Molecular detection and identification of piroplasms ( Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing ticks from northwest Spain

Abstract Background: Camel production in Saudi Arabia is severely affected by various diseases and by inadequate veterinary services. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs ) affect the health and wellbeing of camels consequently diminishing their productivity and performances. In addition, camels may act as hosts for TBPs (e.g. Anaplasma phagocytophilum ) causing diseases in humans. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of ixodid ticks and molecularly investigate the associated pathogens in camels from Saudi Arabia. Methods: Blood and tick samples were collected from camels ( n = 170) in Riyad Province of Saudi Arabia. Ticks were morphologically identified, and blood of camels were molecularly screened for apicomplexan (i.e. Babesia spp . , Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp.) and rickettsial parasites (i.e. Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp.). Results: Of the 170 camels examined, 116 (68.2%; 95% CI: 60.9–75.1%) were infested by ticks with a mean intensity of 2.53 (95% CI: 2.4–2.6). In total of 296 ticks collected, Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent (76.4%), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum (23.3%) and Hyalomma excavatum (0.3%). Of the tested animals, 13 (7.6%; 95% CI: 4.3–12.8%) scored positive to at least one TBP, with Anaplasma platys (5.3%; 95% CI: 2.7–9.9%) being the most prevalent species, followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis (0.6% each; 95% CI: 0.04–3.4%). None of the camels were found to be co-infected with more than one pathogen. All samples tested negative for Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. Conclusions: The present study reveals the occurrence of different tick species and tick-borne pathogens in camels from Saudi Arabia. Importantly, these camels may carry A. phagocytophilum and A. platys , representing a potential risk to humans.

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Babesia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing ticks, ticks parasitizing rodents and the parasitized rodents – Analyzing the host-pathogen-vector interface in a metropolitan area

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/1756-3305-5-191 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Cornelia Silaghi ◽

Dietlinde Woll ◽

Dietmar Hamel ◽

Kurt Pfister ◽

Monia Mahling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metropolitan Area ◽

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽

Host Pathogen ◽

Questing Ticks ◽

Pathogen Vector ◽

Babesia Spp

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The prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing Ixodes ricinus Ticks in SW Poland

Polish Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.33073/pjm-2014-013 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 89-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

DOROTA KIEWRA ◽

GRZEGORZ ZALEŚNY ◽

ALEKSANDRA CZUŁOWSKA

Keyword(s):

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽

Infection Level ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽

Animal Pathogens ◽

Questing Ticks ◽

Ixodes Ricinus Ticks ◽

Sw Poland ◽

First Time ◽

Babesia Spp

Ticks constitute important vectors of human and animal pathogens. Besides the Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis, other pathogens such as Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, are of increasing public health interest. In Poland, as in other European countries, Ixodes ricinus, the most prevalent tick species responsible for the majority of tick bites in humans, is the main vector of A. phagocytophilum. The aim of the study was to estimate the infection level of I. ricinus with A. phagocytophilum in selected districts, not previously surveyed for the presence of this agent. Sampling of questing ticks was performed in 12 forested sites, located in four districts (Legnica, Milicz, Lubań, and Oława) in SW Poland. Altogether, 792 ticks (151 females, 101 males, and 540 nymphs) representing I. ricinus were checked for the presence of A. phagocytophilum. The average infection level was 4.3%, with higher rate reported for adult ticks. The highest percentage of infected adults was observed in Milicz (17.4%) and the lowest in Oława (6.8%). The abundance of questing I. ricinus in all examined sites as well as the infection with A. phagocytophilum indicate for the first time the risk for HGA transmission in SW Poland.

