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Bogdan AM, Mitrea IL, Ionita M. Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Clinico-Pathological Findings, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Management. Vet Sci 2024; 11:269. [PMID: 38922016 PMCID: PMC11209296 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060269] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA) is a tick-borne disease affecting horses worldwide, caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The disease ranges from non-specific clinical signs to fatal outcomes. This paper aimed to analyze EGA cases reported in peer-reviewed journals, particularly on clinico-pathological findings, diagnosis, and therapeutic management. Overall, 189 clinical cases from 31 publications were included in the study. Extensive symptomatology for the EGA cases was reported, of which mostly was fever (90.30%), followed by limb edema (48.51%), anorexia (41.79%), depression (32.84%), icterus (22.39%), ataxia (17.91), tachycardia (16.42%), and lethargy (15.67%). Laboratory tests revealed thrombocytopenia (90.32%), anemia (75%), decreased hematocrit (70.59%), leukopenia (55.88%), lymphopenia (58.14%), and neutropenia (41.67%) as the most common hematological abnormalities. For a subset of tested animals, hyperbilirubinemia (20/29), hyperfibrinogenemia (13/15), and hyponatremia (10/10) were also reported. The diagnosis was established by microscopic identification of morulae (in 153 cases), and/or PCR (120 cases), isolation (1 case), or serology (56 cases). For treatment, oxytetracycline was used in the majority (52.24%) of EGA cases, but recovery without antibiotherapy (10.34%) was also noted. In conclusion, the variety of clinical and pathological findings and the challenging therapeutic approaches reported suggest that EGA should be included in the differential diagnosis when fever occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ioan Liviu Mitrea
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases & Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 011464 Bucharest, Romania; (A.M.B.); (M.I.)
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2
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Gehlen H, Inerle K, Bartel A, Stöckle SD, Ulrich S, Briese B, Straubinger RK. Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infections in German Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1984. [PMID: 37370494 DOI: 10.3390/ani13121984] [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: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
There are limited data on Lyme borreliosis (LB), a tick-borne disease caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, in horses. Seropositivity is not necessarily associated with clinical disease. Data on seropositivity against Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in German horses are sparse. Therefore, serum samples from horses (n = 123) suspected of having Lyme borreliosis and clinically healthy horses (n = 113) from the same stables were tested for specific antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The samples were screened for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi (ELISA and an IgG line immunoblot assay). Furthermore, the samples were examined for antibodies against B. burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum with a validated rapid in-house test (SNAP® 4Dx Plus® ELISA). The clinical signs of suspect horses included lameness (n = 36), poor performance (n = 19), and apathy (n = 12). Twenty-three percent (n = 26) of suspect horses and 17% (n = 18) of clinically healthy horses were seropositive for having a Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection (p = 0.371), showing that the detection of specific antibodies against B. burgdorferi alone is not sufficient for a diagnosis of equine LB. Anaplasma phagocytophilum seropositivity and seropositivity against both pathogens was 20%/6% in suspect horses and 16%/2% in the clinically healthy population, showing only minor differences (p = 0.108). Unspecific testing for antibodies against B. burgdorferi without clinical suspicion of Lyme borreliosis is not recommended since the clinical relevance of seropositivity against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidrun Gehlen
- Equine Clinic: Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Inerle
- Equine Clinic: Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Bartel
- Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabita Diana Stöckle
- Equine Clinic: Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ulrich
- Chair of Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Beatrice Briese
- Equine Clinic: Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Reinhard K Straubinger
- Chair of Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
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3
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Oliver A, Conrado FO, Nolen-Walston R. Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2023; 39:133-145. [PMID: 36737288 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2022.11.011] [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: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis is a clinically significant and common disease of equids that has a broader prevalence than was once thought. The most common clinical signs include high fever and edema, with mild to mderate thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia typically noted on complete blood count. Subclinical cases are reported and many are self-limiting. Rare clinical presentations include neurologic disease, vasculitis, dysphagia, rhabdomyolysis, or bicavitary effusion. Most cases resolve rapidly with appropriate antimicrobial intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Oliver
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA
| | - Francisco O Conrado
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
| | - Rose Nolen-Walston
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA.
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4
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Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses from Germany by molecular and serological testing (2008-2021). Vet Parasitol 2022; 312:109840. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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5
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Russell A, Shost N, Burch M, Salazara LL, Fikes K, Bechelli J, Suagee-Bedore J. Serological and Molecular Detection of Anaplasma spp. in Blood From Healthy Horses: A Preliminary Study of Horses in East Texas. J Equine Vet Sci 2021; 106:103757. [PMID: 34670700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103757] [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: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasmosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which is spread by infected ticks. In horses, A. phagocytophilum generally causes transient infection characterized by fever, lethargy, inappetence, ventral edema, petechiae, icterus, ataxia, recumbency, muscle stiffness, and, in severe cases, death. Following natural infection, horses retain antibodies for approximately 2 years, which can be detected through an immunofluorescence antibody assay. Current infections are determined through PCR assay of white blood cell DNA. For this study, whole blood was collected from apparently healthy horses located in East Texas (n = 70), west Texas (n = 3), New York (n = 49), and New Jersey (n = 11) for the determination of serum antibodies and PCR testing of bacterial DNA. Of the 133 horses, 24 tested positive for DNA presence of A. phagocytophilum, and 107 tested positive for serum antibodies. Of the 24 horses testing positive for A. phagocytophilum, 16 were positive for serum antibody presence and 8 were negative. Twenty of the msp2 positive horses were located in East Texas and 4 resided in New York. For serum antibodies, 100% of New York and New Jersey horses tested positive, while only 66% of Texas horses tested positive. This study provides evidence that a large number of horses are exposed to A. phagocytophilum and that this bacterium is present in East Texas. No Texas horse owners reported treatment for anaplasmosis, and the currently infected horses were not demonstrating signs of illness at the time of sample collection. Further research to understand the differences in disease severity amongst equine populations is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Russell
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Engineering Technology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
| | - Nichola Shost
- School of Agricultural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering Technology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
| | - Megan Burch
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Engineering Technology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
| | - Luis Lopez Salazara
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Engineering Technology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
| | - Kalley Fikes
- School of Agricultural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering Technology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
| | - Jeremy Bechelli
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Engineering Technology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
| | - Jessica Suagee-Bedore
- School of Agricultural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering Technology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX.
