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Taylor CL, Egan SL, Gofton AW, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL, Hochuli DF, Banks PB. An invasive human commensal and a native marsupial maintain tick populations at the urban fringe. Med Vet Entomol 2023; 37:460-471. [PMID: 36718907 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are major disease vectors globally making it increasingly important to understand how altered vertebrate communities in urban areas shape tick population dynamics. In urban landscapes of Australia, little is known about which native and introduced small mammals maintain tick populations preventing host-targeted tick management and leading to human-wildlife conflict. Here, we determined (1) larval, nymphal, and adult tick burdens on host species and potential drivers, (2) the number of ticks supported by the different host populations, and (3) the proportion of medically significant tick species feeding on the different host species in Northern Sydney. We counted 3551 ticks on 241 mammals at 15 sites and found that long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) hosted more ticks of all life stages than other small mammals but introduced black rats (Rattus rattus) were more abundant at most sites (33%-100%) and therefore important in supporting larval and nymphal ticks in our study areas. Black rats and bandicoots hosted a greater proportion of medically significant tick species including Ixodes holocyclus than other hosts. Our results show that an introduced human commensal contributes to maintaining urban tick populations and suggests ticks could be managed by controlling rat populations on urban fringes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey L Taylor
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Siobhon L Egan
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Peter J Irwin
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dieter F Hochuli
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter B Banks
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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2
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Barbosa AD, Long M, Lee W, Austen JM, Cunneen M, Ratchford A, Burns B, Kumarasinghe P, Ben-Othman R, Kollmann TR, Stewart CR, Beaman M, Parry R, Hall R, Tabor A, O’Donovan J, Faddy HM, Collins M, Cheng AC, Stenos J, Graves S, Oskam CL, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. The Troublesome Ticks Research Protocol: Developing a Comprehensive, Multidiscipline Research Plan for Investigating Human Tick-Associated Disease in Australia. Pathogens 2022; 11:1290. [PMID: 36365042 PMCID: PMC9694322 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In Australia, there is a paucity of data about the extent and impact of zoonotic tick-related illnesses. Even less is understood about a multifaceted illness referred to as Debilitating Symptom Complexes Attributed to Ticks (DSCATT). Here, we describe a research plan for investigating the aetiology, pathophysiology, and clinical outcomes of human tick-associated disease in Australia. Our approach focuses on the transmission of potential pathogens and the immunological responses of the patient after a tick bite. The protocol is strengthened by prospective data collection, the recruitment of two external matched control groups, and sophisticated integrative data analysis which, collectively, will allow the robust demonstration of associations between a tick bite and the development of clinical and pathological abnormalities. Various laboratory analyses are performed including metagenomics to investigate the potential transmission of bacteria, protozoa and/or viruses during tick bite. In addition, multi-omics technology is applied to investigate links between host immune responses and potential infectious and non-infectious disease causations. Psychometric profiling is also used to investigate whether psychological attributes influence symptom development. This research will fill important knowledge gaps about tick-borne diseases. Ultimately, we hope the results will promote improved diagnostic outcomes, and inform the safe management and treatment of patients bitten by ticks in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D. Barbosa
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia 70040-020, DF, Brazil
| | - Michelle Long
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Wenna Lee
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Jill M. Austen
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Mike Cunneen
- The App Workshop Pty Ltd., Perth, WA 6000, Australia
| | - Andrew Ratchford
- Emergency Department, Northern Beaches Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2086, Australia
- School of Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Brian Burns
- Emergency Department, Northern Beaches Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2086, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Sydney University, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Prasad Kumarasinghe
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- College of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Western Dermatology, Hollywood Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | | | | | - Cameron R. Stewart
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Miles Beaman
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia
| | - Rhys Parry
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Roy Hall
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ala Tabor
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre of Animal Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Justine O’Donovan
- Clinical Services and Research, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Sydney, NSW 2015, Australia
| | - Helen M. Faddy
- Clinical Services and Research, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Sydney, NSW 2015, Australia
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Petrie, QLD 4502, Australia
| | - Marjorie Collins
- School of Psychology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Allen C. Cheng
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology Unit, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Stephen Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Una M. Ryan
- Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J. Irwin
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
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3
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Greay TL, Evasco KL, Evans ML, Oskam CL, Magni PA, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. Illuminating the bacterial microbiome of Australian ticks with 16S and Rickettsia-specific next-generation sequencing. Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis 2022; 1:100037. [PMID: 35284883 PMCID: PMC8906098 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies show that mosquito and tick microbiomes influence the transmission of pathogens, opening new avenues for vector-borne pathogen control. Recent microbiological studies of Australian ticks highlight fundamental knowledge gaps of tick-borne agents. This investigation explored the composition, diversity and prevalence of bacteria in Australian ticks (n = 655) from companion animals (dogs, cats and horses). Bacterial 16S NGS was used to identify most bacterial taxa and a Rickettsia-specific NGS assay was developed to identify Rickettsia species that were indistinguishable at the V1-2 regions of 16S. Sanger sequencing of near full-length 16S was used to confirm whether species detected by 16S NGS were novel. The haemotropic bacterial pathogens Anaplasma platys, Bartonella clarridgeiae, “Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum” and Coxiella burnetii were identified in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.) from Queensland (QLD), Western Australia, the Northern Territory (NT), and South Australia, Ixodes holocyclus from QLD, Rh. sanguineus (s.l.) from the NT, and I. holocyclus from QLD, respectively. Analysis of the control data showed that cross-talk compromises the detection of rare species as filtering thresholds for less abundant sequences had to be applied to mitigate false positives. A comparison of the taxonomic assignments made with 16S sequence databases revealed inconsistencies. The Rickettsia-specific citrate synthase gene NGS assay enabled the identification of Rickettsia co-infections with potentially novel species and genotypes most similar (97.9–99.1%) to Rickettsia raoultii and Rickettsia gravesii. “Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis” was identified for the first time in Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length 16S sequences confirmed a novel Coxiellaceae genus and species, two novel Francisella species, and two novel Francisella genotypes. Cross-talk raises concerns for the MiSeq platform as a diagnostic tool for clinical samples. This study provides recommendations for adjustments to Illuminaʼs 16S metagenomic sequencing protocol that help track and reduce cross-talk from cross-contamination during library preparation. The inconsistencies in taxonomic assignment emphasise the need for curated and quality-checked sequence databases. Bacterial pathogens identified in ticks from companion animals with 16S NGS. Sanger sequencing confirmed novel Coxiellaceae gen. sp. and Francisella. “Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis” was identified with Rickettsia-specific NGS. Comparison of taxonomic assignments in 16S sequence databases revealed errors. Modifications to the 16S metagenomic library protocol (Illumina) are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telleasha L Greay
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.,Executive Consultant, EpiSeq, PO Box 357, Kwinana, Western Australia, 6966, Australia
| | - Kimberly L Evasco
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.,A/Senior Scientific Officer, Medical Entomology Unit, Department of Health, 1A Brockway Road, Mount Claremont, Western Australia, 6010, Australia
| | - Megan L Evans
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.,Cardio Respiratory Sleep, Level 1, 52-54 Monash Avenue, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Paola A Magni
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Murdoch University Singapore, King's Centre, 390 Havelock Road, Singapore, 169662, Republic of Singapore
| | - Una M Ryan
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
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4
