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Conejeros I, Velásquez ZD, Rojas-Barón L, Espinosa G, Hermosilla C, Taubert A. The CAMKK/AMPK Pathway Contributes to Besnoitia besnoiti-Induced NETosis in Bovine Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8442. [PMID: 39126009 PMCID: PMC11313139 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Besnoitia besnoiti is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite and the causal agent of bovine besnoitiosis. Bovine besnoitiosis has a considerable economic impact in Africa and Asia due to reduced milk production, abortions, and bull infertility. In Europe, bovine besnoitiosis is classified as an emerging disease. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are one of the most abundant leukocytes in cattle blood and amongst the first immunological responders toward invading pathogens. In the case of B. besnoiti, bovine PMN produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and show increased autophagic activities upon exposure to tachyzoite stages. In that context, the general processes of NETosis and autophagy were previously reported as associated with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Here, we study the role of AMPK in B. besnoiti tachyzoite-induced NET formation, thereby expanding the analysis to both upstream proteins, such as the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CAMKK), and downstream signaling and effector molecules, such as the autophagy-related proteins ULK-1 and Beclin-1. Current data revealed early AMPK activation (<30 min) in both B. besnoiti-exposed and AMPK activator (AICAR)-treated bovine PMN. This finding correlated with upstream responses on the level of CAMKK activation. Moreover, these reactions were accompanied by an augmented autophagic activity, as represented by enhanced expression of ULK-1 but not of Beclin-1. Referring to neutrophil effector functions, AICAR treatments induced both AMPK phosphorylation and NET formation, without affecting cell viability. In B. besnoiti tachyzoite-exposed PMN, AICAR treatments failed to affect oxidative responses, but led to enhanced NET formation, thereby indicating that AMPK and autophagic activation synergize with B. besnoiti-driven NETosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Conejeros
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (Z.D.V.); (L.R.-B.); (G.E.); (C.H.); (A.T.)
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Tinkler SH, Villa L, Manfredi MT, Walshe N, Jahns H. First report of Besnoitia bennetti in Irish donkeys: an emerging parasitic disease in Europe. Ir Vet J 2024; 77:2. [PMID: 38355717 PMCID: PMC10865628 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-024-00263-2] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This is the first report of Besnoitia bennetti in donkeys in Ireland. B. bennetti, an apicomplexan protozoan parasite specific to equids, is an emerging pathogen in Europe. This parasite forms chronic intracytoplasmic cysts in cells of the mesenchymal lineage, mainly fibroblasts, in the skin, sclera and mucosa. Clinical signs in affected equine hosts vary from mild to severe debilitating disease. Little is known of the phylogeny, epidemiology or transmission of B. bennetti infection in donkeys, mules or horses. CASE PRESENTATION Two cases of besnoitiosis in donkeys are presented. Both donkeys were born and raised in theSouthwest of Ireland. The first case was a 2.5-year-old donkey that had a suspect sarcoid removed, while the second case,a 2-year-old donkey, had a biopsy of nodular dermatitis of the muzzle. Diagnosis was made by histopathology and the parasite species, B. bennetti, was confirmed by PCR followed by sequencing and microsatellite analysis. Both donkeys had high antibody titres against Besnoitia spp. Small (0.5 mm) scleral, conjunctival and dermal cysts over the muzzle were subsequently observed in both animals. Treatment with trimethoprim sulfadiazine for 30 days did not lead to clinical resolution. The findings are compared to the cases of besnoitiosis in donkeys reported in the past 10 years throughout Europe. CONCLUSIONS Besnoitiosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for chronic skin disease particularly in cases of cutaneous masses, non-pruritic dermatitis, and dermatitis that is not responsive to treatment in donkeys and other equids. Future studies are needed to investigate the prevalence of the disease in Irish donkeys, the spread of the disease and the potential impact on the health and welfare of the donkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy H Tinkler
- Veterinary Department, The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland, Hannigan's Farm, Liscarroll, Mallow Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Nicola Walshe
- Pathobiology Section, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04W6F6, Ireland
| | - Hanne Jahns
- Pathobiology Section, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04W6F6, Ireland.
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Espinosa G, Conejeros I, Rojas-Barón L, Hermosilla CR, Taubert A. Besnoitia besnoiti-induced neutrophil clustering and neutrophil extracellular trap formation depend on P2X1 purinergic receptor signaling. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1244068. [PMID: 37854595 PMCID: PMC10579820 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis is a re-emerging cattle disease caused by the cyst-forming apicomplexan parasite Besnoitia besnoiti. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation represents an efficient innate immune mechanism of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) against apicomplexan parasites, including B. besnoiti. PMN purinergic signaling was proposed as a critical factor for NET formation. One important purinergic ligand is ATP, which is recognized as a danger signal and released into the extracellular space acting as an autocrine/paracrine signaling molecule. ATP-driven effects on PMN via the nucleotide P2 receptor family include chemotaxis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and NET formation. So far, data on both PMN ATP concentrations and the role of ATP as a key modulator of purinergic signaling in B. besnoiti tachyzoite-triggered bovine NETosis is scarce. Current data showed that B. besnoiti tachyzoite exposure to bovine PMN neither changed total PMN ATP nor extracellular ATP quantities even though it significantly triggered NET formation. Moreover, B. besnoiti tachyzoite-exposed PMN revealed enhanced oxygen consumption rates (OCR) as quantified by the Seahorse metabolic analyzer. Exogenous supplementation of ATP or non-hydrolizable ATP (ATPγS) led to increased extracellular acidification rates (ECAR) but failed to alter tachyzoite-induced oxidative responses (OCR) in exposed PMN. In addition, exogenous supplementation of ATPγS, but not of ATP, boosted B. besnoiti tachyzoite-induced anchored NET formation. Referring to purinergic signaling, B. besnoiti tachyzoite-triggered anchored NET formation revealed P2X1 purinergic as receptor-dependent since it was blocked by the P2X1 inhibitor NF449 at an IC50 of 1.27 µM. In contrast, antagonists of P2Y2, P2Y6, P2X4, and P2X7 purinergic receptors all failed to affect parasite-driven NETosis. As an interesting finding, we additionally observed that B. besnoiti tachyzoite exposure induced PMN clustering in a P2X1-dependent manner. Thus, we identified P2X1 purinergic receptor as a pivotal molecule for both B. besnoiti tachyzoite-induced PMN clustering and anchored NET formation.
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Berman N, Tirosh-Levy S, Steinman A, Minderigiu A, Blinder E, Leszkowicz Mazuz M. First Detection of Anti-Besnoitia spp. Antibodies in Equids in Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040929. [PMID: 37110352 PMCID: PMC10143183 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Besnoitia is a tissue cyst forming coccidia, which affects multiple host species worldwide. Equine besnoitiosis is characterized mainly by generalized skin lesions and cysts in the scleral conjunctiva. Recent reports revealed exposure to Besnoitia in equines in Europe and the United States. However, the exposure to Besnoitia spp. in the Israeli equine population was never investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for besnoitiosis in equids in Israel. A cross-sectional serosurvey was performed using serum samples of apparently healthy horses (n = 347), donkeys (n = 98), and mules (n = 6), and exposure to Besnoitia spp. was determined by an immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Anti-Besnoitia spp. antibodies were detected in 17.7% equids, 6.9% horses, 33.3% mules, and 55.1% donkeys. The seroprevalence in donkeys was significantly higher than in horses (p < 0.001). A significant association between the geographic location and seropositivity was found both in horses and donkeys, which was significantly higher (p = 0.004) in horses sampled in southern Israel, and donkeys sampled in Israel versus the Palestinian Authority (p < 0.001). This is the first serosurvey of Besnoitia infection in equines in Israel, and the results are consistent with reports from Europe. The clinical significance of equine besnoitiosis should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Berman
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Sharon Tirosh-Levy
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 5025004, Israel
| | - Amir Steinman
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Avital Minderigiu
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Elena Blinder
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 5025004, Israel
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Seroprevalence and Factors Associated with Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Besnoitia besnoiti Infections in Cattle and Goats in Selangor, Malaysia. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050948. [PMID: 36899807 PMCID: PMC10000077 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050948] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Besnoitia besnoiti are widely recognized as causes of production diseases in ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the serological occurrence of T. gondii, N. caninum, and B. besnoiti in cattle and goats from smallholder farms in Selangor, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 19 farms by collecting 404 bovine (n = 225) and caprine (n = 179) serum samples, which were then essayed for T. gondii, N. caninum, and B. besnoiti antibodies using commercially available ELISA test kits. Farm data and animal characteristics were documented, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. The seroprevalence of T. gondii at animal and farm levels in cattle was 5.3% (95% CI 1.2-7.4%) and 36.8% (95% CI 22.4-58.0%), respectively. Animal-level seropositivity for N. caninum was 2.7% (95% CI 0.4-4.2%) and 5.7% for B. besnoiti (95% CI 1.3-9.4%) with corresponding farm-level seropositivity of 21.0% and 31.5%, respectively. For the goat samples, a high animal- (69.8%; 95% CI 34.1-82.0%) and farm-level (92.3%) seropositivity was recorded for T. gondii, but was relatively lower for N. caninum antibodies, at 3.9% (95% CI 1.5-6.2%) and 38.4% (5/13). The factors associated with T. gondii seropositivity were older animals (above 12 months) (OR = 5.3; 95% CI 1.7-16.6), semi-intensive farms (OR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.3-6.2), the presence of either dogs or cats (OR = 3.6; 95% CI 1.1-12.3), a large herd size (>100 animals) (OR = 3.7; 95% CI 1.4-10.0), and a single source of replacement animals (OR = 3.9; 95% CI 1.6-9.6). These findings are vital in developing effective control measures against these parasites in ruminant farms in Selangor, Malaysia. More national epidemiological research is required to elucidate the spatial distribution of these infections and their potential impact on Malaysia's livestock industry.