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6
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Serological Evidence of Natural Exposure to Tick-Borne Pathogens in Horses, Romania. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020373. [PMID: 33673353 PMCID: PMC7917970 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of selected tick-borne-pathogens (TBPs) among Romanian horses. For this, a total of 223 animals originating from north, central, and southeast Romania, including horses from stud farms (n = 118) and working horses (n = 105), were tested using a commercial rapid ELISA-based test. Overall, 10.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.7-15.1%) of the tested horses were seropositive for antibodies (Ab) against Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Additionally, 18.8% (95% CI: 13.9-24.6%) and 0.5% (95% CI: 0.01-2.5%) of horses were seropositive for Ab against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Ehrlichia spp., respectively. Among the tested horses, 3.1% were seroreactive to two or three pathogens. These findings show the natural exposure of Romanian horses to zoonotic tick-borne pathogens and emphasize the need for further studies to better understand the epidemiology of equine tick-borne diseases in Romania.
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7
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Viljoen S, O'Riain MJ, Penzhorn BL, Drouilly M, Serieys LEK, Cristescu B, Teichman KJ, Bishop JM. Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:220. [PMID: 32354342 PMCID: PMC7191760 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04075-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Wild carnivores living alongside humans and domestic animals are vulnerable to changes in the infectious disease dynamics in their populations. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and diversity of selected tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of veterinary and/or zoonotic concern in wild populations of caracals (Caracal caracal) occurring in human-modified landscapes in South Africa. Using molecular techniques, we screened 57 caracal blood samples for infection by rickettsial bacteria and piroplasms in three regions of South Africa: rangeland in the Central Karoo (n = 27) and Namaqualand (n = 14) as well as the urban edge of the Cape Peninsula (n = 16) of South Africa. To characterise pathogen identity, we sequenced the 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes from positive samples and analysed sequences within a phylogenetic framework. We also examine the diversity of potential tick vectors. Results All individuals tested were infected with at least one tick-borne pathogen. Pathogens included Hepatozoon felis, Babesia felis, Babesia leo and a potentially novel Babesia species. An Anaplasma species previously described in South African domestic dogs was also found in 88% of urban edge caracals. Higher rates of co-infection characterised urban edge caracals (81% vs 15% and 0% in the two rangeland populations), as well as a greater incidence of mixed infections. Host attached tick species include Haemaphysalis elliptica, an important pathogen vector among carnivore hosts. Conclusions This study confirms the occurrence of previously undocumented tick-borne pathogens infecting free-ranging caracals in human-modified landscapes. We identify clear differences in the pathogen profiles among our study populations and discuss the likely health costs to caracals living adjacent to urban areas.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Storme Viljoen
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - M Justin O'Riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Barend L Penzhorn
- Vectors & Vector-borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Marine Drouilly
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Laurel E K Serieys
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,The Cape Leopard Trust, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bogdan Cristescu
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,The Cape Leopard Trust, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kristine J Teichman
- The Cape Leopard Trust, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada
| | - Jacqueline M Bishop
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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8
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Hurtado C, Torres R, Pérez-Macchi S, Sagredo K, Uberti B, de Souza Zanatto DC, Machado RZ, André MR, Bittencourt P, Müller A. Serological and molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Thoroughbred horses from Chilean racecourses. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101441. [PMID: 32305236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA). This study aimed to perform serological and molecular surveys of A. phagocytophilum in thoroughbred horses from racecourses in Chile. Additionally, hematological findings related to A. phagocytophilum molecular positivity were addressed, and phylogenetic analysis of selected positive samples was performed. Complete blood count and msp2 gene real-time PCR were performed in 457 thoroughbred horses from three racecourses located in three different cities of Chile (Santiago, Viña del Mar and Concepción). Sera from horses in two racecourses (Santiago and Vina del Mar) were tested by Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to detect IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum. The occurrence of A. phagocytophilum by real-time PCR was 13.6 % (62/457, 95 % CI: 10.8-16.3 %), with the highest occurrence observed in Santiago (26.5 %), followed by Concepción (9%), and the lowest in Viña del Mar (5%). The overall frequency of IgG antibodies to A. phagocytophilum was 7.9 % (23/290, 95 % CI: 4.8-12.7 %), with 9.9 % in Santiago and 6.5 % in Viña del Mar. Only three animals from Santiago Racecourse were positive in both real-time PCR and serology. PCR-positive horses from Santiago racecourse presented significantly lower hemoglobin, mean corpuscular value (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (CHCM), and higher eosinophil counts. Phylogenetic analysis based on the msp2 gene showed that A. phagocytophilum sequences found in the present study were closely related with A. phagocytophilum sequences from the USA and Europe. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA is detected for the first time in Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Hurtado
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Reinaldo Torres
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Sandra Pérez-Macchi
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Katherine Sagredo
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Benjamin Uberti
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Diego Carlos de Souza Zanatto
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro Bittencourt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Ananda Müller
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
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9
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Serological Evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia spp. Exposure in Horses from Central Italy. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8030088. [PMID: 31247976 PMCID: PMC6789761 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. are tick-borne bacteria of veterinary and human concern. In view of the One-Health concept, the present study wanted to evaluate the spreading of these pathogens in horses living in central Italy. In particular, the aim of the investigation was to verify the exposure to A. phagocytophilum in order to update the prevalence of this pathogen in the equine population from this area, and to spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. to evaluate a possible role of horses in the epidemiology of rickettsiosis. Indirect immunofluorescent assay was carried out to detect antibodies against A. phagocytophilum and SFG (spotted fever group) Rickettsia spp. in blood serum samples collected from 479 grazing horses living in central Italy during the period from 2013 to 2018. One hundred and nine (22.75%) horses were positive for A. phagocytophilum, 72 (15.03%) for SFG Rickettsia spp., and 19 (3.96%) for both antigens. The obtained results confirm the occurrence of A. phagocytophilum in equine populations, and also suggest the involvement of horses in the epidemiology of SFG rickettsiosis. In both cases, in view of the zoonotic aspect of these pathogens and the frequent contact between horses and humans, the monitoring of equine populations could be useful for indication about the spreading of the tick-borne pathogens in a certain geographic area.
