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Tijani MK, Svensson J, Adlerborn P, Danielsson L, Teleka A, Lövmar ML, Lindgren PE, Forsberg P, Persson KEM. How to Detect Antibodies Against Babesia divergens in Human Blood Samples. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae028. [PMID: 38328497 PMCID: PMC10849114 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Today only indirect fluorescent antibody assays (IFAs) are commercially available to detect antibodies against Babesia divergens in humans. IFA is subjective and requires highly experienced staff. We have therefore developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based method for measuring anti-B. divergens immunoglobulin G antibodies in human blood samples. Methods Crude merozoite extract from in vitro cultures of a new B. divergens isolate was used in ELISA to detect antibodies in different sets of samples: Borrelia burgdorferi-positive samples, healthy individuals, tick-bitten individuals including follow-up samples 3 months later, positive control samples from patients with an active Babesia infection, and samples from malaria-endemic regions. As a reference, IFA was used to detect antibodies in the tick-bitten samples. Western blot was used to evaluate reactions against specific bands in extracts with/without parasites. Results Using IFA as the reference method, the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA were 86% (12/14) and 100% (52/52). There was a very high correlation (r = -0.84; P = .0004) between IFA dilution factors and ELISA absorbances among the samples classified as positive. Five percent of the B. burgdorferi-positive samples were judged as weakly positive and 5% as strongly positive in our ELISA. Western blot showed that the immunodominant antigens (∼120 kDa) were from merozoites and not from erythrocytes. Conclusions This ELISA can detect antibodies directed against B. divergens, and it can be a useful and easy assay to handle compared with IFA. The ELISA can also measure high and low levels of antibodies, which could give insight into the recency of a B. divergens infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joel Svensson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Laboratory Medicine, Office for Medical Services, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
- Laboratory Medicine, Unilabs, Skaraborg Hospital Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Paula Adlerborn
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Laboratory Medicine, Office for Medical Services, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lena Danielsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Laboratory Medicine, Office for Medical Services, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Teleka
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Matilda Ljungqvist Lövmar
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Pia Forsberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Kristina E M Persson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Laboratory Medicine, Office for Medical Services, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
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Elsworth B, Keroack C, Rezvani Y, Paul A, Barazorda K, Tennessen J, Sack S, Moreira C, Gubbels MJ, Meyers M, Zarringhalam K, Duraisingh M. Babesia divergens egress from host cells is orchestrated by essential and druggable kinases and proteases. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2553721. [PMID: 36909484 PMCID: PMC10002801 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2553721/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan egress from host cells is fundamental to the spread of infection and is poorly characterized in Babesia spp., parasites of veterinary importance and emerging zoonoses. Through the use of video microscopy, transcriptomics and chemical genetics, we have implicated signaling, proteases and gliding motility as key drivers of egress by Babesia divergens. We developed reverse genetics to perform a knockdown screen of putative mediators of egress, identifying kinases and proteases involved in distinct steps of egress (ASP3, PKG and CDPK4) and invasion (ASP2, ASP3 and PKG). Inhibition of egress leads to continued intracellular replication, indicating exit from the replication cycle is uncoupled from egress. Chemical genetics validated PKG, ASP2 and ASP3 as druggable targets in Babesia spp. All taken together, egress in B. divergens more closely resembles T. gondii than the more evolutionarily-related Plasmodium spp. We have established a molecular framework for biological and translational studies of B. divergens egress.
