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Elati K, Daly N, Dhibi M, Laaribi H, Rekik M, Gharbi M. Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey of Ectoparasites in Sheep from Central Tunisia: Does Low Prevalence Indicate Good Hygiene or Resistance to Ectoparasites? Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:801. [PMID: 38473186 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sheep ectoparasites such as chewing lice, fleas and ticks are serious constraints to sheep productivity and are the cause of skin lesions in animals that decrease their market value. This study aims at investigating the ectoparasite fauna infesting small ruminants in the district of Sidi Bouzid (central Tunisia). A total of 1243 Barbarine and Queue Fine de l'Ouest (QFO) sheep were examined every two months for one year. Of the total animals examined, 74 were infested by at least 1 parasite group (5.95%). Three ectoparasite groups were identified as Psoroptes ovis (0.48%; 6/1243), ticks (5.3%; n = 66/1243) and one specimen of Ctenocephalides canis (0.08%; n = 1/1243). The most abundant tick among the 358 specimens was Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (n = 337; 94.1%), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum (n = 7/358; 1.9%), H. dromedarii (n = 7/358; 1.9%), H. excavatum (n = 5/358; 1.4%) and only two specimens of H. scupense (n = 2/358; 0.55%). The sheep herds showed low infestation prevalence by ectoparasite over the year, with a significant difference according to the seasons (p < 0.05). A higher infestation prevalence was recorded in March (14.36%). Barbarine sheep breed showed significantly higher infestation prevalence (16.8%) compared to QFO (0.8%) (p < 0.01). There were no differences in infestation prevalence according to sex of the animal or age groups. Knowledge of the ectoparasite population harboured by sheep, its activity dynamics and risk factors is required to develop effective ectoparasite control options. The low prevalence of ectoparasite infestation in sheep reported here may be due to possible genetic resistance or simply to successful hygiene measures implemented by farmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khawla Elati
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7, 14163 Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 8, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nesrine Daly
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
| | - Mokhtar Dhibi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
| | - Hela Laaribi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
| | - Mourad Rekik
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 950764, Amman 11195, Jordan
| | - Mohamed Gharbi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia
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Li SA, Zhang L, Li Z, Song HN, Que ZW, Zhao SY, Li YY, Guo YL, Wu JY. Detection of Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma ovis in Melophagus ovinus from southern Xinjiang, China. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:865-870. [PMID: 37341627 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Melophagus ovinus is a hematophagous insect that is distributed worldwide and plays a crucial role in transmitting disease-causing pathogens. From June 2021 to March 2022, a total of 370 M. ovinus were collected from 11 sampling points in southern Xinjiang, China. The specimens were identified using morphological and molecular analyses. Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma ovis were detected from all the samples using seven Rickettsia-specific genetic markers and the msp-4 gene of A. ovis. Approximately 11% of the M. ovinus specimens were positive for Rickettsia spp., and Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae was the most predominant species (35/41; 85.4%), while R. massiliae was least prevalent (6/41; 14.6%). Approximately 10.5% (39/370) of the M. ovinus specimens were positive for A. ovis of genotype III, which was co-detected with Candidatus R. barbariae in M. ovinus (3/370; 0.8%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the detection of R. massiliae and Candidatus R. barbariae in M. ovinus globally. The detection and control of insect-borne diseases originating from M. ovinus should be strengthened in southern Xinjiang, an area important to animal husbandry and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Ang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Xinjiang, China
| | - Liu Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Xinjiang, China
| | - Zheng Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hao-Nan Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ze-Wei Que
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Xinjiang, China
| | - Si-Yu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ying-Ying Li
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yu-Ling Guo
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jun-Yuan Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Xinjiang, China
