RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Canine babesiosis and ehrlichiosis are tick-borne infections of great significance in South Africa. Theileriosis in dogs in South Africa is still poorly understood. Co-infection with multiple tick-borne diseases has been documented and is perceived as a common occurrence in South Africa. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of co-infections with Ehrlichia canis or Theileria equi in dogs with babesiosis in the Eastern Cape province. There is a lack of data on canine tick-borne disease distribution in this region. Possible associations of population characteristics and haematological and biochemistry measures with a co-infection of E. canis or T. equi in these dogs were also investigated. METHOD: The study population included 150 dogs naturally infected with babesiosis that presented to the Mdantsane State Veterinary Clinic between January 2021 and November 2021. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the Babesia spp. that the dogs were infected with and to identify co-infections. Association with co-infection for the following parameters were evaluated: sex, breed, age, duration of illness, leukocyte count, band neutrophil count, monocyte count, platelet count, ARC, and serum globulin concentration. Positive and negative predictive values of monocytosis, leukopenia, band neutrophilia, thrombocytopenia, and non-regenerative absolute reticulocyte count for co-infection were also calculated. RESULTS: Babesia rossi was identified in 149/150 samples and B. vogeli in only 1/150 samples. A co-infection prevalence of 2.0% (3/149; 95% CI: 0.4-5.7) with B. rossi and E. canis was found. No other co-infections were reported. No investigated variables showed significant associations with co-infections. Monocytosis, in particular, was not associated with co-infection. CONCLUSION: Co-infection with other tick-borne diseases in dogs with babesiosis is uncommon in the Eastern Cape province. These findings raise the possibility that B. rossi may have a protective effect against other tick-borne diseases.
Asunto(s)
Babesiosis , Coinfección , Enfermedades de los Perros , Ehrlichiosis , Theileria , Theileriosis , Animales , Perros , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Perros/microbiología , Coinfección/veterinaria , Coinfección/epidemiología , Coinfección/parasitología , Ehrlichiosis/epidemiología , Ehrlichiosis/veterinaria , Theileriosis/epidemiología , Theileriosis/parasitología , Prevalencia , Femenino , Masculino , Sudáfrica/epidemiología , Theileria/aislamiento & purificación , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Ehrlichia canis/aislamiento & purificación , Ehrlichia/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
Outbreaks of suspected tick-borne disease (redwater fever) have been reported in captive deer of the Scottish Highlands. In this pilot study, polymerase chain reaction and amplicon sequencing were used to detect tick-borne pathogens in opportunistically collected blood and spleen samples from 63 (healthy, n = 44; diseased, n = 19) cervids, and 45 questing and feeding ticks (Ixodes ricinus) from the outbreak sites in 2021-2022. Potentially pathogenic Babesia species were detected in deer but not identified in ticks, Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in both deer and ticks, and Borrelia afzelii was detected in ticks but not in deer. Sequencing confirmed Babesia capreoli and Babesia cf. odocoilei parasitemia in clinically healthy red deer (Cervus elaphus), B. capreoli parasitemia in clinically healthy domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus), and two cases of B. cf. odocoilei-associated hemolytic anemia in white-lipped deer (Cervus albirostris), of which one was fatal despite imidocarb treatment. White-lipped deer appear to be highly susceptible to babesiosis caused by B. cf. odocoilei. This investigation highlights the importance of disease surveillance, including molecular diagnostics, for the detection of emerging tick-borne pathogens in managed populations of cervids.
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Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Babesia , Babesiosis , Ciervos , Ehrlichiosis , Animales , Ciervos/parasitología , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/aislamiento & purificación , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Ehrlichiosis/veterinaria , Ehrlichiosis/epidemiología , Escocia/epidemiología , Femenino , Masculino , Ixodes/microbiología , Ixodes/parasitologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Tick-transmitted parasites as Babesia gibsoni, Babesia vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and Hepatozoon canis are major health concern for dogs. Owing to prevalence and infection severity, there is need of sensitive, specific, and affordable test for their simultaneous detection. METHODS: Prevalence of B. gibsoni, B. vogeli, E. canis, and H. canis infections was assessed on 719 blood samples by microscopy and multiplex PCR assay targeting 18S rRNA (B. gibsoni & H. canis), ITS1 & 5.8S rRNA (B. vogeli) and VirB9 gene (E. canis). An internal control (canine-actin) was also included to increase the accuracy of assay and effect of associated risk factors with disease prevalence was also studied. RESULTS: Microscopic prevalence of B. gibsoni, B. vogeli, E. canis and H. canis was 5.0%, 0.1%, 1.4% and 1.0%, respectively, whereas with multiplex PCR assay, the corresponding values were 8.9%, 1.1%, 2.6% and 5.1% besides concurrent infections of B. gibsoni & H. canis (0.4%), B. gibsoni & E. canis (0.4%), E. canis & H. canis (0.3%) and B. gibsoni & B. vogeli (0.1%). Analytical sensitivity of developed assay was 0.1pg (B. gibsoni & H. canis), 0.01pg (B. vogeli), and 1.0pg (E. canis). A â³fairâ³ (B. vogeli & H. canis) to â³substantialâ³ (B. gibsoni & E. canis) agreement between two tests was observed with data as statistically significant. Breed, sex and location were significantly associated with B. gibsoni infection. CONCLUSION: The developed multiplex PCR assay offers a potential solution to detect these pathogens simultaneously, aiding in timely diagnosis and effective disease management in suspected dogs.
