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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 -
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 -
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 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Here, we described the prevalence of s.l. and species found in mono- and double infections among ticks occurring in urban areas of the city of Poznań, Poland. We...
Here, we described the prevalence of s.l. and species found in mono- and double infections among ticks occurring in urban areas of the city of Poznań, Poland. We tested 1029 host-seeking ticks and 1268 engorged ticks removed from pet animals. and prevailed both in ticks from vegetation (3.7% and 3.7%, respectively) and from pets (3.7% and 0.6%, respectively). and were the most prevalent in host-seeking (2.6% and 1.4%, respectively) and feeding ticks (2.8% and 2.2%, respectively). sequences proved to be identical to the human pathogenic genotype "Jena/Germany". Sequences of the rarest piroplasm (0.7%) were identical with those isolated from European patients. About 1.0% of tested ticks yielded dual infections; in host-seeking ticks, prevailed in co-infections with and , whereas and dominated in double-infected feeding ticks. Dual infections, even with a low prevalence, pose a challenge for differential diagnosis in patients with acute febrile disease after a tick bite. The finding of in both tick groups suggests that could be involved in the circulation of this piroplasm.
PubMed: 38668262
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040307 -
Iranian Journal of Parasitology 2024Bovine babesiosis, a global disease, has not been studied so far in Kashmir valley, which is having temperate type of climate as compared to rest of India having...
BACKGROUND
Bovine babesiosis, a global disease, has not been studied so far in Kashmir valley, which is having temperate type of climate as compared to rest of India having tropical to sub-tropical climate, so we felt the need to investigate it.
METHODS
To diagnose the babesiosis in clinically suspected cattle (n=450), peripheral blood film examination and PCR tests using generic and species-specific primers targeting / genera and , as well as , respectively were conducted. Four PCR products were sequenced and subjected to BLASTn analysis. Ticks were collected from the clinically suspected animals and identified as per the standard morphological keys.
RESULTS
The prevalence of babesiosis among suspected cattle in central Kashmir by peripheral blood film examination and PCR technique was 11.11% and 33.62%, respectively. The gene of Isolate B1 of spp. showed 99.0 to 100% nucleotide sequence homology with gene of different isolates of registered in the GenBank, while as gene of Isolate Z showed 98.5 to 99.2% and 93.1 to 93.9% nucleotide sequence homology with gene of different isolates of spp. and , respectively registered in the GenBank. spp. and spp. were the two major tick genera identified in the present study.
CONCLUSION
Bovine Babesiosis in Kashmir is attributed to , and some other spp. or strains which needs further investigation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of from northern India in cattle.
PubMed: 38654941
DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v19i1.15211 -
Southern African Journal of Infectious... 2024Human babesiosis data in Africa is scarce. The clinical presentation and parasite morphology mimics falciparum malaria infection. Diagnostic confirmation is informed by...
UNLABELLED
Human babesiosis data in Africa is scarce. The clinical presentation and parasite morphology mimics falciparum malaria infection. Diagnostic confirmation is informed by adequate history and communication with the laboratory to activate appropriate testing. This case report describes the course of a returning traveller with persisting symptoms that resolved on tailored antimicrobial therapy following prompt collaborative diagnosis.
CONTRIBUTION
Case highlighting overlapping characteristics of and malaria infection, necessitating close clinical and laboratory correlation to confirm diagnosis.
PubMed: 38628426
DOI: 10.4102/sajid.v39i1.588 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024Ticks are obligatory voracious blood feeders infesting diverse vertebrate hosts, that have a crucial role in the transmission of diverse pathogens that threaten human...
