Prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of <i>Babesia</i> parasites in reservoir host species in Fujian province, Southeast China

Zeng, Zhiwei; Zhou, Shengxi; Xu, Guoying; Liu, Weijun; Han, Tae-Ho; Liu, Jing; Wang, Jiaxiong; Deng, Yanqin; Xiao, Fangzhen

doi:10.1111/zph.12988

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Previous surveillance showed that the positive rates of Babesia spp. in rodents were 3.94% and 12.1% in Beijing city and Fujian province, respectively [ 56 , 57 ]. Similarly, our study showed that the positive rate of Babesia spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoonotic pathogens identified in rodents and shrews from four provinces, China, 2015–2022

Tian,

Jiang,

Liu

et al. 2023

Epidemiol. Infect.

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Rodents and shrews are major reservoirs of various pathogens that are related to zoonotic infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate co-infections of zoonotic pathogens in rodents and shrews trapped in four provinces of China. We sampled different rodent and shrew communities within and around human settlements in four provinces of China and characterised several important zoonotic viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens by PCR methods and phylogenetic analysis. A total of 864 rodents and shrews belonging to 24 and 13 species from RODENTIA and EULIPOTYPHLA orders were captured, respectively. For viral pathogens, two species of hantavirus (Hantaan orthohantavirus and Caobang orthohantavirus) were identified in 3.47% of rodents and shrews. The overall prevalence of Bartonella spp., Anaplasmataceae, Babesia spp., Leptospira spp., Spotted fever group Rickettsiae, Borrelia spp., and Coxiella burnetii were 31.25%, 8.91%, 4.17%, 3.94%, 3.59%, 3.47%, and 0.58%, respectively. Furthermore, the highest co-infection status of three pathogens was observed among Bartonella spp., Leptospira spp., and Anaplasmataceae with a co-infection rate of 0.46%. Our results suggested that species distribution and co-infections of zoonotic pathogens were prevalent in rodents and shrews, highlighting the necessity of active surveillance for zoonotic pathogens in wild mammals in wider regions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoonotic pathogens identified in rodents and shrews from four provinces, China, 2015–2022

Tian,

Jiang,

Liu

et al. 2023

Epidemiol. Infect.

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“…To date, only Bab. microti was detected in rodents in Yunnan, Beijing, Zhejiang, Fujian and Henan Provinces, although the above-mentioned pathogens were detected in ticks on a much wider geographical scale in China [23,24,[47][48][49][50]. In Guangxi, Bab.…”

Section: Plos Neglected Tropical Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Great genetic diversity of vector-borne bacteria and protozoan in wild rodents from Guangxi, China

Xue,

Chen,

Jian

et al. 2024

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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Background Rodents are recognized as the hosts of many vector-borne bacteria and protozoan parasites and play an important role in their transmission and maintenance. Intensive studies have focused on their infections in vectors, especially in ticks, however, vector-borne bacterial and protozoan infections in rodents are poorly understood although human cases presenting with fever may due to their infection have been found. Methods From May to October 2019, 192 wild rodents were trapped in wild environment of Guangxi Province, and the spleen samples were collected to reveal the presence of vector-borne bacterial and protozoan infections in them. The microorganisms in rodents were identified by detecting their DNA using (semi-)nested PCR. All the PCR products of the expected size were subjected to sequencing, and then analyzed by BLASTn. Furthermore, all the recovered sequences were subjected to nucleotide identity and phylogenetic analyses. Results As a result, 192 rodents representing seven species were captured, and Bandicota indica were the dominant species, followed by Rattus andamanensis. Based on the (semi-)nested PCR, our results suggested that Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma capra, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, “Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis”, “Candidatus E. hainanensis”, “Candidatus E. zunyiensis”, three uncultured Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella coopersplainsensis, Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella silvatica, two uncultured Bartonella spp., Babesia microti and diverse Hepatozoon were identified in six rodent species. More importantly, six species (including two Anaplasma, two Bartonella, “Ca. N. mikurensis” and Bab. microti) are zoonotic pathogens except Anaplasma bovis and Anaplasma ovis with zoonotic potential. Furthermore, dual infection was observed between different microorganisms, and the most common type of co-infection is between “Ca. N. mikurensis” and other microorganisms. Additionally, potential novel Bartonella species and Hepatozoon species demonstrated the presence of more diverse rodent-associated Bartonella and Hepatozoon. Conclusions The results in this work indicated great genetic diversity of vector-borne infections in wild rodents, and highlighted the potential risk of human pathogens transmitted from rodents to humans through vectors.

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“…Based on present reservoir species and vectors, (sub)regional infectious cycles exist and often pose a serious health threat for people as well as companion animals living in these regions (Davis et al 2005 ; Meerburg et al 2009 ; Yabsley and Shock 2013 ; Dahmana et al 2020 ). Among such zoonotic pathogens are viruses, such as bunya-, flavi-, and filoviruses, bacteria such as Leptospira spp., but also endoparasites including apicomplexans like Babesia microti (Karbowiak 2004 , Zeng et al 2022 , Eisen 2023 ). Some apicomplexan genera like Babesia or Hepatozoon are also well known for their significance in canine health, where small mammals may serve as important reservoirs (Johnson et al 2009 ; Demoner et al 2016 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Field survey and molecular characterization of apicomplexan parasites in small mammals from military camps in Afghanistan

et al. 2023

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Small mammals are an important reservoir for causative agents of numerous infectious diseases, including zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. The occurrence of these pathogens represents a regional but permanent threat for humans and animals in general and might especially weaken military personnel and companion animals in abroad missions. In our study, small mammals collected in military camps in Afghanistan (Feyzabad, Mazar-e Sharif, and Kunduz) were investigated for the presence of apicomplexans using histopathology and molecular methods. For this purpose, well-established and newly developed real-time PCR assays were applied. A high prevalence was detected not only in house mice (Mus musculus), but also in shrews (Crocidura cf. suaveolens) and grey dwarf hamsters (Cricetulus migratorius). The molecular characterization based on the 18S rRNA gene revealed a close relationship to a cluster of Hepatozoon sp. detected in voles of the genus Microtus. Hepatozoon canis DNA was detected in one house mouse as well as in two Rhipicephalus ticks from a dog puppy. In addition, around 5% of the house mice were found to be infected with far related adeleorinids showing the highest sequence identity of 91.5% to Klossiella equi, the only published Klossiella sequence at present. For their better phylogenetic characterization, we conducted metagenomics by sequencing of two selected samples. The resulting 18S rRNA gene sequences have a length of about 2400 base pairs including an insertion of about 500 base pairs and are 100% identical to each other. Histopathology together with organ tropism and detection rates verified this sequence as of Klossiella muris. In conclusion, we documented naturally occurring protozoan stages and the additional taxonomic characterization of a well-known commensal in mice by applying a combination of different approaches. The study is of medical, social, and biological importance for ensuring human and animal health in military camps and also stresses the required awareness for the potential risk of zoonoses.

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Prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia parasites in reservoir host species in Fujian province, Southeast China

Cited by 6 publications

References 49 publications

Zoonotic pathogens identified in rodents and shrews from four provinces, China, 2015–2022

Zoonotic pathogens identified in rodents and shrews from four provinces, China, 2015–2022

Great genetic diversity of vector-borne bacteria and protozoan in wild rodents from Guangxi, China

Field survey and molecular characterization of apicomplexan parasites in small mammals from military camps in Afghanistan

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