Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Multiple Tissue Samples of Wild Carnivores in Romania

Matei, Ioana Adriana; Ivan, Talida; Ionică, Angela Monica; D’Amico, Gianluca; Deak, Georgiana; Nadăş, G.; Novac, Cristiana Ștefania; Gherman, Călin Mircea; Mihalca, Andrei Daniel

doi:10.7589/jwd-d-20-00158

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The spleen and liver samples of two carnivores, a European wildcat (F. silvestris) and a European pine marten (M. martes), and only the spleen sample (but not the liver DNA extract) of a Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) were positive in the 16S rRNA gene PCR to detect Anaplasmataceae. This is in line with the observation that the spleen is a more likely source of A. phagocytophilum detection than the liver (Matei et al, 2021).…”

supporting

confidence: 90%

“…In summary, although the sample size was relatively small in this study and all seven mammalian species involved were represented by only one to four individuals, the results are new in an international context. First, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the zoonotic variant of A. phagocytophilum in wildcat in a worldwide context, because the ecotype of this pathogen reported recently in the same host species was not identified (Matei et al, 2021). Similarly, while a broad range of mustelids were screened for A. phagocytophilum in Western Europe (Hofmeester et al, 2018), ecotype-I could only be identified in the European polecat (Mustela putorius) but not in European pine martens as shown here for the first time.…”

mentioning

confidence: 94%

“…In particular, the most important synanthropic hosts of ecotype-I are dogs, cats, horses, and several wild living urban or peri-urban mammals, as exemplified by wild boars, red foxes and hedgehogs, but not birds and murine or cricetid rodents (Jahfari et al, 2014;Matei et al, 2019;Jaarsma et al, 2019). However, the epidemiological role of non-canid wild carnivores and non-murine/cricetid rodents remains to be elucidated, as relevant data were published only sporadically and the ecotype(s) these hosts may harbour is (are) not always reported (e.g., in Matei et al, 2021).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Zoonotic ecotype-I of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in sympatric wildcat, pine marten and red squirrel – Short communication

Hornok

Boldogh

Takács

et al. 2022

AVet

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Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans, dogs, cats, horses and tick-borne fever in ruminants. In Europe, its main vector is the tick species Ixodes ricinus. In this study, spleen and liver samples, as well as ticks from 18 wild-living mammals (belonging to seven species) were analysed for the presence of A. phagocytophilum with molecular methods. The zoonotic ecotype-I of A. phagocytophilum was identified in a European wildcat (Felis silvestris) and its tick, a European pine marten (Martes martes) and a Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). All PCR-positive samples were collected in 2019 and originated in the same geographic area. These results indicate that taxonomically diverse mammalian species can maintain the local enzootic cycle of the same genotype of A. phagocytophilum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the zoonotic variant of A. phagocytophilum in the wildcat and in the European pine marten in a broad geographical context, as well as in the red squirrel in Hungary. Since all these host species are well known for their urban and peri-urban presence, the results of this study verify their role in the synanthropic enzootic cycle of granulocytic anaplasmosis and tick-borne fever.

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confidence: 94%

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confidence: 99%

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Zoonotic ecotype-I of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in sympatric wildcat, pine marten and red squirrel – Short communication

Hornok

Boldogh

Takács

et al. 2022

AVet

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“…Wild carnivores are more commonly investigated for parasites using parasitological necropsy [ 3 ], which involves macroscopic inspection for the detection of visible parasites such as ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, lice, Hippoboscidae) [ 187 , 188 ] or endoparasites (adult helminths) and microscopic techniques for the detection of specific localized parasites (e.g., Trichinella spp. larvae in muscles or Otodectes cynotis mites in the ear canal) [ 189 ] or even complementary techniques like histological examination, serology, or DNA analyses using specific tissue samples [ 190 , 191 ]. However, the parasitological investigation correlates with the general state of the carcass, and the diagnosis should be based on all aspects that can influence the results.…”

