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Facelli-Fernández MC, Furlan EO, Barolin J, Vaschalde PJ, Facelli-Fernández F, Arzamendia V, Monje LD. Molecular detection of Hepatozoon species (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) infecting snakes in the Northeastern region of Argentina. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:219. [PMID: 38780821 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08242-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The genus Hepatozoon Miller (1908) contains a wide range of obligate parasitic organisms with complex life cycles involving vertebrates and hematophagous invertebrates. Despite over 300 species being described, only a small percentage has been characterized in snakes using morphological and molecular techniques. The prevalence of these parasites in snakes is significant, highlighting the need for molecular descriptions in such elusive hosts. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine molecularly the presence of Hepatozoon species in snakes from the Northeastern region of Argentina. Thirty-two specimens of eight snake species (Bothrops alternatus, Dryophylax hypoconia, Erythrolamprus jaegeri coralliventris, Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus, Erythrolamprus semiaureus, Philodryas olfersii latirostris, Pseudablabes (ex Philodryas) patagoniensis and Palusophis (ex Mastigodryas) bifossatus were collected and examined. PCR analysis of the 18S rRNA locus detected four samples (12% prevalence) positive for the presence of Hepatozoon DNA. Phylogenetic analysis positioned the 18S rRNA Hepatozoon sequences obtained in three different clades, one with Hepatozoon musa, another with sequences of Hepatozoon cuestensis, while the third was placed as a sister taxon to a clade including Hepatozoon cevapii and Hepatozoon massardi. This study presents the first documentation of Hepatozoon infecting snakes in Argentina, thereby expanding their distribution within southern South America. Additionally, B. alternatus and Pa. bifossatus are reported as new hosts of Hepatozoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Celeste Facelli-Fernández
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Exequiel Oscar Furlan
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Johann Barolin
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Paula Josefina Vaschalde
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Florencia Facelli-Fernández
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Conservación de Tetrápodos, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Vanesa Arzamendia
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Conservación de Tetrápodos, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Lucas Daniel Monje
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Picelli AM, Silva MRL, Correa JKC, Paiva GR, Paula FR, Hernández-Ruz EJ, Oliveira EA, Viana LA. Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 parasites in the Colubridae snakes Clelia clelia (Daudin, 1803) and Drymarchon corais (Boie, 1827) from the Eastern Amazonia. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2023; 95:e20220115. [PMID: 37255167 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320220115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on the genetic, morphological, and morphometric data of blood gamonts, we identified Hepatozoon parasites in colubrid snakes sampled in the Eastern Amazon region. Hepatozoon trigeminum was detected in the mussurana snake Clelia clelia and exhibited wide and elongated gamonts (mean dimensions: 14.25±0.65 × 4.31±0.43 μm) with an evident parasitophorous vacuole. Hepatozoon odwyerae sp. nov. was described in the indigo snake Drymarchon corais, whose gamonts have elongated and thin bodies (mean dimensions: 13.41±0.79 × 3.72±0.35 μm) with one end more tapered than the other. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the amplification of a 441 bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene, revealed that the novel sequences of Hepatozoon spp. from our study were closely related to hemogregarine lineages found in lizards and snakes from Brazil, forming a well-supported monophyletic clade with them. The present study provides the first species description of Hepatoozon in D. corais and a new record of a host species for C. clelia using the integrated taxonomic data. We also highlight the importance of further investigations into the diversity of Hepatozoon in snakes, a rich but underestimated group of parasites, especially in the Amazonian biome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Maria Picelli
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Avenida Pres. Dutra, 2965, 76801-058 Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, Rua da Beira, 7671, 76812-245 Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Maria Regina L Silva
- Universidade Federal do Amapá, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Rodovia Josmar Chaves Pinto, Km 02, 68903-419 Macapá, AP, Brazil
| | - Jamille Karina C Correa
- Universidade Federal do Amapá, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Rodovia Josmar Chaves Pinto, Km 02, 68903-419 Macapá, AP, Brazil
| | - Gleicierle R Paiva
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Laboratório de Zoologia, Rua Coronel José Porfírio 2515, 68372-040 Altamira, PA, Brazil
| | - Fabiane R Paula
- Universidade Federal do Amapá, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Rodovia Josmar Chaves Pinto, Km 02, 68903-419 Macapá, AP, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Saúde, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-IOC/Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Emil José Hernández-Ruz
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Laboratório de Zoologia, Rua Coronel José Porfírio 2515, 68372-040 Altamira, PA, Brazil
| | - Elciomar A Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Rede BIONORTE, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Avenida General Rodrigo Octavio Jordão Ramos, 1200, 69067-005 Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Lúcio André Viana
