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Chen K, Hu Z, Li J, Wang J, Liu D, Qi T, Guo W, Du C, Wang X. Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of equine piroplasmosis in China: a neglected tick-borne disease. Sci China Life Sci 2022; 65:445-447. [PMID: 34939161 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2021-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kewei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Zhe Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Jingkun Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Jingfei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Diqiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Ting Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Wei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Cheng Du
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China.
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China.
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He L, Bastos RG, Sun Y, Hua G, Guan G, Zhao J, Suarez CE. Babesiosis as a potential threat for bovine production in China. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:460. [PMID: 34493328 PMCID: PMC8425137 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04948-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease with global impact caused by parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa, genus Babesia. Typically, acute bovine babesiosis (BB) is characterized by fever, anemia, hemoglobinuria, and high mortality. Surviving animals remain persistently infected and become reservoirs for parasite transmission. Bovids in China can be infected by one or more Babesia species endemic to the country, including B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. orientalis, B. ovata, B. major, B. motasi, B. U sp. Kashi and B. venatorum. The latter may pose a zoonotic risk. Occurrence of this wide diversity of Babesia species in China may be due to a combination of favorable ecological factors, such as the presence of multiple tick vectors, including Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma, the coexistence of susceptible bovid species, such as domestic cattle, yaks, and water buffalo, and the lack of efficient measures of tick control. BB is currently widespread in several regions of the country and a limiting factor for cattle production. While some areas appear to have enzootic stability, others have considerable cattle mortality. Research is needed to devise solutions to the challenges posed by uncontrolled BB. Critical research gaps include risk assessment for cattle residing in endemic areas, understanding factors involved in endemic stability, evaluation of parasite diversity and pathogenicity of regional Babesia species, and estimation of whether and how BB should be controlled in China. Research should allow the design of comprehensive interventions to improve cattle production, diminish the risk of human infections, and increase the availability of affordable animal protein for human consumption in China and worldwide. In this review, we describe the current state of BB with reference to the diversity of hosts, vectors, and parasite species in China. We also discuss the unique risks and knowledge gaps that should be taken into consideration for future Babesia research and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 Hubei China
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Yali Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016 People’s Republic of China
| | - Guohua Hua
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Centre for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science & Technology, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping, Lanzhou, 730046 China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 Hubei China
| | - 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
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Showler AT, Pérez de León A, Saelao P. Biosurveillance and Research Needs Involving Area-Wide Systematic Active Sampling to Enhance Integrated Cattle Fever Tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Eradication. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:1601-1609. [PMID: 33822110 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab051] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The one-host cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say), and southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini), are important ectoparasitic pests of cattle, Bos taurus L., mostly for transmitting the causal agents of bovine babesiosis. Bovine babesiosis inflicted substantial cattle production losses in the United States before the vectors were eliminated by 1943, with the exception of a Permanent Quarantine Zone in South Texas, a buffer along the Mexico border where the invasive ixodids remain. As suitable hosts, infested white-tailed deer and nilgai antelope populations disperse R. annulatus and R. microplus, which increases the risk for emergence of bovine babesiosis in the United States. A R. microplus incursion first detected in 2016 on the South Texas coastal plain wildlife corridor involved infestations on cattle, nilgai antelope, white-tailed deer, and vegetation. Efforts at passive sampling of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. on hosts are concentrated in the Permanent Quarantine Zone. Hence, a knowledge gap exists on the full extent of the recent incursions. Area-wide, systematic, active sampling and supportive research, involving the Permanent Quarantine Zone, Temporary Quarantine Zone, most of the coastal plain, and other parts of Texas outside of the quarantine zones, are needed to bridge the knowledge gap. Herein, we provide research perspectives and rationale to develop and implement systematic active sampling that will provide an increasingly accurate assessment of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. distribution in Texas. We suggest that this is essential to advance integrated vector-borne animal disease eradication approaches for keeping cattle free of bovine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan T Showler
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, 2700 Fredericksburg Road, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA
| | - Adalberto Pérez de León
- USDA-ARS, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, 9611 South Riverbend Avenue, Parlier, CA 93648, USA
| | - Perot Saelao
- USDA-ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, 2700 Fredericksburg Road, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA
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Zembsch TE, Lee X, Bron GM, Bartholomay LC, Paskewitz SM. Coinfection of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Nymphs With Babesia spp. (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) and Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) in Wisconsin. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:1891-1899. [PMID: 33855361 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab056] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete that causes Lyme disease, is endemic and widespread in Wisconsin. Research in the northeastern United States has revealed a positive association between Babesia microti, the main pathogen that causes babesiosis in humans, and Bo. burgdorferi in humans and in ticks. This study was conducted to examine associations between the disease agents in the Upper midwestern United States. Ixodes scapularis Say nymphs (N = 2,858) collected between 2015 and 2017 from nine locations in Wisconsin were tested for Babesia spp. and Borrelia spp. using real-time PCR. Two species of Babesia were detected; Ba. microti and Babesia odocoilei (a parasite of members of the family Cervidae). Prevalence of infection at the nine locations ranged from 0 to 13% for Ba. microti, 11 to 31% for Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto, and 5.7 to 26% for Ba. odocoilei. Coinfection of nymphs with Bo. burgdorferi and Ba. odocoilei was detected in eight of the nine locations and significant positive associations were observed in two of the eight locations. The prevalence of nymphal coinfection with both and Bo. burgdorferi and Ba. microti ranged from 0.81 to 6.5%. These two pathogens were significantly positively associated in one of the five locations where both pathogens were detected. In the other four locations, the observed prevalence of coinfection was higher than expected in all but one site-year. Clinics and healthcare providers should be aware of the association between Ba. microti and Bo. burgdorferi pathogens when treating patients who report tick bites.
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Affiliation(s)
- T E Zembsch
- Department of Entomology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - X Lee
- Department of Entomology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - G M Bron
- Department of Entomology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - L C Bartholomay
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - S M Paskewitz
- Department of Entomology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Chiu JE, Renard I, George S, Pal AC, Alday PH, Narasimhan S, Riscoe MK, Doggett JS, Ben Mamoun C. Cytochrome b Drug Resistance Mutation Decreases Babesia Fitness in the Tick Stages But Not the Mammalian Erythrocytic Cycle. J Infect Dis 2021; 225:135-145. [PMID: 34139755 PMCID: PMC8730496 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne malaria-like illness caused by Babesia parasites following their development in erythrocytes. Here, we show that a mutation in the Babesia microti mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) that confers resistance to the antibabesial drug ELQ-502 decreases parasite fitness in the arthropod vector. Interestingly, whereas the mutant allele does not affect B. microti fitness during the mammalian blood phase of the parasite life cycle and is genetically stable as parasite burden increases, ELQ-502-resistant mutant parasites developing in the tick vector are genetically unstable with a high rate of the wild-type allele emerging during the nymphal stage. Furthermore, we show that B. microti parasites with this mutation are transmitted from the tick to the host, raising the possibility that the frequency of Cytb resistance mutations may be decreased by passage through the tick vector, but could persist in the environment if present when ticks feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy E Chiu
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Isaline Renard
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Santosh George
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Anasuya C Pal
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Sukanya Narasimhan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | | | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Correspondence: Choukri Ben Mamoun, PhD, Yale School of Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Microbial Pathogenesis, Section of Infectious Diseases, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520 ()
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Negi T, Kandari LS, Arunachalam K. Update on prevalence and distribution pattern of tick-borne diseases among humans in India: a review. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:1523-1539. [PMID: 33797610 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07114-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In the present scenario, tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are well known for their negative impacts on humans as well as animal health in India. The reason lies in their increased incidences due to global warming, environmental and ecological changes, and availability of suitable habitats. On a global basis, they are now considered a serious threat to human as well as livestock health. The major tick-borne diseases in India include Kyasanur forest disease (KFD), Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), Lyme disease (LD), Q fever (also known as coxiellosis), and Rickettsial infections. In recent years, other tick-borne diseases such as Babesiosis, Ganjam virus (GANV), and Bhanja virus (BHAV) infections have also been reported in India. The purpose of this paper is to review the history and the current state of knowledge of tick-borne diseases in the country. The conclusion of this review is extending the requirement of greater efforts in research and government management for the diagnosis and treatment and as well as prevention of these diseases so that tick-borne disease burden should be minimizing in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tripti Negi
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Doon University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248 012, India.
