Mastophorus morphotypes based on dentition patterns and phylogenetic clustering indicate a subdivision of the genus in agreement with their host. We recognize two groups without a change to formal taxonomy: One group including those specimens infecting Mus musculus, and the second group including organisms infecting non-Mus rodents. Our genetic and morphological data shed light into the cryptic diversity within the genus Mastopohorus. We identified two host-associated groups of M. muris. The described morphotypes and genotypes of M. muris allow a consistent distinction between host-associated parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Jost
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
- Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Molecular Parasite-Host Interactions, Leibniz-Institut for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Im Forschungsverbund Berlin E.V., Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Hirzmann
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Ľudovít Ďureje
- Research Facility Studenec, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Denny Maaz
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie University Berlin (FU), Robert-Von-Ostertag-Straße 7, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peer Martin
- Comparative Electron Microscopy, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Stach
- Comparative Electron Microscopy, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emanuel Heitlinger
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
- Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Molecular Parasite-Host Interactions, Leibniz-Institut for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Im Forschungsverbund Berlin E.V., Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Víctor Hugo Jarquín-Díaz
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany.
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation between the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany.
- Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Molecular Parasite-Host Interactions, Leibniz-Institut for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) Im Forschungsverbund Berlin E.V., Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany.
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Olajide JS, Qu Z, Yang S, Yang B, Xu X, Wang J, Cai J. Quantitative proteomic analysis of local and systemic extracellular vesicles during Eimeria falciformis infectious cycle in the host. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:339. [PMID: 37759313 PMCID: PMC10523797 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05906-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous structures that are formed during pathophysiology, host-parasite interactions and parasite motility. Typically, apicomplexan-infected host cells secrete EVs which traverse local and systemic strata of the host as the parasites develop. METHODS Extracellular vesicles were isolated from the caecum and serum of Eimeria falciformis-infected mice during oocyst ingestion (0 h post-infection [0 hpi]), merozont stages 1 and 2 (68 and 116 hpi), oocyst shedding (7 days post-infection [7 dpi]) and host recovery (10 dpi) and subsequently characterized and profiled by tandem mass tag (TMT). RESULTS With the progression of E. falciformis life stages, subpopulation of EVs bearing EV biomarkers, including CD9, CD82, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, increased. A total of 860 and 1024 differentially expressed proteins were identified in serum EVs (sEVs) and caecum EVs (cEVs), respectively. Identified immune-related molecules (such as cytokines, receptors, immunoglobins, complements, hormones, inflammasomes), ion exchange and cell death-associated proteins were significantly expressed, at least during the E. falciformis first and second merozont stages. Bioinformatics assessment indicated that sEV proteins were at all time points implicated in antigen processing and presentation as well as natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity (68 hpi), complement activation/blood coagulation (116 hpi/10 dpi) and catabolic activities (7 dpi). In contrast, cEV proteins were involved in catabolic process, ion transport and antigen presentation (68 and 116 hpi). Host response to E. falciformis infection was similar to intestinal bacterium at 7 dpi and cell adhesion and intercellular protein transport at 10 dpi. In both systems, ferroptosis and necroptosis were common across the parasite's infectious cycle while apoptosis occurred at 68 hpi. CONCLUSION The proteomic data indicate that E. falciformis infection co-opts cellular and humoral responses through EV secretions, and that, host cell death and ionic imbalance are associated with E. falciformis infection. This study offers additional insight into host-parasite interactions and host regulatory EV proteins as potential disease indicators or diagnostic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Seun Olajide
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
- Centre for Distance Learning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Zigang Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Shunli Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Bin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China
| | - Jianping Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China.
