Molecular Survey of Babesia microti (Aconoidasida: Piroplasmida) in Wild Rodents in Turkey

Abstract Babesia microti (Aconoidasida: Piroplasmida) (Franca, 1910) is an important tick-borne zoonotic parasite with rodents serving as reservoir hosts. In the present study, 536 rodents were captured from Burdur, Bartin, Giresun, and Yozgat provinces of Turkey between the years 2010 and 2012, and blood samples were examined for the presence of Babesia spp. using conventional PCR which targeted the 18S rRNA gene. The sequence analysis of PCR amplicons was tested for B. microti as well as for Hepatozoon spp., and Sarcocystis spp. Overall, 5.8% of the rodents were positive for B. microti: 41% in Myodes glareolus, 7.7% in Chionomys roberti, and 2% in Apodemus spp., whereas no Babesia DNA was detected in Mus macedonicus and Microtus spp. Six rodents were positive for Hepatozoon spp. and one rodent was positive for Sarcocystis spp. Overall, 14.9 and 4.5% of rodents captured from Bartin and Giresun provinces, respectively, were PCR positive for B. microti, whereas none of rodents captured in Burdur and Yozgat were positive for Babesia spp. The sequence data of B. microti from rodents revealed that all sequences belonged to the zoonotic genotype. Sequences of B. microti obtained from rodents of the Bartin province were genotypically closer to European isolates, whereas those obtained from rodents of the Giresun province were closer to Russian and Mongolian isolates.

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Molecular Characterization ofCryptosporidiumspp. in Wild Rodents of Southwestern Iran Using 18s rRNA Gene Nested-PCR-RFLP and Sequencing Techniques

Journal of Tropical Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/6834206 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jasem Saki ◽

Masoud Foroutan-Rad ◽

Reza Asadpouri

Keyword(s):

Molecular Characterization ◽

Nested Pcr ◽

18S Rrna ◽

Restriction Enzymes ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Wild Rodents ◽

Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Pcr Rflp ◽

Southwest Of Iran

Background. Rodents could act as reservoir forCryptosporidiumspp. speciallyC. parvum, a zoonotic agent responsible for human infections. Since there is no information aboutCryptosporidiuminfection in rodents of Ahvaz city, southwest of Iran, hence, this survey was performed to determine the prevalence and molecular characterization ofCryptosporidiumspp. in this region.Materials and Methods. One hundred rodents were trapped from different regions of Ahvaz city. Intestine contents and fecal specimens of rodents were studied using both microscopy examination to identify oocyst and nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for 18s rRNA gene detection. Eventually restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method usingSspIandVspIrestriction enzymes was carried out to genotype the species and then obtained results were sequenced.Results. Three out of 100 samples were diagnosed as positive and overall prevalence ofCryptosporidiumspp. was 3% using both modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining under light microscope and nested-PCR (830 bp) methods. Afterwards, PCR-RFLP was performed on positive samples andC. parvumpattern was identified. Finally PCR-RFLP findings were sequenced and presence ofC. parvumwas confirmed again.Conclusions. Our study showed rodents could be potential reservoir forC. parvum. So an integrated program for control and combat with them should be adopted and continued.

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Molecular identification ofSarcocystisspp. helped to define the origin of green pythons (Morelia viridis) confiscated in Germany

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182013001960 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 141 (5) ◽

pp. 646-651 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

GASTÓN MORÉ ◽

NIKOLA PANTCHEV ◽

DALAND C. HERRMANN ◽

MAJDA GLOBOKAR VRHOVEC ◽

SABINE ÖFNER ◽

...

