1
|
Charles RA, Pow-Brown P, Gordon-Dillon A, Blake L, Nicholls S, Brown-Jordan A, Caruth J, Sant C, Pargass I, Basu A, Albina E, Oura C, Georges K. Completing the Puzzle: A Cluster of Hunting Dogs with Tick-Borne Illness from a Fishing Community in Tobago, West Indies. Pathogens 2024; 13:161. [PMID: 38392899 PMCID: PMC10891510 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020161] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Eight hunting dogs were visited by a state veterinarian on the island of Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, as owners reported anorexia and paralysis in five of their dogs. The veterinarian observed a combination of clinical signs consistent with tick-borne illness, including fever, anorexia, anaemia, lethargy and paralysis. Blood and ticks were collected from each dog and submitted to a diagnostic laboratory for analysis. Microscopic analysis revealed a mixed infection of intracytoplasmic organisms consistent with Babesia spp. (erythrocyte) and Ehrlichia spp. (monocyte), respectively, from one dog, while a complete blood count indicated a regenerative anaemia (n = 1; 12.5%), non-regenerative anaemia (n = 4; 50%), neutrophilia (n = 3; 37.5%), lymphocytosis (n = 2; 25%), thrombocytopaenia (n = 3; 37.5%) and pancytopaenia (n = 1; 12.5%). DNA isolated from the eight blood samples and 20 ticks (16 Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 4 Amblyomma ovale) were subjected to conventional PCR and next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia and Babesia/Theileria/Hepatozoon, respectively. The DNA of Ehrlichia spp., closely related to Ehrlichia canis, was detected in the blood of three dogs (37.5%), Anaplasma spp., closely related to Anaplasma marginale, in two (25%), Babesia vogeli in one dog (12.5%) and seven ticks (35%) and Hepatozoon canis and Anaplasma spp., in one tick (5%), respectively. These findings highlight the need to test both the vector and host for the presence of tick-borne pathogens when undertaking diagnostic investigations. Further studies are also warranted to elucidate the susceptibility of canids to Anaplasma marginale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne A. Charles
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Patricia Pow-Brown
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Annika Gordon-Dillon
- Animal Health Unit, Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, The Environment and Sustainable Development, Tobago House of Assembly, Milshirv Administrative Complex, Corner Milford & Shirvan Road, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago; (A.G.-D.); (J.C.)
| | - Lemar Blake
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Soren Nicholls
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.N.); (A.B.-J.)
| | - Arianne Brown-Jordan
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.N.); (A.B.-J.)
| | - Joanne Caruth
- Animal Health Unit, Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, The Environment and Sustainable Development, Tobago House of Assembly, Milshirv Administrative Complex, Corner Milford & Shirvan Road, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago; (A.G.-D.); (J.C.)
| | - Candice Sant
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Indira Pargass
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Asoke Basu
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Emmanuel Albina
- Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), DGDRS, 34000 Montpellier, France;
| | - Christopher Oura
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Karla Georges
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
de la Fournière S, Guillemi EC, Paoletta MS, Pérez A, Obregón D, Cabezas-Cruz A, Sarmiento NF, Farber MD. Transovarial Transmission of Anaplasma marginale in Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus) microplus Ticks Results in a Bottleneck for Strain Diversity. Pathogens 2023; 12:1010. [PMID: 37623970 PMCID: PMC10459439 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081010] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma marginale is an obligate intraerythrocytic bacterium of bovines, responsible for large economic losses worldwide. It is mainly transmitted by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks and, despite mounting evidence suggesting transovarial transmission, the occurrence of this phenomenon remains controversial. We evaluated the vector competence of R. microplus larvae vertically infected with A. marginale to transmit the bacterium to a naïve bovine. A subgroup of engorged female ticks collected from an A. marginale-positive animal was dissected and the presence of the pathogen in its tissues was confirmed. A second subgroup of ticks was placed under controlled conditions for oviposition. After confirming the presence of A. marginale in the hatched larvae, an experimental infestation assay was conducted. Larvae were placed on an A. marginale-free splenectomized calf. The bacterium was detected in the experimentally infested bovine 22 days post-infestation. We analyzed the A. marginale diversity throughout the transmission cycle using the molecular marker MSP1a. Different genotypes were detected in the mammalian and arthropod hosts showing a reduction of strain diversity along the transmission process. Our results demonstrate the vertical transmission of A. marginale from R. microplus females to its larvae, their vector competence to transmit the pathogen, and a bottleneck in A. marginale strain diversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofía de la Fournière