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Ferreira SCM, Jarquín-Díaz VH, Heitlinger E. Amplicon sequencing allows differential quantification of closely related parasite species: an example from rodent Coccidia (Eimeria). Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:204. [PMID: 37330545 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05800-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantifying infection intensity is a common goal in parasitological studies. We have previously shown that the amount of parasite DNA in faecal samples can be a biologically meaningful measure of infection intensity, even if it does not agree well with complementary counts of transmission stages (oocysts in the case of Coccidia). Parasite DNA can be quantified at relatively high throughput using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), but amplification needs a high specificity and does not simultaneously distinguish between parasite species. Counting of amplified sequence variants (ASVs) from high-throughput marker gene sequencing using a relatively universal primer pair has the potential to distinguish between closely related co-infecting taxa and to uncover the community diversity, thus being both more specific and more open-ended. METHODS We here compare qPCR to the sequencing-based amplification using standard PCR and a microfluidics-based PCR to quantify the unicellular parasite Eimeria in experimentally infected mice. We use multiple amplicons to differentially quantify Eimeria spp. in a natural house mouse population. RESULTS We show that sequencing-based quantification has high accuracy. Using a combination of phylogenetic analysis and the co-occurrence network, we distinguish three Eimeria species in naturally infected mice based on multiple marker regions and genes. We investigate geographical and host-related effects on Eimeria spp. community composition and find, as expected, prevalence to be largely explained by sampling locality (farm). Controlling for this effect, the novel approach allowed us to find body condition of mice to be negatively associated with Eimeria spp. abundance. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that amplicon sequencing provides the underused potential for species distinction and simultaneous quantification of parasites in faecal material. The method allowed us to detect a negative effect of Eimeria infection on the body condition of mice in the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana C M Ferreira
- Division of Computational Systems Biology, Center for Microbiology and Ecological Systems Science, University of Vienna, Djerassipl. 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria.
- Institute for Biology. Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Víctor Hugo Jarquín-Díaz
- Institute for Biology. Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz-Institut Für Zoo- Und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin E.V., Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation between the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Emanuel Heitlinger
- Institute for Biology. Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz-Institut Für Zoo- Und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin E.V., Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
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Balard A, Heitlinger E. Shifting focus from resistance to disease tolerance: A review on hybrid house mice. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8889. [PMID: 35571751 PMCID: PMC9077717 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites have been proposed to modulate the fitness of hybridizing hosts in part based on observations in the European house mouse hybrid zone (HMHZ), a tension zone in which hybrids show reduced fitness. We here review evidence (1) for parasite load differences in hybrid versus parental mice and (2) for health and fitness effects of parasites promoting or preventing introgression and hybridization. The question of relative resistance or susceptibility of hybrids to parasites in the HMHZ has long been controversial. Recent field studies found hybrids to be more resistant than mice from parental subspecies against infections with pinworms and protozoans (Eimeria spp.). We argue that the field studies underlying the contradictory impression of hybrid susceptibility have limitations in sample size, statistical analysis and scope, focusing only on macroparasites. We suggest that weighted evidence from field studies indicate hybrid resistance. Health is a fitness component through which resistance can modulate overall fitness. Resistance, however, should not be extrapolated directly to a fitness effect, as the relationship between resistance and health can be modulated by tolerance. In our own recent work, we found that the relationship between health and resistance (tolerance) differs between infections with the related species E. falciformis and E. ferrisi. Health and tolerance need to be assessed directly and the choice of parasite has made this difficult in previous experimental studies of house mice. We discuss how experimental Eimeria spp. infections in hybrid house mice can address resistance, health and tolerance in conjunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Balard
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
- Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Molecular Parasite‐Host InteractionsLeibniz‐Institut for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.BerlinGermany
| | - Emanuel Heitlinger
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
- Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Molecular Parasite‐Host InteractionsLeibniz‐Institut for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.BerlinGermany
