Molecular Detection and Identification of Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Anaplasma spp. in Sheep From Border Regions, Northwestern China

Abstract

Babesia, Theileria, and Anaplasma are important causative agents of tick-borne diseases that severely affect sheep. However, there is paucity in the occurrence genetic diversity of the infections of tick-borne diseases in sheep in border regions, northwestern China. In this study, nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assays and gene sequencing were used to identify tick-borne Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Anaplasma spp. infections in border regions, northwestern China. Out of 323 samples tested in this study, 225 (69.7%) sheep were infected with Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Anaplasma spp. Two hundred six (63.8%), 60 (18.6%), 54 (16.7%), 51 (15.8%), 32 (9.9%), 19 (5.9%), and 16 (5.0%) were positive for A. ovis, B. motasi-like, A. bovis, T. uilenbergi, A. phagocytophilum, T. luwenshuni, and B. motasi-like Xinjiang, respectively. The most common dual infection was with A. ovis and B. motasi-like while the most frequent triple coinfection was A. ovis, B. motasi-like, and T. uilenbergi with coinfection rates of 17.0% (55/323) and 5.0% (16/323), respectively. Sequencing analysis indicated that A. ovis MSP4, A. phagocytophilum epank1, A. bovis 16S rRNA, B. motasi-like rap1-b, B. motasi-like Xinjiang rap1-a, T. luwenshuni 18S rRNA, and T. uilenbergi 18S rRNA from border regions, northwestern China, showed 99-100% identity with documented isolates from other countries. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of T. uilenbergi and T. luwenshuni infections of sheep in border regions, northwestern China. Furthermore, these findings provide important data for understanding the distribution of Babesia, Theileria, and Anaplasma in sheep between border countries and China.

Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Four Anaplasma Species With Veterinary and Public Health Significance Identified in Tibetan Sheep (Ovis aries) and Yaks (Bos grunniens) in Qinghai, China

“…This study confirms that both A. phagocytophilum and A. bovis can infect yaks. The infection rate of A. phagocytophilum in yaks (29.4%) in this study was higher than that reported in sheep (9.9%), dairy cattle (12%), and white yaks (5.3%) in other areas of China (1,13,37), and lower than that in C. pygargus (33.3%) from Heilongjiang China (17). Since the first case of HGA, caused by A. phagocytophilum, was reported in Anhui, China (38), HGA has been reported in the USA, Europe, Africa, and Asia (11,39,40).…”

“…Currently, A. phagocytophilum, A. capra, and E. chaffeensis have been recognized as causative agents of human infection. Mixedinfection of tick-borne pathogens has also been observed in animals in other countries and regions (1,30,34,53). Above all, co-infection of tick-borne pathogens emphasizes the need for differential diagnosis of these pathogens in animal hosts and humans to improve the prevention and control of TBDs.…”

“…Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis are important diseases caused by tick-borne pathogens, which result in additional economic losses to livestock ( 1 , 2 ). To date, seven Anaplasma species have been identified, including A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. centrale, A. platys, A. marginale, A. ovis , and A. capra ( 3 , 4 ).…”

Natural infection of Trypanosoma sp. in domestic sheep from Ecuador

“…(BILGIN et al, 2017), and China 63.8% for Anaplasma ovis and between 5 to 18.6% for Babesia sp. (Li et al, 2020).…”

Infection by haemopathogens and tick infestation of sheep during summer season in Constantine region, Northeast Algeria

“…Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites that can transmit several pathogens to humans and animals (Brites‐Neto et al., 2015; Dabaja et al., 2017; Merino et al., 2013; Peter et al., 2005). Among these pathogens, Babesia , Theileria and Anaplasma infections represent in sheep a real health problem in several regions of the world (Aydin et al., 2013; Iqbal et al., 2013; Li et al., 2020; Ozubek & Aktas, 2017). The epidemiology of these infections is dramatically influenced by abiotic factors, mainly temperature and humidity (Borşan et al., 2020; Estrada‐Pena, 2009).…”