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) INTA—CONICET, P.O. Box 25, Hurlingham B1686LQF, Argentina; (S.d.l.F.); (E.C.G.); (M.S.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Eliana Carolina Guillemi
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) INTA—CONICET, P.O. Box 25, Hurlingham B1686LQF, Argentina; (S.d.l.F.); (E.C.G.); (M.S.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Martina Soledad Paoletta
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) INTA—CONICET, P.O. Box 25, Hurlingham B1686LQF, Argentina; (S.d.l.F.); (E.C.G.); (M.S.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Agustina Pérez
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) INTA—CONICET, P.O. Box 25, Hurlingham B1686LQF, Argentina; (S.d.l.F.); (E.C.G.); (M.S.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Dasiel Obregón
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H 2W1, Canada;
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinarie d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France;
| | - Néstor Fabián Sarmiento
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mercedes, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Mercedes 3470, Argentina;
| | - Marisa Diana Farber
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) INTA—CONICET, P.O. Box 25, Hurlingham B1686LQF, Argentina; (S.d.l.F.); (E.C.G.); (M.S.P.); (A.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hornok S, Boldogh SA, Takács N, Sándor AD, Tuska-Szalay B. Zoonotic ecotype-I of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in sympatric wildcat, pine marten and red squirrel - Short communication. Acta Vet Hung 2022; 70:215-219. [PMID: 36018752 DOI: 10.1556/004.2022.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans, dogs, cats, horses and tick-borne fever in ruminants. In Europe, its main vector is the tick species Ixodes ricinus. In this study, spleen and liver samples, as well as ticks from 18 wild-living mammals (belonging to seven species) were analysed for the presence of A. phagocytophilum with molecular methods. The zoonotic ecotype-I of A. phagocytophilum was identified in a European wildcat (Felis silvestris) and its tick, a European pine marten (Martes martes) and a Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). All PCR-positive samples were collected in 2019 and originated in the same geographic area. These results indicate that taxonomically diverse mammalian species can maintain the local enzootic cycle of the same genotype of A. phagocytophilum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the zoonotic variant of A. phagocytophilum in the wildcat and in the European pine marten in a broad geographical context, as well as in the red squirrel in Hungary. Since all these host species are well known for their urban and peri-urban presence, the results of this study verify their role in the synanthropic enzootic cycle of granulocytic anaplasmosis and tick-borne fever.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- 1 Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
- 2 ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Hungary
| | - Sándor A Boldogh
- 3 Department of Nature Conservation, Aggtelek National Park Directorate, Jósvafő, Hungary
| | - Nóra Takács
- 1 Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
- 2 ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Hungary
| | - Attila D Sándor
- 1 Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
- 2 ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Hungary
- 4 Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Barbara Tuska-Szalay
- 1 Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hornok S, Kontschán J, Takács N, Chaber AL, Halajian A, Szekeres S, Sándor AD, Plantard O. Rickettsiaceae in two reptile-associated tick species, Amblyomma exornatum and Africaniella transversale: First evidence of Occidentia massiliensis in hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 13:101830. [PMID: 34624588 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
All species of hard ticks associated with reptiles as hosts throughout their life cycle, are currently assigned to genera including Amblyomma and Africaniella. Among these species, based on literature data, Africaniella transversale has never been investigated for the presence of tick-borne pathogens. In this study, seven DNA extracts (two from A. transversale and five from Amblyomma exornatum) were screened for the presence of important tick-borne protozoa (piroplasms) and bacteria (Anaplasmataceae and Rickettsiaceae) with conventional PCRs and sequencing. A new heat shock protein chaperonin (groEL) gene-specific PCR was also developed to identify Occidentia spp. in these samples. In A. transversale, Occidentia massiliensis (previously detected in rodent-associated soft ticks) and Rickettsia hoogstraalii were present. While the latter was molecularly identical with formerly reported sequences of this rickettsia, the genotype of O. massiliensis was new based on sequence and phylogenetic analyses of its groEL gene. In A. exornatum, a Rickettsia genotype closely related to R. tamurae and R. monacensis, was detected. The ompA sequence of this genotype was identical to that of Rickettsia sp. Ae-8 reported from A. exornatum in a reptile breeding facility in the USA. These results show that A. transversale might carry O. massiliensis which (unless having a symbiotic nature in ticks) may originate either from the reptile host of this hard tick species or the rodent prey of reptiles. This is also the first detection of the reptile tick-associated Rickettsia sp. Ae-8 (phylogenetically aligning with R. tamurae, R. monacensis) in Africa, i.e. within the original geographical range of A. exornatum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Jenő Kontschán