Ticks are obligatory voracious blood feeders infesting diverse vertebrate hosts, that have a crucial role in the transmission of diverse pathogens that threaten human and animal health. The continuous emergence of tick-borne diseases due to combined worldwide climatic changes, human activities, and acaricide-resistant tick strains, necessitates the development of novel ameliorative tick control strategies such as vaccines. The synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy (SR-FTIR) is a bioanalytical microprobe capable of exploring the molecular chemistry within microstructures at a cellular or subcellular level and is considered as a nondestructive analytical approach for biological specimens. In this study, SR-FTIR analysis was able to explore a qualitative and semi-quantitative biochemical composition of gut and salivary glands of Hyalomma dromedarii (H. dromedarii) tick detecting differences in the biochemical composition of both tissues. A notable observation regarding Amide I secondary structure protein profile was the higher ratio of aggregated strands in salivary gland and beta turns in gut tissues. Regarding the lipid profile, there was a higher intensity of lipid regions in gut tissue when compared to salivary glands. This detailed information on the biochemical compositions of tick tissues could assist in selecting vaccine and/or control candidates. Altogether, these findings confirmed SR-FTIR spectroscopy as a tool for detecting differences in the biochemical composition of H. dromedarii salivary glands and gut tissues. This approach could potentially be extended to the analysis of other ticks that are vectors of important diseases such as babesiosis and theileriosis.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Ixodidae; Acaricides; Salivary Glands; Synapsins; Lipids
PubMed: 38609442
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59165-6 -
MedRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Mar 2024Human babesiosis is a rapidly emerging and potentially fatal tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasites of the genus. Among the various...
UNLABELLED
Human babesiosis is a rapidly emerging and potentially fatal tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasites of the genus. Among the various species of that infect humans, has been found to cause severe and life-threatening infections. Detection of active infection is critical for accurate diagnosis and effective management of the disease. While molecular assays for the detection of infection in blood are available, a reliable strategy to detect biomarkers of active infection has not yet been developed. Here, we report the development of the first antigen capture assays that rely on the detection of two -exported immunodominant antigens, BdV234 and BdV38. The assays were validated using blood samples from cultured parasites in human erythrocytes and -infected laboratory mice at different parasitemia levels and following therapy. The assays display high specificity with no cross-reactivity with , , MO1, or The assay also demonstrates high sensitivity, detecting as low as 115 infected erythrocytes/µl of blood. Screening of 1,731 blood samples from diverse biorepositories, including previously identified Lyme and/or positive human samples and new specimens from field mice, showed no evidence of infection in these samples. The assays could be useful in diverse diagnostic scenarios, including point-of-care testing for early infection detection in patients, field tests for screening reservoir hosts, and high-throughput screening such as blood collected for transfusion.
SHORT SUMMARY
We developed two ELISA-based assays, BdACA38 and BdACA234, for detecting , a potentially fatal tick-borne parasite causing human babesiosis. The assays target two immunodominant antigens, BdV234 and BdV38, demonstrating high specificity (no cross-reactivity with other species or ) and sensitivity (detecting as low as 115 infected erythrocytes/µl). The assays were validated using in vitro-cultured parasites and infected mice. Screening diverse blood samples showed no evidence of active infection among 1,731 human and field mice blood samples collected from the north-eastern, midwestern, and western US. These assays offer potential in diverse diagnostic scenarios, including early patient detection, reservoir animal screening, and transfusion-transmitted babesiosis prevention.
PubMed: 38585766
DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.24304816 -
NAR Genomics and Bioinformatics Jun 2024Evolutionary constraints greatly favor compact genomes that efficiently encode proteins. However, several eukaryotic organisms, including apicomplexan parasites such...
Evolutionary constraints greatly favor compact genomes that efficiently encode proteins. However, several eukaryotic organisms, including apicomplexan parasites such as , and , the causative agents of toxoplasmosis, malaria and babesiosis, respectively, encode very large proteins, exceeding 20 times their average protein size. Although these large proteins represent <1% of the total protein pool and are generally expressed at low levels, their persistence throughout evolution raises important questions about their functions and possible evolutionary pressures to maintain them. In this study, we examined the trends in gene and protein size, function and expression patterns within seven apicomplexan pathogens. Our analysis revealed that certain large proteins in apicomplexan parasites harbor domains potentially important for functions such as antigenic variation, erythrocyte invasion and immune evasion. However, these domains are not limited to or strictly conserved within large proteins. While some of these proteins are predicted to engage in conventional metabolic pathways within these parasites, others fulfill specialized functions for pathogen-host interactions, nutrient acquisition and overall survival.
PubMed: 38584870
DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqae032