Possible Arbovirus Found in Virome of Melophagus ovinus

Members of the Lipopteninae subfamily are blood-sucking ectoparasites of mammals. The sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus) is a widely distributed ectoparasite of sheep. It can be found in most sheep-rearing areas and can cause skin irritation, restlessness, anemia, weight loss and skin injuries. Various bacteria and some viruses have been detected in M. ovinus; however, the virome of this ked has never been studied using modern approaches. Here, we study the virome of M. ovinus collected in the Republic of Tuva, Russia. In our research, we were able to assemble full genomes for five novel viruses, related to the Rhabdoviridae (Sigmavirus), Iflaviridae, Reoviridae and Solemoviridae families. Four viruses were found in all five of the studied pools, while one virus was found in two pools. Phylogenetically, all of the novel viruses clustered together with various recently described arthropod viruses. All the discovered viruses were tested on their ability to replicate in the mammalian porcine embryo kidney (PEK) cell line. Aksy-Durug Melophagus sigmavirus RNA was detected in the PEK cell line cultural supernate after the first, second and third passages. Such data imply that this virus might be able to replicate in mammalian cells, and thus, can be considered as a possible arbovirus.

Importancia de Melophagus ovinus como vector de enfermedades en varias partes del mundo

Melophagus ovinus es un parásito hematófago distribuido a nivel mundial, que tiene una actuación fundamental como vector, por facilitar la entrada de agentes patógenos a los animales. Se realizó una búsqueda de artículos en la base de datos de Pubmed relacionados con el tema a investigar. El objetivo de esta revisión se basa en establecer la importancia del parásito como transmisor de enfermedades y describir el efecto patógeno en el ámbito veterinario, así como enumerar los principales agentes relacionados a M. ovinus tales como Trypanosoma melophagium, Anaplasma sp, Rickettsia sp, Bartonella melophagi, Theileria sp, virus de la lengua azul y Borrelia burgdorferi, así como los efectos generados en la salud animal. En conclusión, se estableció la importancia de M. ovinus como vector de enfermedades en varios países del mundo (Australia, China, India, Etiopia, Canadá, Estados Unidos, países del Medio Oriente y América del Sur) y de esa manera, el futuro efecto zoonótico de los patógenos relacionados con M. ovinus y su impacto en la producción animal.

The role of sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus) as potential vector of protozoa and bacterial pathogens

The sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus) hematophagous insect may act as a potential vector of vector-borne pathogens. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Trypanosoma spp., Bartonella spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in sheep ked collected from sheep in Poland. In total, Trypanosoma spp. was detected in 58.91% of M. ovinus, whereas Bartonella spp. and B. burgdorferi s.l. were found in 86.82% and 1.55% of the studied insects, respectively. A. phagocytophilum was not detected in the studied material. In turn, co-infection by Trypanosoma spp. and Bartonella spp. was detected in 50.39%, while co-infection with Trypanosoma spp. and Bartonella spp. and B. burgdorferi s.l. was found in 1.55% of the studied insects. The conducted study showed for the first time the presence of B. burgdorferi s. l. in M. ovinus, as well as for the first time in Poland the presence of Trypanosoma spp. and Bartonella spp. The obtained results suggest that these insects may be a potential vector for these pathogens, but further-more detailed studies are required.

Efficacy of Novel Formulations of Ivermectin and Albendazole in Parasitic Infections of Sheep in the Altai Mountains of Russia

Background: Parasitic infections are widespread in sheep farms of the Russian Federation, including Siberia. The infection of sheep with helminths and parasitic arthropods with a range of 70% to 100% in different regions, contributes to a decrease in the productivity and quality of products, and even death of animals. This study aimed to formulate drugs with pronounced parasiticidal effects based on ivermectin and albendazole, widely used to treat animal entomoses and helminth infections. Methods: New formulations in the form of solid dispersed compositions were prepared by mechanochemical modification of ivermectin and albendazole using arabinogalactan polysaccharide. The efficacy of preparations on gastrointestinal strongylosis and monieziosis, and melophagosis of sheep was determined by parasitological examination and analysis of feces and urine. Results: The new formulations demonstrated increased solubility and parasiticidal activity due to the formation of inclusion complexes when interact with water. The maximum efficacy values (> 95% efficiency) against intestinal Strongylida and Moniezia expansa, and ectoparasitic Melophagus ovinus were seen in doses lower than the recommended doses of the starting drugs. Conclusion: The increased parasiticidal activity of innovative compositions can be explained by increased water solubility and bioavailability of the preparations, due to formation of inclusion complexes. The results of this study suggests the possibility of a significant reduction in the dosages of composed substances without losing their parasiticidal activity.

Efecto del hongo entomopatógeno Beauveria bassiana (balsamo) Vuillemin en el control de la oveja ked (Melophagus ovinus)

Melophagus ovinus (oveja ked) es un parásito común del ovino, su control se basa en tratamientos químicos; sin embargo, las consecuencias de tipo ambiental y en la salud pública obliga a la aplicación de tratamientos alternativos como los hongos entomopatógenos. El estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar el efecto del hongo Beuveria bassiana sobre el parásito en ovinos naturalmente infestados. Se utilizaron 15 ovejas adultas Hampshire cruzadas, distribuidas al azar en tres tratamientos de aspersión con diluciones: T1: 3.2 x108 conidios/ml, T2: 3.2x108 conidios/ml + 5% de azúcar y T control: Agua destilada. Se realizó el conteo diario de los parásitos sobre el animal para determinar la densidad poblacional y la eficacia de los tratamientos. La densidad poblacional fue controlada a partir del día 14 con B. bassiana, reduciendo la presencia de la ked en un 90% (T1 y T2), frente a un 5.9% en el T Control (p<0.05). El estudio sugiere que B. bassiana funciona con una eficacia de 89.3% para el control de M. ovinus

Rickettsiae in red fox (Vulpes vulpes), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) and their ticks in northwestern China

Background Previously, twelve Rickettsia species were identified in ticks, fleas, sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus), bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and a tick-bitten patient in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in northwestern China. Here we aimed to molecularly detect rickettsial agents in red fox (Vulpes vulpes), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) and their ticks. Methods During 2018–2019, 12 red foxes, one marbled polecat and their ticks were sampled in two counties and a city of the XUAR. The heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney of these 13 carnivores were dissected, followed by DNA extraction. Hard ticks were identified both morphologically and molecularly. All samples were examined for the presence of rickettsiae by amplifying four genetic markers (17-kDa, gltA, ompA, sca1). Results A total of 26 adult ticks and 28 nymphs (38 Ixodes canisuga, nine Ixodes kaiseri, six Haemaphysalis erinacei and one Dermacentor marginatus) were collected from red foxes, and four Ha. erinacei ticks were removed from the marbled polecat. Analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences indicated that 2–32 nucleotides differed between I. canisuga, I. kaiseri and Ha. erinacei from northwestern China and Europe. Rickettsia raoultii was detected in three red foxes, Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae in a red fox, Rickettsia sibirica in a red fox and a marbled polecat, and R. raoultii in two tick species (I. canisuga and D. marginatus). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, I. canisuga and I. kaiseri have not been previously reported from red foxes in China. The DNA of R. sibirica and R. raoultii was detected for the first time in the organs of red foxes, and R. sibirica in the organs of a marbled polecat. This is also the first molecular evidence for the presence of R. raoultii in I. canisuga. Our findings expand the range of tick-borne pathogens in wildlife species and associated ticks in China.

Vector-Borne Pathogens with Veterinary and Public Health Significance in Melophagus ovinus (Sheep Ked) from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Melophagus ovinus (sheep ked) is a hematophagous ectoparasite that mainly parasitizes sheep. In addition to causing inflammation, wool loss, and skin damage to the animal hosts, M. ovinus also serves as a vector for a variety of pathogens and is highly likely to participate in the life and transmission cycle of pathogenic organisms. Herein, we investigated the presence and molecular characterization of vector-borne pathogens in M. ovinus from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. A total of 92 M. ovinus pools collected from the Qinghai province of China were screened for the presence of selected vector-borne pathogens. The overall positive rate of A. ovis, A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, and T. ovis in M. ovinus was 39.1%, 17.4%, 9.8%, and 89.1%, respectively. All of the samples were negative for Border disease virus (BDV), other Anaplasma species, Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Borrelia spp. Co-infection of different Anaplasma species and T. ovis occurred in 51.2% of all samples with T. ovis. The positive rates of A. ovis, A. bovis, and A. phagocytophilum in different regions and altitudes of the sampling sites were significantly different. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of target genes confirmed their identity with corresponding pathogens. Our results elucidate the occurrence and molecular characterization of Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. in M. ovinus, which could act as potential zoonotic reservoirs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the detection of A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum DNA in M. ovinus. This study gives the first extensive molecular survey of vector-borne pathogens with veterinary and public health significance in M. ovinus from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China.