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3
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Rezvani Y, Keroack CD, Elsworth B, Arriojas A, Gubbels MJ, Duraisingh MT, Zarringhalam K. Comparative single-cell transcriptional atlases of Babesia species reveal conserved and species-specific expression profiles. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001816. [PMID: 36137068 PMCID: PMC9531838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia is a genus of apicomplexan parasites that infect red blood cells in vertebrate hosts. Pathology occurs during rapid replication cycles in the asexual blood stage of infection. Current knowledge of Babesia replication cycle progression and regulation is limited and relies mostly on comparative studies with related parasites. Due to limitations in synchronizing Babesia parasites, fine-scale time-course transcriptomic resources are not readily available. Single-cell transcriptomics provides a powerful unbiased alternative for profiling asynchronous cell populations. Here, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing to 3 Babesia species (B. divergens, B. bovis, and B. bigemina). We used analytical approaches and algorithms to map the replication cycle and construct pseudo-synchronized time-course gene expression profiles. We identify clusters of co-expressed genes showing "just-in-time" expression profiles, with gradually cascading peaks throughout asexual development. Moreover, clustering analysis of reconstructed gene curves reveals coordinated timing of peak expression in epigenetic markers and transcription factors. Using a regularized Gaussian graphical model, we reconstructed co-expression networks and identified conserved and species-specific nodes. Motif analysis of a co-expression interactome of AP2 transcription factors identified specific motifs previously reported to play a role in DNA replication in Plasmodium species. Finally, we present an interactive web application to visualize and interactively explore the datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Rezvani
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Caroline D. Keroack
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Brendan Elsworth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Argenis Arriojas
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Marc-Jan Gubbels
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Manoj T. Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kourosh Zarringhalam
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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4
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Al-Nazal H, Low L, Kumar S, Good MF, Stanisic DI. A vaccine for human babesiosis: prospects and feasibility. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:904-918. [PMID: 35933301 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.07.005] [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: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic Babesia parasites. It is a well-known illness in companion animals and livestock, resulting in substantial economic losses in the cattle industry. Babesiosis is also recognized as an emerging zoonosis of humans in many countries worldwide. There is no vaccine against human babesiosis. Currently, preventive measures are focused on vector avoidance. Although not always effective, treatment includes antimicrobial therapy and exchange transfusion. In this review, we discuss the host's immune response to the parasite, vaccines being used to prevent babesiosis in animals, and lessons from malaria vaccine development efforts to inform the development of a human babesiosis vaccine. An effective human vaccine would be a significant advance towards curtailing this rapidly emerging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Al-Nazal
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia
| | - Leanne Low
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Sanjai Kumar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Michael F Good
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia
| | - Danielle I Stanisic
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia.
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5
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Kukina IV, Zelya OP. Extraordinary high level of propagation of Babesia divergens in severe human babesiosis. Parasitology 2022; 149:1160-1163. [PMID: 35591780 PMCID: PMC11010513 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000439] [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: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Babesias are obligate apicomplexan parasites that affect the red blood cells (RBCs) of animals. Humans can serve as accidental hosts for them. Asexual reproduction of a parasite occurs in a vertebrate host through asynchronous binary fission, yielding a complex pleomorphic population of intraerythrocytic forms. In natural hosts (Bos taurus), paired pyriforms (‘figure 8’) of Babesia divergens are usual, but tetrads (‘Maltese Cross’) are very rare (only in 0.02% infected erythrocytes); in humans, however, up to 5% of infected erythrocytes show tetrads. The current study shows that B. divergens proliferating in an accidental human host can promote extraordinarily high level of fission. This phenomenon is expressed as the simultaneous division of the parasite into 6 and possibly a greater number of merozoites, forming a ‘daisy head’ (vs the usual 2, less often 4 merozoites). Reproduction is possible without egressing merozoites from the erythrocyte, which results in multi-occupancy of an RBC (≥5 parasites per RBC). An unusually high polyparasitism – up to 14 parasites developed in the affected erythrocytes – was observed. This phenomenon is rare in natural hosts (usually ≤5), but when B. divergens is cultured in vitro it can be 10–12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina V. Kukina
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga P. Zelya
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