| | - Laxman Singh Kandari
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, School of Agriculture and Allied Science, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, 246 174, India
| | - Kusum Arunachalam
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Doon University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248 012, India
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW As human babesiosis caused by apicomplexan parasites of the Babesia genus is associated with transfusion-transmitted illness and relapsing disease in immunosuppressed populations, it is important to report novel findings relating to parasite biology that may be responsible for such pathology. Blood screening tools recently licensed by the FDA are also described to allow understanding of their impact on keeping the blood supply well tolerated. RECENT FINDINGS Reports of tick-borne cases within new geographical regions such as the Pacific Northwest of the USA, through Eastern Europe and into China are also on the rise. Novel features of the parasite lifecycle that underlie the basis of parasite persistence have recently been characterized. These merit consideration in deployment of both detection, treatment and mitigation tools such as pathogen inactivation technology. The impact of new blood donor screening tests in reducing transfusion transmitted babesiosis is discussed. SUMMARY New Babesia species have been identified globally, suggesting that the epidemiology of this disease is rapidly changing, making it clear that human babesiosis is a serious public health concern that requires close monitoring and effective intervention measures. Unlike other erythrocytic parasites, Babesia exploits unconventional lifecycle strategies that permit host cycles of different lengths to ensure survival in hostile environments. With the licensure of new blood screening tests, incidence of transfusion transmission babesiosis has decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A Lobo
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites, Lindsley Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, USA
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Elbaz E, Moustafa MAM, Lee K, Ching ALC, Shimozuru M, Sashika M, Nakao R, El-Khodery SA, Tsubota T. Utilizing attached hard ticks as pointers to the risk of infection by Babesia and Theileria species in sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis), in Japan. Exp Appl Acarol 2020; 82:411-429. [PMID: 33009646 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00551-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that have a significant impact on their animal hosts. Along with mosquitoes, they are the main arthropod vectors of disease agents in domestic animals, wildlife and humans. To investigate the occurrence and prevalence of piroplasmids in ticks, DNA was extracted from 519 hard ticks collected from 116 hunted Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis). The success of the DNA extraction was confirmed by touchdown PCR targeting the mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene of ticks. Touchdown PCR and reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization targeting the 18S rRNA gene were used to detect 14 piroplasm species. All hard ticks parasitizing Hokkaido sika deer were identified as belonging to the genera Ixodes and Haemaphysalis. In total 163 samples (31.4%) were positive for Babesia and Theileria spp. among tick species according to RLB hybridization. Tick DNA hybridized to the oligonucleotide probes of Theileria sp. Thrivae (27.0% of ticks; 140/519), Theileria capreoli (10.6%; 55/519), Babesia divergens-like (1.7%; 9/519), Babesia sp. (Bab-SD) (0.6%; 3/519), Babesia microti U.S. (0.4%; 2/519), and B. microti Hobetsu (0.4%; 2/519). The partial sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the 18S rRNA gene confirmed the RLB hybridization results. Further investigations are needed to reveal the epidemiology and respective vectors of these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzahara Elbaz
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 18 West 9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 18 West 9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Kyunglee Lee
- Cetacean Research Institute, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Alice Lau Ching Ching
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 18 West 9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Michito Shimozuru
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 18 West 9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Mariko Sashika
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 18 West 9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sabry Ahmed El-Khodery
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Toshio Tsubota
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 18 West 9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan.
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 18 West 9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan.
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Marques R, Krüger RF, Peterson AT, de Melo LF, Vicenzi N, Jiménez-García D. Climate change implications for the distribution of the babesiosis and anaplasmosis tick vector, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Vet Res 2020; 51:81. [PMID: 32546223 PMCID: PMC7298856 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-020-00802-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change ranks among the most important issues globally, affecting geographic distributions of vectors and pathogens, and inducing losses in livestock production among many other damaging effects. We characterized the potential geographic distribution of the ticks Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, an important vector of babesiosis and anaplasmosis globally. We evaluated potential geographic shifts in suitability patterns for this species in two periods (2050 and 2070) and under two emissions scenarios (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5). Our results anticipate increases in suitability worldwide, particularly in the highest production areas for cattle. The Indo-Malayan region resulted in the highest cattle exposure under both climate change projections (2050), with increases in suitability of > 30%. This study illustrates how ecological niche modeling can be used to explore probable effects of climate change on disease vectors, and the possible consequences on economic dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Marques
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Parasitos e Vetores, Programa de Pós Graduação em Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS Brazil
| | - Rodrigo F. Krüger
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Parasitos e Vetores, Programa de Pós Graduação em Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS Brazil
| | | | - Larissa F. de Melo
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Parasitos e Vetores, Programa de Pós Graduação em Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS Brazil
| | - Natália Vicenzi
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Parasitos e Vetores, Programa de Pós Graduação em Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS Brazil
| | - Daniel Jiménez-García
- Centro de Agroecología y Ambiente, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Puebla México
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Parsh
- At Sacramento State University School of Nursing in Sacramento, Calif., Bridget Parsh is a professor and Kaitlyn Whitney is a nursing student
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Young KM, Corrin T, Wilhelm B, Uhland C, Greig J, Mascarenhas M, Waddell LA. Zoonotic Babesia: A scoping review of the global evidence. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226781. [PMID: 31887120 PMCID: PMC6936817 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesiosis is a parasitic vector-borne disease of increasing public health importance. Since the first human case was reported in 1957, zoonotic species have been reported on nearly every continent. Zoonotic Babesia is vectored by Ixodes ticks and is commonly transmitted in North America by Ixodes scapularis, the tick species responsible for transmitting the pathogens that also cause Lyme disease, Powassan virus, and anaplasmosis in humans. Predicted climate change is expected to impact the spread of vectors, which is likely to affect the distribution of vector-borne diseases including human babesiosis. METHODS A scoping review has been executed to characterize the global evidence on zoonotic babesiosis. Articles were compiled through a comprehensive search of relevant bibliographic databases and targeted government websites. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts for relevance and characterized full-text articles using a relevance screening and data characterization tool developed a priori. RESULTS This review included 1394 articles relevant to human babesiosis and/or zoonotic Babesia species. The main zoonotic species were B. microti, B. divergens, B. duncani and B. venatorum. Articles described a variety of study designs used to study babesiosis in humans and/or zoonotic Babesia species in vectors, animal hosts, and in vitro cell cultures. Topics of study included: pathogenesis (680 articles), epidemiology (480), parasite characterization (243), diagnostic test accuracy (98), mitigation (94), treatment (65), transmission (54), surveillance (29), economic analysis (7), and societal knowledge (1). No articles reported predictive models investigating the impact of climate change on Babesia species. CONCLUSION Knowledge gaps in the current evidence include research on the economic burden associated with babesiosis, societal knowledge studies, surveillance of Babesia species in vectors and animal hosts, and predictive models on the impact of climate change. The scoping review results describe the current knowledge and knowledge gaps on zoonotic Babesia which can be used to inform future policy and decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin M. Young
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tricia Corrin
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Carl Uhland
- Independent Consultant, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Judy Greig
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mariola Mascarenhas
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa A. Waddell
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Asman M, Witecka J, Solarz K, Zwonik A, Szilman P. Occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from selected areas of Opolskie Province in south-west Poland. Ann Agric Environ Med 2019; 26:544-547. [PMID: 31885226 DOI: 10.26444/aaem/110214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are vectors and/or reservoirs of many pathogens, i.e. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti. These pathogens are ethiological agents of such diseases as Lyme borreliosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis and human babesiosis. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the Ixodes ricinus in the transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti in Opolskie Province in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS DNA from 222 ticks was isolated by the ammonia method. The pair of primers specific to the flagelline gene was used to detect of B. burgdorferi s. l. To detect of genospecies of this spirochete, three pairs of internal primers were used. In turn, two pairs of primers specific to the 16S rDNA gene and the 18S rRNA were used, respectively, for the detection of A. phagocytophilum and B. microti. Borrelia burgdorferi s. l., A. phagocytophilum, and B. microti were detected in 4.5%, 2.7% and 5.4% of examined ticks, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Of the ten ticks infected with B. burgdorferi s. l., B. afzelii was found in seven, undefinied genospecies in two, and mixed infection with B. afzelii and B. burgdorferi s. s. in one. The study demonstrated the potential risk of exposure of humans and animals to infections of B. burgdorferi s. l., A. phagocytophilum and B. microti in the examined area of Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Asman
- Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Joanna Witecka
- Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Solarz
- Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Alicja Zwonik
- Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Piotr Szilman
- Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Svensson J, Lazarevic V, Bläckberg J, Olsson M, Persson K. [Babesiosis could be more common in Sweden than previously thought]. Lakartidningen 2019; 116:FL4D. [PMID: 31265116] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Babesia is a malaria-like, intraerythrocytic parasite with more than 100 different species. It is a zoonosis and some of the species are transmitted to humans by ticks and also as a possible transfusion-transmitted infection. In Sweden the disease has been well known in veterinary medicine for a long time, but only a few but severe cases have been published in humans during the last decades. Common symptoms from human Babesia infections (babesiosis) are fever, chills and myalgia and they vary from subclinical to potentially fatal among those with risk factors such as immunosuppression and splenectomy. In the U.S. more than 2,000 cases of babesiosis are found yearly and it is one of the most frequent fatal infections following blood transfusion. A study from southern Sweden has recently revealed a seroprevalence of 16% of Babesia antibodies among Borrelia-infected persons. These results indicate that there is a need to broaden awareness of Babesia in Sweden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Svensson
- Dept of Laboratory Medicine - Lund University Lund, Sweden Dept of Laboratory Medicine - Lund University Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Jonas Bläckberg
- Infectious Diseases - Lund, Sweden Infectious Diseases - Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Olsson
- Immunology and Transfusion Medicine - Lund, Sweden Immunology and Transfusion Medicine - Lund, Sweden
| | - Kristina Persson
- Dept of Laboratory Medicine - Lund University Lund, Sweden Dept of Laboratory Medicine - Lund University Lund, Sweden
