Detection and Prevalence of Babesia spp. in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) from Eastern and Western North Carolina, USA

Westmoreland, Lori S. H.; Stoskopf, Michael K.; Sheppard, Erica; Perno, Carlo Federico; Gould, Nicholas P.; Olfenbuttel, Colleen; Maggi, Ricardo G.

doi:10.7589/2018-06-164

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Infections with Babesia spp. have been previously reported in Japanese and American black bears [ 43 , 83 – 85 ]. In the present study, Babesia spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Hematological and plasma profiles and ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus)

Tsai,

Wechtaisong,

Lee

et al. 2024

Parasites Vectors

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Background The endangered Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) is the largest native carnivorous mammal in Taiwan. Diseases, poor management, illegal hunting, and habitat destruction are serious threats to the survival of bear populations. However, studies on the impact of diseases on bear populations are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to establish a database of the hematological and plasma profiles of free-ranging Formosan black bears and investigate the occurrence of ectoparasites, blood parasites, and vector-borne pathogens. Methods Formosan black bears were captured in Yushan National Park (YNP) and Daxueshan Forest Recreation Area (DSY) in Taiwan. Blood samples were collected from each bear for hematological analysis and plasma biochemistry using a hematology analyzer. Parasites and pathogens were detected using a thin blood smear with Wright–Giemsa staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Additionally, macroscopic ectoparasites were collected from bears to detect blood parasites and other pathogens. Moreover, the relationships between the bear variables (sex, age, and occurrence of parasites or pathogens), ectoparasites, and infectious agents were also analyzed. Results In all, 21 wild bears (14 in YNP and 7 in DSY) were captured and released during the satellite tracking studies. Hematological analysis and plasma biochemistry indicated significant differences in white blood cells (WBC), segments, creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels between foot snare and culvert-captured bears. Additionally, there were significant differences in total plasma protein (TPP), creatinine, Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ levels between male and female bears. Moreover, pathogen-infected bears had significantly higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; 30 min and 1 h) and globulin levels than uninfected bears. In total, 240 ticks were collected from 13 bears, among which eight adult tick species were identified, including Haemaphysalis flava, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Amblyomma testudinarium, Ixodes ovatus, Dermacentor taiwanensis, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes acutitarsus, Amblyomma javanense, and nymphs belonging to Haemaphysalis spp. PCR revealed that 13 (61.90%) and 8 (38.10%) bears harbored Hepatozoon ursi and Babesia DNA, respectively. Among the ticks examined, 157 (65.41%) and 128 (53.33%) samples were positive for H. ursi and Babesia, respectively. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to establish a database of the hematological and plasma profiles of wild Formosan black bears and investigate ectoparasite infestation and Hepatozoon and Babesia spp. infection. In conclusion, these findings may serve as a reference for monitoring the health and population of locally endangered bears. Graphical Abstract

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“…Infections with Babesia spp. have been previously reported in Japanese and American black bears [ 43 , 83 – 85 ]. In the present study, Babesia spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Hematological and plasma profiles and ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus)

Tsai,

Wechtaisong,

Lee

et al. 2024

Parasites Vectors

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“…When testing pre-characterized Piroplasma positive DNA within animal samples (blood from naturally and experimentally infected animals, Table 1), all 23 Babesia species (including nine as yet to be characterized species) [20], T. equi, T. cervi, and C. felis spp. DNA were amplified (Table 7).…”

Section: Detection Of Babesia Theileria and Cytauxzoon Species Clinical Samples From Naturally And Experimentally Infected Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our research group was among the first to develop diagnostic PCR assays for documentation of Babesia spp. DNA in animal blood specimens [19][20][21][22]. Transmission of Babesia spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Multiplex Droplet Digital PCR Assay for the Detection of Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia Species

et al. 2021

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We describe the development, optimization, and validation of a multiplex droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay for the simultaneous detection of Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia spp. DNA from several sample matrices, including clinical blood samples from animals and humans, vectors, in-vitro infected human and animal cell lines, and tissues obtained from animal models (infected with Bartonella and/or B. burgdorferi). The multiplex ddPCR assay was able to detect 31 Bartonella, 13 Borrelia, and 24 Babesia species, including Theileria equi, T. cervi, and Cytauxzoon felis. No amplification of Treponema or Leptospira spp. was observed. Sensitivity of 0.2–5 genome equivalent DNA copies per microliter was achieved for different members of the Bartonella and Borrelia genus, depending on the species or matrix type (water or spiked blood DNA) tested. The ddPCR assay facilitated the simultaneous detection of co-infections with two and three vector-borne pathogens comprising four different genera (Babesia, Bartonella, Borrelia, and Theileria) from clinical and other sample sources.

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“…in sampled Alaska brown bears, which is consistent with previous studies in black bears (Bai et al 2016;Chern et al 2016). We also did not detect Babesia spp., although these parasites have been detected in black bears from New Jersey, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, US (Shaw et al 2015;Skinner et al 2017;Westmoreland et al 2019). Established populations of ixodid ticks, some of which may be vectors for Babesia spp., have been detected in Alaska (Hahn et al 2020), but the absence of an appropriate vector for pathogen transmission among bears may explain why we did not detect Babesia spp.…”

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confidence: 99%

Survey for Selected Parasites in Alaska Brown Bears (Ursus arctos)

Haynes

Coker

Yabsley

et al. 2023

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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To assess infection with or exposure to endo- and ectoparasites in Alaska brown bears (Ursus arctos), blood and fecal samples were collected during 2013–17 from five locations: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve; Katmai National Park; Lake Clark National Park and Preserve; Yakutat Forelands; and Kodiak Island. Standard fecal centrifugal flotation was used to screen for gastrointestinal parasites, molecular techniques were used to test blood for the presence of Bartonella and Babesia spp., and an ELISA was used to detect antibodies reactive to Sarcoptes scabiei, a species of mite recently associated with mange in American black bears (Ursus americanus). From fecal flotations (n=160), we identified the following helminth eggs: Uncinaria sp. (n=16, 10.0%), Baylisascaris sp. (n=5, 3.1%), Dibothriocephalus sp. (n=2, 1.2%), and taeniid-type eggs (n=1, 0.6%). Molecular screening for intraerythrocytic parasites (Babesia spp.) and intracellular bacteria (Bartonella spp.) was negative for all bears tested. We detected antibodies to S. scabiei in six of 59 (10.2%) individuals. The relatively low level of parasite detection in this study meets expectations for brown bear populations living in large, relatively undisturbed habitats near the northern edge of the range. These results provide a contemporary understanding of parasites in Alaska brown bears and establish baseline levels of parasite presence to monitor for changes over time and relative to ecologic alterations.

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Detection and Prevalence of Babesia spp. in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) from Eastern and Western North Carolina, USA

Cited by 8 publications

References 14 publications

Hematological and plasma profiles and ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus)

Hematological and plasma profiles and ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus)

Development of a Multiplex Droplet Digital PCR Assay for the Detection of Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia Species

Survey for Selected Parasites in Alaska Brown Bears (Ursus arctos)

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