1
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Advances in Babesia Vaccine Development: An Overview. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020300. [PMID: 36839572 PMCID: PMC9962624 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne zoonotic disease, which is caused by various species of intracellular Babesia parasite. It is a problem not only for the livestock industry but also for global health. Significant global economic losses, in particular in cattle production, have been observed. Since the current preventive measures against babesiosis are insufficient, there is increasing pressure to develop a vaccine. In this review, we survey the achievements and recent advances in the creation of antibabesiosis vaccine. The scope of this review includes the development of a vaccine against B. microti, B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. orientalis and B. divergens. Here, we present different strategies in their progress and evaluation. Scientists worldwide are still trying to find new targets for a vaccine that would not only reduce symptoms among animals but also prevent the further spread of the disease. Molecular candidates for the production of a vaccine against various Babesia spp. are presented. Our study also describes the current prospects of vaccine evolution for successful Babesia parasites elimination.
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2
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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
- * E-mail: (MTD); (KZ)
| | - 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
- * E-mail: (MTD); (KZ)
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3
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Bonsergent C, de Carné MC, de la Cotte N, Moussel F, Perronne V, Malandrin L. The New Human Babesia sp. FR1 Is a European Member of the Babesia sp. MO1 Clade. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111433. [PMID: 34832590 PMCID: PMC8618789 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111433] [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: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In Europe, Babesia divergens is responsible for most of the severe cases of human babesiosis. In the present study, we describe a case of babesiosis in a splenectomized patient in France and report a detailed molecular characterization of the etiological agent, named Babesia sp. FR1, as well as of closely related Babesia divergens, Babesia capreoli and Babesia sp. MO1-like parasites. The analysis of the conserved 18S rRNA gene was supplemented with the analysis of more discriminant markers involved in the red blood cell invasion process: rap-1a (rhoptry-associated-protein 1) and ama-1 (apical-membrane-antigen 1). The rap-1a and ama-1 phylogenetic analyses were congruent, placing Babesia sp. FR1, the new European etiological agent, in the American cluster of Babesia sp. MO1-like parasites. Based on two additional markers, our analysis confirms the clear separation of B. divergens and B. capreoli. Babesia sp. MO1-like parasites should also be considered as a separate species, with the rabbit as its natural host, differing from those of B. divergens (cattle) and B. capreoli (roe deer). The natural host of Babesia sp. FR1 remains to be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Bonsergent
- BIOEPAR, INRAE, Oniris, 44300 Nantes, France;
- Correspondence: (C.B.); (L.M.)
| | - Marie-Charlotte de Carné
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital F. Quesnay, 78200 Mantes-la Jolie, France; (M.-C.d.C.); (V.P.)
| | | | - François Moussel
- Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, Hôpital F. Quesnay, 78200 Mantes-la-Jolie, France;
| | - Véronique Perronne
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital F. Quesnay, 78200 Mantes-la Jolie, France; (M.-C.d.C.); (V.P.)
| | - Laurence Malandrin
- BIOEPAR, INRAE, Oniris, 44300 Nantes, France;
- Correspondence: (C.B.); (L.M.)
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4
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Bastos RG, Thekkiniath J, Ben Mamoun C, Fuller L, Molestina RE, Florin-Christensen M, Schnittger L, Alzan HF, Suarez CE. Babesia microti Immunoreactive Rhoptry-Associated Protein-1 Paralogs Are Ancestral Members of the Piroplasmid-Confined RAP-1 Family. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111384. [PMID: 34832541 PMCID: PMC8624774 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia, Cytauxzoon and Theileria are tick-borne apicomplexan parasites of the order Piroplasmida, responsible for diseases in humans and animals. Members of the piroplasmid rhoptry-associated protein-1 (pRAP-1) family have a signature cysteine-rich domain and are important for parasite development. We propose that the closely linked B. microti genes annotated as BMR1_03g00947 and BMR1_03g00960 encode two paralogue pRAP-1-like proteins named BmIPA48 and Bm960. The two genes are tandemly arranged head to tail, highly expressed in blood stage parasites, syntenic to rap-1 genes of other piroplasmids, and share large portions of an almost identical ~225 bp sequence located in their 5' putative regulatory regions. BmIPA48 and Bm960 proteins contain a N-terminal signal peptide, share very low sequence identity (<13%) with pRAP-1 from other species, and harbor one or more transmembrane domains. Diversification of the piroplasmid-confined prap-1 family is characterized by amplification of genes, protein domains, and a high sequence polymorphism. This suggests a functional involvement of pRAP-1 at the parasite-host interface, possibly in parasite adhesion, attachment, and/or evasion of the host immune defenses. Both BmIPA48 and Bm960 are recognized by antibodies in sera from humans infected with B. microti and might be promising candidates for developing novel serodiagnosis and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA;
- Correspondence: (R.G.B.); (C.E.S.)
| | - Jose Thekkiniath
- Fuller Laboratories, 1312 East Valencia Drive, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (J.T.); (L.F.)