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Sun Y, Jiang B, Zheng W, Wang H, Jiang R, Wang X, Jia N, Yang F, Chen H, Jiang J, Cao W. Isolation and in vitro cultivation of Babesia venatorum (Apicomplexa: Babesiidae), a zoonotic hemoprotozoan from Ixodes persulcatus ticks in China. BIOSAFETY AND HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW As human babesiosis caused by apicomplexan parasites of the Babesia genus is associated with transfusion-transmitted illness and relapsing disease in immunosuppressed populations, it is important to report novel findings relating to parasite biology that may be responsible for such pathology. Blood screening tools recently licensed by the FDA are also described to allow understanding of their impact on keeping the blood supply well tolerated. RECENT FINDINGS Reports of tick-borne cases within new geographical regions such as the Pacific Northwest of the USA, through Eastern Europe and into China are also on the rise. Novel features of the parasite lifecycle that underlie the basis of parasite persistence have recently been characterized. These merit consideration in deployment of both detection, treatment and mitigation tools such as pathogen inactivation technology. The impact of new blood donor screening tests in reducing transfusion transmitted babesiosis is discussed. SUMMARY New Babesia species have been identified globally, suggesting that the epidemiology of this disease is rapidly changing, making it clear that human babesiosis is a serious public health concern that requires close monitoring and effective intervention measures. Unlike other erythrocytic parasites, Babesia exploits unconventional lifecycle strategies that permit host cycles of different lengths to ensure survival in hostile environments. With the licensure of new blood screening tests, incidence of transfusion transmission babesiosis has decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A Lobo
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites, Lindsley Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, USA
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8
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Four-Dimensional Characterization of the Babesia divergens Asexual Life Cycle, from the Trophozoite to the Multiparasite Stage. mSphere 2020; 5:5/5/e00928-20. [PMID: 33055261 PMCID: PMC7565898 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00928-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is a disease caused by intraerythrocytic Babesia parasites, which possess many clinical features that are similar to those of malaria. This worldwide disease is increasing in frequency and geographical range and has a significant impact on human and animal health. Babesia divergens is one of the species responsible for human and cattle babesiosis causing death unless treated promptly. When B. divergens infects its vertebrate hosts, it reproduces asexually within red blood cells. During its asexual life cycle, B. divergens builds a population of numerous intraerythrocytic (IE) parasites of difficult interpretation. This complex population is largely unexplored, and we have therefore combined three- and four-dimensional imaging techniques to elucidate the origin, architecture, and kinetics of IE parasites. Unveiling the nature of these parasites has provided a vision of the B. divergens asexual cycle in unprecedented detail and is a key step to develop control strategies against babesiosis. Babesia is an apicomplexan parasite of significance that causes the disease known as babesiosis in domestic and wild animals and in humans worldwide. Babesia infects vertebrate hosts and reproduces asexually by a form of binary fission within erythrocytes/red blood cells (RBCs), yielding a complex pleomorphic population of intraerythrocytic parasites. Seven of them, clearly visible in human RBCs infected with Babesia divergens, are considered the main forms and named single, double, and quadruple trophozoites, paired and double paired pyriforms, tetrad or Maltese Cross, and multiparasite stage. However, these main intraerythrocytic forms coexist with RBCs infected with transient parasite combinations of unclear origin and development. In fact, little is understood about how Babesia builds this complex population during its asexual life cycle. By combining cryo-soft X-ray tomography and video microscopy, main and transitory parasites were characterized in a native whole cellular context and at nanometric resolution. The architecture and kinetics of the parasite population was observed in detail and provide additional data to the previous B. divergens asexual life cycle model that was built on light microscopy. Importantly, the process of multiplication by binary fission, involving budding, was visualized in live parasites for the first time, revealing that fundamental changes in cell shape and continuous rounds of multiplication occur as the parasites go through their asexual multiplication cycle. A four-dimensional asexual life cycle model was built highlighting the origin of several transient morphological forms that, surprisingly, intersperse in a chronological order between one main stage and the next in the cycle. IMPORTANCE Babesiosis is a disease caused by intraerythrocytic Babesia parasites, which possess many clinical features that are similar to those of malaria. This worldwide disease is increasing in frequency and geographical range and has a significant impact on human and animal health. Babesia divergens is one of the species responsible for human and cattle babesiosis causing death unless treated promptly. When B. divergens infects its vertebrate hosts, it reproduces asexually within red blood cells. During its asexual life cycle, B. divergens builds a population of numerous intraerythrocytic (IE) parasites of difficult interpretation. This complex population is largely unexplored, and we have therefore combined three- and four-dimensional imaging techniques to elucidate the origin, architecture, and kinetics of IE parasites. Unveiling the nature of these parasites has provided a vision of the B. divergens asexual cycle in unprecedented detail and is a key step to develop control strategies against babesiosis.
