Babesia lengau
 sp. nov., a Novel
 Babesia
 Species in Cheetah (
 Acinonyx jubatus
 , Schreber, 1775) Populations in South Africa

Bosman, Anna-Mari; Oosthuizen, Marinda C.; Peirce, M. A.; Venter, Estelle Hildegard; Penzhorn, Barend Louis

doi:10.1128/jcm.02266-09

Cited by 41 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Although our analysis and others (Fig 1) suggest that this is an older lineage that diverged after the Babesia microti group, these organisms have only been recognized within the last few decades [22,78–82], and many are not yet fully understood. Originally thought to be localized in the Western United States, the discovery of Babesia lengau and lengau -like species in Africa and Europe verified that organisms in this clade are distributed worldwide [79,80,82]. Currently described vertebrate hosts include ungulates, humans, and carnivores, while tick vectors remain unknown [22,78–82].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitochondrial Genome Sequences and Structures Aid in the Resolution of Piroplasmida phylogeny

et al. 2016

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The taxonomy of the order Piroplasmida, which includes a number of clinically and economically relevant organisms, is a hotly debated topic amongst parasitologists. Three genera (Babesia, Theileria, and Cytauxzoon) are recognized based on parasite life cycle characteristics, but molecular phylogenetic analyses of 18S sequences have suggested the presence of five or more distinct Piroplasmida lineages. Despite these important advancements, a few studies have been unable to define the taxonomic relationships of some organisms (e.g. C. felis and T. equi) with respect to other Piroplasmida. Additional evidence from mitochondrial genome sequences and synteny should aid in the inference of Piroplasmida phylogeny and resolution of taxonomic uncertainties. In this study, we have amplified, sequenced, and annotated seven previously uncharacterized mitochondrial genomes (Babesia canis, Babesia vogeli, Babesia rossi, Babesia sp. Coco, Babesia conradae, Babesia microti-like sp., and Cytauxzoon felis) and identified additional ribosomal fragments in ten previously characterized mitochondrial genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated mitochondrial and 18S sequences as well as cox1 amino acid sequence identified five distinct Piroplasmida groups, each of which possesses a unique mitochondrial genome structure. Specifically, our results confirm the existence of four previously identified clades (B. microti group, Babesia sensu stricto, Theileria equi, and a Babesia sensu latu group that includes B. conradae) while supporting the integration of Theileria and Cytauxzoon species into a single fifth taxon. Although known biological characteristics of Piroplasmida corroborate the proposed phylogeny, more investigation into parasite life cycles is warranted to further understand the evolution of the Piroplasmida. Our results provide an evolutionary framework for comparative biology of these important animal and human pathogens and help focus renewed efforts toward understanding the phylogenetic relationships within the group.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitochondrial Genome Sequences and Structures Aid in the Resolution of Piroplasmida phylogeny

et al. 2016

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“…The reason for differences in Babesia and Hepatozoon prevalence between hosts is unknown, primarily because very little is known about the life cycles, transmission routes, host specificity, or pathogenic potential of these carnivore parasites. Asymptomatic infections with Babesia and Hepatozoon wild African carnivores are common (McCully et al 1975;Averbeck et al 1990;Van Heerden et al 1995;LopezRebollar et al 1999;Penzhorn et al 2001;Penzhorn 2006;Bosman et al 2007;Bosman et al 2010;Githaka et al 2012); however, there are reports of disease in hyenas with Hepatozoon (East et al 2008) and Babesia can cause disease in lions if parasites are present in high numbers or if hosts are immunosuppressed or stressed (Penzhorn 2006;Munson et al 2008). Finally, a combination of morphological and molecular characterization of these parasites would greatly enhance our ability to compare contemporary studies with historical studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and diversity of Babesia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia, and Bartonella in wild and domestic carnivores from Zambia, Africa

