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Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024is an apicomplexan parasite responsible for bovine babesiosis, a tick-borne disease with a worldwide impact. The disease remains inefficiently controlled, and few...
INTRODUCTION
is an apicomplexan parasite responsible for bovine babesiosis, a tick-borne disease with a worldwide impact. The disease remains inefficiently controlled, and few effective drugs, including imidocarb dipropionate (ID), are currently available in endemic areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether buparvaquone (BPQ), a drug currently used to treat cattle infected with the -related parasites, could be active against parasites. Herein, we compared the effect of ID and BPQ on growth erythrocyte culture.
METHODS
We compared the effect of ID and BPQ on the culture-adapted Texas T2Bo strain of cultured parasites were incubated with ID and BPQ at two starting parasitemia levels (PPE), 0.2% and 1%. cultured parasites were treated with ID or BPQ at concentrations ranging from 10 to 300 nM, during 4 consecutive days. Parasitemia levels were daily evaluated using microscopic examination. Data was compared using the independent Student's t-test.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Both ID and BPQ significantly inhibited ( < 0.05) the growth of , regardless of the initial parasitemia used. At 1% parasitemia, BPQ had lower calculated inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50: 50.01) values than ID (IC50: 117.3). No parasites were found in wells with 0.2% starting parasitemia, treated previously with 50 nM of BPQ or ID, after 2 days of culture without drugs. At 1% parasitemia, no parasite survival was detected at 150 nM of BPQ or 300 nM of ID, suggesting that both drugs acted as babesiacidals.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the data suggests that BPQ is effective against and shows a residual effect that seems superior to ID, which is currently the first-line drug for treating bovine babesiosis globally.
PubMed: 38751779
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1407548 -
The Journal of Veterinary Medical... May 2024The red fluorescent protein(rfp)-blasticidin deaminase(bsd) fusion gene was transfected into Babesia ovata by electroporation with the plasmid DNA and selected with 15...
The red fluorescent protein(rfp)-blasticidin deaminase(bsd) fusion gene was transfected into Babesia ovata by electroporation with the plasmid DNA and selected with 15 μg/mL of blasticidin S under the in vitro culture condition. The transfected parasite with episomal DNA was selected and cultured for further analysis based on the presence of the rfp-bsd fusion gene by PCR and expression of the fusion protein by immunofluorescence antibody test under fluorescence microscopy for 2 months after the transfection. The results are the first, to our knowledge, to demonstrate the expression and stability of the episomal rfp-bsd fusion gene under the control of actin promoter as a selectable marker for the transfection system in B. ovata.
PubMed: 38749739
DOI: 10.1292/jvms.24-0111 -
MBio May 2024is a tick-transmitted apicomplexan parasite that gained the unique ability among parasitic eukaryotes to transform its host cell, inducing a fatal cancer-like disease...
is a tick-transmitted apicomplexan parasite that gained the unique ability among parasitic eukaryotes to transform its host cell, inducing a fatal cancer-like disease in cattle. Understanding the mechanistic interplay between the host cell and malignant species that drives this transformation requires the identification of responsible parasite effector proteins. In this study, we used TurboID-based proximity labeling, which unbiasedly identified secreted parasite proteins within host cell compartments. By fusing TurboID to nuclear export or localization signals, we biotinylated proteins in the vicinity of the ligase enzyme in the nucleus or cytoplasm of infected macrophages, followed by mass spectrometry analysis. Our approach revealed with high confidence nine nuclear and four cytosolic candidate parasite proteins within the host cell compartments, eight of which had no orthologs in non-transforming . Strikingly, all eight of these proteins are predicted to be highly intrinsically disordered proteins. We discovered a novel tandem arrayed protein family, nuclear intrinsically disordered proteins (NIDP) 1-4, featuring diverse functions predicted by conserved protein domains. Particularly, NIDP2 exhibited a biphasic host cell-cycle-dependent localization, interacting with the EB1/CD2AP/CLASP1 parasite membrane complex at the schizont surface and the tumor suppressor stromal antigen 2 (STAG2), a cohesion complex subunit, in the host nucleus. In addition to STAG2, numerous NIDP2-associated host nuclear proteins implicated in various cancers were identified, shedding light on the potential role of the exported protein family NIDP in host cell transformation and cancer-related pathways.IMPORTANCETurboID proximity labeling was used to identify secreted proteins of , an apicomplexan parasite responsible for a fatal, proliferative disorder in cattle that represents a significant socio-economic burden in North Africa, central Asia, and India. Our investigation has provided important insights into the unique host-parasite interaction, revealing secreted parasite proteins characterized by intrinsically disordered protein structures. Remarkably, these proteins are conspicuously absent in non-transforming species, strongly suggesting their central role in the transformative processes within host cells. Our study identified a novel tandem arrayed protein family, with nuclear intrinsically disordered protein 2 emerging as a central player interacting with established tumor genes. Significantly, this work represents the first unbiased screening for exported proteins in and contributes essential insights into the molecular intricacies behind the malignant transformation of immune cells.
