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Cuypers LN, Gryseels S, Van Houtte N, Baird SJE, Sabuni CA, Katakweba AS, van den Burg SRM, Bryja J, Leirs H, Goüy de Bellocq J. Subspecific rodent taxa as the relevant host taxonomic level for mammarenavirus host specificity. Virology 2023; 581:116-127. [PMID: 36958216 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Mastomys natalensis-borne mammarenaviruses appear specific to subspecific M. natalensis taxa rather than to the whole species. Yet mammarenaviruses carried by M. natalensis are known to spill over and jump hosts in northern sub-Saharan Africa. Phylogeographic studies increasingly show that, like M. natalensis, small mammals in sub-Saharan Africa are often genetically structured into several subspecific taxa. Other mammarenaviruses may thus also form virus-subspecific host taxon associations. To investigate this, and if mammarenaviruses carried by M. natalensis in southern Africa are less prone to spill-over, we screened 1225 non-M. natalensis samples from Tanzania where many small mammal taxa meet. We found mammarenavirus RNA in 6 samples. Genetic/genomic characterisation confirmed they were not spill-over from M. natalensis. We detected host jumps among rodent tribe members and an association between mammarenaviruses and subspecific taxa of Mus minutoides and Grammomys surdaster, indicating host genetic structure may be crucial to understand virus distribution and host specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura N Cuypers
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium; OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Natalie Van Houtte
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stuart J E Baird
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Christopher A Sabuni
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3110 Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Abdul S Katakweba
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3110 Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Sebastiaan R M van den Burg
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Josef Bryja
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joëlle Goüy de Bellocq
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic
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2
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Colombo VC, Sluydts V, Mariën J, Vanden Broecke B, Van Houtte N, Leirs W, Jacobs L, Iserbyt A, Hubert M, Heyndrickx L, Goris H, Delputte P, De Roeck N, Elst J, Ariën KK, Leirs H, Gryseels S. SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Antwerp sewer system, Belgium. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3016-3021. [PMID: 34224205 PMCID: PMC8447303 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 human-to-animal transmission can lead to the establishment of novel reservoirs and the evolution of new variants with the potential to start new outbreaks in humans. We tested Norway rats inhabiting the sewer system of Antwerp, Belgium, for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 following a local COVID-19 epidemic peak. In addition, we discuss the use and interpretation of SARS-CoV-2 serological tests on non-human samples. Between November and December 2020, Norway rat oral swabs, faeces and tissues from the sewer system of Antwerp were collected to be tested by RT-qPCR for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Serum samples were screened for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies using a Luminex microsphere immunoassay (MIA). Samples considered positive were then checked for neutralizing antibodies using a conventional viral neutralization test (cVNT). The serum of 35 rats was tested by MIA showing three potentially positive sera that were later negative by cVNT. All tissue samples of 39 rats analysed tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. This is the first study that evaluates SARS-CoV-2 infection in urban rats. We can conclude that the sample of rats analysed had never been infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, monitoring activities should continue due to the emergence of new variants prone to infect Muridae rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Carolina Colombo
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)Buenos AiresArgentina
| | - Vincent Sluydts
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Joachim Mariën
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
- Virology UnitDepartment of Biomedical SciencesInstitute of Tropical MedicineAntwerpBelgium
| | - Bram Vanden Broecke
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Natalie Van Houtte
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Wannes Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Lotte Jacobs
- Laboratory for MicrobiologyParasitology and Hygiene (LMPH)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Arne Iserbyt
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Marine Hubert
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Leo Heyndrickx
- Virology UnitDepartment of Biomedical SciencesInstitute of Tropical MedicineAntwerpBelgium
| | - Hanne Goris
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Peter Delputte
- Laboratory for MicrobiologyParasitology and Hygiene (LMPH)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Naomi De Roeck
- Laboratory for MicrobiologyParasitology and Hygiene (LMPH)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Joris Elst
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Kevin K. Ariën
- Virology UnitDepartment of Biomedical SciencesInstitute of Tropical MedicineAntwerpBelgium
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology GroupDepartment of BiologyUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
- OD Taxonomy and PhylogenyRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
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3