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Dwużnik D, Mierzejewska EJ, Drabik P, Kloch A, Alsarraf M, Behnke JM, Bajer A. The role of juvenile Dermacentor reticulatus ticks as vectors of microorganisms and the problem of 'meal contamination'. Exp Appl Acarol 2019; 78:181-202. [PMID: 31119415 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00380-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile Dermacentor reticulatus ticks inhabit nests and burrows of their rodent hosts and cannot be collected from vegetation. To detect vertical transmission of Babesia canis in D. reticulatus, we studied larvae and nymphs collected from rodents. However, the molecular techniques used for detection of pathogen DNA are sensitive enough to detect not only pathogens vectored by ticks but also those taken up with current or previous blood meals ('meal contamination') or just present in the environment and on the tick or host surface ('environmental contaminations'). Thus, an additional aim of our study was to evaluate the extent of such contamination while studying feeding ticks collected from rodents. Juvenile D. reticulatus were collected from 140 rodents: 91 bank voles trapped in two forest sites in the Mazury Lake District and 49 rodents (Apodemus and Microtus spp.) from an open habitat near the town of Białobrzegi in Central Poland. Altogether 504 D. reticulatus ticks, comprising 266 individually evaluated nymphs and 238 larvae assigned to 50 larval pools, were studied for the presence of Babesia, Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. DNA. Statistical analyses were conducted to (1) evaluate the effect of rodent host factors (species, sex and age) on prevalence of infection in ticks, and (2) to compare the frequency of positive samples between groups of pathogen-positive and pathogen-negative rodent hosts. To complete the last aim, blood samples obtained from 49 rodents from Białobrzegi were studied for the presence of Babesia and Bartonella DNA. Infestation of rodent hosts with juvenile ticks ranged between 46 and 78%, with a mean abundance of 3.6 ticks/rodent for D. reticulatus and 4.8 ticks/rodent for Ixodes ricinus. The highest prevalence of PCR-positive D. reticulatus samples was obtained for Rickettsia spp. (28%) and R. raoultii was identified in 22 sequenced PCR products. Babesia DNA was detected in 20 (7.5%), including B. microti in 18 (6.8%) and B. canis in two (0.8%) of 266 D. reticulatus nymphs that were analyzed. Babesia microti DNA was also detected in four pools of D. reticulatus larvae (4/50 pools = 8%). The detection success of B. microti in D. reticulatus was associated with the species of the rodent hosts of the ticks (much higher for typical B. microti-host-species such as Microtus spp. than for Apodemus spp.) and host age (3 × higher in ticks collected from adult hosts in comparison to juvenile ones). Moreover, the DNA of B. microti was detected in 68% of D. reticulatus nymphs collected from B. microti-positive rodents in comparison to only 1.6% of nymphs collected from B. microti-negative rodents. Bartonella DNA was detected in 18% of D. reticulatus tick samples (38% of larval pools, 14% of nymphs). Again, host factors played important roles for 'tick positivity'-the highest prevalence of positive ticks was on Apodemus spp., which are regarded as Bartonella reservoirs. Bartonella DNA was detected in 42% of nymphs and 57% of larval pools collected from Bartonella-positive rodents in comparison to 28% of nymphs and 11% of larvae collected from Bartonella-negative rodents. Vertical transmission of B. canis in D. reticulatus ticks was confirmed in the field. Additionally, we demonstrated that 'meal contamination' generates a confounding signal in molecular detection of pathogen DNA extracted from ticks collected from infected hosts and must be taken into account in evaluating the competence of tick species as vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Dwużnik
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa J Mierzejewska
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Drabik
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kloch
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mohammed Alsarraf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
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Fourie JJ, de Vos C, Crafford D, Pollmeier M, Schunack B. A study on the long-term efficacy of Seresto® collars in preventing Babesia canis (Piana & Galli-Valerio, 1895) transmission to dogs by infected Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) ticks. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:139. [PMID: 30902104 PMCID: PMC6431040 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3393-z] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An imidacloprid/flumethrin collar (Seresto®) was previously shown to prevent infection with Babesia canis, transmitted by Dermacentor reticulatus, in dogs for up to 1 month after application. The present study evaluated the prevention of transmission throughout the claimed efficacy period of 8 months. METHODS Eight animals each were randomly included in groups 1 (negative control) and 2 (Seresto® collar), respectively. Animals in group 2 received the Seresto® collar on Day 0. Tick challenges were performed monthly from the 2nd to the 8th month. Assessment criteria included in situ tick counts 48 hours post-challenge, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses and immunofluorescence assays (IFA). Whenever dogs were diagnosed with babesiosis they were "rescue-treated", excluded and replaced. Consequently, 24 replacement animals were introduced at various time points throughout the study in the control group; thus data for a total of 32 dogs were available in the latter group at study termination. RESULTS Acaricidal efficacy for in situ counts was 93% on Day 30, and ranged from 97 to 100% thereafter. No B. canis specific DNA or antibodies were detected in any Seresto®-treated dog at any time. Babesia canis-specific DNA and antibodies were detected in 2-6 of 8 control dogs after each challenge, confirming the validity of the challenge model. CONCLUSIONS The Seresto® collar was highly effective against challenges with D. reticulatus ticks for up to 8 months. The high sustained acaricidal efficacy over this period prevented transmission of B. canis, thus fully protecting dogs against infection in this experimental infestation model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephus J. Fourie
- Clinvet International (Pty) Ltd, Uitzich Road, Bainsvlei, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Christa de Vos
- Clinvet International (Pty) Ltd, Uitzich Road, Bainsvlei, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Dionne Crafford
- Clinvet International (Pty) Ltd, Uitzich Road, Bainsvlei, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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Abstract
Babesiosis, caused by piroplasmid protozoans in the genus Babesia, is arguably the most important vector-borne disease of livestock and companion animals and is growing in importance as a zoonosis. Ixodid ticks were identified as vectors more than a hundred years ago, but the particular tick species transmitting some significant pathogens are still unknown. Moreover, it is only recently that the complexity of the pathogen-tick relationship has been revealed as a result of studies enabled by gene expression and RNA interference methodology. In this article, we provide details of demonstrated and incriminated vectors, maps of the current knowledge of vector distribution, a summary of established features of the pathogen life cycle in the vector, and an outline of molecular research on pathogen-tick relationships. The article concludes with a discussion of vector ecology and disease epidemiology in a global-change context and with suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland;
| | | | - Annetta Zintl
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland;
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Mierzejewska EJ, Dwużnik D, Bajer A. Molecular study of transovarial transmission of Babesia canis in the Dermacentor reticulatus tick. Ann Agric Environ Med 2018; 25:669-671. [PMID: 30586970 DOI: 10.26444/aaem/94673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Dermacentor reticulatus tick is a main vector of Babesia canis in Europe. The risk of canine babesiosis is unpredictable, due to significant differences in the prevalence of B. canis between ticks originating from closely situated regions. This phenomenon may be explained by vertical transmission of the pathogen in a vector population. Thus, molecular techniques were applied to investigate the occurrence of transovarial transmission in D. reticulatus ticks. DNA of B. canis was detected in 20.7% (6/29) of engorged female ticks collected from dogs, in every pool of eggs laid by positive females (100%, 6/6) and in larvae hatched from these eggs. In the pools of eggs collected from two positive females (2/6; 33.3%), no larvae hatched and no embryos were observed inside the eggs. Conclusions. Transovarial transmission of B. canis can be an important mechanism supporting maintenance of the pathogen in the environment without the presence of a reservoir vertebrate host. However, the efficiency of transovarial transmission in the maintenance of B. canis in natural conditions requires further field research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anna Bajer
- Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland.
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Kamani J, Chung PJ, Lee CC, Chung YT. In search of the vector(s) of Babesia rossi in Nigeria: molecular detection of B. rossi DNA in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks collected from dogs, circumstantial evidence worth exploring. Exp Appl Acarol 2018; 76:243-248. [PMID: 30298231 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0311-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) (Acari: Ixodidae) has a cosmopolitan distribution, is a proven vector of a host of pathogens with emerging evidence incriminating it in the transmission of some others. Specifically it is reputed as the main vector of Babesia vogeli whereas the southern African yellow dog tick Haemaphysalis elliptica, long considered to be H. leachi, is apparently the only proven vector of B. rossi, since the resurrection of the separate species H. elliptica as a member of the leachi-group by Apanaskevich et al. However, recent epidemiological surveys conducted in Nigeria show higher prevalence of B. rossi than B. vogeli infection in dogs most of whom were infested with R. sanguineus and rarely with ticks of the H. leachi group. The discrepancy between tick distribution and Babesia spp. prevalent in dogs stimulated us to investigate the possible role of R. sanguineus (s.l.) in the natural transmission of B. rossi. Out of a total of 66 tick samples identified morphologically and molecularly as R. sanguineus collected from dogs manifesting clinical signs of tick-borne diseases, eight (12%) were positive in nested PCR for Babesia sp. DNA. Sequencing results for these amplified products showed that all of the 18S rDNA sequences (693 bp) were identical to each other, and bore 99.3-99.9% identities with those from other B. rossi isolates accessible in GenBank. None of the ticks harbored the DNA of B. vogeli or B. canis. The possible implications for the detection of B. rossi DNA in R. sanguineus (s.l.) ticks collected from dogs in the epidemiology of B. rossi infection of dogs in Nigeria is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Kamani
- Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, PMB 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
| | - Ping-Jun Chung
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Chan Lee
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Tsung Chung
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Eisen L. Pathogen transmission in relation to duration of attachment by Ixodes scapularis ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:535-542. [PMID: 29398603 PMCID: PMC5857464 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is the primary vector to humans in the eastern United States of the deer tick virus lineage of Powassan virus (Powassan virus disease); the protozoan parasite Babesia microti (babesiosis); and multiple bacterial disease agents including Anaplasma phagocytophilum (anaplasmosis), Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii (Lyme disease), Borrelia miyamotoi (relapsing fever-like illness, named Borrelia miyamotoi disease), and Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis (a minor causative agent of ehrlichiosis). With the notable exception of Powassan virus, which can be transmitted within minutes after attachment by an infected tick, there is no doubt that the risk of transmission of other I. scapularis-borne pathogens, including Lyme disease spirochetes, increases with the length of time (number of days) infected ticks are allowed to remain attached. This review summarizes data from experimental transmission studies to reinforce the important disease-prevention message that regular (at least daily) tick checks and prompt tick removal has strong potential to reduce the risk of transmission of I. scapularis-borne bacterial and parasitic pathogens from infected attached ticks. The most likely scenario for human exposure to an I. scapularis-borne pathogen is the bite by a single infected tick. However, recent reviews have failed to make a clear distinction between data based on transmission studies where experimental hosts were fed upon by a single versus multiple infected ticks. A summary of data from experimental studies on transmission of Lyme disease spirochetes (Bo. burgdorferi and Bo. mayonii) by I. scapularis nymphs indicates that the probability of transmission resulting in host infection, at time points from 24 to 72 h after nymphal attachment, is higher when multiple infected ticks feed together as compared to feeding by a single infected tick. In the specific context of risk for human infection, the most relevant experimental studies therefore are those where the probability of pathogen transmission at a given point in time after attachment was determined using a single infected tick. The minimum duration of attachment by single infected I. scapularis nymphs required for transmission to result in host infection is poorly defined for most pathogens, but experimental studies have shown that Powassan virus can be transmitted within 15 min of tick attachment and both A. phagocytophilum and Bo. miyamotoi within the first 24 h of attachment. There is no experimental evidence for transmission of Lyme disease spirochetes by single infected I. scapularis nymphs to result in host infection when ticks are attached for only 24 h (despite exposure of nearly 90 experimental rodent hosts across multiple studies) but the probability of transmission resulting in host infection appears to increase to approximately 10% by 48 h and reach 70% by 72 h for Bo. burgdorferi. Caveats to the results from experimental transmission studies, including specific circumstances (such as re-attachment of previously partially fed infected ticks) that may lead to more rapid transmission are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156, Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, United States.