Keyword(s):

18S Rrna ◽

Sequence Data ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Apicomplexan Parasites ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Wide Range ◽

18S Rrna Genes

SUMMARYSarcocystisspp. represent apicomplexan parasites. They usually have a heteroxenous life cycle. Around 200 species have been described, affecting a wide range of animals worldwide, including reptiles. In recent years, large numbers of reptiles have been imported into Europe as pets and, as a consequence, animal welfare and species protection issues emerged. A sample of pooled feces from four confiscated green pythons (Morelia viridis) containingSarcocystisspp. sporocysts was investigated. These snakes were imported for the pet trade and declared as being captive-bred. Full length 18S rRNA genes were amplified, cloned into plasmids and sequenced. Two differentSarcocystisspp. sequences were identified and registered asSarcocystissp. fromM. viridisin GenBank. Both showed a 95–97% sequence identity with the 18S rRNA gene ofSarcocystis singaporensis.Phylogenetic analysis positioned these sequences together with otherSarcocystisspp. from snakes and rodents as definitive and intermediate hosts (IH), respectively. Sequence data and also the results of clinical and parasitological examinations suggest that the snakes were definitive hosts forSarcocystisspp. that circulate in wild IH. Thus, it seems unlikely that the infected snakes had been legally bred. Our research shows that information on the infection of snakes withSarcocystisspp. may be used to assess compliance with regulations on the trade with wildlife species.

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Morphological and molecular characterization of Mermisnigrescens Dujardin, (Nematoda: Mermithidae) parasitizing the introduced European earwig (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) in New Zealand

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x14000017 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 89 (3) ◽

pp. 267-276 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

B. Presswell ◽

S. Evans ◽

R. Poulin ◽

F. Jorge

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

18S Rrna ◽

Sequence Data ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Parasitic Nematodes ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

28S Rrna ◽

Forficula Auricularia ◽

Adult Females ◽

European Earwig

AbstractParasitic nematodes of the family Mermithidae were found to be infecting the introduced European earwig Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand. Adult females were later collected from various garden plants while depositing eggs. These mermithid specimens were identified morphologically as Mermis nigrescens Dujardin, 1842. A genetic distance of 0.7% between these specimens and a M. nigrescens isolate from Canada (18S rRNA gene), suggests that they have diverged genetically, but there are currently no available comparable sequences for the European M. nigrescens. Two additional nuclear fragments were also amplified, the 28S rRNA and the ribosomal DNA first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1), providing a basis for future studies. Bearing in mind the morphological similarity with other reported M. nigrescens and the lack of sequence data from other parts of the world, we retain the name M.nigrescens, and suggest that the species may be found to represent a complex of cryptic species when more worldwide data are available. Herein, we present a brief description of the post-parasitic worms and adult females, along with an inferred phylogeny using 18S rRNA gene sequences.

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Reassessment of the classification of the Order Haplosclerida (Class Demospongiae, Phylum Porifera) using 18S rRNA gene sequence data

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.ympev.2006.10.021 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 344-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

N.E. Redmond ◽

R.W.M. van Soest ◽

M. Kelly ◽

J. Raleigh ◽

S.A.A. Travers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

18S Rrna ◽

Gene Sequence ◽

Sequence Data ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene Sequence ◽

Gene Sequence Data

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High prevalence of Babesia microti in small mammals in Beijing

Infectious Diseases of Poverty ◽

10.1186/s40249-020-00775-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chun-Yan Wei ◽

Xiao-Mei Wang ◽

Zhen-Sheng Wang ◽

Zhi-Hua Wang ◽

Zeng-Zhi Guan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Small Mammals ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Host Population ◽

Pathogen Transmission ◽

Control Measures ◽

Babesia Microti ◽

Mammalian Host ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Sequence Alignments