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Babesia , Babesiosis , Enfermedades de los Perros , Ehrlichia canis , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa Multiplex , Enfermedades por Picaduras de Garrapatas , Perros , Animales , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/diagnóstico , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa Multiplex/métodos , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa Multiplex/veterinaria , India/epidemiología , Babesia/genética , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Prevalencia , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Babesiosis/diagnóstico , Enfermedades por Picaduras de Garrapatas/veterinaria , Enfermedades por Picaduras de Garrapatas/epidemiología , Enfermedades por Picaduras de Garrapatas/parasitología , Ehrlichia canis/genética , Ehrlichia canis/aislamiento & purificación , Ehrlichiosis/veterinaria , Ehrlichiosis/epidemiología , Ehrlichiosis/diagnóstico , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , Masculino , Femenino , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Coccidiosis/epidemiología , Coccidiosis/parasitología , Coccidiosis/diagnósticoRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to identify factors that play a key role in the epidemiology of bovine anaplasmosis by adapting a model primarily developed for cattle babesiosis. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to study the proportion of calf herds in endemic stability/instability for A. marginale in a semi-arid area of Argentina. The A. marginale inoculation rate (h) was calculated from age-specific seroprevalence using double-antigen sandwich ELISA in 58 herds of 4.5-8.5-month-old calves. Herds were considered to be in endemic instability (EI) at h < 0.005 and, therefore, at risk of anaplasmosis outbreaks. A generalized linear model was performed to explore husbandry practices associated with differences in A. marginale transmission. Additionally, spatial clustering of herds with the same immunological status was analyzed using spatial scan statistics (SatScan, Bernoulli model). Spearman's correlation was used to explore a possible association between A. marginale h and Babesia bovis and B. bigemina h (data obtained in previous works). Almost half (43â¯%) of the herds were in the EI zone for A. marginale. Calves raised under forage combinations had a greater risk of being in EI (OR = 5.41, CI95â¯%OR = 1.43-20.41) than those reared exclusively on permanent pastures, where cattle density is higher (P = 0.01). Moreover, calves from herds treated only with pyrethroids to control ticks had more chances of being in EI (OR = 4.16, CI95â¯%OR = 1.12-15.38) than calves from herds receiving different acaricide combinations (P = 0.03). Calves from herds subjected to more than two treatments against Haematobia irritans had higher odds for EI (OR = 5.69, CI95â¯%OR = 1.24-26.11) than those from herds using fewer than two treatments (P = 0.02). The spatial analysis revealed no spatial clustering of the immune status of the herds (P = 0.67 and P = 0.74 for low and high incidence rates, respectively). A significant variation between farms was observed in A. marginale h (CV = 90.38â¯%). The correlation analysis revealed a strong epidemiological link of A. marginale h with B. bovis h (Rho=0.794, P<0.001) and B. bigemina h (Rho=0.839, P<0.001). Given that R. microplus is the only vector of B. bovis and B. bigemina in the region, the results of this work strongly suggest an active and significant role of R. microplus in the transmission of A. marginale.