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Sluydts V, Sarathchandra SR, Piscitelli AP, Van Houtte N, Gryseels S, Mayer-Scholl A, Bier NS, Htwe NM, Jacob J. Ecology and distribution of Leptospira spp., reservoir hosts and environmental interaction in Sri Lanka, with identification of a new strain. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010757. [PMID: 36112668 PMCID: PMC9518908 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease and one of the leading causes of zoonotic morbidity and mortality, particularly in resource-poor settings. Sri Lanka has one of the highest disease burdens worldwide, with occasional endemic leptospirosis outbreaks (2008, 2011). Rodents are considered the main wildlife reservoir, but due to a scarcity of studies it is unclear which particular species contributes to bacterial transmission and reservoir maintenance in this multi-host multi-parasite system. Several rodent species act as agricultural pests both in rice fields and in food storage facilities. To unravel the interactions among the small mammal communities, pathogenic Leptospira spp. and human transmission pathways, we collected animals from smallholder food storage facilities, where contact between humans and small mammals is most likely, and screened kidney tissue samples for Leptospira spp. using PCR. Samples were collected in three climatic zones along a rainfall gradient. Pathogenic Leptospira spp. were detected in small mammal communities in 37 (74%) out of 50 sampled farms and 61 (12%) out of 500 collected individuals were infected. The small mammal community was comprised of Rattus rattus (87.6%), Suncus shrews (8.8%), Bandicota spp. (2.8%) and Mus booduga (0.8%). Three pathogenic Leptospira spp. were identified, L. borgpetersenii (n = 34), L. interrogans (n = 15), and L. kirschneri (n = 1). Suncus shrews were commonly infected (32%), followed by B. indica (23%) and R. rattus (10%). L. borgpetersenii strains similar to strains previously extracted from human clinal samples in Sri Lanka were detected in R. rattus and Suncus shrews. L. interrogans was observed in R. rattus only. A single L. kirschneri infection was found in M. booduga. The presence of human pathogenic Leptospira species in an agricultural pest rodent (R. rattus) and in commensal shrews (Suncus) calls for management of these species in commensal settings. Further investigation of the interplay between pathogen and reservoir population dynamics, overlap in geographic range and the extent of spill-over to humans in and around rural settlements is required to identify optimal management approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Sluydts
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Anna Pia Piscitelli
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Natalie Van Houtte
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadja Seyhan Bier
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nyo Me Htwe
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
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Messina S, Edwards DP, Van Houtte N, Tomassi S, Benedick S, Eens M, Costantini D. Impacts of selective logging on haemosporidian infection and physiological correlates in tropical birds. Int J Parasitol 2021; 52:87-96. [PMID: 34450133 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tropical forest degradation affects host-parasite interactions, determining the probability of animals acquiring an infection. The activation of an immune response to fight off infections requires energy and other resources such as antioxidants which may be redirected from growth and reproduction. A key question is how selective logging-the most common form of tropical forest degradation-impacts the prevalence of avian haemosporidian infection and its correlated physiological responses (nutritional and oxidative status markers). We investigated the prevalence of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon parasites in 14 understorey bird species in lowland, logged and unlogged, old-growth forests of Borneo. Prevalences of infections were similar between selectively logged and unlogged forests. To explore nutritional and oxidative status effects of haemosporidian infections, we examined associations between infections and plasma proteins, plasma triglycerides, and multiple blood-based markers of oxidative status, testing for an impact of selective logging on those markers. Birds infected with Plasmodium showed higher levels of plasma proteins and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity, and lower levels of plasma triglycerides and glutathione, compared with haemosporidian-free individuals. Conversely, birds infected with Haemoproteus showed no changes in nutritional or physiological markers compared with uninfected individuals. These results indicate higher metabolic and physiological costs of controlling Plasmodium infection, compared with Haemoproteus, possibly due to higher pathogenicity of Plasmodium. Selectively logged forests had no effect on the responses of birds to infection, suggesting that the environmental conditions of degraded forests do not appear to induce any appreciable physiological demands in parasitised birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Messina
- Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - David Paul Edwards
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Natalie Van Houtte
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Suzanne Tomassi
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Suzan Benedick
- School of Sustainable Agriculture, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - David Costantini
- UMR 7221 CNRS/MNHN, Muséum National d'Histoirie Naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, 7 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
