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Fathi A, Nabavi R, Noaman V, Sarani A, Saadati D, Ben Said M, Ghafar A, Jabbar A, Sazmand A. Molecular identification, risk factor assessment, and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne pathogens in symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle from South-Eastern Iran. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 92:479-506. [PMID: 38457048 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00886-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) represent a substantial threat to cattle globally, exerting adverse impacts on production, health, and economic viability. This study delves into the prevalence and implications of TTBPs in cattle sourced from resource-limited smallholder livestock farms situated in southeastern Iran, proximate to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Blood and tick specimens were systematically collected from a cohort of 230 cattle, comprising 150 asymptomatic and 80 symptomatic individuals. Genomic DNA isolated from blood samples underwent rigorous examination for the presence of key TBPs, including Anaplasma marginale, A. phagocytophilum, A. bovis, A. centrale, Babesia bigemina, and Theileria annulata, utilizing multiple genetic markers. Nucleotide sequence analysis facilitated the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships. The study also evaluated various potential risk factors, such as clinical status, gender, age, breed, tick infestation, and management practices, to elucidate their associations with TTBPs. Among the cattle cohort, a staggering 87.8% (202/230) tested positive for at least one pathogen. Prevalence statistics encompassed A. marginale (72.2%), T. annulata (68.3%), A. phagocytophilum/A. platys-like complex (66.1%), A. centrale (16.7%), B. bigemina (10.0%), and A. bovis (6.1%). Remarkably, mixed infections involving two, three, and four pathogens were detected in 23%, 52.1%, and 2.2% of animals, respectively. Notably, all asymptomatic cattle were positive for at least one TBP. Tick infestation was observed in 62.2% (143/230) of cattle, predominantly caused by Hyalomma anatolicum (82.5%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (13.1%), and R. sanguineus sensu lato (4.4%). Risk factors linked to TBPs encompassed tick infestation, older age, and crossbred animals. Clinical presentations among symptomatic cattle encompassed fever, anemia, weight loss, anorexia, jaundice, and enlarged superficial lymph nodes. This study underscores the pivotal role of asymptomatic carriers in the propagation of TTBPs within endemic regions. Furthermore, it emphasizes the potential for the implementation of molecular diagnostics to unmask subclinical infections, thereby affording the opportunity for targeted interventions aimed at ameliorating the burden of TTBPs in resource-constrained smallholder dairy farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Fathi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Reza Nabavi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 6517658978, Iran.
| | - Vahid Noaman
- Department of Parasitic Disease Research, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran
| | - Ali Sarani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zabol, Bonjar Road, Zabol, 9861335856, Iran
| | - Dariush Saadati
- Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zabol, Bonjar Road, Zabol, 9861335856, Iran
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Department of Basic Sciences, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, 2010, Manouba, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, 2010, Manouba, Tunisia
| | - Abdul Ghafar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia
| | - Alireza Sazmand
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 6517658978, Iran
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Kolo A. Anaplasma Species in Africa-A Century of Discovery: A Review on Molecular Epidemiology, Genetic Diversity, and Control. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050702. [PMID: 37242372 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma species, belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae in the order Rickettsiales, are obligate intracellular bacteria responsible for various tick-borne diseases of veterinary and human significance worldwide. With advancements in molecular techniques, seven formal species of Anaplasma and numerous unclassified species have been described. In Africa, several Anaplasma species and strains have been identified in different animals and tick species. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of classified and unclassified Anaplasma species detected in animals and ticks across Africa. The review also covers control measures that have been taken to prevent anaplasmosis transmission on the continent. This information is critical when developing anaplasmosis management and control programs in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agatha Kolo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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Asif M, Ben Said M, Vinueza RL, Leon R, Ahmad N, Parveen A, Khan A, Ejaz A, Ali M, Khan AU, Baber M, Iqbal F. Seasonal Investigation of Anaplasma marginale Infection in Pakistani Cattle Reveals Hematological and Biochemical Changes, Multiple Associated Risk Factors and msp5 Gene Conservation. Pathogens 2022; 11:1261. [PMID: 36365012 PMCID: PMC9696815 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by an obligate intercellular Gram-negative bacterium named Anaplasma (A.) marginale. In this study, we report the seasonal prevalence, potentially associated risk factors and phylogeny of A. marginale in cattle of three different breeds from Multan District, Southern Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 1020 blood samples (crossbred, n = 340; Holstein Friesian, n = 340; and Sahiwal breed, n = 340) from apparently healthy cattle were collected on a seasonal basis from March 2020 to April 2021. Based on PCR amplification of the msp5 partial sequence, overall, the A. marginale prevalence rate was estimated at 11.1% (113/1020) of the analyzed cattle samples. According to seasons, the highest prevalence rate was observed in autumn (16.5%), followed by winter (10.6%) and summer (9.8%), and the lowest was recorded in the spring (7.5%). The crossbred and Sahiwal cattle were the most susceptible to A. marginale infection, followed by Holstein Friesian cattle (7.9%). Analysis of epidemiological factors revealed that cattle reared on farms where dairy animals have tick loads, dogs coinhabit with cattle and dogs have tick loads have a higher risk of being infected with A. marginale. In addition, it was observed that white blood cell, lymphocyte (%), monocyte (%), hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations were significantly disturbed in A. marginale-positive cattle compared with non-infested cattle. Genetic analysis of nucleotide sequences and a phylogenetic study based on msp5 partial sequencing demonstrated that this gene appears to be highly conserved among our isolates and those infecting apparently healthy cattle from geographically diverse worldwide regions. The presented data are crucial for estimating the risk of bovine anaplasmosis in order to develop integrated control policies against bovine anaplasmosis and other tick-borne diseases infecting cattle in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Asif
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Department of Basic Sciences, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia
| | - Rommel Lenin Vinueza
- Instituto de Medicina Social y Desafíos Globales, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito 170901, Ecuador
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica & Medicina Tropical LEMMT, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| | - Renato Leon
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica & Medicina Tropical LEMMT, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| | - Nadeem Ahmad
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore 53700, Pakistan
| | - Asia Parveen
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Adil Khan
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda 24420, Pakistan
| | - Arusa Ejaz
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore 53700, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ali
- College of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahadur Sub Campus, Layyah 31200, Pakistan
| | - Asmat Ullah Khan
- Shaheed Benazir Bhuto University Sheringal, District Dir (Upper), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sheringal 18050, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Baber
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Furhan Iqbal
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore 53700, Pakistan
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Salinas-Estrella E, Amaro-Estrada I, Cobaxin-Cárdenas ME, Preciado de la Torre JF, Rodríguez SD. Bovine Anaplasmosis: Will there ever be an almighty effective vaccine? Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:946545. [PMID: 36277070 PMCID: PMC9581321 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.946545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne bacterial disease with a worldwide distribution and the cause of severe economic losses in the livestock industry in many countries, including México. In the present work, we first review the elements of the immune response of the bovine, which allows ameliorating the clinical signs while eliminating the majority of the blood forms and generating an immunologic memory such that future confrontations with the pathogen will not end in disease. On the other hand, many vaccine candidates have been evaluated for the control of bovine anaplasmosis yet without no commercial worldwide effective vaccine. Lastly, the diversity of the pathogen and how this diversity has impaired the many efforts to control the disease are reviewed.
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