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, ELKH, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Takács
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anne-Lise Chaber
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Ali Halajian
- Research Administration and Development, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
| | - Sándor Szekeres
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila D Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sang C, Yang Y, Dong Q, Xu B, Liu G, Hornok S, Liu Z, Wang Y, Hazihan W. Molecular survey of Babesia spp. in red foxes (Vulpes Vulpes), Asian badgers (Meles leucurus) and their ticks in China. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101710. [PMID: 33827036 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Babesia species (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmorida) are tick-borne protozoan hemoparasites, which pose a significant threat to domestic animals, wildlife and humans. This study aimed to determine and characterize Babesia species in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), Asian badgers (Meles leucurus) and their ticks. Blood, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, large intestine and small intestine were collected from 19 wild carnivores (12 red foxes and 7 Asian badgers). All ticks were removed from these animals and identified according to morphological and molecular characteristics. The samples were tested for the presence of Babesia species using the 18S rRNA gene. Molecular analyses showed that the DNA of Babesia vogeli and Babesia vulpes was present in red fox organs/tissues and blood samples. A total of 54 hard ticks (38 Ixodes canisuga, 6 Haemaphysalis erinacei, 9 Ixodes kaiseri and 1 Dermacentor marginatus) were collected from red foxes and 12 (I. kaiseri) from Asian badgers. All ticks were adults. Among them, one I. kaiseri parasiting a red fox contained the DNA of B. vulpes while one I. canisuga was positive for Babesia sp. belonging to the clade "Babesia sensu stricto". Molecular and phylogenetic analyses indicated the presence of a novel genotype, Babesia sp. "badger China". Babesia sp. badger type A and type B from Asian badgers were different from those in European badgers. Co-infection with three Babesia genotypes was found in one Asian badger. This study provides the first data on Babesia infection in red foxes, Asian badgers and their ticks in China. Babesia vogeli was detected for the first time in red foxes in Asia. Co-infection and genetic diversity of Babesia genotypes in Asian badgers were also demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Sang
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yicheng Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China; Emergency Department, Shihezi City People's Hospital, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiaoyan Dong
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bin Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guangyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1#, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- Institute of veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, 830000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuanzhi Wang
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wurelihazi Hazihan
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Qurollo BA, Stillman BA, Beall MJ, Foster P, Hegarty BC, Breitschwerdt EB, Chandrashekar R. Comparison of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species-specific peptide ELISAs with whole organism-based immunofluorescent assays for serologic diagnosis of anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis in dogs. Am J Vet Res 2020; 82:71-80. [PMID: 33369490 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.82.1.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the performance of 5 synthetic peptide-based ELISAs with that of 3 commercially available immunofluorescent assays (IFAs) for serologic diagnosis of anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis in dogs. SAMPLE A convenience set of 109 serum samples obtained before and at various times after inoculation for 23 dogs that were experimentally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, or Ehrlichia ewingii and 1 uninfected control dog in previous studies. PROCEDURES All serum samples were assessed with 5 synthetic peptide-based ELISAs designed to detect antibodies against A phagocytophilum, A platys, E canis, E chaffeensis, and E ewingii and 3 whole organism-based IFAs designed to detect antibodies against A phagocytophilum, E canis, and E chaffeensis. The species-specific seroreactivity, cross-reactivity with the other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each assay and compared among assays. RESULTS All serum samples obtained from dogs experimentally infected with a TBP yielded positive results on a serologic assay specific for that pathogen. In general, sensitivity was comparable between ELISAs and IFAs and tended to increase with duration after inoculation. Compared with the IFAs, the corresponding ELISAs were highly specific and rarely cross-reacted with antibodies against other TBPs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that peptide-based ELISAs had enhanced specificity relative to whole organism-based IFAs for detection of antibodies against Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp, which should facilitate accurate diagnosis and may help detect dogs coinfected with multiple TBPs.
