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Daněk O, Lesiczka PM, Hammerbauerova I, Volfova K, Juránková J, Frgelecová L, Modrý D, Hrazdilova K. Role of invasive carnivores (Procyon lotor and Nyctereutes procyonoides) in epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens: molecular survey from the Czech Republic. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:219. [PMID: 37408071 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05834-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) are a major threat to humans, livestock and companion animals worldwide. The combined effect of climatic, socioeconomic and host composition changes favours the spread of the vectors, together with the expansion of invasive carnivores contributing to the spread of the pathogens. In Europe, the most widespread invasive species of carnivores are raccoons (Procyon lotor) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides). This study focused on the detection of four major groups of VBPs namely Babesia, Hepatozoon, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Bartonella in invasive and native carnivores in the Czech Republic, with the emphasis on the role of invasive carnivores in the eco-epidemiology of said VBPs. METHODS Spleen samples of 84 carnivores of eight species (Canis aureus, Canis lupus, Lynx lynx, P. lotor, Martes foina, Lutra lutra, Mustela erminea and N. procyonoides) were screened by combined nested PCR and sequencing for the above-mentioned VBPs targeting 18S rRNA and cytB in hemoprotozoa, groEL in A. phagocytophilum, and using multilocus genotyping in Bartonella spp. The species determination is supported by phylogenetic analysis inferred by the maximum likelihood method. RESULTS Out of 84 samples, 44% tested positive for at least one pathogen. Five different species of VBPs were detected in P. lotor, namely Bartonella canis, Hepatozoon canis, Hepatozoon martis, A. phagocytophilum and Bartonella sp. related to Bartonella washoensis. All C. lupus tested positive for H. canis and one for B. canis. Three VBPs (Hepatozoon silvestris, A. phagocytophilum and Bartonella taylorii) were detected in L. lynx for the first time. Babesia vulpes and yet undescribed species of Babesia, not previously detected in Europe, were found in N. procyonoides. CONCLUSIONS Wild carnivores in the Czech Republic are hosts of several VBPs with potential veterinary and public health risks. Among the studied carnivore species, the invasive raccoon is the most competent host. Raccoons are the only species in our study where all the major groups of studied pathogens were detected. None of the detected pathogen species were previously detected in these carnivores in North America, suggesting that raccoons adapted to local VBPs rather than introduced new ones. Babesia vulpes and one new, probably imported species of Babesia, were found in raccoon dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Daněk
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Paulina Maria Lesiczka
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Hammerbauerova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Volfova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Juránková
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Frgelecová
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Hrazdilova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Molecular analysis of blood-associated pathogens in European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) from Germany. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 19:128-137. [PMID: 36119442 PMCID: PMC9477852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) have not been investigated in large numbers for blood-associated pathogens in Germany, because wildcats, being a protected species, may not be hunted, and the collection of samples is therefore difficult. Thus, spleen tissue and whole blood from 96 wildcats from Germany found as roadkill or dead from other causes in the years 1998–2020 were examined for the prevalence of blood associated pathogens using molecular genetic tools. PCR was used to screen for haemotrophic Mycoplasma spp., Hepatozoon spp., Cytauxzoon spp., Bartonella spp., Filarioidea, Anaplasmataceae, and Rickettsiales, and positive samples were subsequently sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses were performed for Mycoplasma spp. and Hepatozoon spp. by calculating phylogenetic trees and DNA haplotype networks. The following pathogens were found: Candidatus Mycoplasma haematominutum (7/96), Mycoplasma ovis (1/96), Hepatozoon silvestris (34/96), Hepatozoon felis (6/96), Cytauxzoon europaeus (45/96), and Bartonella spp. (3/96). This study elucidates the prevalence of blood-associated pathogens in wildcats from Germany. European wildcats from Germany carry different blood-associated pathogens. Pathogens can also affect domestic cats. Transmision by vectors or other transmisison routes are possible.
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Ledwaba MB, Nozipho K, Tembe D, Onyiche TE, Chaisi ME. Distribution and prevalence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of wild animals in South Africa: A systematic review. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2022; 2:100088. [PMID: 35601607 PMCID: PMC9114622 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2022.100088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are significant ectoparasites of animals and humans. Published data indicate that most vectors that transmit livestock and human pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa, are native to the region and originate from wild animals. Currently, there is a paucity of information on the role of wild animals on the epidemiology of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in South Africa. This systematic review focuses on the distribution of ticks and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in different wild animals in South Africa to identify potential reservoir hosts and possible hotspots for emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens. Following several screening processes, 38 peer-reviewed studies published from 1970 to 2021, were deemed eligible. The studies reported on ticks collected from 63 host species of 21 host families, mostly Canidae, Felidae, Bovidae and Muridae. A total of 49 tick species of nine genera, i.e. Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes, Margaropus, Nuttalliella, Rhipicentor and Rhipicephalus, were reported. Nine tick species, i.e. Amblyomma marmoreum, Am. hebraeum, Haemaphysalis elliptica, Hyalomma truncatum, I. rubicundus, Rh. appendiculatus, Rh. (B.) decoloratus, Rh. evertsi evertsi and Rh. simus were the most commonly reported. Pathogens of the genera Anaplasma, Babesia, Hepatozoon and Theileria were identified in the wild animals. This review provides more insight on the ecology of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of wild animals in South Africa and gives useful information for predicting their future spread. It also demonstrates that wild animals habour a diverse range of tick species. This level of diversity entails a similarly high potential for emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens. The review further indicates that wild animals in South Africa are sentinels of tick-borne protozoans of veterinary importance and some bacterial pathogens as most ticks they habour are known vectors of pathogens of domestic animals and humans. However, studies on potential tick-borne zoonoses are under-represented and should be included in future epidemiological surveys, especially in the light of climate change and other anthropogenic threats which might result in the emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens. Wild animals in South Africa harbor a wide range of tick species of veterinary and medical importance. Forty-nine tick species belonging to 9 genera were reported from 63 wild host species of 21 families. Majority of the ticks occur throughout all nine provinces of South Africa. Wildlife in South Africa are sentinels of tick-borne protozoans and some bacterial pathogens of veterinary importance. The review also emphasizes the host preference of the ticks and the pathogens they transmit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maphuti B. Ledwaba
- Foundational Research and Services, South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Corresponding author.