Список мух-кровососок (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) Среднего и Нижнего Поволжья

В статье приведены новые сведения о фауне мух-кровососок Среднего и Нижнего Поволжья. Материал собран на территории Республики Татарстан (2018) и Саратовской области (2014, 2016– 2018, 2020). На основании литературных данных и личных сборов показано, что фауна мух- кровососок представлена не менее чем 10 видами: Crataerina pallida (Olivier in Latreille, 1811), Icosta ardeae (Macquart, 1835), Olfersia fumipennis (Sahlberg, 1886), O. spinifera (?) (Leach, 1817), Ornithoica turdi (Olivier in Latreille, 1811), Ornithomya avicularia Linnaeus, 1758, O. chloropus Bergroth, 1901, O. fringillina Curtis, 1836, Ornithophila metallica (Schiner, 1864), Lipoptena cervi (Linnaeus,1758), Melophagus ovinus (?) (Linnaeus,1758). Впервые для территории Среднего Поволжья приводится C. pallida, для Нижнего Поволжья – O. avicularia, для Среднего и Нижнего Поволжья – L. cervi.

Rickettsiae in Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes), Marbled Polecat (Vormela Peregusna) and Their Ticks in Northwestern China

BackgroundPreviously, twelve Rickettsia species were found in ticks, fleas, sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus), bats (common pipistrelle: Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and a tick-bitten patient in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), northwestern China. Here we aimed to molecularly detect rickettsial agents in red fox (Vulpes vulpes), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) and their ticks.MethodsDuring 2018-2019, 12 red foxes, 1 marbled polecat and their ticks were sampled in two counties and a city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (northwestern China). The heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney of these 13 carnivores were dissected, followed by DNA extraction. Hard ticks were identified both morphologically and molecularly. All samples were examined for the presence of rickettsiae by amplifying four genetic markers.ResultsA total of 26 adult ticks and 28 nymphs (38 Ixodes canisuga, nine Ixodes kaiseri, six Haemaphysalis erinacei and one Dermacentor marginatus) were collected from red foxes, and four H. erinacei ticks were removed from a marbled polecat. Analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences indicated that 2-32 nucleotides differed between I. canisuga, I. kaiseri and H. erinacei from northwestern China and Europe. Rickettsia raoultii was detected in three red foxes, Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae in a red fox, Rickettsia sibirica in a red fox and a marbled polecat, and R. raoultii in two tick species (I. canisuga and D. marginatus).ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, I. canisuga and I. kaiseri have not been previously reported from red foxes in China. The DNA of R. sibirica and R. raoultii was detected for the first time in organs of red foxes, and R. sibirica in organs of marbled polecat. This is also the first molecular evidence for the presence of R. raoultii in I. canisuga. Our findings add to the range of tick-borne pathogens in wildlife species and associated ticks in China.

Vector-Borne Pathogens With Veterinary and Public Health Significance in Melophagus Ovinus (Sheep Ked) From the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

BackgroundMelophagus ovinus (sheep ked) is a hematophagous ectoparasite that mainly parasitizes sheep. In addition to causing inflammation, wool loss and skin damage to the animal hosts, M. ovinus also serves as a vector for a variety of pathogens and is highly likely to participate in the life and transmission cycle of pathogenic organisms. MethodsHerein, we investigated the presence and molecular characterization of vector-borne pathogens in M. ovinus from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. ResultsA total of 92 M. ovinus pools (n=276) collected from Qinghai province of China were screened for the presence of selected vector-borne pathogens. The overall prevalence of A. ovis, A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, and T. ovis in M. ovinus was 39.1%, 17.4%, 9.8%, and 89.1%, respectively. All of the samples were negative for BDV, other Anaplasma species, Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Borrelia spp. Co-infection of different Anaplasma species and T. ovis occurred in 51.2% of all samples with T. ovis. The positive rates of A. ovis, A. bovis, and A. phagocytophilum in different region and altitude of the sampling sites were significantly different. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of target genes confirmed their identity with corresponding pathogens. ConclusionOur results elucidate the occurrence and genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. in M. ovinus, which could act as potential zoonotic reservoirs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the detection of A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum DNA in M. ovinus. This study gives the first extensive molecular survey of vector-borne pathogens with veterinary and public health significance in M. ovinus from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China.