RESUMEN
The population structure of original Babesia bigemina isolates and reference strains with a defined phenotypic profile was assessed using 18S rRNA and rap-1c genes. Two reference strains, BbiS2P-c (virulent) and BbiS1A-c (low virulence), were biologically cloned in vitro. The virulence profile of the strains and clones was assessed in vivo. One fully virulent and one low-virulence clone were mixed in identical proportions to evaluate their growth efficiency in vitro. Each clone was differentiated by two microsatellites and the gene gp45. The 18S rRNA and rap-1c genes sequences from B. bigemina biological clones and their parental strains, multiplied exclusively in vivo or in vitro, were compared with strain JG-29. The virulence of clones derived from the BbiS2P-c strain was variable. Virulent clone Bbi9P1 grew more efficiently in vitro than did the low-virulence clone Bbi2A1. The haplotypes generated by the nucleotide polymorphism, localized in the V4 region of the 18S rRNA, allowed the identification of three genotypes. The rap-1c haplotypes allowed defining four genotypes. Parental and original strains were defined by multiple haplotypes identified in both genes. The rap-1c gene, analyzed by high-resolution melting (HRM), allowed discrimination between two genotypes according to their phenotype, and both were different from JG-29. B. bigemina biological clones made it possible to define the population structure of isolates and strains. The polymorphic regions of the 18S rRNA and rap-1c genes allowed the identification of different subpopulations within original B. bigemina isolates by the definition of several haplotypes and the differentiation of fully virulent from low virulence clones.
Asunto(s)
Babesia/patogenicidad , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Proteínas Protozoarias/genética , ARN Ribosómico 18S/genética , Animales , Argentina/epidemiología , Babesia/clasificación , Babesia/genética , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Secuencia de Bases , Bovinos , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Clonación Molecular , ADN Protozoario/química , ADN Protozoario/aislamiento & purificación , Eritrocitos/parasitología , Genotipo , Técnicas de Genotipaje , Haplotipos , Masculino , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , ARN Ribosómico 18S/química , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa/normas , Alineación de Secuencia , VirulenciaRESUMEN
Babesia sp. is a protozoan hemoparasite that affects livestock worldwide. The Colombian Middle Magdalena is an enzootic region for babesiosis, but there is no previous research providing detail on its transmission cycle. This study aims to assess some Babesia sp. infection indicators in cattle and ticks from the area, by using direct microscopic and molecular techniques to detect the infection. In the cattle, 59.9% and 3.4 % positivity values for B. bigemina and mixed infection (B. bovis + B. bigemina) were found respectively. In ticks, the positivity of B. bigemina reached 79.2% and 9.4% for the mixed infection. The degree of infestation in the region was 3.2 ticks per bovine. There was positive correlation between tick control acaricide frequencies and infestation in bovines. This leads us to infer that control periodicity greater than 90 days, in stable zones, is an abiotic factor that benefits the acquisition of protective immunity in calves, the natural control of the infection and eventual disease absence. It is necessary to monitor the disease by applying new entomological and parasitological indicators showing the complexity of this phenomenon.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Bovinos , Babesia bovis/aislamiento & purificación , Bovinos/parasitología , Garrapatas/parasitología , Rhipicephalus , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa Multiplex/veterinariaRESUMEN
Babesia sp. is a protozoan hemoparasite that affects livestock worldwide. The Colombian Middle Magdalena is an enzootic region for babesiosis, but there is no previous research providing detail on its transmission cycle. This study aims to assess some Babesia sp. infection indicators in cattle and ticks from the area, by using direct microscopic and molecular techniques to detect the infection. In the cattle, 59.9% and 3.4 % positivity values for B. bigemina and mixed infection (B. bovis + B. bigemina) were found respectively. In ticks, the positivity of B. bigemina reached 79.2% and 9.4% for the mixed infection. The degree of infestation in the region was 3.2 ticks per bovine. There was positive correlation between tick control acaricide frequencies and infestation in bovines. This leads us to infer that control periodicity greater than 90 days, in stable zones, is an abiotic factor that benefits the acquisition of protective immunity in calves, the natural control of the infection and eventual disease absence. It is necessary to monitor the disease by applying new entomological and parasitological indicators showing the complexity of this phenomenon.(AU)
Asunto(s)
Animales , Bovinos , Bovinos/parasitología , Garrapatas/parasitología , Rhipicephalus , Babesia bovis/aislamiento & purificación , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa Multiplex/veterinariaRESUMEN