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Jarquín-Díaz VH, Balard A, Ferreira SCM, Mittné V, Murata JM, Heitlinger E. DNA-based quantification and counting of transmission stages provides different but complementary parasite load estimates: an example from rodent coccidia (Eimeria). Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:45. [PMID: 35120561 PMCID: PMC8815199 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05119-0] [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: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Counting parasite transmission stages in faeces is the classical measurement to quantify “parasite load”. DNA-based quantifications of parasite intensities from faecal samples are relatively novel and often validated against such counts. When microscopic and molecular quantifications do not correlate, it is unclear whether oocyst counts or DNA-based intensity better reflects biologically meaningful concepts. Here, we investigate this issue using the example of Eimeria ferrisi (Coccidia), an intracellular parasite of house mice (Mus musculus). Methods We performed an infection experiment of house mice with E. ferrisi, in which the intensity of infection correlates with increased health impact on the host, measured as temporary weight loss during infection. We recorded the number of parasite transmissive stages (oocysts) per gram of faeces (OPG) and, as a DNA-based measurement, the number of Eimeria genome copies per gram of faeces for 10 days post-infection (dpi). We assessed weight loss relative to the day of experimental infection as a proxy of host health and evaluated whether DNA or oocyst counts are better predictors of host health. Results Absolute quantification of Eimeria DNA and oocyst counts showed similar but slightly diverging temporal patterns during 10 dpi. We detected Eimeria DNA earlier than the first appearance of oocysts in faeces. Additionally, Eimeria OPGs within each dpi did not explain parasite DNA intensity. Early dpi were characterized by high DNA intensity with low oocyst counts, while late infections showed the opposite pattern. The intensity of Eimeria DNA was consistently a stronger predictor of either maximal weight loss (1 value per animal during the infection course) or weight loss on each day during the experiment when controlling for between-dpi and between-individual variance. Conclusions Eimeria ferrisi oocyst counts correlate weakly with parasite intensity assessed through DNA quantification. DNA is likely partially derived from life-cycle stages other than transmissive oocysts. DNA-based intensities predict health outcomes of infection for the host more robustly than counts of transmissive stages. We conclude that DNA-based quantifications should not necessarily require validation against counts of transmissive stages. Instead, DNA-based load estimates should be evaluated as complementary sources of information with potential specific biological relevance for each host-parasite system. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05119-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Hugo Jarquín-Díaz
- Institute for Biology, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany. .,Leibniz-Institut Für Zoo- Und Wildtierforschung (IZW), im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany. .,Experimental and Clinical Research Center, jointly operated by Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Charité Campus Berlin Buch, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Alice Balard
- Institute for Biology, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut Für Zoo- Und Wildtierforschung (IZW), im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susana Carolina Martins Ferreira
- Institute for Biology, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany.,Division of Computational Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstr. 14, 1090, Wien, Austria
| | - Vivian Mittné
- Institute for Biology, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Mari Murata
- Institute for Biology, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emanuel Heitlinger
- Institute for Biology, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Philippstr. 13, Haus 14, 10115, Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut Für Zoo- Und Wildtierforschung (IZW), im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
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Surface Waters and Urban Brown Rats as Potential Sources of Human-Infective Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Vienna, Austria. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081596. [PMID: 34442675 PMCID: PMC8400309 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081596] [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: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium and Giardia are waterborne protozoa that cause intestinal infections in a wide range of warm-blooded animals. Human infections vary from asymptomatic to life-threatening in immunocompromised people, and can cause growth retardation in children. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and diversity of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in urban surface water and in brown rats trapped in the center of Vienna, Austria, using molecular methods, and to subsequently identify their source and potential transmission pathways. Out of 15 water samples taken from a side arm of the River Danube, Cryptosporidium and Giardia (oo)cysts were detected in 60% and 73% of them, with concentrations ranging between 0.3-4 oocysts/L and 0.6-96 cysts/L, respectively. Cryptosporidium and Giardia were identified in 13 and 16 out of 50 rats, respectively. Eimeria, a parasite of high veterinary importance, was also identified in seven rats. Parasite co-ocurrence was detected in nine rats. Rat-associated genotypes did not match those found in water, but matched Giardia previously isolated from patients with diarrhea in Austria, bringing up a potential role of rats as sources or reservoirs of zoonotic pathogenic Giardia. Following a One Health approach, molecular typing across potential animal and environmental reservoirs and human cases gives an insight into environmental transmission pathways and therefore helps design efficient surveillance strategies and relevant outbreak responses.