Asunto(s)
Anaplasma marginale , Anaplasmosis , Enfermedades de los Bovinos , Animales , Bovinos , Anaplasmosis/epidemiología , Anaplasmosis/transmisión , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/transmisión , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Argentina/epidemiología , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Crianza de Animales Domésticos/métodos , Babesiosis/transmisión , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
The present study aimed to evaluate under dairy farm conditions the predisposing factors, impact on milk production and productivity, and the role of Rhipicephalus microplus in the epidemiology of tick fever agents in Holstein calves grazing in a tropical region. A total of 4292 pure female Holsteins were evaluated at a commercial farm. Until April 2020, calves had contact with R. microplus for between 3 and 24 months, while after April 2020, no animal had further contact with ticks. Three times a week the rectal temperature (RT) of all animals was determined, and blood samples were collected for evaluation of tick fever (TF) agents from those that showed RT >39.3 °C. Specific treatment was performed against Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis when these TF agents were diagnosed in the blood smears. The number of relapses and treatments for TF agents were sub-classified into scales (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7-10â¯treatments or relapses, and animals that received blood transfusions). Within each sub-class, the health data of calves during lactation along with productivity data were analyzed. Based in the results, whether an animal received colostrum enriched with powdered colostrum substitute, whether the animal was an embryo transfer calf, and the weight at which each calf was weaned were ascertained as factors leading to more recurrences or treatments against TF agents in post-weaned calves. On average, each recurrence of TF agents that a heifer presented between three and seven months decreased milk production by 213.5 liters in the first lactation. Calves that received a blood transfusion had lower milk production at first lactation; lower weight at first fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI); older age at first FTAI; older age at first, second, and third calving; and delayed age at third calving by 140 days compared to the farm average. R. microplus was the main agent causing clinical cases of TF on the farm, and 10,770 treatments against TF agents were carried out when calves aged between three and seven months had contact with this tick species (2018 and 2019). When the animals no longer had contact with ticks (2022 and 2023), there were no recurrences or treatments against TF agents despite the presence on the farm of S. calcitrans, which can maintain the transmission of A. marginale to the herd.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Bovinos , Rhipicephalus , Infestaciones por Garrapatas , Clima Tropical , Animales , Bovinos , Rhipicephalus/fisiología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Femenino , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/veterinaria , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/epidemiología , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/parasitología , Lactancia , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Leche , Anaplasmosis/epidemiología , Anaplasma marginale/fisiología , Babesia , Babesia bovis , Industria LecheraRESUMEN
The livestock sector contributes almost 11% of Pakistan's GDP and is crucial to 35 million people's livelihoods. Ticks are a major economic threat, as over 80% of livestock, such as bovines, are tick-infested with Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus tick species. Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus microplus are the most common tick species collected from livestock, transmitting primarily anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and theileriosis. We aimed to identify the geographical distribution of these two tick species and hot spot areas where the risk of these diseases being transmitted by these ticks is high. Following the PRISMA guideline, two authors conducted an independent review of literature sourced from various databases. We screened 326 research articles published between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2023, focused on identifying the tick species at the district level. Thirty studies from 75 districts, representing 49.3% of the country's total area, detected at least one tick species through collection from animals. R. microplus was present in 81% (n = 61) and H. anatolicum in 82% (n = 62) of these sampled districts. We employed spatial and conventional statistical methods with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) after mapping the weighted distribution of both ticks (the number of ticks per standard unit of sampling effort). We identified northwestern and northcentral regions of the country as hotspots with the highest tick distribution, which aligned with the documented high prevalence of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), and theileriosis in these regions. This underscores the urgent need for robust tick control measures in these districts to safeguard animal health and boost the livestock economy.
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Rhipicephalus , Infestaciones por Garrapatas , Animales , Pakistán/epidemiología , Rhipicephalus/fisiología , Bovinos , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/epidemiología , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/veterinaria , Ixodidae/fisiología , Ganado/parasitología , Anaplasmosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Ovine anaplasmosis (sensu stricto) is a rickettsial blood disease caused by the tick-borne species Anaplasma ovis. The disease is characterized by mild anemia, fever, and icterus. A more severe clinical presentation is possible in non-endemic areas. There is no existing data on the presence of Anaplasma ovis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, given the country's location within the Mediterranean Basin and the recent molecular detection of Babesia ovis, it is plausible that sheep in the region could naturally be infected with this tick-borne pathogen. METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood samples from 81 sheep in the Podrinje and Herzegovina areas were examined by PCR. PCR positivity was found in 38 (46.9%) cases indicating a high number of infected sheep. Mixed infections with Babesia ovis and A.ovis were observed in 63.3% of cases. A higher number of positive sheep was recorded in the area of Herzegovina. Phylogenetic analysis of the gltA, groEL, and msp4 genes of A. ovis revealed numerous genotypes and significant genetic variability. This diversity was not related to geographic origin, tick-borne infection status, or sheep breeding practices in Podrinje and Herzegovina. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained in this study suggest that the emergence of new genotypes and the high genetic variability of A. ovis are driven by specific local and micro-environmental factors.
