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Nangru A, Maharana BR, Vohra S, Kumar B, Ganguly A, Sahu S, Singh H, Ruhil S, Khichar V. Identification, molecular characterization and risk factors of Theileria infection among sheep: a first comprehensive report from North India. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:3658-3670. [PMID: 36946877 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2023.2189928] [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: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The present study was aimed at the identification, molecular characterization, and risk factor assessment of Theileria infection among sheep of Haryana province, north India. A total of 402 blood samples were collected from three different climatic zones of Haryana from March 2020 to September 2021. Light microscopy of blood smears revealed Theileria spp. infection in 47.26% (n = 190), while 60.94% (n = 245) of blood samples were positive using nested PCR. Extensive molecular characterization of Theileria infection using four pairs of species-specific primers indicated the dominance of T. ovis (29.1%) followed by T. lestoquardi (12.69%), T. luwenshuni (5.97%) and T. annulata (1.49%). Mixed infection was detected in 11.69% of cases. Bidirectional sequencing and phylogeny further confirmed the presence of these four Theileria spp. in the investigated area under study. Hematology indicated a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in various haematological indices of animals infected with T. luwenshuni and T. lestoquardi compared to the healthy control group. Risk factors like age, sex, and zone were significantly associated with Theileria infection in sheep. The present investigation depicts the first comprehensive molecular report of ovine Theileria spp., which warrants further study to develop suitable control strategies against these haemoparasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Nangru
- Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, India
| | | | - Sukhdeep Vohra
- Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, India
| | - Binod Kumar
- College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Junagadh, India
| | - Anita Ganguly
- Referral Veterinary Diagnostic and Extension Centre, LUVAS, Karnal, India
| | - Subhasish Sahu
- College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Harpreet Singh
- Referral Veterinary Diagnostic and Extension Centre, LUVAS, Karnal, India
| | - Swati Ruhil
- Referral Veterinary Diagnostic and Extension Centre, LUVAS, Karnal, India
| | - Vikas Khichar
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of Haryana, Chandigarh, India
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Ozubek S, Ulucesme MC, Bastos RG, Alzan HF, Laughery JM, Suarez CE, Aktas M. Experimental infection of non-immunosuppressed and immunosuppressed goats reveals differential pathogenesis of Babesia aktasi n. sp. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1277956. [PMID: 38029260 PMCID: PMC10651745 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1277956] [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: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is an acute and persistent tick-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. These hemoparasites affect vertebrates globally, resulting in symptoms such as high fever, anemia, jaundice, and even death. Advancements in molecular parasitology revealed new Babesia species/genotypes affecting sheep and goats, including Babesia aktasi n. sp., which is highly prevalent in goats from Turkiye's Mediterranean region. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of B. aktasi infection in immunosuppressed (n=7) and non-immunosuppressed (n=6) goats. These animals were experimentally infected with fresh B. aktasi infected blood, and their clinical signs, hematological and serum biochemical parameters were monitored throughout the infection. The presence of parasites in the blood of immunosuppressed goats was detected by microscopic examination between 4 and 6 days after infection, accompanied by fever and increasing parasitemia. Goats that succumbed acute disease exhibited severe clinical signs, such as anemia, hemoglobinuria, and loss of appetite. However, the goats that survived showed milder clinical signs. In the non-immunosuppressed group, piroplasm forms of B. aktasi were observed in the blood within 2-5 days after inoculation, but with low (0.01-0.2%) parasitemia. Although these goats showed loss of appetite, typical signs of babesiosis were absent except for increased body temperature. Hematological analysis revealed significant decreases in the levels of red blood cells, leukocytes and platelet values post-infection in immunosuppressed goats, while no significant hematological changes were observed in non-immunosuppressed goats. In addition, serum biochemical analysis showed elevated transaminase liver enzymes levels, decreased glucose, and lower total protein values in the immunosuppressed group post-infection. Babesia aktasi, caused mild disease with minor clinical symptoms in non-immunosuppressed goats. However, in immunosuppressed goats, it exhibited remarkable pathogenicity, leading to severe clinical infections and death. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the pathogenicity of the parasite and will serve as a foundation for future research aimed at developing effective prevention and control strategies against babesiosis in small ruminants. Further research is required to investigate the pathogenicity of B. aktasi in various goat breeds, other potential hosts, the vector ticks involved, and its presence in natural reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezayi Ozubek
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Can Ulucesme
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Türkiye
| | - Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Heba F. Alzan
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Jacob M. Laughery
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Munir Aktas
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Türkiye
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Taqadus A, Chiou CC, Amaro-Estrada I, Asif M, Nasreen N, Ahmad G, Iqbal J, Ali M, Khan A, Iqbal F, Chen CC. Epidemiology and Phylogeny of Anaplasma ovis with a Note on Hematological and Biochemical Changes in Asymptomatic Goats Enrolled from Four Districts in Punjab, Pakistan. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:495-506. [PMID: 37527189 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0017] [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: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Anaplasma ovis is an intra-erythrocytic gram negative rickettsial bacterium that infects small ruminants, resulting in huge economic losses worldwide. Materials and Methods: The present investigation aims at reporting the molecular prevalence of A. ovis in 1200 asymptomatic goats that were enrolled from 4 districts (Layyah, Lohdran, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rajanpur) in Punjab, Pakistan by targeting the msp4 gene of bacterium. Risk factors associated with the prevalence of A. ovis and phylogeny of bacterium were also documented. Results: 184 out of 1200 (15%) goat blood samples were infected with A. ovis. The prevalence of the pathogen varied with the sampling sites (p = 0.005), and the highest prevalence was detected in goats from Layyah (19%) followed by Rajanpur (17%), Dera Ghazi Khan (15%), and Lohdran district (9%). The represented partial msp4 gene amplicon was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and deposited to GenBank (OP225957-59). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the amplified isolates resembled the msp4 sequences reported from Iran, Mangolia, Sudan, and the United States. Sex and age of goats, herd composition and size, and the presence of ticks on goats and dogs associated with herds were the rick factors associated with the prevalence of A. ovis. Red blood cells, lymphocytes (%), neutrophils (%), hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels in blood and Aspartate amino transferase, urea, and creatinine levels in serum were disturbed in A. ovis infected goats when compared with uninfected animals. Conclusion: We are reporting the prevalence of A. ovis in Pakistani goats from four districts of Punjab and these data will help in developing the integrated control policies against this tick-borne pathogen that is infecting our goat breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asia Taqadus
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Chien-Chun Chiou
- Department of Dermatology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Itzel Amaro-Estrada
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, Jiutepec, México
| | - Muhammad Asif
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Nasreen Nasreen
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Ghafoor Ahmad
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Javaid Iqbal
- Department of Zoology, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Department of Zoology, Islamia University Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Adil Khan
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Pakistan
| | - Furhan Iqbal
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
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Ma Z, Ceylan O, Galon EM, Mohanta UK, Ji S, Li H, Do TT, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, El-Sayed SAES, Zafar I, Liu M, Sevinc F, Xuan X. Molecular Identification of Piroplasmids in Ticks from Infested Small Ruminants in Konya Province, Turkey. Pathogens 2023; 12:1123. [PMID: 37764931 PMCID: PMC10537647 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091123] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks play a pivotal role in propagating a diverse spectrum of infectious agents that detrimentally affect the health of both humans and animals. In the present study, a molecular survey was executed of piroplasmids in ticks collected from small ruminants in four districts within Konya province, Turkey. Microscopic examination identified 1281 adult ticks, which were categorized into 357 pools based on their species, sexes, host animals, and collection site before DNA extraction. The infection rates were calculated by using a maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Hyalomma detritum, H. excavatum, Rhipicephalus bursa, R. sanguineus, and R. turanicus were identified in this study. Among the five tick species identified here, R. turanicus exhibited the highest infestation rate in both goats and sheep. The presence of Babesia ovis and Theileria ovis based on 18S rRNA was confirmed using molecular assay. The overall MLE of infection rates for B. ovis and T. ovis was 2.49% (CI 1.72-3.46) and 1.46% (CI 0.87-2.23), respectively. The MLE of B. ovis and T. ovis infection rates in R. bursa was 10.80% (CI 7.43-14.90) and 0.33% (CI 0.02-1.42), respectively, while that in R. turanicus was 0.12% (CI 0.01-0.51) and 2.08% (CI 1.25-3.22). This study further confirms that R. turanicus and R. sanguineus can act as vectors for B. ovis, thus advancing our comprehension of tick-borne piroplasmids epidemiology and providing valuable insights for the development of effective control strategies for ticks and tick-borne diseases in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuowei Ma
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan; (Z.M.); (U.K.M.); (S.J.); (H.L.); (T.T.D.); (R.U.-S.); (S.A.E.-S.E.-S.); (I.Z.); (X.X.)