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Switch, disperse, repeat: host specificity is highly flexible in rodent-associated Eimeria. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:977-984. [PMID: 34089715 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Interplay between conserved host specificity and occasional host switches is an important process determining the evolution of host-parasite systems. Here, we address the dynamics of host switches at the population level in rodent-associated Eimeria. Focusing mainly on two ecologically similar host groups, Murinae and Arvicolinae, we show that the Eimeria infecting those hosts form a complex system of many genetic lineages with different host specificities. The broad geographic distribution of lineages indicates that they are well-established genetic forms which retained their host specificities while spreading across large geographic areas. We also demonstrate that genetic structure is only partially reflected by morphological traits.
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Feng S, Chang H, Wang Y, Luo F, Wu Q, Han S, He H. Lethal infection caused by Tetratrichomonas gallinarum in black swans (Cygnus atratus). BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:191. [PMID: 33985499 PMCID: PMC8117575 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02894-x] [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: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tetratrichomonas gallinarum is parasitic protozoa with a wide host range. However, its lethal infection is rare reported. CASE PRESENTATION Here, we described the first lethal cases of T. gallinarum infection in black swans in China. Five black swans died within a week in succession without obvious symptoms except mild diarrhea. At necropsy, severe lesions were observed in caeca with thickened caecal walls and hemorrhages in the mucosa. A large number of moving trophozoites were found in the contents of the cecum by microscopic examination. The livers were enlarged with multiple bleeding spots on the surface. Histopathology of the livers showed mononuclear cell infiltration and moderate hyperplasia of fibrous tissue. The histopathology of the cecum showed that the villi of the cecum were edematous. Finally, the presence of T. gallinarum was determined by specific PCR andin-situ hybridization assay. Additionally, common pathogens that can cause similar symptoms were excluded. CONCLUSIONS The death of the black swan was caused by T. gallinarum, suggesting that the parasite might be a new threat to the Cygnus birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengyong Feng
- National Research Center for Wildlife Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichenxilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, PR China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Han Chang
- National Research Center for Wildlife Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichenxilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, PR China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yutian Wang
- Beijing General Station of Animal Husbandry, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100107, China
| | - Fubing Luo
- Beijing Center for Animal Disease Control, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaoxing Wu
- Shaanxi Institute of zoology, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuyi Han
- National Research Center for Wildlife Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichenxilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, PR China
| | - Hongxuan He
- National Research Center for Wildlife Borne Diseases, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichenxilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, PR China.
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Genetic and biological characterisation of three cryptic Eimeria operational taxonomic units that infect chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:621-634. [PMID: 33713650 PMCID: PMC8186487 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Biology and genetics suggest cryptic Eimeria Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) from chickens are new species. New Eimeria spp. that infect chickens are pathogenic and require control. Anticoccidial vaccination of chickens does not control three new Eimeria spp.
More than 68 billion chickens were produced globally in 2018, emphasising their major contribution to the production of protein for human consumption and the importance of their pathogens. Protozoan Eimeria spp. are the most economically significant parasites of chickens, incurring global costs of more than UK £10.4 billion per annum. Seven Eimeria spp. have long been recognised to infect chickens, with three additional cryptic operational taxonomic units (OTUs) first described more than 10 years ago. As the world’s farmers attempt to reduce reliance on routine use of antimicrobials in livestock production, replacing drugs that target a wide range of microbes with precise species- and sometimes strain-specific vaccines, the breakthrough of cryptic genetic types can pose serious problems. Consideration of biological characteristics including oocyst morphology, pathology caused during infection and pre-patent periods, combined with gene-coding sequences predicted from draft genome sequence assemblies, suggest that all three of these cryptic Eimeria OTUs possess sufficient genetic and biological diversity to be considered as new and distinct species. The ability of these OTUs to compromise chicken bodyweight gain and escape immunity induced by current commercially available anticoccidial vaccines indicates that they could pose a notable threat to chicken health, welfare, and productivity. We suggest the names Eimeria lata n. sp., Eimeria nagambie n. sp. and Eimeria zaria n. sp. for OTUs x, y and z, respectively, reflecting their appearance (x) or the origins of the first isolates of these novel species (y, z).