Infection with canine vector-borne pathogens was evaluated in dogs from four different regions of Costa Rica by PCR. Demographic data, clinical signs, packed cell volume values, and the presence of tick infestation were recorded for each dog. Forty seven percent (69/146) of the dogs were infected with at least one pathogen and 12% were co-infected with two pathogens. Ehrlichia canis was detected in 34%, Anaplasma platys in 10%, Babesia vogeli in 8%, and Hepatozoon canis in 7.5% of the blood samples. No infection was detected with Leishmania spp. in blood, skin scrapings or conjunctival swabs. Thirty percent of the dogs presented at least one clinical sign compatible with vector-borne disease, and of those, 66% were infected with a pathogen. Subclinical infections were determined in 58% of the infected dogs including 82% (9/11), 58% (29/50), 42% (5/12) and 36% (5/14) of the dogs with H. canis, E. canis, B. vogeli and A. platys infections, respectively. A distinct relationship was found between infection and anemia. The mean PCV values were 34.4% in dogs with no infection, 31.5% in those who had a single infection and 23% in those with co-infection. Co-infected dogs had significantly lower PCV values compared to non-infected and single-infected dogs (p<0.0001). Thirty five percent (51/146) of the dogs were infested with ticks, 82% of them were infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and 18% with Amblyomma ovale. Dogs infected with A. platys, B. vogeli, or E. canis were significantly associated with R. sanguineus s.l. infestation (p<0.029). This is the first description of infections with B. vogeli and H. canis in Costa Rica as well as in Central America. The results of this study indicate that multiple vector-borne pathogens responsible for severe diseases infect dogs in Costa Rica and therefore, increased owner and veterinarian awareness are needed. Moreover, prevention of tick infestation is recommended to decrease the threat of these diseases to the canine population.
Asunto(s)
Anemia/veterinaria , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Coccidiosis/veterinaria , Coinfección/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Ehrlichiosis/veterinaria , Factores de Edad , Anaplasma/genética , Anemia/etiología , Animales , Babesia/genética , Babesiosis/complicaciones , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Coccidios/genética , Coccidiosis/complicaciones , Coccidiosis/epidemiología , Coinfección/epidemiología , Coinfección/microbiología , Coinfección/parasitología , Costa Rica/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Perros/microbiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Perros , Ehrlichia canis/genética , Ehrlichiosis/complicaciones , Ehrlichiosis/epidemiología , Femenino , Hematócrito , Masculino , Prevalencia , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis are the most prevalent tick-borne diseases in Brazilian dogs. Few studies have focused attention in surveying tick-borne diseases in the Brazilian Amazon region. A total of 129 blood samples were collected from dogs living in the Brazilian eastern Amazon. Seventy-two samples from dogs from rural areas of 19 municipalities and 57 samples from urban stray dogs from Santarém municipality were collected. Serum samples were submitted to Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) with antigens of Babesia canis vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and six Rickettsia species. The frequency of dogs containing anti-B. canis vogeli, anti-E. canis, and anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies was 42.6%, 16.2%, and 31.7%, respectively. Anti-B. canis vogeli antibodies were detected in 59.6% of the urban dogs, and in 29.1% of the rural dogs (P < 0.05). For E. canis, seroprevalence was similar among urban (15.7%) and rural (16.6%) dogs. For Rickettsia spp., rural dogs presented significantly higher (P < 0.05) prevalence (40.3%) than urban animals (21.1%). This first study on tick-borne pathogens in dogs from the Brazilian eastern Amazon indicates that dogs are exposed to several agents, such as Babesia organisms, mostly in the urban area; Spotted Fever group Rickettsia organisms, mostly in the rural area; and Ehrlichia organisms, in dogs from both areas studied.
Asunto(s)
Babesiosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Ehrlichiosis/veterinaria , Infecciones por Rickettsia/veterinaria , Animales , Antígenos Bacterianos/sangre , Antígenos de Protozoos/sangre , Babesiosis/sangre , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Brasil/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/sangre , Perros , Ehrlichiosis/sangre , Ehrlichiosis/epidemiología , Femenino , Masculino , Infecciones por Rickettsia/epidemiología , Estudios SeroepidemiológicosRESUMEN
Bovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused mainly by Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina, which are associated to considerable economic losses in cattle herds worldwide. Approximately 60% of buffalo herds in South America are located in Northern Brazil. Little is known about the impact of babesiosis on buffalo herds in Brazil. The present work aimed to verify the occurrence of B. bovis and B. bigemina in 542 water buffaloes in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil, using molecular and serological techniques. The percentage of seropositive animals for B. bovis and B. bigemina was 41.2% and 19.0%, respectively, by ELISA. B. bovis and B. bigemina DNA were detected in 15 and 16% of sampled buffaloes, respectively. A high correlation (Kappa index of 0.9) between serological and molecular tests suggests that the combination of the utilized techniques in the present study is suitable for babesiosis diagnosis in an endemic unstable area. Significantly difference of positivity for serological and molecular assays was verified to localities and reproductive status of sampled animals, but not between buffalo breeds. The immune status of sampled buffaloes associated to the circulation of babesiosis agents in sampled population suggests that the studied area is at risk to clinical babesiosis outbreaks. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that this region can be classified as endemically unstable.
