scholarly journals Detection of Babesia odocoilei in Humans with Babesiosis Symptoms

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 947
Author(s):  
John D. Scott ◽  
Muhammad S. Sajid ◽  
Emily L. Pascoe ◽  
Janet E. Foley
Keyword(s):  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Day Clinic ◽  
Night Sweats ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Human Babesiosis ◽  
Babesia Spp

Human babesiosis is a life-threatening infectious disease that causes societal and economic impact worldwide. Several species of Babesia cause babesiosis in terrestrial vertebrates, including humans. A one-day clinic was held in Ontario, Canada, to see if a red blood cell parasite, which is present in blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, is present in humans. Based on PCR testing and DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene, we unveiled B. odocoilei in two of 19 participants. DNA amplicons from these two patients are almost identical matches with the type strains of B. odocoilei in GenBank. In addition, the same two human subjects had the hallmark symptoms of human babesiosis, including night sweats, chills, fevers, and profound fatigue. Based on symptoms and molecular identification, we provide substantive evidence that B. odocoilei is pathogenic to humans. Dataset reveals that B. odocoilei serologically cross-reacts with Babesia duncani. Clinicians must realize that there are more than two Babesia spp. in North America that cause human babesiosis. This discovery signifies the first report of B. odocoilei causing human babesiosis.

scholarly journals Emergence of Babesia Conradae Infection in Coyote-hunting Greyhounds in Oklahoma, USA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin M Stayton ◽  
Megan Lineberry ◽  
Jennifer Thomas ◽  
Tina Bass ◽  
Kelly Allen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
18S Rrna ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Babesia Gibsoni ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Tick Vectors

Abstract Background: Babesia species are intraerythrocytic Apicomplexan parasites that infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts. These pathogens are typically transmitted either by tick vectors or by direct blood-to-blood contact, and may cause life-threatening clinical disease such as thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and acute renal failure in canine hosts. While Babesia vogeli and Babesia gibsoni infections have both been reported in Oklahoma, reports of B. conradae infections have been limited to California. Methods: Whole blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes from all dogs in four separate kennels in Oklahoma. DNA was extracted from each blood sample and a nested PCR was performed using general Apicomplexan primers for the partial 18S rRNA gene. PCR products were electrophoresed in agarose matrix and appropriately sized amplicons were sequenced. Sequences were compared to reference 18S rRNA sequences available in GenBank, and samples with >98% homology to B. conradae (GenBank MK256976) were considered positive. B. conradae positive dogs were then treated with atovaquone (13.5 mg/kg TID) and azithromycin (10 mg/kg SID) for 10 days and retested at 30 and 60 days post treatment by PCR. Results: Fifteen of 40 dogs tested positive for B. conradae with 98–100% sequence homology to B. conradae from California. All positive cases were coyote-hunting Greyhounds. Treatment of clinically ill dogs with atovaquone and azithromycin resulted in complete clinical recovery in clinically ill dogs and all treated dogs had negative follow-up PCR at 30 and 60 days post treatment. Conclusions: Collectively, this study (i) documents the occurrence of B. conradae in Oklahoma, (ii) highlights this pathogen as a differential to be considered when clinical signs are present, and (iii) supports the use of atovaquone and azithromycin as effective treatment in these cases.

scholarly journals Presence of Babesia odocoilei and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto in a Tick and Dual Parasitism of Amblyomma inornatum and Ixodes scapularis on a Bird in Canada

Healthcare ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Scott ◽  
Kerry Clark ◽  
Lance Durden
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogens ◽  
Migratory Songbirds ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Stricto