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Ren B, Schmid M, Scheiner M, Mollenkopf HJ, Lucius R, Heitlinger E, Gupta N. Toxoplasma and Eimeria co-opt the host cFos expression for intracellular development in mammalian cells. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:719-731. [PMID: 33510872 PMCID: PMC7817532 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression profiles differ significantly between Toxoplasma and Eimeria-infected host cells. Several distinct and shared host-signaling cascades are regulated by coccidian parasites. cFos is one of the few host transcripts mutually regulated during infection by both pathogens. Host cFos is required for optimal in vitro development of E. falciformis and T. gondii. Transcriptomics of parasitized wild-type and cFos-/- host cells reveals a perturbation of cFos network.
Successful asexual reproduction of intracellular pathogens depends on their potential to exploit host resources and subvert antimicrobial defense. In this work, we deployed two prevalent apicomplexan parasites of mammalian cells, namely Toxoplasma gondii and Eimeria falciformis, to identify potential host determinants of infection. Expression analyses of the young adult mouse colonic (YAMC) epithelial cells upon infection by either parasite showed regulation of several distinct transcripts, indicating that these two pathogens program their intracellular niches in a tailored manner. Conversely, parasitized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) displayed a divergent transcriptome compared to corresponding YAMC epithelial cells, suggesting that individual host cells mount a fairly discrete response when encountering a particular pathogen. Among several host transcripts similarly altered by T. gondii and E. falciformis, we identified cFos, a master transcription factor, that was consistently induced throughout the infection. Indeed, asexual growth of both parasites was strongly impaired in MEF host cells lacking cFos expression. Last but not the least, our differential transcriptomics of the infected MEFs (parental and cFos-/- mutant) and YAMC epithelial cells disclosed a cFos-centered network, underlying signal cascades, as well as a repertoire of nucleotides- and ion-binding proteins, which presumably act in consort to acclimatize the mammalian cell and thereby facilitate the parasite development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjian Ren
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuela Schmid
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mattea Scheiner
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Mollenkopf
- Microarray and Genomics Core Facility, Max-Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard Lucius
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emanuel Heitlinger
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.,Research Group Ecology and Evolution of Parasite Host Interactions, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nishith Gupta
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani (BITS-P), Hyderabad, India
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11
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Balard A, Jarquín‐Díaz VH, Jost J, Mittné V, Böhning F, Ďureje Ľ, Piálek J, Heitlinger E. Coupling between tolerance and resistance for two related Eimeria parasite species. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:13938-13948. [PMID: 33391692 PMCID: PMC7771152 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance (host capacity to reduce parasite burden) and tolerance (host capacity to reduce impact on its health for a given parasite burden) manifest two different lines of defense. Tolerance can be independent from resistance, traded off against it, or the two can be positively correlated because of redundancy in underlying (immune) processes. We here tested whether this coupling between tolerance and resistance could differ upon infection with closely related parasite species. We tested this in experimental infections with two parasite species of the genus Eimeria. We measured proxies for resistance (the (inverse of) number of parasite transmission stages (oocysts) per gram of feces at the day of maximal shedding) and tolerance (the slope of maximum relative weight loss compared to day of infection on number of oocysts per gram of feces at the day of maximal shedding for each host strain) in four inbred mouse strains and four groups of F1 hybrids belonging to two mouse subspecies, Mus musculus domesticus and Mus musculus musculus. We found a negative correlation between resistance and tolerance against Eimeria falciformis, while the two are uncoupled against Eimeria ferrisi. We conclude that resistance and tolerance against the first parasite species might be traded off, but evolve more independently in different mouse genotypes against the latter. We argue that evolution of the host immune defenses can be studied largely irrespective of parasite isolates if resistance-tolerance coupling is absent or weak (E. ferrisi) but host-parasite coevolution is more likely observable and best studied in a system with negatively correlated tolerance and resistance (E. falciformis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Balard
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
- Leibniz‐Institut für Zoo‐ und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.BerlinGermany