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
| | - Lee Fuller
- Fuller Laboratories, 1312 East Valencia Drive, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA; (J.T.); (L.F.)
| | - Robert E. Molestina
- Protistology Laboratory, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA 10801, USA;
| | - Monica Florin-Christensen
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1033AAJ, Argentina; (M.F.-C.); (L.S.)
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires C1033AAE, Argentina
| | - Leonhard Schnittger
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1033AAJ, Argentina; (M.F.-C.); (L.S.)
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires C1033AAE, Argentina
| | - Heba F. Alzan
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA;
- Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
- Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Research Unit, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA;
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural—Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Correspondence: (R.G.B.); (C.E.S.)
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5
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Pre-clinical evaluation of a whole-parasite vaccine to control human babesiosis. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:894-903.e5. [PMID: 33989514 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Babesia spp. are tick-transmitted intra-erythrocytic protozoan parasites that infect humans and animals, causing a flu-like illness and hemolytic anemia. There is currently no human vaccine available. People most at risk of severe disease are the elderly, immunosuppressed, and asplenic individuals. B. microti and B. divergens are the predominant species affecting humans. Here, we present a whole-parasite Babesia vaccine. To establish proof-of-principle, we employed chemically attenuated B. microti parasitized red blood cells from infected mice. To aid clinical translation, we produced liposomes containing killed parasite material. Vaccination significantly reduces peak parasitemia following challenge. B cells and anti-parasite antibodies do not significantly contribute to vaccine efficacy. Protection is abrogated by the removal of CD4+ T cells or macrophages prior to challenge. Importantly, splenectomized mice are protected by vaccination. To further facilitate translation, we prepared a culture-based liposomal vaccine and demonstrate that this performs as a universal vaccine inducing immunity against different human Babesia species.
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6
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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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7
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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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8
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Allred DR. Variable and Variant Protein Multigene Families in Babesia bovis Persistence. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8020076. [PMID: 31212587 PMCID: PMC6630957 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8020076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle infected with Babesia bovis face a bifurcated fate: Either die of the severe acute infection, or survive and carry for many years a highly persistent but generally asymptomatic infection. In this review, the author describes known and potential contributions of three variable or highly variant multigene-encoded families of proteins to persistence in the bovine host, and the mechanisms by which variability arises among these families. Ramifications arising from this variability are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Allred
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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9
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Guo J, Hu J, Sun Y, Yu L, He J, He P, Nie Z, Li M, Zhan X, Zhao Y, Luo X, Liu J, He L, Zhao J. A novel Babesia orientalis 135-kilodalton spherical body protein like: identification of its secretion into cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:205. [PMID: 29580261 PMCID: PMC5870374 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2795-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The spherical body is a distinct organelle only existing in Babesia and Theileria. Spherical body proteins (SBPs) are secreted from spherical bodies and incorporated into the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes during invasion and post-invasion stages. Four different SBP homologues (SBP1, SBP2, SBP3 and SBP4) have been identified in Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina. So far, there has been no report available about the identification of SBPs in Babesia orientalis. Methods The SBP3-like in B. orientalis (BoSBP3-like) was cloned, sequenced, characterized and compared to the SBP3 sequences of B. bovis and B. bigemina by bioinformatics analyses. The BoSBP3-like gene was truncated into three fragments: BoSBP3-like-1 (915 bp), BoSBP3-like-2 (1311 bp) and BoSBP3-like-3 (1011 bp), which were amplified and cloned into the expression vector pET-28a and expressed as three truncated recombinant (His-fusion) proteins. The immunogenicity, native forms and localization of BoSBP3-like were identified by western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Results The BoSBP3-like gene was intronless with an open reading frame (ORF) of 3237 bp, encoded a 1079 amino acid polypeptide with a predicted size of 135 kDa, and contained a cysteine-rich region, three dispersing FAINT domains and a signal peptide (1–16 aa) at the N-terminus. The amino acid sequence of BoSBP3-like was 61.6 and 35.0% identical to that of B. bovis and B. bigemina, respectively. BoSBP3-like was identified as 135 kDa in the parasite lysate by rabbit antiserum