Asunto(s)
Anaplasma ovis , Anaplasmosis , Variación Genética , Filogenia , Enfermedades de las Ovejas , Animales , Bosnia y Herzegovina/epidemiología , Ovinos/microbiología , Ovinos/parasitología , Anaplasma ovis/genética , Anaplasma ovis/aislamiento & purificación , Anaplasmosis/epidemiología , Anaplasmosis/microbiología , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/microbiología , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/parasitología , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/epidemiología , Babesia/genética , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Genotipo , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Background: Bovine babesiosis represents a serious challenge for animal health, herd production, and profitability. Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors associated with babesiosis is critical to reduce their negative impacts. Aim: Investigation of the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Babesia bigemina (B. bigemina) and Babesia bovis (B. bovis) in five districts in Sharkia governorate using ELISA. Methods: Across-sectional research was conducted to determine the seropositivity of babesiosis by collecting a total of 352 blood samples from 250 cattle and 102 buffaloes. A multivariate logistic regression model was implemented to evaluate the strength of the risk factors associated with both Babesia species infection. Results: The seroprevalence of B. bigemina and B. bovis was 42.6% and 17.0 %, respectively. The prevalence of babesiosis in cattle was found to be 48.8% for B. bigemina and 16.8% for B. bovis. Inclusive, in buffaloes, the prevalence was 27.5% for B. bigemina and 17.6% for B. bovis. Adult animals were more vulnerable to infection with babesia than young animals by 3-5 times, respectively. Males were more susceptible to B. bigemina and B. bovis than females by 3.7 and 3.5 times. Similarly, the odds of infection in infested animals with ticks were 2-4 times higher than in animals without ticks. Conclusion: The obtained results revealed that age, sex of the animal, and tick infestation were major risk factors for the seropositivity of both Babesia species. Inclusive, there was no evidence to support the premise that seroprevalence of babesiosis is correlated with the season and species.
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Babesia , Babesiosis , Búfalos , Enfermedades de los Bovinos , Animales , Búfalos/parasitología , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Bovinos , Egipto/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Femenino , Masculino , Babesia/inmunología , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Factores de Riesgo , Prevalencia , Estudios TransversalesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Cats are hosts and reservoirs for many haemopathogens such as piroplasms, Rickettsia, hemotropic Mycoplasma, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma, which are transmitted by various vector arthropods and some of which have a zoonotic concern. Although it is noteworthy that the rate of ownership of companion animals has increased in Türkiye in recent years and that cats account for a large proportion of these animals, there is limited research on the vector-borne infectious agents carried by them. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive molecular epidemiological data and molecular characterization of feline vector-borne haemopathogens (FVBHs), including piroplasms, anaplasmataceae, rickettsias, haemoplasmas, and Bartonella species in Türkiye. In total, 250 feline blood samples were collected from client-owned cats (n = 203) and shelter cats (n = 47) brought to the Small Animal Hospital of Selcuk University, Veterinary Faculty. RESULTS: Overall, 40 (16%) cats were found to be infected with at least one of the investigated haemopathogens and piroplasm, Mycoplasma spp. and Bartonella spp. prevalence was 1.6%, 11.2%, and 4.8%, respectively. No Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. and Rickettsia spp. DNA was detected in the investigated feline samples. Sequence analysis revealed that all four piroplasms belonged to Babesia ovis with a 97.93-99.82% nucleotide sequence identity to 18S rRNA gene sequences from Spain and Türkiye, while some sequenced hemoplasmas were Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm) and Mycoplasma wenyonii, and Bartonella spp. were Bartonella henselae and Bartonella koehlerae species. Co-infections with Mycoplasma spp. and Bartonella spp. were also detected in 4 cats (1.6%) in this study, where single infections were predominant. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information on zoonotically important feline vector-borne hemopathogens in Türkiye, some of which have received attention under the One Health perspective, and is the first molecular epidemiological study to demonstrate the presence of Babesia ovis, the causative agent of ovine babesiosis, and Mycoplasma wenyonii DNA, the causative agent of bovine haemotropic mycoplasmosis, in cats. Further studies on the roles of such pathogens detected in unspecific hosts and the host specificity of the vectors that transmit them will contribute to the elucidation of this situation.
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Babesia , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Mycoplasma , Animales , Gatos , Enfermedades de los Gatos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/microbiología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , Mycoplasma/aislamiento & purificación , Mycoplasma/genética , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesia/genética , Infecciones por Mycoplasma/veterinaria , Infecciones por Mycoplasma/epidemiología , Femenino , Masculino , Bartonella/aislamiento & purificación , Bartonella/genética , Babesiosis/epidemiología , ADN Bacteriano , ADN ProtozoarioRESUMEN
Gonadectomy in dogs is associated with changes in risks of a variety of non-infectious health conditions, but few studies have examined its effects on infectious disease outcomes. The objectives of our study were to estimate the causal effect of gonadectomy on the incidence rate of babesiosis diagnosis, and on the risk of severe babesiosis in diagnosed cases, in dogs 6 months and older seen at a veterinary academic hospital in South Africa from 2013 through 2020. To estimate the effect of gonadectomy on the incidence rate of babesiosis diagnosis in dogs, we conducted a case-control study with incidence density sampling of dogs seen through the hospital's primary care service, adjusting for sex, age, breed category and weight. We identified 811 cases and selected 3244 time-matched controls. To estimate the effect of gonadectomy on disease severity in dogs with babesiosis, we conducted a retrospective cohort study among all dogs with a diagnosis of babesiosis (n=923), including these 811 cases and a further 112 referred to the hospital, also adjusting for sex, age, breed category and weight. Gonadectomy substantially reduced the incidence rate of babesiosis (total effect incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.5; 95â¯% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.60) and the risk of severe babesiosis among diagnosed dogs (total effect risk ratio [RR] 0.72; 95â¯% CI 0.60-0.86). Tipping point sensitivity analysis shows that these effect estimates are robust to unmeasured confounding bias. There was no evidence for modification of the effect of gonadectomy by sex, with effect estimates qualitatively similar for males and females for both outcomes. Compared to females, males had a higher incidence rate of babesiosis (IRR 1.74; 95â¯% CI 1.49-2.04) and a higher risk of severe disease (RR 1.12; 95â¯% CI 0.98-1.28). In conclusion, our study shows a robust protective effect of gonadectomy on the incidence and severity of babesiosis in both male and female dogs 6 months of age and older, and contributes important evidence to the debate on the overall risks and benefits of gonadectomy to dogs in this population.
