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Lakew BT, Kheravii SK, Wu SB, Eastwood S, Andrew NR, Jenkins C, Walkden-Brown SW. Endemic infection of cattle with multiple genotypes of Theileria orientalis on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales despite limited presence of ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101645. [PMID: 33388554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Bovine theileriosis, caused by the Theileria orientalis complex, causes a mild persistent infection with the severity dependent on the infecting genotype and host exposure status. Clinical theileriosis was first detected on the Northern Tablelands of NSW in 2009 and a high prevalence of infection in cattle reported in 2013. However, the parasite was not genotyped and likely vectors not investigated. In response to ongoing clinical cases, here we identify the Theileria genotypes present in the region and potential vectors. Genotype-specific multiplex qPCR of 90 blood samples from eight farms revealed a 100 % prevalence of T. orientalis in individual cattle with concurrent infection with all three genotypes present in 73 % of cases. The prevalence of the pathogenic genotype (Ikeda) differed significantly between farms; however, the level of parasitemia was not affected by genotype or associated with clinical disease. Parasitaemia levels were higher in heifers than cows. Questing tick collection on six of the farms between November 2017 and May 2019 yielded 358 questing ticks from one farm, all of which were morphologically identified as Haemaphysalis bancrofti. Larvae accounted for 59 % of the ticks followed by nymphs (34 %) and adults (7%). Theileria was detected only in nymphs with Ikeda and Buffeli genotypes each being detected in one of four pools of ticks. The high prevalence of co-infection with three genotypes of T. orientalis indicates that they are now endemic in the region and confirms the lack of cross-protection between genotypes. This is the first detection of T. orientalis in questing H. bancrofti ticks: indicating that it may be a vector for T. orientalis in this region. However, the high prevalence of bovine infection is at odds with the absence of captured ticks or history of tick infestation on five of the six farms raising the possibility that other vectors or transmission pathways play key roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biniam T Lakew
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia; College of Veterinary Medicine, Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
| | - Sarbast K Kheravii
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - Shu-Biao Wu
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - Steve Eastwood
- Local Land Services, Northern Tablelands, Armidale, 2350, NSW, Australia
| | - Nigel R Andrew
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia; Insect Ecology Lab, Zoology, Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - Cheryl Jenkins
- Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW, 2568, Australia
| | - Stephen W Walkden-Brown
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
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Zobba R, Chisu V, Pinna Parpaglia ML, Spezzigu A, Masala G, Schianchi E, Alberti A. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia and Theileria spp. in Sardinian ruminants. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 22:100453. [PMID: 33308718 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) caused by Theileria and Babesia spp. are common in tropical and subtropical regions. This study investigates the presence of Theileria and Babesia spp. in ruminants from a subtropical Mediterranean region (Sardinia, Italy), a hotspot for ticks infestations. A total of 141 blood samples from healthy and symptomatic ruminants (showing symptoms consistent with tick-borne disease) were screened using a polymerase chain reaction test based on the amplification of the 18 s rRNA fragment. A total of 19/50 sheep (38%), 34/43 bovine (79.1%), and 5/48 goats (10.4%) tested positive to Babesia/Theileria. Phylogenetic analysis assigned all sequences obtained from sheep to the T. ovis cluster, while bovine and goats sequence types grouped in the Theileria buffeli/sergenti/orientalis group. One sequence type, isolated from a symptomatic bovine, clustered with B. major. Information on presence and frequency of piroplasms in ruminants increase our knowledge about the circulation of these pathogens in Sardinian animals and add up to previous studies conducted in ticks in the same area. Results also highlight the importance of subtropical Mediterranean environments as hotspots for ruminants piroplasmosis with potential impact on Veterinary Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Zobba
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control (MCDC), University of Sassari, Italy
| | - Valentina Chisu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Spezzigu
- Embryo Sardegna, Technology, Reproduction and Fertility, 07034 Perfugas, Località Suiles, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Masala
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Sassari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Schianchi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Alberto Alberti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control (MCDC), University of Sassari, Italy.