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9
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A Comparison Between Manual Count, Flow Cytometry and Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Means of Determining Babesia rossi Parasitaemia in Naturally Infected Dogs. Acta Parasitol 2020; 65:128-135. [PMID: 31721056 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-019-00134-9] [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: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Light microscopic manual count is the current gold standard for parasite quantification. The ability to determine parasite density in whole blood is crucial to understanding disease pathogenesis and finding a suitable automated method of Babesia rossi parasite quantification would facilitate higher throughput and provide results that are more objective. This study investigated both peripheral capillary and central venous whole blood to estimate the correlations between light microscopy, flow cytometry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). METHODS Peripheral capillary and central venous blood were sampled from 40 naturally B. rossi-infected dogs and 10 healthy control dogs. Samples were analysed by reverse line blot hybridization assay to confirm a mono-B. rossi infection. Capillary blood parasite density was detected using light microscopic manual counting and venous blood parasitaemia detected by manual counts, flow cytometry and qPCR. RESULTS A significant correlation was found between the venous manual counts and flow cytometry (rs = 0.465; P < 0.001), as well as qPCR (rs = - 0.500; P < 0.001). A significant correlation was also observed between the capillary manual counts compared to venous manual counts (rs = 0.793; P < 0.001), flow cytometry (rs = 0.399; P = 0.004), and qPCR (rs = - 0.526; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The study results suggest that qPCR is of value as an alternative to the gold standard manual count for detecting B. rossi parasitaemia in canine whole blood and that flow cytometry may be useful with further refinement of issues such as background fluorescence and the influence of reticulocytes.
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10
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Alvarez JA, Rojas C, Figueroa JV. Diagnostic Tools for the Identification of Babesia sp. in Persistently Infected Cattle. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8030143. [PMID: 31505741 PMCID: PMC6789608 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease of cattle caused by the protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina and Babesia divergens are considered by International health authorities (OIE) as the principal species of Babesia that cause bovine babesiosis. Animals that recover from a babesial primo infection may remain as persistent carriers with no clinical signs of disease and can be the source of infection for ticks that are able to acquire Babesia parasites from infected cattle and to transmit Babesia parasites to susceptible cattle. Several procedures that have been developed for parasite detection and diagnosis of this infectious carrier state constitute the basis for this review: A brief description of the direct microscopic detection of Babesia-infected erytrocytes; PCR-based diagnostic assays, which are very sensitive particularly in detecting Babesia in carrier cattle; in-vitro culture methods, used to demonstrate presence of carrier infections of Babesia sp.; animal inoculation, particularly for B. divergens isolation are discussed. Alternatively, persistently infected animals can be tested for specific antibabesial antibodies by using indirect serological assays. Serological procedures are not necessarily consistent in identifying persistently infected animals and have the disadvantage of presenting with cross reactions between antibodies to Babesia sp.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Antonio Alvarez
- Babesia Unit, CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, 62550 Jiutepec, Mexico.
| | - Carmen Rojas
- Babesia Unit, CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, 62550 Jiutepec, Mexico.
| | - Julio V Figueroa
- Babesia Unit, CENID-Salud Animal e Inocuidad, INIFAP, 62550 Jiutepec, Mexico.