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Brennan MB, Herwaldt BL, Kazmierczak JJ, Weiss JW, Klein CL, Leith CP, He R, Oberley MJ, Tonnetti L, Wilkins PP, Gauthier GM. Transmission of Babesia microti Parasites by Solid Organ Transplantation. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 22. [PMID: 27767010 PMCID: PMC5088010 DOI: 10.3201/eid2211.151028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with this parasite should be included in differential diagnosis of fever and anemia after blood transfusion or organ transplantation. Babesia microti, an intraerythrocytic parasite, is tickborne in nature. In contrast to transmission by blood transfusion, which has been well documented, transmission associated with solid organ transplantation has not been reported. We describe parasitologically confirmed cases of babesiosis diagnosed ≈8 weeks posttransplantation in 2 recipients of renal allografts from an organ donor who was multiply transfused on the day he died from traumatic injuries. The organ donor and recipients had no identified risk factors for tickborne infection. Antibodies against B. microti parasites were not detected by serologic testing of archived pretransplant specimens. However, 1 of the organ donor’s blood donors was seropositive when tested postdonation and had risk factors for tick exposure. The organ donor probably served as a conduit of Babesia parasites from the seropositive blood donor to both kidney recipients. Babesiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of unexplained fever and hemolytic anemia after blood transfusion or organ transplantation.
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Karbowiak G, Biernat B, Stańczak J, Werszko J, Szewczyk T, Sytykiewicz H. The role of particular ticks developmental stages in the circulation of tick-borne pathogens in Central Europe. 6. Babesia. Ann Parasitol 2018; 64:265-284. [PMID: 30710470 DOI: 10.17420/ap6404.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the Central European conditions, three species of Babesia have epidemiological significance as human pathogens – Babesia divergens, B. microti and B. venatorum. Tick Ixodes ricinus is considered as their main vector, wild mammals as the animal reservoir. The zoonotic cycles of small and large Babesia differ in details. Due to the lack of transovarial mode transmission in small species B. microti, the circulation goes mainly between immature ticks and vertebrate hosts; pathogen circulates primarily in the cycle: infected rodent → the tick larva → the nymph → the mammal reservoir →the larva of the tick. The tick stages able to effectively infect human are nymphs and adult females, males do not participate in the follow transmission. For large Babesia – B. divergens and B. venatorum, the transovarial and transstadial transmission enable the presence of the agent in adult ticks, moreover, that larvae and nymphs feed on not-susceptible hosts. The tick stages able to effectively infect cattle and other ruminants are adult females. Resuming, pathogen circulates primarily in the cycle the ruminant host – adult female tick – the larva – the nymph – adult female of the next generation – the ruminant. Due to the compound developmental transmission has place after the outflow of a tick began feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Karbowiak
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Beata Biernat
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, ul. Powstania Styczniowego 9B, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Joanna Stańczak
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, ul. Powstania Styczniowego 9B, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Joanna Werszko
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Tomasz Szewczyk
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Hubert Sytykiewicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, ul. Prusa 12, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
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Gao ZH, Huang TH, Jiang BG, Jia N, Liu ZX, Shao ZT, Jiang RR, Liu HB, Wei R, Li YQ, Yao HW, von Fricken ME, Jiang JF, Du CH, Cao WC. Wide Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Babesia microti in Small Mammals from Yunnan Province, Southwestern China. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005898. [PMID: 29059184 PMCID: PMC5681298 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Babesia, usually found in wild and domestic mammals worldwide, have recently been responsible for emerging malaria-like zoonosis in infected patients. Human B. microti infection has been identified in China, primarily in the Southwest along the Myanmar border but little direct surveillance of B. microti infection in rodents has been carried out here (Yunnan province). In this region, a diverse topographic range combined with tropical moisture sustains a high biodiversity of small mammals, which might play important role on Babesia transmission. Methods Small mammals were captured in 141 sample locations from 18 counties located Yunnan Province, and screened for B. microti-like parasites infection by a nested PCR to target 18S rRNA gene of Babesia, plus directly sequencing for positive samples. Univariate and multivariate forward stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to access the association between infections and some related risk factors. Results Infection with Babesia microti was confirmed in 2.4% (53/ 2204) of small mammals. Significant differences in prevalence rates of B. microti were observed based on variations in forest, agricultural, and residential landscapes. Furthermore, adult small mammals had higher prevalence rates than younger, pubertal mammals. The near full-length 18S rRNA gene revealed that there were two types of B. microti, Kobe and Otsu, which demonstrate the genetic diversity and regional distribution. Conclusions There exists a wide distribution and genetic diversity of endemic B. microti in Southwestern China, warranting further investigations and monitoring of clinical disease in individuals presenting with Babesia like symptoms in these areas. Babesia spp are garnering more attention as causative agents of human disease, with B. microti responsible for most cases globally. Our study documents potential small mammal reservoir hosts, collected from a large of sample sites, with PCR and sequencing identifying the wide distribution and genetic diversity of endemic B. microti in Southwestern China. Our study adds to body of literature on Babesia in China, while focusing on potential rodent reservoirs of disease. This report will be important for public health, and for researchers in the field of parasitology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Hou Gao
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan, P.R., China
| | - Tao-Hua Huang
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan, P.R., China
| | - Bao-Gui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R., China
| | - Na Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R., China
| | - Zheng-Xiang Liu
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan, P.R., China
| | - Zong-Ti Shao
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan, P.R., China
| | - Rui-Ruo Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R., China
| | - Hong-Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R., China
| | - Ran Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R., China
| | - Yu-Qiong Li
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan, P.R., China
| | - Hong-Wu Yao
- Chinese PLA General Hospital (301 Hospital), Beijing, P.R., China
| | - Michael E. von Fricken
- George Mason University, Dept. of Global and Community Health, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
- Duke University, Duke Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Durham N.C., United States of America
| | - Jia-Fu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R., China
- * E-mail: (JFJ); (CHD); (WCC)
| | - Chun-Hong Du
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan, P.R., China
- * E-mail: (JFJ); (CHD); (WCC)
| | - Wu-Chun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R., China
- * E-mail: (JFJ); (CHD); (WCC)
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Alsarraf M, Mierzejewska EJ, Mohallal EME, Behnke JM, Bajer A. Genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the ticks from the Sinai Massif, Egypt, and their possible role in the transmission of Babesia behnkei. Exp Appl Acarol 2017; 72:415-427. [PMID: 28849399 PMCID: PMC5583268 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0164-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Following the description of Babesia behnkei in the region of St. Katherine, Sinai, the present study was undertaken to determine the role of local tick species as vectors of piroplasms. First we assessed the local fauna of ticks, especially species occurring on rodents, camels and encountered in the environment, and then we compared genotypes of ticks from isolated wadis. Finally, we assessed the role of local tick species as potential vectors of Babesia spp. During our expedition to the Sinai Massif in a 4-week period in August-September 2012, 393 ticks were collected, including 235 adult questing ticks collected from the environment (ground level in the wadis) and 158 engorging ticks from camels and rodents. Amplification and sequencing of a 600 bp fragment of the conservative 18S rDNA and a 440 bp fragment of the more variable mitochondrial (mt) 16S rDNA were carried out to enable the identification of 54 ticks and to assess the genetic variability of ticks collected from two distant isolated wadis. The camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii constituted the majority (80-90%) of adult ticks collected from three wadis in the Sinai Mountains near St. Katherine. Among juvenile ticks collected from rodents, three genotypes were identified: H. dromedarii; Hyalomma sp. showing low homology with H. dromedarii, H. lusitanicum or H. aegyptium; and Rhipicephalus sp. A new genotype of Hyalomma was identified in an isolated montane valley, W. Gebal. Babesia/Theileria DNA was not detected in any of the ticks, which is likely due to the low infection rate in the limited number of ticks that were examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alsarraf
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa J. Mierzejewska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Jerzy M. Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
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Ahmed Saleh AM, Adam SM, Ibrahim AMA, Morsy TA. A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NURSING STAFF REGARDING BLOOD PARASITES ACQUIRED BY NEEDLE STICK INJURY IN A MILITARY HOSPITAL. J Egypt Soc Parasitol 2017; 47:65-80. [PMID: 30157334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Nurses are likely to be exposed to microorganisms during their daily practice due to their close and frequent direct contact with patients. This could be one of the main causes of transmitting infection to the patients. Therefore, nurses should demonstrate the ability to effectively utilize principles of infection control, nurses should have professional and ethical responsibilities to make sure that their knowledge and skills regarding infection control are up-to-date and they practice safely and competently at all times. AIM At assessing the effect of a training program for Military nursing staff knowledge, performance and attitude related to blood parasites acquired by needle stick injury. SETTING The study was carried out at two military hospitals. Design An interventional study (pre-post study) was used. SUBJECT The studied subjects were 90 nursing staff who accepted to participate in the study (10) of them pilot study were excluded from the study sample, (30) from The Military Fever Hospital and (50) from The Military General Hospital. Tools: The study tools used were composed of five tools as follows: (1) Educational needs assessment tool. (2) Knowledge questionnaire sheet (pre / post-test) (3) Observation check list (4) Attitude tool and (5) Participants 'evaluation Questionnaire sheet. RESULTS Educational the intervention showed statistically significant improvements in nursing staff knowledge, performance and attitude. RECOMMENDATION Continues training programs about blood parasites acquired by needle stick injury must be developed and provided on regular basis, this will enable nursing staff to improve their knowledge, performance and attitude about blood parasites acquired by needle stick injury.
