Hepatozoon canis in German red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and their ticks: molecular characterization and the phylogenetic relationship to other Hepatozoon spp.

Abstract

In this study, the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and their ticks from Germany, as well as molecular characterizations and phylogenetic relationship to other Hepatozoon spp. were investigated. DNA extracts of 261 spleen samples and 1,953 ticks were examined for the presence of Hepatozoon spp. by a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene. The ticks included four tick species: Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes canisuga, Ixodes hexagonus and Dermacentor reticulatus. A total of 118/261 foxes (45.2%) and 148/1,953 ticks (7.5%) were Hepatozoon PCR-positive. Amplicons from 36 positive foxes and 41 positive ticks were sequenced. All sequences obtained from foxes and 39/41 from ticks had a 99% similarity to Hepatozoon canis, whereas two ticks' sequences had a 99% identity to Hepatozoon sp. The obtained Hepatozoon sequences in this study were phylogenetically related to other Hepatozoon sequences detected in other countries, which may represent strain variants. The high prevalence of H. canis DNA in red foxes in this study supports the suggested role of those animals in distribution of this parasite. Furthermore, detection of DNA of H. canis in foxes and all examined tick species collected from those foxes allows speculating about previously undescribed potential vectors for H. canis and suggests a potential role of the red fox in its natural endemic cycles.

Autochthonous Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis and imported Babesia gibsoni infection in dogs in the Czech Republic

“…In fact, the animal originated from Slovakia, where B. gibsoni was already reported (Vichova et al 2016). T. annae was not detected in our sample set, although clinical disease in dogs caused by this parasite was reported from several European countries (Zahler et al 2000;Falkeno et al 2013;Rene-Martellet et al 2015) and the parasite is apparently common in red foxes in Central Europe (Karbowiak et al 2010;Duscher et al 2014;Najm et al 2014).…”

“…It is probable that red foxes represent a reservoir of the infection. Their role in the epidemiology of H. canis infection in Central Europe, as well as the involvement of alternative tick vectors, deserves future attention, (Najm et al 2014). None of the examined dogs positive for H. canis DNA showed clinical signs of canine hepatozoonosis; however, the presence of infection in clinically healthy dogs is common throughout the range of this canine pathogen, and is related to the intensity of parasitaemia (Baneth and Weigler 1997;.…”

“…vulpes), an organism which causes severe clinical babesiosis in some parts of Europe (Zahler et al 2000;Falkeno et al 2013;Rene-Martellet et al 2015). However, this parasite is found predominantly in red foxes which seem to be the natural (and reservoir) host (Karbowiak et al 2010;Duscher et al 2014;Najm et al 2014).…”

“…Reports of H. canis in domestic dogs from localities outside the Rhipicephalus range are rare (Hamel et al 2011;Maguire et al 2011;Hornok et al 2013), commonly attributable to travel. Conversely, the parasite is commonly reported in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Eurasian golden jackals (Canis aureus) also in Rhipicephalus-free geographic areas (Majlathova et al 2007;Karbowiak et al 2010;Duscher et al 2013;Duscher et al 2014;Farkas et al 2014;Mitkova et al 2014;Najm et al 2014). In the CR, H. canis was reported for the first time in red foxes and in hunting dogs only recently (Mitkova et al 2016), indicating the possibility of occasional transmission of the parasite between dogs and foxes in areas with an apparent absence of R. sanguineus s.l.…”

European Network for Neglected Vectors and Vector-Borne Infections COST Action Guidelines: What Is This About and What Is This For?

“…While the infections in most mammalian hosts are typically subclinical, species that infect canid and felid carnivores (Hepatozoon americanus, Hepatozoon canis, Hepatozoon felis) are of veterinary importance. Currently, the ubiquitous presence of H. canis and closely related species in European foxes is attracting considerable attention (Najm et al 2014, Hod zić et al 2015 inasmuch as the main tick vector of this species, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is not endemic in some areas where infection is abundant in local foxes.…”