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Poh KC, Aguilar M, Capelli-Peixoto J, Davis SK, Ueti MW. Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) does not transmit Babesia bovis, a causative agent of cattle fever. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102374. [PMID: 38971081 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102374] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) was first reported in the United States in 2017 and has since been detected in at least 17 states. This tick infests cattle and can produce large populations quickly due to its parthenogenetic nature, leading to significant livestock mortalities and economic losses. While H. longicornis has not been detected in Texas, species distribution models have identified southern Texas as a possible hospitable region for this tick. Southern Texas is currently home to the southern cattle tick (Rhipicephalus microplus), which can transmit the causative agent of cattle fever (Babesia bovis). With the potential for H. longicornis and B. bovis to overlap in southern Texas and their potential to negatively impact the national and global livestock industry, it is imperative to identify the role H. longicornis may play in the cattle fever disease system. A controlled acquisition and transmission experiment tested whether H. longicornis is a vector for B. bovis, with the R. microplus-B. bovis system used as a positive control. Transstadial (nymphs to adults) and transovarial (adults to larvae) transmission and subsequent transstadial maintenance (nymphs and adults) routes were tested in this study. Acquisition-fed, splenectomized animals were used to increase the probability of tick infection. Acquisition nymphs were macerated whole and acquisition adults were dissected to remove midguts and ovaries at five time points (4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days post-repletion), with 40 ticks processed per time point and life stage. The greatest percentage of nymphs with detectable B. bovis DNA occurred six days post-repletion (20.0 %). For adults, the percentage of positive midguts and ovaries increased as days post-repletion progressed, with day 12 having the highest percentage of positive samples (67.5 % and 60.0 %, respectively). When egg batches were tested in triplicate, all H. longicornis egg batches were negative for B. bovis, while all R. microplus egg batches were positive for B. bovis. During the transmission phase, the subsequent life stages for transstadial (adults) and transovarial transmission/transstadial maintenance (larvae, nymphs, and adults) were fed on naïve, splenectomized calves. All life stages of H. longicornis ticks tested during transmission were negative for B. bovis. Furthermore, the transmission fed animals were also negative for B. bovis and did not show signs of bovine babesiosis during the 45-day post tick transmission period. Given the lack of successful transstadial or transovarial transmission, it is unlikely that H. longicornis is a vector for B. bovis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen C Poh
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 3003 Animal Disease and Biotechnology Facility, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | - Mitzi Aguilar
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, 3003 Animal Disease and Biotechnology Facility, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Janaína Capelli-Peixoto
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, 3003 Animal Disease and Biotechnology Facility, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Sara K Davis
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 3003 Animal Disease and Biotechnology Facility, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Massaro W Ueti
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 3003 Animal Disease and Biotechnology Facility, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Hussein HE, Johnson WC, Taus NS, Ueti MW. Expression of sex-specific molecular markers by Babesia bovis gametes. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:75. [PMID: 38374075 PMCID: PMC10877833 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06185-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bovis is one of the most important tick-borne diseases of cattle in tropical and subtropical regions. Babesia bovis parasites have a complex lifecycle, including development within the mammalian host and tick vector. In the tick midgut, extracellular Babesia parasites transform into gametes that fuse to form zygotes. To date, little is known about genes and proteins expressed by male gametes. METHODS AND RESULTS We developed a method to separate male gametes from in vitro induced B. bovis culture. Separation enabled the validation of sex-specific markers. Collected male gametocytes were observed by Giemsa-stained smear and live-cell fluorescence microscopy. Babesia male gametes were used to confirm sex-specific markers by quantitative real-time PCR. Some genes were found to be male gamete specific genes including pka, hap2, α-tubulin II and znfp2. However, α-tubulin I and ABC transporter, trap2-4 and ccp1-3 genes were found to be upregulated in culture depleted of male gametes (female-enriched). Live immunofluorescence analysis using polyclonal antibodies confirmed surface expression of HAP2 by male and TRAP2-4 by female gametes. These results revealed strong markers to distinguish between B. bovis male and female gametes. CONCLUSIONS Herein, we describe the identification of sex-specific molecular markers essential for B. bovis sexual reproduction. These tools will enhance our understanding of the biology of sexual stages and, consequently, the development of additional strategies to control bovine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala E Hussein
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, USA.
