Infection of the Mongolian gerbil with the cattle piroplasm Babesia divergens

Lewis, David H.; Williams, H.

doi:10.1038/278170a0

Cited by 59 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A history of splenectomy, absence of recent travel to malariaendemic areas, absence of recent blood transfusion, and particular cytological characteristics (pyriform parasites, absence of parasitic pigment, or hemozoin) are all strong indications for babesial infection (65). The diagnosis can be confirmed by xenodiagnosis with either splenectomized calves, in which the parasite assumes its typical morphology (50), or gerbils, in which B. divergens causes an acute, fatal disease within 3 to 6 days (119).…”

Section: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Phillips eventually succeeded in adapting the piroplasm to grow in splenectomized rats, in which peak parasitemias reached over 50% after 25 passages (138). The only laboratory animal that has been found to be fully susceptible, whether intact or splenectomized, is the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus (119). This discovery was made during investigations of a human case in Scotland (50), and M. unguiculatus has since been used in many laboratory studies.…”

Section: Host Specificity and Parasite Morphologymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Babesia divergens , a Bovine Blood Parasite of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance

et al. 2003

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Babesia divergens is an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite, transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus, and is the main agent of bovine babesiosis in Europe. It is not only a cause of significant loss to the cattle industry; it can also infect immunocompromised humans, causing medical emergencies characterized by rapid fulmination and parasitemias that may exceed 70%. The current emphasis in Europe on sustainable agriculture and extensification is likely to lead to an increase in vector tick populations with increased risk of infection. Despite the veterinary and zoonotic importance of this parasite, relatively little research has been carried out on B. divergens, and many questions regarding the parasite's epidemiology and the host's response remain unanswered. A better understanding of the species' biology and host-parasite interactions may lead to improved control mechanisms and new trends in vaccine and antibabesial drug development. This review provides the first comprehensive summary of B. divergens biology, including its morphology, life cycle, and host specificity, and the current state of knowledge of both human and bovine infections

show abstract

Section: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Host Specificity and Parasite Morphologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Babesia divergens , a Bovine Blood Parasite of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance

et al. 2003

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Subsequent studies demonstrated that B. divergens has low host susceptibility, with resistance in most laboratory animal species, with the exception of Meriones unguiculatus, the Mongolian gerbil (146), which serves as a laboratory model for B. divergens (147). Numerous human cases have been reported throughout Europe, primarily in splenectomized individuals.…”

Section: Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transmission and Epidemiology of Zoonotic Protozoal Diseases of Companion Animals

2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYOver 77 million dogs and 93 million cats share our households in the United States. Multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of pets in their owners' physical and mental health. Given the large number of companion animals in the United States and the proximity and bond of these animals with their owners, understanding and preventing the diseases that these companions bring with them are of paramount importance. Zoonotic protozoal parasites, including toxoplasmosis, Chagas' disease, babesiosis, giardiasis, and leishmaniasis, can cause insidious infections, with asymptomatic animals being capable of transmitting disease.GiardiaandToxoplasma gondii, endemic to the United States, have high prevalences in companion animals.LeishmaniaandTrypanosoma cruziare found regionally within the United States. These diseases have lower prevalences but are significant sources of human disease globally and are expanding their companion animal distribution. Thankfully, healthy individuals in the United States are protected by intact immune systems and bolstered by good nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene. Immunocompromised individuals, including the growing number of obese and/or diabetic people, are at a much higher risk of developing zoonoses. Awareness of these often neglected diseases in all health communities is important for protecting pets and owners. To provide this awareness, this review is focused on zoonotic protozoal mechanisms of virulence, epidemiology, and the transmission of pathogens of consequence to pet owners in the United States.

show abstract

“…B. divergens is responsible for most cases of human babesiosis in Europe [6], particularly in splenectomized people. Splenectomized rats could be experimentally infected by B. divergens [10], but the main experimental model for B. divergens babesiosis remains the Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), which develops an acute and fatal babesiosis [9]. The in vitro culture of B. divergens has also been described in erythrocytes from different origins: rat [1] and humans [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sheep as a new experimental host for Babesia divergens

et al. 2002

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

-Babesia divergens was cultivated in sheep erythrocytes in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) or sheep serum. In vitro cultures in sheep red blood cells were initiated with human erythrocytes infected in vitro with B. divergens Rouen 1987 or with gerbil blood infected with several isolates from bovine origin. After the first subcultures on sheep erythrocytes, a ten-fold multiplication of the parasites was obtained within 48 h. Erythrocytes from three splenectomized sheep were infected in vitro with B. divergens; when parasitaemia reached 10%, the animals were inoculated with homologous parasitized erythrocytes. All sheep expressed hyperthermia with a peak between the 6th and the 9th day post-infection (p-i) and a transitory parasitaemia 10 days p-i. In vitro primary cultures were performed on two of these sheep, demonstrating the parasite persistence at very low parasitaemia in the infected animals. Splenectomized sheep can be used as a new model for B. divergens chronic infection.Babesia divergens / sheep / in vitro culture / experimental infection Résumé -Le Mouton : un nouvel hôte expérimental de Babesia divergens. Babesia divergens a été cultivé in vitro dans des hématies de Mouton suspendues dans du RPMI 1640 supplémenté par 10 % de sérum de veau foetal ou de sérum de Mouton. Les cultures en hématies de mouton ont été initiées avec des hématies humaines infectées in vitro par B. divergens Rouen 1987 ou avec des hématies de gerbilles infectées par différents isolats d'origine bovine. Après les premiers passages sur héma-ties de mouton, les parasites se multiplient 10 fois en 48 h. Les hématies de trois moutons splénecto-misés ont été infectées in vitro par B. divergens ; lorsque la parasitémie in vitro a atteint 10 %, les animaux ont été infectés expérimentalement avec les hématies homologues. Tous les moutons ont présenté un pic d'hyperthermie entre le 6 e et le 9 e jour post-infection (p-i) et une parasitémie

show abstract

Infection of the Mongolian gerbil with the cattle piroplasm Babesia divergens

Cited by 59 publications

References 2 publications

Babesia divergens , a Bovine Blood Parasite of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance

Babesia divergens , a Bovine Blood Parasite of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance

Transmission and Epidemiology of Zoonotic Protozoal Diseases of Companion Animals

Sheep as a new experimental host for Babesia divergens

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About