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Malatji MP, Tembe D, Mukaratirwa S. An update on epidemiology and clinical aspects of besnoitiosis in livestock and wildlife in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2023; 21:e00284. [PMID: 36793766 PMCID: PMC9922981 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2023.e00284] [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: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Besnoitiosis is a parasitic disease of economic importance caused by cyst-forming protozoa from the genus Besnoitia. The disease affects the skin, subcutis, blood vessels, and mucous membranes of the animals. It is traditionally endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, and causes enormous economic loss associated with impaired productivity and reproduction, as well as skin lesions. Therefore, knowledge of the epidemiology of the disease, including the current Besnoitia species occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, the wide range of mammalian species hosts they use as intermediate hosts, and the clinical signs manifested by infected animals is crucial in developing effective prevention and control measures. This review collected information from peer-reviewed publications involving the epidemiology and clinical signs of besnoitiosis in sub-Saharan Africa using four electronic databases. Results showed that B. besnoiti, B. bennetti, B. caprae, B. darlingi-like and unidentified Besnoitia spp. were found naturally infecting livestock and wildlife across nine reviewed sub-Saharan African countries. Besnoitia besnoiti was the most common species, occurring in all nine reviewed countries, and utilised a wide range of mammalian species as intermediate hosts. Prevalence of B. besnoiti ranged from 2.0 to 80.3%, and B. caprae 5.45-46.53%. Infection rate was high with serology compared to other techniques. Some of the typical signs of besnoitiosis included sand-like cysts on the sclera conjunctiva, nodules in the skin, thickening and wrinkling of the skin and alopecia. Inflammation, thickening and wrinkling of the scrotum were observed in bulls, and lesions on the scrotum deteriorated progressively and became generalized in some cases in spite of treatment. There is still a need for surveys focusing on detecting and identifying Besnoitia spp. using molecular techniques in combination with serological, histology and visual observation, and scoping their natural intermediate and definitive hosts, as well as assessing the burden of the disease animals reared on different husbandry systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mokgadi Pulane Malatji
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,Foundational Research & Services, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria 0001, South Africa,Corresponding author at: School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Danisile Tembe
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Samson Mukaratirwa
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Saegerman C, Evrard J, Houtain JY, Alzieu JP, Bianchini J, Mpouam SE, Schares G, Liénard E, Jacquiet P, Villa L, Álvarez-García G, Gazzonis AL, Gentile A, Delooz L. First Expert Elicitation of Knowledge on Drivers of Emergence of Bovine Besnoitiosis in Europe. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070753. [PMID: 35889998 PMCID: PMC9323894 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis (BB) is a chronic and debilitating parasitic disease in cattle caused by the protozoan parasite Besnoitia besnoiti. South European countries are affected and have reported clinical cases of BB. However, BB is considered as emerging in other countries/regions of central, eastern and northern Europe. Yet, data on drivers of emergence of BB in Europe are scarce. In this study, fifty possible drivers of emergence of BB in cattle were identified. A scoring system was developed per driver. Then, the scoring was elicited from eleven recognized European experts to: (i) allocate a score to each driver, (ii) weight the score of drivers within each domain and (iii) weight the different domains among themselves. An overall weighted score was calculated per driver, and drivers were ranked in decreasing order of importance. Regression tree analysis was used to group drivers with comparable likelihoods to play a role in the emergence of BB in cattle in Europe. Finally, robustness testing of expert elicitation was performed for the seven drivers having the highest probability to play a key role in the emergence of BB: i.e., (i) legal/illegal movements of live animals from neighbouring/European Union member states or (ii) from third countries, (iii) risk of showing no clinical sign and silent spread during infection and post infection, (iv) as a consequence, difficulty to detect the emergence, (v) existence of vectors and their potential spread, (vi) European geographical proximity of the pathogen/disease to the country, and (vii) animal density of farms. Provided the limited scientific knowledge on the topic, expert elicitation of knowledge, multi-criteria decision analysis, cluster and sensitivity analyses are very important to prioritize future studies, e.g., the need for quantitative import risk assessment and estimation of the burden of BB to evidence and influence policymaking towards changing (or not) its status as a reportable disease, with prevention and control activities targeting, firstly, the top seven drivers. The present methodology could be applied to other emerging animal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Saegerman
- Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Science (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium; (J.B.); (L.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Julien Evrard
- Regional Association for Animal Registration and Health (ARSIA) asbl, 5590 Ciney, Belgium; (J.E.); (J.-Y.H.)
| | - Jean-Yves Houtain
- Regional Association for Animal Registration and Health (ARSIA) asbl, 5590 Ciney, Belgium; (J.E.); (J.-Y.H.)
| | - Jean-Pierre Alzieu
- Laboratoire Vétérinaire Départemental de l’Ariège (LVD09), 09008 Foix, Ariège, France;
| | - Juana Bianchini
- Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Science (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium; (J.B.); (L.D.)
| | - Serge Eugène Mpouam
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere P.O. Box 454, Cameroon;
| | - Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Emmanuel Liénard
- UMR INTHERES/DGER, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, CEDEX 03, 31076 Toulouse, France;
| | - Philippe Jacquiet
- UMR INRA/DGER IHAP 1225, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, CEDEX 03, 31076 Toulouse, France;
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (L.V.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (L.V.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Arcangelo Gentile
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy;
| | - Laurent Delooz
- Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Science (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium; (J.B.); (L.D.)
- Regional Association for Animal Registration and Health (ARSIA) asbl, 5590 Ciney, Belgium; (J.E.); (J.-Y.H.)
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Anastácio C, Bexiga R, Nolasco S, Zúquete S, Delgado ILS, Nunes T, Leitão A. Impact of Endemic Besnoitiosis on the Performance of a Dairy Cattle Herd. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101291. [PMID: 35625138 PMCID: PMC9137998 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Bovine besnoitiosis, caused by the Apicomplexa parasite Besnoitia besnoiti, has been emerging in Europe as a disease of economic concern to the cattle industry. It is a chronic and debilitating disease mostly reported in beef cattle. However, in Europe, bovine besnoitiosis is increasingly common in dairy cattle; therefore, there is a need to assess the impact of this disease on milk production. To study the effect of B. besnoiti infection on dairy production and reproduction, a serological screening was performed on a dairy herd in an endemic area. The results showed that the herd was endemically infected, with high seroprevalence and low clinical prevalence, and the time on herd represented a risk factor to acquire the infection. Seropositive animals and cows with chronic skin lesions revealed higher milk somatic cell counts, and no negative impact on reproductive performance was found. Abstract This study aimed to assess the effect of Besnoitia besnoiti infection on the reproductive and productive performance of a dairy cattle herd. A serological screening was performed by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) on every animal aged over one year (n = 262). Subsequently, 211 animals were clinically examined, with 96 of those being screened for detection of sclerocysts. The overall seroprevalence was 62.9% (CI95%: 56.1–69.5%). On clinical examination, 7.6% (16/211) of the animals presented chronic skin lesions, and 47.9% (46/96) had sclerocysts. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the time on herd represented a risk factor, and the odds of acquiring the infection increased 1.683× per additional year on herd, ranging from less than a year to 8 years. Seropositivity and the presence of sclerocysts revealed an association with a higher milk somatic cell count, which may have a considerable economic impact on dairy production. Regarding reproductive indicators, no negative impact could be associated with clinical besnoitiosis or positive serological results. In conclusion, our study highlights the need to thoroughly evaluate the economic impact of this emerging disease in dairy herd production to help with decision making at both herd and regional levels, particularly in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Anastácio
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.A.); (S.N.); (S.Z.); (I.L.S.D.); (T.N.)
| | - Ricardo Bexiga
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.A.); (S.N.); (S.Z.); (I.L.S.D.); (T.N.)
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Sofia Nolasco
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.A.); (S.N.); (S.Z.); (I.L.S.D.); (T.N.)
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Zúquete
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.A.); (S.N.); (S.Z.); (I.L.S.D.); (T.N.)
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Inês L. S. Delgado
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.A.); (S.N.); (S.Z.); (I.L.S.D.); (T.N.)
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Telmo Nunes
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.A.); (S.N.); (S.Z.); (I.L.S.D.); (T.N.)
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Leitão
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.A.); (S.N.); (S.Z.); (I.L.S.D.); (T.N.)
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (A.L.)
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Rhodes V, Hayes CJ, Sánchez‐Miguel C, O'Donovan J, Ryan EG. An investigation into bovine besnoitiosis (
Besnoitia besnoiti
) in an Irish pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Rhodes
- Section of Herd Health and Animal Husbandry School of Veterinary Medicine University College Dublin Belfield Dublin Ireland
| | - Ciara J. Hayes
- Cork Regional Veterinary Laboratory Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Cork Ireland
| | - Cosme Sánchez‐Miguel
- Cork Regional Veterinary Laboratory Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Cork Ireland
| | - James O'Donovan
- Cork Regional Veterinary Laboratory Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Cork Ireland
| | - Eoin G. Ryan
- Section of Herd Health and Animal Husbandry School of Veterinary Medicine University College Dublin Belfield Dublin Ireland
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Neve VC, Coltraro M, Stamilla A, Spadola F, Puleio R, Loria GR, Antoci F, Cascone G, Salina F. Investigation of an Autochthonous Outbreak of Bovine Besnoitiosis in Northwestern Sicily. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020122. [PMID: 35215066 PMCID: PMC8877850 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020122] [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: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Besnoitia besnoiti, leading to infertility in bulls and abortions in cows. In Italy, it is considered an emerging disease, recently introduced by the importation of animals from Spain and France. In the last decade, many outbreaks have been reported and confirmed in native cattle, mostly in northern and central Italy. This study reports on an autochthonous outbreak of bovine besnoitiosis in two nearby farms located in northwestern Sicily. A 15-month-old Limousine bull born on the farm showed typical clinical signs of the chronic disease phase, such as edema of the scrotum with subsequent hyperkeratosis associated with eschars and thickening of the skin. A histopathological examination revealed the presence of Besnoitia tissue cysts containing bradyzoites in the eyes, tendons, testicles, dermis, and nictitating membrane. A serological investigation using a commercial ELISA kit revealed a high seroprevalence of the antibody anti-B. besnoiti (79.2% for the farms in this study). Clinical disease showed low prevalence (1.5%) despite the high seroprevalence of specific antibodies in the herd, confirming that bovine besnoitiosis is an emergent endemic pathogen in Sicily, but its clinical behavior still remains sporadic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Cristina Neve
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (V.C.N.); (F.S.)
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (R.P.); (G.R.L.); (F.A.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Miriana Coltraro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (R.P.); (G.R.L.); (F.A.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Alessandro Stamilla
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science (Di3A), University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(33)-3193-9432
| | - Filippo Spadola
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (V.C.N.); (F.S.)
| | - Roberto Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (R.P.); (G.R.L.); (F.A.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Guido Ruggero Loria
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (R.P.); (G.R.L.); (F.A.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Francesco Antoci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (R.P.); (G.R.L.); (F.A.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Giuseppe Cascone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (R.P.); (G.R.L.); (F.A.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Felice Salina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (M.C.); (R.P.); (G.R.L.); (F.A.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
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11
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Emergence of Besnoitia besnoiti in Belgium. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121529. [PMID: 34959484 PMCID: PMC8706464 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121529] [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: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis is a cattle disease caused by a protozoan parasite called Besnoitia besnoiti. It is of serious economic concern to the cattle industry and also compromises animal welfare. For several years, it has been considered an emerging disease in some countries and regions located in the north of Europe far away from the known endemic areas in the south. This study describes the situation in the southern part of Belgium, where the parasite was recently introduced through imports of animals coming from departments of France where the disease was present. It details the detection of clinical cases as well as disease transmission features related to contacts during grazing and sales of infected cattle. A tracking and monitoring system was quickly set up and detected twelve outbreaks. Several cattle were controlled, but the lack of appropriate regulations weakens disease-management efforts. Hopefully, this predictable and silent introduction triggers the awareness of decision-makers about the need for an appropriate prevention and control policy, law enforcement, and the implementation of necessary measures to avoid bovine besnoitiosis becoming endemic in Belgium or other non-endemic countries. In addition, more proactive surveillance is required from authorities through threat analysis in the context of the risk of emergence or re-emergence of infectious animal diseases.