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González LM, Estrada K, Grande R, Jiménez-Jacinto V, Vega-Alvarado L, Sevilla E, de la Barrera J, Cuesta I, Zaballos Á, Bautista JM, Lobo CA, Sánchez-Flores A, Montero E. Comparative and functional genomics of the protozoan parasite Babesia divergens highlighting the invasion and egress processes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007680. [PMID: 31425518 PMCID: PMC6715253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is considered an emerging disease because its incidence has significantly increased in the last 30 years, providing evidence of the expanding range of this rare but potentially life-threatening zoonotic disease. Babesia divergens is a causative agent of babesiosis in humans and cattle in Europe. The recently sequenced genome of B. divergens revealed over 3,741 protein coding-genes and the 10.7-Mb high-quality draft become the first reference tool to study the genome structure of B. divergens. Now, by exploiting this sequence data and using new computational tools and assembly strategies, we have significantly improved the quality of the B. divergens genome. The new assembly shows better continuity and has a higher correspondence to B. bovis chromosomes. Moreover, we present a differential expression analysis using RNA sequencing of the two different stages of the asexual lifecycle of B. divergens: the free merozoite capable of invading erythrocytes and the intraerythrocytic parasite stage that remains within the erythrocyte until egress. Comparison of mRNA levels of both stages identified 1,441 differentially expressed genes. From these, around half were upregulated and the other half downregulated in the intraerythrocytic stage. Orthogonal validation by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR confirmed the differential expression. A moderately increased expression level of genes, putatively involved in the invasion and egress processes, were revealed in the intraerythrocytic stage compared with the free merozoite. On the basis of these results and in the absence of molecular models of invasion and egress for B. divergens, we have proposed the identified genes as putative molecular players in the invasion and egress processes. Our results contribute to an understanding of key parasitic strategies and pathogenesis and could be a valuable genomic resource to exploit for the design of diagnostic methods, drugs and vaccines to improve the control of babesiosis. Babesiosis has long been recognized as an economically important disease of cattle, but only in the last 40 years has Babesia been recognized as an important pathogen in humans. Babesiosis in humans is caused by one of several species (B. microti, B. divergens, B. duncani and B. venatorum). The complete Babesia lifecycle requires two hosts, the ixodid ticks and a vertebrate host. It is the parasite's ability to first recognize and then invade host erythrocytes that is central to the pathogenesis of babesiosis. Once inside the cell, the parasite begins a cycle of maturation and growth, resulting in merozoites that egress from the red blood cells (RBCs) and seek new, uninfected RBCs to invade, perpetuating the infection. To better understand this asexual lifecycle, the authors focused on the parasite genome and transcriptome of the asexual erythrocytic forms of B. divergens. Through this functional and comparative genomic approach, the authors have identified genes putatively involved in invasion, gliding motility, moving junction formation and egress, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of these processes necessary for B. divergens to survive and propagate during its life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Miguel González
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, ISCIII Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Karel Estrada
- Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Ricardo Grande
- Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Verónica Jiménez-Jacinto
- Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Cuernavaca, México
| | | | - Elena Sevilla
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, ISCIII Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge de la Barrera
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Área de Unidades Centrales Científico-Técnicas, ISCIII, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Cuesta
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Área de Unidades Centrales Científico-Técnicas, ISCIII, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Zaballos
- Unidad de Genómica, Área de Unidades Centrales Científico-Técnicas, ISCIII, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Manuel Bautista
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cheryl A. Lobo
- Blood Borne Parasites, LFKRI, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Alejandro Sánchez-Flores
- Unidad Universitaria de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Cuernavaca, México
- * E-mail: (ASF); (EM)
| | - Estrella Montero
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, ISCIII Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail: (ASF); (EM)
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12
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Babesia divergens: A Drive to Survive. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8030095. [PMID: 31269710 PMCID: PMC6789513 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia divergens is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes zoonotic disease. Central to its pathogenesis is the ability of the parasite to invade host red blood cells of diverse species, and, once in the host blood stream, to manipulate the composition of its population to allow it to endure unfavorable conditions. Here we will review key in vitro studies relating to the survival strategies that B. divergens adopts during its intraerythrocytic development to persist and how proliferation is restored in the parasite population once optimum conditions return.
