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Abdel-Baki AAS, Abdel-Haleem HM, Abdel-Tawab H, Al-Quraishy S, Mansour L. Reassignment of Haemogregarina annularis from the Blood of Tarentola annularis to the Genus Hepatozoon Based on the Parasite Morphology and 18S rDNA Sequence Analysis. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:411-417. [PMID: 34652599 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00477-2] [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: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To date, two haemogregarines have been described from the white-spotted wall gecko, Tarentola annularis in Egypt. These species are Haemogregarina annularis and Haemogregarina tarentannulari. Although these two species initially were described as different species parasitizing T. annularis, both forms look identical due to their similar morphology and morphometric characteristics from the same host species. Here we will clarify, using traditional morphological description of the blood and tissue stages, combined with molecular analysis, the identity of the haemoparasites infecting T. annularis in Egypt. METHODS Thin blood smears were screened from 50 gecko, Tarentola annularis and merognic stages were identified in the lung of the infected geckos. Parasite DNA was extracted and PCR was carried out to amplify parasite 18S rDNA. RESULTS Morphological criteria of parasite stages, mature gamont stages and mergonic stages were similar to the two previously reported Haemogregarina species. In the phylogenetic tree, the present haemogregarine fell within a clade comprising most of Hepatozoon species infecting reptiles. CONCLUSION Our morphological comparison supported that the two previously described Haemogregarina species were the same and allowed us to consider Haemogregarina tarentannulari as a junior synonym of Haemogregarina annularis. Our phylogenetic analysis gave us the opportunity to reassign Haemogregarina annularis to the genus Hepatozoon and being identified as Hepatozoon annularis n. comb.
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Survey of Ticks and Tick-Borne Rickettsial and Protozoan Pathogens in Eswatini. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10081043. [PMID: 34451507 PMCID: PMC8401679 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are widespread parasites of vertebrates and major vectors of pathogens to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. In southern Africa, numerous tick species transmit diseases of economic and health importance. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in multiple land-use types and the possible role of ticks in the transmission of pathogen species. Using molecular techniques, we screened 1716 ticks for infection by rickettsial bacteria and protozoans. To characterize pathogen identity, we sequenced multiple loci from positive samples and analyzed sequences within a phylogenetic framework. Across the seven tick species collected as nymphs or adults, we detected Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Hepatozoon, and Theileira species. We found that some tick species and tick-borne pathogens differed according to land use. For example, we found a higher density of Haemaphysalis elliptica and higher prevalence of Rickettsia in H. elliptica collected from savanna grasses used for livestock grazing near human settlements than savanna grasses in conservation areas. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive surveillance to achieve a full understanding of the diversity and ecology of the tick-borne pathogens that can infect humans, domestic animals, and wildlife.
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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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Picelli AM, da Silva MRL, Ramires AC, da Silva TRR, Pessoa FAC, Viana LA, Kaefer IL. Redescription of Hepatozoon ameivae (Carini and Rudolph, 1912) from the lizard Ameiva ameiva (Linnaeus, 1758). Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2659-2666. [PMID: 32529297 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06760-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Blood samples from 72 Ameiva ameiva lizards from Central Amazonian upland forests were collected, and thin smears of 40 (55.5%) animals were positive for gamonts of Hepatozoon with a mean level of intensity of infection of 14 parasites/2000 blood erythrocytes (0.73%). The gametocytes were found attached with host cells' nuclei, and their dimensions were 14.28 ± 1.05 μm in length and 4.50 ± 0.80 μm in width. Phylogenetic analyses of the 18S rRNA gene showed that the new sequences obtained from A. ameiva constitute a monophyletic sister clade to the Hepatozoon spp. from Brazilian snakes. Based on morphological features and new molecular data, we redescribe this hemogregarine as Hepatozoon ameivae. This study also provides the first molecular characterization of a Hepatozoon species from a Brazilian lizard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Maria Picelli
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, 69067-005, Brazil.
