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Parasites & Vectors Apr 2017Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. are important emerging causes of disease in dogs. Alongside these domesticated hosts, there is increasing recognition that these...
BACKGROUND
Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. are important emerging causes of disease in dogs. Alongside these domesticated hosts, there is increasing recognition that these piroplasms can also be found in a range of wild animals with isolated reports describing the presence of these pathogen in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and captive grey wolves (Canis lupus). The prevalence and impact of these infections in free-ranging populations of canids are unknown. To gain a better insight into the epidemiology and pathogenesis of piroplasm infections in free-ranging grey wolves, pathological and molecular investigations into captive and free-ranging grey wolves in Croatia were performed.
RESULTS
The carcasses of 107 free-ranging wolves and one captive wolf were the subjects of post-mortem investigations and sampling for molecular studies. A blood sample from one live captured wolf for telemetric tracking was also used for molecular analysis. PCR amplification targeting the 18S RNA gene revealed that 21 of 108 free-ranging wolves and one captive animal were positive for Theileria/Babesia DNA. Subsequent sequencing of a fragment of the 18S RNA gene revealed that 7/22 animals were positive for Babesia canis while the other amplified sequence were found to be identical with corresponding 18S rDNA sequences of Theileria capreoli isolated from wild deer (15/22). Haematological and cytological analysis revealed the presence of signet-ring shaped or pear-shaped piroplasms in several animals with the overall parasite burden in all positive animals assessed to be very low. Pathological investigation of the captive animal revealed fatal septicemia as a likely outcome of hemolytic anaemia. There was little or no evidence of hemolytic disease consistent with babesiosis in other animals.
CONCLUSION
Importantly, the presence of B. canis in free-ranging grey wolves has not been described before but has been reported in a single fox and domestic dogs only. That B. canis infections cause disease in dogs but have little impact on wolf health possibly suggests that the wolf is the natural and the domestic dog is a secondary host. Surprisingly, the frequent finding of Theileria capreoli in wolves suggests that this Theileria species is not restricted to ungulates (cervids) but commonly infects also this carnivore species. Nevertheless, the potential role that these asymptomatically infected animals may play in the dispersal of these pathogens to susceptible sympatric species such as domesticated dogs requires further investigation.
Topics: Animals; Babesia; Babesiosis; Cluster Analysis; Croatia; DNA, Protozoan; DNA, Ribosomal; Phylogeny; Prevalence; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Theileria; Theileriasis; Wolves
PubMed: 28376903
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2106-8 -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2023Babesia spp. are intraerythrocytic apicomplexans that digest and utilize red blood cells in a similar way to intraerythrocytic Plasmodium spp., but unlike the latter,...
Babesia spp. are intraerythrocytic apicomplexans that digest and utilize red blood cells in a similar way to intraerythrocytic Plasmodium spp., but unlike the latter, are not sensitive to artemisinin. A comparison of Babesia and Plasmodium genomes revealed that Babesia genomes, which are smaller than those of Plasmodium, lack numerous genes, and especially haem synthesis-related genes, that are found in the latter. Single-cell sequencing analysis showed that the different treatment groups of Babesia microti with expressed pentose phosphate pathway-related, DNA replication-related, antioxidation-related, glycolysis-related, and glutathione-related genes were not as sensitive to artemether as Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL. In particular, pentose phosphate pathway-related, DNA replication-related, and glutathione-related genes, which were actively expressed in P. yoelii 17XNL, were not actively expressed in B. microti. Supplying iron in vivo can promote the reproduction of B. microti. These results suggest that Babesia spp. lack a similar mechanism to that of malaria parasites through which the haem or iron in hemoglobin is utilized, and that this likely leads to their insensitivity to artemisinin.
Topics: Humans; Babesia; Artemisinins; Plasmodium yoelii; Iron; Heme; Babesiosis
PubMed: 37291657
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05783-4 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022and are the most common tick-borne parasites that cause bovine babesiosis which effects livestock production, leading to economic losses in tropical and subtropical...