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Babesiosis , Enfermedades de los Perros , Animales , Perros , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Sudáfrica/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Masculino , Incidencia , Hospitales Veterinarios , Orquiectomía/veterinaria , Factores de Riesgo , Estudios de Cohortes , Ovariectomía/veterinariaRESUMEN
Piroplasm including Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in cattle can cause illness that affects livestock productivity, resulting in significant production losses, especially in tropical and subtropical regions such as Thailand. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of bovine piroplasms and to identify these blood parasites based on the 18S ribosomal RNA gene in cattle in the northeastern part of Thailand. Piroplasmid infections among beef and dairy cattle were examined using nested PCR. Furthermore, amplicon DNA was sequenced and analyzed, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed to determine the genetic diversity and relationships of the parasite in each area. A total of 141 out of 215 (65.6%) cattle were positive for infection with Babesia or Theileria. DNA analysis revealed that infection by Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis, Theileria orientalis, Theileria sinensis, and Theileria sp. were common piroplasms in cattle in this region, with a high sequence shared identity and similarity with each other and clustered with isolates from other countries. This study provides information on the molecular epidemiology and genetic identification of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in beef and dairy cattle to provide a better understanding of piroplasm infection in cattle in this region, which will help control these blood parasites. Moreover, this is the first report identifying T. sinensis circulating among Thai cattle.
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Babesia , Babesiosis , Enfermedades de los Bovinos , ADN Protozoario , Filogenia , ARN Ribosómico 18S , Theileria , Theileriosis , Animales , Bovinos , Tailandia/epidemiología , Theileria/genética , Theileria/aislamiento & purificación , Theileria/clasificación , Babesiosis/parasitología , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Theileriosis/epidemiología , Theileriosis/parasitología , Babesia/genética , Babesia/clasificación , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , ADN Protozoario/genética , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Prevalencia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Variación Genética , ADN Ribosómico/genética , ADN Ribosómico/química , Análisis por ConglomeradosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In recent years, Babesia and Bartonella species co-infections in patients with chronic, nonspecific illnesses have continued to challenge and change the collective medical understanding of "individual pathogen" vector-borne infectious disease dynamics, pathogenesis and epidemiology. The objective of this case series is to provide additional molecular documentation of Babesia odocoilei infection in humans in the Americas and to emphasize the potential for co-infection with a Bartonella species. METHODS: The development of improved and more sensitive molecular diagnostic techniques, as confirmatory methods to assess active infection, has provided increasing clarity to the healthcare community. RESULTS: Using a combination of different molecular diagnostic approaches, infection with Babesia odocoilei was confirmed in seven people suffering chronic non-specific symptoms, of whom six were co-infected with one or more Bartonella species. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that infection with Babesia odocoilei is more frequent than previously documented and can occur in association with co-infection with Bartonella spp.
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Babesia , Babesiosis , Infecciones por Bartonella , Bartonella , Coinfección , Humanos , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/complicaciones , Babesiosis/parasitología , Coinfección/epidemiología , Coinfección/microbiología , Coinfección/parasitología , Infecciones por Bartonella/epidemiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/microbiología , Infecciones por Bartonella/complicaciones , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesia/genética , Bartonella/aislamiento & purificación , Bartonella/genética , Masculino , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto , Américas/epidemiología , Anciano , Técnicas de Diagnóstico MolecularRESUMEN
Babesia is a tick-transmitted parasite that infects wild and domestic animals, causes babesiosis in humans, and is an increasing public health concern. Here, we investigated the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Babesia infections in the rodents in Southeastern Shanxi, China. Small rodents were captured, and the liver and spleen tissues were used for Babesia detection using traditional PCR and sequencing of the partial 18S rRNA gene. The analysis revealed that 27 of 252 small rodents were positive for Babesia, with an infection rate of 10.71%. The infection rates in different sexes and rodent tissues were not statistically different, but those in different rodent species, habitats, and sampling sites were statistically different. The highest risk of Babesia infection was observed in Niviventer confucianus captured from the forests in Huguan County. Forty-three sequences from 27 small rodents positive for Babesia infection were identified as Babesia microti, including 42 sequences from 26 N. confucianus, and one sequence from Apodemus agrarius. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all sequences were clustered together and had the closest genetic relationship with Babesia microti strains isolated from Rattus losea and N. confucianus in China, and belonged to the Kobe-type, which is pathogenic to humans. Compared to other Kobe-type strains based on the nearly complete 18S rRNA gene, the sequences obtained in this study showed the difference by 1-3 bp. Overall, a high prevalence of Babesia microti infection was observed in small rodents in Southeastern Shanxi, China, which could benefit us to take the implementation of relevant prevention and control measures in this area.