| | - Onur Ceylan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey;
| | - Eloiza May Galon
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Indang 4122, Philippines;
| | - Uday Kumar Mohanta
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan; (Z.M.); (U.K.M.); (S.J.); (H.L.); (T.T.D.); (R.U.-S.); (S.A.E.-S.E.-S.); (I.Z.); (X.X.)
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Shengwei Ji
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan; (Z.M.); (U.K.M.); (S.J.); (H.L.); (T.T.D.); (R.U.-S.); (S.A.E.-S.E.-S.); (I.Z.); (X.X.)
| | - Hang Li
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan; (Z.M.); (U.K.M.); (S.J.); (H.L.); (T.T.D.); (R.U.-S.); (S.A.E.-S.E.-S.); (I.Z.); (X.X.)
| | - Thanh Thom Do
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan; (Z.M.); (U.K.M.); (S.J.); (H.L.); (T.T.D.); (R.U.-S.); (S.A.E.-S.E.-S.); (I.Z.); (X.X.)
| | - Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan; (Z.M.); (U.K.M.); (S.J.); (H.L.); (T.T.D.); (R.U.-S.); (S.A.E.-S.E.-S.); (I.Z.); (X.X.)
| | - Shimaa Abd El-Salam El-Sayed
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan; (Z.M.); (U.K.M.); (S.J.); (H.L.); (T.T.D.); (R.U.-S.); (S.A.E.-S.E.-S.); (I.Z.); (X.X.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Iqra Zafar
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan; (Z.M.); (U.K.M.); (S.J.); (H.L.); (T.T.D.); (R.U.-S.); (S.A.E.-S.E.-S.); (I.Z.); (X.X.)
| | - Mingming Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China
| | - Ferda Sevinc
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey;
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan; (Z.M.); (U.K.M.); (S.J.); (H.L.); (T.T.D.); (R.U.-S.); (S.A.E.-S.E.-S.); (I.Z.); (X.X.)
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Sevinc F, Zhou M, Cao S, Ceylan O, Ulucesme MC, Ozubek S, Aktas M, Xuan X. Babesia ovis secreted antigen-1 is a diagnostic marker during the active Babesia ovis infections in sheep. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1238369. [PMID: 37662014 PMCID: PMC10468981 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1238369] [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] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovine babesiosis caused by Babesia ovis is an economically significant disease. Recently, a few B. ovis-specific proteins, including recombinant B. ovis secreted antigen-1 (rBoSA1), have been identified. Immunological analyses revealed that rBoSA1 resides within the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes and exhibits robust antigenic properties for detecting anti-B. ovis antibodies. This protein is released into the bloodstream during the parasite's development. It would be possible to diagnose active infections by detecting this secretory protein. For this purpose, a rBoSA1-specific polyclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA was optimized in this study. Blood samples taken from the naturally (n: 100) and experimentally (n: 15) infected sheep were analyzed for the presence of native BoSA1. The results showed that native BoSA1 was detectable in 98% of naturally infected animals. There was a positive correlation between parasitemia level in microscopy and protein density in sandwich ELISA. Experimentally infected animals showed positive reactions from the first or second day of inoculations. However, experimental infections carried out by Rhipicephalus bursa ticks revealed the native BoSA1 was detectable from the 7th day of tick attachment when the parasite began to be seen microscopically. Sandwich ELISA was sensitive enough to detect rBoSA1 protein at a 1.52 ng/ml concentration. Additionally, no serological cross-reactivity was observed between animals infected with various piroplasm species, including Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, B. caballi, B. canis, B. gibsoni, Theileria equi, and T. annulata. Taken collectively, the findings show that the rBoSA1-specific polyclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA can be successfully used to diagnose clinical B. ovis infections in sheep at the early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferda Sevinc
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Selcuk, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Mo Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High-tech Research and Development of Veterinary Biopharmaceuticals, Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, China
| | - Shinuo Cao
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Modern Animal Science and Novel Veterinary Pharmaceutic Development, Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, China
| | - Onur Ceylan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Selcuk, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Can Ulucesme
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Türkiye
| | - Sezayi Ozubek
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Türkiye
| | - Munir Aktas
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Türkiye
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
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Altay K, Erol U, Sahin OF, Aydin MF, Aytmirzakizi A, Dumanli N. First Molecular Evidence of Babesia vogeli, Babesia vulpes, and Theileria ovis in Dogs from Kyrgyzstan. Pathogens 2023; 12:1046. [PMID: 37624006 PMCID: PMC10460036 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne parasitic diseases cause mild to severe infections among vertebrate hosts, including dogs. Species in the genus Babesia are important tick-borne pathogens and have worldwide distributions. Although there are data on the prevalence and distribution of Babesia species among dogs around the world, there is no information available in Kyrgyzstan, according to a literature review. In this study, 337 dogs were screened by nested PCR for the presence of the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S SSU rRNA) gene of piroplasm species. Overall prevalence was 6.23% (21/337) for Babesia/Theileria spp. DNA sequencing of positively tested samples revealed that eighteen samples were infected with Babesia vogeli (B. vogeli) (5.34%), two samples with B. vulpes (0.59%), and one sample with Theileria ovis (T. ovis) (0.29%). The phylogenetic analyses and nucleotide sequences in contrast with those present in GenBank revealed that two nucleotide substitutions (594th and 627th) were found between B. vogeli isolates, including ours, indicating that the mutation is relatively rare. The sequences of other pathogens obtained in this study confirmed 100% nucleotide identity with B. vulpes and T. ovis sequences in GenBank. To the best of our knowledge, B. vogeli, B. vulpes, and T. ovis were detected for the first time in dogs from Kyrgyzstan, and it is thought that results will contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of canine tick-borne pathogens in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kursat Altay
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, Türkiye; (U.E.); (O.F.S.)
| | - Ufuk Erol
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, Türkiye; (U.E.); (O.F.S.)
| | - Omer Faruk Sahin
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, Türkiye; (U.E.); (O.F.S.)