Wild birds transport ticks into Canada that harbor a diversity of zoonotic pathogens. However, medical practitioners often question how these zoonotic pathogens are present in their locality. In this study, we provide the first report of an Amblyomma inornatum tick cofeeding with a blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, which parasitized a Veery, Catharus fuscescens—a neotropical songbird. Using the flagellin (flaB) gene of the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and the 18S rRNA gene of the Babesia piroplasm, a malaria-like microorganism, we detected Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Babesia odocoilei, respectively, in an I. scapularis nymph. After the molt, these ticks can bite humans. Furthermore, this is the first documentation of B. odocoilei in a tick parasitizing a bird. Our findings substantiate the fact that migratory songbirds transport neotropical ticks long distances, and import them into Canada during northward spring migration. Health care practitioners need to be aware that migratory songbirds transport pathogen-laden ticks into Canada annually, and pose an unforeseen health risk to Canadians.

LABORATORY DIAGNOSTIC OF HUMAN BABESIOSIS

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (9) ◽  
pp. 560-564
Author(s):  
I. V. Kukina ◽  
O. P. Zelya ◽  
L. S. Karan
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Reference Centre ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Fatal Course ◽  
Human Babesiosis

Human babesiosis caused by parasitic protozoan Babesia spp. is sporadic zoonotic vector-borne infection. The course of babesiosis and prognosis depend on the type of pathogen and on the patient’s immunological status. Significance this disease is a severe, often fatal course with immunocompromissed patients resembling complicated falciparum malaria. In Europe to date, more than 50 cases of confirmed human babesiosis have been reported in most cases caused by Babesia divergens. Possible there are unrecognized cases. Pathogen is an obligate intraerythrocyte parasite of vertebrate animals. The organism is transmitted from animal to man through bite of Ixodidae tick. Asexual reproduction of the parasite occurs in a vertebrate host. The pathogenesis of babesiosis is caused by the destruction of host cells. Intensive haemolysis of red blood cells leads to the development of haemolytic anemia, haematuria, jaundice, and polyorgan failure may develop. The clinical manifestations of the disease are nonspecific. Detection of intraerythrocyte parasites in blood smears stained Gimsa-Romanovsky confirms the proposed diagnosis. Blood smears and some laboratory signs from fatal cases were analyzed in the Reference-centre of E. I. Martsinovskiĭ Institute. Original microphotographs B. divergens are shown. The main morphological forms of the parasite are shown. In addition to the well-known tetrades of parasites «Maltese Cross», for the first time, the parasites dividing into 6 interconnected trophozoites - “sextet” - were found. Originally, the invasion of Babesia in a normoblast is shown. An unusually high multiple invasion (14 parasites) of erythrocytes is noted. Because the patients, initially, were incorrectly diagnosed with malaria, the differential diagnosis of Babesia with Plasmodium is described step-by-step. It is important, since the treatment with antimalarial drugs is ineffective. Deviation laboratory signs are discussed. Complex morphological characteristics allowed us to speciated the parasites as B. divergens. DNA was detected in the sample with specific primers Bab di hsp70F/Bab di hsp70R and the probe Bab di hsp70P. The sequence demonstrated 99-100% and 98% similarity to the 18S rRNA gene fragment of B. divergence and Babesia venatorum, respectively. Molecular biological and serological methods of laboratory diagnosis of babesiosis are considered.

scholarly journals Genetic Diversity and Coexistence ofBabesiain Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from Northeastern China

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia-Fu Jiang ◽  
Bao-Gui Jiang ◽  
Ting-Ting Yuan ◽  
Michael Von Fricken ◽  
Na Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Northeastern China ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Ixodes Persulcatus ◽  
Health Burden ◽  
Human Babesiosis ◽  
Babesia Spp

