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Byaruhanga C, Makgabo SM, Choopa CN, Mulandane FC, Vorster I, Troskie M, Chaisi ME, Collins NE. Genetic diversity in Babesia bovis from southern Africa and estimation of B. bovis infection levels in cattle using an optimised quantitative PCR assay. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102084. [PMID: 36427476 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Babesia bovis is a causal agent of bovine babesiosis, a disease which leads to mortality and morbidity and impacts the cattle industry worldwide. We amplified, cloned and sequenced the B. bovis merozoite surface antigen-2b (msa-2b) gene (∼940 bp) and the near full-length 18S rRNA gene (∼1600 bp) from cattle samples from South Africa and Mozambique to determine sequence variation between B. bovis parasites in the region. A TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay (18S rRNA gene) was optimised for the detection of B. bovis and estimation of parasitaemia in field samples from cattle from southern Africa. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the Msa-2b sequences in six clades and these were 59.7 to 99.6% identical to reference sequences. Sequence variation amongst B. bovis 18S rRNA sequences was found at 2 to 36 positions, and the sequences were 97 to 99% identical to published sequences. Mismatches between the B. bovis 18S rRNA sequences and a previously published qPCR forward primer (BoF) were observed; therefore, we developed a new forward primer (BoF2), and optimised the qPCR assay. Six 10-fold dilution series of B. bovis infected erythrocytes (2 × 108 to 2 × 103 infected red blood cells [iRBC]/ml) were analysed in triplicate in each of six separate qPCR runs, to determine the efficiency of the assay. The qPCR assay amplified the B. bovis 18S rRNA gene with 92.0 to 94.9% efficiency. The detection limit of the qPCR assay was approximately 6 iRBCs/μl. The performance of the optimised assay to diagnose B. bovis in field samples was assessed by testing DNA from 222 field samples of cattle from South Africa and Mozambique using three methods: the optimised qPCR assay, the reverse line blot (RLB) hybridisation assay, and the previously published qPCR assay. The detection rate of B. bovis using the optimised qPCR assay (31.1%, 69/222) was significantly higher (p<0.001) than both that using RLB (20.7%, 46/222) and the previously published qPCR assay (5.4%; 12/222). The B. bovis parasitaemia in samples from infected cattle ranged from 6 iRBCs/μl to 101,852 iRBCs/μl of blood. Our study revealed marked sequence variation between B. bovis parasites from southern Africa. The optimised qPCR assay will be useful in epidemiological studies and clinical diagnosis of B. bovis in southern Africa, and can be used to determine parasitaemia and potential carrier status in cattle populations, which is essential in the control of babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Byaruhanga
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; National Agricultural Research Organisation, P.O. Box 259, Entebbe, Uganda.
| | - S Marcus Makgabo
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Chimvwele N Choopa
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, P.O Box 33980, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Fernando C Mulandane
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Ilse Vorster
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Milana Troskie
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Mamohale E Chaisi
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; Foundational Biodiversity Science, South African National Biodiversity Institute, 232 Boom Street, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Nicola E Collins
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
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Advances in Babesia Vaccine Development: An Overview. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020300. [PMID: 36839572 PMCID: PMC9962624 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne zoonotic disease, which is caused by various species of intracellular Babesia parasite. It is a problem not only for the livestock industry but also for global health. Significant global economic losses, in particular in cattle production, have been observed. Since the current preventive measures against babesiosis are insufficient, there is increasing pressure to develop a vaccine. In this review, we survey the achievements and recent advances in the creation of antibabesiosis vaccine. The scope of this review includes the development of a vaccine against B. microti, B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. orientalis and B. divergens. Here, we present different strategies in their progress and evaluation. Scientists worldwide are still trying to find new targets for a vaccine that would not only reduce symptoms among animals but also prevent the further spread of the disease. Molecular candidates for the production of a vaccine against various Babesia spp. are presented. Our study also describes the current prospects of vaccine evolution for successful Babesia parasites elimination.