| | - Mehmet Fatih Aydin
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, 70100 Karaman, Türkiye;
| | - Ayperi Aytmirzakizi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Bishkek 720044, Kyrgyzstan;
| | - Nazir Dumanli
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119 Elazig, Türkiye;
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Spotin A, Dalir F, Hazratian T, Shekarchi AA, Mahami-Oskouei M, Farmani M, Dolatkhah A, Ahmadpour E. Global haplotype distribution of Babesia ovis inferred by 18S rRNA sequences; a phylogeographical systematic review. Microb Pathog 2023; 181:106179. [PMID: 37245631 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The genetic variability of apicomplexan parasite Babesia species is a principal strategy used by piroplasma to evade their hosts' immune responses. The purpose of this review was to evaluate our current knowledge on global haplotype distribution and phylogeography of Babesia ovis derived from sheep, goat, horse and ixodid (hard) ticks. Bibliographic English databases were searched from 2017 to 2023, identifying a total of 11 publications. The 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) sequences of B. ovis from Asia, Europe, and Africa were retrieved and subjected to estimate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic assessment. A haplotype network indicated a total of 29 haplotypes being classified into two distinct geographical haplogroups I and II including Nigeria and Uganda-derived B. ovis isolates. A moderately high level of genetic diversity was characterized in sheep/tick-derived B. ovis isolates originating from Iraq (Haplotype diversity: 0.781) and Turkey (Hd: 0.841). Based on the cladistic phylogenetic tree, two geographically different lineages of A and B were genetically differentiated except for Turkish isolates, indicating haplotype migration occurred between various geographical clades. In addition, the topology of UPGMA tree indicated that B. ovis population has a distinct clade compared to the rest clades of ovine babesiosis (B. crassa and B. motasi). The present results strengthen our knowledge to evaluate the evolutionary paradigms and transmission dynamics of B. ovis in different regions of the world; also it will provide groundwork for public health policy to control ovine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Spotin
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical, Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Fahimeh Dalir
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical, Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Teimour Hazratian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical, Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Shekarchi
- Department of Pathology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Mahami-Oskouei
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical, Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mostafa Farmani
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical, Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Dolatkhah
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical, Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical, Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Rahravani M, Moravedji M, Mostafavi E, Mozoun MM, Zeeyaie AH, Mohammadi M, Seyfi H, Adhami G, Esmaeili S, Ameri M. Clinical, hematological and molecular evaluation of piroplasma and Anaplasma infections in small ruminants and tick vectors from Kurdistan province, western Iran. Res Vet Sci 2023; 159:44-56. [PMID: 37080001 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne haemoparasite infections are a major challenge in small ruminant (SR) production across tropical areas. The present study evaluated the prevalence of Theileria, Babesia and Anaplasma in SRs and their tick vectors and estimated the association between pathogen prevalence with clinical hematological findings among SR populations in Kurdistan province, western Iran. In total, 250 blood samples and 250 tick species (one per animal) were collected from SR populations, along with clinical and hematological examinations. Microscopy of blood smears and molecular analysis were performed to detect potential infection with Theileria, Babesia and Anaplasma. Moreover, haemoparasites were explored in the isolated ticks using semi-nested PCR. Based on microscopy, the prevalence of Theileria, Anaplasma and Babesia infections was 91.2%, 23.2% and 2.4%, respectively. Semi-nested PCR analysis of blood samples demonstrated 86.8%, 78.8% and 14% prevalence for T. ovis, A. ovis and B. ovis, respectively. Dermacentor marginatus and Rhipicephalus turanicus were predominant isolated tick vectors from SR, while D. marginatus was the most contaminated tick in all investigated counties. There were, also, a statistically significant association between the estimated molecular prevalence rates with semi-yellow conjunctiva (A. ovis), body temperature (T. ovis and A. ovis), heart rate (T. ovis and B. ovis), mean white blood cell count (T. ovis and A. ovis), mean red blood cell count (T. ovis and B. ovis), as well as mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration in all haemoparasite infections. Future studies are recommended to reveal the epidemiology of such infections in SRs in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Rahravani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Meysam Moravedji
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | | | | | - Ghazaaleh Adhami
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Saber Esmaeili
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Ameri
- Clinical Pathology, Non-Clinical Safety (NCS), In Vitro/In Vivo Translation (IVIVT), GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 S. Collegeville Rd., Collegeville, PA. 19426, United States of America
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9
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Ulucesme MC, Ozubek S, Karoglu A, Turk ZI, Olmus I, Irehan B, Aktas M. Small Ruminant Piroplasmosis: High Prevalence of Babesia aktasi n. sp. in Goats in Türkiye. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040514. [PMID: 37111400 PMCID: PMC10142182 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Small ruminant piroplasmosis is the hemoparasitic infection of sheep and goats caused by Babesia and Theileria species responsible for clinical infections with high mortality outcomes. The disease is transmitted by ixodid ticks and prevalent in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Türkiye. A prevalence survey, using molecular methods, is conducted in this study to determine the frequency of newly defined Babesia aktasi n. sp. and other tick-borne piroplasm species in small ruminants in Turkiye. A total of 640 blood samples from sheep (n = 137) and goats (n = 503) were analyzed by nested PCR-based reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization. The results show that 32.3% (207/640) of apparently healthy, small ruminants are infected with three Theileria and two Babesia species. Babesia aktasi n. sp. was the most prevalent species in goats, with 22.5% of samples being positive, followed by B. ovis (4%), T. ovis (2.8%), T. annulata (2.6%), and Theileria sp. (0.6%). None of the sheep samples were positive for Babesia aktasi n. sp.; however, 51.8% were infected with T. ovis. In conclusion, the findings reveal that B. aktasi n. sp. is highly prevalent in goats, but absent in sheep. In future studies, experimental infections will determine whether B. aktasi n. sp. is infectious to sheep, as well as its pathogenicity in small ruminants.
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10
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First Molecular Identification of Babesia, Theileria, and Anaplasma in Goats from the Philippines. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101109. [PMID: 36297166 PMCID: PMC9612162 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101109] [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: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Goats are key livestock animals and goat raising is an income-generating venture for smallholder farmers, supporting agricultural development in many parts of the world. However, goat production is often limited by various factors, such as tick-borne diseases. Goat piroplasmosis is a disease caused by apicomplexan parasites Babesia spp. and Theileria spp., while anaplasmosis is caused by bacterial Anaplasma spp. In the Philippines, the presence of Babesia, Theileria, and Anaplasma has not been reported in goats. In this study, DNA obtained from goats were molecularly screened for Babesia/Theileria and Anaplasma. Of 396, 77.02% (305/396) and 38.64% (153/396) were positive for piroplasma and Anaplasma using PCR assays targeting the 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes, respectively. Similarly, Babesia ovis was detected in six samples (1.52%). Representative Babesia/Theileria sequences shared 89.97–97.74% identity with each other and were most closely related to T. orientalis, T. annulata, and Theileria spp. Meanwhile, Anaplasma 16SrRNA sequences were related to A. odocoilei, A. platys, and A. phagocytophilum. This is the first molecular identification of B. ovis, Theileria spp., and Anaplasma spp. in goats from the Philippines.
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11
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Onyiche TE, Mofokeng LS, Thekisoe O, MacLeod ET. Molecular survey for tick-borne pathogens and associated risk factors in sheep and goats in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 33:100753. [PMID: 35820726 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100753] [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] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) pose an increased health and productivity risk to livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. Information regarding TBPs infecting small ruminants in Kano metropolis is scarce. Therefore, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens of economic importance from sheep and goats in Kano, Nigeria using Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 346 blood DNA samples were collected from small ruminants and analyzed for TBPs using PCR and sequencing. Risk of infection was determined for age, sex, breed and animal species. Our results indicate the absence of piroplasmids (Babesia/Theileria) and Rickettsia spp. infections. The overall prevalence for Anaplasma spp. was 9.25% (32/346) with a higher prevalence in goats 13.59% (25/184) compared with sheep 4.32% (7/162). With respect to age of animals, goats >4 years had the highest prevalence of 32.45% (11/37) which differs significantly (P = 0.0059) compared with other age categories. Cross breed goats had a prevalence of 15.63% (5/32) compared with Kano brown breed 14.08 (20/142). Sex significant difference (P = 0.029) was observed in the goats with females having the highest prevalence 20.89% (14/67) compared with males 9.40% (11/117). Furthermore, with regards to sheep, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed with respect to age and breed. Finally, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed with the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. due to Body condition score (BCS) in both sheep and goats. Conclusively, the occurrence of TBPs in small ruminants is low. Continuous efforts in tick control must be sustained to ensure high productive yield and reduced disease burden associated with TBPs of sheep and goats in Kano metropolis.