PubMed: 38747635
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03412-23 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Tick-borne pathogens (TBP) are an important group of organisms that can affect animals and humans all over the world. Equine piroplasmosis (EP), caused by and , is...
INTRODUCTION
Tick-borne pathogens (TBP) are an important group of organisms that can affect animals and humans all over the world. Equine piroplasmosis (EP), caused by and , is considered one of the most important tick-borne diseases and can cause significant clinical symptoms and mortality in horses. Moreover, EP plays a restrictive role in international horse traditions and transportation. Although these species can cause similar symptoms, there are different 18S rRNA genotypes of (five genotypes) and (three genotypes). Besides piroplasma species, and hemotropic mycoplasmas (HM) are known as other important tick-borne pathogens reported in horses.
METHODS
In this study, we investigated the presence, prevalence, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic analyses of TBPs using PCRs and DNA sequencing in grazing horses in Kyrgyzstan. For these purposes, a total of 311 blood samples were collected from Chuy, Issyk-Kul, Naryn, Osh, Talas, and Jalal-Abad.
RESULTS
DNA amplification of TBP revealed that 23 (7.40%) out of 311 samples were found to be positive for . However, , HM, , and were not detected in this study. The infection rate of was higher in males (8.11%) than in females (6.35%) (=0.2880) and in those older than 5 years (9.02%) than in the 1-4 age group (6.35%) (=0.1950). Phylogenetic analysis of 18S revealed that A and E genotypes of have circulated in grazing horses in Kyrgyzstan.
DISCUSSION
Information about the genetic diversity of is important for understanding the population dynamics of the species and developing effective control strategies against this pathogen. This is the first molecular investigation of in horses in Kyrgyzstan. Although this pathogen has been detected in different hosts in Kyrgyzstan, it was not detected in this study. However, considering the wide host spectrum of , it is thought that more large-scale studies are needed to understand the effect of horses on the epidemiology of this pathogen.
PubMed: 38746933
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1359974 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases May 2024Rodents are recognized as the hosts of many vector-borne bacteria and protozoan parasites and play an important role in their transmission and maintenance. Intensive...
BACKGROUND
Rodents are recognized as the hosts of many vector-borne bacteria and protozoan parasites and play an important role in their transmission and maintenance. Intensive studies have focused on their infections in vectors, especially in ticks, however, vector-borne bacterial and protozoan infections in rodents are poorly understood although human cases presenting with fever may due to their infection have been found.
METHODS
From May to October 2019, 192 wild rodents were trapped in wild environment of Guangxi Province, and the spleen samples were collected to reveal the presence of vector-borne bacterial and protozoan infections in them. The microorganisms in rodents were identified by detecting their DNA using (semi-)nested PCR. All the PCR products of the expected size were subjected to sequencing, and then analyzed by BLASTn. Furthermore, all the recovered sequences were subjected to nucleotide identity and phylogenetic analyses.
RESULTS
As a result, 192 rodents representing seven species were captured, and Bandicota indica were the dominant species, followed by Rattus andamanensis. Based on the (semi-)nested PCR, our results suggested that Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma capra, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis", "Candidatus E. hainanensis", "Candidatus E. zunyiensis", three uncultured Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella coopersplainsensis, Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella silvatica, two uncultured Bartonella spp., Babesia microti and diverse Hepatozoon were identified in six rodent species. More importantly, six species (including two Anaplasma, two Bartonella, "Ca. N. mikurensis" and Bab. microti) are zoonotic pathogens except Anaplasma bovis and Anaplasma ovis with zoonotic potential. Furthermore, dual infection was observed between different microorganisms, and the most common type of co-infection is between "Ca. N. mikurensis" and other microorganisms. Additionally, potential novel Bartonella species and Hepatozoon species demonstrated the presence of more diverse rodent-associated Bartonella and Hepatozoon.