Asunto(s)
Babesia/clasificación , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Búfalos , Animales , Anticuerpos Antiprotozoarios/sangre , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Brasil/epidemiología , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática/veterinaria , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Epidemiología Molecular , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Prevalencia , Estudios SeroepidemiológicosRESUMEN
Canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis are the most prevalent tick-borne diseases in Brazilian dogs. Few studies have focused attention in surveying tick-borne diseases in the Brazilian Amazon region. A total of 129 blood samples were collected from dogs living in the Brazilian eastern Amazon. Seventy-two samples from dogs from rural areas of 19 municipalities and 57 samples from urban stray dogs from Santarém municipality were collected. Serum samples were submitted to Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) with antigens of Babesia canis vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and six Rickettsia species. The frequency of dogs containing anti-B. canis vogeli, anti-E. canis, and anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies was 42.6%, 16.2%, and 31.7%, respectively. Anti-B. canis vogeli antibodies were detected in 59.6% of the urban dogs, and in 29.1% of the rural dogs (P < 0.05). For E. canis, seroprevalence was similar among urban (15.7%) and rural (16.6%) dogs. For Rickettsia spp., rural dogs presented significantly higher (P < 0.05) prevalence (40.3%) than urban animals (21.1%). This first study on tick-borne pathogens in dogs from the Brazilian eastern Amazon indicates that dogs are exposed to several agents, such as Babesia organisms, mostly in the urban area; Spotted Fever group Rickettsia organisms, mostly in the rural area; and Ehrlichia organisms, in dogs from both areas studied.
Ehrliquiose canina e babesiose canina são as doenças parasitárias transmitidas por carrapatos de maior prevalência em cães do Brasil. Poucos estudos pesquisaram doenças transmitidas por carrapatos na região da Amazônia brasileira. Um total de 129 amostras de sangue foram colhidas de cães da Amazônia oriental brasileira. Setenta e dois cães eram de áreas rurais de 19 municípios do Estado do Pará, e 57 amostras foram colhidas de cães errantes vadios da área urbana do município de Santarém-PA. As amostras de soro foram submetidas ao ensaio de imunofluorescência indireta, com antígenos de Babesia canis vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, e seis espécies de Rickettsia. A frequência de cães com anticorpos anti-B. canis vogeli, anti-E. canis, e anti-Rickettsia spp. foi de 42,6%, 16,2% e 31,7%, respectivamente. Anticorpos anti-B. canis vogeli foram detectados em 59,6% dos cães urbanos, e em 29,1% dos cães rurais (P < 0.05). Para E. canis, a soroprevalência foi parecida entre os cães urbanos (15,7%) e rurais (16,6%). Para Rickettsia spp., cães rurais apresentaram prevalência (P < 0.05) significativamente maior (40,3%) do que os cães urbanos (21,1%). Esse primeiro estudo sobre agentes transmitidos por carrapatos entre cães da Amazônia oriental brasileira indica que estes animais estão expostos a vários agentes. Estes incluem Babesia principalmente na área urbana, Riquétsias do grupo da Febre Maculosa principalmente nas áreas rurais, e Erliquia em cães de ambas as áreas, rural e urbana.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Masculino , Femenino , Perros , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Ehrlichiosis/veterinaria , Infecciones por Rickettsia/veterinaria , Antígenos Bacterianos/sangre , Antígenos de Protozoos/sangre , Babesiosis/sangre , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Brasil/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/sangre , Ehrlichiosis/sangre , Ehrlichiosis/epidemiología , Infecciones por Rickettsia/epidemiología , Estudios SeroepidemiológicosRESUMEN
The focus of this study was the detection of equine piroplasmosis in Distrito Capital, Miranda, Aragua, Guárico and Apure States from Venezuela, using two methods: Competitive-Inhibition ELISA and multiplex PCR and the analysis of the possible differences in occurrence in relation to the primary purpose of the horses, which is related to varied degrees of exposure to tick. Antibody levels to Babesia caballi and Theileria equi were assessed in 694 equine serum samples using Competitive-Inhibition ELISA, while PCR assays were performed in 136 horses, using two sets of oligonucleotides to establish the presence of T. equi, B. caballi or both. The overall seroprevalence of equine piroplasmosis was 50.2%, antibodies to B. caballi were found in 161 horses (23.2%), whereas 97 (14.0%) were seropositive to T. equi and 90 (13.0%) were positives to both parasites (mixed infections). PCR determinations (n=136) showed a prevalence of 66.2%, distributed in 84 (61.8% positives) for T. equi and, 6 (4.4%) were positive to both parasites. The cELISA showed higher levels of prevalence of B. caballi and mixed infections, as compared to the PCR method. This discrepancy can be explained by the different parameters that are evaluated by each technique, PCR detect the parasite itself, while cELISA detects antibodies to the parasite. By PCR, the highest prevalence was found in Apure state, where 92.3% of the samples were positive to T. equi infections. In this locality, free grazing animals are used for livestock management. This high prevalence may be linked to the tick species present in that area. More epidemiological studies will be necessary to assess the epidemiological status of equine piroplasmosis in Venezuela.