- Universidade Federal do Amapá, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Rodovia Josmar Chaves Pinto, Km 02, 68903-419 Macapá, AP, Brazil
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Uiterwijk M, Vojta L, Šprem N, Beck A, Jurković D, Kik M, Duscher GG, Hodžić A, Reljić S, Sprong H, Beck R. Diversity of Hepatozoon species in wild mammals and ticks in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:27. [PMID: 36694253 PMCID: PMC9872412 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05626-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatozoon spp. are tick-borne parasites causing subclinical to clinical disease in wild and domestic animals. Aim of this study was to determine Hepatozoon prevalence and species distribution among wild mammals and ticks in Europe. METHODS Samples of wild mammals and ticks, originating from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Belgium and the Netherlands, were tested with PCR to amplify a ~ 670-bp fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. RESULTS Of the 2801 mammal samples that were used for this study, 370 (13.2%) tested positive. Hepatozoon canis was detected in samples of 178 animals (3 Artiodactyla, 173 Carnivora, 1 Eulipotyphia, 1 Lagomorpha), H. martis in 125 (3 Artiodactyla, 122 Carnivora), H. sciuri in 13 (all Rodentia), Hepatozoon sp. in 47 (among which Hepatozoon sp. Vole isolate, all Rodentia) and H. ayorgbor in 4 (all Rodentia). Regarding origin, 2.9% (6/208) tested positive from Austria, 2.8% (1/36) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 14.6% (173/1186) from Croatia and 13.9% (190/1371) from Belgium/the Netherlands. Of the 754 ticks collected, 0.0% (0/35) Hyalomma sp., 16.0% (4/25) Dermacentor spp., 0.0% (0/23) Haemaphysalis spp., 5.3% (24/50) Ixodes and 1.4% (3/221) Rhipicephalus spp. tested positive for Hepatozoon (4.2%; 32/754), most often H. canis (n = 22). CONCLUSIONS Hepatozoon canis is most present in mammals (especially in Carnivora such as gray wolves and golden jackals) and ticks, followed by H. martis, which was found merely in stone martens and pine martens. None of the rodent-associated Hepatozoon spp. were detected in the ticks, suggesting the possible implication of other arthropod species or non-vectorial routes in the transmission cycle of the hemoprotozoans in rodents. Our findings of H. canis in ticks other than R. sanguineus add to the observation that other ticks are also involved in the life cycle of Hepatozoon. Now that presence of Hepatozoon has been demonstrated in red foxes, gray wolves, mustelids and rodents from the Netherlands and/or Belgium, veterinary clinicians should be aware of the possibility of spill-over to domestic animals, such as dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Uiterwijk
- grid.435742.30000 0001 0726 7822Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), Netherlands Institute for Vectors, Invasive plants and Plant health (NIVIP), Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Lea Vojta
- grid.4905.80000 0004 0635 7705Division of Molecular Biology, Laboratory for Molecular Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikica Šprem
- grid.4808.40000 0001 0657 4636Department of Fisheries, Apiculture, Wildlife Management and Special Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Beck
- grid.4808.40000 0001 0657 4636Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Daria Jurković
- grid.417625.30000 0004 0367 0309Laboratory for Parasitology, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marja Kik
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Georg G. Duscher
- grid.414107.70000 0001 2224 6253Austrian Agency for Health & Food Safety (AGES), Vienna, Austria
| | - Adnan Hodžić
- grid.10420.370000 0001 2286 1424Centre for Microbiology and Environmental System Science (CMESS), Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Microbial Ecology (DoME), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Slaven Reljić
- grid.4808.40000 0001 0657 4636Department of Forensic and State Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre of Infectious Disease Control of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (Cib-RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Relja Beck
- grid.417625.30000 0004 0367 0309Laboratory for Parasitology, Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
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Potential Role of Birds in the Epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii, Coxiella-like Agents and Hepatozoon spp. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030298. [PMID: 35335622 PMCID: PMC8954922 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds may be involved in the epidemiology of infectious and/or parasitic diseases which affect mammals, including humans. Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is an important zoonosis causing economic losses mainly due to pathologies induced in ruminants. Even though birds are known to be potential reservoirs of C. burnetii, their role in the epidemiological cycle of the pathogen is not completely verified. In recent years, new bacteria identified as Coxiella-like agents, have been detected in birds affected by different pathologies; the potential role of these bacteria as pathogens for mammals is not currently known. Hepatozoon spp. are haemoprotozoa, causing arthropod borne affections within several vertebrate classes. The infection of vertebrate host develops after ingestion of the arthropod final hosts containing oocysts; different tissues and blood cells are then colonized by other parasite stages, such as merozoites and gamonts. In avian hosts, there are several recognized Hepatozoon species; however, their life cycle and pathogenicity have not been fully elucidated. Referring to a carrier role by avian species and their ticks in the epidemiology of canine hepatozoonosis, the only clinically relevant affection caused by this parasite genus, they would act as carriers of infected ticks and, when Hepatozoon americanum is involved, as paratenic hosts, as well.