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Affiliation(s)
- ThankGod E Onyiche
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri 600230, Nigeria.
| | - Lehlohonolo S Mofokeng
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Oriel Thekisoe
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Ewan Thomas MacLeod
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
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12
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Molecular identification of Theileria species in naturally infected sheep using nested PCR-RFLP. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1487-1497. [PMID: 35314893 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07489-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Ovine theileriosis is an important tick-borne haemoprotozoan disease of sheep in tropical and subtropical regions, causing severe productivity and economic loss. There is a paucity of information related to molecular studies of ovine theileriosis from India. The present study identified different Theileria spp. in naturally infected sheep using nested PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (nPCR-RFLP). Blood samples and ticks were collected from 204 sheep in different agro-climatic zones of Haryana state, India, during the tick active season. Microscopic examination of thin blood smears revealed 33.3% (68/204) infections with Theileria spp., while 44.6% (91/204) of blood samples were positive by nPCR assay. Different Theileria spp. were identified based upon RFLP patterns using four restriction enzymes: Hpa II, Bsh 1285I, Hae II and Rsa I. Out of 91 positive samples, 50.5% (46/91), 23.08% (21/91), 11% (10/91) and 2.2% (2/91) were positive for T. ovis, T. lestoquardi, T. luwenshuni (Theileria sp. China 1/Theileria sp. China) and T. annulata, respectively. Mixed infection was detected in 13.2% (12/91) of cases. Based upon HpaII enzymatic digestion pattern, two samples with T. lestoquardi and T. annulata, nine samples with T. lestoquardi and T. ovis and one sample with T. ovis and T. annulata were detected. The presence of these Theileria spp. was further confirmed by sequence analysis. The majority of ticks collected from sheep were identified as Rhipicephalus spp. followed by Hyalomma anatolicum and Hemaphysalis spp. The present investigation depicts the first comprehensive molecular report of naturally infected sheep with T. ovis, T. lestoquardi, T. annulata and T. luwenshuni from northern India.
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13
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Yang L, Wang JH, Upadhyay A, Zhao JG, Huang LY, Liao CH, Han Q. Identification of Theileria spp. and investigation of hematological profiles of their infections in goats in Hainan Island, China. Parasite 2022; 29:13. [PMID: 35254256 PMCID: PMC8900600 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Theileria spp. are a group of parasites primarily transmitted by ticks and can pose a significant threat to domestic and wild animals globally. The main objective of this study was to understand the epidemiology of Theileria spp. in goats of Hainan Island/province, which is the only tropical region of China, and to study their hematological profiles in naturally infected goats. A total of 464 blood samples were collected from randomly selected local adult goats (Capra hircus, local domestic breed with black hair), from six cities and eight counties of Hainan, from November 2017 to October 2020. Blood smear microscopy of the sample and a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene combined with DNA sequencing were used to detect piroplasm infections in goats. Data analysis of the obtained sequences revealed that all the sequences were highly similar to the Theileria luwenshuni 18S rRNA gene sequence from the database. This result is consistent with the microscopic examination. In the hematological test, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin of the goats naturally infected with T. luwenshuni significantly increased, while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) were significantly decreased. Results showed that T. luwenshuni could cause macrocytic, hypochromic anemia in goats. This study provides reliable and comprehensive information about the epidemiology of the parasite infections and hematological profile of the infected goats in Hainan, which encourages further investigations to develop practical control strategies for Theileria spp. infections in tropical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yang
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
- One Health Institute, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
| | - Jin-Hua Wang
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
- One Health Institute, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
| | - Archana Upadhyay
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
- One Health Institute, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
| | - Jian-Guo Zhao
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
- One Health Institute, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
| | - Liang-Yuan Huang
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
| | - Cheng-Hong Liao
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
- One Health Institute, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
- Corresponding authors: ;
| | - Qian Han
- Laboratory of Tropical Veterinary Medicine and Vector Biology, School of Life Sciences, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
- One Health Institute, Hainan University Haikou Hainan 570228 PR China
- Corresponding authors: ;
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Foughali AA, Jedidi M, Dhibi M, Mhadhbi M, Sassi L, Berber A, Bitam I, Gharbi M. Infection by haemopathogens and tick infestation of sheep during summer season in Constantine region, Northeast Algeria. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:1769-1777. [PMID: 34142461 PMCID: PMC8464294 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.551] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A study on tick infestation of 43 sheep with clinical symptoms of piroplasmosis and anaplasmosis was carried out during summer seasons of 2016 and 2017 in 34 sheep flocks from Beni Hamidene locality, district of Constantine, Northeast Algeria. Only animals with clinical symptoms of piroplasmosis and/or anaplasmosis were checked for tick infestation. Among the 43 examined sheep, 58 ± 15% were infested by ticks. A total of 185 adult ticks (100 males and 85 females) were collected from the 25 sheep. Two tick genera, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma consisting of four species were collected, Rhipicephalus bursa was the most frequent tick (164/185; 88.6 ± 4.6%), followed by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (16/185; 8.6 ± 4%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (4/185; 2.2 ± 2.1%) and Hyalomma scupense (1/185; 0.5 ± 1%). Mean overall tick infestation intensity was 7.4. Mixed infestations with two tick species were found in 10 sheep (23.3 ± 12.6%). All farmers (34/34) used ivermectin, and only 11% of them used acaricide to control ticks. The majority of R. bursa ticks (87/185; 45 ± 7%) were located on the ears 37/185; 20 ± 6%) and the testicles (50/185; 27 ± 6%). Giemsa-stained blood smears examination showed the presence of three haemopathogens: Anaplasma spp. (19/43; 44 ± 15%); Babesia spp. (6/43; 14 ± 10%) and Theileria spp. (1/43; 2 ± 4%). These results showed the presence of several low infestation burdens by ticks transmitting three haemopathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Amina Foughali
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Environnement: Interactions et Génomes, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumédiène, Algies, Algeria.,Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Saad Dahlab, Blida, Algeria
| | - Mohamed Jedidi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles & Univ. Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Moktar Dhibi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles & Univ. Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Moez Mhadhbi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles & Univ. Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Limam Sassi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles & Univ. Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Ali Berber
- Laboratoire des Biotechnologies Liées à la Reproduction Animale (LBRA), Université Blida 1, Blida, Algeria
| | - Idir Bitam
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Environnement: Interactions et Génomes, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumédiène, Algies, Algeria.,École Supérieure en Sciences de l'Aliment et des Industries Agroalimentaires (ESSAIA), El Harrach, Alger, Algeria
| | - Mohamed Gharbi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles & Univ. Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
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15
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Al-Hosary AA, ElSify A, Salama AA, Nayel M, Elkhtam A, Elmajdoub LO, Rizk MA, Hawash MM, Al-Wabel MA, Almuzaini AM, Ahmed LSED, Paramasivam A, Mickymaray S, Omar MA. Phylogenetic study of Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi in sheep from Egypt: Molecular evidence and genetic characterization. Vet World 2021; 14:634-639. [PMID: 33935408 PMCID: PMC8076446 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.634-639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Ovine theileriosis caused by Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi is an important infectious disease affecting small ruminants in regions of the tropic and subtropic zones. There is limited studies about ovine theileriosis in Egypt; so the present study aims to assess the occurrence of ovine theileriosis in Egypt at the molecular level. Materials and Methods Blood samples were collected from 115 randomly selected sheep, which were apparently healthy; the ages of the sampled sheep ranged from 1 to 5 years old, from a local breed (barkae and balade), and showed no symptoms indicating infection with Theileria spp. The study was conducted in three governorates representing Lower Egypt (Menoufia and Beheira) and Upper Egypt (El-Wady El-Geded). All blood samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and semi-nested PCR to target Theileria spp. 18S rRNA genes. Positive samples were sequenced, and these sequences were analyzed using nucleotidebasic local alignment search tool (BLAST). Results Six animals (5.22%) were PCR-positive carriers for ovine theileriosis. Nucleotide BLAST and phylogenetic analyses of the six obtained sequences showed that T. ovis was present in five animals (4.37%) in Menoufia (n=2) and El-Wady El-Geded (n=3), whereas T. lestoquardi was detected in 1 animal (0.87%) in El-Wady El-Geded. Conclusion This study is the first to provide molecular evidence, genetic characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of ovine Theileria spp. in Egypt. Specifically, T. lestoquardi and T. ovis carrier statuses of sheep were confirmed. These results highlight the importance of developing an effective control strategy against ovine theileriosis carriers that might develop and/or spread theileriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Adel Al-Hosary
- Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Ahmed ElSify
- Department of Animal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City 32897, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Akram A Salama
- Department of Animal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City 32897, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Nayel