against the truncated recombinant BoSBP3-like-1 (rBoSBP3-like-1). Three specific bands corresponding to rBoSBP3-like-1 (1–305 aa, 43 kDa), rBoSBP3-like-2 (306–742 aa, 58 kDa) and rBoSBP3-like-3 (743–1079 aa, 52 kDa) were detected by reaction with serum from B. orientalis-infected buffalo. The BoSBP3-like was not only localized in the spherical body of B. orientalis but also in the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes of buffalo as puncta-like protein specks at both single and paired parasite development stages. Conclusions Through secretion into the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes, BoSBP3-like may play a significant role in adaptation, interaction, and modification related to the host environment to benefit the growth and survival of Babesia. BoSBP3-like could react with the serum from B. orientalis-infected buffalo, but not healthy buffalo, implicating that BoSBP3-like is highly antigenic and may serve as a candidate diagnostic antigen for the detection of B. orientalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Jinfang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Laboratory Animals, Guangzhou, 510663, Guangdong, China
| | - Yali Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Long Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Junwei He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Pei He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Zheng Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Muxiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Xueyan Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Yangnan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoying Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Junlong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, China
| | - Lan He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemical Disease and Infectious Zoonoses, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China. .,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemical Disease and Infectious Zoonoses, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
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10
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El-Sayed SAES, Rizk MA, Terkawi MA, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Molecular identification and antigenic characterization of Babesia divergens Erythrocyte Binding Protein (BdEBP) as a potential vaccine candidate. Parasitol Int 2017; 66:721-726. [PMID: 28743470 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Host cell invasion is the only step where Babesia parasites are extracellular, and their survival is menaced during this step. Therefore, interfering with this critical stage is a target for an anti-Babesia intervention strategy. In this regard, recombinant protein encoding Babesia divergens Erythrocyte Binding Protein (BdEBP) was produced in Escherichia coli in the current study, and its antiserum was prepared in mice for further molecular characterization. Western blotting and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) revealed the specific reaction of the anti-rBdEBP serum with a corresponding authentic protein of B. divergens. Next, bovine RBCs were incubated with a B. divergens lysate, and anti-rBdEBP serum was produced in mice to detect the ability of BdEBP to bind with host cells. Bands corresponding to 29.6-kDa proteins in the protein-bound erythrocyte lysate were detected by specific immune rBdEBP using Western blotting. These results suggest that BdEBP is functional in the merozoite stage and may be involved in attachment to bovine RBCs. A significant inhibition of the in vitro growth of B. divergens culture treated with anti-rBdEBP serum was observed. Moreover, the efficacy of pre-incubated free merozoites to invade bovine erythrocytes was inhibited by 60% after incubation with 2mg/ml of anti-rBdEBP serum for 6h. The obtained data suggest the possible use of rBdEBP as a vaccine candidate against bovine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimaa Abd El-Salam El-Sayed
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abdo Rizk
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohamad Alaa Terkawi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Naoaki Yokoyama
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ikuo Igarashi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan.
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11
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Gimenez AM, Françoso KS, Ersching J, Icimoto MY, Oliveira V, Rodriguez AE, Schnittger L, Florin-Christensen M, Rodrigues MM, Soares IS. A recombinant multi-antigen vaccine formulation containing Babesia bovis merozoite surface antigens MSA-2a 1, MSA-2b and MSA-2c elicits invasion-inhibitory antibodies and IFN-γ producing cells. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:577. [PMID: 27842609 PMCID: PMC5109680 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1862-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Babesia bovis is a tick-transmitted protozoan hemoparasite and the causative agent of bovine babesiosis, a potential risk to more than 500 million cattle worldwide. The vaccines currently available are based on attenuated parasites, which are difficult to produce, and are only recommended for use in bovines under one year of age. When used in older animals, these vaccines may cause life-threatening clinical symptoms and eventually death. The development of a multi-subunit recombinant vaccine against B. bovis would be attractive from an economic standpoint and, most importantly, could be recommended for animals of any age. In the present study, recombinant ectodomains of MSA-2a1, MSA-2b and MSA-2c antigens were expressed in Pichia pastoris yeast as secreted soluble peptides. Results The antigens were purified to homogeneity, and biochemically and immunologically characterized. A vaccine formulation was obtained by emulsifying a mixture of the three peptides with the adjuvant Montanide ISA 720, which elicited high IgG antibody titers against each of the above antigens. IgG antibodies generated against each MSA-antigen recognized merozoites and significantly inhibited the invasion of bovine erythrocytes. Cellular immune responses were also detected, which were characterized by splenic and lymph node CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ and TNF-α upon stimulation with the antigens MSA-2a1 or MSA-2c. Conclusions These data strongly suggest the high protective potential of the presented formulation, and we propose that it could be tested in vaccination trials of bovines challenged with B. bovis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1862-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Marina Gimenez
