One hundred sera of Malaysian cattle were used in this seroprevalence study for bovine babesiosis. All sera were obtained from the Serological Unit of the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), Ipoh, Perak. The sera were tested using a Veterinary Medical Research & Development (VMRD) commercial Indirect Immunofluourescent Antibody Test (IFAT) kit. The results showed that 17.0% were found to be positive for Babesia bovis, 16.0% for Babesia bigemina, and 9.0% for both B. bovis and B. bigemina infections.
Between January 1987 and February 1990 Babesia infections were detected in 320 dogs in Germany by means of microscopical and/or serological methods. It was found, that 316 dogs were infected with Babesia canis and 4 animals with Babesia gibsoni. Of the Babesia-canis-positive dogs 184 were abroad up to 4 months before diagnosis, mainly in France, Spain and Italy, but also in Hungary, Greece, Jugoslavia, Portugal, Morocco, Togo, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Turkey, Romania, Austria and the Netherlands. For further 36 dogs the possible place of infection for Babesia canis could not be clarified geographically. 5 dogs each were simultaneously infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Dermacentor reticulatus, respectively. The four dogs infected with Babesia gibsoni were previously in Sri Lanka (2), Brazil (1) or Algeria/Kenya (1). In 88 dogs from the Offenburg/Lahr/Freiburg area, which were not abroad, infections with Babesia canis were diagnosed from January to June as well as from September to December, however, most cases occurring in April and May. Of these dogs approximately 20% were found to be infested with Dermacentor reticulatus. These ticks were also collected on the vegetation in the Offenburg area. Therefore, an endemic focus of Babesia canis can be deduced in the area of Offenburg/Lahr/Freiburg and Dermacentor reticulatus as vector also in Germany.
Cattle in Peninsular Malaysia were examined for evidence of infection with Babesia ovata, B. bigemina and B. bovis by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibody to the three Babesia species. All of the test samples when assayed with B. ovata antigen, resulted in low value indicating low probability of cattle infected with B. bigemina, 74.4% were positive for B. bovis and 72.6% were positive for both Babesia species. In addition, a serological survey with regard to age difference was carried out on a milk production farm. High reactivity antibody to B. bigemina and B. bovis was detected in calves less than 1 month of the age. The reactivity decreased in calves 1-3 months of the age. Then, the reactivity increased for both Babesia species in 6 months old calves. These results suggested that cattle infected with B. bigemina and B. bovis were widespread throughout Peninsular Malaysia and that both parasites might exist as an enzootical parasite.
Babesia gibsoni is a tick borne intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite causing piroplasmosis in dogs and has been predominantly reported in Asian countries, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Bangladesh and India. The present communication is the first evidence on the genetic diversity of B. gibsoni of dogs in India. Blood samples were collected from 164 dogs in north and northeast states of India and 13 dogs (7.9%) were found positive for B. gibsoni infection by microscopic examination of blood smears. Molecular confirmation of these microscopic positive cases for B. gibsoni was carried out by 18S rRNA nested-PCR, followed by sequencing. Nested-PCR for the 18S rRNA gene was also carried out on microscopically B. gibsoni negative samples that detected a higher percentage of dogs (28.6%) infected with B. gibsoni. Genetic diversity in B. gibsoni in India was determined by studying B. gibsoni thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (BgTRAP) gene fragments (855bp) in 19 isolates from four north and northeast states of India. Phylogenetic analysis of the BgTRAP gene revealed that B. gibsoni parasite in India and Bangladesh formed a distinct cluster away from other Asian B. gibsoni isolates available from Japan, Taiwan and Korea. In addition, tandem repeat analysis of the BgTRAP gene clearly showed considerable genetic variation among Indian isolates that was shared by B. gibsoni isolates of Bangladesh. These results suggested that B. gibsoni parasites in a different genetic clade are endemic in dogs in India and Bangladesh. Further studies are required for better understanding of the genetic diversity of B. gibsoni prevalent in India and in its neighbouring countries.
This study reports for the first time molecular detection of Anaplasma platys infection in 4 (13.3%) of 30 Malaysian dogs investigated. A low occurrence (3.3%) of Babesia gibsoni was also noted, being detected in one of the 30 dogs. Rickettsia, Bartonella, Orientia tsutsugamushi, and Ehrlichia DNA were not detected in the dog blood samples. The role of A. platys as an agent of canine anaplasmosis and its transmission through Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks merits further investigation.
Livestock constitute habitual hosts and carriers for several infectious pathogens which may represent a serious public health concern affecting the readiness of military forces and lead to wide economic losses. The present report aimed to investigate the prevalence of some haemopathogens infecting military livestock, particularly, dromedaries, sheep and horses using Giemsa-stained blood smears. A total of 300 animals (100 from each species) were selected, clinically examined and sampled. Trypanosoma spp. (22.0%), Anaplasma spp. (17.0%) and Babesia spp. (1.0%) were identified in camels' blood. Six dromedaries were found to be co-infected by Trypanosoma and Anaplasma organisms (6.0%). Camels of female gender, infested by ticks and showing clinical signs were statistically more infected by Trypanosoma spp., compared to those of male gender, free of ticks and apparently healthy (P= 0.027, 0.000 and 0.004, respectively). Babesia spp. infection (1.0%) was identified, for the first time in Tunisia, in one adult female camel that presented abortion and anemia. Anaplasma spp. was the only haemopathogen identified in examined sheep (6.0%) and horses (17.0%). Horses infested by Hippobosca equina flies and sheep infested by Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks were more infected by Anaplasma spp. than other non-infested animals (P=0.046 and 0.042, respectively). Hyalomma dromedarii, H. impeltatum and H. excavatum were the most prevalent diagnosed ticks removed from camels with an intensity of infestation of 1.2 ticks per animal. However, in sheep, only R. turanicus was identified. H. equina and Tabanus spp. were the potential hematophagous flies found in dromedaries and horses herds. This useful data must be taken into consideration during animal treatment and vectors' control programs in Tunisian military farms which help to limit the diffusion of vector-borne diseases, keep our livestock healthy and reduce economic losses.