and are the most common tick-borne parasites that cause bovine babesiosis which effects livestock production, leading to economic losses in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The aims of this study were to determine the molecular detection, genetic diversity and antigenicity prediction of based on spherical body protein 2 () gene and based on rhoptry-associated protein 1a () gene in cattle in Thailand. By PCR assay, the molecular detection of and infection revealed levels of 2.58% (4/155) and 5.80% (9/155), respectively. The phylograms showed that and sequences displayed 5 and 3 clades with similarity ranging between 85.53 to 100% and 98.28 to 100%, respectively, when compared within Thailand strain. Diversity analysis of and sequences showed 18 and 4 haplotypes, respectively. The entropy analysis illustrated 104 and 7 polymorphic sites of and nucleic acid sequences, respectively, while those of and amino acid sequences showed 46 and 4 high entropy peaks, respectively. Motifs analysis exhibited the distribution and conservation among and sequences. The continuous and discontinuous B-cell epitopes have also been evaluated in this work. Therefore, our findings may be used to ameliorate the understanding inputs of molecular phylogeny, genetic diversity and antigenicity of and Thailand stains.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Babesia bovis; Babesia; Thailand; Cattle Diseases; Phylogeny; Genetic Variation
PubMed: 36523637
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1065963 -
Parasites & Vectors Sep 2021Babesia spp. are protozoan parasites of great medical and veterinary importance, especially in the northern Hemisphere. Ticks are known vectors of Babesia spp., although... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Babesia spp. are protozoan parasites of great medical and veterinary importance, especially in the northern Hemisphere. Ticks are known vectors of Babesia spp., although some Babesia-tick interactions have not been fully elucidated.
METHODS
The present review was performed to investigate the specificity of Babesia-tick species interactions that have been identified using molecular techniques in studies conducted in the last 20 years under field conditions. We aimed to indicate the main vectors of important Babesia species based on published research papers (n = 129) and molecular data derived from the GenBank database.
RESULTS
Repeated observations of certain Babesia species in specific species and genera of ticks in numerous independent studies, carried out in different areas and years, have been considered epidemiological evidence of established Babesia-tick interactions. The best studied species of ticks are Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes scapularis (103 reports, i.e. 80% of total reports). Eco-epidemiological studies have confirmed a specific relationship between Babesia microti and Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus, and Ixodes scapularis and also between Babesia canis and D. reticulatus. Additionally, four Babesia species (and one genotype), which have different deer species as reservoir hosts, displayed specificity to the I. ricinus complex. Eco-epidemiological studies do not support interactions between a high number of Babesia spp. and I. ricinus or D. reticulatus. Interestingly, pioneering studies on other species and genera of ticks have revealed the existence of likely new Babesia species, which need more scientific attention. Finally, we discuss the detection of Babesia spp. in feeding ticks and critically evaluate the data on the role of the latter as vectors.
CONCLUSIONS
Epidemiological data have confirmed the specificity of certain Babesia-tick vector interactions. The massive amount of data that has been thus far collected for the most common tick species needs to be complemented by more intensive studies on Babesia infections in underrepresented tick species.
Topics: Animals; Babesia; Babesiosis; Deer; Disease Vectors; Host-Parasite Interactions; Tick Infestations; Ticks
PubMed: 34583754
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05019-3 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022
Topics: Babesia; Babesiosis; Humans
PubMed: 36189353
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1004875 -
Comparative Immunology, Microbiology... 2022This study aimed to determine the frequency of Babesia spp. infection in cattle, livestock farmers, and patients with acute febrile illness (AFI) from the Magdalena...
This study aimed to determine the frequency of Babesia spp. infection in cattle, livestock farmers, and patients with acute febrile illness (AFI) from the Magdalena Medio region in Colombia using molecular and serological methods. PCR detected Babesia in 83.9 % (161/192) of cattle and 14.8 % (21/143) of farmers tested. Molecular analysis based on eight DNA sequences from the 18S rRNA identified Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in cattle and Babesia bigemina in farmers. There was no molecular detection in the patients with acute febrile illness; nonetheless, the serological test in the AFI population yielded 10.7 % (23/215) seropositivity for Babesia microti. Our findings suggest natural infection by this hemoparasite in this livestock region, and it is, therefore, essential to continue determining the role of this parasite as an etiological agent of diseases in the area, not only because of its veterinary relevance but also because of its zoonotic potential.
Topics: Humans; Cattle; Animals; Babesia; Colombia; Cattle Diseases; Babesiosis; Babesia bovis
PubMed: 36356503
DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101900 -
PLoS Pathogens Sep 2022Babesia are tick-borne protozoan parasites that can infect livestock, pets, wildlife animals, and humans. In the mammalian host, they invade and multiply within red... (Review)
Review
Babesia are tick-borne protozoan parasites that can infect livestock, pets, wildlife animals, and humans. In the mammalian host, they invade and multiply within red blood cells (RBCs). To support their development as obligate intracellular parasites, Babesia export numerous proteins to modify the RBC during invasion and development. Such exported proteins are likely important for parasite survival and pathogenicity and thus represent candidate drug or vaccine targets. The availability of complete genome sequences and the establishment of transfection systems for several Babesia species have aided the identification and functional characterization of exported proteins. Here, we review exported Babesia proteins; discuss their functions in the context of immune evasion, cytoadhesion, and nutrient uptake; and highlight possible future topics for research and application in this field.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Babesia; Erythrocytes; Humans; Mammals; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Ticks
PubMed: 36107982
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010770 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Mar 2022This study aimed to evaluate and species and vector ticks in sheep in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate and species and vector ticks in sheep in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey.