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25
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Chao LL, Liao HT, Ho TY, Shih CM. First detection and molecular identification of Babesia gibsoni from Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. Acta Trop 2017; 166:356-362. [PMID: 27686959 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Babesia gibsoni was firstly identified in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks infested on dogs in Asia. A total of 1195 ticks collected from veterinary practitioners and pet clinics were examined for Babesia by nested-polymerase chain reaction assay based on the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssrRNA) gene. Babesia infection was detected in nymph, male and female ticks with an infection rate of 2.42%, 0.98% and 1.97%, respectively. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that these Babesia spp. were genetically affiliated to the same clades within the genospecies of B. gibsoni and B. vogeli, and can be discriminated from other genospecies of Babesia. Intra- and inter-species analysis based on the genetic distance (GD) values indicated a lower level in B. gibsoni (GD<0.011) compared with other genospecies of Babesia (GD>0.106) and out-group protozoa (GD>0.244). This study provides the first molecular evidence of B. gibsoni identified in nymphs of R. sanguineus ticks in Asia, and further confirms the detection of B. vogeli in nymphs and adults of R. sanguineus in northern Taiwan. The epizootiological significance of canine Babesia spp. transmitted by R. sanguineus tick needs to be further identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Lian Chao
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsin-Ting Liao
- Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsung-Yu Ho
- Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chien-Ming Shih
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC; Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research, Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
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26
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesia microti, a tickborne intraerythrocytic parasite that can be transmitted by means of blood transfusion, is responsible for the majority of cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis in the United States. However, no licensed test exists for screening for B. microti in donated blood. We assessed data from a large-scale, investigational product-release screening and donor follow-up program. METHODS From June 2012 through September 2014, we performed arrayed fluorescence immunoassays (AFIAs) for B. microti antibodies and real-time polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) assays for B. microti DNA on blood-donation samples obtained in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. We determined parasite loads with the use of quantitative PCR testing and assessed infectivity by means of the inoculation of hamsters and the subsequent examination for parasitemia. Donors with test-reactive samples were followed. Using data on cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis, we compared the proportions of screened versus unscreened donations that were infectious. RESULTS Of 89,153 blood-donation samples tested, 335 (0.38%) were confirmed to be positive, of which 67 (20%) were PCR-positive; 9 samples were antibody-negative (i.e., 1 antibody-negative sample per 9906 screened samples), representing 13% of all PCR-positive samples. PCR-positive samples were identified all through the year; antibody-negative infections occurred from June through September. Approximately one third of the red-cell samples from PCR-positive or high-titer AFIA-positive donations infected hamsters. Follow-up showed DNA clearance in 86% of the donors but antibody seroreversion in 8% after 1 year. In Connecticut and Massachusetts, no reported cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis were associated with screened donations (i.e., 0 cases per 75,331 screened donations), as compared with 14 cases per 253,031 unscreened donations (i.e., 1 case per 18,074 unscreened donations) (odds ratio, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.51 to 144; P=0.05). Overall, 29 cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis were linked to blood from infected donors, including blood obtained from 10 donors whose samples tested positive on the PCR assay 2 to 7 months after the implicated donation. CONCLUSIONS Blood-donation screening for antibodies to and DNA from B. microti was associated with a decrease in the risk of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. (Funded by the American Red Cross and Imugen; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01528449 .).
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin D Moritz
- From Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, MD (E.D.M., C.S.W., L.T., R.L.T., R.Y.D., S.L.S.); and the Research Division, Imugen, Norwood, MA (V.P.B., M.-E.H., K.E.W.)
| | - Colleen S Winton
- From Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, MD (E.D.M., C.S.W., L.T., R.L.T., R.Y.D., S.L.S.); and the Research Division, Imugen, Norwood, MA (V.P.B., M.-E.H., K.E.W.)
| | - Laura Tonnetti
- From Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, MD (E.D.M., C.S.W., L.T., R.L.T., R.Y.D., S.L.S.); and the Research Division, Imugen, Norwood, MA (V.P.B., M.-E.H., K.E.W.)
| | - Rebecca L Townsend
- From Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, MD (E.D.M., C.S.W., L.T., R.L.T., R.Y.D., S.L.S.); and the Research Division, Imugen, Norwood, MA (V.P.B., M.-E.H., K.E.W.)
| | - Victor P Berardi
- From Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, MD (E.D.M., C.S.W., L.T., R.L.T., R.Y.D., S.L.S.); and the Research Division, Imugen, Norwood, MA (V.P.B., M.-E.H., K.E.W.)
| | - Mary-Ellen Hewins
- From Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, MD (E.D.M., C.S.W., L.T., R.L.T., R.Y.D., S.L.S.); and the Research Division, Imugen, Norwood, MA (V.P.B., M.-E.H., K.E.W.)
| | - Karen E Weeks
- From Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, MD (E.D.M., C.S.W., L.T., R.L.T., R.Y.D., S.L.S.); and the Research Division, Imugen, Norwood, MA (V.P.B., M.-E.H., K.E.W.)
| | - Roger Y Dodd
- From Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, MD (E.D.M., C.S.W., L.T., R.L.T., R.Y.D., S.L.S.); and the Research Division, Imugen, Norwood, MA (V.P.B., M.-E.H., K.E.W.)
| | - Susan L Stramer
- From Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, MD (E.D.M., C.S.W., L.T., R.L.T., R.Y.D., S.L.S.); and the Research Division, Imugen, Norwood, MA (V.P.B., M.-E.H., K.E.W.)
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27
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Oldiges DP, Laughery JM, Tagliari NJ, Leite Filho RV, Davis WC, da Silva Vaz I, Termignoni C, Knowles DP, Suarez CE. Transfected Babesia bovis Expressing a Tick GST as a Live Vector Vaccine. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005152. [PMID: 27911903 PMCID: PMC5135042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rhipicephalus microplus tick is a notorious blood-feeding ectoparasite of livestock, especially cattle, responsible for massive losses in animal production. It is the main vector for transmission of pathogenic bacteria and parasites, including Babesia bovis, an intraerythrocytic apicomplexan protozoan parasite responsible for bovine Babesiosis. This study describes the development and testing of a live B. bovis vaccine expressing the protective tick antigen glutathione-S-transferase from Haemaphysalis longicornis (HlGST). The B. bovis S74-T3B parasites were electroporated with a plasmid containing the bidirectional Ef-1α (elongation factor 1 alpha) promoter of B. bovis controlling expression of two independent genes, the selectable marker GFP-BSD (green fluorescent protein–blasticidin deaminase), and HlGST fused to the MSA-1 (merozoite surface antigen 1) signal peptide from B. bovis. Electroporation followed by blasticidin selection resulted in the emergence of a mixed B. bovis transfected line (termed HlGST) in in vitro cultures, containing parasites with distinct patterns of insertion of both exogenous genes, either in or outside the Ef-1α locus. A B. bovis clonal line termed HlGST-Cln expressing intracellular GFP and HlGST in the surface of merozoites was then derived from the mixed parasite line HlGST using a fluorescent activated cell sorter. Two independent calf immunization trials were performed via intravenous inoculation of the HlGST-Cln and a previously described control consisting of an irrelevant transfected clonal line of B. bovis designated GFP-Cln. The control GFP-Cln line contains a copy of the GFP-BSD gene inserted into the Ef-1α locus of B. bovis in an identical fashion as the HIGST-Cln parasites. All animals inoculated with the HlGST-Cln and GFP-Cln transfected parasites developed mild babesiosis. Tick egg fertility and fully engorged female tick weight was reduced significantly in R. microplus feeding on HlGST-Cln-immunized calves. Collectively, these data show the efficacy of a transfected HlGST-Cln B. bovis parasite to induce detectable anti-glutathione-S-transferase antibodies and a reduction in tick size and fecundity of R. microplus feeding in experimentally inoculated animals. The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus is a hematophagous ectoparasite, responsible for the transmission of lethal parasites such as Babesia sp, limiting cattle production in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. There is an urgent emerging need for improved methods of control for these currently neglected tick and tick borne diseases. It is hypothesized that a dual attenuated-live vector vaccine containing a stably transfected tick antigen elicits protective immune responses against the parasite and the tick vector in vaccinated cattle. Live Babesia vaccines based on attenuated parasites are the only effective method available for preventing acute babesiosis. On the other hand, glutathione-S-transferase from Haemaphysalis longicornis (HlGST) is a known effective antigen against Rhipicephalus microplus, the most common vector for B. bovis. This study describes the development and testing of a transfected, B. bovis vaccine expressing HlGST against the tick R. microplus. A B. bovis clonal line designated HlGST-Cln expressing HlGST and GFP/BSD, and separately a control transfected B. bovis clonal line expressing only GFP/BSD was used to vaccinate calves in two independent experiments. All immunized calves developed mild babesiosis, and only calves immunized with the HlGST-Cln parasite line generated anti-HlGST antibodies. Tick egg fertility and fully engorged female tick weight were reduced significantly in R. microplus feeding on HlGST-Cln-vaccinated calves. Taken together, these data demonstrates the ability of transfected B. bovis to elicit antibodies against a heterologous tick antigen in cattle and to induce partial protection in the vaccinated animals against the cattle tick for the first time, representing a step toward the goal to produce a live vector anti-tick vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiane P. Oldiges
- Centro de Biotecnologia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jacob M. Laughery
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Nelson Junior Tagliari
- Faculdade de Veterinária Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Viana Leite Filho
- Faculdade de Veterinária Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - William C. Davis
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Faculdade de Veterinária Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carlos Termignoni
- Centro de Biotecnologia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Donald P. Knowles
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail: ,
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28