Asunto(s)
Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Caballos/parasitología , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Theileria/aislamiento & purificación , Theileriosis/diagnóstico , Animales , Babesia/clasificación , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática/métodos , Femenino , Enfermedades de los Caballos/epidemiología , Caballos , Masculino , Prevalencia , Theileria/clasificación , Theileriosis/epidemiología , Venezuela/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Rangelia vitalii is a tick-transmitted piroplasm that causes both hemolytic and hemorrhagic disease in dogs in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of the bone marrow in dogs experimentally infected with R vitalii during the acute stage of the disease. METHODS: For this study, 2 groups of a total of 12 young dogs were used. Group A was composed of healthy dogs (n = 5), and group B consisted of animals infected with R vitalii (n = 7). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 10, 20, and 30 post-inoculation and stored in EDTA tubes for a full hematology profile, including a reticulocyte count. On days 10 and 20, bone marrow samples were collected, stained, and examined. RESULTS: In infected dogs anemia was identified on days 10 and 20 post-inoculation (P < .01), and on day 20 reticulocytosis was present. Infected dogs had leukopenia due to neutropenia and eosinopenia, along with lymphocytosis and monocytosis, when compared with control animals. In bone marrow, the myeloid:erythroid ratio was significantly decreased (P < .05) in infected dogs due to increased erythroid precursors. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs experimentally infected with R vitalii develop regenerative extravascular hemolytic anemia accompanied by erythroid hyperplasia in the bone marrow. During the acute phase of the disease, leukopenia due to neutropenia and eosinopenia suggests intense tissue recruitment of these cells in response to the endothelial damage caused by this parasite.
Asunto(s)
Anemia Hemolítica/veterinaria , Babesia/clasificación , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Médula Ósea/patología , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Anemia Hemolítica/parasitología , Animales , Antiprotozoarios/uso terapéutico , Babesiosis/sangre , Babesiosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Babesiosis/parasitología , Babesiosis/patología , Diminazeno/análogos & derivados , Diminazeno/uso terapéutico , Enfermedades de los Perros/sangre , Enfermedades de los Perros/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de los Perros/patología , Perros , Células Eritroides/patología , Femenino , Hiperplasia/veterinariaRESUMEN
The intra-erythrocytic protozoan Babesia bovis is an economically important pathogen that causes an acute and often fatal infection in adult cattle. Babesiosis limitation depends on the early activation of macrophages, essential cells of the host innate immunity, which can generate an inflammatory response mediated by cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). Herein, we demonstrate in bovine macrophages that lipids from B. bovis attenuated R1A strain (LA) produced a stronger NO release, an early TNFα mRNA induction and 2-fold higher IL-12p35 mRNA levels compared to the lipids of virulent S2P strain (LV). Neither LA nor LV induced anti-inflammatory IL-10. Regarding signalling pathways, we here report that LA induced a significant phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) whereas LV only induced a reduced activation of ERK1/2. Besides, NF-κB was activated by LA and LV, but LA produced an early degradation of the inhibitor IκB. Interestingly, LV and the majority of its lipid fractions, exerted a significant inhibition of concanavalin A-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation with respect to LA and its corresponding lipid fractions. In addition, we determined that animals infected with R1A developed a higher increase in IgM anti-phosphatidylcholine than those inoculated with S2P. Collectively, S2P lipids generated a decreased inflammatory response contributing to the evasion of innate immunity. Moreover, since R1A lipids induced a pro-inflammatory profile, we propose these molecules as good candidates for immunoprophylactic strategies against babesiosis.
