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

Pathogens ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks found within the city of Białystok, Poland—first data

2021 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-73
Author(s):  
Anna Grochowska ◽  
Justyna Dunaj ◽  
Sławomir Pancewicz ◽  
Piotr Czupryna ◽  
Piotr Majewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Rural Landscapes ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi S.L ◽  
Babesia Venatorum ◽  
The City

AbstractPathogens carried by ticks pose a threat to both human and animal health across the world. Typically associated with rural landscapes, ticks appear to adapt well to life in urban recreational areas. Although Dermacentor reticulatus is commonly found across Europe, data on the prevalence of pathogens in this tick species, in an urban environment, are very limited. PCR was used to examine 368 D. reticulatus individuals collected in the Zwierzyniecki Forest Nature Reserve in Białystok, Poland. In total, 10.3% of ticks were infected, with Babesia spp. (9.2%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0.8%) and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (0.3%). Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., and Coxiella burnetii were not detected. Sequence analysis for Babesia-positive samples identified 79.4% of them as Babesia canis, 8.8% as Babesia microti, 5.9% as Babesia spp., 2.9% as Babesia venatorum, and 2.9% as Babesia vogeli. Results obtained in this study indicate that D. reticulatus ticks found within the urban premises of the study area are infected with at least three pathogens and therefore are an important factor in public health risk for tick-borne diseases.

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

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.

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

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.

Mitochondrial sequences of Rhipicephalus and Coxiella endosymbiont reveal evidence of lineages co-cladogenesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria João Coimbra-Dores ◽  
Ryanne Isolde Jaarsma ◽  
Anderson Oliveira Carmo ◽  
Mariana Maia-Silva ◽  
Manoj Fonville ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Babesia Species ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Natural Vector ◽  
Mitochondrial Sequences ◽  
Congruence Analysis ◽  
Transmission Ability

ABSTRACT Rhipicephalus ticks are competent vectors of several pathogens, such as Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae (SFGR) and many Babesia species. Within this genus, different R. sanguineus s.l. lineages show an unequal vector competence and resistance regarding some pathogenic strains. Current literature supports that tick endosymbionts may play an essential role in the transmission ability of a vector. Indeed, the microbial community of Rhipicephalus seems to be dominated by Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE). Still, their co-evolutionary associations with the complicated phylogeny of Rhipicephalus lineages and their transmissible pathogens remain unclear. We performed a phylogenetic congruence analysis to address whether divergent R. sanguineus s.l. lineages had a different symbiont composition. For that, we applied a PCR based approach to screen part of the microbial community present in 279 Rhipicephalus ticks from the Iberian Peninsula and Africa. Our analyses detected several qPCR-positive signals for both SFGR and Babesia species, of which we suggest R. sanguineus-tropical lineage as a natural vector of Babesia vogeli and R. sanguineus-temperate lineage of SFGR. The acquisition of 190 CLE sequences allowed to evaluate co-phylogenetic associations between the tick and the symbiont. With this data, we observed a strong but incomplete co-cladogenesis between CLE strains and their Rhipicephalus tick lineages hosts.

scholarly journals Confirmation of occurrence of Babesia vogeli in a dog in Windhoek, central Namibia

2016 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barend L. Penzhorn ◽  
Ilse Vorster ◽  
Gernot Redecker ◽  
Marinda C. Oosthuizen
Keyword(s):  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Sensu Lato ◽  
Babesia Rossi ◽  
Haemaphysalis Elliptica ◽  
Blot Hybridisation ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Babesia Spp

Although there is evidence of high seroprevalence of antibodies to Babesia spp. in dogs in central Namibia, clinical babesiosis is rarely diagnosed. Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, the vector of Babesia vogeli, is common in Namibia while Haemaphysalis elliptica, the vector of the highly virulent but morphologically indistinguishable Babesia rossi, has rarely been recorded, mainly in northern Namibia. On the basis of vector occurrence, clinical cases of canine babesiosis in Windhoek, central Namibia, have been ascribed to B. vogeli. DNA extracted from a blood smear made from a sick dog was subjected to the reverse line blot hybridisation assay. The polymerase chain reaction amplicons hybridised with the B. vogeli–specific probe, but not with the Babesia canis– and B. rossi–specific probes. Although attempts at cloning and sequencing of the full-length 18S rRNA gene were unsuccessful, we can confirm that B. vogeli occurs in central Namibia.

Detection and molecular identification of Hepatozoon canis and Babesia vogeli from domestic dogs in Palestine

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
KIFAYA AZMI ◽  
AMER AL-JAWABREH ◽  
ABEDELMAJEED NASEREDDIN ◽  
AHMAD ABDELKADER ◽  
TAHER ZAID ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Hepatozoon Canis ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Hepatozoon Felis

SUMMARYDogs serve as hosts for a great number of parasites, which may affect their health and wellbeing. This study aimed to observe tick borne pathogens in dogs from Palestine including Hepatozoon canis and Babesia species. The prevalence of both H. canis and Babesia species infections in apparently healthy dogs, from ten districts of the West Bank was surveyed. DNA was extracted from blood samples obtained from dogs (n = 362) and ticks (n = 213) collected from dogs (n = 77). A primer set that amplifies a partial sequence of the Babesia and Hepatozoon 18S rRNA gene was used for PCR and the DNA sequences of the PCR products of all samples were determined. Twenty-nine (8·0%) of the dogs were found infected including 20 with H. canis (5·5%), seven with Babesia vogeli (1·9%) and two with undefined Babesia spp. (0·6%). Twelve Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l ticks were pathogen-positive, including ten with H. canis (4·7%), one with B. vogeli (0·5%), and one with Hepatozoon felis (0·5%). The results indicated that a wide range of tick borne pathogens is circulating in the canine population in the surveyed region. This study is the first report on the prevalence of H. canis, B. vogeli and Babesia spp. in dogs in Palestine and its results will assist in the management of diseases associated with these blood parasites.