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Egan SL, Taylor CL, Banks PB, Northover AS, Ahlstrom LA, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL. The bacterial biome of ticks and their wildlife hosts at the urban-wildland interface. Microb Genom 2021; 7. [PMID: 34913864 PMCID: PMC8767321 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in sequencing technologies have revealed the complex and diverse microbial communities present in ticks (Ixodida). As obligate blood-feeding arthropods, ticks are responsible for a number of infectious diseases that can affect humans, livestock, domestic animals and wildlife. While cases of human tick-borne diseases continue to increase in the northern hemisphere, there has been relatively little recognition of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in Australia. Over the past 5 years, studies using high-throughput sequencing technologies have shown that Australian ticks harbour unique and diverse bacterial communities. In the present study, free-ranging wildlife (n=203), representing ten mammal species, were sampled from urban and peri-urban areas in New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA). Bacterial metabarcoding targeting the 16S rRNA locus was used to characterize the microbiomes of three sample types collected from wildlife: blood, ticks and tissue samples. Further sequence information was obtained for selected taxa of interest. Six tick species were identified from wildlife: Amblyomma triguttatum, Ixodes antechini, Ixodes australiensis, Ixodes holocyclus, Ixodes tasmani and Ixodes trichosuri. Bacterial 16S rRNA metabarcoding was performed on 536 samples and 65 controls, generating over 100 million sequences. Alpha diversity was significantly different between the three sample types, with tissue samples displaying the highest alpha diversity (P<0.001). Proteobacteria was the most abundant taxon identified across all sample types (37.3 %). Beta diversity analysis and ordination revealed little overlap between the three sample types (P<0.001). Taxa of interest included Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella, Borrelia, Coxiellaceae, Francisella, Midichloria, Mycoplasma and Rickettsia. Anaplasmataceae bacteria were detected in 17.7% (95/536) of samples and included Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Neoehrlichia species. In samples from NSW, 'Ca. Neoehrlichia australis', 'Ca. Neoehrlichia arcana', Neoehrlichia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. were identified. A putative novel Ehrlichia sp. was identified from WA and Anaplasma platys was identified from QLD. Nine rodent tissue samples were positive for a novel Borrelia sp. that formed a phylogenetically distinct clade separate from the Lyme Borrelia and relapsing fever groups. This novel clade included recently identified rodent-associated Borrelia genotypes, which were described from Spain and North America. Bartonella was identified in 12.9% (69/536) of samples. Over half of these positive samples were obtained from black rats (Rattus rattus), and the dominant bacterial species identified were Bartonella coopersplainsensis and Bartonella queenslandensis. The results from the present study show the value of using unbiased high-throughput sequencing applied to samples collected from wildlife. In addition to understanding the sylvatic cycle of known vector-associated pathogens, surveillance work is important to ensure preparedness for potential zoonotic spillover events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhon L Egan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Casey L Taylor
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Peter B Banks
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Amy S Northover
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Liisa A Ahlstrom
- Elanco Animal Health, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, 2113, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
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5
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Alcorn K, Gerrard J, Cochrane T, Graham R, Jennison A, Irwin PJ, Barbosa AD. First Report of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemohominis Infection in Australia Causing Persistent Fever in an Animal Carer. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:634-640. [PMID: 32006025 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) infect animals and humans and can lead to clinical syndromes mainly characterized by hemolytic anemia. A novel pathogen, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemohominis, was recently associated with a case of human hemoplasmosis in Europe. Here we report the first detection of this pathogen in an Australian patient exhibiting persistent fever, hemolytic anemia, and pancytopenia over a 10-month period. METHODS After exhaustive negative testing for human infectious diseases, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on the patient's bone marrow aspirate, using an Illumina NextSeq500 platform. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by Sanger sequencing, was then performed on blood samples using novel Mycoplasma-specific primers targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. In addition, a Mycoplasma-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay was developed to differentiate Mycoplasma cells from other erythrocyte inclusions (eg, Pappenheimer and Howell-Jolly bodies) which are morphologically similar to bacterial cocci by light microscopy. RESULTS WGS analysis revealed that approximately 0.04% of the total number of unmapped reads to human genome corresponded to Mycoplasma species. A 1-kb Mycoplasma 16S fragment was successfully amplified by conventional PCR, and sequence analyses revealed 100% identity with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemohominis. FISH confirmed that several (approximately 2%) epierythrocytic inclusions initially observed by light microscopy corresponded to Mycoplasma cells. CONCLUSIONS This represents the second report of hemolytic anemia associated with hemoplasma infection in a human, and the first report of human hemoplasmosis in Australia. This study highlights the importance of new and emerging diagnostic approaches and need for further investigations on the epidemiology of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemohominis in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie Alcorn
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Gold Coast Health Service, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - John Gerrard
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Gold Coast Health Service, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Tara Cochrane
- Department of Haematology, Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffiths University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Rikki Graham
- Public Health Microbiology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Amy Jennison
- Public Health Microbiology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Department of Health, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia
| | - Amanda D Barbosa
- Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia.,CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, Brazil
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6
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Bunn TA, Robveille C, Irwin PJ, Langner K. A neurological presentation caused by brain metastases in a dog with interventricular septal hemangiosarcoma. Aust Vet J 2021; 99:119-123. [PMID: 33442884 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain metastases are well known for disseminated hemangiosarcoma involving the right atrium/auricle. CASE REPORT An 8-year-old male Australian Shepherd Dog presented with a 3-day history of circling to the left. A neurological examination revealed obtunded mentation, right hemi-inattention, bilateral strabismus towards the left side and absent physiological nystagmus. In addition, the dog had muffled heart sounds on auscultation and exercise-induced weakness. Laboratory findings included hypercoagulability and marked elevation in the C-reactive protein concentration. Electrocardiography detected a sinus rhythm with right bundle-branch block and ventricular bigeminy. Echocardiography revealed an extensive interventricular septal mass. Due to the grave prognosis, the owners elected for euthanasia, and a complete necropsy was performed. The main pathological findings were an interventricular septal and left ventricular hemangiosarcoma, with metastases in the brain, lungs, spleen and adrenal glands. No evidence of tumour infiltration was found in the right atrium. CONCLUSION To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of neurological signs due to confirmed brain metastases in a dog with interventricular septal hemangiosarcoma. Although the right atrium is the main location for cardiac hemangiosarcoma, the interventricular septum should be evaluated in all cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Bunn
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - C Robveille
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - P J Irwin
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kfa Langner
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Egan SL, Taylor CL, Austen JM, Banks PB, Northover AS, Ahlstrom LA, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL. Haemoprotozoan surveillance in peri-urban native and introduced wildlife from Australia. Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases 2021; 1:100052. [PMID: 35284862 PMCID: PMC8906138 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Siobhon L. Egan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Casey L. Taylor
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Camperdown, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Jill M. Austen
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter B. Banks
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Camperdown, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Amy S. Northover
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Liisa A. Ahlstrom
- Elanco Animal Health, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, 2113, Australia
| | - Una M. Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J. Irwin
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
- Corresponding author.
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8
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Egan SL, Ruiz-Aravena M, Austen JM, Barton X, Comte S, Hamilton DG, Hamede RK, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ, Jones ME, Oskam CL. Blood Parasites in Endangered Wildlife-Trypanosomes Discovered During a Survey of Haemoprotozoa from the Tasmanian Devil. Pathogens 2020; 9:E873. [PMID: 33114071 PMCID: PMC7690708 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of emerging infectious diseases is increasingly recognised as a major threat to wildlife. Wild populations of the endangered Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii, are experiencing devastating losses from a novel transmissible cancer, devil facial tumour disease (DFTD); however, despite the rapid decline of this species, there is currently no information on the presence of haemoprotozoan parasites. In the present study, 95 Tasmanian devil blood samples were collected from four populations in Tasmania, Australia, which underwent molecular screening to detect four major groups of haemoprotozoa: (i) trypanosomes, (ii) piroplasms, (iii) Hepatozoon, and (iv) haemosporidia. Sequence results revealed Trypanosoma infections in 32/95 individuals. Trypanosoma copemani was identified in 10 Tasmanian devils from three sites and a second Trypanosoma sp. was identified in 22 individuals that were grouped within the poorly described T. cyclops clade. A single blood sample was positive for Babesia sp., which most closely matched Babesia lohae. No other blood protozoan parasite DNA was detected. This study provides the first insight into haemoprotozoa from the Tasmanian devil and the first identification of Trypanosoma and Babesia in this carnivorous marsupial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhon L. Egan
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (J.M.A.); (X.B.); (P.J.I.); (C.L.O.)