| | - Khumalo Nozipho
- Foundational Research and Services, South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Danisile Tembe
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - ThankGod E. Onyiche
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri 600230, Nigeria
| | - Mamohale E. Chaisi
- Foundational Research and Services, South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
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Harris DJ. In all but name: Issues with recent feline parasite nomenclature. Vet Parasitol 2021; 301:109635. [PMID: 34891044 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D James Harris
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, Nº 7, 4485-661, Vairão, Vila do Conde, Portugal.
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Silva VLDB, Almeida SLHD, Maia MO, Santos TÁ, Pavelegini LAD, Zaffalon GB, Marcili A, Morgado TO, Dutra V, Nakazato L, Pacheco RDC. Post mortem protozoan hemoparasites detection in wild mammals from Mato Grosso state, Midwestern Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e013021. [PMID: 34730707 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
To a better insight into the epidemiology and genetic diversity of protozoan hemoparasites infections in wild mammals, this study aimed to the post mortem detection of DNA from species of the order Piroplasmida (Babesia sp., Cytauxzoon sp., and Theileria sp.) and suborder Adelorina (Hepatozoon sp.) using polymerase chain reaction based on the 18S rRNA gene followed by genetic sequencing of blood and spleen samples collected from carcasses of 164 free-ranging and captive wild mammals from Mato Grosso state. Among them, one Leopardus pardalis, three Panthera onca, two Puma concolor were positive for Cytauxzoon sp., and six Tapirus terrestris tested positive for Piroplasmida, while one L. pardalis was positive for Hepatozoon sp. Furthermore, an uncharacterized piroplasmid genetically related to Theileria sp. previously detected in cats from Brazil was described in lowland tapirs. Despite the controversy regarding the epidemiological threat of these protozoa, the detection of these tick-borne agents in wild free-living and captive mammals, even when asymptomatic, demonstrates the importance of monitoring, particularly in hotspots such as the state of Mato Grosso, to verify the circulation and genetic diversity, to anticipate the possible emergence of diseases, and even their consequences to other animals as well as humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Luiza de Barros Silva
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Sayanne Luns Hatum de Almeida
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Maerle Oliveira Maia
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Molecular Veterinária, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Tarcísio Ávila Santos
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Lucas Avelino Dandolini Pavelegini
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Gabriela Brocco Zaffalon
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina e Bem-Estar Animal, Universidade de Santo Amaro - UNISA, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Thaís Oliveira Morgado
- Setor de Animais Silvestres, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Valéria Dutra
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Molecular Veterinária, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Luciano Nakazato
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Molecular Veterinária, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Richard de Campos Pacheco
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
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Haemogregarines and Criteria for Identification. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010170. [PMID: 33445814 PMCID: PMC7828249 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Taxonomic classification of haemogregarines belonging to Apicomplexa can become difficult when the information about the life cycle stages is not available. Using a self-reporting, we record different haemogregarine species infecting various animal categories and exploring the most systematic features for each life cycle stage. The keystone in the classification of any species of haemogregarines is related to the sporogonic cycle more than other stages of schizogony and gamogony. Molecular approaches are excellent tools that enabled the identification of apicomplexan parasites by clarifying their evolutionary relationships. Abstract Apicomplexa is a phylum that includes all parasitic protozoa sharing unique ultrastructural features. Haemogregarines are sophisticated apicomplexan blood parasites with an obligatory heteroxenous life cycle and haplohomophasic alternation of generations. Haemogregarines are common blood parasites of fish, amphibians, lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, crocodilians, birds, and mammals. Haemogregarine ultrastructure has been so far examined only for stages from the vertebrate host. PCR-based assays and the sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene are helpful methods to further characterize this parasite group. The proper classification for the haemogregarine complex is available with the criteria of generic and unique diagnosis of these parasites.
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Harris DJ, Sergiadou D, Halajian A, Swanepoel L, Roux F. Molecular screening indicates high prevalence and mixed infections of Hepatozoon parasites in wild felines from South Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2020; 91:e1-e5. [PMID: 33314957 PMCID: PMC7736645 DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v91i0.2055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity within partial 18S rRNA sequences from Hepatozoon protozoan parasites from wild felines in South Africa was assessed and compared with data from domestic cats to assess patterns of host specificity. Lions, leopards, servals, a caracal and an African wildcat were all positive for parasites of the Hepatozoon felis-complex. However, haplotypes were not species-specific, and potential mixed infections were widespread. Additional genetic markers are needed to untangle the extremely complex situation of these parasites in both domestic cats and wild felines in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Harris
- CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vila do Conde.
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