Asunto(s)
Babesia microti , Babesiosis , Filogenia , ARN Ribosómico 18S , Roedores , Animales , Babesia microti/genética , Babesia microti/aislamiento & purificación , China/epidemiología , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Prevalencia , Roedores/parasitología , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , Femenino , Masculino , Enfermedades de los Roedores/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Roedores/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. are tick-borne protozoan parasites with veterinary importance. In China, epidemiological and genetic investigations on many Babesia and Theileria species were still absent in many areas and many tick species. From Aug 2021 to May 2023, 645 ticks were collected from the body surface of domestic animals (camels, goats, sheep, and cattle) using tweezers in seven counties in three provinces including Xinjiang (Qitai, Mulei, Hutubi, and Shihezi counties), Chongqing (Youyang and Yunyang counties), and Qinghai (Huangzhong county). Three tick species were morphologically and molecularly identified (334 Hyalomma asiaticum from Xinjiang, 245 Rhipicephalus microplus from Chongqing, and 66 Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis from Qinghai). A total of three Babesia species and two Theileria species were detected targeting the 18S gene. The COI and cytb sequences were also recovered from Babesia strains for further identification. In R. microplus from Chongqing, Babesia bigemina, the agent of bovine babesiosis, was detected. Notably, in H. asiaticum ticks from Xinjiang, a putative novel genotype of Babesia caballi was identified (0.90%, 3/334), whose COI and cytb genes have as low as 85.82% and 90.64-90.91% nucleotide identities to currently available sequences. It is noteworthy whether the sequence differences of its cytb contribute to the drug resistance of this variant due to the involvement of cytb in the drug resistance of Babesia. In addition, Theileria orientalis and Theileria annulata were detected in R. microplus from Chongqing (12.20%, 31/245) and H. asiaticum from Xinjiang (1.50%, 5/334), respectively. These results suggest that these protozoan parasites may be circulating in domestic animals in these areas. The pathogenicity of the novel genotype of B. caballi also warrants further investigation.
Asunto(s)
Babesia , Genotipo , Theileria , Animales , Babesia/genética , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesia/clasificación , Theileria/genética , Theileria/aislamiento & purificación , China/epidemiología , Bovinos , Filogenia , Ixodidae/parasitología , Ovinos , Babesiosis/parasitología , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Theileriosis/epidemiología , Theileriosis/parasitología , CabrasRESUMEN
Blood samples from fifteen captive Indian wolves (Canis lupus pallipes) maintained at Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai were screened for the presence of Babesia spp., Ehrlichia canis and Trypnosoma evansi DNA by PCR. Out of 15 wolf samples, 3 samples were found positive for Babesia spp. The amplified 18S rRNA gene fragments from 3 wolves were sequenced and confirmed as Babesia gibsoni. A maximum likelihood tree was constructed using the three sequences along with other Babesia spp. sequences derived from GenBank adopting HKY nucleotide substitution model based on the Bayesian Information Criterion. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the three sequences were of Babesia gibsoni and highly divergent from Babesia canis, B. vogeli and B. vulpes. This might be a possible spill over event of B. gibsoni from community dogs through blood feeding dog ticks. This is the first report and molecular confirmation of B. gibsoni infection in captive Indian wolves.
Asunto(s)
Babesia , Babesiosis , Filogenia , ARN Ribosómico 18S , Lobos , Animales , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesia/genética , Babesia/clasificación , Babesiosis/parasitología , Babesiosis/epidemiología , India/epidemiología , Lobos/parasitología , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , ARN Ribosómico 18S/análisis , Animales de Zoológico , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , ADN Protozoario/genética , Femenino , MasculinoRESUMEN
Tick-borne diseases in animals are increasing rapidly worldwide, but there is insufficient information about tick-borne diseases infecting dogs in southern Egypt. Thus, in the current study, we detected the presence of Anaplasma marginale (A. marginale) and Babesia canis vogeli (B. canis vogeli) in the blood of dogs. The results revealed that 4/100 (4%) were positive, and a higher infection rate was found in males (75%), than females (25%). The phylogenetic analysis for the major surface protein 4 (msp4) gene in this study was compared with amplicons separate from other reported isolates with alignment by identity 100% with cattle and camels from Egypt, and the phylogenetic analysis for the B. canis vogeli small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene in this study identified identity by 99.89% with dogs from Egypt. This report is considered the first report in southern Egypt about A. marginale in dogs based on the sequence analysis of the msp4 gene, providing new data for the classification and identification of A. marginale in dogs compared to A. marginale isolated from other animals in southern Egypt.