et al. 2013

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A molecular survey was conducted for several hemoparasites of domestic dogs and three species of wild carnivores from two sites in Zambia. Three Babesia spp. were detected including Babesia felis and Babesia leo in lions (Panthera leo) and a Babesia sp. (similar to Babesia lengau) in spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) and a single lion. All wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and domestic dogs were negative for Babesia . High prevalences for Hepatozoon were noted in all three wild carnivores (38-61 %) and in domestic dogs (13 %). Significantly higher prevalences were noted in hyenas and wild dogs compared with domestic dogs and lions. All carnivores were PCR negative for Ehrlichia canis , Ehrlichia ewingii, and Bartonella spp. Overall, high prevalences and diversity of Babesia and Hepatozoon were noted in wild carnivores from Zambia. This study is the first molecular characterization of Babesia from any hyena species and is the first report of a Babesia sp. closely related to B. lengau, a parasite previously only reported from cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus ), in lions and hyenas. Although usually benign in wild carnivores, these hemoparasites can be pathogenic under certain circumstances. Importantly, data on vectors for these parasites are lacking, so studies are needed to identify vectors as well as determine transmission routes, infection dynamics, and host specificity of these hemoparasites in wildlife in Africa and also the risk of transmission between domestic animals and wildlife.

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“…Unlike the rRNA genes which are highly conserved between closely related species, the spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) are subject to higher evolutionary rates and are therefore more variable in their lengths and nucleotide composition (Hillis and Dixon, 1991). These regions have therefore been used for the discrimination of closely related species and subspecies, and in the description of new species (Zahler et al, 1998;Holman et al, 2003;Lew et al, 2003;Aktas et al, 2007;de Rojas et al, 2007;Hilpertshauser et al, 2007;Saito-Ito et al, 2008;Niu et al, 2009;Bosman et al, 2010).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogeny of Theileria buffeli genotypes identified in the South African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) population

Chaisi

Collins

Oosthuizen

2014

Veterinary Parasitology

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Theileria buffeli/T. sergenti/T. orientalis is a group of benign and mildly pathogenic species of cattle and buffalo. In a previous study, we identified T .buffeli in blood samples originating from the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Park (HIP) and the Addo Elephant Game Park (AEGP) in South Africa. The aim of this study was to characterize the 18S rRNA gene and complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) region of T. buffeli samples, and to establish the phylogenetic position of this species based on these loci. The 18S rRNA gene and the complete ITS region were amplified from DNA extracted from blood samples originating from buffalo in these localities. The PCR products were cloned and the resulting recombinants sequenced. We identified novel T. buffeli 18S rRNA gene and ITS genotypes from buffalo in the AEGP, and novel T. sinensis 18S rRNA genotypes from buffalo in the HIP. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the T. buffeli-like sequences were similar to T. buffeli sequences from cattle and buffalo in China and India, and the T. sinensis-like sequences were similar to T. sinensis 18S rRNA sequences of cattle and yak in China. There was extensive sequence variation between the novel T.1 buffeli genotypes of the African buffalo and previously described T. buffeli and T. sinensis genotypes. The presence of organisms with T. buffeli-like and T. sinensis-like genotypes in the African buffalo could be of significant importance, particularly to the cattle industry in South Africa as these animals might act as sources of infections to naïve cattle. This is the first report on the characterization of the full-length 18S rRNA gene and ITS region of T. buffeli and T. sinensis genotypes in South Africa. Our study provides invaluable information towards the classification of this complex group of benign and mildly pathogenic species.

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Babesia lengau sp. nov., a Novel Babesia Species in Cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus , Schreber, 1775) Populations in South Africa

Cited by 41 publications

References 42 publications

Mitochondrial Genome Sequences and Structures Aid in the Resolution of Piroplasmida phylogeny

Mitochondrial Genome Sequences and Structures Aid in the Resolution of Piroplasmida phylogeny

Prevalence and diversity of Babesia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia, and Bartonella in wild and domestic carnivores from Zambia, Africa

Phylogeny of Theileria buffeli genotypes identified in the South African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) population

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