Prevalence and molecular characterization of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Spain

Remesar, Susana; Díaz, Pablo; Prieto, Alberto; García-Dios, David; Fernández, Gonzalo; López, C.; Fontán, Rosario Panadero; Díez‐Baños, P.; Morrondo, P.

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101351

Cited by 16 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Previous studies performed in Spain have reported the presence of A. phagocytophilum humanpathogenic strains in both questing I. ricinus and blood from roe deer [22][23][24] and human anaplasmosis cases have been also reported in this country [22]. Although sequence analysis at groEL and 16S rRNA genes does not provide complete information about A. phagocytophilum ecotypes [38] these results provide useful information about A. phagocytophilum pathogenic potential.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…In addition, three different variants of A. phagocytophilum were detected at the 16S rRNA gene ( Table 3). The most prevalent variants found, "Y" and "X", are currently considered apathogenic [12,14]; both variants were the most frequently detected in questing ticks and ticks feeding on both red deer and roe deer from Germany [14] as well as in roe deer from Spain [23]. Variant "W" has been previously found on I.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Although the 16S rRNA gene is not considered a highly discriminatory marker for A. phagocytophilum (Dugat et al ., 2015), it allowed the identification of three different genetic variants. Most of 16S rRNA sequences have been previously detected in questing ticks and ticks feeding on both red deer and roe deer from Germany (Overzier et al ., 2013) as well as in roe deer from Spain (Remesar et al ., 2020). In contrast, a single isolate (GV348) showed a 16S rRNA sequence identical to those previously detected in some mammalian species including humans, cattle and sheep with clinical signs of anaplasmosis (Liz et al ., 2002; Silaghi et al ., 2011; Overzier et al ., 2013; Kauffmann et al ., 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since its main vector remains unknown (Giangaspero et al ., 2015), further studies to determine the role of I. ricinus in the transmission of this piroplasm should be performed. This piroplasm has been detected in European wild ungulates such as roe deer, red deer, fallow deer and chamois (Pereira et al ., 2016; Remesar et al ., 2020) as well as in domestic ruminants such as sheep and goats (Giangaspero et al ., 2015); however, it has been previously detected only in questing Haemaphysalis punctata and I. ricinus with prevalences of 3.6% and 1.6%, respectively (García‐Sanmartín et al ., 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous investigations carried out in questing I. ricinus from Spain reported A. phagocytophilum prevalence up to 20.5% (Ruíz‐Fons et al ., 2012). Nevertheless, the number of studies using different genetic markers for characterizing A. phagocytophilum isolates is scarce (Portillo et al ., 2005; Remesar et al ., 2020) and therefore information on both animal reservoirs and ecology of Anaplasma spp. in this country is still limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular detection and identification of piroplasms (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing ticks from northwest Spain

Remesar

Díaz

Prieto

et al. 2020

Medical Vet Entomology

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Background: Ticks can transmit a wide range of pathogens; some of them are regarded as emerging or re-emerging pathogens causing a significant impact on human and animal health. Methods: In order to determine prevalence and zoonotic potential of Anaplasma spp., Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis and piroplasms in questing ticks from northwestern Spain, 1,056 Ixodes ricinus, nineteen Dermacentor marginatus, seventeen Dermacentor reticulatus, twelve Ixodes frontalis and a single Ixodes acuminatus were molecularly analysed. Also, 23 pools of I. ricinus larvae were investigated for the presence of piroplasms. Anaplasma and piroplasm DNA was firstly detected using two commercial qPCR assays. Samples positive to Anaplasma spp. were confirmed and identified at species level by sequence analysis of the groESL, 16S rRNA and msp2 genes. Those samples negative to Anaplasma spp. groESL were pooled and processed to detect a fragment of the groESL gene of Ca. N. mikurensis. qPCR piroplasm positive samples were molecularly identified at the species level by partial sequencing of the 18S rRNA and ITS1 genes. Results: Four pathogen species were detected in individual I. ricinus, namely Babesia venatorum (1.5%), A. phagocytophilum (0.7%), Babesia microti (0.3%) and Theileria sp. OT3 (0.2%). Babesia venatorum was also identified in a single I. ricinus larvae pool (maximum likelihood estimation 0.6%) whereas no I. ricinus pools were positive to Ca. N. mikurensis. In addition, one I. frontalis (8.3%) tested positive to A. phagocytophilum. Conclusions: Our results revealed that a low percentage of I. ricinus from northwest Spain were infected with A. phagocytophilum and piroplasms. Since a potentially pathogenic variant of A. phagocytophilum and two zoonotic Babesia species were detected, these results may have public health concern. Since the vector of Theileria sp. OT3 remains unknown, its identification in I. ricinus is especially interesting; nevertheless, further investigations are needed to unravel the role of I. ricinus in the transmission of this Theileria species. Background Ticks are considered, after mosquitoes, the second vector in terms of public health importance, being able to transmit a wide range of pathogens [1]. Although Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis

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