Asunto(s)
Anaplasma marginale , Anaplasmosis , Babesia , Babesiosis , Enfermedades de los Perros , Filogenia , Animales , Perros , Egipto/epidemiología , Babesia/genética , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesia/clasificación , Anaplasmosis/microbiología , Anaplasmosis/epidemiología , Anaplasmosis/diagnóstico , Anaplasma marginale/genética , Anaplasma marginale/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Perros/microbiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/diagnóstico , Babesiosis/parasitología , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/diagnóstico , Femenino , MasculinoRESUMEN
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a global worldwide infection, which can lead to the death of animals. Despite the causative agents of EP being well studied, there are no data on the distribution and genetic characteristics of EP agents in any region of Russia. In this study, blood samples from 750 horses from Novosibirsk province, Irkutsk province, and Altai region of Russian Siberia were examined for the presence of EP agents. Theileria equi and Babesia caballi were detected in all examined regions, with mean prevalence rates of 60.4% and 7.2%, respectively. The identified pathogens were genetically characterized by the 18S rRNA gene. The determined T. equi sequences were highly conserved and belonged to genotypes A and E, with genotype E being found in 88.6% of genotyped samples. In contrast to T. equi, B. caballi sequences were genetically diverse. Seven sequence variants of B. caballi were identified, and only two of them matched known sequences from the GenBank database. The determined B. caballi sequences belonged to four distinct branches within genotype A. Mixed infections with several variants of B. caballi or with T. equi and B. caballi were common. The conducted phylogenetic analysis based on all available B. caballi sequences of the 18S rRNA gene (> 900 bp) from GenBank and from this study first demonstrated the presence of five monophyletic clusters within genotype A and three clusters within genotype B. Thus, the genetic study of B. caballi from Siberia has significantly expanded the data on the genetic diversity of this pathogen.
Asunto(s)
Babesia , Babesiosis , Variación Genética , Genotipo , Enfermedades de los Caballos , Filogenia , ARN Ribosómico 18S , Theileria , Theileriosis , Animales , Theileria/genética , Theileria/clasificación , Theileria/aislamiento & purificación , Babesia/genética , Babesia/clasificación , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Caballos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/epidemiología , Theileriosis/epidemiología , Theileriosis/parasitología , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , Prevalencia , Federación de Rusia/epidemiología , ADN Protozoario/genética , Siberia/epidemiología , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , ADN Ribosómico/genética , ADN Ribosómico/químicaRESUMEN
Babesia species are intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites that infect a variety of hosts. The goal of this study was to evaluate the piroplasm species present in skunks in various states in the United States and determine whether there was any geographic variation. Spleen, whole blood, or blood on filter paper were received from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, and California, and were tested for Babesia sp. We tested four species of skunks including striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis, n = 72), eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius, n = 28), western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis, n = 15), and hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus leuconotus, n = 11). A PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA region and cox1 region were used to determine if skunks were infected with piroplasms and for phylogenetic analyses. A total of 48.4% (61/126) of skunks tested positive for a Babesia species. Both the 18S and cox1 analysis supported a skunk-specific Babesia microti-like sp. of carnivores as well as a species in the B. microti complex that is phylogenetically unique from both B. microti of humans and the B. microti-like sp. of carnivores. In the 18S analysis, there was a third species of Babesia in hog-nosed skunks in the western piroplasm group. This study shows that at least three species of piroplasms occur in skunk species in the United States and further highlights the importance of phylogenetic analyses and the use of multiple gene targets when studying piroplasms.