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Taus NS, Cywes-Bentley C, Johnson WC, Pier GB, Fry LM, Mousel MR, Ueti MW. Immunization against a Conserved Surface Polysaccharide Stimulates Bovine Antibodies with Opsonic Killing Activity but Does Not Protect against Babesia bovis Challenge. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121598. [PMID: 34959553 PMCID: PMC8709247 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropod-borne apicomplexan pathogens remain a great concern and challenge for disease control in animals and humans. In order to prevent Babesia infection, the discovery of antigens that elicit protective immunity is essential to establish approaches to stop disease dissemination. In this study, we determined that poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) is conserved among tick-borne pathogens including B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. microti, and Babesia WA1. Calves immunized with synthetic ß-(1→6)-linked glucosamine oligosaccharides conjugated to tetanus toxoid (5GlcNH2-TT) developed antibodies with in vitro opsonophagocytic activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Sera from immunized calves reacted to B. bovis. These results suggest strong immune responses against PNAG. However, 5GlcNH2-TT-immunized bovines challenged with B. bovis developed acute babesiosis with the cytoadhesion of infected erythrocytes to brain capillary vessels. While this antigen elicited antibodies that did not prevent disease, we are continuing to explore other antigens that may mitigate these vector-borne diseases for the cattle industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi S. Taus
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (L.M.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.W.U.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +(509)-335-6318; Fax: +(509)-335-8328
| | - Colette Cywes-Bentley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (C.C.-B.); (G.B.P.)
| | - Wendell C. Johnson
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (L.M.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.W.U.)
| | - Gerald B. Pier
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (C.C.-B.); (G.B.P.)
| | - Lindsay M. Fry
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (L.M.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.W.U.)
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Michelle R. Mousel
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (L.M.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.W.U.)
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Massaro W. Ueti
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (L.M.F.); (M.R.M.); (M.W.U.)
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Establishing Babesia bovis-Free Tick Colony Following Treatment of the Host with Diminazene Aceturate (Berenil). Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10050554. [PMID: 34063706 PMCID: PMC8147767 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050554] [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: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia bovis is a widely-spread tick-borne hemoparasite of cattle with major economic and animal welfare consequences. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus is a one-host tick which transmits bovine babesiosis in the Middle East and Africa. Laboratory rearing of ixodid ticks is essential for the investigation on ticks or tick-borne diseases. Establishing a tick colony in the laboratory usually originates from ticks harvested in the field, which may be naturally infected with various pathogens. This especially applies to carriage of B. bovis as it is highly prevalent in endemic areas and is transmitted transovarially in ticks. Here, we describe the use of diminazene aceturate (Berenil) in order to establish laboratory colonies of Babesia-free R. annulatus, from ticks collected in the field. Ticks collected in the field were kept until oviposition and hatched larvae were introduced to naïve calves, which led to infection of the calves with B. bovis. Calves were then treated with diminazene aceturate several times until the engorged ticks dropped. The eggs and larvae collected from these ticks were parasite-free, as demonstrated both by infection of splenectomized calves and by PCR. This suggested protocol is a useful tool to create parasite-free tick colony and may, theoretically, also be beneficial to reduce parasite circulation in the field, although not recommended, as resistance to diamenizene aceturate might develop.
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Mazuz ML, Laughery JM, Lebovitz B, Yasur-Landau D, Rot A, Bastos RG, Edery N, Fleiderovitz L, Levi MM, Suarez CE. Experimental Infection of Calves with Transfected Attenuated Babesia bovis Expressing the Rhipicephalus microplus Bm86 Antigen and eGFP Marker: Preliminary Studies towards a Dual Anti-Tick/Babesia Vaccine. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020135. [PMID: 33572875 PMCID: PMC7911397 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020135] [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: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis, caused by Babesia bovis and B. bigemina, is a major tick-borne disease of cattle with global economic impact. The disease can be prevented using integrated control measures including attenuated Babesia vaccines, babesicidal drugs, and tick control approaches. Vaccination of cattle with the Rhipicephalus microplus Bm86-based recombinant vaccine reduces the fitness of R. microplus and R. annulatus, but several booster inoculations are required to maintain protection. Herein, we generated a stable transfected strain of B. bovis expressing an enhanced GFP (eGFP) and a chimeric version of Bm86 (B. bovis/Bm86/eGFP). The eGFP was expressed in the parasite cytoplasm, whereas Bm86 was displayed on the surface of merozoites. Three splenectomized calves experimentally infected with B. bovis/Bm86/eGFP showed mild signs of acute disease and developed long-lasting antibody responses to B. bovis and native Bm86. No evidence of sequestration of parasites in the cerebral capillaries was found upon postmortem analysis, confirming attenuation of the strain. This is the first report of transfected B. bovis expressing the tick antigen Bm86 on the merozoite surface that elicits an antibody response to native Bm86. These results represent a proof of concept for a novel live, attenuated, tagged dual-vaccine approach to attempt simultaneous control of babesiosis and tick infestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica L. Mazuz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.M.); (C.E.S.); Tel.: +972-3-968-1690 (M.L.M.); Tel.: +1-509-335-6341 (C.E.S.)
| | - Jacob M. Laughery
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA; (J.M.L.); (R.G.B.)
| | - Benjamin Lebovitz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Daniel Yasur-Landau
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Assael Rot
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA; (J.M.L.); (R.G.B.)
| | - Nir Edery
- Division of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel;
| | - Ludmila Fleiderovitz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Maayan Margalit Levi
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA; (J.M.L.); (R.G.B.)