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA;
| | - Jill M. Austen
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (J.M.A.); (X.B.); (P.J.I.); (C.L.O.)
| | - Xavier Barton
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (J.M.A.); (X.B.); (P.J.I.); (C.L.O.)
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural Sciences, College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia; (S.C.); (D.G.H.); (R.K.H.); (M.E.J.)
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
| | - David G. Hamilton
- School of Natural Sciences, College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia; (S.C.); (D.G.H.); (R.K.H.); (M.E.J.)
| | - Rodrigo K. Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia; (S.C.); (D.G.H.); (R.K.H.); (M.E.J.)
- CANECEV, Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC), 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Una M. Ryan
- Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J. Irwin
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (J.M.A.); (X.B.); (P.J.I.); (C.L.O.)
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia; (S.C.); (D.G.H.); (R.K.H.); (M.E.J.)
| | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (J.M.A.); (X.B.); (P.J.I.); (C.L.O.)
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Egan SL, Loh SM, Banks PB, Gillett A, Ahlstrom L, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL. Corrigendum to "Bacterial community profiling highlights complex diversity and novel organisms in wildlife ticks" [Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 11 (3) (2020) 101407]. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101502. [PMID: 32624374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Siobhon L Egan
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Siew-May Loh
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter B Banks
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amber Gillett
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
| | - Liisa Ahlstrom
- Bayer Australia Ltd, Animal Health, Pymble, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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Egan SL, Taylor CL, Austen JM, Banks PB, Ahlstrom LA, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL. Molecular identification of the Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) lewisi clade in black rats (Rattus rattus) from Australia. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1691-1696. [PMID: 32198627 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06653-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Invasive rodent species are known hosts for a diverse range of infectious microorganisms and have long been associated with the spread of disease globally. The present study describes molecular evidence for the presence of a Trypanosoma sp. from black rats (Rattus rattus) in northern Sydney, Australia. Sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) locus were obtained in two out of eleven (18%) blood samples with subsequent phylogenetic analysis confirming the identity within the Trypanosoma lewisi clade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhon L Egan
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Casey L Taylor
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jill M Austen
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Peter B Banks
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
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11
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Barbosa AD, Austen J, Portas TJ, Friend JA, Ahlstrom LA, Oskam CL, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. Sequence analyses at mitochondrial and nuclear loci reveal a novel Theileria sp. and aid in the phylogenetic resolution of piroplasms from Australian marsupials and ticks. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225822. [PMID: 31851687 PMCID: PMC6919580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The order Piroplasmida encompasses two main families: Babesiidae and Theileriidae, containing tick-borne pathogens of veterinary and medical importance worldwide. While only three genera (Babesia, Cytauxzoon and Theileria) comprising piroplasm parasites are currently recognised, phylogenetic studies at the 18S rRNA (18S) gene suggest that these organisms represent at least ten lineages, one of which comprises the relatively unique and highly diverse Theileria spp. from Australian marsupials and ticks. As an alternative to analysing 18S sequences alone, sequencing of mitochondrial genes has proven to be useful for the elucidation of evolutionary relationships amongst some groups of piroplasms. This research aimed to characterise piroplasms from Australian native mammals and ticks using multiple genetic markers (18S, cytochrome c, oxidase subunit III (cox3) and cytochrome B (cytB)) and microscopy. For this, nearly complete piroplasm-18S sequences were obtained from 32 animals belonging to six marsupial species: eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi), eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus), eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), quokka (Setonix brachyurus) and Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii). The organisms detected represented eight novel Theileria genotypes, which formed five sub-clades within the main marsupial clade containing previously reported Australian marsupial and tick-derived Theileria spp. A selection of both novel and previously described Australian piroplasms at the 18S were also successfully characterised, for the first time, at the cox3 and cytB loci, and corroborated the position of Australian native theilerias in a separate, well-supported clade. Analyses of the cox3 and cytB genes also aided in the taxonomic resolution within the clade of Australian Piroplasmida. Importantly, microscopy and molecular analysis at multiple loci led to the discovery of a unique piroplasm species that clustered with the Australian marsupial theilerias, for which we propose the name Theileria lupei n. sp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D. Barbosa
- Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília—DF, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Jill Austen
- Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Timothy J. Portas
- Veterinary and Research Centre, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - J. Anthony Friend
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Albany, WA, Australia
| | | | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Una M. Ryan
- Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Peter J. Irwin
- Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
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12
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Evans ML, Egan S, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL. Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery reveals large COI intraspecific divergence in Australian Ixodidae. Zootaxa 2019; 4656:zootaxa.4656.2.13. [PMID: 31716834 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4656.2.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Ticks (Ixodida) are haematophagous arthropods that transmit a number of pathogenic organisms, including bacteria, protozoa and viruses, to humans and animals. Globally, there are over 900 species of ticks and Australia has 73 described species, including five introduced and 68 native species. With the exception of only a few Australian tick species, there are still many unanswered questions regarding their taxonomy and systematics, and the phylogeny of Australian ticks is not properly resolved. In recent years, a putative link between tick bites and poorly defined tick-borne illness(es) has been identified (Graves Stenos 2017) and was the subject of a 2015 Australian Senate Inquiry into Lyme-like illnesses in Australia. There is an urgent need to further categorise Australian ticks, specifically hard ticks (Ixodidae), and accurate identification of Australian ticks is therefore of high importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Evans
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150.
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Faddy HM, Rooks KM, Irwin PJ, Viennet E, Paparini A, Seed CR, Stramer SL, Harley RJ, Chan HT, Dennington PM, Flower RLP. No evidence for widespread Babesia microti transmission in Australia. Transfusion 2019; 59:2368-2374. [PMID: 31070793 DOI: 10.1111/trf.15336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A fatal case of autochthonous Babesia microti infection was reported in Australia in 2012. This has implications for Australian public health and, given that babesiosis is transfusion transmissible, has possible implications for Australian blood transfusion recipients. We investigated the seroprevalence of antibodies to B. microti in Australian blood donors and in patients with clinically suspected babesiosis. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Plasma samples (n = 7,000) from donors donating in at-risk areas and clinical specimens from patients with clinically suspected babesiosis (n = 29) were tested for B. microti IgG by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). IFA initially reactive samples were tested for B. microti IgG and IgM by immunoblot and B. microti DNA by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Although five donors were initially reactive for B. microti IgG by IFA, none was confirmed for B. microti IgG (zero estimate; 95% confidence interval, 0%-0.05%) and all were negative for B. microti DNA. None of the patient samples had B. microti IgG, IgM, or DNA. CONCLUSIONS This study does not provide evidence for widespread exposure to B. microti in Australian blood donors at local theoretical risk, nor does it provide evidence of B. microti infection in Australian patients with clinically suspected babesiosis. Given that confirmed evidence of previous exposure to B. microti was not seen, these data suggest that transmission of this pathogen is currently uncommon in Australia and unlikely to pose a risk to transfusion safety at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Faddy
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kelly M Rooks
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elvina Viennet
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Clive R Seed
- Clinical Services and Research, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Susan L Stramer
- American Red Cross Scientific Affairs, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Robert J Harley
- Clinical Services and Research, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hiu-Tat Chan
- Clinical Services and Research, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peta M Dennington
- Clinical Services and Research, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert L P Flower
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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14