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Gebrekidan H, Perera PK, Ghafar A, Abbas T, Gasser RB, Jabbar A. An appraisal of oriental theileriosis and the Theileria orientalis complex, with an emphasis on diagnosis and genetic characterisation. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:11-22. [PMID: 31811422 PMCID: PMC7223495 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06557-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Oriental theileriosis, a tick-borne disease of bovids caused by members of the Theileria orientalis complex, has a worldwide distribution. Globally, at least 11 distinct genotypes of T. orientalis complex, including type 1 (chitose), type 2 (ikeda), type 3 (buffeli), types 4 to 8, and N1-N3, have been described based on the sequence of the major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene. Of these 11 genotypes, mainly ikeda and chitose are known to be pathogenic and cause considerable morbidity (including high fever, anaemia, jaundice and abortion), production losses and/or mortality in cattle. Mixed infections with two or more genotypes of T. orientalis is common, but do not always lead to a clinical disease, posing challenges in the diagnosis of asymptomatic or subclinical forms of oriental theileriosis. The diagnosis of oriental theileriosis is usually based on clinical signs, the detection of piroplasms of T. orientalis in blood smears, and/or the use of serological or molecular techniques. This paper reviews current methods used for the diagnosis of T. orientalis infections and the genetic characterisation of members of the T. orientalis complex, and proposes that advanced genomic tools should be established for investigations of these and related haemoparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagos Gebrekidan
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Piyumali K Perera
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka
| | - Abdul Ghafar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tariq Abbas
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
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Laurin E, Thakur K, Mohr PG, Hick P, Crane MSJ, Gardner IA, Moody NJG, Colling A, Ernst I. To pool or not to pool? Guidelines for pooling samples for use in surveillance testing of infectious diseases in aquatic animals. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2019; 42:1471-1491. [PMID: 31637760 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Samples from multiple animals may be pooled and tested to reduce costs of surveillance for infectious agents in aquatic animal populations. The primary advantage of pooling is increased population-level coverage when prevalence is low (<10%) and the number of tests is fixed, because of increased likelihood of including target analyte from at least one infected animal in a tested pool. Important questions and a priori design considerations need to be addressed. Unfortunately, pooling recommendations in disease-specific chapters of the 2018 OIE Aquatic Manual are incomplete and, except for amphibian chytrid fungus, are not supported by peer-reviewed research. A systematic review identified only 12 peer-reviewed aquatic diagnostic accuracy and surveillance studies using pooled samples. No clear patterns for pooling methods and characteristics were evident across reviewed studies, although most authors agreed there is a negative effect on detection. Therefore, our purpose was to review pooling procedures used in published aquatic infectious disease research, present evidence-based guidelines, and provide simulated data examples for white spot syndrome virus in shrimp. A decision tree of pooling guidelines was developed for use by peer-reviewed journals and research institutions for the design, statistical analysis and reporting of comparative accuracy studies of individual and pooled tests for surveillance purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Laurin
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - Krishna Thakur
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - Peter G Mohr
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul Hick
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark St J Crane
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian A Gardner
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | | | - Axel Colling
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Ingo Ernst
- Department of Agriculture, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Aktaş M, Kısadere İ, Özübek S, Cihan H, Salıkov R, Cirak VY. First molecular survey of piroplasm species in cattle from Kyrgyzstan. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2431-2435. [PMID: 31243541 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06370-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bovine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by apicomplexan hemoparasites of the genera Theileria and Babesia. This study was carried out to assess the presence and frequency of piroplasm parasites in apparently healthy cattle in Kyrgyzstan. A total of 454 blood samples were collected from animals of various ages in eight villages located in the Chu valley and around the Lake Issyk Kul. The hypervariable V4 region of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was amplified with a set of primers specific targeting members of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Amplified PCR products were hybridized onto a membrane to which generic and species-specific oligonucleotide