Collapse
|
7
|
Springer A, Glass A, Topp AK, Strube C. Zoonotic Tick-Borne Pathogens in Temperate and Cold Regions of Europe-A Review on the Prevalence in Domestic Animals. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:604910. [PMID: 33363242 PMCID: PMC7758354 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.604910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit a variety of pathogens affecting both human and animal health. In temperate and cold regions of Europe (Western, Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe), the most relevant zoonotic tick-borne pathogens are tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. More rarely, Rickettsia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and zoonotic Babesia spp. are identified as a cause of human disease. Domestic animals may also be clinically affected by these pathogens, and, furthermore, can be regarded as sentinel hosts for their occurrence in a certain area, or even play a role as reservoirs or amplifying hosts. For example, viraemic ruminants may transmit TBEV to humans via raw milk products. This review summarizes the role of domestic animals, including ruminants, horses, dogs, and cats, in the ecology of TBEV, Borrelia spp., A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., N. mikurensis, and zoonotic Babesia species. It gives an overview on the (sero-)prevalence of these infectious agents in domestic animals in temperate/cold regions of Europe, based on 148 individual prevalence studies. Meta-analyses of seroprevalence in asymptomatic animals estimated an overall seroprevalence of 2.7% for TBEV, 12.9% for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), 16.2% for A. phagocytophilum and 7.4% for Babesia divergens, with a high level of heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses with regard to animal species, diagnostic test, geographical region and decade of sampling were mostly non-significant, with the exception of significantly lower B. burgdorferi s.l. seroprevalences in dogs than in horses and cattle. More surveillance studies employing highly sensitive and specific test methods and including hitherto non-investigated regions are needed to determine if and how global changes in terms of climate, land use, agricultural practices and human behavior impact the frequency of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in domestic animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Serbia. ACTA VET-BEOGRAD 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/acve-2019-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and environmental pollution lead to a reduction in the spatial boundary between wild animals, domestic animals and humans. These activities increase the risk for the emergence of pathogens from the sylvatic cycle in the population of domestic animals and humans. Foxes are recognized as potential reservoirs for a number of bacterial pathogens of medical and public health concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and spatial distribution of bacterial tick-borne pathogens from the Anaplasmataceae family, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, Bartonella spp., in the red fox population from Serbia and to discuss the obtained results from the epidemiological point of view. Legally hunted red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from 14 localities in Serbia were included in the study and spleen samples from 129 animals were tested with conventional PCR assays for the presence of bacterial tick-borne pathogens. DNA of Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia lusitaniae, and Borrelia garinii was detected in 6 (4.7%), 1 (0.8%), 2 (1.6%) and 1 (0.8%) animals, respectively. Co-infection by Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) and B. garinii was detected in one animal. All samples were negative for other tested bacterial tick-borne pathogens. The results of the present study indicate the potential role of foxes in natural cycles of Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) and causative agents of Lyme borreliosis in the investigated areas. Further research is required to elucidate the role of foxes in the epidemiology of these and other tick-borne zoonotic pathogens in the Republic of Serbia.
Collapse
|