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Greay TL, Zahedi A, Krige AS, Owens JM, Rees RL, Ryan UM, Oskam CL, Irwin PJ. Response to the Letter to the Editor by Harris. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:178. [PMID: 31014394 PMCID: PMC6480841 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3439-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In a letter to the Editor, Harris considers the eight new species of Apicomplexa that were recently identified and named to be invalid on the basis that only molecular characters were provided in the species descriptions. In this response, we counter that the species names are valid as the descriptions have met the requirements of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature; molecular characters can be used to satisfy article 13.1.1 of the code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telleasha L Greay
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Perth, WA, Australia. .,Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Alireza Zahedi
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Anna-Sheree Krige
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jadyn M Owens
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Robert L Rees
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Perth, WA, Australia
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15
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Greay TL, Barbosa AD, Rees RL, Paparini A, Ryan UM, Oskam CL, Irwin PJ. An Australian dog diagnosed with an exotic tick-borne infection: should Australia still be considered free from Hepatozoon canis? Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:805-815. [PMID: 30059690 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent molecular and sero-surveillance studies of the tick-borne pathogen Hepatozoon canis have identified new hosts, potential vector species, and have revealed that H. canis is more widespread than previously thought. We report the first diagnosed case of canine hepatozoonosis in Australia from a Maremma Sheepdog in Sarina, Queensland. Hepatozoon canis was detected with blood smear examination and 18S rRNA sequencing. It is unknown when or how the organism was introduced into Australia, which raises questions about border biosecurity policies and the H. canis infection status of its potential vectors and hosts in Australia. Surveillance for this pathogen is required to determine whether H. canis has established in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telleasha L Greay
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amanda D Barbosa
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília DF 70040-020, Brazil
| | - Robert L Rees
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrea Paparini
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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16
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Loh SM, Egan S, Gillett A, Banks PB, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL. Molecular surveillance of piroplasms in ticks from small and medium-sized urban and peri-urban mammals in Australia. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2018; 7:197-203. [PMID: 29988853 PMCID: PMC6032040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Natural landscape alterations as a consequence of urbanisation are one of the main drivers in the movements of wildlife into metropolitan and peri-urban areas. Worldwide, these wildlife species are highly adaptable and may be responsible for the transmission of tick-borne pathogens including piroplasms (Babesia, Theileria and Cytauxzoon spp.) that cause piroplasmosis in animals and occasionally in humans. Little is known about piroplasms in the ticks of urban wildlife in Australia. Ticks from long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta; n = 71), eastern-barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii; n = 41), northern-brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus; n = 19), southern-brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus; n = 4), bandicoot sp. (n = 2), flying foxes (Pteropus sp.; n = 3), black rats (Rattus rattus; n = 7), bush rats (Rattus fuscipes; n = 4), brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula; n = 19), ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus; n = 12), short-eared possums (Trichosurus caninus; n = 6), possum sp. (Trichosurus sp.; n = 8), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes; n = 12) were analysed using piroplasm-specific 18S primers and Sanger sequencing. Seven Ixodes tasmani ticks from long-nosed bandicoots and bandicoots sp., three I. tasmani ticks and one Ixodes holocyclus tick from brushtail possums, and one Haemaphysalis longicornis tick from a red fox were positive for piroplasms. New genotypes, with sequences sharing 98% nucleotide similarities with Theileria sp. K1 detected in a burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur), were identified from bandicoot ticks. New genotypes were detected in ticks from brushtail possums, which shared 98% similarity with a Babesia sp. (JQ682877) previously identified in marsupials. Theileria orientalis was identified in the H. longicornis tick from the red fox. Babesia and Theileria spp. in the ticks parasitizing bandicoots and brushtail possums clustered closely with respective Babesia and Theileria clades derived from Australian marsupials. This represents the first detection of piroplasms in ticks parasitizing brushtail possums and a red fox in Australia. First characterisation of novel Babesia sp. in ticks from brushtail possums in Australia. First detection of Theileria orientalis in tick on a red fox in Australia. Theileria sp. derived from Australian marsupials form a unique clade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siew-May Loh
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Siobhon Egan
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amber Gillett
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter B Banks
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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17
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Greay TL, Zahedi A, Krige AS, Owens JM, Rees RL, Ryan UM, Oskam CL, Irwin PJ. Endemic, exotic and novel apicomplexan parasites detected during a national study of ticks from companion animals in Australia. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:197. [PMID: 29558984 PMCID: PMC5859549 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2775-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apicomplexan tick-borne pathogens that cause disease in companion animals include species of Babesia Starcovici, 1893, Cytauxzoon Neitz & Thomas, 1948, Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 and Theileria Bettencourt, Franca & Borges, 1907. The only apicomplexan tick-borne disease of companion animals that is known to occur in Australia is babesiosis, caused by Babesia canis vogeli Reichenow, 1937 and Babesia gibsoni Patton, 1910. However, no molecular investigations have widely investigated members of Apicomplexa Levine, 1980 in Australian ticks that parasitise dogs, cats or horses, until this present investigation. RESULTS Ticks (n = 711) removed from dogs (n = 498), cats (n = 139) and horses (n = 74) throughout Australia were screened for piroplasms and Hepatozoon spp. using conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing. The tick-borne pathogen B. vogeli was identified in two Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille ticks from dogs residing in the Northern Territory and Queensland (QLD). Theileria orientalis Yakimov & Sudachenkov, 1931 genotype Ikeda was detected in three Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann ticks from dogs in New South Wales. Unexpectedly, the exotic tick-borne pathogen Hepatozoon canis James, 1905 was identified in an Ixodes holocyclus Neumann tick from a dog in QLD. Eight novel piroplasm and Hepatozoon species were identified and described in native ticks and named as follows: Babesia lohae n. sp., Babesia mackerrasorum n. sp., Hepatozoon banethi n. sp., Hepatozoon ewingi n. sp., Theileria apogeana n. sp., Theileria palmeri n. sp., Theileria paparinii n. sp. and Theileria worthingtonorum n. sp. Additionally, a novel cf. Sarcocystidae sp. sequence was obtained from Ixodes tasmani Neumann but could not be confidently identified at the genus level. CONCLUSIONS Novel species of parasites in ticks represent an unknown threat to the health of companion animals that are bitten by these native tick species. The vector potential of Australian ticks for the newly discovered apicomplexans needs to be assessed, and further clinical and molecular investigations of these parasites, particularly in blood samples from dogs, cats and horses, is required to determine their potential for pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telleasha L. Greay
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Alireza Zahedi
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Anna-Sheree Krige
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Jadyn M. Owens
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Robert L. Rees
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
| | - Una M. Ryan
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Peter J. Irwin
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
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18
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Greay TL, Gofton AW, Paparini A, Ryan UM, Oskam CL, Irwin PJ. Recent insights into the tick microbiome gained through next-generation sequencing. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:12. [PMID: 29301588 PMCID: PMC5755153 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2550-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tick microbiome comprises communities of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes, and is being elucidated through modern molecular techniques. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has enabled the genes and genomes within these microbial communities to be explored in a rapid and cost-effective manner. The advantages of using NGS to investigate microbiomes surpass the traditional non-molecular methods that are limited in their sensitivity, and conventional molecular approaches that are limited in their scalability. In recent years the number of studies using NGS to investigate the microbial diversity and composition of ticks has expanded. Here, we provide a review of NGS strategies for tick microbiome studies and discuss the recent findings from tick NGS investigations, including the bacterial diversity and composition, influential factors, and implications of the tick microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telleasha L Greay
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Alexander W Gofton
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Andrea Paparini
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
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19