Abstract Background Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne zoonotic infectious disease. Babesia microti is responsible for most cases of human babesiosis globally. It is important to investigate the prevalence of B. microti in the mammalian host population of a specific region in order to elucidate mechanisms of pathogen transmission and to define geographic areas where humans face the greatest risk of exposure. The aim of this study is to understand the prevalence and genotypes of B. microti in the small mammals that are found in Beijing, China. Methods We trapped small mammals from all of the 16 urban, suburban, and outer suburban districts of Beijing during the years 2014, 2017 and 2018. Genomic DNA was extracted from the heart tissues individually and the Babesia 18S rRNA gene was detected by PCR. The genotypes of B. microti were identified based on sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis. The morphology of the parasites was observed under light microscopy. The risk factors were analyzed statistically based on both univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 1391 small mammals were collected. Positive infection of B. microti was detected in 12.1% (168/1391) of small mammals from 15 out of the 16 districts. Both Kobe-type and U.S.-type B. microti, accounting for 9.5% and 2.7%, respectively, were identified. Classic diverse morphologic forms of B. microti were observed. Specific types of ecological habitats including shrub areas, broad-leaved forest, and cropland were revealed to be risk factors associated with B. microti infection. Conclusions This study demonstrated the wide prevalence of B. microti infection in eight species of small mammals in Beijing, with Kobe-type more prevalent than U.S.-type. This study provides fundamental information for the development of informed prevention and control measures by public health authorities; the data gathered indicates a need for further monitoring of both clinical diseases in individuals presenting with babesiosis-like symptoms, as well as the infection status of ticks in high risk areas.

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Two hundred and fifty-four metagenome-assembled bacterial genomes from the bank vole gut microbiota

Scientific Data ◽

10.1038/s41597-020-00656-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anton Lavrinienko ◽

Eugene Tukalenko ◽

Timothy A. Mousseau ◽

Luke R. Thompson ◽

Rob Knight ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Community Composition ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Bank Vole ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Myodes Glareolus ◽

Wild Rodents ◽

Bacterial Genomes ◽

Shotgun Sequence ◽

Essential Services

Abstract Vertebrate gut microbiota provide many essential services to their host. To better understand the diversity of such services provided by gut microbiota in wild rodents, we assembled metagenome shotgun sequence data from a small mammal, the bank vole Myodes glareolus (Rodentia, Cricetidae). We were able to identify 254 metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) that were at least 50% (n = 133 MAGs), 80% (n = 77 MAGs) or 95% (n = 44 MAGs) complete. As typical for a rodent gut microbiota, these MAGs are dominated by taxa assigned to the phyla Bacteroidetes (n = 132 MAGs) and Firmicutes (n = 80), with some Spirochaetes (n = 15) and Proteobacteria (n = 11). Based on coverage over contigs, Bacteroidetes were estimated to be most abundant group, followed by Firmicutes, Spirochaetes and Proteobacteria. These draft bacterial genomes can be used freely to determine the likely functions of gut microbiota community composition in wild rodents.

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Detection of Babesia odocoilei in Humans with Babesiosis Symptoms

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11060947 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 947

Author(s):

John D. Scott ◽

Muhammad S. Sajid ◽

Emily L. Pascoe ◽

Janet E. Foley

Keyword(s):

Ixodes Scapularis ◽

Human Subjects ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽

Day Clinic ◽

Night Sweats ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Human Babesiosis ◽

Babesia Spp

Human babesiosis is a life-threatening infectious disease that causes societal and economic impact worldwide. Several species of Babesia cause babesiosis in terrestrial vertebrates, including humans. A one-day clinic was held in Ontario, Canada, to see if a red blood cell parasite, which is present in blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, is present in humans. Based on PCR testing and DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene, we unveiled B. odocoilei in two of 19 participants. DNA amplicons from these two patients are almost identical matches with the type strains of B. odocoilei in GenBank. In addition, the same two human subjects had the hallmark symptoms of human babesiosis, including night sweats, chills, fevers, and profound fatigue. Based on symptoms and molecular identification, we provide substantive evidence that B. odocoilei is pathogenic to humans. Dataset reveals that B. odocoilei serologically cross-reacts with Babesia duncani. Clinicians must realize that there are more than two Babesia spp. in North America that cause human babesiosis. This discovery signifies the first report of B. odocoilei causing human babesiosis.