CONCLUSIONS
The results in this work indicated great genetic diversity of vector-borne infections in wild rodents, and highlighted the potential risk of human pathogens transmitted from rodents to humans through vectors.
PubMed: 38739673
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012159 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024, a tick-borne apicomplexan parasite causing bovine babesiosis, remains a significant threat worldwide, and improved and practical vaccines are needed. Previous studies...
INTRODUCTION
, a tick-borne apicomplexan parasite causing bovine babesiosis, remains a significant threat worldwide, and improved and practical vaccines are needed. Previous studies defined the members of the rhoptry associated protein-1 (RAP-1), and the neutralization-sensitive rhoptry associated protein-1 related antigen (RRA) superfamily in , as strong candidates for the development of subunit vaccines. Both RAP-1 and RRA share conservation of a group of 4 cysteines and amino acids motifs at the amino terminal end (NT) of these proteins.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Sequence comparisons among the RRA sequences of several strains and other spp parasites indicate a high level of conservation of a 15-amino acid (15-mer) motif located at the NT of the protein. BlastP searches indicate that the 15-mer motif is also present in adenylate cyclase, dynein, and other ATP binding proteins. AlphaFold2 structure predictions suggest partial exposure of the 15-mer on the surface of RRA of three distinct species. Antibodies in protected cattle recognize a synthetic peptide representing the 15-mer motif sequence in iELISA, and rabbit antibodies against the 15-mer react with the surface of free merozoites in immunofluorescence.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The presence of the 15-mer-like regions in dynein and ATP-binding proteins provides a rationale for investigating possible functional roles for RRA. The demonstrated presence of a surface exposed B-cell epitope in the 15-mer motif of the RRA, which is recognized by sera from protected bovines, supports its inclusion in future subunit epitope-based vaccines against .
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Babesia bovis; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; Babesiosis; Antibodies, Protozoan; Protozoan Proteins; Antigens, Protozoan; Amino Acid Motifs; Conserved Sequence; Cattle Diseases; Amino Acid Sequence; Protozoan Vaccines
PubMed: 38720894
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1380660 -
Cureus Apr 2024is a parasite that invades erythrocytes inducing hemolysis. It presents with a variety of non-specific symptoms that can be mistaken for other illnesses. A rare...
is a parasite that invades erythrocytes inducing hemolysis. It presents with a variety of non-specific symptoms that can be mistaken for other illnesses. A rare manifestation of babesiosis is splenic rupture, generally seen in a younger, healthier population with low parasitemia, which can be treated conservatively depending on the grade and clinical condition. This case describes an elderly male with multiple comorbidities who is an avid hiker in the Northern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania areas presenting with a spontaneous American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade V splenic rupture requiring emergent splenectomy. Subsequent re-admission was required to diagnose babesiosis, which was managed with pharmacotherapy and plasmapheresis. In lieu of other identifiable etiologies, patients with atraumatic splenic rupture in an endemic area should be screened for possible parasitic infections.
PubMed: 38707037
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57659 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024Tick-borne pathogen (TBP) surveillance studies often use whole-tick homogenates when inferring tick-pathogen associations. However, localized TBP infections within tick...
BACKGROUND
Tick-borne pathogen (TBP) surveillance studies often use whole-tick homogenates when inferring tick-pathogen associations. However, localized TBP infections within tick tissues (saliva, hemolymph, salivary glands, and midgut) can inform pathogen transmission mechanisms and are key to disentangling pathogen detection from vector competence.
METHODS
We screened 278 camel blood samples and 504 tick tissue samples derived from 126 camel ticks sampled in two Kenyan counties (Laikipia and Marsabit) for , and by PCR-HRM analysis.