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Gofton AW, Loh SM, Barbosa AD, Paparini A, Gillett A, Macgregor J, Oskam CL, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. A novel Ehrlichia species in blood and Ixodes ornithorhynchi ticks from platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in Queensland and Tasmania, Australia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:435-442. [PMID: 29284563 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, Ehrlichia spp. are emerging infectious organisms of domestic animals and people, however, most Ehrlichia spp. naturally infect wildlife reservoirs causing mainly asymptomatic infections. Australian ecosystems have been under-explored for these potentially pathogenic organisms, and recent studies have identified a range of novel Ehrlichia, and their sister genera, Anaplasma and 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia' species, from native Australian ticks. We used bacterial 16S rRNA (16S) next-generation sequencing and genus-specific PCR to profile the bacterial communities in platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) blood samples and platypus ticks (Ixodes ornithorhynchi), and identified a high prevalence of Ehrlichia sequences. We also observed Ehrlichia-like intra-neutrophilic inclusions (morulae) in PCR-positive stained platypus blood films that were consistent in morphology with other Ehrlichia spp. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of 16S (1343 bp), gltA (1004 bp), and groEL (1074 bp) gene sequences group the platypus Ehrlichia with 'Candidatus Ehrlichia khabarensis' from far-eastern Russia, and demonstrate that the platypus Ehrlichia is clearly distinct from all other Ehrlichia spp. Enough genetic divergence exists to delineate this platypus Ehrlichia as a separate species that we propose to designate 'Candidatus Ehrlichia ornithorhynchi'. There is no evidence that 'Candidatus Ehrlichia ornithorhynchi' causes disease in wild platypuses, however, the organism does seem to be widespread in Australia, being found in both Queensland and Tasmania. 'Candidatus Ehrlichia ornithorhynchi' is the second native Australian Ehrlichia described and adds to the rapidly growing diversity of recently described native Australian tick-borne bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W Gofton
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Siew-May Loh
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amanda D Barbosa
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brazilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Andrea Paparini
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amber Gillett
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
| | - James Macgregor
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Mackie JT, Stenner R, Gillett AK, Barbosa A, Ryan U, Irwin PJ. Trypanosomiasis in an Australian little red flying fox (Pteropus scapulatus). Aust Vet J 2017; 95:259-261. [PMID: 28653380 PMCID: PMC7159704 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2016] [Revised: 09/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Case report An adult female Australian little red flying fox (Pteropus scapulatus) presented with icterus and anaemia. Examination of a blood smear revealed numerous trypanosomes 20.4–30.8 µm long with tapered ends. Necropsy and histological findings were consistent with trypanosome infection of lymphoid tissue and intravascular haemolysis. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated this trypanosome species to be genetically distinct and most similar to Trypanosoma minasense and Trypanosoma rangeli (with a genetic distance of 1% at the 18S rRNA locus for both). Conclusion To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of a trypanosome infection associated with clinical disease in bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Mackie
- Vepalabs, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - R Stenner
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
| | - A K Gillett
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
| | - A Barbosa
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brazil
| | - U Ryan
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - P J Irwin
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Gofton AW, Waudby HP, Petit S, Greay TL, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. Detection and phylogenetic characterisation of novel Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species in Amblyomma triguttatum subsp. from four allopatric populations in Australia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:749-756. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Irwin PJ, Robertson ID, Westman ME, Perkins M, Straubinger RK. Searching for Lyme borreliosis in Australia: results of a canine sentinel study. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:114. [PMID: 28285585 PMCID: PMC5346834 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2058-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lyme borreliosis is a common tick-borne disease of the northern hemisphere that is caused by bacterial spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) (Bbsl) complex. To date, there has been no convincing evidence for locally-acquired Lyme borreliosis on the Australian continent and there is currently a national debate concerning the nature and distributions of zoonotic tick-transmitted infectious disease in Australia. In studies conducted in Europe and the United States, dogs have been used as sentinels for tick-associated illness in people since they readily contact ticks that may harbour zoonotic pathogens. Applying this principle, we used a combination of serological assays to test dogs living in tick 'hot spots' and exposed to the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, for evidence of exposure to B. burgdorferi (s.l.) antigens and other vector-borne pathogens. RESULTS Altogether, 555 dogs from four demographic groups were recruited into this study. One dog had evidence of exposure to Anaplasma spp. but no other dog was positive in screening tests. A total of 122 dogs (22.0%) had a kinetic ELISA (KELA) unit value > 100, and one dog with a high titre (399.9 KELA units) had been vaccinated against B. burgdorferi (sensu stricto) before travelling to Australia. Older dogs and those with a history of tick paralysis were significantly more likely to have a KELA unit value > 100. Line immunoassay analysis revealed moderate-to-weak (equivocal) bands in 27 (4.9%) dogs. CONCLUSIONS Except for a single dog presumed to have been exposed to Anaplasma platys, infection with Anaplasma spp. B. burgdorferi (s.l.), Ehrlichia spp., and Dirofilaria immitis, was not detected in the cohort of Australian dogs evaluated in this study. These results provide further evidence that Lyme borreliosis does not exist in Australia but that cross-reacting antibodies (false positive results) are common and may be caused by the transmission of other tick-associated organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia. .,College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Ian D Robertson
- College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Mark E Westman
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Martine Perkins
- Pymble Veterinary Clinic, Philip Mall, Kendall Street, West Pymble, New South Wales, 2073, Australia
| | - Reinhard K Straubinger
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Bacteriology and Mycology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80539, Munich, Germany
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Tong LJ, Hosgood GL, French AT, Irwin PJ, Shiel RE. Platelet function and activation in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with subclinical chronic valvular heart disease. Am J Vet Res 2017; 77:860-8. [PMID: 27463549 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.77.8.860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess platelet closure time (CT), mean platelet component (MPC) concentration, and platelet component distribution width (PCDW) in dogs with subclinical chronic valvular heart disease. ANIMALS 89 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs) and 39 control dogs (not CKCSs). PROCEDURES Platelet count, MPC concentration, PCDW, and Hct were measured by use of a hematology analyzer, and CT was measured by use of a platelet function analyzer. Murmur grade and echocardiographic variables (mitral valve regurgitant jet size relative to left atrial area, left atrial-to-aortic diameter ratio, and left ventricular internal dimensions) were recorded. Associations between explanatory variables (sex, age, murmur grade, echocardiographic variables, platelet count, and Hct) and outcomes (CT, MPC concentration, and PCDW) were examined by use of multivariate regression models. RESULTS A model with 5 variables best explained variation in CT (R(2), 0.74), with > 60% of the variance of CT explained by mitral valve regurgitant jet size. The model of best fit to explain variation in MPC concentration included only platelet count (R(2), 0.24). The model of best fit to explain variation in PCDW included platelet count and sex (R(2), 0.25). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this study, a significant effect of mitral valve regurgitant jet size on CT was consistent with platelet dysfunction. However, platelet activation, as assessed on the basis of the MPC concentration and PCDW, was not a feature of subclinical chronic valvular heart disease in CKCSs.
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Oskam CL, Gofton AW, Greay TL, Yang R, Doggett S, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. Molecular investigation into the presence of a Coxiella sp. in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks in Australia. Vet Microbiol 2017; 201:141-145. [PMID: 28284601 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is an infectious disease with a global distribution caused by the intracellular bacterium, Coxiella burnetii, which has been detected in a large number of tick species worldwide, including the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Recent reports of a high seroprevalance of C. burnetii in Australian dogs, along with the identification of additional Coxiella species within R. sanguineus ticks, has prompted an investigation into the presence and identification of Coxiella species in R. sanguineus ticks in Australia. Using a combination of C. burnetii species-specific IS1111a transposase gene and Coxiella genus-specific 16S rRNA PCR assays, a Coxiella sp. was identified in 100% (n=199) of R. sanguineus ticks analysed, and C. burnetii was not detected in any R. sanguineus ticks studied. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the Coxiella sequences were closely related to Coxiella sp. identified previously in R. sanguineus and R. turanicus ticks overseas. This study illustrates the value of using genus specific PCR assays to detect previously unreported bacterial species. Furthermore, the presence of an additional Coxiella sp. in Australia requires further investigation into its potential for contributing to serological cross-reactions during Q fever testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Perth, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Alexander W Gofton
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Perth, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Telleasha L Greay
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Perth, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Rongchang Yang
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Perth, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Stephen Doggett
- Department of Medical Entomology, Pathology West and Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Locked Bag 9001, Westmead, New South Wales, 2145, Australia.