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Silva JC, Cornillot E, McCracken C, Usmani-Brown S, Dwivedi A, Ifeonu OO, Crabtree J, Gotia HT, Virji AZ, Reynes C, Colinge J, Kumar V, Lawres L, Pazzi JE, Pablo JV, Hung C, Brancato J, Kumari P, Orvis J, Tretina K, Chibucos M, Ott S, Sadzewicz L, Sengamalay N, Shetty AC, Su Q, Tallon L, Fraser CM, Frutos R, Molina DM, Krause PJ, Ben Mamoun C. Genome-wide diversity and gene expression profiling of Babesia microti isolates identify polymorphic genes that mediate host-pathogen interactions. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35284. [PMID: 27752055 PMCID: PMC5082761 DOI: 10.1038/srep35284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [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: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia microti, a tick-transmitted, intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite circulating mainly among small mammals, is the primary cause of human babesiosis. While most cases are transmitted by Ixodes ticks, the disease may also be transmitted through blood transfusion and perinatally. A comprehensive analysis of genome composition, genetic diversity, and gene expression profiling of seven B. microti isolates revealed that genetic variation in isolates from the Northeast United States is almost exclusively associated with genes encoding the surface proteome and secretome of the parasite. Furthermore, we found that polymorphism is restricted to a small number of genes, which are highly expressed during infection. In order to identify pathogen-encoded factors involved in host-parasite interactions, we screened a proteome array comprised of 174 B. microti proteins, including several predicted members of the parasite secretome. Using this immuno-proteomic approach we identified several novel antigens that trigger strong host immune responses during the onset of infection. The genomic and immunological data presented herein provide the first insights into the determinants of B. microti interaction with its mammalian hosts and their relevance for understanding the selective pressures acting on parasite evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana C. Silva
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Emmanuel Cornillot
- Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, IBC, Université de Montpellier, 860 rue St Priest, Bat 5 - CC05019, 34095 Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, IRCM - INSERM U896 & Université de Montpellier & ICM, Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier, Campus Val d’Aurelle, 34298 Montpellier, Cedex 5 France
| | - Carrie McCracken
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Sahar Usmani-Brown
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, 15 York St., New Haven, Connecticut, CT 06520 USA
- Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, 60 College St., New Haven, Connecticut, CT 06520 USA
| | - Ankit Dwivedi
- Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, IBC, Université de Montpellier, 860 rue St Priest, Bat 5 - CC05019, 34095 Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, IRCM - INSERM U896 & Université de Montpellier & ICM, Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier, Campus Val d’Aurelle, 34298 Montpellier, Cedex 5 France
| | - Olukemi O. Ifeonu
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Jonathan Crabtree
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Hanzel T. Gotia
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Azan Z. Virji
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, 15 York St., New Haven, Connecticut, CT 06520 USA
| | - Christelle Reynes
- Institut de Genomique Fonctionnelle, IGF - CNRS UMR 5203, 141 rue de la cardonille, 34094 Montpellier, Cedex 05, France
| | - Jacques Colinge
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, IRCM - INSERM U896 & Université de Montpellier & ICM, Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier, Campus Val d’Aurelle, 34298 Montpellier, Cedex 5 France
| | - Vidya Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, 15 York St., New Haven, Connecticut, CT 06520 USA
| | - Lauren Lawres
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, 15 York St., New Haven, Connecticut, CT 06520 USA
| | | | | | - Chris Hung
- Antigen Discovery Inc., Irvine, CA, 92618 USA
| | - Jana Brancato
- Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, 60 College St., New Haven, Connecticut, CT 06520 USA
| | - Priti Kumari
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Joshua Orvis
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Kyle Tretina
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Marcus Chibucos
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Sandy Ott
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Lisa Sadzewicz
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Naomi Sengamalay
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Amol C. Shetty
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Qi Su
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Luke Tallon
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Claire M. Fraser
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21201 USA
| | - Roger Frutos
- Université de Montpellier, IES, UMR 5214, 860 rue de St Priest, Bt5, 34095 Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR 17, Cirad-Ird, TA-A17/G, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34398 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Peter J. Krause
- Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, 60 College St., New Haven, Connecticut, CT 06520 USA
| | - Choukri Ben Mamoun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, 15 York St., New Haven, Connecticut, CT 06520 USA
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29
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Bednarska M, Bajer A, Drozdowska A, Mierzejewska EJ, Tolkacz K, Welc-Falęciak R. Vertical Transmission of Babesia microti in BALB/c Mice: Preliminary Report. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137731. [PMID: 26372043 PMCID: PMC4570821 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia spp. (Apicomplexa, Piroplasmida) are obligate parasites of many species of mammals, causing a malaria-like infection- babesiosis. Three routes of Babesia infection have been recognized to date. The main route is by a tick bite, the second is via blood transfusion. The third, vertical route of infection is poorly recognized and understood. Our study focused on vertical transmission of B. microti in a well-established mouse model. We assessed the success of this route of infection in BALB/c mice with acute and chronic infections of B. microti. In experimental groups, females were mated on the 1st day of Babesia infection (Group G0); on the 28th day post infection (dpi) in the post- acute phase of the parasite infection (G28); and on the 90th and 150th dpi (G90 and G150 group, respectively), in the chronic phase of the parasite infection. Pups were obtained from 58% of females mated in the post-acute phase (G28) and from 33% of females in groups G90 and G150. Mice mated in the pre-acute phase of infection (G0) did not deliver pups. Congenital B. microti infections were detected by PCR amplification of Babesia 18S rDNA in almost all pups (96%) from the experimental groups G28, G90 and G150. Parasitaemia in the F1 generation was low and varied between 0.01-0.001%. Vertical transmission of B. microti was demonstrated for the first time in BALB/c mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Bednarska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Drozdowska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa J. Mierzejewska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tolkacz
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renata Welc-Falęciak
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, Warsaw, Poland
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Abstract
Babesiosis is a potentially life-threatening zoonotic disease that is endemic to the northeastern United States and increasing in prevalence worldwide. Transmitted by the same Ixodes tick responsible for Lyme disease, the intraerythrocytic parasite Babesia causes a wide range of clinical presentations--from asymptomatic carriage to a fulminant course with rapid deterioration. Symptoms typically present 1 to 6 weeks after inoculation, with the gradual onset of fatigue, malaise, weakness, and intermittent or sustained fever as high as 40.9°C. Severe cases are associated with parasitemia greater than 4%, alkaline phosphatase greater than 125 U/L, and white blood cell counts greater than 5×10(9)/L. Definitive diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of thin blood smears, polymerase chain reaction, and indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing. The increasing frequency of babesiosis paired with a lack of blood-donor screening assays poses a serious threat to the safety of the US blood supply. Although babesiosis is responsible for 3.6% of transfusion-related deaths, the Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve mandatory screening for the parasite in donated blood. Historically, transfusion-transmitted babesiosis has been thought to be isolated to the immunocompromised patient population. However, a recent case of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis in an immunocompetent patient following total hip arthroplasty is the first reported in the literature and may represent a growing risk to a far greater segment of the population than previously thought. This article summarizes the current state of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis and the detrimental impact of this infection on blood transfusion safety.
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Zolnik CP, Makkay AM, Falco RC, Daniels TJ. American Black Bears as Hosts of Blacklegged Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Northeastern United States. J Med Entomol 2015; 52:1103-1110. [PMID: 26336232 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ticks and whole blood were collected from American black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas) between October 2011 and October 2012 across four counties in northwestern New Jersey, an area where blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say) and their associated tick-borne pathogens are prevalent. Adult American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis Say) were the most frequently collected tick species in late spring, whereas adult and nymphal blacklegged ticks were found in both the late spring and fall months. Additionally, for blacklegged ticks, we determined the quality of bloodmeals that females acquired from black bears compared with bloodmeals from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman), the most important host for the adult stage of this tick species. Measures of fecundity after feeding on each host species were not significantly different, suggesting that the bloodmeal a female blacklegged tick acquires from a black bear is of similar quality to that obtained from a white-tailed deer. These results establish the American black bear as both a host and quality bloodmeal source to I. scapularis. Thus, black bears may help support blacklegged tick populations in areas where they are both present. In addition, samples of black bear blood were tested for DNA presence of three tick-borne pathogens. Anaplasma phagocytophilum Foggie and Babesia microti Franca were found in 9.2 and 32.3% of blood samples, respectively. All blood samples were quantitative polymerase chain reaction-negative for Borrelia burgdorferi Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt, & Brenner. Although circulating pathogens were found in blood, the status of black bears as reservoirs for these pathogens remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine P Zolnik
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Rd., Bronx, NY, 10458. Vector Ecology Laboratory, Louis Calder Center-Biological Field Station, Fordham University, PO Box 887, Armonk, NY 10504
| | - Amanda M Makkay
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Rd., Bronx, NY, 10458
| | - Richard C Falco
- New York State Department of Health, Louis Calder Center, 53 Whippoorwill Rd., Armonk, NY, 10504
| | - Thomas J Daniels
- Vector Ecology Laboratory, Louis Calder Center-Biological Field Station, Fordham University, PO Box 887, Armonk, NY 10504.
