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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2017Understanding host-pathogen-tick interactions remains a vitally important issue that might be better understood by basic research focused on each of the dyad interplays.... (Review)
Review
Understanding host-pathogen-tick interactions remains a vitally important issue that might be better understood by basic research focused on each of the dyad interplays. Pathogens gain access to either the vector or host during tick feeding when ticks are confronted with strong hemostatic, inflammatory and immune responses. A prominent example of this is the spp.-tick-vertebrate host relationship. spp. are intraerythrocytic apicomplexan organisms spread worldwide, with a complex life cycle. The presence of transovarial transmission in almost all the species is the main difference between their life cycle and that of other piroplasmida. With more than 100 species described so far, are the second most commonly found blood parasite of mammals after trypanosomes. The prevalence of spp. infection is increasing worldwide and is currently classified as an emerging zoonosis. and are the most frequent etiological agents associated with human babesiosis in North America and Europe, respectively. Although the -tick system has been extensively researched, the currently available prophylactic and control methods are not efficient, and chemotherapeutic treatment is limited. Studying the molecular changes induced by the presence of in the vector will not only elucidate the strategies used by the protozoa to overcome mechanical and immune barriers, but will also contribute toward the discovery of important tick molecules that have a role in vector capacity. This review provides an overview of the identified molecules involved in -tick interactions, with an emphasis on the fundamentally important ones for pathogen acquisition and transmission.
Topics: Animals; Antigens; Arthropod Proteins; Babesia; Babesiosis; Calreticulin; Disease Vectors; Glycoproteins; Host-Parasite Interactions; Salivary Glands; Tick-Borne Diseases; Ticks
PubMed: 29034218
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00429 -
Przeglad Epidemiologiczny 2015Babesiosis is an emerging parasitic, anthropo-zoonotic tick-borne disease, seldom diagnosed in humans. Caused by Protozoa, Babesia (also called Piroplasma)... (Review)
Review
Babesiosis is an emerging parasitic, anthropo-zoonotic tick-borne disease, seldom diagnosed in humans. Caused by Protozoa, Babesia (also called Piroplasma) intraerytrocytic piriform microorganism. Infection of vertebrates is transmitted by ticks. Out of more than 100 Babesia species/genotypes described so far, only some were diagnosed in infected humans, mostly B. microti, B. divergens and B. venatorum (Babesia sp. EU1). Infection in humans is often asymptomatic or mild but is of a particular risk for asplenic individuals, those with congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies, and elderly. Infections transmitted with blood and blood products raise concerns in hemotherapy. Epidemiological situation of babesiosis varies around the world. In Europe, no increase in the number of cases was reported, but in the USA its prevalence is increasing and extension of endemic areas is observed. The aim of this publication is to describe the problems connected with the current epidemiological situation, diagnosis and treatment of human babesiosis with regard to clinical status of patients.
Topics: Animals; Babesia; Babesiosis; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Europe; Humans; Poland; Zoonoses
PubMed: 26519845
DOI: No ID Found -
Revue Scientifique Et Technique... Aug 2015Babesiosis is the disease caused by infection of the erythrocytes of mammals by Babesia species, which are Apicomplexa protozoa belonging to the suborder Piroplasmidea... (Review)
Review
Babesiosis is the disease caused by infection of the erythrocytes of mammals by Babesia species, which are Apicomplexa protozoa belonging to the suborder Piroplasmidea and the family Babesiidae. They are different from the Theileriidae, which can also infect white blood cells and endothelial cells. Babesiosis is one of the most important tick-borne infectious diseases of domestic and wild mammals and still poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for veterinary practitioners around the world. It is an increasing problem worldwide because of the expansion of tick habitats and the increased mobility of animals, which promote the spread of parasites into new geographical areas. Babesia species can, exceptionally, infect humans, especially splenectomised or immunocompromised individuals. The majority of human cases involve B. microti, a parasite of rodents, but human infections may also be caused by B. divergens, which infects cattle, or by Babesia related to B. odocoilei, which infect cervids. The majority of new developments, in regard to taxonomy, epidemiology, pathogenesis and control, concern canine babesiosis, whereas piroplasmosis in horses or cattle retains the classical description, therefore the focus of this article will be on infection in dogs.