Section: Analysis Of Tissuementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Commonly, for the identification of T. gondii , brain tissue is preferred [ 257 ]. Isolation of DNA for detection of parasites or other pathogens is possible from a wide range of tissues, including the skin, bone marrow, nasal and ocular swabs, lymph nodes, and urinary bladder [ 191 , 258 ]. Tissue samples used for molecular parasite detection methods can either be stored in 70% ethanol or kept frozen [ 103 ].…”

Section: Analysis Of Tissuementioning

confidence: 99%

Wildlife parasitology: sample collection and processing, diagnostic constraints, and methodological challenges in terrestrial carnivores

Rojas,

Germitsch,

Oren

et al. 2024

Parasites Vectors

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Wild terrestrial carnivores play a crucial role as reservoir, maintenance, and spillover hosts for a wide parasite variety. They may harbor, shed, and transmit zoonotic parasites and parasites of veterinary importance for domestic hosts. Although wild carnivores are globally distributed and comprise many different species, some living in close proximity to human settlements, only a few studies have investigated parasites of wild terrestrial carnivores using non-specific techniques. Access to samples of wild carnivores may be challenging as some species are protected, and others are secretive, possibly explaining the data paucity. Considering the importance of wild carnivores’ health and ecological role, combined with the lack of specific diagnostic methodologies, this review aims to offer an overview of the diagnostic methods for parasite investigation in wild terrestrial carnivores, providing the precise techniques for collection and analysis of fecal, blood, and tissue samples, the environmental impact on said samples, and the limitations researchers currently face in analyzing samples of wild terrestrial carnivores. In addition, this paper offers some crucial information on how different environmental factors affect parasite detection postmortem and how insects can be used to estimate the time of death with a specific highlight on insect larvae. The paper contains a literature review of available procedures and emphasizes the need for diagnostic method standardization in wild terrestrial carnivores. Graphical Abstract

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Circulation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum among invasive and native carnivore species living in sympatry in Poland

Lesiczka,

Myśliwy,

Buńkowska-Gawlik

et al. 2023

Parasites Vectors

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Background Anaplasma phagocytophilum is characterized by a worldwide distribution and distinguished from other Anaplasmataceae by the broadest range of mammalian hosts and high genetic diversity. The role carnivores play in the life cycle of A. phagocytophilum in Europe is uncertain. Currently, only the red fox is considered a suitable reservoir host. In this study, we focused on native and invasive medium-sized carnivore species that live in sympatry and represent the most abundant species of wild carnivores in Poland. Methods A total of 275 individual spleen samples from six carnivore species (Vulpes vulpes, Meles meles, Procyon lotor, Nyctereutes procyonoides and Martes spp.) were screened combining nested PCR and sequencing for A. phagocytophilum targeting a partial groEL gene with subsequent phylogenetic analysis inferred by the maximum likelihood method. Results The DNA of A. phagocytophilum was detected in 16 of 275 individuals (5.8%). Eight unique genetic variants of A. phagocytophilum were obtained. All detected haplotypes clustered in the clade representing European ecotype I. Three variants belonged to the subclade with European human cases together with strains from dogs, foxes, cats, and wild boars. Conclusions While carnivores might have a restricted role in the dissemination of A. phagocytophilum due to their relatively low to moderate infection rates, they hold significance as hosts for ticks. Consequently, they could contribute to the transmission of tick-borne infections to humans indirectly, primarily through tick infection. This underscores the potential risk of urbanization for the A. phagocytophilum life cycle, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive understanding of its ecological dynamics. Graphical Abstract

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Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Multiple Tissue Samples of Wild Carnivores in Romania

Cited by 4 publications

References 18 publications

Zoonotic ecotype-I of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in sympatric wildcat, pine marten and red squirrel – Short communication

Zoonotic ecotype-I of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in sympatric wildcat, pine marten and red squirrel – Short communication

Wildlife parasitology: sample collection and processing, diagnostic constraints, and methodological challenges in terrestrial carnivores

Circulation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum among invasive and native carnivore species living in sympatry in Poland

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