RESULTS
Anaplasma camelii infections were common in camels (91%), but absent in all samples from , and ticks. We detected in all tissues of the four tick species, but was only found in (all tissues). was highest in (62.5%), mainly in the hemolymph (45%) and less frequently in the midgut (27.5%) and lowest in (29.4%), where midgut and hemolymph detection rates were 17.6% and 11.8%, respectively. Similarly, in was mainly detected in the midgut (41.7%) but was absent in the hemolymph. was not detected in . No , or spp. were detected in this study.
CONCLUSIONS
The tissue-specific localization of , found mainly in the hemolymph of , is congruent with the role of this tick species as its transmission vector. Thus, occurrence of TBPs in the hemolymph could serve as a predictor of vector competence of TBP transmission, especially in comparison to detection rates in the midgut, from which they must cross tissue barriers to effectively replicate and disseminate across tick tissues. Further studies should focus on exploring the distribution of TBPs within tick tissues to enhance knowledge of TBP epidemiology and to distinguish competent vectors from dead-end hosts.
Topics: Animals; Kenya; Camelus; Theileria; Babesia; Ehrlichia; Ticks; Tick-Borne Diseases; Anaplasma; Rickettsia; Coxiella; Hemolymph; Salivary Glands
PubMed: 38698904
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1382228 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science May 2024Canine babesiosis is a clinically significant tick-transmitted disease caused by several species of the intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite Babesia, which result in a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Canine babesiosis is a clinically significant tick-transmitted disease caused by several species of the intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite Babesia, which result in a wide range of clinical manifestations, from mild, transient infection to serious disease and even death.
OBJECTIVES
The current study aimed to estimate the global prevalence and associated risk factors of Babesia in dogs.
METHODS
Multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched for relevant literature published from January 2000 up to December 2022. The statistical analyses were performed based on the R software (version 3.6) meta-package.
RESULTS
Out of 23,864 publications, 229 studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of canine babesiosis was 0.120 (95% CI; 0.097-0.146). The highest pooled prevalence was found in Europe (0.207, 95% CI; 0.097-0.344). Among several species, Babesia canis was the most prevalent parasite (0.216, 95% CI; 0.056-0.441). The highest pooled prevalence of Babesia in dogs was observed in the summer season (0.097, 95% CI; 0.040-0.174).
CONCLUSIONS
Regular screening and appropriate control strategies are recommended for the prevention of transmission of tick-borne disease transmission among dogs.
Topics: Dogs; Babesiosis; Animals; Dog Diseases; Babesia; Prevalence; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38695207
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1427 -
Veterinary World Mar 2024Melioidosis is a notable zoonotic disease in Thailand that can affect both humans and animals. Although dogs are one of the most popular pets worldwide, there is a...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Melioidosis is a notable zoonotic disease in Thailand that can affect both humans and animals. Although dogs are one of the most popular pets worldwide, there is a remarkable lack of information on the prevalence and knowledge of canine melioidosis. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of melioidosis in sheltered dogs and its relationship with the blood profile and blood pathogens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Melioidosis in 156 dogs was analyzed using an indirect hemagglutination assay. Hematology and serum biochemistry tests were performed using an automated system. Blood pathogens (e.g., , , , and ) were diagnosed using conventional polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS
The seroprevalence rates of canine melioidosis and blood pathogen infection were 5.77% (9/156) and 50.64% (79/156), respectively. Seropositive dogs generally have higher lymphocyte counts and aspartate aminotransferase levels but lower total white blood cell, neutrophil, and platelet (PLT) counts than seronegative dogs. No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed between the seropositive and seronegative dogs' hematology and serum biochemistry findings. Neither the correlation between melioidosis and blood pathogen infection nor the association between melioidosis and thrombocytopenia was statistically significant (p > 0.05). Remarkably, dogs that had coinfections with both melioidosis and blood pathogens demonstrated a significantly reduced PLTcount (49,167 ± 7,167) compared with dogs that tested positive for melioidosis but negative for blood pathogens (139,333 ± 29,913) (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION
In southern Thailand, the prevalence of canine melioidosis was low but the prevalence of blood pathogens was high. Coinfection with blood pathogens can significantly reduce PLT counts, which may have a potentially serious impact. Future research should focus on conducting seroprevalence studies in the general dog population.
PubMed: 38680143
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.705-711