1
|
Moudgil P, Grakh K, Kumar R, Sharma M, Gupta R, Jindal N. First Molecular Confirmed Outbreak of Malignant Ovine Theileriosis in Sheep from North India. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:527-534. [PMID: 37328625 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00684-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Malignant ovine theileriosis is a tick-borne disease of sheep and goats, caused by protozoan Theileria lestoquardi. The disease has serious economic implications for small ruminant production around the world. METHODS An outbreak of malignant ovine theileriosis in a sheep flock was investigated from Hisar district of Haryana, India, in March 2022. The etiological agent was identified using polymerase chain reaction assay with genus specific primers targeting 18S rRNA gene and subsequently confirmed by sequencing. RESULTS The morbidity, mortality and case fatality rate reported in the outbreak were 22.2, 18.8 and 85%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis clustered the present study T. lestoquardi isolate in the same clade with T. lestoquardi from Iraq, Iran and Pakistan with maximum nucleotide identity of 99.37% with strains from Iraq. The tick vector Hyalomma anatolicum recovered from dead animals was implicated in the disease's transmission. CONCLUSIONS Malignant ovine theileriosis resulted in high case fatality rate. This study presents the first molecularly confirmed outbreak of malignant ovine theileriosis outbreak in the North Indian region, with characteristic post-mortem findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Moudgil
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| | - Kushal Grakh
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India.
| | - Maneesh Sharma
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| | - Renu Gupta
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| | - Naresh Jindal
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao HX, Li X, Liu JL, Guan GQ, Luo JX. Changes in TFG gene expression in bovine leucocytes transformed by Theileria annulata. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:997294. [PMID: 36337204 PMCID: PMC9630592 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.997294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Theileria annulata schizont-infected host cells in culture in vitro show unlimited proliferation similar to tumor cells; thus far, T. annulata and T. parva are the only eukaryotes that have been found to transform mammalian cells (immortalized). The transformation of these cells is reversible; when the parasite is eliminated in transformed cells by buparvaquone (BW720c), the host cells show normal growth and apoptosis. TFG is a tropomyosin-receptor kinase fused gene that is conserved among many species and is an important proto-oncogene. In this study, the bovine TFG gene was amplified by PCR from the cDNA of T. annulata schizont-transformed cells, cloned into the pGEX-4T-1 vector and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). After purification, the fusion protein was injected into rabbits to produce polyclonal antibodies. Using T. annulata-transformed cells together with BW720c treatment to kill the parasite, we aimed to identify changes in TFG gene expression by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that the bovine TFG gene was ~582 bp in size; SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the fusion protein was expressed in BL21 (DE3) cells with a molecular mass of 48 kD, and Western blotting indicated that the polyclonal antibodies could react with bovine TFG proteins from T. annulata-transformed cells and showed high specificity. Compared with that in the control group, the transcription level of the host TFG gene decreased significantly in the BW720c test group, and the expression of host tumor-related TFG protein decreased sharply after 72 h of drug treatment, suggesting that the TFG protein expression in transformed cells was directly related to T. annulata. This finding laid a foundation for further study on the interaction between T. annulata and host cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-xi Zhao
- School of Agriculture, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xia Li
- School of Agriculture, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jun-long Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Gui-quan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jian-xun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jalali SM, Jolodar A, Rasooli A, Darabifard A. Detection of Theileria lestoquardi cross infection in cattle with clinical theileriosis in Iran. Acta Parasitol 2016; 61:756-761. [PMID: 27787215 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2016-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Theileriosis caused by Theileria lestoquardi (malignant ovine theileriosis) in sheep and Theileria annulata (tropical theileriosis) in cattle is an important hemoprotozoal tick-borne disease in Iran. Due to major biologic and phylogenic similarities of these two species, this study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of natural infections with T.lestoquardi and T.annulata in cattle with clinical theileriosis in Ahvaz, southwest Iran. Fifty one cattle were selected based on clinical signs of theileriosis and confirmation by microscopic examination of blood smears. Blood samples were collected from each animal and hematologic and microscopic examinations were performed. Theileria piroplasmic forms were detected in all affected cattle. Pale mucous membranes (43.14%), icterus (11.76%) and fever (70.6%) were also observed. PCR-RFLP analysis revealed T. annulata infection in all tested cattle while coinfections with T. lestoquardi were found in two samples (3.92%). All sampled cattle including the two with mixed species Theileria infection were anemic. This is the first report of Theileria species cross infections in cattle with clinical theileriosis in Iran. It can be concluded that cattle can be infected with both pathogenic Theileria species, T. lestoquardi and T. annulata which can be an important issue in the epidemiology and spread of ovine malignant theileriosis.
