Evolutionary analysis of Babesia vulpes and Babesia microti-like parasites

Lee, Sang‐Hyun; Hong, Yeonchul; Chung, Dong‐Il; Jang, Hyung‐Kwan; Goo, Youn‐Kyoung; Xuan, Xuenan

doi:10.1186/s13071-022-05528-9

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Based on our previous study of piroplasms in raccoons and other studies on B. microti -like sp. piroplasms, we expected to see geographic genetic variation in the skunk piroplasms [ 10 , 19 ]. We did see some evidence of this, with Group 1 containing distinct clusters for the California samples and the South Carolina sample.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity of Babesia spp. in skunks from selected states in the United States of America

Garrett,

Brown,

Gabriel

et al. 2024

Parasite

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Babesia species are intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites that infect a variety of hosts. The goal of this study was to evaluate the piroplasm species present in skunks in various states in the United States and determine whether there was any geographic variation. Spleen, whole blood, or blood on filter paper were received from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, and California, and were tested for Babesia sp. We tested four species of skunks including striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis, n = 72), eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius, n = 28), western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis, n = 15), and hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus leuconotus, n = 11). A PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA region and cox1 region were used to determine if skunks were infected with piroplasms and for phylogenetic analyses. A total of 48.4% (61/126) of skunks tested positive for a Babesia species. Both the 18S and cox1 analysis supported a skunk-specific Babesia microti-like sp. of carnivores as well as a species in the B. microti complex that is phylogenetically unique from both B. microti of humans and the B. microti-like sp. of carnivores. In the 18S analysis, there was a third species of Babesia in hog-nosed skunks in the western piroplasm group. This study shows that at least three species of piroplasms occur in skunk species in the United States and further highlights the importance of phylogenetic analyses and the use of multiple gene targets when studying piroplasms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity of Babesia spp. in skunks from selected states in the United States of America

Garrett,

Brown,

Gabriel

et al. 2024

Parasite

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“…We also confirmed the identity of the isolate using the mitochondrial marker cytB , as it proved powerful for the clear delineation of closely related piroplasmid species [ 45 , 74 ]. The use of the 18S rRNA gene sequence alone can be problematic in future, especially with a growing number of B. microti -like isolates from different hosts and geographical localities [ 75 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of invasive carnivores (Procyon lotor and Nyctereutes procyonoides) in epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens: molecular survey from the Czech Republic

Daněk,

Lesiczka,

Hammerbauerova

et al. 2023

Parasites Vectors

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Background Vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) are a major threat to humans, livestock and companion animals worldwide. The combined effect of climatic, socioeconomic and host composition changes favours the spread of the vectors, together with the expansion of invasive carnivores contributing to the spread of the pathogens. In Europe, the most widespread invasive species of carnivores are raccoons (Procyon lotor) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides). This study focused on the detection of four major groups of VBPs namely Babesia, Hepatozoon, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Bartonella in invasive and native carnivores in the Czech Republic, with the emphasis on the role of invasive carnivores in the eco-epidemiology of said VBPs. Methods Spleen samples of 84 carnivores of eight species (Canis aureus, Canis lupus, Lynx lynx, P. lotor, Martes foina, Lutra lutra, Mustela erminea and N. procyonoides) were screened by combined nested PCR and sequencing for the above-mentioned VBPs targeting 18S rRNA and cytB in hemoprotozoa, groEL in A. phagocytophilum, and using multilocus genotyping in Bartonella spp. The species determination is supported by phylogenetic analysis inferred by the maximum likelihood method. Results Out of 84 samples, 44% tested positive for at least one pathogen. Five different species of VBPs were detected in P. lotor, namely Bartonella canis, Hepatozoon canis, Hepatozoon martis, A. phagocytophilum and Bartonella sp. related to Bartonella washoensis. All C. lupus tested positive for H. canis and one for B. canis. Three VBPs (Hepatozoon silvestris, A. phagocytophilum and Bartonella taylorii) were detected in L. lynx for the first time. Babesia vulpes and yet undescribed species of Babesia, not previously detected in Europe, were found in N. procyonoides. Conclusions Wild carnivores in the Czech Republic are hosts of several VBPs with potential veterinary and public health risks. Among the studied carnivore species, the invasive raccoon is the most competent host. Raccoons are the only species in our study where all the major groups of studied pathogens were detected. None of the detected pathogen species were previously detected in these carnivores in North America, suggesting that raccoons adapted to local VBPs rather than introduced new ones. Babesia vulpes and one new, probably imported species of Babesia, were found in raccoon dogs. Graphical abstract

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“…microti, B. annae and Babesia Spanish dog isolate. [ 18 , 19 ]. Therefore, studies were excluded if they reported the prevalence of Babesia cf.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nucleic Acid Prevalence of Zoonotic Babesia in Humans, Animals and Questing Ticks, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Yao

Tian

et al. 2023

TropicalMed

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Background: Zoonotic Babesia infections are an emerging public health threat globally. The geographical distribution, animal reservoirs and tick vectors vary greatly across Babesia species, and estimations of prevalence reported in works within the literature are also quite different. Better prevalence estimates and identification of moderators are needed to understand the global transmission risk of different zoonotic Babesia species, and to provide crucial background information for the diagnosis, treatment and control of zoonotic babesiosis. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the global nucleic acid prevalence of different zoonotic Babesia species in humans, animals and ticks. Relevant publications were obtained from several electronic databases and grey literature up to December 2021. Articles were included if they were published in English or Chinese and reported the nucleic acid prevalence of zoonotic Babesia species in humans, animals or ticks. The pooled estimates of prevalence were determined using a random effect model. Heterogeneity was investigated using subgroup analyses and random effect meta-regression models. Results: Of 3205 unique studies, 28 were included by the systematic review of zoonotic Babesia for humans, 79 for animals and 104 for ticks. The results showed overall pooled estimates of nucleic acid prevalence for the following: B. microti—1.93% (0.32–4.69%) in humans; B. microti—7.80% (5.25–10.77%), B. divergens—2.12% (0.73–4.08%) and B. venatorum—1.42% (0.30–3.16%) in animals; and B. microti—2.30% (1.59–3.13%), B. divergens—0.16% (0.05–0.32%), and B. venatorum—0.39% (0.26–0.54%) in questing ticks. The type of population, animal reservoir or tick vector, detecting method and continent were moderators possibly associated with heterogeneity, yet the remaining heterogeneity that was not explained was still substantial (all QE p values < 0.05). Conclusions: B. microti is the most prevalent and widely distributed zoonotic Babesia species globally. The wide range of suitable animal reservoirs and potential transmission vectors and high prevalence in animals and ticks may contribute to the worldwide distribution of B. microti. Other zoonotic Babesia species were relatively less prevalent and were reported in quite limited areas.

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Evolutionary analysis of Babesia vulpes and Babesia microti-like parasites

Cited by 4 publications

References 34 publications

Diversity of Babesia spp. in skunks from selected states in the United States of America

Diversity of Babesia spp. in skunks from selected states in the United States of America

Role of invasive carnivores (Procyon lotor and Nyctereutes procyonoides) in epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens: molecular survey from the Czech Republic

Nucleic Acid Prevalence of Zoonotic Babesia in Humans, Animals and Questing Ticks, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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