- Department of Animal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City 32897, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Elkhtam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Menoufia 32897, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed Abdo Rizk
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Manal Mohammed Hawash
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Gerontological Nursing, College of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt
| | - Mohammad Ali Al-Wabel
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452 Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz M Almuzaini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452 Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Laila Salah El-Din Ahmed
- Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Anand Paramasivam
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Al-Zulfi, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suresh Mickymaray
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Al-Zulfi, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mosaab A Omar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452 Qassim, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, south valley university, Qena 83523, Egypt
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16
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Ceylan O, Xuan X, Sevinc F. Primary Tick-Borne Protozoan and Rickettsial Infections of Animals in Turkey. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020231. [PMID: 33669573 PMCID: PMC7923091 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by ticks constitute a barrier on global animal production, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. As a country with a temperate and subtropical climate, Turkey has topography, climate, and pasture resources, and these resources are suitable for animal breeding and parasite–host–vector relationships throughout the country. This geography restricts the regulations on animal movements in the southeastern and eastern Anatolia because of the close contact with the neighboring states. The livestock resources in Turkey are regulated by strong foundations. Almost 30% of the agriculture-based gross domestic product is provided by the livestock industry. Parasitic diseases arising from ticks are endemic in Turkey, and they have a significant impact on the economy and animal health, particularly for ruminants. The main and economically-important tick-borne diseases (TBDs) suffered by animals include theileriosis, babesiosis, hepatozoonosis, and cytauxzoonosis caused by protozoa, and anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis caused by rickettsiae. The most common hemoprotozoan and rickettsial agents are Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Babesia bigemina, Babesia caballi, Babesia ovis, Cytauxzoon felis, Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Theileria annulata and Theileria equi. These diseases are basically controlled through treatment and measures for tick control. Vaccination can be performed for only tropical theileriosis caused in Turkey. We reviewed the studies published in domestic and international journals to gather epidemiological data regarding the major TBDs suffered by animals in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Ceylan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey;
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan;
| | - Ferda Sevinc
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +90-332-223-2687
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17
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Ceylan O, Byamukama B, Ceylan C, Galon EM, Liu M, Masatani T, Xuan X, Sevinc F. Tick-Borne Hemoparasites of Sheep: A Molecular Research in Turkey. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020162. [PMID: 33546428 PMCID: PMC7913608 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020162] [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: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) indulge in severe economic losses in the livestock industry by adversely affecting the small ruminant breeding in tropical and subtropical zone countries, including Turkey. Turkey encompasses a wide land area representing diverse climatic conditions. The present study explored the presence and distribution of Babesia ovis, Theileria ovis, Theileria lestoquardi, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the co-occurrence status of these pathogens. A total of 299 sheep blood samples were collected from fifteen provinces located in six different geographical regions in Turkey. PCR analyses were executed using species-specific primers based on Babesia ovis BoSSU rRNA, Theileria ovis ToSSU rRNA, Theileria lestoquardi 18S rRNA, Anaplasma ovis Major Surface Protein (AoMSP4), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum 16S rRNA genes. Overall, 219 (73.24%) sheep were found to be infected with at least one of the following protozoan and rickettsial pathogens; B. ovis, A. ovis,T. ovis, and A. phagocytophilum. Theileria lestoquardi was not detected in any blood sample. The global prevalence of B. ovis, A. ovis, T. ovis, and A. phagocytophilum was estimated to be 2.68%, 16.05%, 41.47%, and 57.19%, respectively. Besides this, dual (24.41%), triple (9.03%), and quadruple (0.67%) co-infections were detected in the study. Phylogenetic analysis revealed significant nucleotide sequence identities between the sequences obtained in this study and the sequences registered in the GenBank. This study provides relevant data regarding the predominance of ovine tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial agents in Turkey. A high molecular prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) was identified in the study. This situation indicates that TBPs should be screened continuously, and necessary control measures should be taken to prevent diseases caused by tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Ceylan
- Department of Parasiyology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey; (O.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Benedicto Byamukama
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; (B.B.); (E.M.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Ceylan Ceylan
- Department of Parasiyology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey; (O.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Eloiza May Galon
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; (B.B.); (E.M.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Mingming Liu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; (B.B.); (E.M.G.); (M.L.)
| | - Tatsunori Masatani
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan;
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; (B.B.); (E.M.G.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence: (X.X.); (F.S.)
| | - Ferda Sevinc
- Department of Parasiyology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey; (O.C.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence: (X.X.); (F.S.)
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Mongruel ACB, Spanhol VC, Valente JDM, Porto PP, Ogawa L, Otomura FH, Marquez EDS, André MR, Vieira TSWJ, Vieira RFDC. Survey of vector-borne and nematode parasites involved in the etiology of anemic syndrome in sheep from Southern Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 29:e007320. [PMID: 32935770 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although anemia has been historically linked to Haemonchus contortus infection, other infectious agents, such as hemotropic mycoplasmas and tick-borne disease pathogens, may also lead to anemic crisis in sheep. This study has aimed to investigate infections related to anemia in a sheep herd from Bandeirantes City, Paraná State, southern Brazil. Seven out of forty-two (16.6%; 95% CI: 8.32-30.6%) sheep were positive for hemoplasmas by a PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene and all tested negative for A. marginale/A. ovis and Babesia/Theileria spp. by PCR based on msp4 and 18S rRNA genes, respectively. Two (4.7%; 95% CI: 1.32-15.79%) animals were infested with Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. Fecal egg counting was performed in 38 sheep and 24 (63.15%; 95% CI: 47.2-76.6%) presented > 500 eggs per gram. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences of the detected hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. 16S and 23S rRNA genes confirmed that the animals were infected with Mycoplasma ovis. Polymorphism analysis of partial 16S rRNA sequences showed three different genotypes of M. ovis infecting sheep assessed in the present study. Mycoplasma ovis and gastrointestinal nematodes occurs in sheep from the northern region of Paraná State.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Claudia Baumel Mongruel
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Viviane Campos Spanhol
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Jessica Damiana Marinho Valente
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Petrônio Pinheiro Porto
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná - UENP, Bandeirantes, PR, Brasil
| | - Liza Ogawa
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná - UENP, Bandeirantes, PR, Brasil
| | - Flávio Haragushiku Otomura
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná - UENP, Bandeirantes, PR, Brasil
| | - Ellen de Souza Marquez
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná - UENP, Bandeirantes, PR, Brasil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Teriogenologia e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil.,Global One Health initiative - GOHi, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Molecular Detection and Assessment of Risk Factors for Tick-Borne Diseases in Sheep and Goats from Turkey. Acta Parasitol 2020; 65:723-732. [PMID: 32378157 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-020-00207-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne diseases mainly, theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis cause significant economic losses in livestock globally, including Turkey. The tick-borne pathogens of small ruminants in Turkey have been studied widely but information on molecular characterization and disease occurrence is still limited. METHODS In this study, both microscopy and molecular detection and characterization for Theileria spp. Babesia ovis, Anaplasma ovis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum was conducted. A total of 133 blood samples of tick-infested small ruminants (105 sheep and 28 goats) were collected from Turkey: half of the animals had clinical signs of tick-borne disease infections. RESULTS Using PCR assays and microscopy, 90.2% and 45.1% of the samples were positive for at least one pathogen, respectively. Overall, the infection rates of A. phagocytophilum, B. ovis, A. ovis, Theileria spp. were 66.7%, 62.4%, 46.6% and 7.0%, respectively. Fifty-nine of the 133 (44.4%) samples were co-infected with two or more pathogens. Sex, season and B. ovis positivity were significant risk factors for occurrence of clinical disease. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis based on B. ovis 18S small subunit rRNA, A. ovis major surface protein 4, Theileria spp. 18S rRNA and A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA genes showed that the isolates in this study clustered together in well-supported clades with those previously collected from Turkey and other countries. CONCLUSIONS The study shows B. ovis as the most significant pathogen associated with clinical and fatal cases in small ruminants from Turkey. Female sex and summer season are associated with increased risk of the disease. This study shows high infection rates with the pathogens among small ruminants including A. phagocytophilum which has veterinary and public health importance.