probes were covalently linked. The results revealed the presence of three piroplasm species (Theileria orientalis, Babesia major, Theileria annulata). Theileria orientalis was the most prevalent species (32.8%; CI 28.5-37.3). Babesia major was the only species of Babesia found in any of the samples (1.3%; CI 0.5-2.8). The co-existence of Theileria annulata and T. orientalis was detected in nine animals (1.9%; CI 0.9-3.7). BLAST search revealed that the Theileria sequences shared 100% identity with the recently reported sequences for T. buffeli and T. annulata. The sequence of B. major was also 100% identical to an existing B. major sequence. This molecular survey provides important epidemiological data for control of bovine piroplasmosis caused by T. orientalis, B. major, and T. annulata in Kyrgyzstan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Münir Aktaş
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
| | - İhsan Kısadere
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Sezayi Özübek
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Cihan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, 16059, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Ruslan Salıkov
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, 720044, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Veli Yılgor Cirak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, 16059, Bursa, Turkey
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Wang T, Guan G, Korhonen PK, Koehler AV, Young ND, Hall RS, Yin H, Gasser RB. Mitochondrial genomes of two Babesia taxa from sheep in China as a foundation for population genetic and epidemiological investigations. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 47:51-55. [PMID: 27845269 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Here, we sequenced, assembled and annotated the mitochondrial (mt) genomes of two operational taxonomic units of Babesia from sheep from China using a deep sequencing-coupled approach. Then, we defined and compared the gene order of these mt genomes (~5.8 to 6.2kb in size), assessed sequence differences in mt genes among Babesia taxa and evaluated genetic relationships among these taxa and related apicomplexans (Theileria) for which mt genomic data sets were available. We also identified mt genetic regions that might be useful as markers for future population genetic and molecular epidemiological studies of Babesia from small ruminants. We propose that the sequencing-bioinformatic approach used here should be applicable to a wide range of protists of veterinary importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gansu, PR China; Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gansu, PR China
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anson V Koehler
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ross S Hall
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gansu, PR China.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China.
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7
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Gebrekidan H, Abbas T, Wajid M, Ali A, Gasser RB, Jabbar A. Molecular characterisation of Theileria orientalis in imported and native bovines from Pakistan. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 47:19-25. [PMID: 27838527 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiological aspects of Theileria orientalis in Pakistan are unknown; therefore, investigations using sensitive and precise molecular techniques are required. This study reports the first molecular characterisation of T. orientalis detected from imported (Bos taurus) and native cattle (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) and buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) selected from four districts of Punjab, Pakistan. DNA samples from blood (n=246) were extracted and tested using conventional PCR utilising the major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene and multiplexed tandem PCR (MT-PCR). Theileria orientalis DNA was detected (15%; 22/147) only in imported cattle by conventional PCR, whereas 24.5% (36/147), 6% (3/50) and 6.1% (3/49) of the imported cattle and native Pakistani cattle and buffaloes, respectively were test-positive for T. orientalis using MT-PCR. Using MT-PCR, the prevalence of T. orientalis was significantly higher (P<0.0001) in imported cattle compared to that of detected in native Pakistani bovines. The prevalence of T. orientalis and DNA copies of chitose and ikeda were significantly higher (P<0.05) in imported cattle than those detected in native Pakistani bovines. DNA sequencing of amplicons of the conventional PCR revealed the presence of buffeli, chitose and ikeda genotypes of T. orientalis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the MPSP sequences of buffeli, chitose and ikeda from imported cattle were closely related to those sequences reported previously from Australia and other regions. This study provides the first survey of T. orientalis infection in imported and native bovines in Pakistan, and highlights the need for future studies to understand the spread of transboundary animal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagos Gebrekidan
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Tariq Abbas
- University College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Wajid
- Health Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Aamir Ali
- Health Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
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