Characterization of an outbreak of emerging bovine besnoitiosis in southwestern Spain

Nieto-Rodríguez, Juan Miguel; Calero‐Bernal, Rafael; Álvarez‐García, Gema; Gutiérrez-Expósito, Daniel; Redondo-García, Eloy; Fernández-García, José Luis; Martínez-Estéllez, Miguel Ángel Habela

doi:10.1007/s00436-016-5050-1

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…besnoiti in felines (Table 1). Millán et al (2012) were found in a previous survey (Nieto-Rodríguez et al, 2016). This is the first molecular evidence of the occurrence of B. besnoitilike DNA in a European mesocarnivore gut.…”

Section: Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysessupporting

confidence: 70%

“…A total of 352 faecal samples from 12 free-living carnivore species 2 and Figure 1). The sampling was mainly focused on areas with higher densities of extensively reared cattle and where positive cases of bovine besnoitiosis had been previously reported (Nieto-Rodríguez et al, 2016), as is the case of Central and Western Spain (Figure 1). Samples were obtained from road-and hunter-killed animals, from accidentally found carcasses, camera-trap surveys or animals entering rescue shelters (see Calero-Bernal et al, 2020).…”

Section: Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nieto-Rodríguez et al, 2016), there are three possible explanations for such interesting findings; (i) our first hypothesis is that red foxes may have a role in the transmission of the parasite as definitive host: the red fox is considered to be one of the most widespread generalist vertebrate predators in the world(Macdonald & Reynolds, 2004). Therefore, predation on small mammals as rodents and wild rabbit, intermediate hosts of B. darlingi, B. neotomofelis and B. oryctofelisi, respectively, suggests that it could make us think that red fox might have a role as a definitive host in other species of Besnoitia.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain

González‐Barrio

Köster²,

Habela

et al. 2021

Transbound Emerg Dis

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Numerous studies have unsuccessfully tried to unravel the definitive host of the coccidian parasite Besnoitia besnoiti. Cattle infections by B. besnoiti cause a chronic and debilitating condition called bovine besnoitiosis that has emerged in Europe during the last two decades, mainly due to limitations in its control associated with the absence of vaccines and therapeutical tools. Although the exact transmission pathways of B. besnoiti is currently unknown, it is assumed that the parasite might have an indirect life cycle with a carnivore as definitive host. Current lack of studies in wildlife might underestimate the importance of free-living species in the epidemiology of B. besnoiti. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess the presence of Besnoitia spp. in free-ranging mesocarnivores in Spain. DNA was searched by PCR on faeces collected from wild carnivores as a first approach to determine which species could be considered as potential definitive host candidates in further research. For this purpose, a total of 352 faecal samples from 12 free-living wild carnivore species belonging to the Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Procyonidae and Viverridae families were collected in seven Spanish regions. PCR testing showed that Besnoitia spp. DNA was present in four faecal samples from red foxes collected in western Spain, an area with the greatest density of extensively reared cattle and associated with high incidence of bovine besnoitiosis in 3156

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Section: Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysessupporting

confidence: 70%

Section: Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain

González‐Barrio

Köster²,

Habela

et al. 2021

Transbound Emerg Dis

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“…In an endemic area in Spain, the intra-herd prevalence increased from 34.3 to 42.5% within 4 months (Nieto-Rodríguez et al 2016) and in a study carried out in south-western France, the intra-herd seroprevalence increased from 29.8 to 89.5% in less than 2 years of observation (Lienard et al 2011). Similarly, in a 4-year study, an annual incidence of 12.5-62.5% was registered in three endemically infected beef herds in which prevalence varied from 35.6 to 86.5% (Gutiérrez-Expósito et al 2015 ig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serological dynamics and risk factors of Besnoitia besnoiti infection in breeding bulls from an endemically infected purebred beef herd