AbstractBackgroundBabesiosis is an emerging zoonosis in humans with significant and increasing health burden in China. A few systematic reports onBabesiaspp. was involved with ticks, especially in the human babesiosis endemic areas.MethodsThe ticks were collected from 30 individual waypoints along 2.0 km transects in two recreational forested areas in Northeastern China. Then we screened them forBabesiaspp. infection by amplifying the partial 18s rRNA gene with subsequent sequencing. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to access the association between infections and some related risk factors. The cluster analyses were performed using SaTScan v6.0 Software for identifying the geographic cluster of the positive samples in ticks from each waypoint.ResultsA total ofIxodes persulcatus(n=2380) andHaemaphysalis concinna(n=461) ticks were collected. The 0.97% ofI. persulcatusticks were infected with fiveBabesiaspecies, includingB. bigemina(n=6),B. divergens(n=2),B. microti(n=3),B. venatorum(n=11) and one novel strain HLJ-8. Thirteen (2.92%)H.concinnaticks containedB. bigemina(n=1),B. divergens(n=1), three genetic variants ofBabesiarepresented by HLJ-874 which was closely related toBabesiasp.MA#361-1, and eight otherBabesiavariants represented by HLJ242 which were similar toB.crassa. Each study site had 5~6 differentBabesiaspp. One waypoint was more likely to yieldB.venatorum(relative risk=15.36,P=0.045) than all other waypoints.ConclusionsThere exists a high genetic diversity ofBabesiaspp. across a relatively small sampled region. Further study is needed to understand the risks these variants pose for human health.Author SummaryBabesiosis is the subject of increasing interest as an emerging zoonosis in humans with significant and increasing health burden of the disease at recently. In China, many probably human babesiosis cases who had a history of recent tick bite were found in Lyme endemic area in Northeastern China, where the prevalence of Babesia parasite in the ticks still was far underestimated. In the present study, we conducted a field survey for ticks to identify diversities and complexity of babesia, and then to assess the risk of human babesiosis, by means of a three years longitudinal study that mapped the location of the ticks tested positive for Babesia spp. at two forestry areas with a heavy burden of tick-borne pathogens. We firstly presented the prevalence of Babesia spp. especially the genetic diversities and coexistence of seven Babesia spp. including 2 novel species or variants at one small scale “natural foci” in northeastern China. This work is useful to understand the complexity of Babesia pathogen in China, and how the Babesia perpetuates over the long term in the environment, as well as potential risks for human health.

scholarly journals Cross-kingdom analysis of nymphal-stage Ixodes scapularis microbial communities in relation to Borrelia burgdorferi infection and load

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
William J Landesman ◽  
Kenneth Mulder ◽  
L Page Fredericks ◽  
Brian F Allan
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Bacterial Community Composition ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Nymphal Stage ◽  
Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽  
Primer Sets

ABSTRACT The tick microbiota may influence the colonization of Ixodes scapularis by Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacterium. Using conserved and pathogen-specific primers we performed a cross-kingdom analysis of bacterial, fungal, protistan and archaeal communities of I. scapularis nymphs (N = 105) collected from southern Vermont, USA. The bacterial community was dominated by a Rickettsia and several environmental taxa commonly reported in I. scapularis, as well as the human pathogens B. burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. With the fungal primer set we detected primarily plant- and litter-associated taxa and >18% of sequences were Malassezia, a fungal genus associated with mammalian skin. Two 18S rRNA gene primer sets, intended to target protistan communities, returned mostly Ixodes DNA as well as the wildlife pathogen Babesia odocoilei (7% of samples), a Gregarines species (14%) and a Spirurida nematode (18%). Data from pathogen-specific and conserved primers were consistent in terms of prevalence and identification. We measured B. burgdorferi presence/absence and load and found that bacterial beta diversity varied based on B. burgdorferi presence/absence. Load was weakly associated with bacterial community composition. We identified taxa associated with B. burgdorferi infection that should be evaluated for their role in vector colonization by pathogens.

