A descriptive study of parasites detected in ticks of domestic animals in Lesotho

Mahlobo, Sibonginhlanhla Innocentia; Zishiri, Oliver T.

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100611

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 38 publications

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“…Up to now, and to our knowledge, transmission of a Babesia sensu stricto species (clade X) by a soft tick has never been demonstrated, and could be a biological feature specific of piroplasmids of other clades (III and V). Soft ticks ( Otobius megnini ) collected from naturally infected cattle carried Babesia bovis (clade X), but transmission was not studied (Malhobo et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A soft tick vector ofBabesiasp. YLG in Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests

Bonsergent

Vittecoq

Leray

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Babesia sp. YLG has been recently described in Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) chicks and belongs to the Peircei clade in the new classification of Piroplasms. Here, we studied Babesia sp. YLG vectorial transmission by ticks in the simplified environment of a single seabird breeding colony where the Yellow-legged gull is the sole vertebrate host, Ornithodoros maritimus (syn. Alectorobius maritimus, Mans et al. 2021) the sole tick species, and Babesia sp. YLG is the unique blood parasite species previously detected in gull chicks in the colony. We collected ticks over four years, maintained certain individuals through moulting or oviposition, and dissected fresh ticks to isolate different organs and test for the presence of the parasite using molecular assays. We report the first strong evidence of a Piroplasmidae transmitted by a soft tick. Indeed, Babesia sp. YLG DNA was detected in the salivary glands of nymphs, females and males, a necessary organ to infect for transmission to a new vertebrate host. Parasite DNA was also found in tick ovaries, which could indicate possible transovarial transmission. Our detection of Babesia sp. YLG DNA in several male testes and in endospermatophores, and notably in a parasite-free female (uninfected ovaries and salivary glands), raise the interesting possibility of sexual transmission from infected males to uninfected females. Future work in this system will now need to focus on the degree to which the parasite can be maintained locally by ticks and the epidemiological consequences of infection for both O. maritimus and the avian host.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A soft tick vector ofBabesiasp. YLG in Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests

Bonsergent

Vittecoq

Leray

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

A soft tick vector of Babesia sp. YLG in Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests

Bonsergent,

Vittecoq,

Leray

et al. 2023

Peer Community Journal

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Babesia sp. YLG has recently been described in Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) chicks and belongs to the Peircei clade in the new classification of Piroplasms. Here, we studied Babesia sp. YLG vectorial transmission by ticks in the simplified environment of a single seabird breeding colony where the Yellow-legged gull is the sole vertebrate host, Ornithodoros maritimus (syn. Alectorobius maritimus) the sole tick species, and Babesia sp. YLG is the only blood parasite species detected in chicks of the colony. We collected ticks over four years, maintained certain individuals through moulting or oviposition, and dissected fresh ticks to isolate different organs and test for the presence of the parasite using molecular assays. We report the first strong evidence of a Piroplasmidae transmitted by a soft tick. Indeed, Babesia sp. YLG DNA was detected in the salivary glands of nymphs, females and males, a necessary organ to infect for transmission to a new vertebrate host. Parasite DNA was also found in tick ovaries, which could indicate possible transovarial transmission. Our detection of Babesia sp. YLG DNA in several male testes and in endospermatophores, and notably in a parasite-free female (uninfected ovaries and salivary glands), raise the interesting possibility of sexual transmission from infected males to uninfected females. Future work in this system will now need to focus on the degree to which the parasite can be maintained locally by ticks and the epidemiological consequences of infection for both O. maritimus and its avian host.

show abstract

A descriptive study of parasites detected in ticks of domestic animals in Lesotho

Cited by 2 publications

References 38 publications

A soft tick vector ofBabesiasp. YLG in Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests

A soft tick vector ofBabesiasp. YLG in Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests

A soft tick vector of Babesia sp. YLG in Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests

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