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10
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Seo MG, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Anaplasma bovis infection in a horse: First clinical report and molecular analysis. Vet Microbiol 2019; 233:47-51. [PMID: 31176411 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
A 23-year-old male Thoroughbred horse at the Korean Military Academy appeared thin with visible rib bones and presented clinical signs of fever, anorexia, lethargy, and severe dehydration. To determine the presence of various febrile disease-causing agents, the 23 cohabiting horses at the academy, including this horse, were subjected to hematology, blood chemistry, and molecular analysis using whole blood samples collected during regular medical check-ups. On the basis of clinical history, physical examination, hematology, blood chemistry, and fecal examination, differential diagnosis using molecular analyses was performed for various febrile disease-causing agents, including Lyme borreliae, Coxiella, piroplasms (Babesia and Theileria), Rickettsiales (Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia), equine herpesvirus, equine infectious anemia virus, and equine arteritis virus. While other pathogens were not detected, PCR and phylogenetic analysis targeting the Anaplasma 16S rRNA gene revealed that the horse was infected with Anaplasma bovis. Although PCR targeting the groEL and gltA genes of A. bovis was not successful, the restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism assay for differential diagnosis and determination of coinfectivity between Anaplasma phagocytophilum and A. bovis confirmed the pathogen as A. bovis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical report of A. bovis infection in a horse, suggesting a new reservoir host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Goo Seo
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, 39660, Republic of Korea; College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Oh-Deog Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongmi Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Seo MG, Ouh IO, Choi E, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Horses in Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2018; 56:559-565. [PMID: 30630276 PMCID: PMC6327205 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2018.56.6.559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The identification and characterization of pathogenic and zoonotic tick-borne diseases like granulocytic anaplasmosis are essential for developing effective control programs. The differential diagnosis of pathogenic Anaplasma phagocytophilum and non-pathogenic A. phagocytophilum-like Anaplasma spp. is important for implementing effective treatment from control programs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in horses in Korea by nucleotide sequencing and restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism assay. Of the 627 horses included in the study, only 1 (0.2%) was infected with A. phagocytophilum. Co-infection with A. phagocytophilumlike Anaplasma spp. was not detected in the study. The 16S rRNA sequence of A. phagocytophilum was similar (99.5–100%) to A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA isolated from horses in other countries. PCR adapted to amplify A. phagocytophilum groEL and msp2 genes failed to generate amplicons, suggesting genetic diversity in these genes. This study is the first molecular detection of A. phagocytophilum in horses in Korea. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis and animal infection of A. phagocytophilum have been reported in Korea recently. Because of vector tick distribution, global warming, and the increase of the horse industry, horses should be considered as a potential reservoir for A. phagocytophilum, and cross infectivity should be evaluated even though a low prevalence of infection was detected in this study. Furthermore, continuous surveillance and effective control measures for A. phagocytophilum should be established to prevent disease distribution and possible transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Goo Seo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.,Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | - In-Ohk Ouh
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
| | | | - Oh-Deog Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Dongmi Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea
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12
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Prado LG, Palhares MS, Bastos CVE, Silveira JAGD, Ribeiro ÁAR, Miranda ALSD, Bezerra VM, Ribeiro MFB. Anaplasma phagocytophilum direct detection and exposure evidence in equines from two breeding farms from Minas Gerais State, Brazil. ARQUIVOS DO INSTITUTO BIOLÓGICO 2018. [DOI: 10.1590/1808-1657000902017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a gram negative, obligatory intracellular bacterium, member of Anaplasmataceae family, included in the Rickettsiales order. Little is known about the disease, transmission dynamics, genetic diversity and prevalence in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. This work aimed to do a serosurvey using indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) test and evaluation of buffy coat smears, and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as diagnostic methods, to determine the disease situation in horses from two manga-larga marchador breeding farms located in the municipalities of Ataléia e São Vicente de Minas, in Minas Gerais state. It was found that 76% (131/172) of the animals were considered reactive for IFA test, and the total of 12.8% was positive at buffy coat smears analysis. At PCR analysis, it was found 1.94% of the samples positive to the infection. Those samples were sequenced and showed 96% of similarity to A. phagocytophilum from a Ixodes ricinus tick. There is a high frequency of animals with the evidence of contact to A. phagocytophilum on the two evaluated properties in this study, which was proved by positiveness in PCR analysis. New researches must be carried out to better understand the epidemiologic and clinical dynamic of the disease in the state of Minas Gerais.
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13
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Tsachev I, Pantchev N, Marutsov P, Petrov V, Gundasheva D, Baymakova M. Serological Evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia Spp. Infections in Horses from Southeastern Bulgaria. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:588-594. [PMID: 29969382 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme Borreliosis and granulocytic anaplasmosis are less extensively studied in horses than in dogs and humans. Equine ehrlichiosis is not known in Europe and is in the initial stage of investigation in South, Central, and North America. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of these infections in Bulgaria. A total of 155 horses were investigated from five regions in Southeastern Bulgaria. Horses were tested for Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Ehrlichia spp. antibodies by a commercial rapid ELISA test. B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum antibodies were found in all five regions (Burgas, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, and Kardzhali) at frequencies of 36/155 (23.2%; 95% CI: 16.8-30.7%; ranging by region from 6.4% to 50%) and 31/155 (20%; 95% CI: 14-27.2%; ranging by region from 10% to 30.8%), respectively. Antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. were found in horses from three regions (Burgas, Stara Zagora, and Haskovo) at a rate of 6/155 (3.9%; 95% CI: 1.4-8.2%; ranging by region from 5.7% to 6.4%). The combination of B. burgdorferi/A. phagocytophilum (11/155; 7.1%; 95% CI: 3.6-12.3%) was the most common coexposure observed, followed by B. burgdorferi/Ehrlichia spp. (2/155; 1.3%; 95% CI: 0.2-4.6%) and A. phagocytophilum/Ehrlichia spp. (1/155; 0.6%; 95% CI: 0-3.5%). The study shows that horses in Bulgaria are exposed or coexposed to three tick-transmitted zoonotic bacterial species. Furthermore, it reports Ehrlichia spp. seroreactivity in equines in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia Tsachev
- 1 Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University , Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Nikola Pantchev
- 2 Department of Infectious Diseases, IDEXX Laboratories , Ludwigsburg, Germany
| | - Plamen Marutsov
- 1 Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University , Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Vladimir Petrov
- 1 Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University , Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Dimitrina Gundasheva
- 3 Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University , Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Magdalena Baymakova
- 4 Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Medical Academy , Sofia, Bulgaria
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Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis 28 years later. Microb Pathog 2018; 119:1-8. [PMID: 29626656 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA) is an important tick borne disease of equines that is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum). The etiological agent has veterinary as well as public health importance because of its zoonotic nature. A. phagocytophilum causes an acute illness in equines with loss of appetite, lethargy, hemorrhages and lameness. Clinically, EGA is diagnosed upon examination of morulae within neutrophils especially granulocytes in the blood. The best diagnostic tool for the detection of EGA is Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Previous studies suggested that EGA is a self-limiting disease and tetracycline therapy is considered as a best treatment regimen. There is no comprehensive summary on the occurrence and distribution of the infection at global level. Therefore, we intended to provide a comprehensive summary on the prevalence and epidemiology of EGA in different areas of the world. It includes mapping the global distribution of EGA in different areas of the world to identify the endemic regions which may be a source of potential disease outbreak. For this purpose, the published data from 1990 to 2018 on EGA was reviewed and collected by electronic literature search of five databases including Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed and Web of Science.