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Kopena R, Martín J, López P, Majláth I, Majláthová V. Lack of evidence of vertical transmission of Karyolysus blood parasites in Iberian green lizards ( Lacerta schreiberi). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 16:95-98. [PMID: 34471598 PMCID: PMC8387827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
To understand the spread of parasite and the persistence of infection in an ecological environment, it is essential to investigate their transmission possibilities. Vertical transmission of pathogens from mother to offspring is a fundamental opportunity, notwithstanding a relatively under-researched topic, especially in wildlife animals. We studied whether there is vertical transmission of a haemogregarinid blood parasite of Iberian green lizard (Lacerta schreiberi). To study infection of mothers, embryos and freshly hatched juveniles, their blood smears and molecular analyses of their tail tissue were used. Examining blood smears, seventy-one percent of females were found to be infected, but molecular analyses of all mothers showed positive results for the blood parasite. Based on molecular data the parasite was identified as a Karyolysus species. In contrast, no parasite was found in the blood smears of the freshly hatched juveniles, and we could not detect Karyolysus in the embryos or tail tissue of offspring using molecular methods either. Based on our results, vertical transmission of Karyolysus blood parasites is unlikely in the Iberian green lizard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renáta Kopena
- Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Institute of Ecology and Botany, ELKH Centre for Ecological Research, H-2163, Vácrátót, Alkotmány u. 2-4., Hungary.,Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar López
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Igor Majláth
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, 041 80, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Viktória Majláthová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, 041 80, Kosice, Slovak Republic
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Description of a New Species Hepatozoon quagliattus sp. nov. (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae), infecting the Sleep Snake, Dipsas mikanii (Squamata: Colubridae: Dipsadinae) from Goiás State, Brazil. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:871-880. [PMID: 33683553 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00355-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Species of Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 (Hepatozoidae) are blood protozoans with a cosmopolitan distribution and are reported to parasitize a range of vertebrate hosts including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The present study aimed to describe a new species of Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) found infecting the sleep snake Dipsas mikanii (Schlegel, 1837) (Squamata: Colubridae: Dipsadinae). METHODS The snake was collected in 2017 at the municipality of Britânia, Goiás State, Brazil. Blood smears were made in order to find blood gametocytes and PCR was performed targeting the 18S rRNA gene. RESULTS Microscopy screening of blood smears revealed the presence of intraerythrocytic gamont stages of Hepatozoon sp. in the peripheral blood with a parasitemia of 0.25%. Furthermore, meronts and monozoic cysts were observed in histological sections of the liver from the infected individual. The interspecific divergence of 18S rRNA sequences fragments isolated from D. mikanii had differences (2.39-11.3%) as compared to other sequences of species of Hepatozoon from snakes. CONCLUSIONS Based on morphological and molecular data, a new species of Hepatozoon infecting D. mikanii from Brazil is described.
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Characterization and identification of haemogregarine hemoparasites (Apicomplexa: Adeleina: Hepatozoidae) in natural populations of Mauremys leprosa leprosa and M. leprosa saharica from Morocco. Syst Parasitol 2021; 98:547-557. [PMID: 34322858 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-021-09995-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Distribution, prevalence and parasitaemia of apicomplexan parasites of the genus Haemogregarina were studied in 858 freshwater turtles (735 Mauremys leprosa leprosa and 123 Mauremys leprosa saharica) throughout 30 localities from Morocco. Blood smears were collected from the turtles and partial 18S rRNA sequence data used to infer genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships. Of the 858 individuals analyzed by microscopy 22.7% were infected, from 16 M. leprosa leprosa localities. Individuals of M. leprosa saharica sampled south of the High Atlas Mountains were not infected, probably due to the absence or rarity of the leech vectors in these localities. Within M. leprosa leprosa, we did not identify any patterns between geography and prevalence, which varied between 10% (Oued Nfiss) to 100% (Oued Tassaout). Five distinct genetic lineages were identified, indicating the likely presence of multiple species of haemogregarines, one of which probably corresponds to Haemogregarina stepanowi. Mixed infections were also detected. Additional studies are needed to better understand the ecology and epidemiology of this parasite in turtles, as well as the host-parasite relationship with their definitive hosts, leeches.
