A novel candidate species of Anaplasma that infects avian erythrocytes

Vanstreels, Ralph Eric Thijl; Yabsley, Michael J.; Parsons, Nola J.; Swanepoel, Liandrie; Pistorius, Pierre A.

doi:10.1186/s13071-018-3089-9

Cited by 31 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…A recently described novel organism in erythrocytes from an African penguin ( Spheniscus demersus ) displays molecular resemblance to the Anaplasma sp. from the gopher tortoises as it is considered most closely related to the cluster comprising A. centrale , A. capra , A. marginale , and A. ovis . The intraerythrocytic organism in the tortoises was unique by molecular analysis with sequencing that indicated the organism was most closely related to but basal to a clade of the genus Anaplasma that contains A. marginale , A. ovis , and A. centrale .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Newly recognizedAnaplasmasp. in erythrocytes from Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)

Raskin

Crosby

Jacobson

2020

Veterinary Clinical Pathol

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Background In 2015, a previously unrecognized intracytoplasmic erythrocytic inclusion was discovered in anemic wild‐caught adult gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Subsequently, molecular diagnostics revealed this inclusion to be a novel Anaplasma sp. Objectives The goal of this study was to morphologically characterize these erythrocytic inclusions by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Methods Blood samples were taken from two car‐injured wild‐caught gopher tortoises for the preparation of Wright‐Giemsa stained smears and TEM specimens. CBC data were serially performed and morphologically examined during treatment periods. Results Studies revealed a moderate to severe anemia with moderate regeneration as indicated by polychromasia and the presence of immature erythroid precursors. In addition, on light microscopy, one to two variably‐sized round basophilic stippled paracentral erythrocytic inclusions were present per cell in both animals and involved 10%‐25% of erythrocytes. TEM identified the intraerythrocytic inclusions as discrete membrane‐bound cytoplasmic vacuoles (morulae) containing membrane‐bound bacterial subunits that were of variable size, shape, and electron density. Serial hematologic data indicated complete remission of the infection in response to a single long‐term course of doxycycline. Conclusions The presence of a regenerative anemia in gopher tortoises from Florida revealed a newly recognized bacterial species that has morphologic characteristics similar to members of the genus Anaplasma.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Newly recognizedAnaplasmasp. in erythrocytes from Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)

Raskin

Crosby

Jacobson

2020

Veterinary Clinical Pathol

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“…The tick O. capensis is suspected to transmit blood parasites to African penguins, such as the piroplasmid protozoan Babesia peircei (Earlé et al ., 1993), the spirochete bacterium Borrelia sp. (Yabsley et al ., 2012) and the rickettsial bacterium ‘ Candidatus Anaplasma sphenisci’ (Vanstreels et al ., 2018 a ). However, there is also speculation that the hard tick Ixodes uriae , a frequent parasite of penguins in other regions of the world, might also infect African penguins and transmit these pathogens (Earlé et al ., 1993; Peirce, 2000; Yabsley et al ., 2012; Vanstreels et al ., 2018 a ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Yabsley et al ., 2012) and the rickettsial bacterium ‘ Candidatus Anaplasma sphenisci’ (Vanstreels et al ., 2018 a ). However, there is also speculation that the hard tick Ixodes uriae , a frequent parasite of penguins in other regions of the world, might also infect African penguins and transmit these pathogens (Earlé et al ., 1993; Peirce, 2000; Yabsley et al ., 2012; Vanstreels et al ., 2018 a ). Other blood parasites known to infect African penguins include the haemosporidian protozoa Plasmodium spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of external and blood parasite load in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) admitted for rehabilitation

Snyman¹,

Vanstreels

Nell

et al. 2020

Parasitology

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We investigate the factors associated with the occurrence and abundance of external and blood parasites in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus), an endangered seabird that breeds exclusively on the coasts of Namibia and South Africa. External parasites were collected using the dust-ruffling method from 171 African Penguins admitted at a rehabilitation facility in the Western Cape, South Africa. Additionally, blood smears were obtained upon admission and weekly during rehabilitation and examined for blood parasites. Fleas Parapsyllus longicornis humboldti, ticks Ornithodoros capensis and lice Austrogoniodes demersus were recovered from 93, 63 and 40%, respectively, of the penguins upon admission to the centre. Rescue location and age group were identified as significant determinants of flea abundance, whereas month of admission was a significant determinant of tick abundance. Blood parasites were also common on admission, with Babesia being the most frequent (46% prevalence) whereas Borrelia was recorded sporadically (1.2%) and Plasmodium was recorded once. The prevalence and abundance of ticks on admission was positively associated with Babesia infection on admission. Our findings demonstrate the variability and contributing factor of parasite infections in an endangered species of penguin, and highlight the need for additional research on the parasite–host dynamics involving these potential disease vectors.

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“…nov determined in the present study are consistent with those previously reported [1], and different from the other intraerythrocytic Anaplasma spp. [20,23,[33][34][35]. These findings significantly contribute to the research on this novel zoonotic Anaplasma sp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

The first detection of Anaplasma capra, an emerging zoonotic Anaplasma sp., in erythrocytes

Peng

Yan

et al. 2021

Emerging Microbes & Infections

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An emerging infectious disease caused by "Anaplasma capra" was reported in a 2015 survey of 477 hospital patients with a tick-bite history in China. However, the morphological characteristics and parasitic location of this pathogen are still unclear, and the pathogen has not been officially classified as a member of the genus Anaplasma. Anaplasma caprapositive blood samples were collected, blood cells separated, and DNA of whole blood cells, erythrocytes, and leukocytes extracted. Multiplex PCR detection assay was used to detect whole blood cell, erythrocytes and leukocytes, DNA samples, and PCR identification, nucleic acid sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses based on A. capra groEL, 16S rRNA, gltA, and msp4 genes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Wright-Giemsa staining, chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH), immunocytochemistry, and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) were used to identify the location and morphological characteristics of A. capra. Multiple gene loci results demonstrated that erythrocyte DNA samples were A. capra-positive, while leukocyte DNA samples were A. capra-negative. Phylogenetic analysis showed that A. capra is in the same clade with the A. capra sequence reported previously. SEM and TEM showed one or more pathogens internally or on the outer surface of erythrocytes. Giemsa staining, CISH, immunocytochemistry, and IFA indicated that erythrocytes were A. capra-positive. This study is the first to identify the novel zoonotic tick-borne Anaplasma sp., "Anaplasma capra," in host erythrocytes. Based on our results, we suggest revision of Genus Anaplasma and formally name "A. capra" as Anaplasma capra sp. nov.

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A novel candidate species of Anaplasma that infects avian erythrocytes

Cited by 31 publications

References 51 publications

Newly recognizedAnaplasmasp. in erythrocytes from Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)

Newly recognizedAnaplasmasp. in erythrocytes from Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)

Determinants of external and blood parasite load in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) admitted for rehabilitation

The first detection of Anaplasma capra, an emerging zoonotic Anaplasma sp., in erythrocytes

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