Genetic diversity of vector-borne pathogens in spotted and brown hyenas from Namibia and Tanzania relates to ecological conditions rather than host taxonomy

Abstract

Background Improved knowledge on vector-borne pathogens in wildlife will help determine their effect on host species at the population and individual level and whether these are affected by anthropogenic factors such as global climate change and landscape changes. Here, samples from brown hyenas (Parahyaena brunnea) from Namibia (BHNA) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) from Namibia (SHNA) and Tanzania (SHTZ) were screened for vector-borne pathogens to assess the frequency and genetic diversity of pathogens and the effect of ecological conditions and host taxonomy on this diversity. Methods Tissue samples from BHNA (n = 17), SHNA (n = 19) and SHTZ (n = 25) were analysed by PCRs targeting Anaplasmataceae, Rickettsia spp., piroplasms, specifically Babesia lengau-like piroplasms, Hepatozoidae and filarioids. After sequencing, maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses were conducted. Results The relative frequency of Anaplasmataceae was significantly higher in BHNA (82.4%) and SHNA (100.0%) than in SHTZ (32.0%). Only Anaplasma phagocytophilum/platys-like and Anaplasma bovis-like sequences were detected. Rickettsia raoultii was found in one BHNA and three SHTZ. This is the first report of R. raoultii from sub-Saharan Africa. Babesia lengau-like piroplasms were found in 70.6% of BHNA, 88.9% of SHNA and 32.0% of SHTZ, showing higher sequence diversity than B. lengau from South African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). In one SHTZ, a Babesia vogeli-like sequence was identified. Hepatozoon felis-like parasites were identified in 64.7% of BHNA, 36.8% of SHNA and 44.0% of SHTZ. Phylogenetic analysis placed the sequences outside the major H. felis cluster originating from wild and domestic felids. Filarioids were detected in 47.1% of BHNA, 47.4% of SHNA and 36.0% of SHTZ. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high genetic diversity and suggested the presence of several undescribed species. Co-infections were frequently detected in SHNA and BHNA (BHNA median 3 pathogens, range 1–4; SHNA median 3 pathogens, range 2–4) and significantly rarer in SHTZ (median 1, range 0–4, 9 individuals uninfected). Conclusions The frequencies of all pathogens groups were high, and except for Rickettsia, multiple species and genotypes were identified for each pathogen group. Ecological conditions explained pathogen identity and diversity better than host taxonomy. Graphic Abstract

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia Species in Ixodid Ticks from Selected Regions of Namibia

“…In our study, the overall MIR was 8.6%, which is within the prevalence range (3-77%) reported in other studies on ticks conducted in countries bordering Namibia [25][26][27][36][37][38][39][40], with the variability hypothesized to be due to factors such as ecological differences (biotic and abiotic) in different locations [41]. The detection of Rickettsia species in ticks from our study, coupled with the serological evidence of exposure to SFGR in humans [28] and molecular reports of the pathogen in hyenas [42], indicates the existence of transmission cycles of Rickettsia species in the country.…”

Anaplasma Species in Africa—A Century of Discovery: A Review on Molecular Epidemiology, Genetic Diversity, and Control

“…Another unclassified Anaplasma sp. was detected in 32% of spotted hyenas sampled from Tanzania and in 100% of spotted hyenas and 82.4% of brown hyenas from Namibia using PCR primers that amplified a partial fragment of the 16S rRNA gene [ 148 ]. Use of 16S rRNA gene PCR also detected an Anaplasma sp.…”

Canine Babesiosis Caused by Large Babesia Species: Global Prevalence and Risk Factors—A Review

“…The number of examined cheetahs was too low for any speculations about the possibility of B. vogeli infection in these cats. Before further discussion of B. vogeli infections, it is worth mentioning a study by Krücken et al [ 303 ] examining vector-borne pathogens in brown and spotted hyenas from Namibia and Tanzania. They identified a DNA sequence similar (similarity 96.9%) to the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of B. vogeli in the blood of one presumably asymptomatic spotted hyena ( Crocuta crocuta Erxleben, 1777) from Tanzania.…”

“…They identified a DNA sequence similar (similarity 96.9%) to the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of B. vogeli in the blood of one presumably asymptomatic spotted hyena ( Crocuta crocuta Erxleben, 1777) from Tanzania. The authors suggested that this could represent an unknown species from the Babesia genus or a subspecies of B. vogeli [ 303 ]. As such, it is worth considering that B. vogeli may infect not only carnivores of the Canidae and Felidae families, but also animals of the Hyaenidae family.…”