Molecular analysis of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae), an incriminated vector tick for Babesia vogeli in Taiwan

This study assessed the occurrence of Ehrlichia spp., Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. infections in 100 tick-harboring dogs from a semiarid region of the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples and ticks were collected from the animals, and a questionnaire was submitted to dog owners to obtain general data. Blood samples were used to perform hemogram, direct blood smear and immunological and molecular hemoparasite detection. The 1,151 ticks collected were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus; direct smears revealed E. canis-like morulae in the monocytes of 4% (4/100) of the non-vaccinated female dogs, and 34% and 25% of the dogs tested positive for Ehrlichia canis by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. Blood smear examination revealed Babesia-suggestive merozoites in the erythrocytes of 2% (2/100) of the animals. Babesia vogeli was detected by PCR in ten animals (10%) and was correlated with young age (p = 0.007) and thrombocytopenia (p = 0.01). None of the animals showed Hepatozoon spp. positivity. These results indicate that E. canis is the main tick-borne canine pathogen in the study area and provide the first report of B. vogeli infection in dogs from Paraiba State.

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Molecular epidemiology of Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli in stray dogs in Paraná, Brazil

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-736x2017000200006 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 129-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Claudia M. Ribeiro ◽

Aldair C. Matos ◽

Thainá Azzolini ◽

Everton R. Bones ◽

Eduardo A. Wasnieski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Molecular Study ◽

Ehrlichia Canis ◽

Anaplasma Platys ◽

Amblyomma Cajennense ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Babesia Vogeli ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Hematological Changes ◽

The City

ABSTRACT: Hemoparasitic infections are tick-borne diseases, which affect animals and humans. Considering the importance of canine hemoparasitic infections in veterinary clinics, this study aimed to determine the occurrence of Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli in blood samples from 182 dogs not domiciled in the city of Pato Branco, southwestern region of Paraná State, Brazil, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prevalence of A. platys and B. vogeli was 32.9% and 10.9% respectively, and A. platys infection prevailed (p<0.001). The number of dogs positive for A. platys was larger in Winter (p<0.05). All blood samples were negative for E. canis. In the dogs, infestation by Amblyomma cajennense predominated over that by Rhipicephalus sanguineus (p<0.001); but there was no significant association between PCR and the variables presence of ticks, sex and age. Dogs infected by A. platys and B. vogeli showed thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia and leukocytosis; but there was no correlation between such hematological changes and infection by hemoparasites. This appears to be the first molecular study that demonstrates the existence of A. platys and B. vogeli in dogs from the southwestern region of Paraná.

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Occurrence of Babesia Species and Co-Infection with Hepatozoon canis in Symptomatic Dogs and in Their Ticks in Eastern Romania

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10101339 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1339

Author(s):

Lavinia Ciuca ◽

Gabriela Martinescu ◽

Liviu Dan Miron ◽

Constantin Roman ◽

Dumitru Acatrinei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vector Competence ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Babesia Microti ◽

Hepatozoon Canis ◽

Babesia Species ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Babesia Vogeli ◽

Babesia Rossi ◽

Group 3

Although the distribution of Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon canis is well known in Romania, there is still a marked lack of information in many places of the country. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of these haemoparasites in symptomatic dogs and in their ticks in Iasi, eastern Romania. Ninety owned dogs were subjected to clinical examination at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Iasi and all detectable ticks (58 ticks from 15 dogs) were collected. Additionally, 124 ticks collected from the coat of other dogs (no. = 23) were included. Three Babesia species were found in dogs: Babesia canis (94.4%), Babesia vogeli (3.3%), and Babesia rossi (2.2%). All the dogs resulted negative for H. canis. The ticks were identified as follows: Ixodes ricinus (64%), Dermacentor reticulatus (33%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (3%). B. canis (Minimum Infection Rate; MIR = 81%), B. vogeli (MIR = 3%), and Babesia microti-like piroplasm (MIR = 1%) were found in ticks. Moreover, 15 ticks were positive for H. canis, 6 were co-infected with B. canis, and 1 with B. microti-like piroplasm. This is the first molecular identification of B. rossi in two symptomatic dogs from Romania, although further studies are needed to investigate the vector competence of other ticks from Europe.