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Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in cattle from Southwestern Ethiopia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188248. [PMID: 29155863 PMCID: PMC5695778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) cause significant losses among livestock and impact the livelihoods of resource-poor farming communities worldwide. In Ethiopia, detailed studies on the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in cattle using sensitive molecular detection methods are scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and species composition of bovine TBPs of veterinary significance in local cattle populations. A comprehensive cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in cattle populations of Illubabor zone in Southwestern Ethiopia from June to August 2013. For this purpose, blood samples were collected from 392 cattle. A combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a Reverse Line Blot (RLB) hybridization assay was employed for the detection of TBPs in these samples. The PCR/RLB results of the 392 blood samples indicated a high overall prevalence of 96.9% for TBPs, including Theileria mutans (66.1%), Theileria orientalis (51.8%), Anaplasma sp. Omatjenne (25.5%), Anaplasma marginale (14.5%), Babesia bigemina (14.0%) and Theileria velifera (13.0%) and minor occurrences of Ehrlichia ruminantium (0.5%) and Ehrlichia minasensis (0.26%). Moreover, three novel Anaplasma genotypes were detected in bovine blood samples. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that they most likely represent three, but at least two, new species. The prevalence of the three novel Anaplasma species, preliminary designated as Anaplasma sp. Hadesa, Anaplasma sp. Saso and Anaplasma sp. Dedessa, was 12.5%, 14.3% and 5.6%, respectively. Overall, a total of 227 cattle (57.9%) were found to be co-infected with two or more TBPs simultaneously and 86 different species combinations were observed. The findings show a very high burden of infection of cattle with TBPs in Ethiopia. The high frequency of co-infections suggests that clinical manifestations might be complex. Further research is required to determine the pathogenicity, host cell types and vector of the three novel Anaplasma species identified in this study.
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Aktas M, Ozubek S. A survey of canine haemoprotozoan parasites from Turkey, including molecular evidence of an unnamed Babesia. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 52:36-42. [PMID: 28673460 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Canine tick-borne apicomplexan parasites have emerged in recent years, showing a wider geographic distribution and increased global prevalence. A reverse line blot assay was performed on 219 blood samples collected from domestic dogs for simultaneous detection of all named canine piroplasm species as well as Hepatozoon canis. Ten samples hybridized to the Theileria/Babesia and Babesia catch all probes but did not hybridize to any species-specific probe tested, suggesting the presence of an unrecognized Babesia species or genotype. Sequencing results showed 91.5%, 91.9%, 92.4%, 92.4%, and 89.2% similarity to B. canis, B. vogeli, B. rossi, B. gibsoni, and B. conradae, respectively. The highest homology (98.1-98.5%) observed was with unnamed Babesia sp. isolates (Ludhiana and Malbazar) described in dogs, Babesia sp. of buffalo origin, Babesia sp. Kashi 2, and Babesia orientalis, along with Babesia occultans of cattle origin. The partial cox1 sequence indicated that this isolate was most similar to Babesia sp. 1 HG-2012, with an identity of 86.5%. The survey revealed high prevalence of haemoprotozoans in domestic dogs (57.5%, CI 50.7-64.2), with Hepatozoon canis the most prevalent (54.3%, CI 47.5-61.117%), followed by Babesia sp. (4.6%, CI 2.2-8.2), B. vogeli (1.4%; CI 0.3-3.9), and B. canis (0.4%, CI 0-2.5). Combined infection of Hepatozoon canis and Babesia sp. was detected in five (2.3%, CI 0.7-5.2) samples and of H. canis and B. vogeli in two (0.9%, CI 0.1-3.2) dogs. The study contributes insight into the distribution and phylogenetic diversity of canine piroplasms in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munir Aktas
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey.
| | - Sezayi Ozubek
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, 23119, Elazig, Turkey
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Liu Q, Meli ML, Zhang Y, Meili T, Stirn M, Riond B, Weibel B, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Sequence heterogeneity in the 18S rRNA gene in Theileria equi from horses presented in Switzerland. Vet Parasitol 2016; 221:24-9. [PMID: 27084467 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization assay was adapted and applied for equine blood samples collected at the animal hospital of the University of Zurich to determine the presence of piroplasms in horses in Switzerland. A total of 100 equine blood samples were included in the study. The V4 hypervariable region of the 18S rRNA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed using the RLB assay. Samples from seven horses hybridized to a Theileria/Babesia genus-specific and a Theileria genus-specific probe. Of these, two hybridized also to the Theileria equi-specific probe. The other five positive samples did not hybridize to any of the species-specific probes, suggesting the presence of unrecognized Theileria variants or genotypes. The 18S rRNA gene of the latter five samples were sequenced and found to be closely related to T. equi isolated from horses in Spain (AY534822) and China (KF559357) (≥98.4% identity). Four of the seven horses that tested positive had a documented travel history (France, Italy, and Spain) or lived abroad (Hungary). The present study adds new insight into the presence and sequence heterogeneity of T. equi in Switzerland. The results prompt that species-specific probes must be designed in regions of the gene unique to T. equi. Of note, none of the seven positive horses were suspected of having Theileria infection at the time of presentation to the clinic. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of equine piroplasma infections outside of endemic areas and in horses without signs of piroplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Liu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Marina L Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Yi Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Theres Meili
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Martina Stirn
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Barbara Riond
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Beatrice Weibel
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Dugat T, Lagrée AC, Maillard R, Boulouis HJ, Haddad N. Opening the black box of Anaplasma phagocytophilum diversity: current situation and future perspectives. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2015; 5:61. [PMID: 26322277 PMCID: PMC4536383 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2015.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a zoonotic obligate intracellular bacterium known to be transmitted by ticks belonging to the Ixodes persulcatus complex. This bacterium can infect several mammalian species, and is known to cause diseases with variable symptoms in many domestic animals. Specifically, it is the causative agent of tick-borne fever (TBF), a disease of important economic impact in European domestic ruminants, and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), an emerging zoonotic disease in Asia, USA and Europe. A. phagocytophilum epidemiological cycles are complex and involve different ecotypes, vectors, and mammalian host species. Moreover, the epidemiology of A. phagocytophilum infection differs greatly between Europe and the USA. These different epidemiological contexts are associated with considerable variations in bacterial strains. Until recently, few A. phagocytophilum molecular typing tools were available, generating difficulties in completely elucidating the epidemiological cycles of this bacterium. Over the last few years, many A. phagocytophilum typing techniques have been developed, permitting in-depth epidemiological exploration. Here, we review the current knowledge and future perspectives regarding A. phagocytophilum epidemiology and phylogeny, and then focus on the molecular typing tools available for studying A. phagocytophilum genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaud Dugat
- Laboratoire de Santé Animale, UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de L'alimentation, de L'environnement et du Travail, Université Paris-Est Paris, France
| | - Anne-Claire Lagrée
- UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est Paris, France
| | - Renaud Maillard
- UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est Paris, France ; Unité Pathologie des Ruminants, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse Toulouse, France
| | - Henri-Jean Boulouis
- UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est Paris, France
| | - Nadia Haddad
- UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est Paris, France
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Jahfari S, Coipan EC, Fonville M, van Leeuwen AD, Hengeveld P, Heylen D, Heyman P, van Maanen C, Butler CM, Földvári G, Szekeres S, van Duijvendijk G, Tack W, Rijks JM, van der Giessen J, Takken W, van Wieren SE, Takumi K, Sprong H. Circulation of four Anaplasma phagocytophilum ecotypes in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:365. [PMID: 25127547 PMCID: PMC4153903 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the etiological agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and animals. Wild animals and ticks play key roles in the enzootic cycles of the pathogen. Potential ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum have been characterized genetically, but their host range, zoonotic potential and transmission dynamics has only incompletely been resolved. METHODS The presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA was determined in more than 6000 ixodid ticks collected from the vegetation and wildlife, in 289 tissue samples from wild and domestic animals, and 69 keds collected from deer, originating from various geographic locations in The Netherlands and Belgium. From the qPCR-positive lysates, a fragment of the groEL-gene was amplified and sequenced. Additional groEL sequences from ticks and animals from Europe were obtained from GenBank, and sequences from human cases were obtained through literature searches. Statistical analyses were performed to identify A. phagocytophilum ecotypes, to assess their host range and their zoonotic potential. The population dynamics of A. phagocytophilum ecotypes was investigated using population genetic analyses. RESULTS DNA of A. phagocytophilum was present in all stages of questing and feeding Ixodes ricinus, feeding I. hexagonus, I. frontalis, I. trianguliceps, and deer keds, but was absent in questing I. arboricola and Dermacentor reticulatus. DNA of A. phagocytophilum was present in feeding ticks and tissues from many vertebrates, including roe deer, mouflon, red foxes, wild boar, sheep and hedgehogs but was rarely found in rodents and birds and was absent in badgers and lizards. Four geographically dispersed A. phagocytophilum ecotypes were identified, that had significantly different host ranges. All sequences from human cases belonged to only one of these ecotypes. Based on population genetic parameters, the potentially zoonotic ecotype showed significant expansion. CONCLUSION Four ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum with differential enzootic cycles were identified. So far, all human cases clustered in only one of these ecotypes. The zoonotic ecotype has the broadest range of wildlife hosts. The expansion of the zoonotic A. phagocytophilum ecotype indicates a recent increase of the acarological risk of exposure of humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P,O, Box 1, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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20
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Veronesi F, Passamonti F, Moretti A, Morganti G, Vardi DM, Laus F, Marenzoni ML, Spaterna A, Coletti M, Piergili Fioretti D. Evaluation of the Performance of a Rapid Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay in the Detection ofAnaplasma phagocytophilumAntibodies in Horses. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014; 14:317-23. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Veronesi
- Department of Bio-Pathological Sciences and Hygiene of Animal and Food Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Passamonti
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Diagnostic and Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Annabella Moretti
- Department of Bio-Pathological Sciences and Hygiene of Animal and Food Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giulia Morganti
- Department of Bio-Pathological Sciences and Hygiene of Animal and Food Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Doron Moshe Vardi
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Diagnostic and Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Fulvio Laus
- School of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Marenzoni
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Diagnostic and Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Spaterna
- School of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Mauro Coletti
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Diagnostic and Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Daniela Piergili Fioretti
- Department of Bio-Pathological Sciences and Hygiene of Animal and Food Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Protozoan and bacterial pathogens in tick salivary glands in wild and domestic animal environments in South Africa. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:176-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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22
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Berggoetz M, Schmid M, Ston D, Wyss V, Chevillon C, Pretorius AM, Gern L. Tick-borne pathogens in the blood of wild and domestic ungulates in South Africa: interplay of game and livestock. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:166-75. [PMID: 24418761 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We screened for tick-borne pathogens blood samples from 181 wild and domestic ungulates belonging to 18 host species in 4 South African Provinces. Polymerase chain reaction followed by reverse line blotting and sequencing allowed detecting 16 tick-borne pathogen species belonging to the genera Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia. Ten pathogen species were involved in 29 new host-pathogen combinations. Most infections (77.9%) involved more than one pathogen species. Principal component analysis (PCA) assigned the 163 infections, identified to species level, to 4 groups. Three groups were associated with sheep, cattle, and horse and their respective wild counterparts. Each group was characterised by high homogeneity in pathogen assemblage and host phylogenetic status. These groups characterised the most privileged transmission routes between and among wild and domestic ungulates. The 4th group showed high heterogeneity in pathogen assemblage and host phylogenetic status. This group seems to indicate frequent spill over events in impala of pathogens that usually circulate among cattle- or sheep-related species. Within 6 localities, we sampled an equal number of wild and domestic animals (n=128). On this dataset once having controlled for the significant variation among localities, the infection prevalence and intensity of infection did not differ significantly between wild and domestic hosts. This suggests that both animal types, domestic and wild hosts, could act as evenly efficient sources of infection for themselves and for each other. Overall, this study shed new light on the pathogen circulation naturally achieved at the interplay between wild and domestic ungulates.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Berggoetz
- Institut de Biologie, Laboratoire d'Eco-Epidémiologie des Parasites, University of Neuchâtel, Emile Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - M Schmid
- Institut de Biologie, Laboratoire d'Eco-Epidémiologie des Parasites, University of Neuchâtel, Emile Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - D Ston
- Institut de Biologie, Laboratoire d'Eco-Epidémiologie des Parasites, University of Neuchâtel, Emile Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - V Wyss
- Institut de Biologie, Laboratoire d'Eco-Epidémiologie des Parasites, University of Neuchâtel, Emile Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - C Chevillon
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution, Contrôle (MIVEGEC; UMR 5290 CNRS-IRD-Universités Montpellier I et II), 911 Avenue Agropolis BP 64 501, 34 394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
| | - A-M Pretorius
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Free State Province, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
| | - L Gern
- Institut de Biologie, Laboratoire d'Eco-Epidémiologie des Parasites, University of Neuchâtel, Emile Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
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Ben Said M, Belkahia H, Sayahi L, Aloui M, Jemli MH, Hadj Mohamed B, Sassi L, Darghouth MA, Djaïem AA, Bayoudh M, Messadi L. Première étude sérologique de la prévalence d’Anaplasma phagocytophilum chez le dromadaire (Camelus dromedarius) en Tunisie. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 107:1-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s13149-013-0323-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Dzięgiel B, Adaszek Ł, Kalinowski M, Winiarczyk S. Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis. Res Vet Sci 2013; 95:316-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Stuen S, Granquist EG, Silaghi C. Anaplasma phagocytophilum--a widespread multi-host pathogen with highly adaptive strategies. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2013; 3:31. [PMID: 23885337 PMCID: PMC3717505 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2013.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 368] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2013] [Accepted: 06/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum has for decades been known to cause the disease tick-borne fever (TBF) in domestic ruminants in Ixodes ricinus-infested areas in northern Europe. In recent years, the bacterium has been found associated with Ixodes-tick species more or less worldwide on the northern hemisphere. A. phagocytophilum has a broad host range and may cause severe disease in several mammalian species, including humans. However, the clinical symptoms vary from subclinical to fatal conditions, and considerable underreporting of clinical incidents is suspected in both human and veterinary medicine. Several variants of A. phagocytophilum have been genetically characterized. Identification and stratification into phylogenetic subfamilies has been based on cell culturing, experimental infections, PCR, and sequencing techniques. However, few genome sequences have been completed so far, thus observations on biological, ecological, and pathological differences between genotypes of the bacterium, have yet to be elucidated by molecular and experimental infection studies. The natural transmission cycles of various A. phagocytophilum variants, the involvement of their respective hosts and vectors involved, in particular the zoonotic potential, have to be unraveled. A. phagocytophilum is able to persist between seasons of tick activity in several mammalian species and movement of hosts and infected ticks on migrating animals or birds may spread the bacterium. In the present review, we focus on the ecology and epidemiology of A. phagocytophilum, especially the role of wildlife in contribution to the spread and sustainability of the infection in domestic livestock and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snorre Stuen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science Sandnes, Norway.
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Dzięgiel B, Adaszek L, Winiarczyk M, García-Bocanegra I, Carbonero A, Dębiak P, Winiarczyk S. Comparative analysis of 16S RNA nucleotide sequences of Anaplasma phagocytophilum detected in the blood of horses from various parts of Europe. J Med Microbiol 2013; 62:1891-1896. [PMID: 23788590 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.058636-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene fragment nucleotide sequences for Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains detected in the blood of horses from various parts of Europe. The study comprised 234 horses that had had contact with ticks. Using PCR, the genetic material of A. phagocytophilum was identified in the blood of 42 animals. The sequences of the 16S RNA gene amplicons that were obtained from our A. phagocytophilum isolates had 100 % similarity with each other and 96.4-100 % similarity with Anaplasma spp. sequences selected from those available in GenBank. Nucleotide substitutions at positions 248 and 249 were demonstrated in all the 16S RNA gene sequences of Anaplasma obtained in our study. This may indicate the emergence of a new rickettsial genotype that is the cause of equine granulocytic anaplasmosis in southern and eastern Europe. These results add new information on the epidemiology and genetic diversity of A. phagocytophilum detected in the blood of horses from southern and eastern Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Dzięgiel