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Bletsa M, Vrancken B, Gryseels S, Boonen I, Fikatas A, Li Y, Laudisoit A, Lequime S, Bryja J, Makundi R, Meheretu Y, Akaibe BD, Mbalitini SG, Van de Perre F, Van Houtte N, Těšíková J, Wollants E, Van Ranst M, Pybus OG, Drexler JF, Verheyen E, Leirs H, Gouy de Bellocq J, Lemey P. Molecular detection and genomic characterization of diverse hepaciviruses in African rodents. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab036. [PMID: 34221451 PMCID: PMC8242229 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV; genus Hepacivirus) represents a major public health problem, infecting about three per cent of the human population. Because no animal reservoir carrying closely related hepaciviruses has been identified, the zoonotic origins of HCV still remain unresolved. Motivated by recent findings of divergent hepaciviruses in rodents and a plausible African origin of HCV genotypes, we have screened a large collection of small mammals samples from seven sub-Saharan African countries. Out of 4,303 samples screened, eighty were found positive for the presence of hepaciviruses in twenty-nine different host species. We, here, report fifty-six novel genomes that considerably increase the diversity of three divergent rodent hepacivirus lineages. Furthermore, we provide strong evidence for hepacivirus co-infections in rodents, which were exclusively found in four sampled species of brush-furred mice. We also detect evidence of recombination within specific host lineages. Our study expands the available hepacivirus genomic data and contributes insights into the relatively deep evolutionary history of these pathogens in rodents. Overall, our results emphasize the importance of rodents as a potential hepacivirus reservoir and as models for investigating HCV infection dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Bletsa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Vrancken
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ine Boonen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Antonios Fikatas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yiqiao Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Sebastian Lequime
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Josef Bryja
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rhodes Makundi
- Pest Management Center -Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Yonas Meheretu
- Department of Biology and Institute of Mountain Research & Development, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Benjamin Dudu Akaibe
- Department of Ecology and Animal Resource Management, Faculty of Science, Biodiversity Monitoring Center, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Sylvestre Gambalemoke Mbalitini
- Department of Ecology and Animal Resource Management, Faculty of Science, Biodiversity Monitoring Center, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Frederik Van de Perre
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Natalie Van Houtte
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jana Těšíková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Elke Wollants
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc Van Ranst
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Oliver G Pybus
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany
| | - Erik Verheyen
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny-Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Philippe Lemey
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Pareyn M, Hendrickx R, Girma N, Hendrickx S, Van Bockstal L, Van Houtte N, Shibru S, Maes L, Leirs H, Caljon G. Evaluation of a pan-Leishmania SL RNA qPCR assay for parasite detection in laboratory-reared and field-collected sand flies and reservoir hosts. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:276. [PMID: 32487217 PMCID: PMC7268266 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04141-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In eco-epidemiological studies, Leishmania detection in vectors and reservoirs is frequently accomplished by high-throughput and sensitive molecular methods that target minicircle kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). A pan-Leishmania SYBR green quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay which detects the conserved spliced-leader RNA (SL RNA) sequence was developed recently. This study assessed the SL RNA assay performance combined with a crude extraction method for the detection of Leishmania in field-collected and laboratory-reared sand flies and in tissue samples from hyraxes as reservoir hosts. Methods Field-collected and laboratory-infected sand fly and hyrax extracts were subjected to three different qPCR approaches to assess the suitability of the SL RNA target for Leishmania detection. Nucleic acids of experimentally infected sand flies were isolated with a crude extraction buffer with ethanol precipitation and a commercial kit and tested for downstream DNA and RNA detection. Promastigotes were isolated from culture and sand fly midguts to assess whether there was difference in SL RNA and kDNA copy numbers. Naive sand flies were spiked with a serial dilution of promastigotes to make a standard curve. Results The qPCR targeting SL RNA performed well on infected sand fly samples, despite preservation and extraction under presumed unfavorable conditions for downstream RNA detection. Nucleic acid extraction by a crude extraction buffer combined with a precipitation step was highly compatible with downstream SL RNA and kDNA detection. Copy numbers of kDNA were found to be identical in culture-derived parasites and promastigotes isolated from sand fly midguts. SL RNA levels were slightly lower in sand fly promastigotes (ΔCq 1.7). The theoretical limit of detection and quantification of the SL RNA qPCR respectively reached down to 10−3 and 10 parasite equivalents. SL RNA detection in stored hyrax samples was less efficient with some false-negative assay results, most likely due to the long-term tissue storage in absence of RNA stabilizing reagents. Conclusions This study shows that a crude extraction method in combination with the SL RNA qPCR assay is suitable for the detection and quantification of Leishmania in sand flies. The assay is inexpensive, sensitive and pan-Leishmania specific, and accordingly an excellent assay for high-throughput screening in entomological research.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrthe Pareyn
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Rik Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Nigatu Girma
- Biology Department, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Sarah Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Lieselotte Van Bockstal