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12
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Napoli E, Remesar S, Mendoza-Roldan J, De Benedetto G, Di Giorgio S, Sfacteria A, Marino G, Arfuso F, Catone G, Brianti E. Bovine besnoitiosis in a cattle herd in Sicily: an isolated outbreak or the acknowledgment of an endemicity? Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3547-3553. [PMID: 34477910 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07298-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis is a debilitating infectious disease caused by Besnoitia besnoiti (Apicomplexa; Sarcocystidae). The disease is mainly characterized by cutaneous and systemic signs, infertility in bulls, and abortion in cows. The current study describes an autochthonous outbreak of bovine besnoitiosis in Sicily, Southern Italy, being the first report of B. besnoiti infection in the island so far. In a cattle farm located in Syracuse province, a 4-year-old Belgian blue bull born in Sicily displayed typical clinical signs of the sub-acute/chronic disease phase with thickening of the skin of the scrotum and testicular degeneration. Histological examination of scrotal biopsies revealed the presence of several tissue cysts of B. besnoiti. The serological analysis of the herd using a commercial ELISA revealed a high seroprevalence (45 out of 55; 82%) of antibodies against B. besnoiti. Few seropositive animals (5 out of 45; 11%) showed clinical signs, cysts in vestibulum vaginae (1 out of 31; 3.2%), and testicular degeneration (4 out of 14; 28.6%) assessed by ultrasonographic investigations. The paucity of clinical signs associated with the high seroprevalence in the farm led to hypothesize that bovine besnoitiosis is endemic in the area though further studies are needed. Local practitioners should be more aware of the disease to facilitate the early detection of cases, prevent the spread of infection, and avoid economic losses and animal health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Susana Remesar
- Department of Animal Pathology, Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Gabriele Marino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Catone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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13
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González-Barrio D, Diezma-Díaz C, Gutiérrez-Expósito D, Tabanera E, Jiménez-Meléndez A, Pizarro M, González-Huecas M, Ferre I, Ortega-Mora LM, Álvarez-García G. Identification of molecular biomarkers associated with disease progression in the testis of bulls infected with Besnoitia besnoiti. Vet Res 2021; 52:106. [PMID: 34294155 PMCID: PMC8296687 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00974-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Breeding bulls infected with Besnoitia besnoiti may develop sterility during either acute or chronic infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular pathogenesis of B. besnoiti infection with prognosis value in bull sterility. Accordingly, five well-characterized groups of naturally and experimentally infected males were selected for the study based on clinical signs and lesions compatible with B. besnoiti infection, serological results and parasite detection. A broad panel of molecular markers representative of endothelial activation and fibrosis was investigated and complemented with a histopathological approach that included conventional histology and immunohistochemistry. The results indicated the predominance of an intense inflammatory infiltrate composed mainly of resident and recruited circulating macrophages and to a lesser extent of CD3+ cells in infected bulls. In addition, a few biomarkers were associated with acute, chronic or subclinical bovine besnoitiosis. The testicular parenchyma showed a higher number of differentially expressed genes in natural infections (acute and chronic infections) versus scrotal skin in experimental infections (subclinical infection). In subclinical infections, most genes were downregulated except for the CCL24 and CXCL2 genes, which were upregulated. In contrast, the acute phase was mainly characterized by the upregulation of IL-1α, IL-6 and TIMP1, whereas in the chronic phase, the upregulation of ICAM and the downregulation of MMP13, PLAT and IL-1α were the most relevant findings. Macrophages could be responsible for the highest level of gene regulation in the testicular parenchyma of severely affected and sterile bulls, and all these genes could be prognostic markers of sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- David González-Barrio
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carlos Diezma-Díaz
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Enrique Tabanera
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Jiménez-Meléndez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Pizarro
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta González-Huecas
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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14
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González-Barrio D, Köster PC, Habela MA, Martín-Pérez M, Fernández-García JL, Balseiro A, Barral M, Nájera F, Figueiredo AM, Palacios MJ, Mateo M, Carmena D, Álvarez-García G, Calero-Bernal R. Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:3156-3166. [PMID: 34174029 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have unsuccessfully tried to unravel the definitive host of the coccidian parasite Besnoitia besnoiti. Cattle infections by B. besnoiti cause a chronic and debilitating condition called bovine besnoitiosis that has emerged in Europe during the last two decades, mainly due to limitations in its control associated with the absence of vaccines and therapeutical tools. Although the exact transmission pathways of B. besnoiti is currently unknown, it is assumed that the parasite might have an indirect life cycle with a carnivore as definitive host. Current lack of studies in wildlife might underestimate the importance of free-living species in the epidemiology of B. besnoiti. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess the presence of Besnoitia spp. in free-ranging mesocarnivores in Spain. DNA was searched by PCR on faeces collected from wild carnivores as a first approach to determine which species could be considered as potential definitive host candidates in further research. For this purpose, a total of 352 faecal samples from 12 free-living wild carnivore species belonging to the Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Procyonidae and Viverridae families were collected in seven Spanish regions. PCR testing showed that Besnoitia spp. DNA was present in four faecal samples from red foxes collected in western Spain, an area with the greatest density of extensively reared cattle and associated with high incidence of bovine besnoitiosis in the country. To date, this is the first report of a B. besnoiti-like sequence (99.57% homology) from carnivore faeces in a worldwide context. Red foxes might contribute to the epidemiology of B. besnoiti, although further studies, mostly based on bioassay, would be needed to elucidate the accuracy and extent of these interesting findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- David González-Barrio
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,SaBio Working Group, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Habela
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Manuel Martín-Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Jose L Fernández-García
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, University of León, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Finca Marzanas, Grulleros, León, Spain
| | - Marta Barral
- NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Fernando Nájera
- Directorate-General for Environment, Regional Government of Extremadura, Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Ana M Figueiredo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.,Department of Bioscience & CEES, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Jesus Palacios
- Directorate-General for Environment, Regional Government of Extremadura, Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Marta Mateo
- Veterinary Faculty, Alfonso X El Sabio University, Avenida Universidad 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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15
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Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Mazzola S, Giordano A, Manfredi MT. Exploring alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and serum cortisol in Besnoitia besnoiti naturally infected dairy cattle. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:154. [PMID: 33722267 PMCID: PMC7962361 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04626-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Besnoitia besnoiti is an Apicomplexan protozoa causative of bovine besnoitiosis, a chronic and debilitating disease of cattle, with a variety of pathological findings that could alter some laboratory parameters. A study was conducted in a bovine besnoitiosis endemically infected dairy herd located in Italy characterized by high intra-herd seroprevalence and cattle with clinical signs of the disease. In the study, alterations in laboratory parameters, i.e. hematological and biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and serum cortisol levels, in Besnoitia besnoiti naturally infected cows were investigated in depth. Methods Laboratory parameters in 107 cows, of which 61 were seronegative and 46 were seropositive to B. besnoiti, including 27 with clinical signs of bovine besnoitiosis, were compared. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the effect of Besnoitia infection on the considered laboratory parameters. Results Hematological analyses revealed that B. besnoiti infection determined a significant alteration to the leukocyte differential, with a higher percentage of granulocytes and a lower percentage of lymphocytes in seropositive and clinically affected animals (Mann–Whitney U-test, P = 0.022); erythrocyte and platelet counts did not show any difference between the considered groups of cows. Biochemistry tests evidenced that the parasite infection influenced serum protein values in seropositive cows and glutamate dehydrogenase values in clinically affected animals. No or only slight differences were revealed for all of the other biochemical and enzyme activity parameters in B. besnoiti-infected animals. In addition, despite the lack of statistical significance, seropositive and clinically affected cows evidenced higher concentrations of serum cortisol values compared to seronegative animals. Conclusions Although physiological, pathological and farm-related factors could have influenced the results in investigated animals, further studies involving more animals from different farms would be advisable to infer the role of B. besnoiti on these alterations, since laboratory parameters could help veterinarians in the diagnosis of bovine besnoitiosis in cattle.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Silvia Mazzola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Alessia Giordano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
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16
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ApiCOWplexa 2019 - 5th International Meeting on Apicomplexan Parasites in Farm Animals. Int J Parasitol 2021; 50:345-347. [PMID: 32503686 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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17
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Grisez C, Bottari L, Prévot F, Alzieu JP, Liénard E, Corbière F, Rameil M, Desclaux X, Lacz C, Boulon C, Petermann J, Le Mével J, Vilardell C, Jacquiet P. Real-time PCR on skin biopsies for super-spreaders' detection in bovine besnoitiosis. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:529. [PMID: 33092627 PMCID: PMC7579852 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04405-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bovine besnoitiosis, an emerging disease in Europe that can be transmitted by vectors, is caused by the apicomplexan Besnoitia besnoiti. Bovine besnoitiosis is difficult to control due to the complexity of its diagnosis in the acute stage of the disease, poor treatment success and chronically asymptomatic cattle acting as parasite reservoirs. When serological prevalence is low, detection and specific culling of seropositive cattle is feasible; however, economic considerations preclude this approach when serological prevalence is high. The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of detection of super-spreaders in highly infected herds and to test their selective elimination as a new control strategy for bovine besnoitiosis. Methods Previous real-time PCR analyses performed on skin tissues from 160 asymptomatic animals sampled at slaughterhouses showed that the tail base was the best location to evaluate the dermal parasite DNA load. All seropositive animals (n = 518) from eight dairy or beef cattle farms facing a high serological prevalence of besnoitiosis were sampled at the tail base and their skin sample analysed by real-time PCR. A recommendation of rapid and selective culling of super-spreaders was formulated and provided to the cattle breeders. Subsequent serological monitoring of naïve animals was used to evaluate the interest of this control strategy over time. Results Among the 518 seropositive animals, a low proportion of individuals (14.5%) showed Cq values below 36, 17.8% had doubtful results (36 < Cq ≤ 40) and 67.8% had negative PCR results. These proportions were grossly similar on the eight farms, regardless of their production type (beef or dairy cattle), size, geographical location or history of besnoitiosis. Within two weeks of the biopsy, the rapid culling of super-spreaders was implemented on only three farms. The numbers of newly infected animals were lower on these farms compared to those where super-spreaders were maintained in the herd. Conclusions Real-time PCR analyses performed on skin biopsies of seropositive cattle showed huge individual variabilities in parasite DNA load. The rapid culling of individuals considered as super-spreaders seems to be a new and encouraging strategy for bovine besnoitiosis control.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Christelle Grisez
- UMR INRA/DGER 1225, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 03, France.