- CTCMOL, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Mirassol, 207, São Paulo, 04044-010, SP, Brazil
| | - Katia S Françoso
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jonatan Ersching
- CTCMOL, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Mirassol, 207, São Paulo, 04044-010, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Y Icimoto
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, CEP 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitor Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, CEP 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anabel E Rodriguez
- Instituto de Patobiologia, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, 1686, Hurlingham, Argentina
| | - Leonhard Schnittger
- Instituto de Patobiologia, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, 1686, Hurlingham, Argentina.,CONICET, C1033AAJ, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Monica Florin-Christensen
- Instituto de Patobiologia, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, 1686, Hurlingham, Argentina.,CONICET, C1033AAJ, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mauricio M Rodrigues
- CTCMOL, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Mirassol, 207, São Paulo, 04044-010, SP, Brazil
| | - Irene S Soares
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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12
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Expression of sheep pathogen Babesia sp. Xinjiang rhoptry-associated protein 1 and evaluation of its diagnostic potential by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Parasitology 2016; 143:1990-1999. [PMID: 27748232 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ovine babesiosis is one of the most important tick-borne haemoparasitic diseases of small ruminants. The ovine parasite Babesia sp. Xinjiang is widespread in China. In this study, recombinant full-length XJrRAP-1aα2 (rhoptry-associated protein 1aα2) and C-terminal XJrRAP-1aα2 CT of Babesia sp. Xinjiang were expressed and used to evaluate their diagnostic potential for Babesia sp. Xinjiang infections by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Purified XJrRAP-1aα2 was tested for reactivity with sera from animals experimentally infected with Babesia sp. Xinjiang and other haemoparasites using Western blotting and ELISA. The results showed no cross-reactivities between XJrRAP-1aα2 CT and sera from animals infected by other pathogens. High level of antibodies against RAP-1a usually lasted 10 weeks post-infection (wpi). A total of 3690 serum samples from small ruminants in 23 provinces located in 59 different regions of China were tested by ELISA. The results indicated that the average positive rate was 30·43%, and the infections were found in all of the investigated provinces. This is the first report on the expression and potential use of a recombinant XJrRAP-1aα2 CT antigen for the development of serological assays for the diagnosis of ovine babesiosis, caused by Babesia sp. Xinjiang.
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13
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Identification and Characterization of the Rhoptry Neck Protein 2 in Babesia divergens and B. microti. Infect Immun 2016; 84:1574-1584. [PMID: 26953328 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00107-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites include those of the genera Plasmodium, Cryptosporidium, and Toxoplasma and those of the relatively understudied zoonotic genus Babesia In humans, babesiosis, particularly transfusion-transmitted babesiosis, has been emerging as a major threat to public health. Like malaria, the disease pathology is a consequence of the parasitemia which develops through cyclical replication of Babesia parasites in host erythrocytes. However, there are no exoerythrocytic stages in Babesia, so targeting of the blood stage and associated proteins to directly prevent parasite invasion is the most desirable option for effective disease control. Especially promising among such molecules are the rhoptry neck proteins (RONs), whose homologs have been identified in many apicomplexan parasites. RONs are involved in the formation of the moving junction, along with AMA1, but no RON has been identified and characterized in any Babesia spp. Here we identify the RON2 proteins of Babesia divergens (BdRON2) and B. microti (BmRON2) and show that they are localized apically and that anti-BdRON2 antibodies are significant inhibitors of parasite invasion in vitro Neither protein is immunodominant, as both proteins react only marginally with sera from infected animals. Further characterization of the direct role of both BdRON2 and BmRON2 in parasite invasion is required, but knowledge of the level of conformity of RON2 proteins within the apicomplexan phylum, particularly that of the AMA1-RON2 complex at the moving junction, along with the availability of an animal model for B. microti studies, provides a key to target this complex with a goal of preventing the erythrocytic invasion of these parasites and to further our understanding of the role of these conserved ligands in invasion.