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Simon Shibru
- Biology Department, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Igbokwe J, Nicolas V, Oyeyiola A, Obadare A, Adesina AS, Awodiran MO, Van Houtte N, Fichet-Calvet E, Verheyen E, Olayemi A. Molecular taxonomy of Crocidura species (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) in a key biogeographical region for African shrews, Nigeria. C R Biol 2019; 342:108-117. [PMID: 31056422 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The taxonomy of African shrew species is still unresolved due to their conserved morphology. This also affects knowledge concerning their geographic distribution. In Nigeria, using mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene sequences, we carried out a survey for shrews from the genus Crocidura across various ecological zones to determine taxa that are present and also to assess their phylogeographic structure. Our analyses include 183 specimens collected with Sherman traps from 19 localities around the country. We detected six taxa: Crocidura olivieri lineages II, III and IV, C. hildegardeae, C. jouvenetae, and C. foxi. Among these, C. hildegardeae and C. jouvenetae are reported in Nigeria for the first time. Phylogenetic comparison of our genetic sequences to those generated from other parts of Africa demonstrate that all species in our study, as currently defined, are in need of taxonomic revision. Geographically, Nigeria seems to represent the easternmost boundary for C. olivieri lineage II and C. jouvenetae, and the western distribution limit of C. olivieri lineage IV and C. hildegardeae. The Niger River appears to be the most significant topographical barrier restricting these taxa. This information is vital to preserving the diversity but also managing the epidemiological potential of these small mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Igbokwe
- Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, HO 220005 Ile Ife, Nigeria.
| | - Violaine Nicolas
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB, UMR 7205 CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, EPHE, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, 57 rue Cuvier, CP 51, Sorbonne, France.
| | - Akinlabi Oyeyiola
- Natural History Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University, HO 220005 Ile Ife, Nigeria.
| | - Adeoba Obadare
- Natural History Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University, HO 220005 Ile Ife, Nigeria.
| | - Adetunji Samuel Adesina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Obafemi Awolowo University, HO 220005, Ile Ife, Nigeria.
| | | | - Natalie Van Houtte
- Biology Department, University of Antwerpen, Evolutionary Ecology Group, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Elisabeth Fichet-Calvet
- Bernhard-Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Erik Verheyen
- Biology Department, University of Antwerpen, Evolutionary Ecology Group, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Operational Direction Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Molecular Laboratory, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Ayodeji Olayemi
- Natural History Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University, HO 220005 Ile Ife, Nigeria.
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Maes J, Van Oosten AR, Van Houtte N, Matthysen E. Genetic structure of natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) populations in Flanders, Belgium, and its implications for conservation. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2019. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-17000181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Unique evolutionary potential could be lost when a population goes extinct or when individuals are translocated to other existing populations. Therefore, in order to identify priorities and to predict the efficiency and consequences of conservation actions, information is needed on the genetic structure of natural populations. In the urbanized and diverse landscapes of Flanders, Belgium, natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) populations have been declining over the last decades. Therefore, this species is subjected to a wide range of different types of conservation measures (e.g. habitat management, corridor development, translocations). However, more information is needed on its genetic population structure. In this study, we sampled egg clutches from six populations and studied their genetic structure with six microsatellite markers. In total, 184 samples from 99 different egg strings were genotyped. Observed heterozygosity was generally high, even for the small and isolated populations (overall mean HO = 0.43). The weak clustering by the Bayesian analyses (STRUCTURE, Adegenet and BAPS) does not allow us to make strong conclusions on the population structure. However, the significant ΦST values between the populations underline the importance of genetic information when conservation priorities are discussed. Unique evolutionary potential could be lost when one or more natterjack toad populations would go extinct, and translocation of individuals to other existing populations should be considered with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joke Maes
- 1Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Arend Raoul Van Oosten
- 1Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
- 2Department of Animal Ecology, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Natalie Van Houtte
- 1Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Erik Matthysen
- 1Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
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9