METHODS
Blood samples were collected from 960 sheep, and ticks were collected from the same animals between January and December 2017. The reverse line blotting (RLB) method was used to analyze and piroplasm DNAs. Ticks and tick egg clusters were evaluated in terms of Babesia and Theileria species using the RLB technique.
RESULTS
Microscopically, 3.96% (38/960) of spp. piroplasm forms were identified; however, no spp. piroplasm forms were identified. The distribution of and spp. by RLB was 35.52% (341/960). The species identified included (24.79%, 238/960), sp. (6.15%, 59/960), sp. OT3 (4.27%, 41/960), and (0.31%, 3/960). Tick infestation was found in 17.5% (168/960) of the sheep. (66.31%), (32.73%), (0.21%), (0.53%), and (0.11%) were identified in the infected sheep. No pathogenic species were found in the analysis of egg clusters or tick carcasses according to the RLB method.
CONCLUSION
is the theileriosis agent in sheep in the study region. Species commonly detected in tick-infested sheep were and .
Topics: Animals; Babesia; Cattle; Ixodidae; Molecular Epidemiology; Sheep; Theileria; Theileriasis; Turkey
PubMed: 35232701
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2021.09709 -
Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia... 2023The aim of this study was to investigate the association between chronic Anaplasma marginale and Babesia spp. infection and hematological parameters of pregnant and...
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between chronic Anaplasma marginale and Babesia spp. infection and hematological parameters of pregnant and non-pregnant taurine heifers. Blood samples from 94 females were collected on the first day (D-10) of timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol and on pregnancy diagnosis (D+34). Hematological parameters were determined and compared between pregnant (PG) and non-pregnant (NPG) heifers, and within group at different sampling days. Real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to determine A. marginale and Babesia bovis infection, and for absolute quantification of Babesia spp. between PG and NPG groups. Correlation analysis was performed between the number of gDNA copies (CN) of Babesia spp. and hematological parameters. On D-10, mean hemoglobin concentration was higher for NPG, and hematocrit and total plasma protein were higher on D+34 for both groups. There was no difference in Babesia spp. CN between groups. In the first qPCR, all heifers were positive for A. marginale and B. bovis. Significant correlations were found between hemoglobin and erythrocyte and between hemoglobin and hematocrit (r = 0.8082 and r = 0.3009, respectively). Low levels of A. marginale and Babesia spp. did not affect hematological parameters of chronically infected pregnant and non-pregnant taurine heifers.
Topics: Pregnancy; Animals; Cattle; Female; Anaplasma marginale; Babesiosis; Babesia; Babesia bovis; Taurine; Cattle Diseases
PubMed: 37672469
DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612023052 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022Babesiosis is a zoonosis and an important blood-borne human parasitic infection that has gained attention because of its growing infection rate in humans by transfer...
Babesiosis is a zoonosis and an important blood-borne human parasitic infection that has gained attention because of its growing infection rate in humans by transfer from animal reservoirs. represents a potential threat to the blood supply because asymptomatic infections in man are common, and blood from such donors can cause severe disease in certain recipients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are vesicles released by cells that contain a complex mixture of proteins, lipids, glycans, and genetic information that have been shown to play important roles in disease pathogenesis and susceptibility, as well as cell-cell communication and immune responses. In this article, we report on the identification and characterization of EVs released from red blood cells (RBCs) infected by two major human species- from culture and those from an mouse infection. Using nanoparticle tracking analysis, we show that there is a range of vesicle sizes from 30 to 1,000 nm, emanating from the -infected RBC. The study of these EVs in the context of hemoparasite infection is complicated by the fact that both the parasite and the host RBC make and release vesicles into the extracellular environment. However, the EV frequency is 2- to 10-fold higher in -infected RBCs than uninfected RBCs, depending on levels of parasitemia. Using parasite-specific markers, we were able to show that ~50%-60% of all EVs contained parasite-specific markers on their surface and thus may represent the specific proportion of EVs released by infected RBCs within the EV population. Western blot analysis on purified EVs from both and infections revealed several parasite proteins that were targets of the host immune response. In addition, microRNA analysis showed that infected RBC EVs have different microRNA signature from uninfected RBC EVs, indicating a potential role as disease biomarkers. Finally, EVs were internalized by other RBCs in culture, implicating a potential role for these vesicles in cellular communication. Overall, our study points to the multiple functional implications of EVs in -host interactions and support the potential that EVs have as agents in disease pathogenesis.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Babesia microti; Babesia; Erythrocytes; Extracellular Vesicles; MicroRNAs; Complex Mixtures; Lipids
PubMed: 36275032
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.962944