| | - Víctor Hugo Jarquín‐Díaz
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
- Leibniz‐Institut für Zoo‐ und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.BerlinGermany
| | - Jenny Jost
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
| | - Vivian Mittné
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
| | - Francisca Böhning
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
| | - Ľudovít Ďureje
- Research Facility StudenecInstitute of Vertebrate BiologyCzech Academy of SciencesBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Piálek
- Research Facility StudenecInstitute of Vertebrate BiologyCzech Academy of SciencesBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Emanuel Heitlinger
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
- Leibniz‐Institut für Zoo‐ und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.BerlinGermany
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12
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Silva LMR, Carrau T, Vila-Viçosa MJM, Musella V, Rinaldi L, Failing K, Cortes HCE, Taubert A, Hermosilla C. Analysis of potential risk factors of caprine coccidiosis. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 22:100458. [PMID: 33308721 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Caprine coccidiosis represents a major concern in goat industry worldwide causing high economic losses, mainly due to poor weight gains, treatment costs and even death of kids. Therefore, analyses on risk factors involved in the establishment and outcome of this disease are important to improve infection status and herd management. In Portugal, approximately 400,000 goats are reared every year. The majority of them are allocated in the southern part of the country. In the current study, a representative number of animals (382 goats) and herds (37 herds) from Alentejo were monitored. Faecal samples from five young and five adult goats of each farm were collected rectally and examined individually by using the modified McMaster technique for oocyst counts (oocyst per gram of faeces - OPG). Additionally, a questionnaire on the husbandry conditions and anti-parasitic treatments was performed. Overall, a prevalence of Eimeria infections of 99% and 100% was detected on animal and herd level, respectively. Eimeria arloingi and E. ninakohlyakimovae as the two most pathogenic caprine species also constituted the most prevalent ones (34.91% and 29.90%, respectively), both in the young and the adult goat groups. As expected, OPG vales were significantly higher (p = 0.031) in young than in adult goats. Furthermore, risk factor analyses revealed young age, higher total number of animals on the farm and outdoor kidding as strongly associated with a higher risk of caprine coccidiosis. Overall, the high prevalence of pathogenic Eimeria species on Portuguese goat farms in combination with the occurrence of related risk factors strengthen the importance of coccidiosis control in caprine industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M R Silva
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany; Laboratório de Parasitologia Victor Caeiro, MED - Mediteranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, University of Evora, Portugal.
| | - T Carrau
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - M J M Vila-Viçosa
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Victor Caeiro, MED - Mediteranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, University of Evora, Portugal
| | - V Musella
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, Viale Europa, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - L Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino 1, Naples 80137, Italy
| | - K Failing
- Unit for Biomathematics and Data Processing, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - H C E Cortes
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Victor Caeiro, MED - Mediteranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, University of Evora, Portugal
| | - A Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - C Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
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13
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Jarquín‐Díaz VH, Balard A, Mácová A, Jost J, Roth von Szepesbéla T, Berktold K, Tank S, Kvičerová J, Heitlinger E. Generalist Eimeria species in rodents: Multilocus analyses indicate inadequate resolution of established markers. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:1378-1389. [PMID: 32076521 PMCID: PMC7029063 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular parasites of the genus Eimeria are described as tissue/host-specific. Phylogenetic classification of rodent Eimeria suggested that some species have a broader host range than previously assumed. We explore whether Eimeria spp. infecting house mice are misclassified by the most widely used molecular markers due to a lack of resolution, or whether, instead, these parasite species are indeed infecting multiple host species.With the commonly used markers (18S/COI), we recovered monophyletic clades of E. falciformis and E. vermiformis from Mus that included E. apionodes identified in other rodent host species (Apodemus spp., Myodes glareolus, and Microtus arvalis). A lack of internal resolution in these clades could suggest the existence of a species complex with a wide host range infecting murid and