Collapse
|
5
|
Theileria lestoquardi displays reduced genetic diversity relative to sympatric Theileria annulata in Oman. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 43:297-306. [PMID: 27166095 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The Apicomplexan parasites, Theileria lestoquardi and Theileria annulata, the causative agents of theileriosis in small and large ruminants, are widespread in Oman, in areas where cattle, sheep and goats co-graze. Genetic analysis can provide insight into the dynamics of the parasite and the evolutionary relationship between species. Here we identified ten genetic markers (micro- and mini-satellites) spread across the T. lestoquardi genome, and confirmed their species specificity. We then genotyped T. lestoquardi in different regions in Oman. The genetic structures of T. lestoquardi populations were then compared with previously published data, for comparable panels of markers, for sympatric T. annulata isolates. In addition, we examined two antigen genes in T. annulata (Tams1 and Ta9) and their orthologues in T. lestoquardi (Tlms1 and Tl9). The genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection (MOI) were lower in T. lestoquardi (He=0.64-0.77) than T. annulata (He=0.83-0.85) in all populations. Very limited genetic differentiation was found among T. lestoquardi and T. annulata populations. In contrast, limited but significant linkage disequilibrium was observed within regional populations of each species. We identified eight T. annulata isolates in small ruminants; the diversity and MOI were lower among ovine/caprine compared to bovine. Sequence diversity of the antigen genes, Tams1 and Ta9 in T. annulata (π=0.0733 and π=0.155 respectively), was 10-fold and 3-fold higher than the orthologous Tlms1 and Tl9 in T. lestoquardi (π=0.006 and π=0.055, respectively). Despite a comparably high prevalence, T. lestoquardi has lower genetic diversity compared to sympatric T. annulata populations. There was no evidence of differentiation among populations of either species. In comparison to T. lestoquardi, T. annulata has a larger effective population size. While genetic exchange and recombination occur in both parasite species, the extent of diversity, overall, is less for T. lestoquardi. It is, therefore, likely that T. lestoquardi evolved from an ancestor of present day T. annulata and that this occurred either once or on a limited number of occasions.
Collapse
|
6
|
Li Y, Liu Z, Yang J, Chen Z, Guan G, Niu Q, Zhang X, Luo J, Yin H. Infection of small ruminants and their red blood cells with Theileria annulata schizonts. Exp Parasitol 2013; 137:21-4. [PMID: 24316464 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Theileria annulata, the causative agent of tropical theileriosis, is a protozoan parasite that also causes lymphoproliferative diseases in cattle. In vivo, parasitized cells undergo clonal expansion and infiltrate both the lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues of the infected host. To determine whether the small ruminants and their red blood cells (RBCs) were invaded by T. annulata schizonts or not, T. annulata schizonts were used to infect bovine, ovine and caprine RBCs in vitro, and sheep and goats in vivo. The results showed that the schizonts infected bovine, ovine and caprine RBCs in vitro, but not sheep and goats, which showed only an increase in body temperature and no development of piroplasms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of infection of small ruminants and their RBCs by T. annulata schizonts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youquan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Zhijie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Jifei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Ze Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Qingli Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Jianxun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Hong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Schnittger L, Hollmann C, Diemer U, Boguslawski K, Ahmed JS. Proliferation and cytokine profile of T. annulata-infected ovine, caprine, and bovine lymphoblastoid cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2001; 916:676-80. [PMID: 11193699 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb05360.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
T. annulata, the causative agent of tropical theileriosis in cattle, can also infect ovine and caprine leukocytes in vitro. In vivo studies showed that this parasite causes a mild infection in both these animal species, and in sheep merozoite stage development seems to be inhibited. Since the nature of T. annulata infected caprine and ovine cells is not known, all three cell lines were karyotyped and phenotypically characterized by flow cytometry. They all express mRNA of cytokines IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-8, and TNF-alpha, but not of IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-4. In contrast, IL-6 mRNA was expressed in the cattle cell line only, while mRNA of IL-10 was exclusively produced by the sheep cell line. The observed differences in cytokine mRNA expression may be responsible for the different pathogenesis of T. annulata infection in cattle and sheep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Schnittger
- Forschungszentrum Borstel Parkallee 22, 23845 Borstel, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Brown CG, Ilhan T, Kirvar E, Thomas M, Wilkie G, Leemans I, Hooshmand-Rad P. Theileria lestoquardi and T. annulata in cattle, sheep, and goats. In vitro and in vivo studies. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1998; 849:44-51. [PMID: 9668448 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb11032.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Theileria annulata, causing bovine tropical theileriosis, and T. lestoquardi (syn T. hirci), the agent of malignant ovine theileriosis, are both transmitted by ticks of the genus Hyalomma. Their distribution is thus very similar and, should these parasites infect more than one ruminant species, the difficulty in interpreting epidemiological studies is magnified considerably. A pilot series of experiments was thus conducted in which cattle, sheep and goats were infected with sporozoites of a single stock of each of T. annulata and T. lestoquardi from a laboratory colony of H.a.anatolicum. Reciprocal cross-immunity and serological studies and in vitro culture isolations in mononuclear cells of each ruminant species illustrated both the similarity of these organisms and their differences. The importance of these findings in discriminating parasites in epidemiological studies and the control of these diseases with cell culture vaccines is emphasized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C G Brown
- Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|