Detection of Theileria luwenshuni in sheep from Great Britain

Phipps, L. P.; Hernández‐Triana, Luis M.; Goharriz, Hooman; Welchman, D. de B.; Johnson, Nicholas

doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1486-5

Cited by 32 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The approach has also successfully detected Theileria spp. in the UK in sheep [17] and cattle [18]. Co-infection with A. phagocytophilum and tick-borne pathogens such as B. divergens and louping ill virus [19] has been shown to increase the severity of disease in livestock and should be considered when diagnosing clinical cases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An outbreak of bovine babesiosis in February, 2019, triggered by above average winter temperatures in southern England and co-infection with Babesia divergens and Anaplasma phagocytophilum

et al. 2020

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Background Bovine babesiosis, commonly known as redwater fever, is a sporadic tick-borne disease in the United Kingdom. Outbreaks occur during the spring, summer and autumn months when ticks are active. This study reports the findings of an investigation of an outbreak of bovine babesiosis during the winter month of February, 2019. Methods DNA from blood, organ and tick samples taken from affected cattle were tested for the presence of piroplasm and Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA using PCRs directed to the 18S rRNA gene and msp2 gene respectively. The species of piroplasm was confirmed by sequencing. Results Babesia divergens DNA was detected in the blood of five cattle displaying clinical signs of babesiosis within a herd of twenty. This parasite was also detected in three of ten ticks removed from one of the affected cattle. In addition, A. phagocytophilum was detected in three cattle tested and two of ten of the ticks. Conclusions An outbreak of bovine babesiosis during February is unusual as the tick vector, Ixodes ricinus, does not generally become active until temperatures rise later in the year. February of 2019 was unusual as average temperatures during the first week of the month reached over 10 °C, well above historical averages that are typically below 5 °C, and a temperature at which ticks can become active. This unusual weather event is likely to have triggered tick questing, that combined with a co-infection with two tick-borne pathogens caused the severe outbreak of disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An outbreak of bovine babesiosis in February, 2019, triggered by above average winter temperatures in southern England and co-infection with Babesia divergens and Anaplasma phagocytophilum

et al. 2020

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“…In April 2005, 25 of a group of 60 ewes grazing on Cooling Marsh, near Cliffe died in an outbreak of ovine theileriosis ( Theileria luwenshuni ) associated with heavy H. punctata infestation (Phipps et al ., ). Following discussion with a local veterinarian in north Kent, field sampling was conducted by PHE/APHA in early May 2011 at this site and 35 males, 42 females and 84 nymphs were collected.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Has the red sheep tick, Haemaphysalis punctata, recently expanded its range in England?

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et al. 2018

Medical Vet Entomology

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The red sheep tick, Haemaphysalis punctata (Ixodida: Ixodidae), has been reported as present in the U.K. for more than a century; however, very little has been written about its distribution. In recent years, numbers of detections of this tick species reported to the Public Health England (PHE) Tick Surveillance Scheme have increased. This rise in the number of records may be attributable to increased tick surveillance activities or to the increased distribution of this species of tick in parts of England. This paper reviews published reports of H. punctata and all data held by the Biological Records Centre and PHE, and summarizes a number of field studies conducted by PHE and the Animal and Plant Health Agency over the past 8 years. It would appear from the evidence presented here that H. punctata may be expanding its range across the eastern part of the South Downs National Park, where there have also been reports of this tick species biting humans. It is possible that the movement of sheep between grassland sites is facilitating this spread. Further studies that better elucidate the ecology of this tick and its possible role as a vector of human and veterinary diseases are now warranted.

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“…This was identified as T. orientalis based on genomic sequence data and although T. orientalis strains cause severe disease in cattle in Asia and Australasia, there have been no records of clinical bovine theileriosis in the UK. Ovine theileriosis caused by Theileria luwenshuni has been reported in North Kent associated with high tick burden (117).…”

Section: Theileriosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging Threats to Animals in the United Kingdom by Arthropod-Borne Diseases

et al. 2020

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Worldwide, arthropod-borne disease transmission represents one of the greatest threats to public and animal health. For the British Isles, an island group on the northwestern coast of continental Europe consisting of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland, physical separation offers a barrier to the introduction of many of the pathogens that affect animals on the rest of the continent. Added to this are strict biosecurity rules at ports of entry and the depauperate vector biodiversity found on the islands. Nevertheless, there are some indigenous arthropod-borne pathogens that cause sporadic outbreaks, such as the tick-borne louping ill virus, found almost exclusively in the British Isles, and a range of piroplasmid infections that are poorly characterized. These provide an ongoing source of infection whose emergence can be unpredictable. In addition, the risk remains for future introductions of both exotic vectors and the pathogens they harbor, and can transmit. Current factors that are driving the increases of both disease transmission and the risk of emergence include marked changes to the climate in the British Isles that have increased summer and winter temperatures, and extended the period over which arthropods are active. There have also been dramatic increases in the distribution of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile and Usutu viruses in mainland Europe that are making the introduction of these pathogens through bird migration increasingly feasible. In addition, the establishment of midge-borne bluetongue virus in the near continent has increased the risk of wind-borne introduction of infected midges and the inadvertent importation of infected cattle. Arguably the greatest risk is associated with the continual increase in the movement of people, pets and trade into the UK. This, in particular, is driving the introduction of invasive arthropod species that either bring disease-causing pathogens, or are known competent vectors, that increase the risk of disease transmission if introduced. The following review documents the current pathogen threats to animals transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and midges. This includes both indigenous and exotic pathogens to the UK. In the case of exotic pathogens, the pathway and risk of introduction are also discussed.

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Detection of Theileria luwenshuni in sheep from Great Britain

Cited by 32 publications

References 18 publications

An outbreak of bovine babesiosis in February, 2019, triggered by above average winter temperatures in southern England and co-infection with Babesia divergens and Anaplasma phagocytophilum

An outbreak of bovine babesiosis in February, 2019, triggered by above average winter temperatures in southern England and co-infection with Babesia divergens and Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Has the red sheep tick, Haemaphysalis punctata, recently expanded its range in England?

Emerging Threats to Animals in the United Kingdom by Arthropod-Borne Diseases

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