Detection and phylogenetic characterization of Theileria spp. and Anaplasma marginale in Rhipicephalus bursa in Portugal

Abstract

a b s t r a c tTicks are obligatory blood-sucking arthropod (Acari:Ixodida) ectoparasites of domestic and wild animals as well as humans. The incidence of tick-borne diseases is rising worldwide, challenging our approach toward diagnosis, treatment and control options. Rhipicephalus bursa Canestrini and Fanzago, 1877, a two-host tick widely distributed in the Palearctic Mediterranean region, is considered a multi-host tick that can be commonly found on sheep, goats and cattle, and occasionally on horses, dogs, deer and humans. R. bursa is a species involved in the transmission of several tick-borne pathogens with a known impact on animal health and production. The aim of this study was to estimate R. bursa prevalence in Portugal Mainland and circulating pathogens in order to contribute to a better knowledge of the impact of this tick species. Anaplasma marginale and Theileria spp. were detected and classified using phylogenetic analysis. This is the first report of Theileria annulata and Theileria equi detection in R. bursa ticks feeding on cattle and horses, respectively, in Portugal. This study contributes toward the identification of currently circulating pathogens in this tick species as a prerequisite for developing future effective anti-tick control measures.

Molecular investigation and phylogeny of Anaplasmataceae species infecting domestic animals and ticks in Corsica, France

“…Here, the DNA of A. marginale was amplified from two engorged female ticks removed from cattle infected by A. marginale. Previous studies have reported A. marginale from R. bursa removed from cattle in Portugal [34], and from Iberian red deer and European wild boar in Spain [37]. It is likely that the presence of A. marginale DNA in these two ticks was due to the presence of this pathogen in the blood meal.…”

“…Rhipicephalus bursa was the most common tick infesting cattle in our study. This two-host species occurs in the entire Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean basins, including their islands, and North Africa [25, 34]. Rhipicephalus bursa prefers grassy slopes and low to medium altitude mountain slopes, as well as certain modified steppe and semi-desert environments [35].…”

“…In the Mediterranean region, the DNA of this bacterium has been amplified from D. reticulatus , D. marginatus , R. turanicus , Haemaphysalis punctata , Hy. m. marginatum and R. bursa [34, 37, 43]. Interestingly, A. marginale has been amplified from Xenopsylla cheopis removed from red foxes in Italy [40].…”

Molecular detection of pathogens in ticks infesting cattle in Nampula province, Mozambique

“…This intraerythocytic bacterium is transmitted primarily by R. bursa and infects sheep, goats, deer, and wild ruminants (Friedhoff 1997; Ferrolho et al 2016). In small ruminants, infection is usually subclinical, but occasionally, it can be severe, with symptoms such as anemia, hemoglobinuria, and fever (Hornok et al 2007).…”

Quantitative Proteomics Identifies Metabolic Pathways Affected by Babesia Infection and Blood Feeding in the Sialoproteome of the Vector Rhipicephalus bursa

“…Ticks have a significant negative impact on host species through their feeding behavior, causing direct skin and sub-cutaneous tissue damage and blood depletion, and also acting as vectors of different pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa [1,2]. Belonging to the Ixodidae family, Rhipicephalus bursa is a multi-host tick widely distributed in the Mediterranean region having cattle, sheep, and goats as its primary hosts but can occasionally be found in wild ungulates, small mammals, or even humans [3][4][5]. This tick species is the main vector of the etiological agent of ovine babesiosis, Babesia ovis.…”