Molecular evidence of the reservoir competence of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) for Anaplasma marginale in Cuba

Obregón, Dasiel; Corona, Belkis; Fuente, José de la; Cabezas-Cruz, Alejandro; Gonçalves, Luiz Ricardo; Matos, Carlos António; Armas, Yasmani; Hinojosa, Yoandri; Alfonso, P; Oliveira, M. C. de S.; Machado, Rosangela Zacarias

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.06.007

Cited by 11 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…This high prevalence of buffalo positive for infection with rickettsial organisms was similar to those observed previously in Cuba (52% [20]) and Mozambique (72.2% [21]), but was higher than those reported in the Philippines (29% [22]), Malaysia (21.8% [23]), India (18.33% [24]), South Africa (17.3% [25]), Pakistan (14.73% [17]), Columbia (13.1% [26]), and northeast Thailand (8% [11]). In this study, the highest anaplasmosis prevalence was found in Southern Thailand (Phatthalung), while the lowest was at Northeastern Thailand (Nong Bua Lamphu).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

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Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma platys-like (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in water buffalo from eight provinces of Thailand

2020

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Background Anaplasmosis, an animal disease caused by rickettsial bacteria in the genus Anaplasma, is of considerable economic importance in livestock animals in many countries worldwide. The objectives of this study were to determine the identity, prevalence, and geographic distribution of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma in naturally infected water buffalo in Thailand using PCR amplification and sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA and heat shock protein groEL genes. A total of 456 buffalo blood samples from Thailand were investigated. Species identification and genetic differentiation of intra-population and inter-population with the global isolates were conducted based on nucleotide sequences. Interplay between the infection and host factors was also assessed. Results Overall, 41% of water buffalo were found to be infected with rickettsial organisms in the family Anaplasmataceae, but Ehrlichia spp., Neorickettsia spp., and Wolbachia spp. were not found in any of the sequenced samples in this study. Female buffalo were more frequently infected with bacteria in the family Anaplasmataceae than males [71 out of 176 females (40.3%) versus 11 out of 47 males (23.4%)]. The Odds Ratio value indicated that the risk of infection for female buffalo was 2.2-fold higher than that for males (p < 0.05). We detected three haplotypes of A. marginale 16S rRNA gene and they were placed in a clade that was closely related to the A. marginale in buffalo in China; and cattle in Thailand, Uganda, and China. Homology searching of groEL sequences against the GenBank™ database using the BLASTn algorithm revealed that the obtained sequences had a high percentage similarity (98.36–99.62%) to A. platys sequences. The groEL sequences of three A. platys-like isolates were clustered in the same clade as the A. platys from the tick Rhipicephalus microplus in China. Conclusions Our data showed that the apparently healthy buffalo were naturally infected by bacteria in the family Anaplasmataceae at a relatively high prevalence. We also report the finding of A. platys-like infections in water buffalo in Thailand for the first time. Water buffalo serving as the reservoir host of anaplasmosis is of concern for managing the disease control and prevention in ruminants.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…The different prevalence of A. marginale in buffalo among regions in Cuba has been reported to be dependent on environmental factors, including the tick population, season, and management system, in each farm [20]. For Thailand, one reason that can explain this variation is the diverse weather between the different regions of the country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma platys-like (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in water buffalo from eight provinces of Thailand

2020

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“…B. bovis, B. bigemina, and A. marginale are endemic in cattle populations of this region [4]. The prevalence of these pathogens in buffalo of the region is high [22,39]. For this study, two farms were selected where cattle and buffalo herds were raised together, either in immediate proximity separated by wire fences (hereafter the "Neighboring herd" group) or separated by a distance of 10 km (hereafter the "Control herd" group).…”