Molecular Survey of Babesia microti (Aconoidasida: Piroplasmida) in Wild Rodents in Turkey

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 1605-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selma Usluca ◽  
Bekir Celebi ◽  
Djursun Karasartova ◽  
A Semra Gureser ◽  
Ferhat Matur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Data ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Sarcocystis Spp ◽  
Zoonotic Parasite ◽  
Reservoir Hosts ◽  
Babesia Spp

Abstract Babesia microti (Aconoidasida: Piroplasmida) (Franca, 1910) is an important tick-borne zoonotic parasite with rodents serving as reservoir hosts. In the present study, 536 rodents were captured from Burdur, Bartin, Giresun, and Yozgat provinces of Turkey between the years 2010 and 2012, and blood samples were examined for the presence of Babesia spp. using conventional PCR which targeted the 18S rRNA gene. The sequence analysis of PCR amplicons was tested for B. microti as well as for Hepatozoon spp., and Sarcocystis spp. Overall, 5.8% of the rodents were positive for B. microti: 41% in Myodes glareolus, 7.7% in Chionomys roberti, and 2% in Apodemus spp., whereas no Babesia DNA was detected in Mus macedonicus and Microtus spp. Six rodents were positive for Hepatozoon spp. and one rodent was positive for Sarcocystis spp. Overall, 14.9 and 4.5% of rodents captured from Bartin and Giresun provinces, respectively, were PCR positive for B. microti, whereas none of rodents captured in Burdur and Yozgat were positive for Babesia spp. The sequence data of B. microti from rodents revealed that all sequences belonged to the zoonotic genotype. Sequences of B. microti obtained from rodents of the Bartin province were genotypically closer to European isolates, whereas those obtained from rodents of the Giresun province were closer to Russian and Mongolian isolates.

scholarly journals Cross-Genera PCR Amplification of DNA from Apicomplexan Parasites

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Gil de Mendonça
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Hypervariable Region ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Diagnostic Samples ◽  
Successful Amplification ◽  
Babesia Spp ◽  
Theileria Spp

Background: The discovery of an unexpected genetic sequence raised doubts about the specificity of a primer pair targeting Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. This study aimed to check the specificity of this primer pair. Methods: Conventional end-point PCR and real-time PCR protocols using primers targeting the 18S rRNA gene V4 hypervariable region of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. were tested for potential cross-genera amplification using DNA from a palette of parasitic protists and pathogenic bacteria as a template. These investigations took place at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Germany) in 2010 as part of the EDEN project. Results: Successful amplification was obtained with DNA from five apicomplexan genera: Babesia, Theileria, Hepa­tozoon, Toxoplasma, and Hammondia. No amplicons were obtained when DNA from Leishmania infantum or bacte­ria within the genera Borrelia, Leptospira or Anaplasma was used as a template. Conclusion: This cross-genera amplification ability is useful for the quick exclusion of many parasite species from PCR negative diagnostic samples. Accurate species identification from PCR positive samples requires genetic se­quencing of the amplicon.

scholarly journals First report on detection of Babesia spp. in confiscated Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) in Thailand

2021 ◽  
pp. 2380-2385
Author(s):  
Rungrueang Yodsheewan ◽  
Manakorn Sukmak ◽  
Bencharong Sangkharak ◽  
Nongnid Kaolim ◽  
Raveewan Ploypan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Management ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Blood Collection ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
Hematological Analysis ◽  
Manis Javanica ◽  
Pcr Targeting ◽  
Babesia Spp