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Lublin, 30 Głęboka St 20-612 Lublin, Poland
| | - Lukasz Adaszek
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Lublin, 30 Głęboka St 20-612 Lublin, Poland
| | - Mateusz Winiarczyk
- Department of Vitreoretinal Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, Chmielna 1, 20-079 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCO Campus, Universitarios de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Alfonso Carbonero
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCO Campus, Universitarios de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Piotr Dębiak
- Laboratory of Radiology and Ultrasonography, Department and Clinic of Animal Surgery, University of Life Science in Lublin, Gleboka 30 St, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
| | - Stanisław Winiarczyk
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Lublin, 30 Głęboka St 20-612 Lublin, Poland
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Ribeiro AJ, Cardoso L, Maia JM, Coutinho T, Cotovio M. Prevalence of Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses from the north of Portugal. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:2611-7. [PMID: 23591484 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3429-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Piroplasmid protozoa Theileria equi and Babesia caballi and zoonotic rickettsial bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum are important agents of equine vector-borne diseases (EVBD). This study aimed at investigating the prevalence of infections with or exposure to these pathogens in horses from the north of Portugal. Blood was randomly collected from 162 horses, living in 72 different stables, to prepare Giemsa-stained slide smears. Additionally, plasma samples were tested for antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi by two competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and to A. phagocytophilum by an indirect fluorescence antibody test. Five horses were positive to T. equi by microscopy (3.1 %), three to B. caballi (1.9 %), and none to A. phagocytophilum with no horse simultaneously positive for the two piroplasms. Clinically suspect animals had a significantly higher positivity to T. equi by microscopy in comparison with the nonsuspect ones (21.4 vs. 1.4 %). Twenty-nine horses were seropositive to T. equi (17.9 %), 18 to B. caballi (11.1 %), and 21 to A. phagocytophilum (13.0 %). Combined serology and microscopy positive results to T. equi and B. caballi were 19.1 and 11.7 %, respectively, with 33.3 % of the horses found positive to at least one agent. Forty horses were positive to single agents and 14 to more than one agent. An outdoor or mixed outdoor/indoor type of housing was found to be a risk factor for the combined positivity to T. equi. Infections with T. equi, B. caballi, and A. phagocytophilum are endemic in the north of Portugal. In addition to the treatment of positive horses, preventive measures should be put in practice to reduce exposure to and infection with agents of EVBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana J Ribeiro
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, PO Box 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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M'ghirbi Y, Yaïch H, Ghorbel A, Bouattour A. Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses and ticks in Tunisia. Parasit Vectors 2012; 5:180. [PMID: 22935132 PMCID: PMC3453519 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anaplasma phagocytophilum , the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis, affects several species of wild and domesticated mammals, including horses. We used direct and indirect methods to compare and evaluate exposure to A. phagocytophilum in horses in northern Tunisia. Methods Serum from 60 horses was tested by IFA for antibodies to A. phagocytophilum , and whole blood was tested for A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA gene using a nested-PCR. To examine the risk of A. phagocytophilum transmission, 154 ticks that had been collected from horses were examined for the presence of A. phagocytophilum by nested-PCR targeting 16S rRNA gene. Results This is the first time that A. phagocytophilum has been detected in horses in Tunisia, with an overall seroprevalence of 40/60 (67%). Six of the seroreactive samples (10%) had an IFA titer of 1:80, 14 (23%) of 1:160, 8 (13%) of 1:320 and 12 (20%) a titer 1 ≥ 640. The seroprevalence revealed no significant regional and sex differences. In contrast, a significant difference was observed between breeds. Eight (13%) of the horses were positive for A. phagocytophilum in the PCR, with no significant breed and age differences. Hyalomma marginatum was a predominant tick species (130/154), and 3 were infected by A. phagocytophilum (a prevalence of 2.3%). The concordance rate of A. phagocytophilum detection between IFA and PCR had a k value of −0.07. Conclusions The results presented in this study suggest that horses infested by ticks in Tunisia are exposed to A. phagocytophilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youmna M'ghirbi
- Laboratoire d'Épidémiologie et Microbiologie Vétérinaire, Service d'Entomologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
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He L, Feng HH, Zhang WJ, Zhang QL, Fang R, Wang LX, Tu P, Zhou YQ, Zhao JL, Oosthuizen MC. Occurrence of Theileria and Babesia species in water buffalo (Bubalus babalis, Linnaeus, 1758) in the Hubei province, South China. Vet Parasitol 2012; 186:490-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2011] [Revised: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 11/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Silaghi C, Liebisch G, Pfister K. Genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from 14 equine granulocytic anaplasmosis cases. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:161. [PMID: 21843364 PMCID: PMC3170280 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 08/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (EGA) is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a tick-transmitted, obligate intracellular bacterium. In Europe, it is transmitted by Ixodes ricinus. A large number of genetic variants of A. phagocytophilum circulate in nature and have been found in ticks and different animals. Attempts have been made to assign certain genetic variants to certain host species or pathologies, but have not been successful so far. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causing agent A. phagocytophilum of 14 cases of EGA in naturally infected horses with molecular methods on the basis of 4 partial genes (16S rRNA, groEL, msp2, and msp4). Results All DNA extracts of EDTA-blood samples of the horses gave bands of the correct nucleotide size in all four genotyping PCRs. Sequence analysis revealed 4 different variants in the partial 16S rRNA, groEL gene and msp2 genes, and 3 in the msp4 gene. One 16S rRNA gene variant involved in 11 of the 14 cases was identical to the "prototype" variant causing disease in humans in the amplified part [GenBank: U02521]. Phylogenetic analysis revealed as expected for the groEL gene that sequences from horses clustered separately from roe deer. Sequences of the partial msp2 gene from this study formed a separate cluster from ruminant variants in Europe and from all US variants. Conclusions The results show that more than one variant of A. phagocytophilum seems to be involved in EGA in Germany. The comparative genetic analysis of the variants involved points towards different natural cycles in the epidemiology of A. phagocytophilum, possibly involving different reservoir hosts or host adaptation, rather than a strict species separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Leopoldstr, 5, 80802 Munich, Germany.