Babesia bigemina is a tick-borne protozoan that affects cattle in almost all regions of the world. Despite its importance, there is no report of its prevalence in cattle using molecular detection methods in Peninsular Malaysia. This study describes the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors associated with B. bigemina infection using molecular diagnostic methods. Also, the species of ticks infesting cattle and the attitude of cattle farmers towards tick control in Peninsular Malaysia were studied. Blood samples were collected from 1045 cattle from 43 herds throughout the country, and were subjected to molecular studies to detect B. bigemina. Tick samples for entomological studies were also collected and identified. Epidemiological information of each cattle and farm were obtained using a well-structured questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended questions. Data were statistically analyzed using Univariate and Multivariate models. The 211-base pair of AMA-1 gene of B. bigemina was amplified and confirmed in 30.5 % (319/1045; 95 % CI = 27.8-33.4) of the sampled population, with the haemoprotozoan detected in all the sampled herds. Breed, age, physiological status, management type, rate of de-ticking, and closeness to human settlement were the risk factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of B. bigemina in cattle. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa were the species of ticks collected from cattle, with the former been more prevalent. A large number of cattle farmers (12/43; 28 %) do not control ticks in their herds. The findings of this study will create baseline data on the epidemiology of the haemoprotozoan and control patterns of its tick vectors that will guide the government in enacting policies that will improve food security and the economy of the nation.
Babesia gibsoni is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan parasite of dogs that often causes fever and hemolytic illness. Detection of B. gibsoni has been predominantly reported in Asian countries, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Bangladesh and India. The present study shows the first molecular characterization of B. gibsoni detected from dogs in Bangladesh. Blood samples were collected on FTA® Elute cards from 50 stray dogs in Mymensingh District in Bangladesh. DNA eluted from the cards was subjected to nested PCR for the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia species. Approximately 800bp PCR products were detected in 15 of 50 dogs (30%). Based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and direct sequencing of the PCR products, all parasite isolates were identified as B. gibsoni. Furthermore, the BgTRAP (B. gibsoni thrombospondin-related adhesive protein) gene fragments were detected in 13 of 15 18S rRNA gene PCR positive blood samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the BgTRAP gene revealed that B. gibsoni parasites in Bangladesh formed a cluster, which was genetically different from other Asian B. gibsoni isolates. In addition, tandem repeat analysis of the BgTRAP gene clearly showed considerable genetic variation among Bangladeshi isolates. These results suggested that B. gibsoni parasites in a different genetic clade are endemic in dogs in Bangladesh. Further studies are required to elucidate the origin, distribution, vector and pathogenesis of B. gibsoni parasites circulating in dogs in Bangladesh.
18S rDNA sequences from 4 isolates of Babesia gibsoni originating from Japan, Malaysia and Sri Lanka were compared with a previously published, 0.5 kb portion of the 18S rDNA from a B. gibsoni isolate from California, USA, and with the corresponding 18S rDNA sequences of other Babesia spp. Distance, parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses showed almost identical genotypes among the small canine Babesia from Asia, but an unexpectedly distant genetic relationship to that from the USA. While the American isolate segregated together with B. equi, the Asian isolates showed a close relationship to B. divergens and B. odocoilei. These results indicate that small Babesia of dogs originating from North America and Asia belong to different, genetically distantly related species.
In 3 urban areas in Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia between 1973 and 1981, blood from 4084 dogs was examined for haematozoa. The following frequencies were found: Babesia gibsoni 17.7%; microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis 9.6%; Hepatozoon canis 1.2%; B. canis 1.1%; Ehrlichia canis 0.2%; Trypanosoma evansi 0.1%. A detailed examination of B. gibsoni infections and microfilariasis due to D. immitis with regards to monthly distribution, breed frequency, sex and age, revealed that pedigree and non-pedigree dogs were equally susceptible to Babesia and microfilariae infections.
Knowledge of molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens in camels in Saudi Arabia is very limited; few molecular epidemiological studies have been under taken. This study was to detect Anaplasma spp. and Piroplasma spp. in camels from Asir Province, Saudi Arabia. A total of 150 blood samples were collected from camels in Asir Province and investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that targeted 18S rRNA and 23S rRNA to detect the DNA of Piroplasma spp. and Anaplasma spp., respectively. The positive samples for 23S rRNA were assayed again by PCR targeting the 16S rRNA. All the blood samples were free from Piroplasma spp. infection. Three camels (2%) were found to be positive for Anaplasma infection through use of PCR that targeted the 23S rRNA gene. There were no significant differences between ages or sexes in the camels that tested positive for Anaplasma. All positive Anaplasma infections were recorded in camels that were infested by ticks. Two Anaplasma sequences for the16S rRNA gene were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers MN882724 and MN882725. They recorded 99.16% and 99.34% similarities (respectively) with KF843825.1 (Candidatus Anaplasma camelii reported in Unizah, Saudi Arabia). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the two sequences recorded in this study were close to each other; both were located in one cluster with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii isolates that were recorded before in the adjacent areas of Unizah in Saudi Arabia and Iran. In conclusion: two new Anaplasma genotypes close to Candidatus Anaplasma camelii were found in camels in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia for the first time. The camels in this province were found to be free of Piroplasma infection.