Background and Aim: The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (critically endangered) due to high levels of illegal trafficking for its products. Thailand is one of the habitats of this species, and it has become the main hub for its illegal trafficking. Rehabilitating these captive pangolins and reintroducing them back to the wild are challenging due to the limited knowledge on their diet, management, and diseases. Hemoparasites, including Babesia spp., can cause important protozoal infections in both domestic and wild animals, resulting in the failure of rehabilitation and conservation programs. However, Babesia spp. has not been reported in pangolins. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Babesia spp. in the Sunda pangolin of Thailand. Materials and Methods: A total of 128 confiscated Sunda pangolins from across different regions in Thailand were investigated. These pangolins had been admitted to a regional Wildlife Quarantine Center for rehabilitation before release in the forest. Routine physical examinations were conducted on the animals. We collected blood samples from each pangolin for hematological analysis and to detect Babesia spp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the partial 18s rRNA gene. Results: Babesia-specific PCR detected 53 animals (41.4%) that were positive for Babesia spp. Blood smears were obtained from the positive samples and investigated under a light microscope to observe for trophozoites of Babesia spp. Examination of 40 PCR-positive and -negative samples found no significant differences between the hematological parameters of Babesia-positive and Babesia-negative samples. Eight PCR-positive samples were randomly selected and their DNA was sequenced. Seven and one of sequences match uncharacterized Babesia spp. with 100% and 99.2% similarity, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that our samples form a unique monophyletic clade along with other Babesia spp. detected in the wild. This clade is clearly separated from other Babesia spp. from small carnivores, ruminants, and rats. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence of infection of Sunda pangolins in Thailand by Babesia spp. These pangolins originated from different regions and had not lived together before blood collection. Thus, we suggest that the uncharacterized Babesia spp. found in this study constitute a new group of pangolin-specific Babesia spp. The prevalence of the uncharacterized Babesia spp. was not correlated to pangolin health. Further studies are required to characterize the genomes and phenotypes, including the morphology and pathogenicity of these protozoa. Such information will be helpful for the conservation and health management of the Sunda pangolin.

scholarly journals Confirmation of occurrence of Babesia vogeli in a dog in Windhoek, central Namibia

2016 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barend L. Penzhorn ◽  
Ilse Vorster ◽  
Gernot Redecker ◽  
Marinda C. Oosthuizen
Keyword(s):  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Sensu Lato ◽  
Babesia Rossi ◽  
Haemaphysalis Elliptica ◽  
Blot Hybridisation ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Babesia Spp

Although there is evidence of high seroprevalence of antibodies to Babesia spp. in dogs in central Namibia, clinical babesiosis is rarely diagnosed. Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, the vector of Babesia vogeli, is common in Namibia while Haemaphysalis elliptica, the vector of the highly virulent but morphologically indistinguishable Babesia rossi, has rarely been recorded, mainly in northern Namibia. On the basis of vector occurrence, clinical cases of canine babesiosis in Windhoek, central Namibia, have been ascribed to B. vogeli. DNA extracted from a blood smear made from a sick dog was subjected to the reverse line blot hybridisation assay. The polymerase chain reaction amplicons hybridised with the B. vogeli–specific probe, but not with the Babesia canis– and B. rossi–specific probes. Although attempts at cloning and sequencing of the full-length 18S rRNA gene were unsuccessful, we can confirm that B. vogeli occurs in central Namibia.

scholarly journals Detection and molecular characterization of piroplasms species from naturally infected dogs in southeast Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Didonet Lemos ◽  
Aloysio de Mello Figueiredo Cerqueira ◽  
Helena Keiko Toma ◽  
Adrianna Vieira da Silva ◽  
Rafael Gomes Bartolomeu Corrêa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Fragment Length Polymorphism ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Babesia Spp

Rangelia vitalii is a protozoon described from dogs in the south and southeast regions of Brazil. It is phylogenetically related to Babesia spp. that infects dogs, but data on this enigmatic parasite is still limited. The aim of this work was to detect piroplasm species in dogs in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by 18S rRNA gene-based PCR assay, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analyses. Of 103 dogs examined, seven (6.8%) were positive for Babesia spp. by PCR. The amplified products were digested by restriction enzymes to differentiate the Babesia species, and one sample was identified as Babesia vogeli. The pattern observed for the other six amplification products did not match with pattern described for large Babesia infecting dogs. Sequencing analysis confirmed these six samples as R. vitalii, with high homologies (99-100%) with a sequence from south Brazil. This study confirms the presence of Babesia vogeli and Rangelia vitalii circulate in domestic dogs in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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