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Molecular detection of tick-borne haemopathogens in shelter dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) ticks from Peninsular Malaysia

10.21203/rs.2.20162/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Quincie Sipin ◽

Farina Mustaffa Kamal ◽

Malaika Watanabe ◽

Puteri Azaziah Megat Abdul Rani ◽

Nur Mahiza Md ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Detection ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

Single Infection ◽

Babesia Gibsoni ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Babesia Vogeli ◽

Microscopic Evaluation ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Sensu Lato ◽

Shelter Dogs

Abstract Background Canine tick-borne haemopathogens (TBH) constitute a significant concern worldwide. The detection of these TBH is mainly achieved by microscopic evaluation, seroprevalence, and molecular detection. The present study was designed to investigate the molecular detection of Anaplasma platys , Babesia gibsoni, Babesia vogeli , and Ehrlichia canis in shelter dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus ( sensu lato ) ticks infesting them in Malaysia.Results A total of 220 blood samples and 140 ticks were collected from 10 animal shelters in Peninsular Malaysia. The presence of haemopathogens was detected using conventional PCR, sequenced, and identified at the species level. Of the 220 blood samples, 77 (35%) were positive with at least one of the four haemopathogens, of which E. canis predominated (20%) followed by B. gibsoni and B. vogeli both with detection of 7%, and A. platys (12%). In tick samples, 5 (3.57%) of the collected samples were positive with at least one of the three haemopathogens. Low detection of E. canis and A. platys were present (n = 2; 1.43%) as well as B. vogeli shows only 1 sample positive (0.71%) and no detection of B. gibsoni . For co-infection in dogs, single infection is common (24%), while co-infection with two haemopathogens (10%) was also observed. The occurrence of infection with three TBH was also observed in the sampled dogs (1%).Conclusion E. canis is the most common TBH affecting shelter dogs in Peninsular Malaysia. Co-infection is quite common and the most common co-infection present was E. canis and A. platys. The study highlighted the first extensive molecular detection of TBH in dogs and R. sanguineus ( sensu lato ) ticks in Malaysia

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Molecular detection of Babesia vogeli, Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys in a hospital population of dogs clinically diagnosed with hemoparasitosis

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2020v41n5supl1p2143 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 2143-2152

Author(s):

Aline Ticiani Pereira Paschoal ◽

Ana Clécia dos Santos Silva ◽

Juliana Correa Bernardes ◽

Eloiza Teles Caldart ◽

Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Ehrlichia Canis ◽

Anaplasma Platys ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Babesia Vogeli ◽

Urban And Rural Areas ◽

Etiological Agents

There is an increase in tick-borne diseases in dogs in urban and rural areas in Brazil and some of these are of public health importance. Rhipicephalus sanguineus-transmitted hemoparasitoses are the main causes of mortality in dogs. The present study investigated the molecular occurrence of Ehrlichia canis, Babesia vogeli and Anaplasma platys in dogs with clinical sings and hematological abnormalities suggestive of tick-borne diseases. These dogs were seen at a Veterinary Hospital of a Public University between January 2014 and December 2016, and were evaluated through anamnesis, clinical examination and complementary exams. The polymerase chain reaction technique was used to detect the presence of hemoparasites DNA. From the 461 dogs that were tested for B. vogeli, 10.6% (49/461) were positive, the associated variable was age. Regarding the 730 animals screened for E. canis, 15.1% (110/730) were positive, and the infection was associated with hematocrit and number of platelets. Relative to the 86 samples evaluated for A. platys, 15.1% (13/86) were positive, and no variable presented statistical significance. From the animals positive for B. vogeli, no of these showed positivity by qPCR for Rangelia vitalii. It is concluded that the occurrence of hemoparasitosis in dogs from the Londrina region is common. Therefore, it is emphasized that molecular techniques should be used as an auxiliary tool for the differential diagnosis of the different etiological agents causing hemoparasitosis. Additionally, these molecular tools are essential for better investigation and preventive assertiveness because it allows to detect parasite DNA.

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Molecular detection of pathogens in ticks and fleas collected from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-35352/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Viet-Linh Nguyen ◽

Vito Colella ◽

Grazia Greco ◽

Fang Fang ◽

Wisnu Nurcahyo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Southeast Asia ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