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, WSU, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA
- Correspondence: (M.L.M.); (C.E.S.); Tel.: +972-3-968-1690 (M.L.M.); Tel.: +1-509-335-6341 (C.E.S.)
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Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immune Response Validation in Calves after a Live Attenuated Vaccine of Babesia bigemina. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9110936. [PMID: 33187270 PMCID: PMC7698288 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The current vaccines to control bovine Babesia bigemina (B. bigemina) infection are not fully protective and vaccination failures incur heavy losses to the cattle industry around the world. Using modified micro-aerophilous stationary phase, we developed a culture-derived attenuated live vaccine against B. bigemina and tested a single subcutaneous inoculation of 2 × 108 infected erythrocytes in calves. The protection was measured after a lethal intravenous challenge with 5 × 108 virulent calf-derived B. bigemina. Our results demonstrated that a single shot of attenuated vaccine was capable of inducing robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in calves. We found a significant increase in the IgG antibody titers post-challenge and a strong proliferation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells contributing towards the protection. Our vaccine provided complete protection and parasitic clearance, which was followed for more than 100 days post-challenge. This immunity against babesiosis was directly linked to strong humoral responses; however, the parasitic clearance was attributed to significant T cells effector responses in vaccinated calves as compared to the infected control calves. We anticipate that these results will be helpful in the development of more efficient culture-derived vaccines against Babesia infections, thus reducing significant global economic losses to farmers and the cattle industry.
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Antunes S, Couto J, Ferrolho J, Sanches GS, Merino Charrez JO, De la Cruz Hernández N, Mazuz M, Villar M, Shkap V, de la Fuente J, Domingos A. Transcriptome and Proteome Response of Rhipicephalus annulatus Tick Vector to Babesia bigemina Infection. Front Physiol 2019; 10:318. [PMID: 31001128 PMCID: PMC6454348 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A system biology approach was used to gain insight into tick biology and interactions between vector and pathogen. Rhipicephalus annulatus is one of the main vectors of Babesia bigemina which has a massive impact on animal health. It is vital to obtain more information about this relationship, to better understand tick and pathogen biology, pathogen transmission dynamics, and new potential control approaches. In ticks, salivary glands (SGs) play a key role during pathogen infection and transmission. RNA sequencing obtained from uninfected and B. bigemina infected SGs obtained from fed female ticks resulted in 6823 and 6475 unigenes, respectively. From these, 360 unigenes were found to be differentially expressed (p < 0.05). Reversed phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified a total of 3679 tick proteins. Among them 406 were differently represented in response to Babesia infection. The omics data obtained suggested that Babesia infection lead to a reduction in the levels of mRNA and proteins (n = 237 transcripts, n = 212 proteins) when compared to uninfected controls. Integrated transcriptomics and proteomics datasets suggested a key role for stress response and apoptosis pathways in response to infection. Thus, six genes coding for GP80, death-associated protein kinase (DAPK-1), bax inhibitor-1 related (BI-1), heat shock protein (HSP), heat shock transcription factor (PHSTF), and queuine trna-ribosyltransferase (QtRibosyl) were selected and RNA interference (RNAi) performed. Gene silencing was obtained for all genes except phstf. Knockdown of gp80, dapk-1, and bi-1 led to a significant increase in Babesia infection levels while hsp and QtRibosyl knockdown resulted in a non-significant decrease of infection levels when compared to the respective controls. Gene knockdown did not affect tick survival, but engorged female weight and egg production were affected in the gp80, dapk-1, and QtRibosyl-silenced groups in comparison to controls. These results advanced our understanding of tick-Babesia molecular interactions, and suggested new tick antigens as putative targets for vaccination to control tick infestations and pathogen infection/transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Antunes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Couto
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Ferrolho
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gustavo Seron Sanches
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Ned De la Cruz Hernández
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Ciudad Victoria, Mexico
| | | | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Varda Shkap
- Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Ana Domingos
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Rojas-Martínez C, Rodríguez-Vivas RI, Millán JVF, Bautista-Garfias CR, Castañeda-Arriola RO, Lira-Amaya JJ, Urióstegui PV, Carrasco JJO, Martínez JAÁ. Bovine babesiosis: Cattle protected in the field with a frozen vaccine containing Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina cultured in vitro with a serum-free medium. Parasitol Int 2017; 67:190-195. [PMID: 29155165 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