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Gutiérrez-Liberato GA, Lotta-Arévalo IA, Rodríguez-Almonacid CC, Vargas-Ramírez M, Matta NE. Molecular and morphological description of the first Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) species infecting a neotropical turtle, with an approach to its phylogenetic relationships. Parasitology 2021; 148:747-759. [PMID: 33536100 PMCID: PMC11010207 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Haemogregarines (Adeleorina) have a high prevalence in turtles. Nevertheless, there is only one Hepatozoon species described that infects Testudines so far; it is Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi which infects the African tortoise Kinixys belliana. Colombia harbours a great diversity of chelonians; however, most of them are threatened. It is important to identify and characterize chelonian haemoparasite infections to improve the clinical assessments, treatments and the conservation and reintroduction programs of these animals. To evaluate such infections for the Colombian wood turtle Rhinoclemmys melanosterna, we analysed blood from 70 individuals. By using the morphological characteristics of blood stages as well as molecular information (18S rRNA sequences), here we report a new Hepatozoon species that represents the first report of a hepatozoid species infecting a semi-aquatic continental turtle in the world. Although the isolated lineage clusters within the phylogenetic clades that have morphological species of parasites already determined, their low nodal support makes their position within each group inconclusive. It is important to identify new molecular markers to improve parasite species identification. In-depth research on blood parasites infecting turtles is essential for increasing knowledge that could assess this potential unknown threat, to inform the conservation of turtles and for increasing the state of knowledge on parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán A. Gutiérrez-Liberato
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
| | - Ingrid A. Lotta-Arévalo
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
| | - Cristian C. Rodríguez-Almonacid
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
| | - Mario Vargas-Ramírez
- Facultad de Ciencias, Estación de Biología Tropical Roberto Franco (EBTRF), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 33 #33 −76, Villavicencio500005 Meta, Colombia
- Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
| | - Nubia E. Matta
- Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá. Carrera 30 No. 45-03, Bogotá111321, Colombia
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Mendoza-Roldan JA, Ribeiro SR, Castilho-Onofrio V, Marcili A, Simonato BB, Latrofa MS, Benelli G, Otranto D, Barros-Battesti DM. Molecular detection of vector-borne agents in ectoparasites and reptiles from Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101585. [PMID: 33113476 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata mites, as well as Ixodida ticks, infest ectothermic tetrapods worldwide, potentially acting as vectors of bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The relationship among ectoparasites, transmitted pathogenic agents (e.g., Borrelia spp., Coxiella spp., Hepatozoon spp., and Rickettsia spp.) and ectothermic hosts has been scarcely investigated. This research focuses on a large collection of Brazilian herpetofauna screened for the presence of arthropod ectoparasites and vector-borne microbial agents. Reptiles (n = 121) and amphibians (n = 49) from various locations were infested by ectoparasites. Following genomic extraction, microbial agents were detected in 81 % of the Acari (i.e. n = 113 mites and n = 26 ticks). None of the mites, ticks and tissues from amphibians yielded positive results for any of the screened agents. Blood was collected from reptiles and processed through blood cytology and molecular analyses (n = 48). Of those, six snakes (12.5 %) showed intraerythrocytic alterations compatible with Hepatozoon spp. gamonts and Iridovirus inclusions. Hepatozoon spp. similar to Hepatozoon ayorgbor and Hepatozoon musa were molecularly identified from seven hosts, two mite and two tick species. Rickettsia spp. (e.g., Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia bellii-like, Rickettsia sp.) were detected molecularly from four mite species and Amblyomma rotundatum ticks. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the molecular identification of the above-mentioned microbial agents of mites and ticks related to snakes and lizards. Overall, our findings highlighted that the Brazilian herpetofauna and its ectoparasites harbour potentially pathogenic agents, particularly from the northern and south-eastern regions. The detection of several species of spotted fever group Rickettsia pointed out the potential role of ectothermic hosts and related arthropod ectoparasites in the epidemiological cycle of these bacteria in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil; Zoological Collections Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Stephany Rocha Ribeiro
- Zoological Collections Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil; Master's Program in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Welfare, and Doctoral Program in One Health, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Valeria Castilho-Onofrio
- Zoological Collections Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil; Master's Program in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Welfare, and Doctoral Program in One Health, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil; Master's Program in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Welfare, and Doctoral Program in One Health, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Bruna Borghi Simonato
- Deparment of Veterinary Medicine, Anhembi Morumbi University Vila Tramontano, São Paulo, SP, 05650-000, Brazil
| | | | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via Del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy; Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Felestin Sq., Hamedan, Iran
| | - Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Pathology, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio De Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Jaboticabal, 14884-900, Brazil