The Philippines ◽

Hepatozoon Canis ◽

Rickettsia Felis ◽

Companion Dogs ◽

Babesia Vogeli ◽

East And Southeast Asia ◽

Vector Borne

Abstract Background: Ticks and fleas are considered amongst the most important arthropod vectors of medical and veterinary concern due to their ability to transmit pathogens to a range of animal species including dogs, cats and humans. By sharing a common environment with humans, companion animal-associated parasitic arthropods may potentially transmit zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (VBPs). This study aimed to molecularly detect pathogens from ticks and fleas from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia.Methods: A total of 392 ticks and 248 fleas were collected from 401 infested animals (i.e. 271 dogs and 130 cats) from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, were molecularly screened for the presence of pathogens. Ticks were tested for Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. while fleas were screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp.Result: Of the 392 ticks tested, 37 (9.4%) scored positive for at least one pathogen with Hepatozoon canis being the most prevalent (5.4%), followed by Ehrlichia canis (1.8%), Babesia vogeli (1%), Anaplasma platys (0.8%) and Rickettsia spp. (1%) [including Rickettsia sp. (0.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (0.3%) and Rickettsia felis (0.3%)]. Out of 248 fleas tested, 106 (42.7%) were harboring at least one pathogen with R. felis being the most common (19.4%), followed by Bartonella spp. (16.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (10.9%) and “Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis” (0.4%). Furthermore, 35 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, of which 34 ticks belonged to the tropical and only one belonged to the temperate lineage (Rh. sanguineus (sensu stricto)). Conclusion: Our data reveals the circulation of different VBPs in ticks and fleas of dogs and cats from Asia, including zoonotic agents, which may represent a potential risk to animal and human health.

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Molecular Detection of Pathogens in Ticks and Fleas Collected from Companion Dogs and Cats in East and Southeast Asia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-35352/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Viet-Linh Nguyen ◽

Vito Colella ◽

Grazia Greco ◽

Fang Fang ◽

Wisnu Nurcahyo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Southeast Asia ◽

Animal Species ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Hepatozoon Canis ◽

Rickettsia Felis ◽

Companion Dogs ◽

Babesia Vogeli ◽

East And Southeast Asia ◽

Vector Borne

Abstract Background: Ticks and fleas are considered amongst the most important arthropod vectors of medical and veterinary concern due to their ability to transmit pathogens to a range of animal species including dogs, cats and humans. By sharing a common environment with humans, companion animal-associated parasitic arthropods may potentially transmit zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (VBPs). This study aimed to molecularly detect pathogens from ticks and fleas from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia.Methods: A total of 392 ticks and 248 fleas were collected from 401 infested animals (i.e., 271 dogs and 130 cats) to molecularly screened for the presence of pathogens. Ticks were tested for Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. while fleas were screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp.Result: Of the 392 ticks tested, 37 (9.4%) scored positive for at least one pathogen with Hepatozoon canis being the most prevalent (5.4%), followed by Ehrlichia canis (1.8%), Babesia vogeli (1%), Anaplasma platys (0.8%) and Rickettsia spp. (1%) [including Rickettsia sp. (0.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (0.3%), Rickettsia felis (0.3%)]. Out of 248 fleas tested, 106 (42.7%) were harboring at least one pathogen with R. felis being the most common (19.4%), followed by Bartonella spp. (16.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (10.9%) and Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis (0.4%). Furthermore, 35 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, of which 34 ticks belonged to the tropical and only one belonged to the temperate lineage (Rh. sanguineus sensu stricto). Conclusion: Our data reveals the circulation of different VBPs in ticks and fleas of dogs and cats from Asia, including zoonotic agents, which may represent a potential risk to animal and human health.

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First Cases of Natural Infections with Borrelia hispanica in Two Dogs and a Cat from Europe

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms8081251 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 1251

Author(s):

Gabriele Margos ◽

Nikola Pantchev ◽

Majda Globokar ◽

Javier Lopez ◽

Jaume Rodon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Analysis ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Housekeeping Genes ◽

Laboratory Findings ◽

Borrelia Hermsii ◽

Babesia Vogeli ◽

Blood Smears ◽

The Usa

Canine cases of relapsing fever (RF) borreliosis have been described in Israel and the USA, where two RF species, Borrelia turicatae and Borrelia hermsii, can cause similar clinical signs to the Borrelia persica in dogs and cats reported from Israel, including fever, lethargy, anorexia, thrombocytopenia, and spirochetemia. In this report, we describe the first clinical cases of two dogs and a cat from Spain (Cordoba, Valencia, and Seville) caused by the RF species Borrelia hispanica. Spirochetes were present in the blood smears of all three animals, and clinical signs included lethargy, pale mucosa, anorexia, cachexia, or mild abdominal respiration. Laboratory findings, like thrombocytopenia in both dogs, may have been caused by co-infecting pathogens (i.e., Babesia vogeli, confirmed in one dog). Anemia was noticed in one of the dogs and in the cat. Borrelia hispanica was confirmed as an infecting agent by molecular analysis of the 16S rRNA locus. Molecular analysis of housekeeping genes and phylogenetic analyses, as well as successful in vitro culture of the feline isolate confirmed the causative agent as B. hispanica.

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