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Pandey GS, Manandhar P, Shrestha BK, Sadaula A, Hayashi N, Abdelbaset AE, Silwal P, Tsubota T, Kwak ML, Nonaka N, Nakao R. Detection and characterization of vector-borne parasites and Wolbachia endosymbionts in greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Nepal. Acta Trop 2024; 258:107344. [PMID: 39097253 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107344] [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: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Vector-borne parasite infections affect both domestic and wild animals. They are often asymptomatic but can result in fatal outcomes under natural and human-induced stressors. Given the limited availability of molecular data on vector-borne parasites in Rhinoceros unicornis (greater one-horned rhinoceros), this study employed molecular tools to detect and characterize the vector-borne parasites in rescued rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Whole blood samples were collected from thirty-six R. unicornis during rescue and treatment operations. Piroplasmida infections were first screened using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Wolbachia was detected by amplifying 16S rRNA gene, while filarial nematodes were detected through amplification of 28S rRNA, COI, myoHC and hsp70 genes. Our results confirmed the presence of Theileria bicornis with a prevalence of 75% (27/36) having two previously unreported haplotypes (H8 and H9). Wolbachia endosymbionts were detected in 25% (9/36) of tested samples and belonged to either supergroup C or F. Filarial nematodes of the genera Mansonella and Onchocerca were also detected. There were no significant association between T. bicornis infections and the age, sex, or location from which the animals were rescued. The high prevalence of Theileria with novel haplotypes along with filarial parasites has important ecological and conservational implications and highlights the need to implement parasite surveillance programs for wildlife in Nepal. Further studies monitoring vector-borne pathogens and interspecies transmission among wild animals, livestock and human are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gita Sadaula Pandey
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan; National Cattle Research Program, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
| | | | | | - Amir Sadaula
- National Trust for Nature Conservation - Biodiversity Conservation Center, Sauraha, Chitwan, Nepal
| | - Naoki Hayashi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan; Division of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Abdelbaset Eweda Abdelbaset
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan; Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Pradeepa Silwal
- National Trust for Nature Conservation - Biodiversity Conservation Center, Sauraha, Chitwan, Nepal
| | - Toshio Tsubota
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Mackenzie L Kwak
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan; Division of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan; Division of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Japan.
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Chen Y, Chen YY, Liu G, Lyu C, Hu Y, An Q, Qiu HY, Zhao Q, Wang CR. Prevalence of Theileria in cattle in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Microb Pathog 2021; 162:105369. [PMID: 34952152 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Theileria, one of the causative agents of blood protozoan, has brought a huge economic loss to the cattle industry worldwide. However, the epidemiology of Theileria in Chinese cattle has not been systematically investigated. This comprehensive review aimed at investigating the prevalence of Theileria infection in cattle in China. A total of 48 published papers on Theileria infection in cattle in China (including data from 21,366 animals) from inception to October 8, 2021 met the inclusion standard after searching in five databases (Technology Periodical Database, Wan Fang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, and ScienceDirect). The pooled prevalence of Theileria in cattle in China was 32.4% identified by using a random effects model. The prevalence in Northeastern China (45.3%) was higher than that in other regions. In the sex subgroup, the prevalence of Theileria was higher in females (48.9%) than that in males (45.8%). The prevalence of Theileria was higher in cattle of free range (34.4%) compared with that of intensive farming (22.3%). The prevalence prior to 2013 (36.1%) was higher than that after 2013 (33.6%). Among three cattle species, dairy cows had the lowest prevalence (21.5%). The prevalence of Theileria (T.) annulata (22.2%) and T. sergenti (26.2%) was higher than other species of Theileria (T. buffeli: 17.5%, T. luwenshuni: 0.9%, T. orientalis: 15.5%, T. ovis: 0.21%, T. sinensis: 20.2%, T. uilenbergi: 6.2%, Others: 0.9%). We also analyzed the impact of different geographic factor subgroups (longitude, latitude, precipitation, temperature, humidity, and altitude) on the prevalence of Theileria in cattle. Among them, climatic factors of longitude, latitude, precipitation, humidity, temperature were associated with the prevalence of Theileria. These analyses suggested that Theileria was common in cattle in China. Targeted prevention programs based on geographic and climatic conditions in different areas may play an important role in reducing Theileria infection among cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- College of Life Science, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang, Jilin Province, 130600, PR China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China
| | - Ying-Yu Chen
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China
| | - Gang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266109, PR China
| | - Chuang Lyu
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266100, PR China
| | - Yang Hu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China
| | - Qi An
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China
| | - Hong-Yu Qiu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China
| | - Quan Zhao
- College of Life Science, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang, Jilin Province, 130600, PR China.
| | - Chun-Ren Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China.