| | - Wendell C Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Naomi S Taus
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture-ARS-Animal Disease Research Unit, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Massaro W Ueti
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture-ARS-Animal Disease Research Unit, Pullman, WA, USA
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Hussein HE, Johnson WC, Ueti MW. Differential paired stage-specific expression of Babesia bovis cysteine-rich GCC2/GCC3 domain family proteins (BboGDP) during development within Rhipicephalus microplus. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:16. [PMID: 36650585 PMCID: PMC9843837 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05628-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesia bovis, an intra-erythrocytic apicomplexan parasite, is one of the causative agents of bovine babesiosis, the most important tick-borne disease of cattle in tropical and subtropical regions. Babesia bovis has a complex life-cycle that includes sexual development within the tick vector. The development of a transmission blocking vaccine to control bovine babesiosis requires the identification of antigens displayed on the surface of the parasite during its development within tick vectors. Four B. bovis cysteine-rich GCC2/GCC3 domain protein (BboGDP) family members were previously identified and are differentially expressed as discrete pairs by either blood stages or kinetes. In this study we focused on two family members, BboGDP1 and -3, that are expressed by Babesia parasites during tick infection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Transcription analysis using quantitative PCR demonstrated that BboGDP1 and -3 were upregulated in in vitro-induced sexual stage parasites and during parasite development in the tick midgut. Moreover, protein expression analysis of BboGDP1 and -3 during the development of sexual stages in in vitro culture was consistent with their transcription profile. Live immunofluorescence analysis using polyclonal antibodies confirmed surface expression of BboGDP1 and -3 on in vitro-induced sexual stage parasites. In addition, fixed immunofluorescence analysis showed reactivity of anti-BboGDP1 and -3 polyclonal antibodies to kinetes. CONCLUSIONS The collective data indicate that BboGDP1 and -3 are expressed by kinetes and on the surface of sexual stages of the parasites. The identified parasite surface membrane proteins BboGDP1 and -3 are potential candidates for the development of a B. bovis transmission blocking vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala E. Hussein
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA USA
| | - Wendell C. Johnson
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA USA
| | - Massaro W. Ueti
- grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA USA ,grid.417548.b0000 0004 0478 6311Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA USA
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Capelli-Peixoto J, Saelao P, Johnson WC, Kappmeyer L, Reif KE, Masterson HE, Taus NS, Suarez CE, Brayton KA, Ueti MW. Comparison of high throughput RNA sequences between Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis revealed consistent differential gene expression that is required for the Babesia life cycle in the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1093338. [PMID: 36601308 PMCID: PMC9806345 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1093338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis is an economically important disease that affects cattle worldwide. Both B. bigemina and B. bovis are transovarially transmitted by Rhipicephalus ticks. However, little is known regarding parasite gene expression during infection of the tick vector or mammalian host, which has limited the development of effective control strategies to alleviate the losses to the cattle industry. To understand Babesia gene regulation during tick and mammalian host infection, we performed high throughput RNA-sequencing using samples collected from calves and Rhipicephalus microplus ticks infected with B. bigemina. We evaluated gene expression between B. bigemina blood-stages and kinetes and compared them with previous B. bovis RNA-seq data. The results revealed similar patterns of gene regulation between these two tick-borne transovarially transmitted Babesia parasites. Like B. bovis, the transcription of several B. bigemina genes in kinetes exceeded a 1,000-fold change while a few of these genes had a >20,000-fold increase. To identify genes that may have important roles in B. bigemina and B. bovis transovarial transmission, we searched for genes upregulated in B. bigemina kinetes in the genomic datasets of B. bovis and non-transovarially transmitted parasites, Theileria spp. and Babesia microti. Using this approach, we identify genes that may be potential markers for transovarial transmission by B. bigemina and B. bovis. The findings presented herein demonstrate common Babesia genes linked to infection of the vector or mammalian host and may contribute to elucidating strategies used by the parasite to complete their life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaina Capelli-Peixoto
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States,*Correspondence: Janaina Capelli-Peixoto,
| | - Perot Saelao
- Veterinary Pest Genetic Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Kerrville, TX, United States
| | | | - Lowell Kappmeyer
- Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Kathryn E. Reif
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Hayley E. Masterson
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Naomi S. Taus