| | - Leslie Bottari
- UMR INRA/DGER 1225, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 03, France
| | - Françoise Prévot
- UMR INRA/DGER 1225, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 03, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Alzieu
- LVD 09, Laboratoire Départemental de l'Ariège, rue de Las Escoumes, 09008, Foix CDIS, France
| | - Emmanuel Liénard
- UMR INTHERES/DGER, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Fabien Corbière
- UMR INRA/DGER 1225, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 03, France
| | - Marie Rameil
- LVD 09, Laboratoire Départemental de l'Ariège, rue de Las Escoumes, 09008, Foix CDIS, France
| | - Xavier Desclaux
- LVD 09, Laboratoire Départemental de l'Ariège, rue de Las Escoumes, 09008, Foix CDIS, France
| | - Christophe Lacz
- FRGDS Occitanie, 96, rue des agriculteurs - BP 102, 81003, Albi Cedex, France
| | | | - Julie Petermann
- GDMA Indre, 4 Rue Robert Mallet-Stevens, 36000, Châteauroux, France
| | - Jeanne Le Mével
- UMR INRA/DGER 1225, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 03, France
| | - Carine Vilardell
- GDS des Alpes de Haute Provence, 66 Boulevard Gassendi, 04000, Digne-les-Bains, France
| | - Philippe Jacquiet
- UMR INRA/DGER 1225, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 03, France
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18
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Kadesch P, Hollubarsch T, Gerbig S, Schneider L, Silva LMR, Hermosilla C, Taubert A, Spengler B. Intracellular Parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti, Unveiled in Single Host Cells Using AP-SMALDI MS Imaging. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2020; 31:1815-1824. [PMID: 32830963 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.0c00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti are important causes of disease in both humans and cattle. To date, effective specific treatments are lacking for both infections. To counteract severe symptoms leading to, e.g., disabilities and even abortion in the case of human toxoplasmosis and bovine besnoitiosis, novel targets are required for development of drugs and vaccines. A promising emerging technique for molecular characterization of organisms is high-resolution atmospheric-pressure scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-SMALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) which enables semiquantitative visualization of metabolite distributions. MSI was here used to trace and characterize lipid metabolites in primary bovine umbilical vein endothelial cells (BUVECs) upon infection with tachyzoites, an early and pathogenic fast-replicating life stage of T. gondii and B. besnoiti. A cell bulk, derived from noninfected controls and parasite-infected cell pellets, was analyzed by AP-SMALDI MSI in technical and biological triplicates. Multivariate statistical analysis including hierarchical clustering and principle component analysis revealed infection-specific metabolites in both positive- and negative-ion mode, identified by combining database search and LC-MS2 experiments. MSI analyses of host cell monolayers were conducted at 5 μm lateral resolution, allowing single apicomplexan-infected cells to be allocated. This is the first mass spectrometry imaging study on intracellular T. gondii and B. besnoiti infections and the first detailed metabolomic characterization of B. besnoiti tachyzoites. MSI was used here as an efficient tool to discriminate infected from noninfected cells at the single-cell level in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Kadesch
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tobias Hollubarsch
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Gerbig
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lars Schneider
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Liliana M R Silva
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Spengler
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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19
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Chimeric Protein Designed by Genome-Scale Immunoinformatics Enhances Serodiagnosis of Bovine Neosporosis. J Clin Microbiol 2020; 58:JCM.01343-19. [PMID: 32404479 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01343-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neosporosis has become a concern since it is associated with abortion in cattle. Currently, in situ diagnosis is determined through anamnesis, evaluation of the history, and perception of the clinical signs of the herd. There is no practical and noninvasive test adapted to a large number of samples, which represents a gap for the use of new approaches that provide information about infections and the risks of herds. Here, we performed a search in the Neospora caninum genome by linear B-cell epitopes using immunoinformatic tools aiming to develop a chimeric protein with high potential to bind specifically to antibodies from infected cattle samples. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with the new chimeric antigen was developed and tested with sera from natural field N. caninum-infected bovines. The cross-reactivity of the new antigen was also evaluated using sera from bovines infected by other abortive pathogens, including Trypanosoma vivax, Leptospira sp., Mycobacterium bovis, and Brucella abortus, and enzootic bovine leucosis caused by bovine leukemia virus, as well as with samples of animals infected with Toxoplasma gondii The assay using the chimeric protein showed 96.6% ± 3.4% of sensitivity in comparison to healthy animal sera. Meanwhile, in relation to false-positive results provided by cross-reactivity with others pathogens, the specificity value was 97.0% ± 2.9%. In conclusion, immunoinformatic tools provide an efficient platform to build an accurate protein to diagnose bovine neosporosis based on serum samples.
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Schares G, Nascimento D, Bärwald A, Jutras C, Rivard S, Brodeur V, DeNotta SL, Basso W, Conraths FJ. First highly sensitive and specific competitive ELISA for detection of bovine besnoitiosis with potential as a multi-species test. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:389-401. [PMID: 32169472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.12.010] [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: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Serological cross-reactions represent a serious problem in some currently available tests to diagnose Besnoitia infections in many species including cattle, caribou and donkeys. False-positive results are due to the low positive-predictive value of these serological tests for besnoitiosis. These tests therefore have clear limitations if large herds are screened in areas with low prevalence, since increased numbers of false-positive reactions require confirmatory testing by alternative serological methods, e.g. immunoblotting, which are time-consuming and create extra costs. To overcome this problem, we aimed to develop a highly sensitive and specific competitive ELISA (cELISA) using a panel of 12 monoclonal antibodies raised against the tachyzoite stage of Besnoitia besnoiti. A cELISA set up with one of these antibodies (Bb-cELISA1) was screened with a large panel of B. besnoiti-positive bovine sera to estimate the diagnostic sensitivity of the test. Sera from herds with Neospora caninum- or Sarcocystis spp.-infected cattle were used to estimate its diagnostic specificity. Relative to a reference standard, which combined the results obtained in a previously established highly sensitive and specific ELISA, in the immunofluorescence antibody test and in B. besnoiti tachyzoite and bradyzoite immunoblots, the new Bb-cELISA1 revealed a diagnostic sensitivity of 99.2% (95% confidence interval: 97.1-99.9%) and a diagnostic specificity of 99.9% (95% confidence interval: 97.7-100%). This novel assay was tested on a variety of proven Besnoitia-positive sera from other species, including B. besnoiti-infected cats, rabbits or Besnoitia bennetti-infected donkeys or Besnoitia tarandi-infected caribou. The results obtained with the new Besnoitia-cELISA for these animal species also corresponded almost perfectly with those of the reference tests, which included immunoblot and immunofluorescence antibody tests. In conclusion, the novel Besnoitia-cELISA represents a valuable tool for the diagnosis and control of bovine besnoitiosis and for studies on the epidemiology of Besnoitia infections in a variety of host species, including naturally exposed wildlife and experimental hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Daniela Nascimento
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andrea Bärwald
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Charles Jutras
- Direction de la gestion de la faune du Nord-du-Québec, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec, 951 boul. Hamel, Chibougamau (Québec) G8P 2Z3, Canada
| | - Stephane Rivard
- Direction de la gestion de la faune du Nord-du-Québec, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec, 951 boul. Hamel, Chibougamau (Québec) G8P 2Z3, Canada
| | - Vincent Brodeur
- Direction de la gestion de la faune du Nord-du-Québec, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec, 951 boul. Hamel, Chibougamau (Québec) G8P 2Z3, Canada
| | - SallyAnne L DeNotta
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Avenue PO Box 100136, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Walter Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Franz J Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
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González-Barrio D, Diezma-Díaz C, Tabanera E, Aguado-Criado E, Pizarro M, González-Huecas M, Ferre I, Jiménez-Meléndez A, Criado F, Gutiérrez-Expósito D, Ortega-Mora LM, Álvarez-García G. Vascular wall injury and inflammation are key pathogenic mechanisms responsible for early testicular degeneration during acute besnoitiosis in bulls. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:113. [PMID: 32122380 PMCID: PMC7053152 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3959-9] [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: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bovine besnoitiosis, caused by the apicomplexan parasite Besnoitia besnoiti, is a chronic and debilitating cattle disease that notably impairs fertility. Acutely infected bulls may develop respiratory signs and orchitis, and sterility has been reported in chronic infections. However, the pathogenesis of acute disease and its impact on reproductive function remain unknown. Methods Herein, we studied the microscopic lesions as well as parasite presence and load in the testis (pampiniform plexus, testicular parenchyma and scrotal skin) of seven bulls with an acute B. besnoiti infection. Acute infection was confirmed by serological techniques (IgM seropositive results and IgG seronegative results) and subsequent parasite detection by PCR and histological techniques. Results The most parasitized tissue was the scrotal skin. Moreover, the presence of tachyzoites, as shown by immunohistochemistry, was associated with vasculitis, and three bulls had already developed juvenile tissue cysts. In all animals, severe endothelial injury was evidenced by marked congestion, thrombosis, necrotizing vasculitis and angiogenesis, among others, in the pampiniform plexus, testicular parenchyma and scrotal skin. Vascular lesions coexisted with lesions characteristic of a chronic infection in the majority of bulls: hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and a marked diffuse fibroplasia in the dermis of the scrotum. An intense inflammatory infiltrate was also observed in the testicular parenchyma accompanied by different degrees of germline atrophy in the seminiferous tubules with the disappearance of various strata of germ cells in four bulls. Conclusions This study confirmed that severe acute besnoitiosis leads to early sterility that might be permanent, which is supported by the severe lesions observed. Consequently, we hypothesized that testicular degeneration might be a consequence of (i) thermoregulation failure induced by vascular lesions in pampiniform plexus and scrotal skin lesions; (ii) severe vascular wall injury induced by the inflammatory response in the testis; and (iii) blood-testis barrier damage and alteration of spermatogenesis by immunoresponse.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- David González-Barrio
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carlos Diezma-Díaz
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Tabanera
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Aguado-Criado
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Pizarro
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta González-Huecas
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Jiménez-Meléndez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Criado
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
Besnoitia besnoiti is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite, which causes bovine besnoitiosis. Recently increased emergence within Europe was responsible for significant economic losses in the cattle industry due to the significant reduction of productivity. However, still limited knowledge exists on interactions between B. besnoiti and host innate immune system. Here, B. besnoiti bradyzoites were successfully isolated from tissue cysts located in skin biopsies of a naturally infected animal, and we aimed to investigate for the first time reactions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) exposed to these vital bradyzoites. Freshly isolated bovine PMN were confronted to B. besnoiti bradyzoites. Scanning electron microscopy (s.e.m.)- and immunofluorescence microscopy-analyses demonstrated fine extracellular networks released by exposed bovine PMN resembling suicidal NETosis. Classical NETosis components were confirmed via co-localization of extracellular DNA decorated with histone 3 (H3) and neutrophil elastase (NE). Live cell imaging by 3D holotomographic microscopy (Nanolive®) unveiled rapid vital NETosis against this parasite. A significant increase of autophagosomes visualized by specific-LC3B antibodies and confocal microscopy was observed in B. besnoiti-stimulated bovine PMN when compared to non-stimulated group. As such, a significant positive correlation (r = 0.37; P = 0.042) was found between B. besnoiti-triggered suicidal NETosis and autophagy. These findings suggest that vital- as well as suicidal-NETosis might play a role in early innate host defence mechanisms against released B. besnoiti bradyzoites from tissue cysts, and possibly hampering further parasitic replication. Our data generate first hints on autophagy being associated with B. besnoiti bradyzoite-induced suicidal NETosis and highlighting for first time occurrence of parasite-mediated vital NETosis.
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Metabolic requirements of Besnoitia besnoiti tachyzoite-triggered NETosis. Parasitol Res 2019; 119:545-557. [PMID: 31782011 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06543-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Besnoitia besnoiti is the causative agent of bovine besnoitiosis, a disease affecting both, animal welfare and cattle productivity. NETosis represents an important and early host innate effector mechanism of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) that also acts against B. besnoiti tachyzoites. So far, no data are available on metabolic requirements of B. besnoiti tachyzoite-triggered NETosis. Therefore, here we analyzed metabolic signatures of tachyzoite-exposed PMN and determined the relevance of distinct PMN-derived metabolic pathways via pharmacological inhibition experiments. Overall, tachyzoite exposure induced a significant increase in glucose and serine consumption as well as glutamate production in PMN. Moreover, tachyzoite-induced cell-free NETs were significantly diminished via PMN pre-treatments with oxamate and dichloroacetate which both induce an inhibition of lactate release as well as oxythiamine, which inhibits pyruvate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, and transketolase, thereby indicating a key role of pyruvate- and lactate-mediated metabolic pathways for proper tachyzoite-mediated NETosis. Furthermore, NETosis was increased by enhanced pH conditions; however, inhibitors of MCT-lactate transporters (AR-C141900, AR-C151858) failed to influence NET formation. Moreover, a significant reduction of tachyzoite-induced NET formation was also achieved by treatments with oligomycin A (inhibitor of ATP synthase) and NF449 (purinergic receptor P2X1 antagonist) thereby suggesting a pivotal role of ATP availability for tachyzoite-mediated NETosis. In summary, the current data provide first evidence on carbohydrate-related metabolic pathways and energy supply to be involved in B. besnoiti tachyzoite-induced NETosis.