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Chagas CRF, Binkienė R, Ilgūnas M, Iezhova T, Valkiūnas G. The buffy coat method: a tool for detection of blood parasites without staining procedures. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:104. [PMID: 32103784 PMCID: PMC7045512 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3984-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood parasites belonging to the Apicomplexa, Trypanosomatidae and Filarioidea are widespread in birds and have been studied extensively. Microscopical examination (ME) of stained blood films remains the gold standard method for the detection of these infections in birds, particularly because co-infections predominate in wildlife. None of the available molecular tools can detect all co-infections at the same time, but ME provides opportunities for this to be achieved. However, fixation, drying and staining of blood films as well as their ME are relatively time-consuming. This limits the detection of infected hosts during fieldwork when captured animals should be released soon after sampling. It is an obstacle for quick selection of donor hosts for parasite experimental, histological and other investigations in the field. This study modified, tested and described the buffy coat method (BCM) for quick diagnostics (~ 20 min/sample) of avian blood parasites. METHODS Blood of 345 birds belonging to 42 species was collected, and each sample was examined using ME of stained blood films and the buffy coat, which was examined after centrifugation in capillary tubes and after being transferred to objective glass slides. Parasite detection using these methods was compared using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and Cohen's kappa index. RESULTS Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium, microfilariae, Trypanosoma and Lankesterella parasites were detected. BCM had a high sensitivity (> 90%) and specificity (> 90%) for detection of Haemoproteus and microfilariae infections. It was of moderate sensitivity (57%) and high specificity (> 90%) for Lankesterella infections, but of low sensitivity (20%) and high specificity (> 90%) for Leucocytozoon infections. Trypanosoma and Plasmodium parasites were detected only by BCM and ME, respectively. According to Cohen's kappa index, the agreement between two diagnostic tools was substantial for Haemoproteus (0.80), moderate for Lankesterella (0.46) and fair for microfilariae and Leucocytozoon (0.28) infections. CONCLUSIONS BCM is sensitive and recommended as a quick and reliable tool to detect Haemoproteus, Trypanosoma and microfilariae parasites during fieldwork. However, it is not suitable for detection of species of Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium. BCM is a useful tool for diagnostics of blood parasite co-infections. Its application might be extended to studies of blood parasites in other vertebrates during field studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rasa Binkienė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Mikas Ilgūnas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Tatjana Iezhova
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Evidence of Vertical Transmission of the Snake Fungal Pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. J Wildl Dis 2019. [DOI: 10.7589/2018-10-250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Xiao X, Qi R, Han HJ, Liu JW, Qin XR, Fang LZ, Zhou CM, Gong XQ, Lei SC, Yu XJ. Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of Cryptosporidium, Hepatozoon and Spirometra in snakes from central China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 10:274-280. [PMID: 31700790 PMCID: PMC6829678 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Snakes are popular as food and traditional medicine in China. However, information about parasitic and bacterial infections in snakes from China is scarce. We investigated the prevalence of selected zoonotic agents including Cryptosporidium, Hepatozoon and Spirometra, in snakes in central China from June to October in 2018 by PCR amplification using parasite-specific primers. PCR amplification and DNA sequencing showed that 10.1% (15/149) of snakes were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., while 2.7% (4/149) were positive for Hepatozoon. Additionally, we found 36.9% (55/149) of snakes were infected with Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. The spargana burden per infected snake ranged from 1 to 26. BLAST and phylogenetic analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene and 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene showed that the parasites belonged to Cryptosporidium parvum genotype IIdA15G1, C. baileyi, C. serpentis and a Hepatozoon species. We conclude that intensively farmed snakes excrete C. parvum and C. baileyi oocysts due to ingestion of infected feeder animals, and that wild snakes in central China were commonly infected with S. erinaceieuropaei, suggesting that eating improperly cooked snakes could be risky to human health. Cryptosporidium parvum and C. baileyi were reported in farmed snakes in China for the first time. C. serpentis was detected for the first time in Ptyas dhumnades and Gloydius brevicaudus. A tentative new Hapatozoon species was first time recorded in wild Lycodon rufozonatus and G. brevicaudus. Spirometra erinaceieuropaei infection was found common in wild snakes from central China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
- Lab Animal Research Center, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Hui-Ju Han
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Jian-Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xiang-Rong Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Li-Zhu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Chuan-Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xiao-Qing Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Si-Cong Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xue-Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
- Corresponding author. Professor and Dean State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences Wuhan University, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.
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