An attenuated live vaccine containing Babesia bovis and B. bigemina cultured in vitro with a serum-free medium was assessed for its clinical protection conferred of naïve cattle, under natural tick-challenge in a high endemicity zone to Babesia spp. Three groups of six animals were treated as follows: group I (GI) received a vaccine derived from parasites cultured with a free-serum medium; group II (GII) were immunized with the standard vaccine, with parasites cultured in a medium supplemented with 40% (v/v) bovine serum; and a control group (GIII) inoculated with non-infected bovine erythrocytes. Inocula were administered by IM route. Experimental animals were kept during 23days after vaccination in a cattle farm free of ticks and Babesia spp. Thereafter, cattle were moved to a high endemicity farm for natural exposure to Babesia spp. transmitted by Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. Protection against clinical babesiosis was observed in bovines belonging to GI (100%) and GII (83.33%), while the control animals (GIII) were not protected, and showed severe clinical signs, closely related to babesiosis, were observed for at least three consecutive days during the challenge. These were fever, anemia, which were measured simultaneously, and circulating parasites were detected by optic light microscopy. All cattle showed B. bovis and B. bigemina in stained blood films during the challenge; B. bovis antibody titers were higher than those to B. bigemina in GI and GII, and lower titers were determined in GIII. The protective capacity of the vaccine derived from B. bovis and B. bigemina cultured in vitro in a serum-free medium was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Rojas-Martínez
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Parasitología Veterinaria (CENID-PAVET), Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico; Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, FMVZ, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, C.P. 97100, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Roger Iván Rodríguez-Vivas
- Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, FMVZ, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil, C.P. 97100, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Julio Vicente Figueroa Millán
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Parasitología Veterinaria (CENID-PAVET), Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Carlos Ramón Bautista-Garfias
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Parasitología Veterinaria (CENID-PAVET), Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico
| | | | - José Juan Lira-Amaya
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Parasitología Veterinaria (CENID-PAVET), Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Patricia Vargas Urióstegui
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Parasitología Veterinaria (CENID-PAVET), Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Juan José Ojeda Carrasco
- Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Carretera Amecameca-Ayapango Km. 2.5, Amecameca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Jesús Antonio Álvarez Martínez
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Parasitología Veterinaria (CENID-PAVET), Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico.
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Molad T, Erster O, Fleiderovitz L, Roth A, Leibovitz B, Wolkomirsky R, Mazuz ML, Behar A, Markovics A. Molecular characterization of the Israeli B. bigemina vaccine strain and field isolates. Vet Parasitol 2015; 212:147-55. [PMID: 26154404 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study demonstrated the genetic character of the Israeli Babesia bigemina vaccine strain and field isolates, based on rap-1a and rap-1c gene sequences. The RAP-1a of blood-derived Israeli B. bigemina field isolates shared 100% amino acid sequence identity. However, comparison of RAP-1c from various Israeli B. bigemina field isolates revealed that the total sequence identity among the field isolates ranged from 98.2 to 100%. High identity was observed when RAP-1a sequences from the Israeli vaccine strain and field isolates were compared with RAP-1a from Egypt, Syria, Mexico and South Africa, while, the Israeli RAP-1c sequences showed the highest identity to the Mexican isolate JG-29 and to the PR isolate from Puerto-Rico. Based on sequence variations between the rap-1a of the vaccine strain and that of the field isolate, and between the rap-1c of the vaccine strain and that of the field isolates, nPCR-RFLP procedures were developed that enable, for the first time differentiation between the Israeli B. bigemina vaccine strain and field-infection isolates. These assays could serve as fast and sensitive methods for detection and differentiation between Israeli B. bigemina vaccine strains and field isolates, as well as for epidemiological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Molad
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
| | - O Erster
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - L Fleiderovitz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - A Roth
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - B Leibovitz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - R Wolkomirsky
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - M L Mazuz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - A Behar
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - A Markovics
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
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Co-immunization of cattle with a vaccine against babesiosis and Lactobacillus casei increases specific IgG1 levels to Babesia bovis and B. bigemina. Parasitol Int 2015; 64:319-23. [PMID: 25936971 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The effect of Lactobacillus casei administered along with a live attenuated vaccine vs. bovine babesiosis (VAC) on induction of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies to Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina was assessed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) in bovines of an endemic babesiosis area before (day 0) and after vaccination (days 15 and 30). We previously reported that L. casei increases the efficiency of VAC under controlled conditions and under extreme conditions in the field; however, the levels of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies to B. bovis and B. bigemina are not known in vaccinated animals. Twenty-one dairy cows were allocated into three groups (seven animals per group): unvaccinated, vaccinated with VAC and vaccinated simultaneously with VAC and L. casei (VAC-LC). All animals were kept in a babesiosis endemic area at Tlalixcoyan, Veracruz. At days 15 and 30 after vaccination, the average levels of IgG1 to B. bovis and to B. bigemina were significantly higher in VAC-LC group than levels observed in VAC and control groups (P<0.01). Levels of IgG2 were similar in VAC and VAC-LC groups but higher than in the control group (P<0.01). When tested in in vitro cultures of B. bovis, sera from VAC-LC group significantly inhibited parasite growth as compared with the sera of the other two groups. It is suggested that the efficiency improvement of VAC, in part, is due to the L. casei boost of IgG1 over IgG2 antibodies to B. bovis and B. bigemina when the bacteria is co-inoculated with this vaccine.
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11
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Molad T, Fleiderovitz L, Leibovitz B, Wolkomirsky R, Behar A, Markovics A. Differentiation between Israeli B. bovis vaccine strain and field isolates. Vet Parasitol 2015; 208:159-68. [PMID: 25636460 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study demonstrated for the first time the ability to distinguish between the Israeli Babesia bovis vaccine strain and field isolates. The existence of an additional EcoRI restriction site in the rhoptry-associated protein-1 (rap-1) gene, which is unique to the Israeli vaccine strain, and the abolition of one of the HaeIII restriction sites in the rap-1 gene of the vaccine strain enabled distinction between the Israeli B. bovis vaccine strain and field isolates, and this was the basis for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) development. ClustalW sequence alignment of RAP-1-deduced amino acids of the Israeli B. bovis strains and of field isolates showed that the total sequence identity among the RAP-1 amino acid sequences ranged from 97.5% to 100%. However, comparison between amino acids of RAP-1 of the Israeli vaccine strain and of field isolates, on the one hand, and B. bovis strains from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and USA, on the other hand, revealed 90% identity. The PCR-RFLP assay offered the great advantage of being able to distinguish between vaccine and field isolates in mixtures and provide new insight into the molecular epidemiology of B. bovis infections in Israel.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Molad
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
| | - L Fleiderovitz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - B Leibovitz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - R Wolkomirsky
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - A Behar
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - A Markovics
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
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12
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Domingos A, Antunes S, Villar M, de la Fuente J. Functional genomics of tick vectors challenged with the cattle parasite Babesia bigemina. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1247:475-489. [PMID: 25399115 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2004-4_32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites considered as vectors of animal diseases, having a huge economic impact in cattle industry. Babesia spp. are tick-borne pathogens that cause a disease called babesiosis in a wide range of animals and in humans. Control of tick infestations is mainly based on the use of acaricides, which have limited efficacy reducing tick infestations, mostly due to wrong usage, and is often accompanied by the selection of acaricide-resistant ticks, environmental contamination, and contamination of milk and meat products. Vaccines affecting both vector and pathogens constitute new control strategies for tick and tick-borne diseases and are, therefore, a good alternative to chemical control. In this chapter we describe the identification of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus genes differentially expressed in response to infection with B. bigemina by using suppression-subtractive hybridization (SSH), which allows the identification of differentially expressed genes. The results of the SSH studies are validated by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Functional analyses are conducted by RNAi on selected R. annulatus genes to determine their putative role in B. bigemina-tick interactions. Gathered data may be useful for the future development of improved vaccines and vaccination strategies to control babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Domingos
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal,
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13
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Antunes S, Merino O, Lérias J, Domingues N, Mosqueda J, de la Fuente J, Domingos A. Artificial feeding of Rhipicephalus microplus female ticks with anti calreticulin serum do not influence tick and Babesia bigemina acquisition. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 6:47-55. [PMID: 25262467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites considered the principal vectors of disease among animals. Rhipicephalus microplus and R. annulatus ticks are the most important vectors for Babesia bigemina and B. bovis, two of the most important intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites species in cattle, responsible for babesiosis which together with anaplasmosis account for substantial economic losses in the livestock industry worldwide. Anti-tick vaccines are a proved alternative to traditional tick and tick borne diseases control methods but are still limited primarily due to the lack of effective antigens. Subsequently to the identification of antigens the validation is a laborious work often expensive. Tick artificial feeding, is a low cost alternative to test antigens allowing achieving critical data. Herein, R. microplus females were successfully artificially fed using capillary tubes. Calreticulin (CRT) protein, which in a previous study has been identified as being involved in B. bigemina infection in R. annulatus ticks, was expressed as recombinant protein (rCRT) in an E. coli expression system and antibodies raised against rCRT. Anti-rCRT serum was supplemented to a blood meal, offered to partially engorged R. microplus females and their effect in feeding process as well as infection by B. bigemina was analyzed. No significant reductions in tick and egg weight were observed when ticks fed with anti-rCRT serum. Furthermore, B. bigemina infection levels did not show a statistically significant decrease when ticks fed with anti-rCRT antibodies. Results suggest that CRT is not a suitable candidate for cattle vaccination trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Antunes
- Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Octávio Merino
- SaBio, Research Institute on Cinegetic Resources, IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Joana Lérias
- CIISA, College of Veterinary Medicine, Technical University of Lisbon, Av. da Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nuno Domingues
- Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Juan Mosqueda
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Querétaro, Avenida de las Ciencias, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Research Institute on Cinegetic Resources, IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Ana Domingos
- Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
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Molad T, Fleiderovitz L, Leibovich B, Wolkomirsky R, Erster O, Roth A, Mazuz M, Markovics A, Shkap V. Genetic polymorphism of Babesia bovis merozoite surface antigens-2 (MSA-2) isolates from bovine blood and Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks in Israel. Vet Parasitol 2014; 205:20-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2014] [Revised: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Florin-Christensen M, Suarez CE, Rodriguez AE, Flores DA, Schnittger L. Vaccines against bovine babesiosis: where we are now and possible roads ahead. Parasitology 2014; 141:1-30. [PMID: 25068315 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182014000961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY Bovine babesiosis caused by the tick-transmitted haemoprotozoans Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina and Babesia divergens commonly results in substantial cattle morbidity and mortality in vast world areas. Although existing live vaccines confer protection, they have considerable disadvantages. Therefore, particularly in countries where large numbers of cattle are at risk, important research is directed towards improved vaccination strategies. Here a comprehensive overview of currently used live vaccines and of the status quo of experimental vaccine trials is presented. In addition, pertinent research fields potentially contributing to the development of novel non-live and/or live vaccines are discussed, including parasite antigens involved in host cell invasion and in pathogen-tick interactions, as well as the protective immunity against infection. The mining of available parasite genomes is continuously enlarging the array of potential vaccine candidates and, additionally, the recent development of a transfection tool for Babesia can significantly contribute to vaccine design. However, the complication and high cost of vaccination trials hinder Babesia vaccine research, and have so far seriously limited the systematic examination of antigen candidates and prevented an in-depth testing of formulations using different immunomodulators and antigen delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos E Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology,Washington State University,Pullman, WA 99164-7040,USA
| | - Anabel E Rodriguez
- Instituto de Patobiologia,CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, 1686 Hurlingham,Argentina
| | - Daniela A Flores
- Instituto de Patobiologia,CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, 1686 Hurlingham,Argentina
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Functional genomics studies of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus ticks in response to infection with the cattle protozoan parasite, Babesia bigemina. Int J Parasitol 2012; 42:187-95. [PMID: 22265898 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2011.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Revised: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites of wild and domestic animals as well as humans, considered to be second worldwide to mosquitoes as vectors of human diseases, but the most important vectors of disease-causing pathogens in domestic and wild animals. Babesia spp. are tick-borne pathogens that cause a disease called babesiosis in a wide range of animals and in humans. In particular, Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina are transmitted by cattle ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus and Rhipicephalus microplus, which are considered the most important cattle ectoparasites with major economic impacts on cattle production. The objectives of this study were to identify R. annulatus genes differentially expressed in response to infection with B. bigemina. Functional analyses were conducted on selected genes by RNA interference in both R. annulatus and R. microplus ticks. Eight hundred randomly selected suppression-subtractive hybridisation library clones were sequenced and analysed. Molecular function Gene Ontology assignments showed that the obtained tick sequences encoded for proteins with different cellular functions. Differentially expressed genes with putative functions in tick-pathogen interactions were selected for validation of SSH results by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. Genes encoding for TROSPA, calreticulin, ricinusin and serum amyloid A were over-expressed in B. bigemina-infected ticks while Kunitz-type protease inhibitor 5 mRNA levels were down-regulated in infected ticks. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes by double stranded RNA-mediated RNAi showed that under the conditions of the present study knockdown of TROSPA and serum amyloid A significantly reduced B. bigemina infection levels in R. annulatus while in R. microplus, knockdown of TROSPA, serum amyloid A and calreticulin also reduced pathogen infection levels when compared with controls. Several studies have characterised the tick-pathogen interface at the molecular level. However, to our knowledge this is the first report of functional genomics studies in R. annulatus infected with B. bigemina. The results reported here increase our understanding of the role of tick genes in Babesia infection/multiplication.