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Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Perlotti C, Sironi G, Manfredi MT. Bovine besnoitiosis in an endemically infected dairy cattle herd in Italy: serological and clinical observations, risk factors, and effects on reproductive and productive performances. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:3459-3468. [PMID: 31659452 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06501-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis (Besnoitia besnoiti) is an emerging parasitic disease of cattle in Europe. This study reports a case of bovine besnoitiosis in a dairy farm housing 217 cattle in Italy. A serological screening was performed on the whole herd using the recommended approach of ELISA and confirmatory Western Blot. Seropositive animals were clinically examined to reveal symptoms and lesions of besnoitiosis. Risk factors and the effects of the parasite infection on reproductive and productive performances were evaluated. Histopathology and molecular analyses on tissues from a slaughtered cow affected by the chronic phase of the disease were carried out. An overall seroprevalence of 23.5%, which increased up to 43.5% considering only cows, was recorded. Clinical examination of 33 of the seropositive cows evidenced the presence of tissue cysts in at least one of the typical localizations (sclera, vulva, or skin) in 25 animals. Statistical analysis did not evidence any significative impact of the parasite infection on herd efficiency; however, a decrease of productive parameters was recorded in cows showing cutaneous cysts. Concerning the chronically affected cow, histopathology revealed B. besnoiti tissue cysts in the skin of the neck, rump, hind legs, eyelid and vulva, in the muzzle, in mucosal membranes of the upper respiratory tract, and in the lungs. Parasite DNA was detected also in masseter muscles, tonsils, mediastinal lymph nodes, liver, cardiac muscle, aorta wall, ovaries, uterus, and vulva. Bovine besnoitiosis continues to spread in the Italian cattle population. Breeders and veterinarians should be aware of this parasitic disease, and control programs should be developed based on surveillance through a diagnostic procedure including both clinical examination and laboratory tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Chiara Perlotti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sironi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
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Histone H2A and Bovine Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Induce Damage of Besnoitia besnoiti-Infected Host Endothelial Cells but Fail to Affect Total Parasite Proliferation. BIOLOGY 2019; 8:biology8040078. [PMID: 31614617 PMCID: PMC6956067 DOI: 10.3390/biology8040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Besnoitia besnoiti tachyzoites infect and develop in bovine endothelial cells in vivo and trigger the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) from bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). The purpose of this study was to analyze if pure B. besnoiti tachyzoite-triggered NETs would damage endothelial host cells and subsequently influence intracellular development and proliferation of B. besnoiti tachyzoites in primary bovine endothelial cells. For comparison purposes, isolated A23187-induced NETs were also used. Thus, we here evaluated endothelial host cell damage triggered by histone 2A (H2A) and B. besnoiti tachyzoite-induced NET preparations and furthermore estimated the effects of PMN floating over B. besnoiti-infected endothelium under physiological flow conditions on endothelial host cell viability. Overall, all treatments (H2A, B. besnoiti-triggered NETs and floating PMN) induced endothelial cell death of B. besnoiti-infected host cells. However, though host cell damage led to significantly altered intracellular parasite development with respect to parasitophorous vacuole diameter and numbers, the total proliferation of the parasite over time was not significantly affected by these treatments thereby denying any direct effect of NETs on intracellular B. besnoiti replication.
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Sharif S, Jacquiet P, Prevot F, Grisez C, Raymond‐Letron I, Semin MO, Geffré A, Trumel C, Franc M, Bouhsira É, Liénard E. Stomoxys calcitrans, mechanical vector of virulent Besnoitia besnoiti from chronically infected cattle to susceptible rabbit. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 33:247-255. [PMID: 30666684 PMCID: PMC6850491 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Cattle besnoitiosis caused by Besnoitia besnoiti (Eucoccidiorida: Sarcocystidae) is a re-emerging disease in Europe. Its mechanical transmission by biting flies has not been investigated since the 1960s. The aim of this study was to re-examine the ability of Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) to transmit virulent B. besnoiti bradyzoites from chronically infected cows to susceptible rabbits. Three batches of 300 stable flies were allowed to take an interrupted bloodmeal on chronically infected cows, followed by an immediate bloodmeal on three rabbits (Group B). A control group of rabbits and a group exposed to the bites of non-infected S. calcitrans were included in the study. Blood quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses, and clinical, serological and haematological surveys were performed in the three groups over 152 days until the rabbits were killed. Quantitative PCR analyses and histological examinations were performed in 24 tissue samples per rabbit. Only one rabbit in Group B exhibited clinical signs of the acute phase of besnoitiosis (hyperthermia, weight loss, regenerative anaemia and transient positive qPCR in blood) and was seroconverted. Parasite DNA was detected in four tissue samples from this rabbit, but no cysts were observed on histological examination. These findings indicate that S. calcitrans may act as a mechanical vector of B. besnoiti more efficiently than was previously considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Sharif
- Département Élevage et Produits–Santé Publique Vétérinaire, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT)Université de ToulouseToulouseFrance
- Département Santé Animale, Interactions Hôtes–Agents Pathogènes (IHAP), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), ENVTUniversité de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - P. Jacquiet
- Département Élevage et Produits–Santé Publique Vétérinaire, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT)Université de ToulouseToulouseFrance
- Département Santé Animale, Interactions Hôtes–Agents Pathogènes (IHAP), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), ENVTUniversité de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - F. Prevot
- Département Élevage et Produits–Santé Publique Vétérinaire, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT)Université de ToulouseToulouseFrance
- Département Santé Animale, Interactions Hôtes–Agents Pathogènes (IHAP), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), ENVTUniversité de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - C. Grisez
- Département Élevage et Produits–Santé Publique Vétérinaire, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT)Université de ToulouseToulouseFrance
- Département Santé Animale, Interactions Hôtes–Agents Pathogènes (IHAP), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), ENVTUniversité de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - I. Raymond‐Letron
- Département Santé Biologiques et Fonctionnelles, Laboratoire d'HistoPathologie Expérimentale et Comparée (LabHPEC), ENVTUniversité de ToulouseToulouseFrance
- STROMALab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS ERL5311, EFS, ENVT, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1031Université de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - M. O. Semin
- Département Santé Biologiques et Fonctionnelles, Laboratoire d'HistoPathologie Expérimentale et Comparée (LabHPEC), ENVTUniversité de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - A. Geffré
- Département Sciences Cliniques Des Animaux De Compagnie, Équipe de Biologie Médicale‐Histologie, Centre Régional d'Exploration Fonctionnelle et de Ressources Expérimentales, INSERM, ENVTUniversité de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - C. Trumel
- Département Sciences Cliniques Des Animaux De Compagnie, Équipe de Biologie Médicale‐Histologie, Centre Régional d'Exploration Fonctionnelle et de Ressources Expérimentales, INSERM, ENVTUniversité de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - M. Franc
- Département Élevage et Produits–Santé Publique Vétérinaire, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT)Université de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - É. Bouhsira
- Département Élevage et Produits–Santé Publique Vétérinaire, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT)Université de ToulouseToulouseFrance
- Département Santé Animale, Interactions Hôtes–Agents Pathogènes (IHAP), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), ENVTUniversité de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - E. Liénard
- Département Élevage et Produits–Santé Publique Vétérinaire, Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT)Université de ToulouseToulouseFrance
- Département Santé Animale, Interactions Hôtes–Agents Pathogènes (IHAP), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), ENVTUniversité de ToulouseToulouseFrance
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Zhou E, Conejeros I, Velásquez ZD, Muñoz-Caro T, Gärtner U, Hermosilla C, Taubert A. Simultaneous and Positively Correlated NET Formation and Autophagy in Besnoitia besnoiti Tachyzoite-Exposed Bovine Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1131. [PMID: 31191523 PMCID: PMC6540735 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Given that B. besnoiti tachyzoites infect host endothelial cells of vessels in vivo, they become potential targets for professional phagocytes [e.g., polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN)] when in search for adequate host cells or in case of host cell lysis. It was recently reported that B. besnoiti-tachyzoites can efficiently be trapped by neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) released by bovine PMN. So far, the potential role of autophagy in parasite-triggered NET formation is unclear. Thus, we here analyzed autophagosome formation and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) in potentially NET-forming innate leukocytes being exposed to B. besnoiti tachyzoites. Blood was collected from healthy adult dairy cows, and bovine PMN were isolated via density gradient centrifugation. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed PMN to undergo NET formation upon contact with B. besnoiti tachyzoites. Nuclear area expansion (NAE) analysis and cell-free and anchored NETs quantification were performed in B. besnoiti-induced NET formation. Interestingly, tachyzoites of B. besnoiti additionally induced LC3B-related autophagosome formation in parallel to NET formation in bovine PMN. Notably, both rapamycin- and wortmannin-treatments failed to influence B. besnoiti-triggered NET formation and autophagosome formation. Also, isolated NETs fail to induce autophagy suggesting independence between both cellular processes. Finally, enhanced phosphorylation of AMP activated kinase α (AMPKα), a key regulator molecule of autophagy, was observed within the first minutes of interaction in tachyzoite-exposed PMN thereby emphasizing that B. besnoiti-triggered NET formation indeed occurs in parallel to autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ershun Zhou
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Iván Conejeros
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Zahady D Velásquez
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tamara Muñoz-Caro
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Gärtner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Habarugira G, Nkuranga C, Asiimwe B, Turikumwenayo JB, Ojok L. First confirmed case of bovine besnoitiosis in Rwanda. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2019; 17:100294. [PMID: 31303240 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
An-eighteen months (one and half years) old heifer was presented with a progressive loss of weight leading to cachexia and was attended to by a team of doctors from the ambulatory clinic of the School of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, University of Rwanda. Clinical examination revealed scleroderma of both sides of the neck and pinpoint cysts in the sclera and conjunctiva as well as corneal opacity of the left eye. Histological examination of skin biopsy showed a mononuclear dermatitis with several cysts of 100-300 μm filled up with bradyzoites in the subcutis and dermis. These lesions are consistent with bovine besnoitiosis, a disease caused by Besnoitia besnoiti in cattle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of bovine besnoitiosis in Rwanda.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases/diagnosis
- Cattle Diseases/parasitology
- Cattle Diseases/pathology
- Coccidiosis/diagnosis
- Coccidiosis/parasitology
- Coccidiosis/pathology
- Coccidiosis/veterinary
- Corneal Diseases/parasitology
- Corneal Diseases/pathology
- Corneal Diseases/veterinary
- Eye Infections, Parasitic/diagnosis
- Eye Infections, Parasitic/parasitology
- Eye Infections, Parasitic/pathology
- Eye Infections, Parasitic/veterinary
- Female
- Rwanda
- Scleroderma, Localized/parasitology
- Scleroderma, Localized/pathology
- Scleroderma, Localized/veterinary
- Skin Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis
- Skin Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology
- Skin Diseases, Parasitic/pathology
- Skin Diseases, Parasitic/veterinary
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Affiliation(s)
- Gervais Habarugira
- School of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
| | - Charles Nkuranga
- School of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Benon Asiimwe
- School of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | | | - Lonzy Ojok
- School of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Rwanda, Rwanda