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States,Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States,Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Kelly A. Brayton
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Massaro W. Ueti
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States,Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA, United States
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Masterson HE, Taus NS, Johnson WC, Kappmeyer L, Capelli-Peixoto J, Hussein HE, Mousel MR, Hernandez-Silva DJ, Laughery JM, Mosqueda J, Ueti MW. Thrombospondin-Related Anonymous Protein (TRAP) Family Expression by Babesia bovis Life Stages within the Mammalian Host and Tick Vector. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2173. [PMID: 36363765 PMCID: PMC9694230 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The tick-transmitted disease bovine babesiosis causes significant economic losses in many countries around the world. Current control methods include modified live-attenuated vaccines that have limited efficacy. Recombinant proteins could provide effective, safe, and low-cost alternative vaccines. We compared the expression of the Babesia bovis thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) family from parasites in bovine blood, in vitro induced sexual stages, and kinetes from tick hemolymph. Quantitative PCR showed that in blood and sexual stages, TRAP3 was highly transcribed as compared to the other TRAPs. In contrast, the TRAP1 gene was highly transcribed in kinetes as compared to the other TRAPs. Fixed immunofluorescence assays showed that TRAP2, 3, and 4 proteins were expressed by both blood and sexual stages. Conversely, TRAP1 protein, undetected on blood and induced sexual stages, was the only family member expressed by kinetes. Live IFA revealed that TRAP2, 3, and 4 proteins were expressed on the surface of both B. bovis blood and sexual stages. Modeling of B. bovis TRAP1 and TRAP4 tertiary structure demonstrated both proteins folded the metal-ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) domain structure of Plasmodium TRAP. In conclusion, TRAP proteins may serve as potential vaccine targets to prevent infection of bovine and ticks with B. bovis essential for controlling the spread of bovine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley E. Masterson
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Naomi S. Taus
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Wendell C. Johnson
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Lowell Kappmeyer
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Janaina Capelli-Peixoto
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Hala E. Hussein
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Michelle R. Mousel
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Diego J. Hernandez-Silva
- Immunology and Vaccines Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Jacob M. Laughery
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Juan Mosqueda
- Immunology and Vaccines Laboratory, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Massaro W. Ueti
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Johnson WC, Hussein HE, Capelli-Peixoto J, Laughery JM, Taus NS, Suarez CE, Ueti MW. A Transfected Babesia bovis Parasite Line Expressing eGFP Is Able to Complete the Full Life Cycle of the Parasite in Mammalian and Tick Hosts. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060623. [PMID: 35745477 PMCID: PMC9229605 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is caused by apicomplexan pathogens of the genus Babesia, including B. bovis. This protozoan parasite has a complex life cycle involving dynamic changes to its transcriptome during the transition between the invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Studying the role of genes upregulated by tick stage parasites has been hindered by the lack of appropriate tools to study parasite gene products in the invertebrate host. Herein, we present tfBbo5480, a transfected B. bovis cell line, constitutively expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) created by a whole gene replacement transfection strategy, that was capable of completing the parasite’s entire life cycle in both the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. tfBbo5480 was demonstrated to respond to in vitro sexual stage induction and upon acquisition by the female tick vector, Rhipicephalus microplus, the tick specific kinete stage of tfBbo5480 was detected in tick hemolymph. Larvae from tfBbo5480 exposed R. microplus female ticks successfully transmitted the transfected parasite to a naïve calf. The development of the whole gene replacement strategy will permit a deeper understanding of the biology of parasite-host-vector triad interactions and facilitate the evaluation of upregulated genes during the parasite’s journey through the tick vector leading to new intervention strategies for the control of bovine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendell C. Johnson
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (N.S.T.); (C.E.S.)
| | - Hala E. Hussein
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (H.E.H.); (J.C.-P.); (J.M.L.)
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Janaina Capelli-Peixoto
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (H.E.H.); (J.C.-P.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Jacob M. Laughery
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (H.E.H.); (J.C.-P.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Naomi S. Taus
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (N.S.T.); (C.E.S.)