scholarly journals Molecular detection of Cercopithifilaria bainae and other tick-borne pathogens in Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. isolated from dogs in Midwest Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Leite Soares ◽  
Angélica Oliveira da Silva ◽  
Mateus Lotério Coelho ◽  
Jessica Teles Echeverria ◽  
Michelli Lopes de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Ehrlichia Canis ◽  
Hepatozoon Canis ◽  
Anaplasma Platys ◽  
16S Rrna Analysis ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Cercopithifilaria Bainae ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Mato Grosso Do Sul

Abstract The aim of the present study was to detect Cercopithifilaria bainae and other tick-borne pathogens and to perform molecular characterization of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. collected from dogs. Ticks (n = 432, including 8 larvae, 59 nymphs, and 365 adults) were sampled from domiciled dogs (n = 73) living in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul (Midwest Brazil). All ticks were morphologically identified as R. sanguineus. Genomic DNA was extracted in pools (three to five ticks per animal) and was used for definition of R. sanguineus haplotypes (based on 16S rRNA analysis) and pathogen identification (Cercopithifilaria sp., Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Hepatozoon canis, Babesia vogeli and Rickettsia spp.). Rhipicephal us sanguineus specimens were identified as haplotypes A and B. DNA of Cercopithifilaria bainae (43.83%; 32/73), Ehrlichia canis (24.65%; 18/73), Anaplasma platys (19.17%; 14/73), and Hepatozoon canis (5.47%; 4/73) was detected. The identity of pathogens was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. The present study confirms the presence of haplotypes A and B of R. sanguineus in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and its importance as a vector of several pathogens of veterinary concern. Finally, this is the first report to identify C. bainae in ticks in the Midwestern region of Brazil.

scholarly journals Novel Protozoans in Austria Revealed through the Use of Dogs as Sentinels for Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1392
Author(s):  
Michiel Wijnveld ◽  
Anna-Margarita Schötta ◽  
Theresa Stelzer ◽  
Georg Duscher ◽  
Michael Leschnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Rickettsia Helvetica ◽  
Haemaphysalis Concinna ◽  
Borrelia Lusitaniae ◽  
Rickettsia Monacensis ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Stricto

We previously isolated and cultivated the novel Rickettsia raoultii strain Jongejan. This prompted us to ask whether this strain is unique or more widely present in Austria. To assess this issue, we retrospectively screened ticks collected from dogs in 2008. Of these collected ticks, we randomly selected 75 (47 females and 28 males) Dermacentor reticulatus, 44 (21 females, 7 males, and 16 nymphs) Haemaphysalis concinna, and 55 (52 females and 3 males) ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. Subsequently, these ticks were individually screened for the presence of tick-borne pathogens using the reverse line blot hybridization assay. In our current study, we detected DNA from the following microbes in D. reticulatus: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia lusitaniae, Borrelia spielmanii, Borrelia valaisiana, and R. raoultii, all of which were R. raoultii strain Jongejan. In H. concinna, we found DNA of a Babesia sp., Rickettsia helvetica, and an organism closely related to Theileria capreoli. Lastly, I. ricinus was positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii/Borrelia bavariensis, B. lusitaniae, B. spielmanii, B. valaisiana, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia monacensis, and Theileria (Babesia) microti DNA. The detection of DNA of the Babesia sp. and an organism closely related to Theileria capreoli, both found in H. concinna ticks, is novel for Austria.

scholarly journals Global Distribution of Babesia Species in Questing Ticks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Published Literature

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
ThankGod E. Onyiche ◽  
Cristian Răileanu ◽  
Susanne Fischer ◽  
Cornelia Silaghi
Keyword(s):  
Tick Species ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Babesia Species ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Questing Ticks ◽  
Veterinary Importance

Babesiosis caused by the Babesia species is a parasitic tick-borne disease. It threatens many mammalian species and is transmitted through infected ixodid ticks. To date, the global occurrence and distribution are poorly understood in questing ticks. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the distribution of the pathogen. A deep search for four electronic databases of the published literature investigating the prevalence of Babesia spp. in questing ticks was undertaken and obtained data analyzed. Our results indicate that in 104 eligible studies dating from 1985 to 2020, altogether 137,364 ticks were screened with 3069 positives with an estimated global pooled prevalence estimates (PPE) of 2.10%. In total, 19 different Babesia species of both human and veterinary importance were detected in 23 tick species, with Babesia microti and Ixodesricinus being the most widely reported Babesia and tick species, respectively. Regardless of species, adult ticks with 2.60% had the highest infection rates, while larvae had the least with 0.60%. Similarly, female ticks with 4.90% were infected compared to males with 3.80%. Nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 2.80% had the highest prevalence among the molecular techniques employed. In conclusion, results obtained indicate that Babesia species are present in diverse questing tick species at a low prevalence, of which some are competent vectors.

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