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13
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Magni R, Luchini A, Liotta L, Molestina RE. Analysis of the Babesia microti proteome in infected red blood cells by a combination of nanotechnology and mass spectrometry. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:139-144. [PMID: 30391228 PMCID: PMC10548858 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Proteomics of Babesia microti has lagged behind other apicomplexans despite recent genome and transcriptome studies. Here, we used a combination of nanotechnology and mass spectrometry to provide a proteomic profile of B. microti acute infection. We identified ∼500 parasite proteins in blood with functions such as transport, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, proteolysis, DNA and RNA metabolism, signaling, translation, lipid biosynthesis, and motility and invasion. We also identified surface antigens with roles in the immune response to the parasite. This first evaluation of the B. microti proteome in erythrocytes provides information for the study of intracellular survival and development of diagnostic tools using mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Magni
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Alessandra Luchini
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Lance Liotta
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Robert E Molestina
- Protistology Laboratory, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA 20110, USA.
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14
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To kill a piroplasm: genetic technologies to advance drug discovery and target identification in Babesia. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:153-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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15
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Abraham A, Brasov I, Thekkiniath J, Kilian N, Lawres L, Gao R, DeBus K, He L, Yu X, Zhu G, Graham MM, Liu X, Molestina R, Ben Mamoun C. Establishment of a continuous in vitro culture of Babesia duncani in human erythrocytes reveals unusually high tolerance to recommended therapies. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:19974-19981. [PMID: 30463941 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ac118.005771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Babesia Clinical cases caused by Babesia duncani have been associated with high parasite burden, severe pathology, and death. In both mice and hamsters, the parasite causes uncontrolled fulminant infections, which ultimately lead to death. Resolving these infections requires knowledge of B. duncani biology, virulence, and susceptibility to anti-infectives, but little is known and further research is hindered by a lack of relevant model systems. Here, we report the first continuous in vitro culture of B. duncani in human red blood cells. We show that during its asexual cycle within human erythrocytes, B. duncani develops and divides to form four daughter parasites with parasitemia doubling every ∼22 h. Using this in vitro culture assay, we found that B. duncani has low susceptibility to the four drugs recommended for treatment of human babesiosis, atovaquone, azithromycin, clindamycin, and quinine, with IC50 values ranging between 500 nm and 20 μm These data suggest that current practices are of limited effect in treating the disease. We anticipate this new disease model will set the stage for a better understanding of the biology of this parasite and will help guide better therapeutic strategies to treat B. duncani-associated babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanah Abraham
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Ioana Brasov
- BEI Resources, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Virginia 20110-2209
| | - Jose Thekkiniath
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Nicole Kilian
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Lauren Lawres
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Ruiyi Gao
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Kai DeBus
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Lan He
- the State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China, and
| | - Xue Yu
- the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845
| | - Guan Zhu
- the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845
| | - Morven M Graham
- the Department of Cell Biology and CCMI Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Xinran Liu
- the Department of Cell Biology and CCMI Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Robert Molestina
- BEI Resources, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Virginia 20110-2209
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520.
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16
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Cursino-Santos JR, Singh M, Pham P, Rodriguez M, Lobo CA. Babesia divergensbuilds a complex population structure composed of specific ratios of infected cells to ensure a prompt response to changing environmental conditions. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:859-74. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeny R. Cursino-Santos
- Department of Blood Borne Parasites, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute; New York Blood Center; New York NY USA
| | - Manpreet Singh
- Department of Blood Borne Parasites, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute; New York Blood Center; New York NY USA
| | - Petra Pham
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute; New York Blood Center; New York NY USA
| | - Marilis Rodriguez
- Department of Blood Borne Parasites, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute; New York Blood Center; New York NY USA
| | - Cheryl A. Lobo
- Department of Blood Borne Parasites, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute; New York Blood Center; New York NY USA
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