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Ribeiro DM, Salama AAK, Vitor ACM, Argüello A, Moncau CT, Santos EM, Caja G, de Oliveira JS, Balieiro JCC, Hernández-Castellano LE, Zachut M, Poleti MD, Castro N, Alves SP, Almeida AM. The application of omics in ruminant production: a review in the tropical and sub-tropical animal production context. J Proteomics 2020; 227:103905. [PMID: 32712373 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The demand for animal products (e.g. dairy and beef) in tropical regions is expected to increase in parallel with the public demand for sustainable practices, due to factors such as population growth and climate change. The necessity to increase animal production output must be achieved with better management and production technologies. For this to happen, novel research methodologies, animal selection and postgenomic tools play a pivotal role. Indeed, improving breeder selection programs, the quality of meat and dairy products as well as animal health will contribute to higher sustainability and productivity. This would surely benefit regions where resource quality and quantity are increasingly unstable, and research is still very incipient, which is the case of many regions in the tropics. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate how omics-based approaches play a major role in animal science, particularly concerning ruminant production systems and research associated to the tropics and developing countries. SIGNIFICANCE: Environmental conditions in the tropics make livestock production harder, compared to temperate regions. Due to global warming, the sustainability of livestock production will become increasingly problematic. The use of novel omics technologies could generate useful information to understand adaptation mechanisms of resilient breeds and/or species. The application of omics to tropical animal production is still residual in the currently available literature. With this review, we aim to summarize the most notable results in the field whilst encouraging further research to deal with the future challenges that animal production in the tropics will need to face.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Ribeiro
- LEAF Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ahmed A K Salama
- Group of Research in Ruminants (G2R), Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana C M Vitor
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Anastasio Argüello
- Animal Production and Biotechnology group, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain
| | - Cristina T Moncau
- FZEA - Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Avenida Duque de Caxias Norte - 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Edson M Santos
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Gerardo Caja
- Group of Research in Ruminants (G2R), Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juliana S de Oliveira
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Júlio C C Balieiro
- FMVZ - School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Duque de Caxias Norte - 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Maya Zachut
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences Agricultural Research Organization/Volcani Center, Rishon Lezion 7505101, Israel
| | - Mirele D Poleti
- FZEA - Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Avenida Duque de Caxias Norte - 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Noemi Castro
- Animal Production and Biotechnology group, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain
| | - Susana P Alves
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - André M Almeida
- LEAF Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Habibi G, Sepahvand-Mohammadi E, Afshari A, Bozorgi S. Molecular detection of Theileria spp. and Babesia ovis Infection in Sheep in Baneh, Iran. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2020; 75:289-296. [PMID: 32621459 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2019.125136.1297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 09/30/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the Theileria and Babesia infection in sheep using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in Baneh, Iran. Theileria and Babesia are apicomplexan parasites that have both vertebral and invertebrate hosts. These protozoa, which are transmitted by tick vectors, are considered to be the most important causes of parasitic diseases in Iran.The detection methods of Babesia and Theileria spp. are morphological examination, serology tests, and more recently, molecular assays, such as PCR. In this study, a total of 66 blood samples were collected and analyzed using specific primers for Theileria annulata, T. ovis, T. lestoquardi, and Babesia ovis. Two PCR methods were used, namely semi-nested PCR and competitive PCR. Based on the results of the PCR assay of 66 sheep blood samples, B. ovis, T. ovis, T. lestoquardi, and T. annulata were detected in 57 (86.4%), 28 (42.4%), 0, and 16 (24%) cases, respectively. Detection of low levels of protozoan infection with high morbidity in the tested animals shows their status as a carrier that keeps the infection in the region and extends the protozoan life cycle. Another important factor is the geographical situation of Baneh as a border city since the hemoprotozoan infection is present in this region. Moreover, piroplasmida infection was found in Iraq and other neighboring provinces. Therefore, animal husbandry in Baneh is at the risk of infection with Babesia and Theileria. The collected data in this study are useful for reaching a better understanding of the epizootiology of theileriosis and babesiosis, in order to control and prevent the diseases in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gh Habibi
- Department of Parasite Vaccine Research and Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agriculture Research, Education, and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.,Department of Parasite Vaccine Research and Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agriculture Research, Education, and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - E Sepahvand-Mohammadi
- Student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran
| | - A Afshari
- Department of Parasite Vaccine Research and Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agriculture Research, Education, and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - S Bozorgi
- Department of Parasite Vaccine Research and Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agriculture Research, Education, and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
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First Report of the Ticks Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini et Fanzago, 1878, Haemaphysalis parva (Neumann, 1897) and Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer, 1776) (Acari, Amblyommidae) from Humans in Lebanon. Acta Parasitol 2020; 65:541-545. [PMID: 31960216 PMCID: PMC7272484 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-019-00160-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Knowledge on ticks infesting humans is scarce for the middle East. In this work, tick specimens (Acari: Amblyommidae) infesting humans in Lebanon were identified. Methods Ticks that were found on humans were received in the Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences. The specimens were preserved in alcohol for their further morphological identification. Results Three tick species were identified: a red sheep tick Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini et Fanzago, 1878, a Mediterranean ear tick H. parva (Neumann, 1897), and an ornate sheep tick Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer, 1776); all isolated from human hosts. Conclusion This is the first report of Haemaphysalis punctata, H. parva and Dermacentor marginatus infesting humans from Central and North Lebanon.