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Ueti MW, Olafson PU, Freeman JM, Johnson WC, Scoles GA. A Virulent Babesia bovis Strain Failed to Infect White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131018. [PMID: 26083429 PMCID: PMC4471175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife are an important component in the vector-host-pathogen triangle of livestock diseases, as they maintain biological vectors that transmit pathogens and can serve as reservoirs for such infectious pathogens. Babesia bovis is a tick-borne pathogen, vectored by cattle fever ticks, Rhipicephalus spp., that can cause up to 90% mortality in naive adult cattle. While cattle are the primary host for cattle fever ticks, wild and exotic ungulates, including white-tailed deer (WTD), are known to be viable alternative hosts. The presence of cattle fever tick populations resistant to acaricides raises concerns regarding the possibility of these alternative hosts introducing tick-borne babesial parasites into areas free of infection. Understanding the B. bovis reservoir competence of these alternative hosts is critical to mitigating the risk of introduction. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that WTD are susceptible to infection with a B. bovis strain lethal to cattle. Two groups of deer were inoculated intravenously with either B. bovis blood stabilate or a larval extract supernatant containing sporozoites from infected R. microplus larvae. The collective data demonstrated that WTD are neither a transient host nor reservoir of B. bovis. This conclusion is supported by the failure of B. bovis to establish an infection in deer regardless of inoculum. Although specific antibody was detected for a short period in the WTD, the PCR results were consistently negative at multiple time points throughout the experiment and blood from WTD that had been exposed to parasite, transferred into naïve recipient susceptible calves, failed to establish infection. In contrast, naïve steers inoculated intravenously with either B. bovis blood stabilate or the larval extract supernatant containing sporozoites rapidly succumbed to disease. These findings provide evidence that WTD are not an epidemiological component in the maintenance of B. bovis infectivity to livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massaro W. Ueti
- USDA, ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Pia U. Olafson
- USDA, ARS, Knipling-Bushland United States Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jeanne M. Freeman
- USDA, ARS, Knipling-Bushland United States Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Wendell C. Johnson
- USDA, ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Glen A. Scoles
- USDA, ARS, Animal Disease Research Unit, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
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Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis is a disease of Equidae, including horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras, caused by either of two protozoan parasites, Theileria equi or Babesia caballi. These parasites are biologically transmitted between hosts via tick vectors, and although they have inherent differences they are categorized together because they cause similar pathology and have similar morphologies, life cycles, and vector relationships. To complete their life cycle, these parasites must undergo a complex series of developmental events, including sexual-stage development in their tick vectors. Consequently, ticks are the definitive hosts as well as vectors for these parasites, and the vector relationship is restricted to a few competent tick species. Because the vector relationship is critical to the epidemiology of these parasites, we highlight current knowledge of the vector ecology of these tick-borne equine pathogens, emphasizing tick transmissibility and potential control strategies to prevent their spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen A Scoles
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington 99164; ,
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34
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Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites considered as vectors of animal diseases, having a huge economic impact in cattle industry. Babesia spp. are tick-borne pathogens that cause a disease called babesiosis in a wide range of animals and in humans. Control of tick infestations is mainly based on the use of acaricides, which have limited efficacy reducing tick infestations, mostly due to wrong usage, and is often accompanied by the selection of acaricide-resistant ticks, environmental contamination, and contamination of milk and meat products. Vaccines affecting both vector and pathogens constitute new control strategies for tick and tick-borne diseases and are, therefore, a good alternative to chemical control. In this chapter we describe the identification of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus genes differentially expressed in response to infection with B. bigemina by using suppression-subtractive hybridization (SSH), which allows the identification of differentially expressed genes. The results of the SSH studies are validated by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Functional analyses are conducted by RNAi on selected R. annulatus genes to determine their putative role in B. bigemina-tick interactions. Gathered data may be useful for the future development of improved vaccines and vaccination strategies to control babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Domingos
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal,
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35
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Korenberg EI, Nefedova VV, Kovalevsky YV, Sorokina YV, Gorelova NB. [Parasitological factors impeding the transmission of the agent of babesiosis (Babesia microti) to man from the tick Ixodes persulcatus]. Parazitologiia 2015; 49:27-41. [PMID: 26016332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Based on the analysis of own and literature data, it is concluded that the following ma- in permanent system of ecologicalarasitological factors prevents the effective vector functions of the tick I. persulcatus in transmission of B. microti: lack of distinct nymphs' anthropophily; small spontaneous invasion of hungry adults; a duration of the parasitic phase in humans is insufficient to complete the sporogonic development, because victims interrupt the phase. Therefore, not excluding the possibility of sporadic babesiosis disea- ses, it can be stated that within the boundaries of a vast territory, where the taiga tick is the only potential source of infection for humans, the B. microti infection has not, and will not reach significant values in infectious pathology.
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Combrink MP, Troskie PC, de Klerk DG, Pienaar R, Latif AA, Mans BJ. Co-transmission of the non-transmissible South African Babesia bovis S24 vaccine strain during mixed infection with a field isolate. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 6:158-63. [PMID: 25544307 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Revised: 10/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The South African Babesia bovis live blood vaccine, originating from a field isolate attenuated by 23 serial syringe passages in splenectomized calves, has lost the ability to infect the natural vector Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. In this study, infection with mixed parasites from the vaccine strain and a field isolate, resulted in transmission of both genotype populations. Comparing the field isolate and transmitted combination indicated no significant difference in their virulence, while challenge of vaccinated cattle with these isolates showed the ability of the vaccine to protect against both. Limiting dilution of the transmitted combination, followed by infection of splenectomized cattle (n=34) yielded no single infections for the vaccine strain genotype, seven clonal lines of the field isolate and one mixture of vaccine strain and field isolate. Only one of two field isolate clonal lines selected for vector transmission study was transmitted. Showing that B. bovis isolates can contain both tick transmissible and non-transmissible subpopulations. The findings of this study also indicate the probability of vaccine co-infection transmission occurring in the field, which may result in new genotype populations of B. bovis. However, the impact of this recombination with field isolates is considered negligible since a genotypically diverse population of B. bovis is already present in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Combrink
- Parasites, Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.
| | - P C Troskie
- Parasites, Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - D G de Klerk
- Parasites, Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - R Pienaar
- Parasites, Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - A A Latif
- Parasites, Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - B J Mans
- Parasites, Vectors and Vector-borne Diseases, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa; Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa
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37
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Ostfeld RS, Levi T, Jolles AE, Martin LB, Hosseini PR, Keesing F. Life history and demographic drivers of reservoir competence for three tick-borne zoonotic pathogens. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107387. [PMID: 25232722 PMCID: PMC4169396 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal and plant species differ dramatically in their quality as hosts for multi-host pathogens, but the causes of this variation are poorly understood. A group of small mammals, including small rodents and shrews, are among the most competent natural reservoirs for three tick-borne zoonotic pathogens, Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, in eastern North America. For a group of nine commonly-infected mammals spanning >2 orders of magnitude in body mass, we asked whether life history features or surrogates for (unknown) encounter rates with ticks, predicted reservoir competence for each pathogen. Life history features associated with a fast pace of life generally were positively correlated with reservoir competence. However, a model comparison approach revealed that host population density, as a proxy for encounter rates between hosts and pathogens, generally received more support than did life history features. The specific life history features and the importance of host population density differed somewhat between the different pathogens. We interpret these results as supporting two alternative but non-exclusive hypotheses for why ecologically widespread, synanthropic species are often the most competent reservoirs for multi-host pathogens. First, multi-host pathogens might adapt to those hosts they are most likely to experience, which are likely to be the most abundant and/or frequently bitten by tick vectors. Second, species with fast life histories might allocate less to certain immune defenses, which could increase their reservoir competence. Results suggest that of the host species that might potentially be exposed, those with comparatively high population densities, small bodies, and fast pace of life will often be keystone reservoirs that should be targeted for surveillance or management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S. Ostfeld
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Taal Levi
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Anna E. Jolles
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Lynn B. Martin
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | | | - Felicia Keesing
- Biology Program, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, United States of America
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Hersh MH, Ostfeld RS, McHenry DJ, Tibbetts M, Brunner JL, Killilea ME, LoGiudice K, Schmidt KA, Keesing F. Co-infection of blacklegged ticks with Babesia microti and Borrelia burgdorferi is higher than expected and acquired from small mammal hosts. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99348. [PMID: 24940999 PMCID: PMC4062422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans in the northeastern and midwestern United States are at increasing risk of acquiring tickborne diseases--not only Lyme disease, but also two emerging diseases, human granulocytic anaplasmosis and human babesiosis. Co-infection with two or more of these pathogens can increase the severity of health impacts. The risk of co-infection is intensified by the ecology of these three diseases because all three pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti) are transmitted by the same vector, blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), and are carried by many of the same reservoir hosts. The risk of exposure to multiple pathogens from a single tick bite and the sources of co-infected ticks are not well understood. In this study, we quantify the risk of co-infection by measuring infection prevalence in 4,368 questing nymphs throughout an endemic region for all three diseases (Dutchess County, NY) to determine if co-infections occur at frequencies other than predicted by independent assortment of pathogens. Further, we identify sources of co-infection by quantifying rates of co-infection on 3,275 larval ticks fed on known hosts. We find significant deviations of levels of co-infection in questing nymphs, most notably 83% more co-infection with Babesia microti and Borrelia burgdorferi than predicted by chance alone. Further, this pattern of increased co-infection was observed in larval ticks that fed on small mammal hosts, but not on meso-mammal, sciurid, or avian hosts. Co-infections involving A. phagocytophilum were less common, and fewer co-infections of A. phagocytophilum and B. microti than predicted by chance were observed in both questing nymphs and larvae fed on small mammals. Medical practitioners should be aware of the elevated risk of B. microti/B. burgdorferi co-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H. Hersh
- Program in Biology, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, United States of America
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, United States of America
| | - Richard S. Ostfeld
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, United States of America
| | - Diana J. McHenry
- Program in Biology, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, United States of America
| | - Michael Tibbetts
- Program in Biology, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, United States of America
| | - Jesse L. Brunner
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Mary E. Killilea
- Department of Environmental Studies, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Kathleen LoGiudice
- Department of Biology, Union College, Schenectady, New York, United States of America
| | - Kenneth A. Schmidt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Felicia Keesing
- Program in Biology, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, United States of America
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Yang XL, Yu ZJ, Gao ZH, Yang XH, Liu JZ. Morphological characteristics and developmental changes of the ovary in the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann. Med Vet Entomol 2014; 28:217-221. [PMID: 24138414 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2013] [Revised: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Haemaphysalis longicornis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) is an important vector of transovarially transmitted parasites of the genus Babesia (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae). In the present study, we investigated the morphological characteristics and developmental changes of the ovary of H. longicornis. We show that the ovary of H. longicornis has a single tubular structure and is surrounded by a tunica propria. There is a longitudinal groove along one side of the ovary. During feeding and after engorgement, great changes can be observed in the ovary of H. longicornis and two rapid growth phases can be detected. The number of major protein bands of the ovary is significantly increased from day 3 of feeding and reaches a maximum on the day of engorgement. Therefore, the great diversity of proteins in the ovaries of H. longicornis can facilitate the identification of new targets for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- X L Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
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Mierzejewska EJ, Welc-Falęciak R, Bednarska M, Rodo A, Bajer A. The first evidence for vertical transmission of Babesia canis in a litter of Central Asian Shepherd dogs. Ann Agric Environ Med 2014; 21:500-503. [PMID: 25292117 DOI: 10.5604/12321966.1120590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Tick-borne infections constitute an increasing health problem in dogs and may lead to death, especially in young or elderly individuals. Canine babesiosis constitutes a serious health problem in dogs worldwide. The aim of the study was to verify the probability of vertical transmission of Babesia canis between the bitch and the pups. MATERIALS AND METHODS In Autumn 2011, cases of babesiosis were diagnosed in a litter of 6-week-old puppies of a Central Asian Shepherd dog. Immediately following the first case of infection, blood samples were collected from all the pups in the litter (n=10) and from the female. Detection of Babesia infection was performed by molecular and microscopical techniques. RESULTS The presence of B. canis DNA was detected using PCR in three pups, presenting at the time or 24-48 hours later with babesiosis symptoms, and in their asymptomatic mother. The isolates derived from the pups and the female - 520 bp 18S rRNA gene fragment - were compared and analyzed. All isolates from the pups and their mother were identical and showed 100% homology with B. canis group B (EU622793), supporting the same source of infection. Additionally, the USG of the peritoneal cavity was performed in the female, presenting evidence for splenomegaly. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of (1) the same timing of three pup cases; (2) the identical B. canis sequences derived from all positive dogs; (3) evident splenomegaly in the asymptomatic female, this provides the first evidence of the vertical transmission of this piroplasm in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa J Mierzejewska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renata Welc-Falęciak
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Bednarska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Rodo
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
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Abstract
Babesia microti protozoa were detected by light and electron microscopy in the salivary glands of field-collected Ixodes ovatus ticks; 6 of 85 adult ticks were demonstrated to be positive for B. microti DNA by polymerase chain reaction assays. In the salivary glands of unfed ticks, B. microti existed in the sporoblast stage in the granular acinus cells, and developed into the sporozoite stage during feeding on the host for 2 days. The present results indicated for the first time that I. ovatus can indeed carry B. microti and is not infected mechanically with the parasites by blood-sucking. This frequent infection of I. ovatus with B. microti demonstrates the significance of such a vector-pathogen relationship in Japan, and strongly suggests that I. ovatus is involved in the maintenance of B. microti in the fauna of Japanese rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Yano
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A Lobo
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites, Lindsley Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, United States of America.