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (N.S.T.); (C.E.S.)
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (H.E.H.); (J.C.-P.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Massaro W. Ueti
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (N.S.T.); (C.E.S.)
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (H.E.H.); (J.C.-P.); (J.M.L.)
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Correspondence:
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Skobel O, Kosovsky G, Glazko V. Candidate vectors of horizontal transfer of BovB retrotransposon. BIO WEB OF CONFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1051/bioconf/20224301014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The horizontal transfer of retrotransposons has a significant impact on the regulatory system of a multicellular organism, but the biological basis of horizontal transfer has been sufficiently studied up to date. Earlier, we identified the conserved sequence of retrotransposons recombination products of the bovine chromosome 1 nucleotide sequence region. This conserved sequence has a high percent identity with LINE BovB, which is widely known as horizontal transfer participant. The current study analyzes the presence of the conserved sequence of retrotransposons recombination products of cattle in members of different taxonomic groups to detect potential vectors of horizontal transfer. It was shown that the conserved sequence with a high percent identity can be found in 43 members of different species, including eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses. The identified potential vectors of horizontal retrotransposon transfer associated with various diseases of farm animals are of particular interest. Such potential vectors are hemiparasites Babesia ovata and Babesia bigemina (pathogens causing babesiosis), bacterium Clostridium botulinum (the causative agent of botulism), Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (the causative agent of lung cancer in sheep). They all have regions with a high percent identity (not lower than 95%) to the studied bovine conserved sequence. Thus, we identify new potential vectors of horizontal retrotransposon transfer as well as the possible influence of retrotransposons on regulatory networks affecting host protection from infectious diseases.
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A Comparative Genomic Study of Attenuated and Virulent Strains of Babesia bigemina. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030318. [PMID: 33800466 PMCID: PMC7999288 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle babesiosis is a socio-economically important tick-borne disease caused by Apicomplexa protozoa of the genus Babesia that are obligate intraerythrocytic parasites. The pathogenicity of Babesia parasites for cattle is determined by the interaction with the host immune system and the presence of the parasite’s virulence genes. A Babesia bigemina strain that has been maintained under a microaerophilic stationary phase in in vitro culture conditions for several years in the laboratory lost virulence for the bovine host and the capacity for being transmitted by the tick vector. In this study, we compared the virulome of the in vitro culture attenuated Babesia bigemina strain (S) and the virulent tick transmitted parental Mexican B. bigemina strain (M). Preliminary results obtained by using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) showed that out of 27 virulence genes described and analyzed in the B. bigemina virulent tick transmitted strain, only five were fully identified in the attenuated laboratory strain. In all cases, the identity and coverture of the identified genes of the wildtype strain were higher than those of the laboratory strain. This finding is putatively associated with the continuous partial loss of virulence genes in the laboratory strain after several passages of the parasite population under optimal in vitro growth conditions. The loss of virulence factors might be reflected in the absence of symptoms of the disease in cattle inoculated with the attenuated strain despite the presence of infection in the bovine host cells.
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Bovine Babesiosis in Turkey: Impact, Current Gaps, and Opportunities for Intervention. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9121041. [PMID: 33322637 PMCID: PMC7763958 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9121041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is a global tick-borne disease that causes important cattle losses and has potential zoonotic implications. The impact of bovine babesiosis in Turkey remains poorly characterized, but several Babesia spp., including B. bovis, B. bigemina, and B. divergens, among others and competent tick vectors, except Rhipicephalus microplus, have been recently identified in the country. Bovine babesiosis has been reported in all provinces but is more prevalent in central and highly humid areas in low and medium altitude regions of the country housing approximately 70% of the cattle population. Current control measures include acaricides and babesicidal drugs, but not live vaccines. Despite the perceived relevant impact of bovine babesiosis in Turkey, basic research programs focused on developing in vitro cultures of parasites, point-of-care diagnostic methods, vaccine development, “omics” analysis, and gene manipulation techniques of local Babesia strains are scarce. Additionally, no effective and coordinated control efforts managed by a central animal health authority have been established to date. Development of state-of-the-art research programs in bovine babesiosis to address current gaps in knowledge and implementation of long-term plans to control the disease will surely result in important economic, nutritional, and public health benefits for the country and the region.
