Molecular Characterization of Some Equine Vector-Borne Pathogens and Identification of Their Vectors in Egypt

Abstract

Background Equine vector borne diseases (EVBD) have been considered emerging and reemerging diseases transmitted by arthropods and most of these diseases have zoonotic concern. This study was designed to screen EVBD in equines and their vectors using molecular analyses and identify vectors by MALDI-TOF and molecular techniques.Methods A total of 335 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy equines (320 from horses and 15 from donkeys) from Cairo and Beni-Suef provinces in Egypt. A total of 166 arthropods (105 sucking flies and 61 ticks) were collected from the same animals. MALDI-TOF and molecular techniques were used to confirm the findings of morphological identification of vector. Quantitative PCR and Standard PCR coupled with sequencing were performed in equines and vectors DNA for screening multiple pathogens.Results MALDI-TOF and molecular techniques confirmed that Hippoposca equina (louse fly), Rhipicephalus annulatus (Rh. annulatus) and Rh. microplus ixodid ticks were found. In vectors, we identified Anaplasma marginale (A. marginale; 1.6%), A. platys-like (1.6%) and a new Ehrlichia sp. (4.9%) in Rh. microplus, while Ehrlichia rustica (E. rustica) was found in Rh. microplus and Rh. annulatus. Likewise, Borrelia theileri was identified in Rh. microplus (3.3%). For H. equina, Anaplasma and Borrelia sp. DNA were detected by qPCR only. In equines, A. marginale (0.6%), A. ovis (0.6%) and Theileria ovis (T. ovis; 0.6%) were found in donkeys. In horses, T. equi (1.2%) and a new Theileria sp. Africa (2.7%) were identified.Conclusions For the first time, we reported here the presence of Rh. microplus as a competent tick for Rh. annulatus in Egypt using MALDI-TOF and molecular identification. To the best of our knowledge, we provided the first detection of different pathogens as A. marginale, A. platys-like, E. rustica, new Ehrlichia sp., B. theileri in Rh. microplus, A. marginale, A. ovis and T. ovis in donkeys and a new Theileria sp. Africa in horses in Egypt.

Multiple vector-borne pathogens of domestic animals in Egypt

“…theileri was reported in Rh . annulata collected from donkeys in the same province [ 115 ]. Later, Bo .…”

The Common Occurrence of Theileria ovis in Tibetan Sheep and the First Report of Theileria sinensis in Yaks from Southern Qinghai, China

“…Single-and multi-parameter analysis indicated that the prevalence of T. ovis in sheep was significantly higher than that in yaks, suggesting that host specificity existed (Table 2; Table S1). T. ovis was previously thought to only be a parasite of sheep and goats, but T. ovis was also detected in water deer, dogs, camels, donkeys, cow, Buffalo and yaks [5,15,16]. The presence of T. ovis in yaks and significantly higher infection rate in mixed grazing region may be due to mixed grazing of sheeps and yaks that are potentially infested with ticks, which increases T. ovis transmission (Table 2) [5].…”

“…T. ovis induces benign theileriosis in sheep and goats and is considered to be widely distributed in Asia, European and Africa [9,14]. It was detected not only in sheep and goats, but also in water deer, dogs, camels, donkeys, cow, Buffalo and yaks [5,15,16]. Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum and Rhipicephalus bursa were supported to be vectors of T. ovis [7,17].…”