Asunto(s)
Babesia bovis/inmunología , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Interacciones Huésped-Parásitos/inmunología , Lípidos/inmunología , Macrófagos/inmunología , Transducción de Señal , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Anticuerpos Antifosfolípidos/sangre , Babesia bovis/química , Babesia bovis/patogenicidad , Babesiosis/inmunología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Bovinos , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/inmunología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Citocinas/metabolismo , Leucocitos Mononucleares/citología , Lípidos/farmacología , Macrófagos/efectos de los fármacos , Macrófagos/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Bovine babesiosis, caused by the protozoa Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina, is a tick-borne disease distributed in tropical regions worldwide. Current control measures are based on the use of acaricides and live attenuated vaccines. The major economic impact of babesiosis lies in the cattle industry. In order to gain insight into the extent of genetic diversity in populations of parasites in the field, we developed two MLST schemes for the molecular genotyping of B. bigemina and B. bovis. We have also developed a custom-designed bioinformatic pipeline to facilitate the automated processing of raw sequences and further diversity and phylogenetic analysis. The overall MLST scheme exhibited the maximum discriminatory power (Simpson Index=1) for B. bovis and a high level of discrimination for B. bigemina (Simpson Index=0.9545). Genetic diversity was very high and infections with multiple genotypes were frequently found for both parasites in outbreak samples from the Northeast and Northwest of Argentina. Recombination events, which could have arisen from these multiple infections, were suggested by intra-loci linkage disequilibrium analysis and the lack of congruence in phylogenetic trees from individual genes. The two MLST schemes developed here are a robust, objective and easily adoptable technology to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of parasites of the genus Babesia.
Asunto(s)
Babesia/clasificación , Babesia/genética , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Variación Genética , Alelos , Animales , Argentina , Babesia bovis/genética , Babesia bovis/inmunología , Bovinos , Evolución Molecular , Genes Protozoarios , Genotipo , Haplotipos , Desequilibrio de Ligamiento , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Tipificación de Secuencias Multilocus , Filogenia , Polimorfismo GenéticoRESUMEN
The present study provides the first epidemiological data on infection with Babesia bovis in cattle raised in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon. Blood clot samples were filtered through nylon cloth before being submitted to DNA extraction. PCR and nested-PCR were applied to assess the frequency of infection with B. bovis in calves with ages from 4 to 12 months bred in 4 microregions each in the states of Rondônia and Acre. After the DNA was extracted from the samples, the infection in cattle was investigated by amplification of the "rap1" gene from B. bovis. The DNA amplification results revealed a frequency of infection with B. bovis of 95.1% (272/286) in the samples from Rondônia and 96.1% (195/203) in those from Acre. The high frequency of B. bovis infection in the animals with ages from 4 to 12 months indicates a situation of enzootic stability in the regions studied. The infection rates are comparable to those detected by immunodiagnostic techniques in other endemic regions of Brazil.
Asunto(s)
Babesia bovis/aislamiento & purificación , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Animales , Babesiosis/sangre , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Brasil/epidemiología , Bovinos , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/sangre , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , ADN Protozoario/sangre , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Although tick-borne diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality in dogs in tropical areas, there is little information on the agents causing these infections in the Caribbean. METHODOLOGY: We used PCRs to test blood from a cross-section of dogs on St Kitts for Ehrlichia (E.) canis, Babesia (B.) spp., Anaplasma (A.) spp. and Hepatozoon (H.) spp. Antibodies against E. canis and A. phagocytophilum/platys were detected using commercial immunochromatography tests. Records of the dogs were examined retrospectively to obtain clinical and laboratory data. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: There was serological and/or PCR evidence of infections of dogs with E. canis (27%; 46/170), Babesia spp. (24%; 90/372) including B. canis vogeli (12%; 43/372) and B. gibsoni (10%; 36/372), A. platys (11%; 17/157) and H. canis (6%; 15/266). We could not identify the Babesia sp. detected in nine dogs. There was evidence of multiple infections with dual infections with E. canis and B. canis vogeli (8%; 14/179) or B. gibsoni (7%; 11/170) being the most common. There was agreement between immunochromatography and PCR test results for E. canis for 87% of dogs. Only 13% of exposed dogs had signs of a tick-borne disease and 38% had laboratory abnormalities. All 10 dogs presenting for a recheck after treatment of E. canis with doxycycline were apparently healthy although all remained seropositive and six still had laboratory abnormalities despite an average of two treatments with the most recent being around 12 months previously. Infections with Babesia spp. were also mainly subclinical with only 6% (4/67) showing clinical signs and 13% (9/67) having laboratory abnormalities. Similarly, animals with evidence of infections with A. platys and H. canis were largely apparently healthy with only occasional laboratory abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs are commonly infected with tick-borne pathogens in the Caribbean with most having no clinical signs or laboratory abnormalities.
Asunto(s)
Anaplasmosis , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Perros/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Ehrlichiosis/veterinaria , Enfermedades por Picaduras de Garrapatas/veterinaria , Anaplasma/genética , Anaplasma/inmunología , Animales , Babesia/genética , Babesia/inmunología , Cromatografía de Afinidad , Perros , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Prevalencia , Indias Occidentales/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Babesia ovata is a tick-transmitted hemoprotozoan parasite that infects cattle. In our study, bovine blood samples (n=2,034) were collected from 10 different countries (Brazil, China, Ghana, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam) and DNA extracted. The DNA samples were screened using an established and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) gene. Parasite DNA was detected among samples collected from Japan, Mongolia and Thailand. Sequence analyses confirmed that the PCR assay detected only B. ovata AMA-1, and that amplicons from different geographical locations were conserved. Our findings highlight the importance of designing adequate strategies to control B. ovata infection in Japan, Mongolia, and Thailand.
Asunto(s)
Babesia/clasificación , Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , África/epidemiología , Animales , Asia/epidemiología , Babesia/genética , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Bovinos , Filogenia , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , América del Sur/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Liposomes prepared from total egg yolk lipid extracts were used to deliver experimental DNA vaccines to mice consisting of pCI-neo plasmids encoding bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) gD or Babesia bovis MSA-2c. A significantly higher proportion of mice in the B. bovis MSA-2c group, but not those in the BoHV-1 gD group, developed detectable immunoglobulin G responses when vaccinated with liposome encapsulated DNA in comparison with mice vaccinated with naked DNA. In both groups, antibody titres were similar between mice vaccinated with liposome encapsulated DNA and naked DNA.
Asunto(s)
Babesia bovis/inmunología , Yema de Huevo/química , Herpesvirus Bovino 1/clasificación , Herpesvirus Bovino 1/inmunología , Liposomas/química , Vacunas Virales/inmunología , Animales , Anticuerpos Antiprotozoarios , Anticuerpos Antivirales , Antígenos de Protozoos/inmunología , Babesiosis/parasitología , Babesiosis/prevención & control , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Femenino , Infecciones por Herpesviridae/prevención & control , Masculino , Proteínas de la Membrana/inmunología , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Proteínas Protozoarias/inmunología , Proteínas Virales/inmunologíaRESUMEN
A babesiose canina é uma doença hemolítica transmitida por carrapatos, causada pelos agentes Babesia gibsoni e Babesia canis, com este englobando as subespécies B. canis vogeli, B. canis canis e B. canis rossi. Estas espécies e subespécies são transmitidas por carrapatos vetores distintos exibindo patogenicidade variável, o que tem influenciado nas síndromes clínicas exibidas pelos animais acometidos, assim como alguns fatores inerentes aos cães infectados. Essas diversidades morfológicas, epidemiológicas e patogenéticas dos agentes têm contribuído para as variações na distribuição e apresentação clínico-patológica da enfermidade e dificultado o diagnóstico da doença. Diante disso, esta revisão tem por objetivo expor os aspectos etiológicos, epidemiológicos, imunológicos e clínico-patológicos, como também os métodos disponíveis para diagnóstico da babesiose canina.
Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by Babesia gibsoni and Babesia canis, comprising of the subspecies B. canis vogeli, B. canis canis and B. canis rossi. These species and subspecies have distinct tick vectors and display distinct pathogenic variables, which may infl uence the clinical syndromes exhibited by affected animals, besides factors inherent to the infected dog. These morphological, epidemiological and pathogenetic differences of the agents have contributed to variations in the distribution and clinical presentation of the disorder. Therefore, this review aims to expose the etiological, epidemiological, immunological and clinicalpathological features, as well as the methods available for diagnosis of canine babesiosis.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Perros , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/etiología , Babesiosis/inmunología , Babesiosis/patología , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Babesiosis/diagnóstico , Babesiosis/terapiaRESUMEN
A babesiose canina é uma doença hemolítica transmitida por carrapatos, causada pelos agentes Babesia gibsoni e Babesia canis, com este englobando as subespécies B. canis vogeli, B. canis canis e B. canis rossi. Estas espécies e subespécies são transmitidas por carrapatos vetores distintos exibindo patogenicidade variável, o que tem influenciado nas síndromes clínicas exibidas pelos animais acometidos, assim como alguns fatores inerentes aos cães infectados. Essas diversidades morfológicas, epidemiológicas e patogenéticas dos agentes têm contribuído para as variações na distribuição e apresentação clínico-patológica da enfermidade e dificultado o diagnóstico da doença. Diante disso, esta revisão tem por objetivo expor os aspectos etiológicos, epidemiológicos, imunológicos e clínico-patológicos, como também os métodos disponíveis para diagnóstico da babesiose canina.(AU)
Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by Babesia gibsoni and Babesia canis, comprising of the subspecies B. canis vogeli, B. canis canis and B. canis rossi. These species and subspecies have distinct tick vectors and display distinct pathogenic variables, which may infl uence the clinical syndromes exhibited by affected animals, besides factors inherent to the infected dog. These morphological, epidemiological and pathogenetic differences of the agents have contributed to variations in the distribution and clinical presentation of the disorder. Therefore, this review aims to expose the etiological, epidemiological, immunological and clinicalpathological features, as well as the methods available for diagnosis of canine babesiosis.(AU)
Asunto(s)
Animales , Perros , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Babesiosis/etiología , Babesiosis/inmunología , Babesiosis/patología , Babesiosis/diagnóstico , Babesiosis/terapiaRESUMEN
Babesiosis is one of the most important diseases affecting livestock agriculture worldwide. Animals from the subspecies Bos taurus indicus are more resistant to babesiosis than those from Bos taurus taurus. The genera Babesia and Plasmodium are Apicomplexa hemoparasites and share features such as invasion of red blood cells (RBC). The glycoprotein Duffy is the only human erythrocyte receptor for Pasmodium vivax and a mutation which abolishes expression of this glycoprotein on erythrocyte surfaces is responsible for making the majority of people originating from the indigenous populations of West Africa resistant to P. vivax. The current work detected and quantified the Duffy antigen on Bos taurus indicus and Bos taurus taurus erythrocyte surfaces using a polyclonal antibody in order to investigate if differences in susceptibility to Babesia are due to different levels of Duffy antigen expression on the RBCs of these animals, as is known to be the case in human beings for interactions of Plasmodium vivax-Duffy antigen. ELISA tests showed that the antibody that was raised against Duffy antigens detected the presence of Duffy antigen in both subspecies and that the amount of this antigen on those erythrocyte membranes was similar. These results indicate that the greater resistance of B. taurus indicus to babesiosis cannot be explained by the absence or lower expression of Duffy antigen on RBC surfaces.
As doenças infecciosas e parasitárias causam perdas importantes em vários setores da produção da pecuária mundial. Estima-se que mais de 600 milhões de bovinos de países tropicais e subtropicais estejam expostos à infecção por Babesia sp. gerando grande prejuízo econômico. Os gêneros Babesia e Plasmodium são hemoparasitas pertencentes ao filo Apicomplexa e apresentam características comuns no processo de invasão eritrocitária. A babesiose bovina causada por Babesia bigemina e Babesia bovis apresenta sinais clínicos similares a malária humana causada por Plasmodium vivax e Plasmodium falciparum. A glicoproteína Duffy é a única receptora para o P. vivax em humanos. A maioria dos indivíduos negros africanos é resistente a este parasita devido a uma mutação que provoca a ausência de expressão desta glicoproteína na superfície das hemácias. Tendo em vista este fato, e que animais da subespécie Bos taurus taurus são mais susceptíveis à babesiose quando comparados à animais Bos taurus indicus, objetivou-se neste trabalho a detecção e quantificação do antígeno Duffy na superfície dos eritrócitos de bovinos empregando para tal, anticorpo policlonal que permitisse investigar se as diferenças na susceptibilidade são devido a diferentes níveis de expressão do antígeno Duffy nas hemácias. Ensaios de ELISA mostraram que o anticorpo produzido foi capaz de reconhecer o antígeno Duffy presente nas hemácias bovinas e a análise quantitativa não demonstrou diferença significativa na presença do mesmo. Estes resultados sugerem que a resistência maior dos zebuínos à babesiose não se deve à ausência de expressão, ou à presença em menor quantidade do antígeno Duffy na superfície de suas hemácias.