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Peña-Espinoza M, Em D, Shahi-Barogh B, Berer D, Duscher GG, van der Vloedt L, Glawischnig W, Rehbein S, Harl J, Unterköfler MS, Fuehrer HP. Molecular pathogen screening of louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from domestic and wild ruminants in Austria. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:179. [PMID: 37269018 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05810-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hippoboscid flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), also known as louse flies or keds, are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of animals, and accidentally of humans. The potential role of hippoboscids as vectors of human and veterinary pathogens is being increasingly investigated, but the presence and distribution of infectious agents in louse flies is still unknown in parts of Europe. Here, we report the use of molecular genetics to detect and characterize vector-borne pathogens in hippoboscid flies infesting domestic and wild animals in Austria. METHODS Louse flies were collected from naturally infested cattle (n = 25), sheep (n = 3), and red deer (n = 12) across Austria between 2015 and 2019. Individual insects were morphologically identified to species level and subjected to DNA extraction for molecular pathogen screening and barcoding. Genomic DNA from each louse fly was screened for Borrelia spp., Bartonella spp., Trypanosomatida, Anaplasmataceae, Filarioidea and Piroplasmida. Obtained sequences of Trypanosomatida and Bartonella spp. were further characterized by phylogenetic and haplotype networking analyses. RESULTS A total of 282 hippoboscid flies corresponding to three species were identified: Hippobosca equina (n = 62) collected from cattle, Melophagus ovinus (n = 100) from sheep and Lipoptena cervi (n = 120) from red deer (Cervus elaphus). Molecular screening revealed pathogen DNA in 54.3% of hippoboscids, including infections with single (63.39%), two (30.71%) and up to three (5.90%) distinct pathogens in the same individual. Bartonella DNA was detected in 36.9% of the louse flies. Lipoptena cervi were infected with 10 distinct and previously unreported Bartonella sp. haplotypes, some closely associated with strains of zoonotic potential. DNA of trypanosomatids was identified in 34% of hippoboscids, including the first description of Trypanosoma sp. in H. equina. Anaplasmataceae DNA (Wolbachia spp.) was detected only in M. ovinus (16%), while < 1% of the louse flies were positive for Borrelia spp. and Filarioidea. All hippoboscids were negative for Piroplasmida. CONCLUSIONS Molecular genetic screening confirmed the presence of several pathogens in hippoboscids infesting domestic and wild ruminants in Austria, including novel pathogen haplotypes of zoonotic potential (e.g. Bartonella spp.) and the first report of Trypanosoma sp. in H. equina, suggesting a potential role of this louse fly as vector of animal trypanosomatids. Experimental transmission studies and expanded monitoring of hippoboscid flies and hippoboscid-associated pathogens are warranted to clarify the competence of these ectoparasites as vectors of infectious agents in a One-Health context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Peña-Espinoza
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel Em
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bita Shahi-Barogh
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominik Berer
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg G Duscher
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Research Services, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lara van der Vloedt
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Glawischnig
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Institute for Veterinary Disease Control, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Steffen Rehbein
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Josef Harl
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria S Unterköfler
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Li S, Zhang L, Li Z, Song H, Que Z, Zhao S, Li Y, Guo Y, Wu J. Distribution and Molecular Epidemiology of Anaplasma ovis in Melophagus ovinus and Small Ruminants in Border Regions of South Xinjiang, China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:1-8. [PMID: 36576898 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Anaplasma ovis are obligate intracellular bacteria that can endanger human and animal health, and they can be transmitted by arthropod vectors, such as Melophagus ovinus and ticks. Materials and Methods: In this study, 433 specimens, including 370 M. ovinus and 63 sheep blood samples, were collected from nine districts of South Xinjiang to investigate the distribution and molecular epidemiology of A. ovis in M. ovinus and small ruminant. Results: DNA of A. ovis was detected in 109 (25.2%, 109/433) of the 433 samples using PCR and sequencing. The analysis of A. ovis msp4 sequences revealed four different genotypes, including genotype III (47.7%; 52/109), GB3 (34.0%; 37/109), AoGOv3 (15.6%; 17/109), and XJ9 (2.8%; 3/109). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, A. ovis genotypes GB3, AoGOv3, and XJ9 detected in this study are the first to be reported in M. ovinus, and our data indicate that XJ9 is a novel A. ovis genotype presented herein for the first time. These findings provide important references for the new understanding and prevention of A. ovis in border counties in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Laboratory of Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar, People's Republic of China