| | - Maria Regina Lucas da Silva
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Adriane Costa Ramires
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, 69067-005, Brazil
| | - Túllio Romão Ribeiro da Silva
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, AM, 69067-005, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Felipe Arley Costa Pessoa
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, AM, 69067-005, Brazil
| | - Lucio André Viana
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Igor Luis Kaefer
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, 69067-005, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, 69067-005, Brazil
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van As M, Netherlands EC, Smit NJ. Molecular characterisation and morphological description of two new species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) infecting leukocytes of African leopards Panthera pardus pardus (L.). Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:222. [PMID: 32357916 PMCID: PMC7195708 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3933-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 07/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The African leopard Panthera pardus pardus (L.) is currently listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) red list of threatened species due to ongoing population declines. This implies that leopard-specific parasites are also vulnerable to extinction. Intracellular apicomplexan haemoparasites from the genus Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 have been widely reported from wild carnivores in Africa, including non-specific reports from leopards. This paper describes two new haemogregarines in captive and wild leopards from South Africa and provides a tabular summary of these species in relation to species of Hepatozoon reported from mammalian carnivores. METHODS Blood was collected from nine captive and eight wild leopards at various localities throughout South Africa. Thin blood smears were Giemsa-stained and screened for intraleukocytic haemoparasites. Gamont stages were micrographed and morphometrically compared with existing literature pertaining to infections in felid hosts. Haemogregarine specific primer set 4558F and 2733R was used to target the 18S rRNA gene for molecular analysis. Resulting sequences were compared to each other and with other available representative mammalian carnivore Hepatozoon sequences from GenBank. RESULTS Two species of Hepatozoon were found in captive and wild leopards. Of the 17 leopards screened, eight were infected with one or both morphologically and genetically distinct haemogregarines. When compared with other species of Hepatozoon reported from felids, the two species from this study were morphometrically and molecularly distinct. Species of Hepatozoon from this study were observed to exclusively parasitize a particular type of leukocyte, with Hepatozoon luiperdjie n. sp. infecting neutrophils and Hepatozoon ingwe n. sp. infecting lymphocytes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these haemogregarines are genetically distinct, with Hepatozoon luiperdjie n. sp. and Hepatozoon ingwe n. sp. falling in well supported separate clades. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first morphometric and molecular description of Hepatozoon in captive and wild African leopards in South Africa. This study highlights the value of using both morphometric and molecular characteristics when describing species of Hepatozoon from felid hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle van As
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa campus, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866 South Africa
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520 South Africa
| | - Edward C. Netherlands
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520 South Africa
| | - Nico J. Smit
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520 South Africa
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Kheirandish F, Kayedi MH, Mostafavi E, Hosseini SZ, Rouzbahani AK, Hosseini-Chegeni A. The first molecular detection of a Theileria-like species (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) in Meriones persicus from western Iran. J Parasit Dis 2020; 44:180-185. [PMID: 32174723 PMCID: PMC7046869 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-019-01180-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The archived blood of rodents species such as Meriones, Mus, and Microtus species was investigated in order to detect any piroplasms species. In this study 18S rRNA target gene of piroplasm parasite was amplified by PCR in a Meriones persicus; so, the Locus 1 and Locus 2 of 18S rRNA were sequenced, successfully. A Theileria-like taxa was suspected in accordance with the BLAST analysis of 18S rRNA L1 and L2 with 96% and 91% sequence homology, respectively. The present study was the first report of a Theileria-like species in M. persicus from Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Kheirandish
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hassan Kayedi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Zeinab Hosseini
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
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Harris DJ, Halajian A, Santos J, Rampedi KM, Xavier R. Genetic diversity of Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa) from domestic cats in South Africa, with a global reassessment of Hepatozoon felis diversity. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2019; 90:e1-e6. [PMID: 31291728 PMCID: PMC6620482 DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v90i0.1747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity within partial 18S rRNA sequences from Hepatozoon protozoan parasites from domestic cats in South Africa was assessed and compared against published data to assess global biogeographic patterns. Multiple distinct haplotypes of Hepatozoon felis were identified, as well as an unrelated Hepatozoon lineage. Hepatozoon felis genetic diversity globally is very high, indicating a likely complex of species. The recently described Hepatozoon apri from wild boars is closely related to some lineages of H. felis. Sarcocystis and Babesia parasites were also detected. Since Hepatozoon felis is apparently a species complex, potential differences between genetically distinct forms need to be assessed. The finding of an unrelated Hepatozoon indicates that felids can be infected by more species of Hepatozoon than currently known, and that trophic interactions may increase the number of Hepatozoon species found in carnivores. Genetic screening again is demonstrated to identify previously unrecognised parasites from vertebrate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Harris
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Vairão, Portugal; and Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto.
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