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14
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Ord RL, Lobo CA. Human Babesiosis: Pathogens, Prevalence, Diagnosis and Treatment. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2015; 2:173-181. [PMID: 26594611 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-015-0025-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human babesiosis is a zoonotic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Babesia genus, primarily in the Northeastern and Midwest United States due to B. microti, and Western Europe due to B. divergens. Parasites are transmitted by the bite of the ixodid tick when the vector takes a blood meal from the vertebrate host, and the economic importance of bovine babesiosis is well understood. The pathology of human disease is a direct result of the parasite's ability to invade host's red blood cells. The current understanding of human babesiosis epidemiology is that many infections remain asymptomatic, especially in younger or immune competent individuals, and the burden of severe pathology resides within older or immunocompromised individuals. However, transfusion-transmitted babesiosis is an emerging threat to public health as asymptomatic carriers donate blood and there are as yet no licensed or regulated tests to screen blood products for this pathogen. Reports of tick-borne cases within new geographical regions such as the Pacific Northwest of the US, through Eastern Europe, and into China are also on the rise. Further, new Babesia spp. have been identified globally as agents of severe human babesiosis, suggesting that the epidemiology of this disease is rapidly changing, and it is clear that human babesiosis is a serious public health concern that requires close monitoring and effective intervention measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalynn Louise Ord
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites, Lindsley Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Cheryl A Lobo
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites, Lindsley Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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15
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Niu Q, Marchand J, Yang C, Bonsergent C, Guan G, Yin H, Malandrin L. Rhoptry-associated protein (rap-1) genes in the sheep pathogen Babesia sp. Xinjiang: Multiple transcribed copies differing by 3' end repeated sequences. Vet Parasitol 2015; 211:158-69. [PMID: 26026806 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sheep babesiosis occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. The sheep parasite Babesia sp. Xinjiang is widespread in China, and our goal is to characterize rap-1 (rhoptry-associated protein 1) gene diversity and expression as a first step of a long term goal aiming at developing a recombinant subunit vaccine. Seven different rap-1a genes were amplified in Babesia sp. Xinjiang, using degenerate primers designed from conserved motifs. Rap-1b and rap-1c gene types could not be identified. In all seven rap-1a genes, the 5' regions exhibited identical sequences over 936 nt, and the 3' regions differed at 28 positions over 147 nt, defining two types of genes designated α and β. The remaining 3' part varied from 72 to 360 nt in length, depending on the gene. This region consists of a succession of two to ten 36 nt repeats, which explains the size differences. Even if the nucleotide sequences varied, 6 repeats encoded the same stretch of amino acids. Transcription of at least four α and two β genes was demonstrated by standard RT-PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingli Niu
- INRA, UMR1300 Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, CS 40706, F-44307 Nantes, France; LUNAM Université, Oniris, UMR1300 BioEpAR, F-44307 Nantes, France; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, LVRI, Lanzhou, China.
| | - Jordan Marchand
- INRA, UMR1300 Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, CS 40706, F-44307 Nantes, France; LUNAM Université, Oniris, UMR1300 BioEpAR, F-44307 Nantes, France
| | - Congshan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, LVRI, Lanzhou, China
| | - Claire Bonsergent
- INRA, UMR1300 Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, CS 40706, F-44307 Nantes, France; LUNAM Université, Oniris, UMR1300 BioEpAR, F-44307 Nantes, France
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, LVRI, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, LVRI, Lanzhou, China
| | - Laurence Malandrin
- INRA, UMR1300 Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, CS 40706, F-44307 Nantes, France; LUNAM Université, Oniris, UMR1300 BioEpAR, F-44307 Nantes, France
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16
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González LM, Castro E, Lobo CA, Richart A, Ramiro R, González-Camacho F, Luque D, Velasco AC, Montero E. First report of Babesia divergens infection in an HIV patient. Int J Infect Dis 2015; 33:202-4. [PMID: 25686807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human babesiosis is a zoonosis primarily transmitted through Ixodes ticks and alternatively by routes such as blood transfusions from asymptomatic donors. We report the first case of human babesiosis caused by Babesia divergens in a patient with HIV. This study also focuses on elucidating the possible transmission route of infection in this patient, who received numerous blood transfusions but showed patent symptoms only after splenectomy. A battery of detection tools along with a novel Western-Blot Assay and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay using the major surface protein of B. divergens (Bd37) as a target were used to evaluate the presence of B. divergens or antibodies against the parasite in samples from the patient and the blood donors involved in this case. A retrospective study of the humoral status against the parasite revealed B. divergens IgG antibodies in one of the implicated donors, but also showed that the patient had been already exposed to the parasite before any transfusion. Thus, this analysis of natural and transfusion transmission routes suggests a pre-existing subclinical babesiosis in the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M González
- Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Emma Castro
- Cruz Roja Española, Centro de Transfusión, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Cheryl A Lobo
- Blood Borne Parasites Department, Lindsley Kimball Research Institute New York Blood Center, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Alberto Richart
- Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Raquel Ramiro
- Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Fernando González-Camacho
- Unidad de Microscopía Electrónica y Confocal, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Daniel Luque
- Unidad de Microscopía Electrónica y Confocal, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Aurelio C Velasco
- Departamento de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Estrella Montero
- Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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