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Borremans B, Vossen R, Becker-Ziaja B, Gryseels S, Hughes N, Van Gestel M, Van Houtte N, Günther S, Leirs H. Shedding dynamics of Morogoro virus, an African arenavirus closely related to Lassa virus, in its natural reservoir host Mastomys natalensis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10445. [PMID: 26022445 PMCID: PMC4448520 DOI: 10.1038/srep10445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenaviruses can cause mild to severe hemorrhagic fevers. Humans mainly get infected through contact with infected rodents or their excretions, yet little is known about transmission dynamics within rodent populations. Morogoro virus (MORV) is an Old World arenavirus closely related to Lassa virus with which it shares the same host species Mastomys natalensis. We injected MORV in its host, and sampled blood and excretions at frequent intervals. Infection in adults was acute; viral RNA disappeared from blood after 18 days post infection (dpi) and from excretions after 39 dpi. Antibodies were present from 7 dpi and never disappeared. Neonatally infected animals acquired a chronic infection with RNA and antibodies in blood for at least 3 months. The quantified excretion and antibody patterns can be used to inform mathematical transmission models, and are essential for understanding and controlling transmission in the natural rodent host populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benny Borremans
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Raphaël Vossen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Sophie Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nelika Hughes
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mats Van Gestel
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Stephan Günther
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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10
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Sabuni CA, Van Houtte N, Maganga SLS, Makundi RH, Leirs H, Goüy de Bellocq J. Development of eight polymorphic microsatellite markers in the Black and Rufous sengi, Rhynchocyon petersi. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-014-0330-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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11
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Laudisoit A, Falay D, Amundala N, Akaibe D, de Bellocq JG, Van Houtte N, Breno M, Verheyen E, Wilschut L, Parola P, Raoult D, Socolovschi C. High prevalence of Rickettsia typhi and Bartonella species in rats and fleas, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2014; 90:463-8. [PMID: 24445202 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence and identity of Rickettsia and Bartonella in urban rat and flea populations were evaluated in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by molecular tools. An overall prevalence of 17% Bartonella species and 13% Rickettsia typhi, the agent of murine typhus, was found in the cosmopolitan rat species, Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus that were infested by a majority of Xenopsylla cheopis fleas. Bartonella queenslandensis, Bartonella elizabethae, and three Bartonella genotypes were identified by sequencing in rat specimens, mostly in R. rattus. Rickettsia typhi was detected in 72% of X. cheopis pools, the main vector and reservoir of this zoonotic pathogen. Co-infections were observed in rodents, suggesting a common mammalian host shared by R. typhi and Bartonella spp. Thus, both infections are endemic in DRC and the medical staffs need to be aware knowing the high prevalence of impoverished populations or immunocompromised inhabitants in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Laudisoit
- EEID, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Evolutionary Ecology, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium; University Clinic of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Science Faculty, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, DRC; Biodiversity Monitoring Center (Centre de Surveillance de la Biodiversité, CSB), Kisangani, DRC; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium; Faculty of Geosciences, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
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12
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Jordaens K, Van Houtte N, Helsen P, Breugelmans K, Jaksons P, Backeljau T. Mixed breeding system in the hermaphroditic land slug Arion intermedius (Stylommatophora, Arionidae). Hereditas 2013; 150:45-52. [PMID: 24164457 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5223.2013.02272.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Theory suggests that hermaphroditic plants and animals should be either entirely outcrossing or entirely selfing. As such, very few hermaphroditic plants and basommatophoran snails have a mixed breeding system. However, reliable estimates of selfing rates are lacking for most hermaphroditic animals. This partly prevents to delineate the relative contributions of the selective factors that determine selfing and outcrossing rates in hermaphroditic animal taxa. Here, we studied the population genetic structure of, and breeding system in, 11 populations of the hermaphroditic land slug Arion intermedius using five polymorphic microsatellite loci. Moreover, genotype frequencies deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations for most of the loci in all populations suggesting some level of selfing. Estimates of the selfing level s, suggest moderate levels of outcrossing (mean s based on FIS = 0.84; mean s based on the two-locus heterozygosity disequilibrium = 0.20, or with a ML approach = 0.22). Our study therefore suggests that A. intermedius has a mixed breeding system. A re-analysis of allozyme data from another arionid slug ( subgenus Carinarion) indicates that mixed breeding may be more common in arionid slugs than hitherto was assumed. These results seem therefore at variance with current theoretical and empirical predictions and opens perspectives for the study on the evolutionary factors driving mixed breeding systems in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Jordaens
- Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, BelgiumUniversity of Antwerp, Antwerp, BelgiumRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
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13
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Jordaens K, Pinceel J, Van Houtte N, Breugelmans K, Backeljau T. Arion transsylvanus (Mollusca, Pulmonata, Arionidae): rediscovery of a cryptic species. ZOOL SCR 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-6409.2010.00425.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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14