Asunto(s)
Babesiosis/veterinaria , Bovinos/parasitología , Eritrocitos/fisiología , Glicoproteínas/aislamiento & purificación , Anticuerpos/aislamiento & purificación , AntígenosRESUMEN
Babesiosis is one of the most important diseases affecting livestock agriculture worldwide. Animals from the subspecies Bos taurus indicus are more resistant to babesiosis than those from Bos taurus taurus. The genera Babesia and Plasmodium are Apicomplexa hemoparasites and share features such as invasion of red blood cells (RBC). The glycoprotein Duffy is the only human erythrocyte receptor for Pasmodium vivax and a mutation which abolishes expression of this glycoprotein on erythrocyte surfaces is responsible for making the majority of people originating from the indigenous populations of West Africa resistant to P. vivax. The current work detected and quantified the Duffy antigen on Bos taurus indicus and Bos taurus taurus erythrocyte surfaces using a polyclonal antibody in order to investigate if differences in susceptibility to Babesia are due to different levels of Duffy antigen expression on the RBCs of these animals, as is known to be the case in human beings for interactions of Plasmodium vivax-Duffy antigen. ELISA tests showed that the antibody that was raised against Duffy antigens detected the presence of Duffy antigen in both subspecies and that the amount of this antigen on those erythrocyte membranes was similar. These results indicate that the greater resistance of B. taurus indicus to babesiosis cannot be explained by the absence or lower expression of Duffy antigen on RBC surfaces.(AU)
As doenças infecciosas e parasitárias causam perdas importantes em vários setores da produção da pecuária mundial. Estima-se que mais de 600 milhões de bovinos de países tropicais e subtropicais estejam expostos à infecção por Babesia sp. gerando grande prejuízo econômico. Os gêneros Babesia e Plasmodium são hemoparasitas pertencentes ao filo Apicomplexa e apresentam características comuns no processo de invasão eritrocitária. A babesiose bovina causada por Babesia bigemina e Babesia bovis apresenta sinais clínicos similares a malária humana causada por Plasmodium vivax e Plasmodium falciparum. A glicoproteína Duffy é a única receptora para o P. vivax em humanos. A maioria dos indivíduos negros africanos é resistente a este parasita devido a uma mutação que provoca a ausência de expressão desta glicoproteína na superfície das hemácias. Tendo em vista este fato, e que animais da subespécie Bos taurus taurus são mais susceptíveis à babesiose quando comparados à animais Bos taurus indicus, objetivou-se neste trabalho a detecção e quantificação do antígeno Duffy na superfície dos eritrócitos de bovinos empregando para tal, anticorpo policlonal que permitisse investigar se as diferenças na susceptibilidade são devido a diferentes níveis de expressão do antígeno Duffy nas hemácias. Ensaios de ELISA mostraram que o anticorpo produzido foi capaz de reconhecer o antígeno Duffy presente nas hemácias bovinas e a análise quantitativa não demonstrou diferença significativa na presença do mesmo. Estes resultados sugerem que a resistência maior dos zebuínos à babesiose não se deve à ausência de expressão, ou à presença em menor quantidade do antígeno Duffy na superfície de suas hemácias.(AU)
Asunto(s)
Bovinos/parasitología , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Glicoproteínas/aislamiento & purificación , Eritrocitos/fisiología , Antígenos , Anticuerpos/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
The virulence phenotype of Babesia bovis subpopulations was evaluated using biological clones derived from the high-virulence BboS2P and the low-virulence BboR1A strain and two original virulent isolates, BboL15 and BboL17, multiplied extensively in vitro or attenuated by successive passages in splenectomized calves. The virulence phenotype was assessed both by inoculation of normal Holstein adult steers and by analyses of polymorphic fragments of the single-copy Bv80 gene as a subpopulation marker. BboS2P and its nine derived clones contained a single 750 bp fragment with identical nucleotide sequences and numbers of repeats. A single fragment of approximately 850 bp was observed in BboR1A and its derived clones (Ca3B1, Ca2B1). Ca3B1 and Ca2B1 were differentiated by a stable deletion of 15 contiguous nucleotides in the Bv80 allele of Ca3B1. Both alleles were identified in the parental strain. Original isolates BboL15 and BboL17 contained two Bv80 fragments of different sizes. Interestingly, the heavy and light fragments persisted in the in vivo-attenuated strains and the virulent in vitro-multiplied strains, respectively. Despite the inter-strain allelic diversity of the Bv80 gene, the fragments had identical nucleotide sequences and numbers of repeats compared to their respective parental Bv80 genes. The high-virulence and low-virulence phenotypes remained unchanged after they were multiplied in vitro. In conclusion, the polymorphic B. bovis Bv80 gene, was a useful marker for differentiating subpopulations with different phenotypes. The brevity of the procedure to isolate one parasite from the original isolate or strain before in vitro cloning and the fact that the continuous in vitro multiplication did not modify the virulence phenotype of B. bovis clones strongly suggest that the in vivo-attenuated subpopulations existed in the original isolates before they were selected by passages in splenectomized calves.