cricetid rodents. We question, however, the power of COI and 18S markers to provide adequate resolution for assessing host specificity. In addition to the rarely used marker ORF470 from the apicoplast genome, we present multilocus genotyping as an alternative approach. Phylogenetic analysis of 35 nuclear markers differentiated E. falciformis from house mice from isolates from Apodemus hosts. Isolates of E. vermiformis from Mus are still found in clusters interspersed with non-Mus isolates, even with this high-resolution data.In conclusion, we show that species-level resolution should not be assumed for COI and 18S markers in coccidia. Host-parasite cospeciation at shallow phylogenetic nodes, as well as contemporary coccidian host ranges more generally, is still open questions that need to be addressed using novel genetic markers with higher resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Hugo Jarquín‐Díaz
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
- Leibniz‐Institut für Zoo‐ und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.VBerlinGermany
| | - Alice Balard
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
- Leibniz‐Institut für Zoo‐ und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.VBerlinGermany
| | - Anna Mácová
- Department of ParasitologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity of South BohemiaČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic
| | - Jenny Jost
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
| | - Tabea Roth von Szepesbéla
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
| | - Karin Berktold
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
| | - Steffen Tank
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
| | - Jana Kvičerová
- Department of ParasitologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity of South BohemiaČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic
| | - Emanuel Heitlinger
- Department of Molecular ParasitologyInstitute for BiologyHumboldt University Berlin (HU)BerlinGermany
- Leibniz‐Institut für Zoo‐ und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.VBerlinGermany
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14
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Balard A, Jarquín-Díaz VH, Jost J, Martincová I, Ďureje Ľ, Piálek J, Macholán M, Goüy de Bellocq J, Baird SJE, Heitlinger E. Intensity of infection with intracellular Eimeria spp. and pinworms is reduced in hybrid mice compared to parental subspecies. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:435-448. [PMID: 31834960 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Genetic diversity in animal immune systems is usually beneficial. In hybrid recombinants, this is less clear, as the immune system could also be impacted by genetic conflicts. In the European house mouse hybrid zone, the long-standing impression that hybrid mice are more highly parasitized and less fit than parentals persists despite the findings of recent studies. Working across a novel transect, we assessed infections by intracellular protozoans, Eimeria spp., and infections by extracellular macroparasites, pinworms. For Eimeria, we found lower intensities in hybrid hosts than in parental mice but no evidence of lowered probability of infection or increased mortality in the centre of the hybrid zone. This means ecological factors are very unlikely to be responsible for the reduced load of infected hybrids. Focusing on parasite intensity (load in infected hosts), we also corroborated reduced pinworm loads reported for hybrid mice in previous studies. We conclude that intensity of diverse parasites, including the previously unstudied Eimeria, is reduced in hybrid mice compared to parental subspecies. We suggest caution in extrapolating this to differences in hybrid host fitness in the absence of, for example, evidence for a link between parasitemia and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Balard
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., Berlin, Germany
| | - Víctor Hugo Jarquín-Díaz
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., Berlin, Germany
| | - Jenny Jost
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., Berlin, Germany
| | - Iva Martincová
- Research Facility Studenec, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ľudovít Ďureje
- Research Facility Studenec, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Piálek
- Research Facility Studenec, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miloš Macholán
- Laboratory of Mammalian Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Joëlle Goüy de Bellocq
- Research Facility Studenec, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Stuart J E Baird
- Research Facility Studenec, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Emanuel Heitlinger
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin (HU), Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung (IZW) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., Berlin, Germany
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15
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Mendoza H, Rubio AV, García-Peña GE, Suzán G, Simonetti JA. Does land-use change increase the abundance of zoonotic reservoirs? Rodents say yes. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1344-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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