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Zhao L, Wang J, Ding Y, Li K, He B, Li F, Zhang L, Li X, Liu Y. Theileria ovis (Piroplasmida: Theileriidae) Detected in Melophagus ovinus (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea) and Ornithodoros lahorensis (Ixodida: Argasidae) Removed From Sheep in Xinjiang, China. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 57:631-635. [PMID: 31751462 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Theileria spp. are tick-transmitted, intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasites that infect a wide range of animals and, as such, can cause significant economic losses. The aim of the present study was to detect and analyze apicomplexan parasites from two different ectoparasites that were collected from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The PCR-based detection of 18S rRNA indicated that Ornithodoros lahorensis specimens from Kashgar, Xinjiang, and Aksu were positive for Theileria spp., as were Melophagus ovinus specimens from Aksu. Meanwhile, phylogenetic analysis, based on the 18S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that the four amplified Theileria sequences could be attributed to T. ovis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the detection of T. ovis DNA in M. ovinus and the first molecular identification study to confirm the detection of T. ovis in O. lahorensis in China. Accordingly, the present study extends the known distribution of T. ovis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinling Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulin Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Kairui Li
- College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Aral, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo He
- College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Aral, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Li
- College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Aral, People's Republic of China
- Animal Loimia Controlling and Diagnostic Center of Aksu Region, Friendship Road, Aksu, People's Republic of China
| | - Luyao Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Aral, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianqiang Li
- College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Aral, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
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Ceylan O, Sevinc F. Endemic instability of ovine babesiosis in Turkey: A country-wide sero-epidemiological study. Vet Parasitol 2020; 278:109034. [PMID: 31991285 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Ovine babesiosis is an endemic tick-borne disease of small ruminants in the Middle East, European, and some African and Asian countries, including Turkey. This study assessed whether the endemic status of this disease was stable or instable, which is important for disease control efforts. For this aim, 4115 sheep blood samples were collected from 81 cities in the seven geographical regions of Turkey. The diagnosis of Babesia ovis was made using microscopic and serological techniques. Thin blood smears were prepared from anticoagulated venous blood. Serum samples were screened for specific antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Recombinant Babesia ovis secreted antigen 1 (rBoSA1) was used in the ELISA. The antigen slides used in the IFAT were prepared from the B. ovis-infected blood at a high level of parasitemia (5 %). The animals were divided into three groups according to their age: group I (one to six months), group II (6-12 months), and group III (older than one year). The endemic status of B. ovis was determined according to the inoculation rate (h value) calculations. Babesia spp. merozoites were observed in 40 (0.97 %) of the slides. Seropositivity rates were 29.89 % (1230/4115) and 49.16 % (2023/4115) by the ELISA and IFAT, respectively. According to the IFAT results, 31.7 %, 33.6 %, and 52.8 % of the animals were seropositive in groups I, II, and III, respectively. The inoculation rates of the animals indicated that the endemic status of ovine babesiosis was mostly instable throughout the country. Endemic stability was found only in group I from four regions (Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Aegean, and Mediterranean). Based on these results, the risk of clinical infection due to tick infestation was high when the maternal immunity and non-specific age resistance weakens or disappears. Thus, vaccination is needed to protect sheep against B. ovis infections in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Ceylan
- Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasiyology, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Ferda Sevinc
- Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasiyology, Konya, Turkey
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The host-specificity of Theileria sp. (sable) and Theileria sp. (sable-like) in African Bovidae and detection of novel Theileria in antelope and giraffe. Parasitology 2019; 147:213-224. [PMID: 31566155 DOI: 10.1017/s003118201900132x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases caused by Theileria are of economic importance in domestic and wildlife ruminants. The majority of Theileria infects a limited number of host species, supporting the concept of host specificity. However, some Theileria seem to be generalists challenging the host specificity paradigm, such as Theileria sp. (sable) reported from various vertebrate hosts, including African buffalo, cattle, dogs and different antelope species. We tested the hypothesis that T. sp. (sable) uses Bovidae as hosts in general using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay specific for T. sp. (sable) and a closely related genotype: T. sp. (sable-like). Various antelope species from the Tragelaphini (black wildebeest, blesbuck, blue wildebeest, gemsbuck, sable and waterbuck) tested positive for either T. sp. (sable) or T. sp. (sable-like). However, no African buffalo (n = 238) or cattle (n = 428) sampled in the current study tested positive, suggesting that these latter species are not carrier hosts. The results were confirmed using next-generation sequencing which also indicated at least 13 new genotypes or species found in various antelope and giraffes. Genotypes were found in single host species or in evolutionarily related hosts, suggesting that host specificity in Theileria may be a lineage specific phenomenon likely associated with tick-host-parasite co-evolution.
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Aktaş M, Kısadere İ, Özübek S, Cihan H, Salıkov R, Cirak VY. First molecular survey of piroplasm species in cattle from Kyrgyzstan. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2431-2435. [PMID: 31243541 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06370-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bovine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by apicomplexan hemoparasites of the genera Theileria and Babesia. This study was carried out to assess the presence and frequency of piroplasm parasites in apparently healthy cattle in Kyrgyzstan. A total of 454 blood samples were collected from animals of various ages in eight villages located in the Chu valley and around the Lake Issyk Kul. The hypervariable V4 region of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was amplified with a set of primers specific targeting members of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Amplified PCR products were hybridized onto a membrane to which generic and species-specific oligonucleotide probes were covalently linked. The results revealed the presence of three piroplasm species (Theileria orientalis, Babesia major, Theileria annulata). Theileria orientalis was the most prevalent species (32.8%; CI 28.5-37.3). Babesia major was the only species of Babesia found in any of the samples (1.3%; CI 0.5-2.8). The co-existence of Theileria annulata and T. orientalis was detected in nine animals (1.9%; CI 0.9-3.7). BLAST search revealed that the Theileria sequences shared 100% identity with the recently reported sequences for T. buffeli and T. annulata. The sequence of B. major was also 100% identical to an existing B. major sequence. This molecular survey provides important epidemiological data for control of bovine piroplasmosis caused by T. orientalis, B. major, and T. annulata in Kyrgyzstan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Münir Aktaş
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
| | - İhsan Kısadere
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Sezayi Özübek
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Cihan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, 16059, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Ruslan Salıkov
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, 720044, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Veli Yılgor Cirak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, 16059, Bursa, Turkey
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Ozubek S, Aktas M. Molecular Evidence for a Novel Species of Babesia in Unfed Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 55:1271-1276. [PMID: 29668949 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study reports a novel species of Babesia in unfed Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and its phylogenetic relationship to other species. One-hundred and forty DNA samples extracted from tick pools comprising 5,403 unfed R. sanguineus s.l. ticks were screened for Babesia. Overall Babesia infection was detected in female, male, and nymph pools with an infection rate maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of 1.98 (CI 0.65-4.74), 0.50 (CI 0.03-2.40), and 0.07 (CI 0.01-0.21), respectively. Three adult female tick pools (MLE 1.44, CI 0.38-3.88) and one adult male pool (MLE 0.50, CI 0.03-2.40) hybridized to the catchall and Babesia genus probes but did not hybridize to any species-specific probe tested, suggesting the presence of an unidentified Babesia species. Phylogenetic analysis and sequencing revealed the newly detected Babesia isolate to form a clade distinct from fully identified canine, bovine, equine, and ovine Babesia species, with a range of 88.6-92.9% nucleotide identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezayi Ozubek
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Munir Aktas
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Turkey
