Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequences of<i>Schellackia</i>parasites (Apicomplexa: Lankesterellidae) reveals their close relationship to the genus<i>Eimeria</i>

Megía‐Palma, Rodrigo; Martı́nez, Javier; Merino, Santiago

doi:10.1017/s0031182013000553

Cited by 34 publications

(55 citation statements)

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“…But in order to do so, a more comprehensive characterization on hemogregarine diversity and taxonomy in multiple hosts and across populations is needed. Eimeriorina infections estimates agree with previous studies that also report low prevalence of these parasites in P. hispanica [56], [57]. This finding is relevant since these coccidian parasites are poorly studied and taxonomy is controversial in some taxa [85], [86].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…In addition, other apicomplexans, such as Schellackia sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriorina), are often found at lower prevalence and intensities in wild reptile hosts, and mixed infections with Hepatozoon can also occur [56], [57]. In this study, we investigate Hepatozoon infection parameters in two sympatric closely related lacertid species, Podarcis bocagei and P. hispanica .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study, we investigate Hepatozoon infection parameters in two sympatric closely related lacertid species, Podarcis bocagei and P. hispanica . These two host species present an attractive system because: first, they live in sympatry and, despite having similar ecological requirements, there are apparent preferences for microhabitat: P. hispanica is frequently found on rocks (saxicolous), while P. bocagei is mainly grounddwelling [58], [59]; second, despite being genetically closely related [60], they present considerable morphological differences, with P. bocagei being generally larger [61], [62]; third, size sexual dimorphism has been reported for both species, with adult males being larger than females [62], [63]; and fourth, recent studies report high prevalence of Hepatozoon and low prevalence of Schellackia infections for these species in the Iberian Peninsula [50], [56]. Therefore, this model system provides an ideal scenario for investigating between host-species, sex and inter-individual differences in patterns of Hepatozoon infection, while controlling for confounding factors such as ecology and host and parasite phylogeny.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Comparison of Multiple Methods for Estimating Parasitemia of Hemogregarine Hemoparasites (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) and Its Application for Studying Infection in Natural Populations

Maia

Harris²,

Carranza³

et al. 2014

PLoS ONE

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Identifying factors influencing infection patterns among hosts is critical for our understanding of the evolution and impact of parasitism in natural populations. However, the correct estimation of infection parameters depends on the performance of detection and quantification methods. In this study, we designed a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay targeting the 18 S rRNA gene to estimate prevalence and intensity of Hepatozoon infection and compared its performance with microscopy and PCR. Using qPCR, we also compared various protocols that differ in the biological source and the extraction methods. Our results show that the qPCR approach on DNA extracted from blood samples, regardless of the extraction protocol, provided the most sensitive estimates of Hepatozoon infection parameters; while allowed us to differentiate between mixed infections of Adeleorinid (Hepatozoon) and Eimeriorinid (Schellackia and Lankesterella), based on the analysis of melting curves. We also show that tissue and saline methods can be used as low-cost alternatives in parasitological studies. The next step was to test our qPCR assay in a biological context, and for this purpose we investigated infection patterns between two sympatric lacertid species, which are naturally infected with apicomplexan hemoparasites, such as the genera Schellackia (Eimeriorina) and Hepatozoon (Adeleorina). From a biological standpoint, we found a positive correlation between Hepatozoon intensity of infection and host body size within each host species, being significantly higher in males, and higher in the smaller sized host species. These variations can be associated with a number of host intrinsic factors, like hormonal and immunological traits, that require further investigation. Our findings are relevant as they pinpoint the importance of accounting for methodological issues to better estimate infection in parasitological studies, and illustrate how between-host factors can influence parasite distributions in sympatric natural populations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Comparison of Multiple Methods for Estimating Parasitemia of Hemogregarine Hemoparasites (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) and Its Application for Studying Infection in Natural Populations

Maia

Harris²,

Carranza³

et al. 2014

PLoS ONE

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“…Reference sequences are labelled by GenBank accession number and Trichomonas species. References to GenBank accession numbers are as follows: JQ030996.1, JQ755275.1 and JQ755278.1 (Peters & Raidal, unpublished; samples from Australia), U86615.1 ([32]; sample from Switzerland), HM579936.1 ([57]; sample from France), KF993705.1 and KF993679.1 (Martínez-Herrero et al unpublished; samples from Spain), EU881911.1, EU881912.1 and EU881917.1 ([12]; samples from Spain), KC215387.1 ([14]; sample from USA), JN007005.1 ([62]; sample from Austria), KC529665.1 ([42]; sample from UK), DQ243911.1 ([34]; sample from France). Asterisk marks the two single sequences and their sample names, which could not be linked to any of the previously described lineages …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…T. gallinae swab samples were centrifuged for 5 min at 13,000× g . The supernatant was discarded, and DNA was extracted as described by Mégia-Palma et al 2013 [32]. The DNA was re-suspended in 30 μl of ddH 2 O.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High prevalence of Trichomonas gallinae in wild columbids across western and southern Europe