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15
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Jordaens K, De Wolf H, Van Houtte N, Vandecasteele B, Backeljau T. Genetic variation in two land snails, Cepaea nemoralis and Succinea putris (Gastropoda, Pulmonata), from sites differing in heavy metal content. Genetica 2006; 128:227-39. [PMID: 17028953 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-005-5705-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2005] [Accepted: 12/02/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Allozyme variation was determined in two land snail species (Cepaea nemoralis and Succinea putris) from four localities in northern Belgium. In each locality we selected a polluted and a nearby, less-polluted, reference plot. We examined whether (i) genetic variability differed between the polluted and reference plots, (ii) populations from polluted plots experienced recent bottlenecks, and (iii) certain allele or genotype frequencies were associated with the pollution. Our results suggest that (i) about 13% of the genetic differentiation in C. nemoralis and 5% in S. putris was due to differences among polluted and reference plots, (ii) polluted and reference plots had comparable levels of genetic variation, but in C. nemoralis observed heterozygosities were higher in polluted plots, (iii) most plots showed significant evidence for recent bottlenecks, irrespective of the degree of pollution, so that bottlenecks seem poor indicators of pollution-induced stress in land snails, and (iv) mutagenic or pollution-induced modifications did not seem to account for new allozyme variants in polluted sites. The observed patterns of genetic variation may be explained by the action of genetic drift, pollution-mediated selection, restricted gene flow, or a combination of these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Jordaens
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Biology Group, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
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16
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Pinceel J, Jordaens K, Van Houtte N, Bernon G, Backeljau T. Population Genetics and Identity of an Introduced Terrestrial Slug: Arion subfuscus s.l. in the North-east USA (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Arionidae). Genetica 2005; 125:155-71. [PMID: 16247689 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-005-5816-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2005] [Accepted: 04/13/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Several European species of the terrestrial slug genus Arion have been introduced into North America. A case in point is the species complex A. subfuscus s.l. which has become one of the most abundant slug taxa in North America. In Europe this complex consists of at least two cryptic species, viz. A. fuscus and A. subfuscus s.s., the latter of which is further subdivided in five strongly divergent mtDNA lineages (A. subfuscus S1-S5). In order to determine which of these A. subfsucus s.l. taxa are present in the NE USA and in order to assess their population genetic structure, we compared mtDNA, nDNA and allozyme variation between populations from the NE USA and Europe. Our results show that (1) at least A. subfuscus S1 has become successfully established in the NE USA, (2) founder effects are the most likely explanation for the loss of a large amount of molecular genetic variation in populations from the NE USA (i.e. a loss of 96% of the 16S rDNA haplotypes, 67% of the ITS1 alleles and 46% of the alleles at polymorphic allozyme loci), and (3) part of the remaining genetic variation in NE USA populations was probably due to multiple introductions from the British Isles and the European mainland, and the hybrid structure of most of these source populations. Apparently, the extreme loss of molecular genetic variation in this introduced species has not prevented it from successfully establishing and spreading in novel environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Pinceel
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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17
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Van Riel P, Jordaens K, Van Houtte N, Martins AMF, Verhagen R, Backeljau T. Molecular systematics of the endemic Leptaxini (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) on the Azores islands. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2005; 37:132-43. [PMID: 16085432 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2005.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2004] [Revised: 03/04/2005] [Accepted: 03/16/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The Azorean representatives of the Leptaxini (Pulmonata) are single island endemics, where a high-spired shell distinguishes the monotypic genus Helixena from two slightly different low-spired forms within Leptaxis (azorica and caldeirarum type). We studied the evolutionary history of putative taxa and the three shell-types using 12 allozyme loci and sequences of nuclear (ITS-1 and ITS-2) and mitochondrial DNA (COI and 16S rRNA). While little variation was found in both ITS genes, allozyme and mtDNA divergence was among the highest reported for pulmonate land snails. Generally, phylogeographic patterns are indicative of allopatric differentiation via the successive colonization of (younger) islands, while a major role for adaptive evolution is not supported. The azorica shell-type is monophyletic and has no common history with other sympatric shell-types on the same islands. The (ambiguous) position of Helixena sanctaemariae makes Leptaxis paraphyletic on the Azores and possibly also the caldeirarum shell-type. Helixena can therefore not be distinguished as a separate genus on the Azores. Following a lineage-based concept, representatives on all (ancient) islands should be considered distinct species.
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