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Abstract
SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to compare the genetic diversity of the single copyBv80gene sequences ofBabesia bovisin populations of attenuated and virulent parasites. PCR/ RT-PCR followed by cloning and sequence analyses of 4 attenuated and 4 virulent strains were performed. Multiple fragments in the range of 420 to 744 bp were amplified by PCR or RT-PCR. Cloning of the PCR fragments and sequence analyses revealed the presence of mixed subpopulations in either virulent or attenuated parasites with a total of 19 variants with 12 different sequences that differed in number and type of tandem repeats. High levels of intra- and inter-strain diversity of theBv80gene, with the presence of mixed populations of parasites were found in both the virulent field isolates and the attenuated vaccine strains. In addition, during the attenuation process, sequence analyses showed changes in the pattern of the parasite subpopulations. Despite high polymorphism found by sequence analyses, the patterns observed and the number of repeats, order, or motifs found could not discriminate between virulent field isolates and attenuated vaccine strains of the parasite.
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Attenuation of virulence in an apicomplexan hemoparasite results in reduced genome diversity at the population level. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:410. [PMID: 21838895 PMCID: PMC3166950 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2011] [Accepted: 08/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Virulence acquisition and loss is a dynamic adaptation of pathogens to thrive in changing milieus. We investigated the mechanisms of virulence loss at the whole genome level using Babesia bovis as a model apicomplexan in which genetically related attenuated parasites can be reliably derived from virulent parental strains in the natural host. We expected virulence loss to be accompanied by consistent changes at the gene level, and that such changes would be shared among attenuated parasites of diverse geographic and genetic background. Results Surprisingly, while single nucleotide polymorphisms in 14 genes distinguished all attenuated parasites from their virulent parental strains, all non-synonymous changes resulted in no deleterious amino acid modification that could consistently be associated with attenuation (or virulence) in this hemoparasite. Interestingly, however, attenuation significantly reduced the overall population's genome diversity with 81% of base pairs shared among attenuated strains, compared to only 60% of base pairs common among virulent parental parasites. There were significantly fewer genes that were unique to their geographical origins among the attenuated parasites, resulting in a simplified population structure among the attenuated strains. Conclusions This simplified structure includes reduced diversity of the variant erythrocyte surface 1 (ves) multigene family repertoire among attenuated parasites when compared to virulent parental strains, possibly suggesting that overall variance in large protein families such as Variant Erythrocyte Surface Antigens has a critical role in expression of the virulence phenotype. In addition, the results suggest that virulence (or attenuation) mechanisms may not be shared among all populations of parasites at the gene level, but instead may reflect expansion or contraction of the population structure in response to shifting milieus.
