Occurrence of Babesia species in captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Germany

Wiegmann, Lisa; Silaghi, Cornelia; Obiegala, Anna; Karnath, Carolin; Langer, Sandra; Ternes, Kerstin; Kämmerling, Jens; Osmann, Christine; Pfeffer, Martin

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.04.026

Cited by 19 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 43 publications

(66 reference statements)

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“…Babesia odocoilei , known to parasitize American white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) and to cause babesiosis in cervid and occasionally in bovid species in Europe [ 62 , 64 – 66 ], was found in a questing I. ricinus nymph in our study. Related genotypes, e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 49%

Babesia spp. in ticks and wildlife in different habitat types of Slovakia

et al. 2016

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BackgroundBabesiosis is an emerging and potentially zoonotic disease caused by tick-borne piroplasmids of the Babesia genus. New genetic variants of piroplasmids with unknown associations to vectors and hosts are recognized. Data on the occurrence of Babesia spp. in ticks and wildlife widen the knowledge on the geographical distribution and circulation of piroplasmids in natural foci. Questing and rodent-attached ticks, rodents, and birds were screened for the presence of Babesia-specific DNA using molecular methods. Spatial and temporal differences of Babesia spp. prevalence in ticks and rodents from two contrasting habitats of Slovakia with sympatric occurrence of Ixodes ricinus and Haemaphysalis concinna ticks and co-infections of Candidatus N. mikurensis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were investigated.ResultsBabesia spp. were detected in 1.5 % and 6.6 % of questing I. ricinus and H. concinna, respectively. Prevalence of Babesia-infected I. ricinus was higher in a natural than an urban/suburban habitat. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Babesia spp. from I. ricinus clustered with Babesia microti, Babesia venatorum, Babesia canis, Babesia capreoli/Babesia divergens, and Babesia odocoilei. Babesia spp. amplified from H. concinna segregated into two monophyletic clades, designated Babesia sp. 1 (Eurasia) and Babesia sp. 2 (Eurasia), each of which represents a yet undescribed novel species. The prevalence of infection in rodents (with Apodemus flavicollis and Myodes glareolus prevailing) with B. microti was 1.3 % in an urban/suburban and 4.2 % in a natural habitat. The majority of infected rodents (81.3 %) were positive for spleen and blood and the remaining for lungs and/or skin. Rodent-attached I. ricinus (accounting for 96.3 %) and H. concinna were infected with B. microti, B. venatorum, B. capreoli/B. divergens, Babesia sp. 1 (Eurasia), and Babesia sp. 2 (Eurasia). All B. microti and B. venatorum isolates were identical to known zoonotic strains from Europe. Less than 1.0 % of Babesia-positive ticks and rodents carried Candidatus N. mikurensis or A. phagocytophilum.ConclusionOur findings suggest that I. ricinus and rodents play important roles in the epidemiology of zoonotic Babesia spp. in south-western Slovakia. Associations with vertebrate hosts and the pathogenicity of Babesia spp. infecting H. concinna ticks need to be further explored.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1560-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 49%

Babesia spp. in ticks and wildlife in different habitat types of Slovakia

et al. 2016

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“…EDTA blood samples and serum samples from reindeer were available from a previous study (44). For the same previous study, 49 ticks were collected from 22 reindeer in seven different facilities as previously described (44). All ticks were identified as adult stages of Ixodes ricinus (14 males and 35 females).…”

Section: Blood and Tick Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All ticks were identified as adult stages of Ixodes ricinus (14 males and 35 females). Whole blood samples, serum samples and ticks were stored at −20 • C until further examination (44). For our study, 118 samples could be tested against the complete panel, while one of the samples was tested against four pathogens only, due to volume restrictions.…”

Section: Blood and Tick Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Multi-Pathogen Screening of Captive Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Germany Based on Serological and Molecular Assays

et al. 2019

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Captive reindeer in German zoos and wildlife parks live outside their natural geographic range and are exposed to a variety of viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens, some host-specific and some which they are not exposed to in their native habitat. Reindeer blood samples and ticks collected in 2013 from 123 reindeer at 16 different zoological facilities were available from a previous study. The aims of this study were to assess the serological status of these animals with regards to various microorganisms as well as to test ticks (Ixodes ricinus) and blood samples for the presence of Anaplasma spp. DNA in order to evaluate the exposure of captive reindeer in Germany to a variety of pathogens. A total of 119 or 118 serum samples were screened (ELISA) and antibodies were detected (seropositive/tested, prevalence, confidence interval) against alphaherpesvirus (24/119, 20.

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“…EU1 (also known as Babesia venatorum) in the Netherlands (8). Moreover, up to 5 different Babesia species (B. venatorum, B. capreoli, B. capreolilike, B. odocoilei-like and B. divergens) have been identified in asymptomatic captive reindeer in Germany (9). Infection by Anaplasma spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Severe Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia divergens Concomitant Infection in Imported Captive Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Romanos¹,

Maillard²

2020

Macedonian Veterinary Review

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Tick-borne diseases are highly prevalent in domestic and wild ruminants and they may be distributed in wide geographical ranges by animal transportation. The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of European strains of Babesia spp. and/or Anaplasma spp. in oversea imported reindeer specimens. Imported specimens (n=7) were hospitalized with visible tick infestation (Ixodes ricinus) and signs of cachexia, anemia, and hemoglobinuria. Using blood smears, PCR, and BLAST comparisons, it was confirmed that the animals were infected with a French strain of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia divergens which is considered to be absent in the USA. We conclude that oversea importation of reindeers must be followed with a routine check for geographically-specific strains of pathogens from the place of origin. This monitoring process must be dynamic and according to recent reports of tick-borne pathogens.

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Occurrence of Babesia species in captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Germany

Cited by 19 publications

References 43 publications

Babesia spp. in ticks and wildlife in different habitat types of Slovakia

Babesia spp. in ticks and wildlife in different habitat types of Slovakia

A Multi-Pathogen Screening of Captive Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Germany Based on Serological and Molecular Assays

Severe Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia divergens Concomitant Infection in Imported Captive Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

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