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Zimmermann DE, Penzhorn BL, Vorster I, Troskie M, Oosthuizen MC. Babesia bicornis, Theileria bicornis and Theileria equi in metapopulations of two black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) subspecies in South Africa and their potential impact on conservation. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101635. [PMID: 33373893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The two black rhinoceros subspecies (Diceros bicornis bicornis and D. b. minor) in South African conservation areas are managed as separate metapopulations. Since infection with Babesia bicornis can be fatal in black rhinoceroses, occurrence of this and other piroplasms in the two metapopulations was determined to assess possible risk. Blood specimens were collected from 156 black rhinoceroses: 80 from D. b. bicornis and 76 from D. b. minor. DNA was extracted; the V4 hypervariable region of the parasite 18S rRNA gene was amplified and subjected to the Reverse Line Blot (RLB) hybridization assay. There was a significant difference in occurrence of piroplasms: 18/80 (23%) in D. b. bicornis and 39/76 (51%) in D. b. minor. Theileria bicornis occurred in significantly more of the D. b. minor population (36/76; 47%) than the D. b. bicornis population (1/80; 1%); with B. bicornis the difference was not significant: D. b. bicornis 5/80 (6%) and D. b. minor 9/76 (11%). Three individuals were infected with Theileria equi. Results were confirmed using molecular characterization of the near full-length parasite 18S rRNA gene of 13 selected specimens. We identified four (Tb1, Tb2, Tb3 and Tb4) 18S rDNA sequence types for T. bicornis, two for B. bicornis (Bb1 and Bb2) and one for T. equi (Teq1). We furthermore identified T. bicornis haplotypes H1, H3 and H4 in 10 rhinoceroses; H3 was the most common haplotype identified. Rhinoceroses inhabiting more arid areas are apparently free of T. bicornis and B. bicornis, probably due to the absence or scarcity of vectors. When individuals are relocated for metapopulation management purposes, appropriate prophylactic action should be taken to minimise the risk of babesiosis, which could be fatal.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Zimmermann
- South African National Parks, Veterinary Wildlife Services, P.O. Box 110040, Hadison Park, 8306, Kimberley, South Africa; Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 0110, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
| | - Barend L Penzhorn
- Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 0110, Onderstepoort, South Africa; Research Associate, National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Research Affiliate, Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 0110, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
| | - Ilse Vorster
- Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 0110, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
| | - Milana Troskie
- Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 0110, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
| | - Marinda C Oosthuizen
- Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 0110, Onderstepoort, South Africa; Research Affiliate, Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 0110, Onderstepoort, South Africa; Deputy-Dean, Research and Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, 0110, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
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King’ori E, Obanda V, Chiyo PI, Soriguer RC, Morrondo P, Angelone S. Molecular identification of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria in African elephants and their ticks. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226083. [PMID: 31805127 PMCID: PMC6894798 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although historical records indicate the presence of Ehrlichia and Babesia in African elephants, not much is known about their prevalence and diversity in elephants and their ticks, Amblyomma thollonii and Rhipicephalus humeralis. We amplified and sequenced the hypervariable V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia and Theileria and the heat shock protein gene (groEL) of Ehrlichia/Anaplasma in DNA extracted from elephant blood (n = 104) and from elephant ticks (n = 52). Our results showed that the African elephants were infected with a novel Babesia spp. while A. thollonii was infected with Theileria bicornis and Theileria cf. velifera. This is the first record of T. bicornis; a protozoan that is linked to fatal infection in rhinoceros in a tick. Elephants and their ticks were all infected with a species of Ehrlichia like that identified in Japanese deer. The prevalence of Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in ticks was higher than that of their elephant hosts. About 13.5% of elephants were positive for Theileria or Babesia while 51% of A. thollonii ticks and 27% of R. humeralis ticks were positive for Theileria or Babesia. Moreover, 5.8% of elephants were positive for Ehrlichia or Anaplasma compared to 19.5% in A. thollonii and 18% in R. humeralis. There was no association between the positive result in ticks and that of their elephant hosts for either Babesia spp., Theileria spp. or Ehrlichia spp. Our study reveals that the African elephants are naturally infected with Babesia spp and Ehrlichia spp and opens up an opportunity for further studies to determine the role of elephant as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens, and to investigate their potential in spreading these pathogens as they range extensively. The presence of T. bicornis in A. thollonii also suggests a need for experiments to confirm its vector competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward King’ori
- Department of Animal Science, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