et al. 2017

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Bovine besnoitiosis has been deemed a re-emerging disease in Western Europe and considered endemic in Spain, Portugal, France and in some areas of Northern Italy. This report refers to an infection outbreak in a purebred beef herd from Northern Italy involving a large number of bulls. In October 2013, 544 animals were serologically tested with an in-house ELISA followed by a confirmatory Western blot to evaluate Besnoitia besnoiti seroprevalence. A year later, 461 animals were then serologically re-tested together with imported animals (n = 268). Overall, 812 animals were involved in the study. Histology and immunohistochemistry were performed on skin biopsies of suspected animals and several tissue samples from a slaughtered bull. In the first sampling, 100 animals were seropositive (18.4%); in the second sampling, prevalence increased up to 36.5%, with incidence calculated at 39.6%. The risk factor analysis revealed that the infection was associated with age (OR = 1.007) and sex, with males presenting a greater risk (OR = 2.006). In fact, prevalence values in bulls increased from 29.6 to 56.7%, with an incidence of infection of 53.3%. Moreover, mating with a seropositive bull enhanced infection risk for a seronegative cow (OR = 1.678). Clinical signs typical of bovine besnoitiosis were found in seven seropositive animals, with confirmation of B. besnoiti through histology and immunohistochemistry. The study outcomes confirm that bovine besnoitiosis is a disease with serious economic impact on beef cattle breeding, particularly on bulls in service. Good management practises such as clinical monitoring and serological testing of imported animals should be implemented to control its occurrence.

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“…The tissue cyst rupture may be observed from 30 days pi onwards (Basson et al, ) and could explain the sporadic parasitaemia observed at later stages of the disease (41 and 61 days pi) (Figure ). Whether the presence of Besnoitia in the testes, which was detected in both tissue cysts and parasite DNA, could affect the reproductive function, as stated for naturally infected bulls, remains to be elucidated (Kumi‐Diaka, Wilson, Sanusi, Njoku, & Osori, ; Nieto‐Rodríguez et al, ; Pols, ). However, the low parasite load detected is unlikely to cause sterility, as naturally infected breeding bulls with impaired reproductive function normally present a high number of mature tissue cysts (Esteban‐Gil et al, ; Kumi‐Diaka et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A model for chronic bovine besnoitiosis: Parasite stage and inoculation route are key factors

Diezma-Díaz

Ferre

et al. 2019

Transbound Emerg Dis

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In this work, an experimental model for chronic besnoitiosis in bovine was developed and characterized. Using a previously established calf model, two new variables (parasite stage and inoculation route) were combined and used. Twelve Holstein Friesian 3‐month‐old male calves were randomly divided into four groups of three animals each. Bradyzoites were obtained from a chronically infected bull and used for inoculation via three different inoculation routes. Three groups were inoculated with 106 bradyzoites by intravenous (G1), subcutaneous (G2) and intradermal (G3) routes, and a non‐infected control group (G4) was inoculated with PBS. The trial lasted for 90 days and included daily clinical monitoring as well as weekly skin biopsies and blood sampling. Sera were obtained to analyse both cellular and humoral responses. Once the calves were euthanized, tissues from the skin, eyes, respiratory and reproductive tracts, among others, were collected to study presence of the parasite. Clinically, the infection was classified as mild to moderate for the acute stage since all infected calves showed lymphadenopathy from four days post‐infection (pi) and fever from one week pi until 24 days pi. However, the most relevant results were achieved during the chronic stage that was classified as moderate to severe. In fact, pathognomonic conjunctival cysts were observed in all infected calves from 40 days pi onwards and were more abundant in G3. Moreover, one calf from this group developed skin lesions (49 days pi). The microscopic tissue cysts and Besnoitia DNA were detected primarily in skin, reproductive tract and respiratory tissue samples, and parasite load was higher in G3. In conclusion, the parasite stage (bradyzoite) and the inoculation route are key factors that influence the outcome of an infection. In particular, the intradermal route led to more severe clinical signs of the chronic phase in the inoculated calves.

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Characterization of an outbreak of emerging bovine besnoitiosis in southwestern Spain

Cited by 9 publications

References 27 publications

Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain

Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain

Serological dynamics and risk factors of Besnoitia besnoiti infection in breeding bulls from an endemically infected purebred beef herd

A model for chronic bovine besnoitiosis: Parasite stage and inoculation route are key factors

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