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Chaisi ME, Sibeko KP, Collins NE, Potgieter FT, Oosthuizen MC. Identification of Theileria parva and Theileria sp. (buffalo) 18S rRNA gene sequence variants in the African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in southern Africa. Vet Parasitol 2011; 182:150-62. [PMID: 21700394 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Revised: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Theileria parva is the causative agent of Corridor disease in cattle in South Africa. The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is the reservoir host, and, as these animals are important for eco-tourism in South Africa, it is compulsory to test and certify them disease free prior to translocation. A T. parva-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene is one of the tests used for the diagnosis of the parasite in buffalo and cattle in South Africa. However, because of the high similarity between the 18S rRNA gene sequences of T. parva and Theileria sp. (buffalo), the latter is also amplified by the real-time PCR primers, although it is not detected by the T. parva-specific hybridization probes. Preliminary sequencing studies have revealed a small number of sequence differences within the 18S rRNA gene in both species but the extent of this sequence variation is unknown. The aim of the current study was to sequence the 18S rRNA genes of T. parva and Theileria sp. (buffalo), and to determine whether all identified genotypes can be correctly detected by the real-time PCR assay. The reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization assay was used to identify T. parva and Theileria sp. (buffalo) positive samples from buffalo blood samples originating from the Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, and a private game ranch in the Hoedspruit area. T. parva and Theileria sp. (buffalo) were identified in 42% and 28%, respectively, of 252 samples, mainly as mixed infections. The full-length 18S rRNA gene of selected samples was amplified, cloned and sequenced. From a total of 20 sequences obtained, 10 grouped with previously published T. parva sequences from GenBank while 10 sequences grouped with a previously published Theileria sp. (buffalo) sequence. All these formed a monophyletic group with known pathogenic Theileria species. Our phylogenetic analyses confirm the distinction between Theileria sp. (buffalo) and T. parva and indicate the existence of a single group of T. parva and two Theileria sp. (buffalo) 18S rRNA gene variants in the African buffalo. Despite the observed variation in the full-length parasite 18S rRNA gene sequences, the area in the V4 hypervariable region where the RLB and real-time PCR hybridization probes were developed was relatively conserved. The T. parva specific real-time PCR assay was able to successfully detect all T. parva variants and, although amplicons were obtained from Theileria sp. (buffalo) DNA, none of the Theileria sp. (buffalo) 18S rRNA sequence variants were detected by the T. parva-specific hybridization probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamohale E Chaisi
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
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Giudice E, Giannetto C, Torina A, Niutta PP. Seroconversion for Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a Mare with Concomitant Piroplasmosis. J Equine Vet Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2011.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Praskova I, Bezdekova B, Zeman P, Jahn P. Seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses in the Czech Republic. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2011; 2:111-5. [PMID: 21771545 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2011.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2010] [Revised: 12/28/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the aetiological agent of equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA). The aim of this survey was to assess the prevalence of anti-A. phagocytophilum antibodies in the horse population of the Czech Republic (CZ) and to investigate possible links between seropositivity and the geographic origin, age, and/or sex of the tested horses. Antibodies against A. phagocytophilum were screened using an indirect fluorescent antibody method (IFA). Serum samples from 96 healthy horses from 8 localities (7 within the CZ and one control upland/tick-free locality in Ukraine) were examined. While the controls tested negative, the seroprevalence in the Czech localities was estimated at 73%, which suggests that subclinical EGA is common among horses in the CZ. Significant differences between seropositivity rates in individual stables were demonstrated (explicable by the different environment and/or management styles of the horses stabled therein). Horses in stables from which previous manifest cases had been reported tended to have higher average titres. Mares displayed a somewhat higher seropositivity rate than did stallions; age had no demonstrable effect upon the serological status of the examined horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Praskova
- Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
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Hansen MGB, Christoffersen M, Thuesen LR, Petersen MR, Bojesen AM. Erratum to: Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Danish horses. Acta Vet Scand 2010. [PMCID: PMC2930632 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Jahn P, Zeman P, Bezdekova B, Praskova I. Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis in the Czech Republic. Vet Rec 2010; 166:646-9. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.4852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Jahn
- Equine Clinic; University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Palackeho 1-3 612 42 Brno Czech Republic
| | - P. Zeman
- Medical Laboratories; Konevova 205 130 00 Prague 3 Czech Republic
| | - B. Bezdekova
- Equine Clinic; University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Palackeho 1-3 612 42 Brno Czech Republic
| | - I. Praskova
- Equine Clinic; University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Palackeho 1-3 612 42 Brno Czech Republic
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Hansen MGB, Christoffersen M, Thuesen LR, Petersen MR, Bojesen AM. Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Danish horses. Acta Vet Scand 2010; 52:3. [PMID: 20082693 PMCID: PMC2818635 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2009] [Accepted: 01/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are able to infect horses. However, the extend to which Danish horses are infected and seroconvert due to these two bacteria is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum in Danish horses. Methods A total of 390 blood samples collected from all major regions of Denmark and with a geographical distribution corresponding to the density of the Danish horse population were analyzed. All samples were examined for the presence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum by the use of the SNAP®4DX ® ELISA test. Results Overall, 29.0% of the horses were seropositive for B. burgdorferi sensu lato whereas 22.3% were seropositive for A. phagocytophilum. Conclusions Antibodies against B burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum are commonly found among Danish horses thus showing that Danish horses are frequently infected by these organisms.
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Boni M, Rolain JM, Portelli C, Marié JM, Davoust B, Brouqui P. Isolated fever in horses: a new case of equine anaplasmosis in France. Clin Microbiol Infect 2009; 15 Suppl 2:64-5. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02181.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Maurizi L, Marié JL, Courtin C, Gorsane S, Chal D, Davoust B. Seroprevalence survey of equine anaplasmosis in France and in sub-Saharan Africa. Clin Microbiol Infect 2009; 15 Suppl 2:68-9. [PMID: 19793122 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02191.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L Maurizi
- Secteur Vétérinaire de Rennes, France
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Sequence heterogeneity in the 18S rRNA gene within Theileria equi and Babesia caballi from horses in South Africa. Vet Parasitol 2008; 159:112-20. [PMID: 19019541 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2008] [Revised: 09/19/2008] [Accepted: 10/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A molecular epidemiological survey of the protozoal parasites that cause equine piroplasmosis was conducted using samples collected from horses and zebra from different geographical locations in South Africa. A total of 488 samples were tested for the presence of Theileria equi and/or Babesia caballi using the reverse line blot hybridization assay. Ten percent of the samples hybridized to the Theileria/Babesia genus-specific probe and not to the B. caballi or T. equi species-specific probes, suggesting the presence of a novel species or genotype. The small subunit of rRNA gene (18S; approximately 1600bp) was amplified and sequenced from 33 of these 488 samples. Sequences were compared with published sequences from the public sequence databases. Twelve distinct T. equi and six B. caballi 18S rRNA sequences were identified. Alignments demonstrated extensive sequence variation in the V4 hypervariable region of the 18S rRNA gene within T. equi. Sequence variation was also found in B. caballi 18S rRNA genes, although there was less variation than observed for T. equi. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequences revealed three T. equi clades and two B. caballi clades in South Africa. The extent of sequence heterogeneity detected within T. equi and B. caballi 18S rRNA genes was unexpected since concerted evolution is thought to maintain homogeneity within repeated gene families, including rRNA genes, in eukaryotes. The findings reported here show that careful examination of variants of the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi and B. caballi is required prior to the development of molecular diagnostic tests to detect these parasites in horses. Species-specific probes must be in designed in regions of the gene that are both conserved within and unique to each species.
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