- Veterinary Department, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Vincent Obanda
- Veterinary Department, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Patrick I. Chiyo
- Institute of Primates Research, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ramon C. Soriguer
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Patrocinio Morrondo
- Department of Animal Science, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
| | - Samer Angelone
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEU), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Hooijberg EH, Miller M, Cray C, Buss P, Steenkamp G, Goddard A. Serum protein electrophoresis in healthy and injured southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200347. [PMID: 30044807 PMCID: PMC6059428 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigation of globulin fractions by serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is the first step towards evaluation of the proteome in the southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). Furthermore, identification of changes in globulins in animals with poaching and other injuries can guide discovery of potentially useful biomarkers of inflammation. The aim of this study was to develop reference intervals for agarose gel SPE in healthy white rhinoceros and to compare these serum protein electrophoresis results to those from animals with tissue trauma. Reference intervals for total serum protein and agarose gel electrophoretic albumin and globulin fractions were generated using serum samples from 49 healthy free-ranging adult white rhinoceros. A standardised gating system together with identification of specific proteins by mass spectrometry aided in fraction identification. Six globulin fractions were identified: α1a, α1b, α2, β1, β2 and γ. Reference intervals were generated for total serum protein (76–111 g/L), albumin (10–27 g/L) and globulin fractions (α1a: 1.6–3.2 g/L; α1b: 1.7–3.6 g/L; α2: 16.1–26.6 g/L; β1: 6.6–18.2 g/L; β2: 11.8–30.4 g/L; γ: 10.4–23.1 g/L; albumin: globulin ratio: 0.12–0.39). Results were compared to those from 30 animals with various degrees and chronicities of tissue trauma. Wounded animals had lower concentrations of total serum protein, albumin, total globulin, α and β1 globulins, lower percentages of α2 and β1 globulins, and higher percentages of β2 and γ globulins. These protein changes are similar to those seen in human patients with wounds rather than classic acute phase or chronic inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma H. Hooijberg
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Michele Miller
- Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research/Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Carolyn Cray
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Peter Buss
- Veterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, Kruger National Park, Skukuza, South Africa
| | - Gerhard Steenkamp
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Amelia Goddard
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Diversity of piroplasmids among wild and domestic mammals and ectoparasites in Pantanal wetland, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:245-253. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Yam J, Gestier S, Bryant B, Campbell-Ward M, Bogema D, Jenkins C. The identification of Theileria bicornis in captive rhinoceros in Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2017; 7:85-89. [PMID: 29988814 PMCID: PMC6032026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Poaching of both black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceros in Africa has increased significantly in recent years. In an effort to ensure the survival of these critically endangered species, breeding programs were established in the 1990s in Australia, where a similar climate and habitat is available. In this study we examined blood samples from two C. simum, including a 16 yr old female (Aluka) who died in captivity, and a 17 yr old asymptomatic male (Umfana). Bloods from seven healthy D. bicornis housed at the zoo were also collected. All samples were tested for the presence of piroplasms via blood smear and PCR. A generic PCR for the 18S rRNA gene of the Piroplasmida revealed the presence of piroplasm infection in both dead and asymptomatic C. simum. Subsequent sequencing of these amplicons revealed the presence of Theileria bicornis. Blood smear indicated that this organism was present at low abundance in both affected and asymptomatic individuals and was not linked to the C. simum mortality. T. bicornis was also detected in the D. bicornis population (n = 7) housed at Taronga Western Plains Zoo using PCR and blood film examination; however only animals imported from Africa (n = 1) tested T. bicornis positive, while captive-born animals bred within Australia (n = 6) tested negative suggesting that transmission within the herd was unlikely. Phylogenetic analysis of the full length T. bicornis 18S rRNA genes classified this organism outside the clade of the transforming and non-transforming Theileria with a new haplotype, H4, identified from D. bicornis. This study revealed the presence of Theileria bicornis in Australian captive populations of both C. simum and D. bicornis and a new haplotype of the parasite was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerald Yam
- The Ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Sarah Gestier
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia
| | - Benn Bryant
- Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, NSW 2830, Australia
| | | | - Daniel Bogema
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia
| | - Cheryl Jenkins
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia
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