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Garrido-Castañé I, Romero AO, Espuny JC, Hentrich B, Basso W. Besnoitia besnoiti seroprevalence in beef, dairy and bullfighting cattle in Catalonia (north-eastern Spain): A cross-sectional study. Parasitol Int 2018; 69:71-74. [PMID: 30528534 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Besnoitia besnoiti is the causative agent of bovine besnoitiosis, a chronic and debilitating disease of cattle that recently re-emerged and seems to be spreading in Europe. A cross-sectional serological study was carried out in different cattle herds in Catalonia, north-eastern Spain, to determine the seroprevalence of B. besnoiti in the region. A total of 791 serum samples (beef cattle n = 338, dairy cattle n = 291; bullfighting cattle n = 162) were tested. Sera were first screened for antibodies against Besnoitia using a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) applying a cut-off that was lower than that recommended by the manufacturer in order to reach highest sensitivity. Sera above the chosen cut-off of 15% positivity (PP) were further tested by the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and respectively positive results were confirmed by a B. besnoiti tachyzoite-based immunoblot. A total of 504/791 (63.7%) sera showed ELISA values above the selected cut-off, and 91 of these samples also yielded positive results in IFAT (cut-off titre 1:200). By immunoblot, a positive result was obtained in 93.4% (85 out of the 91) of the IFAT-positive samples. Interestingly, all confirmed Besnoitia-seropositive cases corresponded exclusively to beef cattle from the Pyrenees area, resulting in a prevalence of 25.1% (85/338) at the animal level and of 46% (36/78) at the herd level in this cattle group. No specific antibodies against Besnoitia could be detected in dairy and bullfighting cattle. The obtained results suggested that Besnoitia infections are present in Catalonia, consequently, diagnosis of this parasitic infection should be included in the sanitary control and before trading and movement of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignasi Garrido-Castañé
- Parasitologia, Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anna Ortuño Romero
- Parasitologia, Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Castellà Espuny
- Parasitologia, Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Brigitte Hentrich
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Walter Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-3057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Jiménez-Meléndez A, Rico-San Román L, Hemphill A, Balmer V, Ortega-Mora LM, Álvarez-García G. Repurposing of commercially available anti-coccidials identifies diclazuril and decoquinate as potential therapeutic candidates against Besnoitia besnoiti infection. Vet Parasitol 2018; 261:77-85. [PMID: 30253854 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Repurposing of currently marketed compounds with proven efficacy against apicomplexan parasites was used as an approach to define novel candidate therapeutics for bovine besnoitiosis. Besnoitia besnoiti tachyzoites grown in MARC-145 cells were exposed to different concentrations of toltrazuril, diclazuril, imidocarb, decoquinate, sulfadiazine and trimethoprim alone or in combination with sulfadiazine. Drugs were added either just prior to infection of MARC-145 cells (0 h post infection, hpi) or at 6 hpi. A primary evaluation of drug effects was done by direct immunofluorescence staining and counting. Potential effects on the host cells were assessed using a XTT kit for cell proliferation. Compounds displaying promising efficacy were selected for IC50 and IC99 determination by qPCR. In addition, the impact of drugs on the tachyzoite ultrastructure was assessed by TEM and long-term treatment assays were performed. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed that none of the compounds affected the host cells. Decoquinate and diclazuril displayed invasion inhibition rates of 90 and 83% at 0 h pi and 73 and 72% at 6 h pi, respectively. The remaining drugs showed lower efficacy and were not further studied. Decoquinate and diclazuril exhibited IC99 values of 100 nM and 29.9 μM, respectively. TEM showed that decoquinate primarily affected the parasite mitochondrium, whilst diclazuril interfered in cytokinesis of daughter zoites. The present study demonstrates the efficacy of diclazuril and decoquinate against B. besnoiti in vitro and further assessments of safety and efficacy of both drugs should be performed in the target species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Jiménez-Meléndez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Rico-San Román
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vreni Balmer
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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In vitro treatment of Besnoitia besnoiti with the naphto-quinone buparvaquone results in marked inhibition of tachyzoite proliferation, mitochondrial alterations and rapid adaptation of tachyzoites to increased drug concentrations. Parasitology 2018; 146:112-120. [PMID: 29921336 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018000975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We here assessed the in vitro efficacy of the naptho-quinone buparvaquone (BPQ) against Besnoitia besnoiti tachyzoites in vitro. BPQ is currently licensed for the treatment of theileriosis in cattle in many countries, but not in the EU. In 4-day treatment assays, BPQ massively impaired tachyzoite proliferation with an IC50 of 10 ± 3 nm, and virtually complete inhibition was obtained in the presence of nm BPQ. Exposure to 1 µm BPQ leads to ultrastructural changes affecting initially the mitochondrial matrix and the cristae. After 96 h, most parasites were largely distorted, filled with cytoplasmic amylopectin granules and vacuoles containing components of unknown composition. Host cell mitochondria did not appear to be notably affected by the drug. However, upon prolonged exposure (14-16 days) to increased BPQ concentrations, B. besnoiti tachyzoites exhibited the capacity to adapt, and they resumed proliferation at dosages of up to 10 µm BPQ, albeit at a lower rate. These BPQ-adapted parasites maintained this lower susceptibility to BPQ treatment after freeze-thawing, and inspection by the transmission electron microscopy revealed that they underwent proliferation in the absence of structurally intact mitochondria.
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Gollnick NS, Scharr JC, Schares S, Bärwald A, Schares G, Langenmayer MC. Naturally acquired bovine besnoitiosis: Disease frequency, risk and outcome in an endemically infected beef herd. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 65:833-843. [PMID: 29345125 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The recent spread of bovine besnoitiosis warrants further epidemiological investigations to improve the knowledge on disease development. Thus, a 4-year longitudinal open cohort study was conducted in the first German cattle herd naturally infected with Besnoitia besnoiti. At seven herd-visits between 2008 and 2012, fourteen breeding bulls (>1.5 years) and 131 females (>1 year) were examined clinically and serologically. In females, clinical and serological prevalences, incidence and remission rates were determined. In addition, the association of age, antibody levels and number of visible parasitic cysts with clinical and serological outcome was investigated. The seroprevalence (89.4%-100%) and serological incidence rate (140.5 per 100 animal-years) were considerably higher than the clinical prevalence (23.5%-36.6%) and clinical incidence rate (16.7 per 100 animal-years). Of 33 new clinical and 12 new serological cases, only 6.7% (3/45) attracted attention with clinical signs of acute bovine besnoitiosis. The apparent serological remission rate (1.9 per 100 animal-years) was considerably lower than the clinical remission rate (37.3 per 100 animal-years). A median cyst score of <1 and mean immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) titre of ≤1,600 over the entire observation period was significantly associated with a negative clinical outcome at the end. Overall cyst score was not significantly associated with serological outcome and age had no significant influence on clinical and serological outcome. Within 4 years, there was a significant reduction in cyst scores and IFAT titres in the same animals, leading to eight clinically and serologically negative animals in the end. Two initially negative animals achieved clinical and apparent serological remission in about 2.5 years. In bulls, the time between herd entry and seroconversion was 7-30 months and the serological incidence rate was nearly identical to the rate in females (142.0 per 100 animal-years). This shows that a high B. besnoiti prevalence leads to infection of bulls within a short time period.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Gollnick
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Oberschleißheim, Germany.,German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - S Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - A Bärwald
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - G Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M C Langenmayer
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Abdulai-Saiku S, Tong WH, Vyas A. Sexual Transmission of Cyst-Forming Coccidian Parasites with Complex Life Cycles. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11930-017-0133-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Gutiérrez-Expósito D, Ferre I, Ortega-Mora LM, Álvarez-García G. Advances in the diagnosis of bovine besnoitiosis: current options and applications for control. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:737-751. [PMID: 28893637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis, which is caused by the tissue cyst-forming intracellular parasite Besnoitia besnoiti, is a chronic and debilitating disease that is responsible for severe economic losses in the cattle raised under extensive husbandry systems. The absence of vaccines, treatments or a health scheme at local, national and international levels has led to a rapid spread of bovine besnoitiosis from western Europe towards eastern countries and northwards. Moreover, this parasitic disease is widely present in many sub-Saharan countries. Thus, bovine besnoitiosis should be included in the animal health scheme of beef cattle herds. Accurate diagnostic tools and common diagnostic procedures are mandatory in any control programme. Relevant advances have been made in this field during the last decade. Succeeding with accurate diagnosis relies on the technique employed and the antibody and parasite kinetics of the infection stage, which may notably influence control programmes and surveillance. Moreover, control programmes should be adapted to the epidemiological status of the disease, as the disease presentation in a herd has important implications for prospective control. Herein, we review the clinical disease presentation of bovine besnoitiosis and the correlation between its clinical course and laboratory parameters. We also provide an update on the available diagnostic tools, discuss their strengths and pitfalls, and provide guidelines for their use in control, surveillance and epidemiological studies. A rational control strategy is also recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Serological dynamics and risk factors of Besnoitia besnoiti infection in breeding bulls from an endemically infected purebred beef herd. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1383-1393. [PMID: 28283798 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5418-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis has been deemed a re-emerging disease in Western Europe and considered endemic in Spain, Portugal, France and in some areas of Northern Italy. This report refers to an infection outbreak in a purebred beef herd from Northern Italy involving a large number of bulls. In October 2013, 544 animals were serologically tested with an in-house ELISA followed by a confirmatory Western blot to evaluate Besnoitia besnoiti seroprevalence. A year later, 461 animals were then serologically re-tested together with imported animals (n = 268). Overall, 812 animals were involved in the study. Histology and immunohistochemistry were performed on skin biopsies of suspected animals and several tissue samples from a slaughtered bull. In the first sampling, 100 animals were seropositive (18.4%); in the second sampling, prevalence increased up to 36.5%, with incidence calculated at 39.6%. The risk factor analysis revealed that the infection was associated with age (OR = 1.007) and sex, with males presenting a greater risk (OR = 2.006). In fact, prevalence values in bulls increased from 29.6 to 56.7%, with an incidence of infection of 53.3%. Moreover, mating with a seropositive bull enhanced infection risk for a seronegative cow (OR = 1.678). Clinical signs typical of bovine besnoitiosis were found in seven seropositive animals, with confirmation of B. besnoiti through histology and immunohistochemistry. The study outcomes confirm that bovine besnoitiosis is a disease with serious economic impact on beef cattle breeding, particularly on bulls in service. Good management practises such as clinical monitoring and serological testing of imported animals should be implemented to control its occurrence.
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Esteban-Gil A, Calvete C, Casasús I, Sanz A, Ferrer J, Peris M, Marcén-Seral J, Castillo J. Epidemiological patterns of bovine besnoitiosis in an endemic beef cattle herd reared under extensive conditions. Vet Parasitol 2017; 236:14-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Importance of serological cross-reactivity among Toxoplasma gondii, Hammondia spp., Neospora spp., Sarcocystis spp. and Besnoitia besnoiti. Parasitology 2017; 144:851-868. [PMID: 28241894 PMCID: PMC5471829 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora spp., Sarcocystis spp., Hammondia spp. and Besnoitia besnoiti are genetically related cyst-forming coccidia. Serology is frequently used for the identification of T. gondii, Neospora spp. and B. besnoiti-exposed individuals. Serologic cross-reactions occur in different tests among animals infected with T. gondii and H. hammondi, as well as among animals infected by T. gondii and N. caninum. Infections caused by N. caninum and N. hughesi are almost indistinguishable by serology. Neospora caninum, B. besnoiti and Sarcocystis spp. infections in cattle show some degree of serologic cross-reactivity. Antibody cross-reactivity between Neospora spp. and H. heydorni-infected animals is suspected, but not proven to occur. We review serologic cross-reactivity among animals and/or humans infected with T. gondii, Neospora spp., Sarcocystis spp., Hammondia spp. and B. besnoiti. Emphasis is laid upon antigens and serological methods for N. caninum diagnosis which were tested for cross-reactivity with related protozoa. Species-specific antigens, as well as stage-specific proteins have been identified in some of these parasites and have promising use for diagnosis and epidemiological surveys.