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Babesia microti in Rodents from Different Habitats of Lithuania

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061707 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1707

Author(s):

Dalytė Mardosaitė-Busaitienė ◽

Jana Radzijevskaja ◽

Linas Balčiauskas ◽

Algimantas Paulauskas

Keyword(s):

18S Rrna ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Reservoir Host ◽

Clethrionomys Glareolus ◽

Babesia Microti ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Apodemus Flavicollis ◽

Study Sites ◽

First Time ◽

Partial 18S

Babesia microti (Aconoidasida: Piroplasmida) (Franca, 1910) is an emerging tick-borne parasite with rodents serving as the considered reservoir host. However, the distribution of B. microti in Europe is insufficiently characterized. Based on the sample of 1180 rodents from 19 study sites in Lithuania, the objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate the presence of Babesia parasites in eight species of rodents, (2) to determine the prevalence of Babesia parasites in rodents from different habitats, and (3) to characterize the detected Babesia strains using partial sequencing of the 18S rRNR gene. Babesia DNA was detected in 2.8% rodents. The highest prevalence of Babesia was found in Microtus oeconomus (14.5%) and Microtus agrestis (7.1%) followed by Clethrionomys glareolus (2.3%), Apodemus flavicollis (2.2%) and Micromys minutus (1.3%). In M. minutus, Babesia was identified for the first time. The prevalence of Babesia-infected rodents was higher in the meadow (5.67%) than in the ecotone (1.69%) and forest (0.31%) habitats. The sequence analysis of the partial 18S rRNA gene reveals that Babesia isolates derived from rodents were 99–100% identical to human pathogenic B. microti ‘Jena/Germany’ strain.

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A new species of planthopper from Costa Rica in the genus Oropuna from palms in lowland tropical rainforest

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.5081.1.4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5081 (1) ◽

pp. 116-130

Author(s):

BRIAN W. BAHDER ◽

MARCO A. ZUMBADO ECHAVARRIA ◽

EDWIN A. BARRANTES BARRANTES ◽

ERICKA E. HELMICK ◽

CHARLES R. BARTLETT

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Costa Rica ◽

18S Rrna ◽

Tropical Rainforest ◽

Sequence Data ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

The Novel ◽

Fourth Species ◽

A New Species

The derbid genus Oropuna is a small taxon of Neotropical planthoppers in the tribe Cenchreini comprised of three species. Recent survey work on palms for planthoppers in Costa Rica resulted in the discovery of a fourth species, Oropuna halo sp. n. In this study the new species is described and a key to the four species is provided along with sequence data for the cyctochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S rRNA gene for the novel taxon.

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Description of Brooksia lacromae sp. nov. (Tunicata, Thaliacea) from the Adriatic Sea

European Journal of Taxonomy ◽

10.5852/ejt.2016.196 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rade Garić ◽

Mirna Batistić

Keyword(s):

18S Rrna ◽

Adriatic Sea ◽

Sequence Data ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Pairwise Distance ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

New Taxon ◽

Marine Monitoring ◽

Mediterranean Origin

Brooksia lacromae sp. nov. is described from zooplankton material collected at a marine monitoring station in the South Adriatic in the autumn of 2014. The description of both solitary and aggregate forms is given along with 18S rRNA and mitochondrial cox1 sequence data that provides strong evidence that both forms belong to the same species. The described species is morphologically markedly different from B. rostrata (Traustedt, 1893) and B. berneri van Soest, 1975, previously the only two species in the genus Brooksia. Genetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene confirmed distinctness of B. lacromae sp. nov. from B. rostrata (1.5% uncorrected pairwise distance). The appendicularian Fritillaria helenae Bückmann, 1924, so far known from the Atlantic only, was found in the same samples as B. lacromae sp. nov. Co-occurrence of B. lacromae sp. nov. with an Atlantic appendicularian suggests an Atlantic or Western Mediterranean origin for this new taxon.

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