| | - Liu Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Laboratory of Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Laboratory of Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar, People's Republic of China
| | - Haonan Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Laboratory of Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar, People's Republic of China
| | - Zewei Que
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Li
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuling Guo
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar, People's Republic of China
| | - Junyuan Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, People's Republic of China
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Liu YH, Ma YM, Tian HO, Yang B, Han WX, Zhao WH, Chai HL, Zhang ZS, Wang LF, Chen L, Xing Y, Ding YL, Zhao L. First determination of DNA virus and some additional bacteria from Melophagus ovinus (sheep ked) in Tibet, China. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:988136. [PMID: 36147838 PMCID: PMC9486064 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.988136] [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: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Melophagus ovinus (sheep ked) is one of the common ectoparasites in sheep. In addition to causing direct damage to the host through biting and sucking blood, sheep ked is a potential vector of helminths, protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. Sheep M. ovinus samples from three regions in Tibet were selected for DNA extraction. The 16S rDNA V3-V4 hypervariable region was amplified, after genomic DNA fragmentation, Illumina Hiseq libraries were constructed. The 16S rRNA sequencing and viral metagenomics sequencing were separately conducted on the Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform and molecular biology software and platforms were employed to analyze the sequencing data. Illumina PE250 sequencing results demonstrated that the dominant bacteria phylum in M. ovinus from Tibet, China was Proteobacteria, where 29 bacteria genera were annotated. The dominant bacterial genera were Bartonella, Wolbachia, and Arsenophonus; Bartonella chomelii, Wolbachia spp., and Arsenophonus spp. were the dominant bacterial species in M. ovinus from Tibet, China. We also detected Kluyvera intermedia, Corynebacterium maris DSM 45190, Planomicrobium okeanokoites, and Rhodococcus erythropolis, of which the relative abundance of Kluyvera intermedia was high. Illumina Hiseq sequencing results demonstrated that 4 virus orders were detected in M. ovinus from Tibet, China, and 3 samples were annotated into 29 families, 30 families, and 28 families of viruses, respectively. Virus families related to vertebrates and insects mainly included Mimiviridae, Marseilleviridae, Poxviridae, Ascoviridae, Iridoviridae, Baculoviridae, Hytrosaviridae, Nudiviridae, Polydnaviridae, Adomaviridae, Asfarviridae, Hepeviridae, Herpesviridae, and Retroviridae; at the species level, the relative abundance of Tupanvirus_soda_lake, Klosneuvirus_KNV1, and Indivirus_ILV1 was higher. African swine fever virus and many poxviruses from the family Poxviridae were detected, albeit their relative abundance was low. The dominant bacterial phylum of M. ovinus from Tibet, China was Proteobacteria, and the dominant bacterial genera were Bartonella, Wolbachia, and Arsenophonus, where 23 out of 29 annotated bacteria genera were first reported in M. ovinus. Kluyvera intermedia, Corynebacterium maris DSM 45190, Planomicrobium okeanokoites, and Rhodococcus erythropolis were detected for the first time. All DNA viruses detected in this study have been reported in M. ovinus for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Hong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yi-Min Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hong-Ou Tian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Animal Disease Control Center of Ordos, Ordos City, China
| | - Wen-Xiong Han
- Inner Mongolia Saikexing Reproductive Biotechnology (Group) Co., Ltd., Hohhot, China
| | - Wei-Hong Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hai-Liang Chai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhan-Sheng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Li-Feng Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Shanghai Origingene Bio-pharm Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Xing
- Shanghai Origingene Bio-pharm Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Lin Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Li Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
- *Correspondence: Li Zhao,
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