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Ueti MW, Johnson WC, Kappmeyer LS, Herndon DR, Mousel MR, Reif KE, Taus NS, Ifeonu OO, Silva JC, Suarez CE, Brayton KA. Comparative analysis of gene expression between Babesia bovis blood stages and kinetes allowed by improved genome annotation. Int J Parasitol 2020; 51:123-136. [PMID: 33069745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Throughout their life cycle, Babesia parasites alternate between a mammalian host, where they cause babesiosis, and the tick vector. Transition between hosts results in distinct environmental signals that influence patterns of gene expression, consistent with the morphological and functional changes operating in the parasites during their life stages. In addition, comparing differential patterns of gene expression among mammalian and tick parasite stages can provide clues for developing improved methods of control. Hereby, we upgraded the genome assembly of Babesia bovis, a bovine hemoparasite, closing a 139 kbp gap, and used RNA-Seq datasets derived from mammalian blood and tick kinete stages to update the genome annotation. Of the originally annotated genes, 1,254 required structural changes, and 326 new genes were identified, leading to a different predicted proteome compared to the original annotation. Next, the RNA-Seq data was used to identify B. bovis genes that were differentially expressed in the vertebrate and arthropod hosts. In blood stages, 28% of the genes were upregulated up to 300 fold, whereas 26% of the genes in kinetes, a tick stage, were upregulated up to >19,000 fold. We thus discovered differentially expressed genes that may play key biological roles and serve as suitable targets for the development of vaccines to control bovine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massaro W Ueti
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
| | | | | | - David R Herndon
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Michelle R Mousel
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Kathryn E Reif
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Naomi S Taus
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Olukemi O Ifeonu
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joana C Silva
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carlos E Suarez
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Kelly A Brayton
- Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
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Ribeiro DM, Salama AAK, Vitor ACM, Argüello A, Moncau CT, Santos EM, Caja G, de Oliveira JS, Balieiro JCC, Hernández-Castellano LE, Zachut M, Poleti MD, Castro N, Alves SP, Almeida AM. The application of omics in ruminant production: a review in the tropical and sub-tropical animal production context. J Proteomics 2020; 227:103905. [PMID: 32712373 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The demand for animal products (e.g. dairy and beef) in tropical regions is expected to increase in parallel with the public demand for sustainable practices, due to factors such as population growth and climate change. The necessity to increase animal production output must be achieved with better management and production technologies. For this to happen, novel research methodologies, animal selection and postgenomic tools play a pivotal role. Indeed, improving breeder selection programs, the quality of meat and dairy products as well as animal health will contribute to higher sustainability and productivity. This would surely benefit regions where resource quality and quantity are increasingly unstable, and research is still very incipient, which is the case of many regions in the tropics. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate how omics-based approaches play a major role in animal science, particularly concerning ruminant production systems and research associated to the tropics and developing countries. SIGNIFICANCE: Environmental conditions in the tropics make livestock production harder, compared to temperate regions. Due to global warming, the sustainability of livestock production will become increasingly problematic. The use of novel omics technologies could generate useful information to understand adaptation mechanisms of resilient breeds and/or species. The application of omics to tropical animal production is still residual in the currently available literature. With this review, we aim to summarize the most notable results in the field whilst encouraging further research to deal with the future challenges that animal production in the tropics will need to face.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Ribeiro
- LEAF Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ahmed A K Salama
- Group of Research in Ruminants (G2R), Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana C M Vitor
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Anastasio Argüello
- Animal Production and Biotechnology group, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain
| | - Cristina T Moncau
- FZEA - Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Avenida Duque de Caxias Norte - 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Edson M Santos
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Gerardo Caja
- Group of Research in Ruminants (G2R), Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juliana S de Oliveira
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Júlio C C Balieiro
- FMVZ - School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Duque de Caxias Norte - 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Maya Zachut
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences Agricultural Research Organization/Volcani Center, Rishon Lezion 7505101, Israel
| | - Mirele D Poleti
- FZEA - Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Avenida Duque de Caxias Norte - 225, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Noemi Castro
- Animal Production and Biotechnology group, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Spain
| | - Susana P Alves
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - André M Almeida
- LEAF Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal.
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