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Molecular detection ofBabesiaspp. and other haemoparasitic infections of cattle in Maputo Province, Mozambique. Parasitology 2010; 137:939-46. [DOI: 10.1017/s003118200999196x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYMolecular detection ofBabesiaspecies in apparently healthy cattle within an endemic region was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of carriers and the geographical distribution ofBabesia bigeminaandBabesia bovisin Maputo Province, Mozambique. Samples from 477 animals at 5 localities were analysed using 2 techniques, the semi-nested hot-start PCR and the reverse line blot (RLB) assay. With the semi-nested hot-start PCR, detection ofB. bigeminaranged between 30% and 89%, and ofB. bovisbetween 27% and 83%. The RLB assay was comparatively less sensitive in this study and detection ofB. bovisranged from 0% to 17%, andB. bigeminawas not detected at all by this technique. Analysis of new sequences of the 18S rRNA gene revealed that the currentB. bigeminaRLB probe is not specific for the identification of isolates in Mozambique. The RLB assay, however, resulted in the detection of 8 other haemoparasite species belonging to the generaBabesia,Theileria,AnaplasmaandEhrlichia. 18S rRNA gene sequences from theTheileriaspp. were identified, and a phylogenic tree constructed with these sequences yielded a heterogeneousT. mutans-like group. In conclusion, infection withB. bigeminaandB. bovisis endemic in Maputo Province, but rates of transmission vary. Furthermore, mixed infections with the haemoparasites responsible for several tick-borne diseases in cattle are common in Mozambique.
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Fish L, Leibovich B, Krigel Y, McElwain T, Shkap V. Vaccination of cattle against B. bovis infection with live attenuated parasites and non-viable immunogens. Vaccine 2008; 26 Suppl 6:G29-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.09.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Shkap V, Rasulov I, Abdurasulov S, Fish L, Leibovitz B, Krigel Y, Molad T, Mazuz ML, Savitsky I. Babesia bigemina: attenuation of an Uzbek isolate for immunization of cattle with live calf- or culture-derived parasites. Vet Parasitol 2007; 146:221-6. [PMID: 17368728 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2006] [Revised: 12/17/2006] [Accepted: 02/15/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The virulence of an Uzbek isolate of Babesia bigemina, obtained from infected Boophilus annulatus ticks from an endemic area in Uzbekistan, was attenuated for immunization of cattle with autochthonous calf- or culture-derived parasites in Uzbekistan. After four "slow passages" in vivo the virulence was reduced, as evidenced by the response of calves inoculated with an experimental live frozen vaccine produced from the following passage. The vaccine was safe and protective against homologous virulent challenge under laboratory conditions. The culture-derived experimental vaccine was produced from cultures initiated after 3 passages in vivo followed by 22 passages in vitro. The cultured parasites did not elicit any clinical sign, but inoculated calves seroconverted following vaccination and were protected against the virulent homologous challenge. Both calf- and culture-derived vaccines were safe for cattle grazing in an endemic area in Uzbekistan. Despite the high polymorphism of B. bigemina, as reported from various geographical regions, the Central Asian strain was attenuated similarly to those that form the basis of the existing live B. bigemina vaccines in other parts of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varda Shkap
- Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
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Costa-Júnior LM, Rabelo EML, Martins Filho OA, Ribeiro MFB. Comparison of different direct diagnostic methods to identify Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in animals vaccinated with live attenuated parasites. Vet Parasitol 2006; 139:231-6. [PMID: 16580136 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2005] [Revised: 02/13/2006] [Accepted: 02/24/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Blood smear examination, flow cytometry, duplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and duplex nested PCR (nPCR) were evaluated for detection of Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis infections in cattle vaccinated with live attenuated strains. Two groups of four cattle were immunized with either B. bigemina (Bi) or B. bovis (Bo). On day 23 post inoculation (PI), Bi cattle were vaccinated with B. bovis (BiBo) and Bo cattle were vaccinated with B. bigemina (BoBi). Babesia bigemina was first detected by blood smear examination 7.5+/-3.5 days PI in the Bi group and 32.2+/-1.7 days PI in the BoBi group. The first occurrence of B. bovis in blood smears was 8.0 days PI in the Bo group and 36.0+/-2.6 days PI in the BiBo group. Flow cytometry detected parasitized erythrocytes on day 1.7+/-1.5 and 2.2+/-1.5 PI in the Bi and Bo groups, respectively, but did not discriminate between the two Babesia spp. Duplex PCR detected B. bigemina on day 4.0+/-0.8 and 26.0+/-0.8 PI in the Bi and BoBi groups, respectively, and B. bovis on day 4.0 and 25.3+/-0.5 PI in the Bo and BiBo groups, respectively. The duplex nPCR detected B. bigemina on 3.0+/-0.8 and 25.0+/-0.0 days PI in the Bi and BoBi groups, respectively, and 4.7+/-1.7 and 27.7+/-6.2 days PI in the Bo and BiBo groups, respectively. Duplex nPCR outperformed the other tests in terms of specificity and sensitivity, indicating that it is the most useful method for identifying Babesia spp. in cattle following vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Martins Costa-Júnior
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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