Topics: Animals; Babesia; Babesiosis; Europe; Humans
PubMed: 26601462
DOI: 10.20506/rst.34.2.2385 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021Babesiosis is attracting increasing attention as a worldwide emerging zoonosis. The first case of human babesiosis in Europe was described in the late 1950s and since... (Review)
Review
Babesiosis is attracting increasing attention as a worldwide emerging zoonosis. The first case of human babesiosis in Europe was described in the late 1950s and since then more than 60 cases have been reported in Europe. While the disease is relatively rare in Europe, it is significant because the majority of cases present as life-threatening fulminant infections, mainly in immunocompromised patients. Although appearing clinically similar to human babesiosis elsewhere, particularly in the USA, most European forms of the disease are distinct entities, especially concerning epidemiology, human susceptibility to infection and clinical management. This paper describes the history of the disease and reviews all published cases that have occurred in Europe with regard to the identity and genetic characteristics of the etiological agents, pathogenesis, aspects of epidemiology including the eco-epidemiology of the vectors, the clinical courses of infection, diagnostic tools and clinical management and treatment.
PubMed: 34578196
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091165 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2022Human babesiosis results from a combination of tick tropism for humans, susceptibility of a host to sustain development, and contact with infected ticks. Climate... (Review)
Review
Human babesiosis results from a combination of tick tropism for humans, susceptibility of a host to sustain development, and contact with infected ticks. Climate modifications and increasing diagnostics have led to an expanded number of species responsible for human babesiosis, although, to date, most cases have been attributed to and . These two species have been extensively studied, and in this review, we mostly focus on the antigens involved in host-parasite interactions. We present features of the major antigens, so-called Bd37 in and BmSA1/GPI12 in , and highlight the roles of these antigens in both host cell invasion and immune response. A comparison of these antigens with the major antigens found in some other Apicomplexa species emphasizes the importance of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in host-parasite relationships. GPI-anchor cleavage, which is a property of such antigens, leads to soluble and membrane-bound forms of these proteins, with potentially differential recognition by the host immune system. This mechanism is discussed as the structural basis for the protein-embedded immune escape mechanism. In conclusion, the potential consequences of such a mechanism on the management of both human and animal babesiosis is examined.
PubMed: 35056047
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11010099 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2021Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa that are primarily transmitted by hard-bodied (ixodid) ticks and rarely through blood... (Review)
Review
Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa that are primarily transmitted by hard-bodied (ixodid) ticks and rarely through blood transfusion, perinatally, and organ transplantation. More than 100 species infect a wide spectrum of wild and domestic animals worldwide and six have been identified as human pathogens. is the predominant species that infects humans, is found throughout the world, and causes endemic disease in the United States and China. and -like agent also cause endemic disease in China. is the predominant species in Europe where fulminant cases have been reported sporadically. The number of infections has been increasing globally in recent decades. In the United States, more than 2000 cases are reported each year, although the actual number is thought to be much higher. In this review of the epidemiology of human babesiosis, we discuss epidemiologic tools used to monitor disease location and frequency; demographics and modes of transmission; the location of human babesiosis; the causative species in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia; the primary clinical characteristics associated with each of these infections; and the increasing global health burden of this disease.
PubMed: 34832603
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111447 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2019is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes zoonotic disease. Central to its pathogenesis is the ability of the parasite to invade host red blood cells... (Review)
Review
is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes zoonotic disease. Central to its pathogenesis is the ability of the parasite to invade host red blood cells of diverse species, and, once in the host blood stream, to manipulate the composition of its population to allow it to endure unfavorable conditions. Here we will review key in vitro studies relating to the survival strategies that adopts during its intraerythrocytic development to persist and how proliferation is restored in the parasite population once optimum conditions return.