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Abstract
Piroplasms are tick-transmitted blood parasites belonging to the genera Babesia and Theileria. In western and southern Switzerland, B. divergens, a small Babesia species, has been known for a long time as a parasite of cattle. Recent investigations have revealed the autochthonous occurrence of this parasite also in central and eastern Switzerland. On the occasion of an outbreak of anaplasmosis in the canton of Grisons, however, B. bigemina, a large Babesia species, and Theileria of the buffeli/sergenti/orientalis species complex were for the first time identified; the epidemiology of these two piroplasms in Switzerland remains unknown until now. The recent identification by genetic analyses of B. divergens in wild ruminants contradicts the hitherto postulated strict host specificity of this Babesia species for cattle. B. divergens as well as the closely related Babesia spp. genotype EU1 have in single cases also been identified in splenectomized humans. The rodent babesia B. microti which causes a human infection that is considered an "emerging tick-borne disease" in the U.S.A., is widespread in rodent populations in Switzerland, but seems to be of minor relevance as zoonotic pathogen here. Reasons for this could be differences in virulence of the parasites or in the transmission by the respective tick-vectors on the two continents.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mathis
- Institut für Parasitologie der Universität Zürich.
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Fourie JJ, Stanneck D, Jongejan F. Prevention of transmission of Babesia canis by Dermacentor reticulatus ticks to dogs treated with an imidacloprid/flumethrin collar. Vet Parasitol 2012; 192:273-8. [PMID: 23158840 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 06/13/2012] [Revised: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A group of 8 dogs was treated with an imidacloprid/flumethrin collar (Seresto(®)) 28 days prior to infestation with adult Dermacentor reticulatus ticks, infected with Babesia canis. The ability of the collar to prevent transmission of B. canis in the treated group was compared to an untreated control group. All 8 dogs in the untreated control group became infected with B. canis parasites, which were detected in blood smears as early as day 6 post tick-application. All control dogs developed clinical signs of babesiosis and were rescue-treated with imidocarb dipropionate. These dogs also developed specific B. canis antibodies as identified by serology (IFA test) and were confirmed PCR/RLB positive. None of the 8 dogs treated with the imidacloprid/flumethrin collar became infected with B. canis, which was confirmed by the absence of specific B. canis antibodies and babesial DNA as confirmed by PCR/RLB. The collar caused 96.02% of the ticks to die within 48h post challenge and this increased to 100% within 4 days. Although a high percentage of 44% of the Dermacentor ticks were infected with B. canis, they were unable to transmit the infection to the treated group. Hence, the imidacloprid/flumethrin collar effectively prevented transmission of B. canis 1 month after application onto the dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephus J Fourie
- ClinVet International (Pty) Ltd., P.O. Box 11186, Universitas, Bloemfontein 9321, South Africa.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Babesiosis surveillance - 18 States, 2011. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012; 61:505-9. [PMID: 22785341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Babesiosis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia that infect red blood cells. Babesia infection can range from asymptomatic to life threatening. Clinical manifestations might include fever, other nonspecific influenza-like symptoms, and hemolytic anemia. Babesia parasites in nature usually are tickborne but they also are transmissible via blood transfusion or congenitally. In recent years, reports of tickborne and transfusion-associated cases have increased in number and geographic distribution. However, the lack of a standard case definition hindered the ability of public health authorities to monitor cases and to develop evidence-based prevention and control measures. In January 2011, national surveillance for human babesiosis was begun in 19 jurisdictions (18 states and one city), using a standard case definition developed jointly by CDC and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. This report summarizes the results for 2011. For the first year of babesiosis surveillance, health departments notified CDC of 1,124 confirmed and probable cases. Cases were reported by 15 of the 18 states where babesiosis was reportable; however, 1,092 cases (97%) were reported by seven states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York [including New York City], Rhode Island, and Wisconsin). Cases were identified in persons aged <1-98 years; 57% were in persons aged ≥60 years. Among patients for whom data were available, 82% (717 of 879) had symptom onset dates during June-August. Ongoing national surveillance using the standard case definition will provide a foundation for developing evidence-based prevention and control measures to reduce the burden of babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard Vannier
- Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
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Beelitz P, Schumacher S, Marholdt F, Pfister K, Silaghi C. [The prevalence of Babesia canis canis in marsh ticks (Dermacentor reticulatus) in the Saarland]. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr 2012; 125:168-171. [PMID: 22515037] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
An accumulation of autochthonous cases of canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis has been registered in a small animal clinic in the Saarland since the beginning of 2006, some cases with fatal outcome. This study aims to contribute to the explanation of strong focal occurrence of infections with B. canis in this region.Therefore, patient owners who had presented their dogs in the years 2006 and 2007 because of babesiosis and who had claimed not having left the Saarland with their dogs at least six months before the outbreak of Babesiosis, were asked for their dog walking habits. Accordingly, a selection often tick collection sites of various landscape structures was made.Tick sampling by flagging the vegetation took place every month from March to December 2008. The collected ticks were identified morphologically. In eight of ten collecting sites a total of 397 adult Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were collected from March to December with the highest frequencies during the months of May, October and November. All collected specimens were examined by genus-specific conventional PCR for the presence of Babesia-DNA. In positive samples, the PCR-products were differentiated by sequencing. ten D. reticulatus (2.5%) ticks examined were found positive for DNA of B. canis canis originating from three out of eight collection sites. Consequently, an endemic distribution of D. reticulatus was confirmed and a natural
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Beelitz
- Lehrstuhl für Vergleichende Tropenmedizin und Parasitologie der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München.
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Niu Q, Guan G, Liu Z, Ma M, Li Y, Liu A, Ren Q, Liu J, Luo J, Yin H. Simultaneous detection of piroplasma infections in field Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis ticks by reverse line blotting. Exp Appl Acarol 2012; 56:123-132. [PMID: 22143673 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-011-9503-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 11/06/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Piroplasmosis is caused by tick-borne haemoprotozoan parasites in the genera of Theileria and Babesia, in which numbers of agents are highly pathogenic for cattle, sheep and goats. We developed a reverse line blot (RLB) assay for detection and differentiation of four different parasites, in which 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequence was amplified with a set of universal primers specific for all members in the genera of Theileria and Babesia; and the probes were designed on the basis of hypervariable region 4 (V4 region) of 18S rRNA gene. Three Theileria and one Babesia can be detected simultaneously on this system and it was sensitive to detect a parasitemia level between 10(-5) and 10(-8)%. A total of 149 Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis ticks collected from Lintan County of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Region was tested by RLB. Among these, 136 tick samples were also tested by a nested PCR assay developed previously. After comparison of these results, it showed that more T. luwenshuni was detected in RLB assay, while more T. uilenbergi was detected in H. qinghaiensis ticks by nested PCR. The RLB has shown capability for simultaneous detection of four species of piroplasm in H. qinghaiensis ticks, indicating its usefulness for epidemiological studies of piroplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Epizootic Diseases of Grazing Animals, Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
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DiLorenzo M, Agus B. Symptomatic babesiosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: report of a case and review of the literature. Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis 2012; 70:124-126. [PMID: 22892003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael DiLorenzo
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
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