et al. 2017

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BackgroundAvian trichomonosis is known as a widespread disease in columbids and passerines, and recent findings have highlighted the pathogenic character of some lineages found in wild birds. Trichomonosis can affect wild bird populations including endangered species, as has been shown for Mauritian pink pigeons Nesoenas mayeri in Mauritius and suggested for European turtle doves Streptopelia turtur in the UK. However, the disease trichomonosis is caused only by pathogenic lineages of the parasite Trichomonas gallinae. Therefore, understanding the prevalence and distribution of both potentially pathogenic and non-pathogenic T. gallinae lineages in turtle doves and other columbids across Europe is relevant to estimate the potential impact of the disease on a continental scale.ResultsWe examined 281 samples from four wild columbid species for Trichomonas infection and determined the genetic lineages. The overall prevalence was 74%. There were significant differences between the species (P = 0.007). The highest prevalence was found in stock doves Columba oenas (86%, n = 79) followed by wood pigeons Columba palumbus (70%, n = 61) and turtle doves (67%, n = 65), while three of five collared doves Streptopelia decaocto (60%) were infected. We found seven different lineages, including four lineages present in columbids in the UK, one lineage already described from Spain and three new lineages, one of those found in a single turtle dove migrating through Italy and another one found in a breeding stock dove. Stock doves from Germany and collared doves from Malta were infected with a potentially pathogenic lineage (lineage A/B), which is known to cause lesions and mortality in columbids, raptors and finches.ConclusionsGenerally, turtle doves showed high prevalence of Trichomonas infection. Furthermore, the potentially pathogenic lineage A/B (or genotype B according to previous literature) was found in a recovering stock dove population. Both findings are worrying for these columbid species due to the occasional epidemic character of trichomonosis, which can have severe negative effects on populations.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2170-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Differential recovery ability from infections by two blood parasite genera in males of a Mediterranean lacertid lizard after an experimental translocation

Megía‐Palma,

Redondo,

Blázquez‐Castro

et al. 2023

J Exp Zool Pt A

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Different blood parasites can co‐infect natural populations of lizards. However, our knowledge of the host's ability to recover from them (i.e., significantly reduce parasitemia levels) is scarce. This has interest from an ecological immunology perspective. Herein, we investigate the host recovery ability in males of the lizard Psammodromus algirus infected by parasite genera Schellackia and Karyolysus. The role of lizard hosts is dissimilar in the life cycle of these two parasites, and thus different immune control of the infections is expected by the vertebrate host. As Schellackia performs both sexual and asexual reproduction cycles in lizards, we expect a better immune control by its vertebrate hosts. On the contrary, Karyolysus performs sexual reproductive cycles in vectors, hence we expect lower immune control by the lizards. We carried out a reciprocal translocation experiment during the lizards’ mating season to evaluate both parasitemia and leukocyte profiles in male lizards, being one of the sampling plots close to a road with moderate traffic. These circumstances provide a combination of extrinsic (environmental stress) and intrinsic factors (reproductive vs. immune trade‐offs) that may influence host's recovery ability. We recaptured 33% of the lizards, with a similar proportion in control and translocated groups. Karyolysus infected 92.3% and Schellackia 38.5% of these lizards. Hosts demonstrated ability to significantly reduce parasitemia of Schellackia but not of Karyolysus. This suggests, in line with our predictions, a differential immune relationship of lizards with these parasites, at time that supports that parasites with different phylogenetic origins should be analyzed separately in investigations of their effects on hosts. Furthermore, lizards close to the road underwent a stronger upregulation of lymphocytes and monocytes when translocated far from the road, suggesting a putative greater exposure to pathogens in the latter area.

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Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequences ofSchellackiaparasites (Apicomplexa: Lankesterellidae) reveals their close relationship to the genusEimeria

Cited by 34 publications

References 38 publications

A Comparison of Multiple Methods for Estimating Parasitemia of Hemogregarine Hemoparasites (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) and Its Application for Studying Infection in Natural Populations

A Comparison of Multiple Methods for Estimating Parasitemia of Hemogregarine Hemoparasites (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) and Its Application for Studying Infection in Natural Populations

High prevalence of Trichomonas gallinae in wild columbids across western and southern Europe

Differential recovery ability from infections by two blood parasite genera in males of a Mediterranean lacertid lizard after an experimental translocation

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