PubMed: 31269710
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030095 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Jul 2000Babesiosis is an emerging, tick-transmitted, zoonotic disease caused by hematotropic parasites of the genus Babesia. Babesial parasites (and those of the closely related... (Review)
Review
Babesiosis is an emerging, tick-transmitted, zoonotic disease caused by hematotropic parasites of the genus Babesia. Babesial parasites (and those of the closely related genus Theileria) are some of the most ubiquitous and widespread blood parasites in the world, second only to the trypanosomes, and consequently have considerable worldwide economic, medical, and veterinary impact. The parasites are intraerythrocytic and are commonly called piroplasms due to the pear-shaped forms found within infected red blood cells. The piroplasms are transmitted by ixodid ticks and are capable of infecting a wide variety of vertebrate hosts which are competent in maintaining the transmission cycle. Studies involving animal hosts other than humans have contributed significantly to our understanding of the disease process, including possible pathogenic mechanisms of the parasite and immunological responses of the host. To date, there are several species of Babesia that can infect humans, Babesia microti being the most prevalent. Infections with Babesia species generally follow regional distributions; cases in the United States are caused primarily by B. microti, whereas cases in Europe are usually caused by Babesia divergens. The spectrum of disease manifestation is broad, ranging from a silent infection to a fulminant, malaria-like disease, resulting in severe hemolysis and occasionally in death. Recent advances have resulted in the development of several diagnostic tests which have increased the level of sensitivity in detection, thereby facilitating diagnosis, expediting appropriate patient management, and resulting in a more accurate epidemiological description.
Topics: Animals; Babesia; Babesiosis; Disease Susceptibility; Humans; Phylogeny; Protozoan Vaccines; Vaccines, Synthetic
PubMed: 10885987
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.13.3.451 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2021The effects of current and future global warming on the distribution and activity of the primary ixodid vectors of human babesiosis (caused by , and ) are discussed.... (Review)
Review
The effects of current and future global warming on the distribution and activity of the primary ixodid vectors of human babesiosis (caused by , and ) are discussed. There is clear evidence that the distributions of both , the vector in Europe, and in North America have been impacted by the changing climate, with increasing temperatures resulting in the northwards expansion of tick populations and the occurrence of at higher altitudes. , which replaces in Eurasia and temperate Asia, is presumed to be the babesiosis vector in China and Japan, but this tick species has not yet been confirmed as the vector of either human or animal babesiosis. There is no definite evidence, as yet, of global warming having an effect on the occurrence of human babesiosis, but models suggest that it is only a matter of time before cases occur further north than they do at present.
PubMed: 34832586
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111430 -
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Jul 2021Free-ranging wild ungulates are widespread in Austria, and act as hosts (i.e. feeding hosts) for ticks, including Ixodes ricinus, and as reservoir hosts for pathogens...
Free-ranging wild ungulates are widespread in Austria, and act as hosts (i.e. feeding hosts) for ticks, including Ixodes ricinus, and as reservoir hosts for pathogens transmitted by I. ricinus. Due to climate change, the abundance of I. ricinus might be increasing, which could potentially lead to higher prevalences of tick-borne pathogens, such as Babesia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, some known for their zoonotic potential. Human babesiosis is classified as an emerging zoonosis, but sufficient data of these parasites in central Austria is lacking. In order to assess the abundance of vector-borne pathogens, blood of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus; n = 137), red deer (Cervus elaphus; n = 37), mouflons (Ovis gmelini; n = 2) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra; n = 1), was collected and tested for pathogen DNA in two different sampling sites in central Austria. DNA of tick-borne pathogens was detected in 15.5 % (n = 27) of these animals. Babesia capreoli (n = 22 in roe deer; n = 1 in mouflon), Babesia divergens (n = 1, in red deer), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (n = 4, in roe deer) were detected. DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene of two C. capreolus samples from Upper Austria featured another new genotype of Babesia, which differs in one nucleotide position to B. divergens and B. capreoli, and is intermediate between the main genotypes of B. capreoli and B. divergens within the partial gene sequence analyzed. This study thus confirms that B. capreoli, B. divergens, and A. phagocytophilum are present in free-ranging ungulates in central Austria. Further testing over a longer period is recommended in order to assess the impact of climate change on the prevalence of blood parasites in central Austria.
Topics: Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Anaplasmosis; Animals; Animals, Wild; Austria; Babesia; Babesiosis; Deer; Ehrlichiosis; Female; Male; Prevalence; Rupicapra; Sheep, Domestic
PubMed: 33774481
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101719