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Perth, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Perth, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
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Loh SM, Gofton AW, Lo N, Gillett A, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL. Novel Borrelia species detected in echidna ticks, Bothriocroton concolor, in Australia. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:339. [PMID: 27301754 PMCID: PMC4908759 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1627-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, little has been documented about microorganisms harboured within Australian native ticks or their pathogenic potential. Recently, a Borrelia sp. related to the Relapsing Fever (RF) group was identified in a single tick removed from a wild echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). The present study investigated the presence of Borrelia in 97 Bothriocroton concolor ticks parasitizing echidnas in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, Australia, using nested PCR with Borrelia-specific primers targeting the 16S rRNA (16S) and flaB genes. RESULTS Borrelia-specific PCR assays confirmed the presence of a novel Borrelia sp. related to the RF and reptile-associated (REP) spirochaetes in 38 (39 %) B. concolor ticks. This novel Borrelia sp. was identified in 41 % of the B. concolor ticks in Queensland and New South Wales, but not in any ticks from Victoria. The resulting flaB sequences (407 bp) were 88 and 86 % similar to the flaB sequences from Borrelia turcica and Borrelia hermsii, respectively. Of the ticks confirmed as Borrelia-positive following the flaB assay, 28 were positive with the 16S assay. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S sequences (1097 bp) suggests that these sequences belong to a novel Borrelia sp., which forms a unique monophyletic clade that is similar to, but distinct from, RF Borrelia spp. and REP-associated Borrelia spp. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the novel Borrelia sp. identified in this study does not belong to the Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) complex, and that the phylogenetic analysis of the partial 16S gene sequences suggests it forms a unique monophyletic cluster in the genus Borrelia, potentially forming a fourth major group in this genus associated with monotremes in Australia. However, a thorough molecular characterisation will be required to confirm the phylogenetic position of this unique Borrelia sp. The zoonotic potential and pathogenic consequences of this novel Borrelia sp. are unknown at the current time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siew-May Loh
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Alexander W Gofton
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nathan Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amber Gillett
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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Greay TL, Oskam CL, Gofton AW, Rees RL, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. A survey of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) of companion animals in Australia. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:207. [PMID: 27160149 PMCID: PMC4862205 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1480-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are among the most important vectors of pathogens affecting companion animals, and also cause health problems such as tick paralysis, anaemia, dermatitis, and secondary infections. Twenty ixodid species have previously been recorded on dogs, cats, and horses in Australia, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes holocyclus and Haemaphysalis longicornis, which transmit tick-borne diseases. A survey of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) was conducted during 2012-2015 to investigate tick species that infest dogs, cats, and horses in Australia. METHODS Individual tick specimens were collected from dogs, cats and horses across Australia and sample collection locations were mapped using QGIS software. Ticks were morphologically examined to determine species, instar and sex. The companion animal owners responded to questionnaires and data collected were summarised with SPSS software. RESULTS A total of 4765 individual ticks were identified in this study from 7/8 states and territories in Australia. Overall, 220 larvae, 805 nymphs, 1404 males, and 2336 females of 11 tick species were identified from 837 companion animal hosts. One novel host record was obtained during this study for Ixodes myrmecobii, which was found on Felis catus (domestic cat) in the town of Esperance, Western Australia. The most common tick species identified included R. sanguineus on dogs (73 %), I. holocyclus on cats (81 %) and H. longicornis on horses (60 %). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first of its kind to be conducted in Australia and our results contribute to the understanding of the species and distribution of ticks that parasitise dogs, cats, and horses in Australia. Records of R. sanguineus outside of the recorded distribution range emphasise the need for a systematic study of the habitat range of this species. Several incomplete descriptions of ixodid species encountered in this study hindered morphological identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telleasha L. Greay
- />Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- />Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Alexander W. Gofton
- />Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | | | - Una M. Ryan
- />Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Peter J. Irwin
- />Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
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Paparini A, Macgregor J, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. First Molecular Characterization of Theileria ornithorhynchi Mackerras, 1959: yet Another Challenge to the Systematics of the Piroplasms. Protist 2015; 166:609-20. [PMID: 26599724 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Piroplasms, tick-transmitted Apicomplexa of the genera Theileria, Babesia and Cytauxzoon, are blood-borne parasites of clinical and veterinary importance. The order Piroplasmida shows a puzzling systematics characterized by multiple clades, soft polytomies and paraphyletic/polyphyletic genera. In the present study, screening of platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), was performed to infer the parasite molecular phylogeny. DNA was extracted from blood, ectoparasites and tick eggs and the 18S rRNA- hsp70-genes were used for the phylogenetic reconstructions. Microscopic analyses detected pleomorphic intra-erythrocytic organisms and tetrads consistent with previous descriptions of Theileria ornithorhynchi Mackerras, 1959, but observation of possible schizonts could not be confirmed. DNA sequences obtained from blood and ticks allowed resolving the systematics of the first piroplasm infecting a monotreme host. Molecularly, T. ornithorhynchi formed a novel monophyletic group, basal to most known piroplasms' clades. The ancestral position of this clade, isolated from an ancient lineage of mammalian host appears particularly fascinating. The present paper discusses the inadequacies of the current molecular systematics for the Piroplasmida and the consequences of incomplete sampling, morphology-based classification and ambiguous microscopic identifications. Likely when the current sampling bias is rectified and more sequence data is made available, the phylogenetic position of T. ornithorhynchi will be further contextualized without ambiguity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Paparini
- Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA, 6150, Australia.
| | - James Macgregor
- College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA, 6150, Australia
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Cleare E, Mason K, Mills J, Gabor M, Irwin PJ. Remaining vigilant for the exotic: cases of imported canine leishmaniosis in Australia 2000-2011. Aust Vet J 2014; 92:119-27. [PMID: 24673139 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine leishmaniosis (CL) caused by Leishmania infantum is a disease of worldwide importance, not only because it causes severe and potentially fatal disease in dogs, but also because of its zoonotic relevance. The parasite is the causative agent of human visceral leishmaniosis, a severe, debilitating disease that causes an estimated 59,000 deaths annually. Australia is considered to be free of zoonotic leishmaniosis. METHODS A retrospective case series of five imported dogs diagnosed with CL between 2000 and 2011. Cases were identified by word-of-mouth and by referral. RESULTS The dogs were diagnosed with CL between 2000 and 2011; clinical, clinicopathological, and serological data are presented, together with a review of the disease and its biosecurity implications for Australia. CONCLUSIONS Because of the unique immunopathology and diagnostic challenges associated with CL, the importance of obtaining a travel history is reinforced because some dogs imported prior to 2006 may develop clinical signs of this disease and present for veterinary examination. Furthermore, it is possible for leishmaniosis to become established within Australia under certain circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Cleare
- College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND A nearly 4-year-old neutered male Australian Terrier was referred for a nodular pyogranulomatous mass of the right axilla. It had been poorly responsive to antibiotic therapy. CASE REPORT Based on filamentous Gram-positive organisms identified in earlier biopsy material, infection by an Actinomyces sp. was suspected and the dog showed clinical improvement on a trial of potentiated sulfonamides. Recurrence 5 months later prompted euthanasia, with Streptomyces cyaneus being cultured and confirmed by genetic sequencing of part of the 16 s ribosomal RNA gene. CONCLUSION Invasive Streptomyces spp. infections are uncommon in humans and animals, and isolations are sometimes considered to be contaminants, but the demonstration of the organism within the lesion in this instance indicates that the isolation of a Streptomyces sp. from veterinary cases should not always be considered as contamination, because this genus is clearly pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- P K Nicholls
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
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Paparini A, McInnes LM, Di Placido D, Mackereth G, Tompkins DM, Clough R, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. Piroplasms of New Zealand seabirds. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:4407-14. [PMID: 25204728 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4118-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Blood and ectoparasitic ticks were collected from migratory seabirds in New Zealand, including Australasian gannets (n = 13) from two sites and red-billed gulls (n = 9) and white-fronted terns (n = 2) from a third location. Blood smears were screened for parasite presence by microscopy, while DNA from blood samples was subjected to PCR for the presence of tick-transmitted protozoan haemoparasites belonging to the order Piroplasmida. Parasites were identified by comparing small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rDNA) gene sequences to related sequences on GenBank. Analyses indicated that nine birds were infected with unknown variants of a Babesia poelea-like parasite (recorded as genotypes I and II), while four harboured a piroplasm that was genetically similar to Babesia kiwiensis. There was no parasite stratification by bird species; both the gannets and gulls were positive for all three parasites, while the terns were positive for the B. kiwiensis-like and the B. poelea-like (genotype I) parasites. The B. kiwiensis-like parasite found in the birds was also found in two species of ticks: Carios capensis and Ixodes eudyptidis. This represents the first report of Babesia-positive ticks parasitising seabirds in New Zealand. The lack of host specificity and evidence of wide ranging distributions of the three piroplasm genotypes suggests there is a high degree of haemoparasite transmission occurring naturally between New Zealand seabird populations and species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Paparini
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
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Paparini A, Senanayake SN, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. Molecular confirmation of the first autochthonous case of human babesiosis in Australia using a novel primer set for the beta-tubulin gene. Exp Parasitol 2014; 141:93-7. [PMID: 24675416 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In 2012, the first autochthonous Australian case of human babesiosis was reported, after microscopic examinations of blood samples revealed intra-erythrocytic parasites in a hospitalized 56year-old man from NSW, who died in 2011 (Senanayake et al., 2012). Independent molecular analyses carried out in Australia and the USA, identified Babesia microti at the 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), and the beta-tubulin (β-tubulin) gene loci. Here we present the details of a novel PCR-based assay for the β-tubulin gene that was developed, during the original study, to corroborate the results obtained from the analysis of the 18S rDNA. The complete phylogenetic reconstruction, based on the two loci sequenced from the Australian clinical isolate, is also shown here for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Paparini
- School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
| | - Sanjaya N Senanayake
- ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, Linnaeus Way, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia; Canberra Hospital Campus, The Canberra Hospital, Hospital Road, Garran, ACT 2606, Australia.