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Ticks and associated pathogens in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Riyadh province, Saudi Arabia

10.21203/rs.2.19258/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Abdullah Daria Alanazi ◽

Viet Linh Nguyen ◽

Mohamed Saleh Alyousif ◽

Ranju Ravindran Santhakumari Manoj ◽

Abdulaziz Saleh Alouffi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽

Ixodid Ticks ◽

Hepatozoon Canis ◽

Veterinary Services ◽

Hyalomma Dromedarii ◽

Hyalomma Excavatum ◽

Prevalent Species ◽

Babesia Spp ◽

Theileria Spp

Abstract Background Camel production in Saudi Arabia is severely affected by various diseases and by inadequate veterinary services. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) represent a major threat to the health of camels consequently affecting their productivity and performances. In addition, camels may act as hosts for TBPs (e.g. Anaplasma phagocytophilum ) causing diseases in humans. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of ixodid ticks and molecularly investigate the associated pathogens in camels from Saudi Arabia. Methods Blood and tick samples were collected from camels (n=170) in Riyad Province of Saudi Arabia. Ticks were morphologically identified and blood of camels were molecularly screened for apicomplexan (i.e. Babesia spp ., Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp.) and rickettsial parasites (i.e. Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp.). Results Of the 170 camels examined, 116 (68.2%; 95% CI: 60.9–75.1) were infested by ticks with a mean intensity of 2.53 (95% CI =2.4–2.6). In total of 296 ticks collected, Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent (76.4%), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum (23.3%) and Hyalomma excavatum (0.3%). Of the tested animals, 13 (7.6%; 95% CI: 4.3–12.8) scored positive to at least one TBP, with Anaplasma platys (5.3%; 95% CI: 2.7–9.9) being the most prevalent species, followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis (0.6% each; 95% CI: 0.04–3.4). None of the camels were found to be co-infected with more than one pathogen. All samples tested negative for Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. Conclusions Current study reveals the occurrence of different tick species and tick-borne pathogens in camels from Saudi Arabia. Importantly, these camels may carry A. phagocytophilum and A. platys , representing a potential risk to humans.

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Ticks and associated pathogens in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Riyadh province, Saudi Arabia

10.21203/rs.2.19258/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Abdullah Daria Alanazi ◽

Viet Linh Nguyen ◽

Mohamed Saleh Alyousif ◽

Ranju Ravindran Santhakumari Manoj ◽

Abdulaziz Saleh Alouffi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽

Ixodid Ticks ◽

Hepatozoon Canis ◽

Veterinary Services ◽

Hyalomma Dromedarii ◽

Hyalomma Excavatum ◽

Prevalent Species ◽

Babesia Spp ◽

Theileria Spp

Abstract Background Camel production in Saudi Arabia is severely affected by various diseases and by inadequate veterinary services. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) represent a major threat to the health of camels consequently affecting their productivity and performances. In addition, camels may act as hosts for TBPs (e.g. Anaplasma phagocytophilum ) causing diseases in humans. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of ixodid ticks and molecularly investigate the associated pathogens in camels from Saudi Arabia.Methods Blood and tick samples were collected from camels (n=170) in Riyad Province of Saudi Arabia. Ticks were morphologically identified and blood of camels were molecularly screened for apicomplexan (i.e. Babesia spp ., Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp.) and rickettsial parasites (i.e. Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp.).Results Of the 170 camels examined, 116 (68.2%; 95% CI: 60.9–75.1) were infested by ticks with a mean intensity of 2.53 (95% CI =2.4–2.6). In total of 296 ticks collected, Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent (76.4%), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum (23.3%) and Hyalomma excavatum (0.3%). Of the tested animals, 13 (7.6%; 95% CI: 4.3–12.8) scored positive to at least one TBP, with Anaplasma platys (5.3%; 95% CI: 2.7–9.9) being the most prevalent species, followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis (0.6% each; 95% CI: 0.04–3.4). None of the camels were found to be co-infected with more than one pathogen. All samples tested negative for Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.Conclusions Current study reveals the occurrence of different tick species and tick-borne pathogens in camels from Saudi Arabia. Importantly, these camels may carry A. phagocytophilum and A. platys , representing a potential risk to humans.

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