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Ryan EG, Lee A, Carty C, O'Shaughnessy J, Kelly P, Cassidy JP, Sheehan M, Johnson A, de Waal T. Bovine besnoitiosis (Besnoitia besnoiti
) in an Irish dairy herd. Vet Rec 2016; 178:608. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.103683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. G. Ryan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield; Dublin 4 Republic of Ireland
| | - A. Lee
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield; Dublin 4 Republic of Ireland
| | - C. Carty
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield; Dublin 4 Republic of Ireland
| | - J. O'Shaughnessy
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield; Dublin 4 Republic of Ireland
| | - P. Kelly
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield; Dublin 4 Republic of Ireland
| | - J. P. Cassidy
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield; Dublin 4 Republic of Ireland
| | - M. Sheehan
- Kilkenny Regional Veterinary Laboratory; Department of Agriculture; Food and the Marine; Kilkenny Republic of Ireland
| | - A. Johnson
- Limerick Regional Veterinary Laboratory; Department of Agriculture; Food and the Marine; Limerick Republic of Ireland
| | - T. de Waal
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield; Dublin 4 Republic of Ireland
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Does bovine besnoitiosis affect the sexual function of chronically infected bulls? Theriogenology 2016; 86:1325-32. [PMID: 27264738 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis is a reemerging disease in Europe. The clinically Besnoitia besnoiti infection in bulls is characterized by fever, nasal discharge, and orchitis in the acute phase and by scleroderma in the chronic phase. However, in many bulls, B besnoiti infection remains at a subclinical stage. Bull infertility is an economically relevant consequence of besnoitiosis infection. It is not clear, however, if semen quality returns to normal levels when infected animals have clinically recovered. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between chronic besnoitiosis and bull sexual function in a region of eastern France, where the disease is reemerging, by comparing semen quality and genital lesions in 11 uninfected, 17 subclinically infected, and 12 clinically infected bulls. The presence of anti-B besnoiti antibodies was detected by Western blot test. Semen was collected by electroejaculation. Bulls clinically infected with B besnoiti showed significantly more genital tract alterations than uninfected or subclinically infected bulls. No relationship was evidenced between besnoitiosis infectious status and semen quality, whereas a significant relationship was noted between genital lesions and semen score. This means that in the absence of moderate to severe genital lesions, chronic bovine besnoitiosis is unlikely to alter semen quality. However, as the presence of infected animals could lead to spread of the disease, culling or separation of clinically infected bulls from the remaining healthy animals is strongly recommended.
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Frey CF, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Marreros N, García-Lunar P, Gutiérrez-Expósito D, Schares G, Dubey JP, Gentile A, Jacquiet P, Shkap V, Cortes H, Ortega-Mora LM, Álvarez-García G. Besnoitia besnoiti lytic cycle in vitro and differences in invasion and intracellular proliferation among isolates. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:115. [PMID: 26928430 PMCID: PMC4772326 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1405-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bovine besnoitiosis, caused by the protozoan Besnoitia besnoiti, reduces productivity and fertility of affected herds. Besnoitiosis continues to expand in Europe and no effective control tools are currently available. Experimental models are urgently needed. Herein, we describe for the first time the kinetics of standardised in vitro models for the B. besnoiti lytic cycle. This will aid to study the pathogenesis of the disease, in the screening for vaccine targets and drugs potentially useful for the treatment of besnoitiosis. Methods We compared invasion and proliferation of one B. tarandi (from Finland) and seven B. besnoiti isolates (Bb-Spain1, Bb-Spain2, Bb-Israel, Bb-Evora03, Bb-Ger1, Bb-France, Bb-Italy2) in MARC-145 cell culture. Host cell invasion was studied at 4, 6, 8 and 24 h post infection (hpi), and proliferation characteristics were compared at 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hpi. Results In Besnoitia spp., the key parameters that determine the sequential adhesion-invasion, proliferation and egress steps are clearly distinct from those in the related apicomplexans Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. Besnoitia spp. host cell invasion is a rather slow process, since only 50 % of parasites were found intracellular after 3–6 h of exposure to host cells, and invasion still took place after 24 h. Invasion efficacy was significantly higher for Bb-France, Bb-Evora03 and Bb-Israel. In addition, the time span for endodyogeny to take place was as long as 18–35 h. Bb-Israel and B. tarandi isolates were most prolific, as determined by the tachyzoite yield at 72 hpi. The total tachyzoite yield could not be predicted neither by invasion-related parameters (velocity and half time invasion) nor by proliferation parameters (lag phase and doubling time (dT)). The lytic cycle of Besnoitia was asynchronous as evidenced by the presence of three different plaque-forming tachyzoite categories (lysis plaques, large and small parasitophorous vacuoles). Conclusions This study provides first insights into the lytic cycle of B. besnoiti isolates and a standardised in vitro model that allows screening of drug candidates for the treatment of besnoitiosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1405-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline F Frey
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Nelson Marreros
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Paula García-Lunar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Gereon Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Jitender P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA.
| | - Arcangelo Gentile
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy.
| | - Philippe Jacquiet
- Institut National Polytechnique (INP), Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), UMR1225, IHAP, Equipe « Besnoitiose et vecteurs », Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
| | - Varda Shkap
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel.
| | - Helder Cortes
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Victor Caeiro, Núcleo da Mitra, ICAAM, Universidade de Évora, Apartado 94, 7000-554, Évora, Portugal.
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Schares G, Langenmayer MC, Majzoub-Altweck M, Scharr JC, Gentile A, Maksimov A, Schares S, Conraths FJ, Gollnick NS. Naturally acquired bovine besnoitiosis: Differential distribution of parasites in the skin of chronically infected cattle. Vet Parasitol 2015; 216:101-7. [PMID: 26801602 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.12.016] [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: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis is caused by Besnoitia besnoiti, an apicomplexan parasite closely related to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. In the acute stage of besnoitiosis, cattle suffer from pyrexia, swollen lymph nodes, anorexia and subcutaneous edema. In the chronic stage, tissue cysts are formed in a variety of tissues including the skin. Knowledge about the distribution of tissue cysts of different parts of the skin of infected animals is scarce. Four chronically infected cattle were euthanized and skin samples were taken from a total of 77 standardized cutaneous locations per animal. Portions of the dermis were taken, from which DNA was extracted and examined by real-time PCR. Cycle of transition (Ct) values reflecting the amount of parasite DNA in the samples were determined. For statistical analysis, samples were attributed to 11 larger skin regions ('OuterHindlegDistal', 'Rump, ForelegMiddle', 'NoseFrontEars', 'CheekEye', 'SideLowerPart', 'ForelegDistal', 'SideUpperPart', 'LegsInner', 'VentralHeadNeck', 'DorsalNeckWithersBackTail'). While all samples revealed a positive result in three female cattle, only 63.6% (49/77) of the samples of a bull showed positive results. For statistical analysis, a Ct value of 45 was assumed for samples with a negative result. The dams showed median Ct values of 16.1, 17.5 and 19.4, while in skin samples of the bull a median Ct value of 37.6 was observed. To determine the differences in DNA concentrations between different locations of the skin of the animals, a relative Ct (relCt) was determined by subtracting for each animal indv the MedianCtindv from each sample Ct. Analyses of the relCt values showed that the highest relative parasite DNA concentrations were observed in the categories 'OuterHindlegDistal', 'Rump', 'ForelegMiddle' and 'NoseFrontEars'. The relCt values in these categories differed statistically significantly from those determined for the categories 'VentralHeadNeck' and 'DorsalNeckWithersBackTail'. The analysis showed clear differences in the distribution and the detectability of parasite DNA in the skin of cattle infected with B. besnoiti. In all four animals, samples from the 'Rump' region (Regio fermoris) showed high parasite DNA concentrations. Because this region is also easily accessible for veterinarians, this skin location appears to be optimal for taking skin biopsies for detection or isolation of B. besnoiti.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - M C Langenmayer
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - M Majzoub-Altweck
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - J C Scharr
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - A Gentile
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Maksimov
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - S Schares
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - F J Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - N S Gollnick
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services at the Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
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Gutiérrez-Expósito D, Ortega-Mora LM, García-Lunar P, Rojo-Montejo S, Zabala J, Serrano M, Alvarez-García G. Clinical and Serological Dynamics of Besnoitia besnoiti Infection in Three Endemically Infected Beef Cattle Herds. Transbound Emerg Dis 2015; 64:538-546. [PMID: 26301388 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The dynamics of bovine besnoitiosis were studied in an area where the disease is endemic. A four-year longitudinal study was conducted for the first time in three infected beef cattle herds located in the Urbasa-Andía Mountains (Navarra, Spain). Each herd was visited four to seven times, and clinical and serological prevalence rates and incidence rates were estimated. Clinical inspections to identify compatible clinical signs with the disease stages were conducted at the beginning and end of the study. Serological assessment was initially performed by ELISA. Seronegative animals with clinical signs and seropositive animals with relative index per cent (RIPC) values lower than 30 that did not increase during the study period were analysed by Western blot to optimize the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test. Clinical prevalence rates were slightly higher (62% on average) than the seroprevalence rates (50% on average), and tissue cysts located in the vestibulum vaginae and sclera were the most frequently detected clinical signs. The proportion of seropositive animals with clinical signs varied from 16.7% to 73.6% among the herds, and 17% of cattle with clinical signs proved to be seronegative by both serological tests. An average 22% serological incidence rate was also reported in addition to clinical incidence rates that varied from 12.5% to 16.7%. Additionally, parasitemia was investigated in the herd that showed the highest clinical and seroprevalence rates. Only one PCR positive blood sample was detected. Thus, the role that blood may play in parasite transmission needs to be further investigated. Infected herds maintained both high prevalence and incidence rates in the absence of control measures and a high number of parasite carriers. Finally, economic impact studies on reproductive and productive losses associated with besnoitiosis need to be performed to implement a cost-benefit control programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gutiérrez-Expósito
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - L M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - P García-Lunar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Rojo-Montejo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Zabala
- Albaikide, S.A. Veterinary Services, Navarra, Spain
| | - M Serrano
- Albaikide, S.A. Veterinary Services, Navarra, Spain
| | - G Alvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Liénard E, Pop L, Prevot F, Grisez C, Mallet V, Raymond-Letron I, Bouhsira É, Franc M, Jacquiet P. Experimental infections of rabbits with proliferative and latent stages of Besnoitia besnoiti. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3815-26. [PMID: 26143866 PMCID: PMC4562009 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4612-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cattle besnoitiosis due to Besnoitia besnoiti is spreading across Europe and is responsible for severe economic losses in newly infected herds. Experimentally speaking, rabbits have been found to be susceptible to this parasite. The adaptation of B. besnoiti to rabbits may offer a new, easier and cheaper model of investigation for this disease. This study compared the virulence between tachyzoites and bradyzoites of B. besnoiti in rabbits. Eighteen New Zealand rabbits were allocated into three groups of six animals each. The rabbits from the control (group C), "tachyzoite" (group T) and "bradyzoite" (group B) groups were subcutaneously injected in the right flank with 66 μg of ovalbumin, 6.10(6) tachyzoites (125th passage on Vero cells) and 6.10(6) bradyzoites (collected from a natural infected cow) of B. besnoiti, respectively. Clinical follow-up and blood sampling for serological survey and qPCR were performed during 10 weeks until euthanasia. Molecular and immunohistochemistry examination was achieved on 25 samples of tissue per rabbit. Seroconversion occurred in group T without any clinical signs. Rabbits of group B exhibited a febrile condition (temperature above 40 °C from day 8 to day 11 following injection) with positive qPCR in blood. Cysts of B. besnoiti were found on skin samples and organs of rabbits from group B in tissue explored with threshold cycle (Ct) values below 30. These results suggest a higher virulence of bradyzoites in rabbits than Vero cell-cultivated tachyzoites. The proposed model could be used to assess the in vivo effectiveness of vaccine or drugs against cattle besnoitiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Liénard