| | - Una M Ryan
- School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
| | - Peter J Irwin
- School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
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Irwin PJ. It shouldn't happen to a dog … or a veterinarian: clinical paradigms for canine vector-borne diseases. Trends Parasitol 2013; 30:104-12. [PMID: 24388563 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 11/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) comprise a diverse group of viral, bacterial, protozoal, and helminth pathogens, transmitted predominantly by ticks and fleas, and cause significant health problems for dogs worldwide. Growing numbers of reports indicate that CVBDs are emerging in regions where they previously did not exist and this, combined with pathogens that are inherently difficult to detect, is providing companion animal veterinarians with some significant diagnostic challenges. This review discusses six paradigms concerning the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and zoonotic implications of CVBDs from a veterinary clinical perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Irwin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
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Senanayake SN, Paparini A, Latimer M, Andriolo K, Dasilva AJ, Wilson H, Xayavong MV, Collignon PJ, Jeans P, Irwin PJ. First report of human babesiosis in Australia. Med J Aust 2012; 196:350-2. [PMID: 22432676 DOI: 10.5694/mja11.11378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Paparini A, Irwin PJ, Warren K, McInnes LM, de Tores P, Ryan UM. Identification of novel trypanosome genotypes in native Australian marsupials. Vet Parasitol 2011; 183:21-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Revised: 06/27/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Kaewmongkol G, Kaewmongkol S, Fleming PA, Adams PJ, Ryan U, Irwin PJ, Fenwick SG. Zoonotic Bartonella species in fleas and blood from red foxes in Australia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2011; 11:1549-53. [PMID: 21919728 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonella are arthropod-borne, fastidious, Gram-negative, and aerobic bacilli distributed by fleas, lice, sand flies, and, possibly, ticks. The zoonotic Bartonella species, Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae, which are the causes of cat scratch disease and endocarditis in humans, have been reported from cats, cat fleas, and humans in Australia. However, to date, there has been no report of B. henselae or B. clarridgeiae in Australian wild animals and their ectoparasites. B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae were detected in fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), an introduced pest animal species in Australia, and only B. clarridgeiae was detected in blood from one red fox. Phylogenetic analysis of the ribosomal intergenic spacer region revealed that the B. henselae detected in the current study were related to B. henselae strain Houston-1, a major pathogenic strain in humans in Australia, and confirmed the genetic distinctness of B. clarridgeiae. The identification and characterization of Bartonella species in red foxes in the Southwest of Western Australia suggests that red foxes may act as reservoirs of infection for animals and humans in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunn Kaewmongkol
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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Kaewmongkol G, Kaewmongkol S, Burmej H, Bennett MD, Fleming PA, Adams PJ, Wayne AF, Ryan U, Irwin PJ, Fenwick SG. Diversity of Bartonella species detected in arthropod vectors from animals in Australia. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2011; 34:411-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2011.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2011] [Revised: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Kaewmongkol G, Kaewmongkol S, McInnes LM, Burmej H, Bennett MD, Adams PJ, Ryan U, Irwin PJ, Fenwick SG. Genetic characterization of flea-derived Bartonella species from native animals in Australia suggests host-parasite co-evolution. Infect Genet Evol 2011; 11:1868-72. [PMID: 21856444 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2011.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Revised: 07/26/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fleas are important arthropod vectors for a variety of diseases in veterinary and human medicine, and bacteria belonging to the genus Bartonella are among the organisms most commonly transmitted by these ectoparasites. Recently, a number of novel Bartonella species and novel species candidates have been reported in marsupial fleas in Australia. In the present study the genetic diversity of marsupial fleas was investigated; 10 species of fleas were collected from seven different marsupial and placental mammal hosts in Western Australia including woylies (Bettongia penicillata), western barred bandicoots (Perameles bougainville), mardos (Antechinus flavipes), bush rats (Rattus fuscipes), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), feral cats (Felis catus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). PCR and sequence analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and the 18S rRNA genes from these fleas was performed. Concatenated phylogenetic analysis of the COI and 18S rRNA genes revealed a close genetic relationship between marsupial fleas, with Pygiopsylla hilli from woylies, Pygiopsylla tunneyi from western barred bandicoots and Acanthopsylla jordani from mardos, forming a separate cluster from fleas collected from the placental mammals in the same geographical area. The clustering of Bartonella species with their marsupial flea hosts suggests co-evolution of marsupial hosts, marsupial fleas and Bartonella species in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunn Kaewmongkol
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch 6150, Western Australia, Australia.
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Rani PAMA, Coleman GT, Irwin PJ, Traub RJ. Hippobosca longipennis--a potential intermediate host of a species of Acanthocheilonema in dogs in northern India. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:143. [PMID: 21781294 PMCID: PMC3161949 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hippobosca longipennis (the 'dog louse fly') is a blood sucking ectoparasite found on wild carnivores such as cheetahs and lions and domesticated and feral dogs in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, including China. Known as an intermediate host for Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides and a transport host for Cheyletiella yasguri, it has also been suggested that H. longipennis may be a vector for other pathogens, including Acanthocheilonema sp.? nov., which was recently reported to infect up to 48% of dogs in northern India where this species of fly is known to commonly infest dogs. To test this hypothesis, hippoboscid flies feeding on dogs in Ladakh in northern India were collected and subjected to microscopic dissection. Results A total of 12 infective larvae were found in 10 out of 65 flies dissected; 9 from the head, 2 from the thorax and 1 from the abdomen. The larvae averaged 2, 900 (± 60) μm in length and 34 (± 5) μm in width and possessed morphological features characteristic of the family Onchocercidae. Genetic analysis and comparison of the 18S, ITS-2, 12S and cox-1 genes confirmed the identity of the larvae as the Acanthocheilonema sp.? nov. reported in dogs in Ladakh. Conclusion This study provides evidence for a potential intermediate host-parasite relationship between H. longipennis and the canine Acanthocheilonema sp.? nov. in northern India.