Title: Diversité des Babesia spp. chez des mouffettes provenant d'États sélectionnés des États-Unis. Abstract: Les espèces de Babesia sont des protozoaires parasites intraérythrocytaires qui infectent divers hôtes. Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer les espèces de piroplasmes présentes chez les mouffettes dans divers états des États-Unis et de déterminer s'il existait une variation géographique. Des rates, du sang total ou du sang sur papier filtre ont été reçus de Pennsylvanie, du Kentucky, de Caroline du Nord, de Caroline du Sud, de Géorgie, du Missouri, de Louisiane, du Texas, du Kansas et de Californie, et ont été testés pour Babesia sp. Nous avons testé quatre espèces de mouffettes, dont la mouffette rayée (Mephitis mephitis, n = 72), la mouffette tachetée de l'Est (Spilogale putorius, n = 28), la mouffette tachetée de l'Ouest (Spilogale gracilis, n = 15) et la mouffette à nez plat (Conepatus leuconotus, n = 11). Un test PCR ciblant la région de l'ARNr 18S et la région cox1 a été utilisé pour déterminer si les mouffettes étaient infectées par des piroplasmes et pour des analyses phylogénétiques. Au total, 48,4 % (61/126) des mouffettes ont été testées positives pour une espèce de Babesia. Les analyses du 18S et du cox1 ont toutes deux confirmé une espèce de type Babesia microti de carnivores spécifique aux mouffettes ainsi qu'une espèce du complexe B. microti qui est phylogénétiquement unique à la fois par rapport à B. microti de l'homme et à l'espèce des carnivores. Dans l'analyse 18S, il y avait une troisième espèce de Babesia chez les mouffettes à nez plat du groupe des piroplasmes de l'ouest. Cette étude montre qu'au moins trois espèces de piroplasmes sont présentes chez les espèces de mouffettes aux États-Unis et souligne en outre l'importance des analyses phylogénétiques et de l'utilisation de plusieurs cibles génétiques lors de l'étude des piroplasmes.
Asunto(s)
Babesia , Babesiosis , Mephitidae , Filogenia , ARN Ribosómico 18S , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Babesia/clasificación , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesia/genética , Animales , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , Mephitidae/parasitología , ADN Protozoario , Variación Genética , Reacción en Cadena de la PolimerasaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Babesiosis is a tick-borne infection caused by piroplasmid protozoa and associated with anemia and severe disease in humans, domestic animals and wildlife. Domestic cats are infected by at least six Babesia spp. that cause clinical disease. METHODS: Infection with a piroplasmid species was detected by microscopy of stained blood smears in three sick cats from Israel. Genetic characterization of the piroplasmid was performed by PCR amplification of the 18S rRNA, cytochorme B (CytB) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) locus, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In addition, Haemaphysalis adleri ticks collected from two cats were analyzed by PCR for piroplasmids. RESULTS: The infected cats presented with anemia and thrombocytopenia (3/3), fever (2/3) and icterus (1/3). Comparison of gene and loci sequences found 99-100% identity between sequences amplified from different cats and ticks. Constructed phylogenetic trees and DNA sequence comparisons demonstrated a previously undescribed Babesia sp. belonging to the Babesia sensu stricto (clade X). The piroplasm forms detected included pear-shaped merozoite and round-to-oval trophozoite stages with average sizes larger than those of Babesia felis, B. leo and B. lengau and smaller than canine Babesia s.s. spp. Four of 11 H. adleri adult ticks analyzed from cat # 3 were PCR positive for Babesia sp. with a DNA sequence identical to that found in the cats. Of these, two ticks were PCR positive in their salivary glands, suggesting that the parasite reached these glands and could possibly be transmitted by H. adleri. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes genetic and morphological findings of a new Babesia sp. which we propose to name Babesia galileei sp. nov. after the Galilee region in northern Israel where two of the infected cats originated from. The salivary gland PCR suggests that this Babesia sp. may be transmitted by H. adleri. However, incriminating this tick sp. as the vector of B. galilee sp. nov. would require further studies.
Asunto(s)
Babesia , Babesiosis , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Filogenia , Animales , Gatos , Babesia/genética , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesia/clasificación , Babesiosis/parasitología , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/parasitología , Israel/epidemiología , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , Masculino , ADN Protozoario/genética , Femenino , Análisis de Secuencia de ADNRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Piroplasmosis is a common and prevalent tick-borne disease that affects equids. OBJECTIVES: To determine the infection and molecular characteristics of the piroplasms in donkeys from Xinjiang, northwestern China, we undertook a cross sectional study by collecting representative samples across several counties within the region. METHODS: A total of 344 blood samples were collected from adult domestic donkeys from 13 counties in Xinjiang. PCR was conducted to test for T. equi and B. caballi in the blood samples based on the equine merozoite antigen-1 (Ema-1) gene and the 48 kDa rhoptry protein (BC48) gene, respectively. RESULTS: Sixteen blood samples tested positive for piroplasms and the overall infection rate was 4.7% (16/344). Seven of the 13 counties were positive for piroplasms. Among the 16 piroplasm-positive samples, 15 were singly infected with T. equi with an infection rate of 4.4% (15/344), and coinfection with T. equi and B. caballi was detected in one sample (0.3%, 1/344) from Wushi. Four T. equi sequence genotypes were identified and grouped into different branches of the evolutionary trees. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the infection rate of piroplasms is low in domestic donkeys in southern Xinjiang and that T. equi genotypes have a regional distribution.