- UMR INRA/DGER 1225, INP - École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Laboratoire de Parasitologie, 23 chemin des Capelles, F-31076, Toulouse, France,
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Talafha AQ, Al-Majali AM, Ababneh MM, Abutarbush SM. Epidemiologic study on Besnoitia besnoiti infection in dairy herds in Jordan. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:2491-7. [PMID: 25843571 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4448-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Besnoitia besnoiti is an apicomplexan parasite and the causative agent of bovine besnoitiosis which is considered as a re-emergent disease in Europe. A cross-sectional serological study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and to identify risk factors associated with B. besnoiti infection in 68 dairy herds (n = 806 cows) in Jordan during the period from January to June 2007 and the spring of 2014. Data regarding herd's management was obtained by filling questionnaires through personal interviews with farmers. An indirect ELISA test was used to detect antibodies against B. besnoiti. Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity to B. besnoiti. At the individual cow and herd level, the true prevalence of seropositive animals was 6 and 28.7 %, respectively. Cows between 2 and 6 years of age had significantly higher seroprevalence of B. besnoiti than other age groups. The highest seroprevalence of B. besnoiti was found in Zarqa and Irbid governorates. Multivariable logistic regression model identified that exchanging visits by farm workers to neighboring farms as a risk factor for seropositivity to B. besnoiti, while smaller herd size and twice a day farm cleaning using sweeping and water hosing were identified as protective factors. This is the first study that investigated the seroprevalence of B. besnoiti infection in dairy herds in Jordan. Further studies are warranted to explore the clinical manifestation of B. besnoiti infection as well as to identify the possible presence of other Besnoitia species and definitive hosts for the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelsalam Q Talafha
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan,
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Natural Besnoitia besnoiti infections in cattle: chronology of disease progression. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:35. [PMID: 25886463 PMCID: PMC4357170 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0344-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bovine besnoitiosis is an emerging protozoan disease in cattle. Neither vaccines nor chemotherapeutic drugs are currently available for prevention and treatment of Besnoitia besnoiti infections. Therefore the implementation of appropriate disease management strategies is of utmost importance. The aim of this longitudinal study was to complement current knowledge on the chronology of disease progression. This was realized by correlating clinical findings in early stages of naturally acquired bovine besnoitiosis with results of real-time PCR of skin biopsies and of two western immunoblots and an immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Animals for this study were obtained by i) closely monitoring a cow-calf operation with a high prevalence of bovine besnoitiosis for cases of acute disease, and by ii) conducting a 12-week cohabitation experiment on pasture with five healthy heifers, a healthy bull and five B. besnoiti infected cows. A control group of six healthy heifers was kept at a minimal distance of 20 m. Further, the spectrum of potential insect vectors was determined. Results Infected cattle were followed up to a maximum of 221 days after first detection of B. besnoiti antibodies. Two severely affected cows developed visible and palpable alterations of skin, a decrease in body condition despite good feed intake, and chronic bovine besnoitiosis-associated laminitis leading to non-healing sole ulcers. The cows also had high reciprocal IFAT titers and high loads of parasite DNA in skin samples. Two heifers developed a mild clinical course characterized by few parasitic cysts visible in the scleral conjunctivae and vestibula vaginae. Both heifers became infected during the time of high insect activity of the species Musca domestica, Musca autumnalis, Haematobia irritans, and Stomoxys calcitrans. When a third heifer became subclinically infected, low insect activity was recorded. None of the six control heifers contracted a B. besnoiti infection. Conclusions In chronic besnoitiosis, the severe clinical course apparently corresponded with high reciprocal IFAT titers and high loads of parasite DNA in skin, whereas mild and subclinical cases displayed lower values. Bovine besnoitiosis-associated laminitis represents an important complication in severe chronic disease which severely impairs animal welfare. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0344-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Langenmayer MC, Gollnick NS, Scharr JC, Schares G, Herrmann DC, Majzoub-Altweck M, Hermanns W. Besnoitia besnoiti infection in cattle and mice: ultrastructural pathology in acute and chronic besnoitiosis. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:955-63. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4261-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Gazzonis AL, Alvarez Garcia G, Zanzani SA, Garippa G, Rossi L, Maggiora M, Dini V, Invernizzi A, Luini M, Tranquillo VM, Ortega Mora L, Manfredi MT. Besnoitia besnoiti among cattle in insular and northwestern Italy: endemic infection or isolated outbreaks? Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:585. [PMID: 25491281 PMCID: PMC4271444 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0585-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bovine besnoitiosis, caused by the apicomplexan Besnoitia besnoiti, is a chronic and debilitating disease considered as emerging in Europe. In Spain, Portugal and France it is endemic and foci of infection were recorded in Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Greece and Italy. In Italy, cases of bovine besnoitiosis were registered both in imported and autochthonous cattle, and mostly in central regions; high seroprevalence was also revealed by an epidemiological survey performed in the southern part of the country. Aiming to update information on the disease in northwestern and insular areas of Italy, where data on bovine besnoitiosis were missing, a serosurvey was designed for the present study. METHODS Three thousand one hundred and forty bovine blood samples from both dairy and beef farms (n = 126) were collected in northwestern regions (Lombardy, Piedmont and Liguria) and in the island of Sardinia. Samples were analyzed by a standardized in-house ELISA and those resulted positive were re-tested by Western Blot (WB) for confirmation. On results obtained by both ELISA and WB, apparent (AP) and true prevalence (TP) were calculated at individual and herd levels. Further, a panel of sera resulted positive to ELISA was analyzed by IFAT. RESULTS A total of 712 animals (AP = 22.7%; TP = 18.8%) and 109 farms (AP = 86.5%; TP = 88.2%) showed a positive reaction in ELISA. Only ten (AP = 0.3%; TP = 0%) specimens proceeding from five farms (AP = 3.9%; TP = 1.7%) from Lombardy were confirmed positive to the WB, corresponding to two Holstein Friesian cows and eight beef cattle. IFAT showed a low sensitivity (44.4%) scoring positive in only four samples out of 9 positive to WB. CONCLUSIONS The survey demonstrated that bovine besnoitiosis cannot still be considered endemic in whole Italy. In fact, independent foci of infection were registered only in Lombardy region. Therefore, a sanitary strategy aimed to increase control measures and to organize monitoring plans, by adequate diagnostic tools is necessary to avoid overestimation of B. besnoiti in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia L Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Gema Alvarez Garcia
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sergio A Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Garippa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Luca Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Marco Maggiora
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Valter Dini
- Health Veterinary Service, A.S.L. Savonese 2, Savona, Italy.
| | - Anna Invernizzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Milan, Italy.
| | - Mario Luini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Vito M Tranquillo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Bergamo, Italy.
| | - Luis Ortega Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Tabanids: Neglected subjects of research, but important vectors of disease agents! INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2014; 28:596-615. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ness SL, Schares G, Peters-Kennedy J, Mittel LD, Dubey JP, Bowman DD, Mohammed HO, Divers TJ. Serological diagnosis of Besnoitia bennetti infection in donkeys (Equus asinus). J Vet Diagn Invest 2014; 26:778-82. [PMID: 25227418 DOI: 10.1177/1040638714550180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Besnoitiosis is an emerging infectious disease of donkeys (Equus asinus) in the United States for which there are currently no serologic methods of diagnosis. A study was performed to evaluate physical examination findings and 3 serologic assays for the detection of Besnoitia bennetti infection in donkeys. A prospective study of 416 donkeys from 6 privately owned herds across 5 U.S. states (New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Oregon, and Washington) was performed. Donkeys were examined for clinical lesions suggestive of besnoitiosis and evaluated for antibodies against B. bennetti using a fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and 2 immunoblot assays specific for bradyzoite and tachyzoite antigens, respectively. Donkeys were confirmed to be infected with B. bennetti by histology (cases; n = 32) and were compared to those with no clinical signs of besnoitiosis (controls; n = 384). Identifying clinical lesions in 2 or more locations correctly identified infected donkeys 83% of the time. Donkeys with besnoitiosis had significantly higher FAT titers (P < 0.001) and numbers of bradyzoite (P < 0.001) and tachyzoite (P < 0.001) immunoblot bands than control donkeys. The sensitivity and specificity of the serologic assays for detecting besnoitiosis was 88% and 96% for FAT, 81% and 91% for bradyzoite immunoblot, and 91% and 92% for tachyzoite immunoblot, respectively. Fluorescent antibody and immunoblot assays are effective at identifying donkeys with besnoitiosis and provide a more efficient and less invasive diagnostic alternative to histology.
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Affiliation(s)
- SallyAnne L Ness
- Departments of Clinical Sciences (Ness, Divers), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYBiomedical Sciences (Peters-Kennedy), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYPopulation Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences (Mittel, Mohammed), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYMicrobiology and Immunology (Bowman), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany (Schares)Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD (Dubey)
| | - Gereon Schares
- Departments of Clinical Sciences (Ness, Divers), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYBiomedical Sciences (Peters-Kennedy), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYPopulation Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences (Mittel, Mohammed), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYMicrobiology and Immunology (Bowman), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany (Schares)Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD (Dubey)
| | - Jeanine Peters-Kennedy
- Departments of Clinical Sciences (Ness, Divers), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYBiomedical Sciences (Peters-Kennedy), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYPopulation Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences (Mittel, Mohammed), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYMicrobiology and Immunology (Bowman), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany (Schares)Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD (Dubey)
| | - Linda D Mittel
- Departments of Clinical Sciences (Ness, Divers), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYBiomedical Sciences (Peters-Kennedy), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYPopulation Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences (Mittel, Mohammed), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYMicrobiology and Immunology (Bowman), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany (Schares)Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD (Dubey)
| | - Jitender P Dubey
- Departments of Clinical Sciences (Ness, Divers), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYBiomedical Sciences (Peters-Kennedy), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYPopulation Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences (Mittel, Mohammed), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYMicrobiology and Immunology (Bowman), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany (Schares)Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD (Dubey)
| | - Dwight D Bowman
- Departments of Clinical Sciences (Ness, Divers), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYBiomedical Sciences (Peters-Kennedy), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYPopulation Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences (Mittel, Mohammed), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYMicrobiology and Immunology (Bowman), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany (Schares)Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD (Dubey)
| | - Hussni O Mohammed
- Departments of Clinical Sciences (Ness, Divers), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYBiomedical Sciences (Peters-Kennedy), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYPopulation Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences (Mittel, Mohammed), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYMicrobiology and Immunology (Bowman), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany (Schares)Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD (Dubey)
| | - Thomas J Divers
- Departments of Clinical Sciences (Ness, Divers), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYBiomedical Sciences (Peters-Kennedy), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYPopulation Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences (Mittel, Mohammed), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYMicrobiology and Immunology (Bowman), College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYFriedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald, Isle of Riems, Germany (Schares)Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD (Dubey)
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