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Kaewmongkol G, Kaewmongkol S, Owen H, Fleming PA, Adams PJ, Ryan U, Irwin PJ, Fenwick SG. Candidatus Bartonella antechini: A novel Bartonella species detected in fleas and ticks from the yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), an Australian marsupial. Vet Microbiol 2011; 149:517-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Revised: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 12/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Lim S, Irwin PJ, Lee S, Oh M, Ahn K, Myung B, Shin S. Comparison of selected canine vector-borne diseases between urban animal shelter and rural hunting dogs in Korea. Parasit Vectors 2010; 3:32. [PMID: 20377869 PMCID: PMC2860352 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-3-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A serological survey for Dirofilaria immitis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Borrelia burgdorferi infections in rural hunting and urban shelter dogs mainly from southwestern regions of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was conducted. From a total of 229 wild boar or pheasant hunting dogs, the number of serologically positive dogs for any of the four pathogens was 93 (40.6%). The highest prevalence observed was D. immitis (22.3%), followed by A. phagocytophilum (18.8%), E. canis (6.1%) and the lowest prevalence was B. burgdorferi (2.2%). In contrast, stray dogs found within the city limits of Gwangju showed seropositivity only to D. immitis (14.6%), and none of the 692 dogs responded positive for A. phagocytophilum, E. canis or B. burgdorferi antibodies. This study indicates that the risk of exposure to vector-borne diseases in rural hunting dogs can be quite high in Korea, while the urban environment may not be suitable for tick infestation on dogs, as evidenced by the low infection status of tick-borne pathogens in stray dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Lim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Korea.
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Megat Abd Rani PA, Irwin PJ, Gatne M, Coleman GT, McInnes LM, Traub RJ. A survey of canine filarial diseases of veterinary and public health significance in India. Parasit Vectors 2010; 3:30. [PMID: 20377864 PMCID: PMC2857864 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-3-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dirofilaria spp., Acanthocheilonema spp. and Brugia spp. have all been reported in Indian dogs. In previous studies, diagnosis was made by morphological identification only. This is the first geographically stratified cross-sectional study in India to determine the prevalence and geographical distribution of canine filarial species of veterinary and public health importance, using a combination of conventional and molecular diagnostic techniques. RESULTS A total of 139 from 525 dogs (26.5%; 95% CI 22.7, 30.3) were positive for microfilariae. The most common species of canine filaria identified in this study was A. reconditum (9.3%) followed by D. repens (6.7%) and D. immitis (1.5%). Three out of 525 dogs were found to have mixed infections on PCR. The morphological and molecular evidence on the sequence of the 18S gene and phylogenetic analysis of the ITS-2 region provided strong evidence that the canine microfilariae discovered in the Himalayan city of Ladakh belong to a novel species of Acanthocheilonema. Two dogs in Ladakh were also found to have mixed infections of the novel species described above and a unique microfilaria which morphologically resembled Microfilaria auquieri Foley, 1921. CONCLUSIONS At least six species of filarial nematode are now known to infect dogs in India, two of which were reported for the first time in this study. The study also confirms and extends the geographical distribution of canine heartworm (D. immitis) which overlaps with D. repens, emphasising the importance for veterinary clinicians and diagnostic laboratories to utilise immunodiagnostic tests that will not cross-react between those two filarial species. From a public health viewpoint, the distribution and prevalences of these nematodes warrant an appropriate prophylaxis to be administered to dogs.
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Megat Abd Rani PA, Irwin PJ, Gatne M, Coleman GT, Traub RJ. Canine vector-borne diseases in India: a review of the literature and identification of existing knowledge gaps. Parasit Vectors 2010; 3:28. [PMID: 20377862 PMCID: PMC2860351 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-3-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the combination of favourable climate for parasites and vectors, and large populations of stray dogs, information concerning the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of canine vector-borne diseases in India is limited. However, with the country's expanding economy and adaptation to western culture, higher expectations and demands are being placed on veterinary surgeons for improved knowledge of diseases and control. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of these diseases in India and identify existing knowledge gaps in the literature which need to be addressed. The available literature on this subject, although limited, suggests that a number of canine vector-borne diseases such as filariasis, babesiosis and ehrlichiosis are endemic throughout India, as diagnosed mostly by morphological methods. Detailed investigations of the epidemiology and zoonotic potential of these pathogens has been neglected. Further study is essential to develop a better understanding of the diversity of canine vector-borne diseases in India, and their significance for veterinary and public health.
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Ramsey IK, Richardson J, Lenard Z, Tebb AJ, Irwin PJ. Persistent isolated hypocortisolism following brief treatment with trilostane. Aust Vet J 2008; 86:491-5. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2008.00373.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Russell NJ, Irwin PJ, Hopper BJ, Olivry T, Nicholls PK. Acute necrotising pulmonary vasculitis and pulmonary hypertension in a juvenile dog. J Small Anim Pract 2008; 49:349-55. [PMID: 18638059 DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2008.00253.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A five-month-old female Jack Russell terrier was presented for investigation of acute lethargy, anorexia, coughing, respiratory distress and weakness. Examination findings included cyanosis, a grade 3 of 6 systolic heart murmur and prolonged capillary refill time. Radiography and echocardiography revealed severe pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale and right-sided heart failure. Indirect measurement of the systolic pulmonary artery pressure estimated pressures over 100 mmHg. Despite treatment the patient died. Post-mortem examination did not identify a congenital cardiovascular anomaly. Histopathology confirmed acute necrotising pulmonary arteritis and immunohistochemistry failed to identify any immune complex or complement deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Russell
- School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Clinical Science, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
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Davies DR, Foster SF, Hopper BJ, Staudte KL, O'Hara AJ, Irwin PJ. Hypokalaemic paresis, hypertension, alkalosis and adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism in a dog. Aust Vet J 2008; 86:139-46. [PMID: 18363988 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2008.00276.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Generalised paresis, severe hypokalaemia and kaliuresis, metabolic alkalosis and hypertension, characteristic of mineralocorticoid excess, were identified in a dog with hyperadrenocorticism due to a functional adrenocortical carcinoma. Aldosterone concentration was decreased and deoxycorticosterone concentration increased in the presence of hypokalaemia. These metabolic abnormalities resolved with resection of the carcinoma. Mineralocorticoid excess in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism is generally considered to be of little clinical significance but resulted in the acute presentation of this patient. The possible pathogenesis of mineralocorticoid excess in this case of canine hyperadrenocorticism is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Davies
- Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6154
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Abstract
A 17-year-old, castrated male Maltese was presented with chronic polyphagia and a 2-week history of tenesmus, diarrhea, hematochezia, weight loss, and ribbon-like feces. Pneumatosis coli was diagnosed by abdominal radiography. Concurrent hyperadrenocorticism was suspected. The clinical signs of colorectal disease resolved within 2 days of initiating a lowresidue diet and oral metronidazole. Pneumatosis coli should be considered as a differential diagnosis for colorectal disease in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Russell
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
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Russell NJ, Foster S, Clark P, Robertson ID, Lewis D, Irwin PJ. Comparison of radioimmunoassay and chemiluminescent assay methods to estimate canine blood cortisol concentrations. Aust Vet J 2007; 85:487-94. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2007.00232.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Jefferies R, Ryan UM, Jardine J, Broughton DK, Robertson ID, Irwin PJ. Blood, Bull Terriers and Babesiosis: further evidence for direct transmission of Babesia gibsoni in dogs. Aust Vet J 2007; 85:459-63. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2007.00220.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
This report describes a case of Angiostonglyus vasorum infection, sometimes referred to as French heartworm disease, in a dog imported into Western Australia from the United Kingdom. Diagnosis was made by identification of first stage larvae on fine needle aspiration of a consolidated lung lobe. First stage larvae were also identified in the faeces by the Baermann technique. The main clinical signs in this case were coughing and tachypnoea. The dog was treated successfully with fenbendazole at 50 mg/kg once daily for 10 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Tebb
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, WA 6150, USA.
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