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Yu ZQ, Song JK, Zhang HJ, Liu TL, Fan XC, Zhao GH. MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF THEILERIA SPP. IN GOATS FROM SHAANXI PROVINCE, NORTHWESTERN CHINA. J Parasitol 2018; 104:726-731. [PMID: 30106337 DOI: 10.1645/18-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Theileriosis is an important tick-borne pathogen of livestock globally, causing severe reduction of livestock productivity and economic loss. To systematically investigate the prevalence and species of Theileria spp. in goats from Shaanxi province, a total of 509 blood samples were collected from dairy, cashmere and meat goats from 7 counties, and examined by using the microscopic examination and the nested PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene. Of them, 268 (52.7%, 268/509) were positive for Theileria infection. The prevalence was closely associated with ages and production categories. The highest infection was found in meat goats of 7 to 12-months, and lowest was detected in cashmere goats of 3 to 6 months. Sequence analysis indicated the presence of 2 Theileria species, with Theileria luwenshuni as the prevalent species and the first report of Theileria sp. OT3 in goats in China. These findings indicated the wide distribution of Theileria spp. in goats of Shaanxi province, and would shed new light on the distribution of this parasite in China.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Guang-Hui Zhao
- * College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University
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Karasartova D, Gureser AS, Gokce T, Celebi B, Yapar D, Keskin A, Celik S, Ece Y, Erenler AK, Usluca S, Mumcuoglu KY, Taylan-Ozkan A. Bacterial and protozoal pathogens found in ticks collected from humans in Corum province of Turkey. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006395. [PMID: 29649265 PMCID: PMC5916866 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tick-borne diseases are increasing all over the word, including Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial and protozoan vector-borne pathogens in ticks infesting humans in the Corum province of Turkey. Methodology/Principal findings From March to November 2014 a total of 322 ticks were collected from patients who attended the local hospitals with tick bites. Ticks were screened by real time-PCR and PCR, and obtained amplicons were sequenced. The dedected tick was belonging to the genus Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor and Ixodes. A total of 17 microorganism species were identified in ticks. The most prevalent Rickettsia spp. were: R. aeschlimannii (19.5%), R. slovaca (4.5%), R. raoultii (2.2%), R. hoogstraalii (1.9%), R. sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae (1.2%), R. monacensis (0.31%), and Rickettsia spp. (1.2%). In addition, the following pathogens were identified: Borrelia afzelii (0.31%), Anaplasma spp. (0.31%), Ehrlichia spp. (0.93%), Babesia microti (0.93%), Babesia ovis (0.31%), Babesia occultans (3.4%), Theileria spp. (1.6%), Hepatozoon felis (0.31%), Hepatozoon canis (0.31%), and Hemolivia mauritanica (2.1%). All samples were negative for Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii, Bartonella spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp. Conclusions/Significance Ticks in Corum carry a large variety of human and zoonotic pathogens that were detected not only in known vectors, but showed a wider vector diversity. There is an increase in the prevalence of ticks infected with the spotted fever group and lymphangitis-associated rickettsiosis, while Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. were reported for the first time from this region. B. microti was detected for the first time in Hyalomma marginatum infesting humans. The detection of B. occultans, B. ovis, Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp. and Hemolivia mauritanica indicate the importance of these ticks as vectors of pathogens of veterinary importance, therefore patients with a tick infestation should be followed for a variety of pathogens with medical importance. Ticks are important vectors for different kind of pathogens, both of medical and veterinary importance, while tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are increasing all over the world. In Turkey, many important human and zoonotic TBDs such as, Lyme borreliosis, rickettsiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, bartonellosis, babesiosis, theileriosis, and hepatozoonosis have been reported. Nonetheless, there is lack of research-based information concerning the epidemiology, ecology, and vector diversity of these tick-borne pathogens. In this study, we aimed to investigate broad-range bacterial and protozoan vector-borne pathogens by PCR/RT-PCR and sequencing, those ticks infesting humans in the Corum province. Spotted fever group rickettsiae and lymphangitis-associated rickettsiae, Borrelia afzelii, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. were detected. Babesia microti was detected in Hyalomma marginatum infesting humans. Interestingly zoonotic pathogens like Babesia ovis, Babesia occultans, Theileria spp, Hepatozoon felis, Hepatozoon canis, and Hemolivia mauritanica were also detected, showing the role of ticks for diseases also of veterinary importance. This study provides important data for understanding the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens and it is hoped that these results will challenge clinicians and veterinarians to unify their efforts in the management of TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tuncay Gokce
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
| | - Bekir Celebi
- National High Risk Pathogens Reference Laboratory, Public Health Institution of Turkey, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Derya Yapar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
| | - Adem Keskin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey
| | - Selim Celik
- Emergency Medicine, Hitit University Corum Training and Research Hospital, Corum, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Ece
- Emergency Medicine, Hitit University Corum Training and Research Hospital, Corum, Turkey
| | - Ali Kemal Erenler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine; Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
| | - Selma Usluca
- National Parasitology Reference Laboratory, Public Health Institution of Turkey, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kosta Y. Mumcuoglu
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aysegul Taylan-Ozkan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
- Department of Medical and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus
- * E-mail:
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Anaplasma ovis genetic diversity detected by major surface protein 1a and its prevalence in small ruminants. Vet Microbiol 2018; 217:13-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Haemoparasitic agents associated with ovine babesiosis: A possible negative interaction between Babesia ovis and Theileria ovis. Vet Parasitol 2018; 252:143-147. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Li Q, Han Y, Liu Z, Liu J, Liu A, Li Y, Guan G, Luo J, Yin H, Li Y. Serosurvey of ovine and caprine theileriosis with ELISA in China. Small Rumin Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2017.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Aktas M, Ozubek S. A molecular survey of small ruminant hemotropic mycoplasmosis in Turkey, including first laboratory confirmed clinical cases caused by Mycoplasma ovis. Vet Microbiol 2017; 208:217-222. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Al-Fahdi A, Alqamashoui B, Al-Hamidhi S, Kose O, Tageldin MH, Bobade P, Johnson EH, Hussain AR, Karagenc T, Tait A, Shiels B, Bilgic HB, Babiker H. Molecular surveillance of Theileria parasites of livestock in Oman. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:741-748. [PMID: 28558992 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theileriosis is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases of livestock in the Arabian Peninsula, and causes high rates of mortality and morbidity in sheep and cattle. However, there is a paucity of information on the distribution of Theileria spp. over the whole region and their impact on different hosts. The present study carried out a country-wide molecular survey for Theileria spp. of livestock in Oman across four governorates. The aim of the survey was to define the prevalence of Theileria spp. in cattle, sheep and goats, highlight risk factors for infection and identify the main tick species involved in parasite transmission. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 2020 animals were examined in the survey consisting of sheep [n=592], goats [n=981] and cattle [n=447]. All three species were raised and co-grazed on the same farms. Theileria parasites were detected using PCR-RFLP and RLB of the 18S rRNA gene. Cloning and sequencing of the 18S rRNA was carried out on 11 T. lestoquardi isolates from Ash-Sharqiyah, and Ad-Dhahira governorates, and phylogenetic relationships were inferred using additional sequences of T. lestoquardi, T. annulata and T. ovis available in GenBank. RESULTS Theileria spp. prevalence was 72.3%, 36.7% and 2.7% among cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. Strong similarity in results was obtained using RLB and PCR-RFLP for detection of Theileria spp. however, RLB detected a higher rate of mixed infection than PCR-RFPL (P<0.001). Theileria annulata was the only parasite detected in cattle, while sheep and goats carried T. ovis, T. lestoquardi and T. annulata as well as Theileria spp. OT1. Of the four Theileria spp. detected in small ruminants, overall T. ovis was most prevalent (sheep [33.4%], goats [2.0%]), whereas T. lestoquardi was less prevalent (sheep [22.0%], goats [0.5%]). A large proportion of infected sheep (19%) carried mixed infection of T. ovis and T. lestoquardi. However, single T. lestoquardi infections (3.0%) were less prevalent than T. ovis infections (14.5%). Risk of Theileria spp. infection was significantly higher for exotic breeds, relative to native breeds, of cattle (p=0.00002) and sheep (p=0.005). Phylogenetic analysis placed T. lestoquardi in Oman in the same clade as other T. lestoquardi strains isolated from the same regional area (Iraq and Iran). The main tick species, identified on the examined animals, Hyalomma anatolicum, was widely distributed and was found in all of the surveyed governorates. CONCLUSION Theileria spp. are widespread in Oman with variable prevalence detected in different regions. Two economically important hosts, cattle and sheep are at high risk from virulent T. annulata and T. lestoquardi, respectively. The survey indicates extensive exposure to ticks and transmission of infection that has a significant economic impact. The higher prevalence of T. lestoquardi as mixed rather than single infection requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Al-Fahdi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | | | - Salama Al-Hamidhi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | - Onur Kose
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Mohammed H Tageldin
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | - Patrick Bobade
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | - Eugene H Johnson
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | | | - Tulin Karagenc
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Andy Tait
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Brian Shiels
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Huseyin Bilgin Bilgic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Hamza Babiker
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman.
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