Section: Study Site and Samples' Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient Transovarial Transmission of Babesia Spp. in Rhipicephalus microplus Ticks Fed on Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

et al. 2020

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Water buffaloes can be infected by tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in endemic areas where cattle and buffalo coexist. Among TBPs affecting buffaloes is the Apicomplexan hemoparasites Babesia bovis and B. bigemina, transmitted by Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. However, little empirical evidence exists on whether buffalo can support TBPs’ infection and transmission. A cohort study was designed to measure the infestation levels of R. microplus in buffaloes as well as the ability of buffalo-fed ticks to transmit B. bovis and B. bigemina to their offspring. Tick infestation of different life stages was quantified in cattle and buffalo kept in field conditions in western Cuba. Engorged adult female ticks were allowed to lay eggs in controlled conditions of humidity and temperature, and reproductive parameters were measured and analyzed. Hosts and tick larvae were tested for the presence of Babesia spp. using species-specific qPCR assays. Tick infestation was not observed in adult buffaloes. However, buffalo and cattle calves were equally infested, although the larval survival rate was higher in cattle calves than in buffalo calves. All larval pools (31) obtained from the adult female ticks were positive for B. bovis, whereas only 68% (21/31) was positive for B. bigemina. Among the 10 larval pools negative for B. bigemina, three proceeded from adult females fed on Babesia-negative buffaloes. The other seven pools were from Babesia-positive animals, three from cattle and four from buffalo calves. Babesia infection levels in tick larvae, quantified by qPCR, were similar in female ticks fed on buffalo and bovine calves. We conclude that water buffalo can sustain tick vector populations and support Babesia infection in levels high enough as to be infective for ticks. Our results also validated the hypothesis that adult female ticks fed on buffalo can transmit the pathogens B. bovis and B. bigemina to their offspring. Nevertheless, further laboratory studies are needed to address the question of whether the transovarial transmission of Babesia occurs in the following settings: (1) When adult females are infected previous to the feeding on the buffalo or/and (2) when the adult females acquire the infection while feeding on the buffalo.

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“…However, epidemiological studies using molecular (i.e., Polymerase chain reaction PCR and nested (n) PCR) and serological (i.e., indirect (i) ELISA) diagnostic tests found a prevalence greater than 50% for B. bovis , B. bigemina and A. marginale in buffaloes of the western region of Cuba [ 21 , 99 ]. Prevalence and infection levels found in water buffaloes suggest that these animals are potential reservoirs of CTF pathogens in the ecoepidemiological conditions of Cuba, especially in areas where cattle and buffaloes coexist [ 100 , 101 , 102 ]. Remarkably, A. marginale strains infecting buffalo were genetically related to those infecting cattle in the same region [ 100 ], suggesting circulation of this pathogen between buffalo and cattle.…”

Section: Ticks and Tbps Infection In Water Buffalomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prevalence and infection levels found in water buffaloes suggest that these animals are potential reservoirs of CTF pathogens in the ecoepidemiological conditions of Cuba, especially in areas where cattle and buffaloes coexist [ 100 , 101 , 102 ]. Remarkably, A. marginale strains infecting buffalo were genetically related to those infecting cattle in the same region [ 100 ], suggesting circulation of this pathogen between buffalo and cattle. Furthermore, the transovarial transmission of B. bovis and B. bigemina in R. microplus engorged female ticks fed on buffalo suggests that this host species can support the life cycle of some TBPs in Cuba [ 70 ].…”

Section: Ticks and Tbps Infection In Water Buffalomentioning

confidence: 99%

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Cuba, Half a Century of Scientific Research

et al. 2020

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Ticks and the vast array of pathogens they transmit, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and helminths, constitute a growing burden for human and animal health worldwide. In Cuba, the major tropical island in the Caribbean, ticks are an important cause of vector-borne diseases affecting livestock production, pet animal health and, to a lesser extent, human health. The higher number of tick species in the country belong to the Argasidae family and, probably less known, is the presence of an autochthonous tick species in the island, Ixodes capromydis. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) affecting animal and human health in Cuba. The review covers research results including ecophysiology of ticks, the epidemiology of TBPs, and the diagnostic tools used currently in the country for the surveillance of TBPs. We also introduce the programs implemented in the country for tick control and the biotechnology research applied to the development of anti-tick vaccines.

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Molecular evidence of the reservoir competence of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) for Anaplasma marginale in Cuba

Cited by 11 publications

References 39 publications

Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma platys-like (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in water buffalo from eight provinces of Thailand

Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma platys-like (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in water buffalo from eight provinces of Thailand

Efficient Transovarial Transmission of Babesia Spp. in Rhipicephalus microplus Ticks Fed on Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Cuba, Half a Century of Scientific Research

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